Happy Sunday Allen Families! Can you believe March is here?
Our district and school are both making plans to ready the campus for the return of students via the hybrid instructional model. Kindly refer to the Reopening Playbook for Parents, if you have not already done so. Please note that this document will continue to evolve and change as it is a living document and the guidance from county and state officials will likely evolve as well.
As always, continue to communicate with your child’s teacher and the school office at (619) 479-3662 should you have any questions.
Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week
This week is Read Across America Week and we hope all students, staff, and families participate in this Allen School tradition. Please watch Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week for Feb. 28th via the short YouTube video below:
A reminder of our school’s Core Values and Common Courtesies:
The Core Value this week is Perseverance. This week’s Common Courtesy is “Good morning/Good afternoon.“
If you need to conduct business with the school office, please contact the school office between the hours of 8 am and 3 pm, Monday through Friday. Anyone coming to the school must follow all safety protocols, including wearing a facial covering. We will ask you to remain outside. Please contact the office directly at (619) 479-3662 and we will arrange an appointment with you.
A friendly reminder that school starts online for all students at 8:50 am. Attendance and student engagement continue to be tracked and monitored, according to state law and AB 77 and SB 98. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 if your child is having trouble accessing class online.
A Look Ahead:
Monday, March 1, 2021 – First Day of Women’s History Month, Read Across America Week and Spirit Week starts
Tuesday, March 2, 2021 – Future Crusader Night for sixth grade students interested in attending Bonita Vista Middle at 5 pm [Log onto bvm.sweetwaterschools.org to access this meeting]
Wednesday, March 3, 2021 – CVESD Board of Education Meeting at 6 pm
Friday, March 5, 2021 – Virtual Family First Friday at 8 am [Link here]
Monday, March 8, 2021 – Allen Parent Meetings and Hero Squad Fundraiser begins
- English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) at 3 pm [Link to virtual meeting]
- School Site Council (SSC) at 3:30 pm [Link to virtual meeting] * Note that if you join early, you’ll be joining the ELAC meeting.
- Parent Teacher Club (PTC) at 6 pm [Link to virtual meeting]
Tuesday, March 9, 2021 – CVESD DAC/DELAC from 12 noon to 2 pm
Sunday, March 14, 2021 – Daylight Savings Time begins at 2 am: Set your clocks ahead 1 hour before you go to bed on Saturday!
Wednesday, March 17, 2021 – CVESD BAC Meeting at 6 pm (St. Patrick’s Day)
Thursday, March 18 through Friday, March 26th – Parent & Teacher Conferences (Minimum Days)
Monday, March 29 – Friday, April 2, 2021 – Spring Break
Monday, April 5, 2021 – Students resume class (Minimum Day)
Inner Explorer Comes to Allen
Great news! Every classroom in our school will be practicing mindfulness and stress reduction techniques every day with the Inner Explorer program to enhance social-emotional learning. Focusing on mindful breathing and the awareness of thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations, the simple “just press play” program fosters skills such as improved focus, compassion, gratitude, and self-regulation as key elements in students’ continuous improvement.
Inner Explorer has advantages for families, too. The secular program is designed to be easy, requires no previous experience, and can be incorporated into any part of your day. Proven outcomes of daily practice include, but are not limited to:
- Stress reduction
- Better overall mental health and well-being
- Improved awareness
- Enhanced emotional regulation
- Better academic and professional performance
Inner Explorer’s Tune In feature even allows me to share the lesson we hear in the classroom with you every day, bridging school to home. You can practice individually, together with your child/children, or children can practice mindfulness on their own. When I press “Play” in the classroom, Inner Explorer will notify you via automated email with a link to practice. The links do not expire, but you may only listen to each practice once. To opt in to Tune In, click on the link below. You will need to enter your name, email address and phone number (optional).https://xp.innerexplorer.org/compass/adminInvites?param1=y52JwxUPmqHMn7sx+WiF/3ip4pLLjv8bxew+Ic5KTg0=¶m2=b6/A1e03uMUTM9vXxug8QA==¶m3=KfKbxLJKZ5BmSvLT3DdGibPRInJkIHzKEnZF62JQ70k=
For more information, please watch the Introduction to Inner Explorer video. Additional resources can be found on the Inner Explorer website at www.InnerExplorer.org. For questions about the program, please feel free to email tech@innerexplorer.org.
We can’t wait to have you join us on our mindfulness journey with Inner Explorer. Register today!
Read Across America Week 2021
Join us in our annual celebration of reading as we celebrate Read Across America Week!
Monday, March 1: Green Eggs & Ham Day – Wear your best green outfit or any Allen spirit gear!
Tuesday, March 2: Book Character Day – Dress up as your favorite book character (no props, please).
Wednesday, March 3: Wacky Wednesday – Wear a wacky shirt, socks, and do your hair in a wacky style!
Thursday, March 4: Cat in the Hat Day – Wear a fun hat or make one of your own!
Friday, March 5: Sleep Book Day – Wear your pajamas!
Save the Date for March 8: Hero Squad
Our school is proud to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society this year through the Hero Squad community service learning program!
The Hero Squad program is a great way to integrate core Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies into our school in an organic, philanthropic, and engaging way. Today, it is more important than ever for our students to demonstrate empathy, teamwork, and build relationships across distance in order to strengthen our school and community. By participating in the Hero Squad program, our school has received a free comprehensive supplemental STEM+ Curriculum infused with SEL activities for your classrooms. This exciting curriculum includes SEL writing prompts, kindness calendars, emotional check-in activities, and SEL focused conversation cards. These amazing resources can also be sent home for families to engage in.
More information to come as we get ready for our Hero Squad Kick-Off on March 8, 2021! Please see your child’s teacher for more information. Students will earn Hero Gear creating an online fundraising page and fundraising online. Families will need to find their child’s classroom page for Hero Squad by visiting HeroSquad.org, finding our school, and signing up there. Again, please contact your child’s teacher for this information..
Thank you for helping to inspire students to support a vision of a world without cancer. To learn more about LLS and their life-saving work, visit lls.org. If you know someone that can benefit from personalized disease, treatment, or support information, please refer them to a dedicated Information Specialist at 800.955.4572.
Variety Show Coming to Allen!
The show must go on… This year will be the 38th Annual Allen Elementary Variety Show and we are hoping to keep the tradition alive, despite the current pandemic. An email with more information was sent to parents and guardians on Friday afternoon. While there are many details that still need to be fine-tuned, STEP ONE is determining if your child is interested in sharing some talents with the greater school community! If so, the initial permission form is attached. It should be filled out, scanned and submitted via email to: allenvarietyshow@gmail.com by March 5, 2021. Click the file below for the permission form.
Reopening Playbook for Parents
We are pleased to announce the release of the Reopening Playbook for Parents. This document outlines our safe return to in-person instruction. Please review this document thoroughly by clicking here or copying and pasting this link into your web browser: https://indd.adobe.com/view/0476af62-e46a-44d1-9348-5fc8660c582b
As part of our agreement with Chula Vista Educators, which is the bargaining group that represents teachers, our District will reopen to in-person instruction starting with a “hybrid” instructional format—provided that all health and safety conditions are met. A key condition is that San Diego County return to the “red” tier as defined in the state’s tiered-level system. Our county is currently in the most restrictive “purple” tier. Our county will need to drop to an adjusted case rate of 7 or fewer new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people—for two consecutive weeks—before we can start in-person instruction. As of this writing, there is reason for optimism that a move to the red tier is on the horizon, based upon the downward trend in adjusted case rates. Once that occurs, parents and school staff will be provided two-weeks’ notice before the start of the first day of in-person school to ensure adequate preparation.
Please note that the Governor’s updated guidance came out just days ago—months after we reached agreement with our teachers about a safe return to in-person instruction. Be reassured that our District is prepared for in-person instruction in a “hybrid” model with students attending either morning or afternoon sessions in order to minimize the number of individuals on campus at any one time. Parents also will have the option to keep their child(ren) in distance learning for the remainder of 2020-21 school year. Finally, a friendly reminder that this document is a living document that will continue to evolve as guidance from state and county officials changes. Please bookmark this page for handy reference as the return to in-person instruction nears: https://indd.adobe.com/view/0476af62-e46a-44d1-9348-5fc8660c582b.
Preschool Program Coming to Allen Elementary!
We are thrilled to share that a preschool program is coming to Allen Elementary’s campus for the 2021-2022 school year. We encourage all interested families to contact the district’s Early Childhood Education office at (619) 425-2362 as they are able to share the most up-to-date information regarding this program.
- Age eligibility for the 2021-2022 school year: Children must be born between 12/3/2016 – 09/01/2018
- Children in preschool must be potty trained and at least three years old at the time of enrollment for the Income Based State Preschool Program
The goals of the preschool program are:
- To provide the physical, emotional, social, and mental development support of each child in the preschool.
- To provide each child/student with a program that will enable him/her to gain an appreciation of self-worth and a positive self-image.
- To provide a sound foundation for continuing academic and social success in the years to follow.
- To provide every child with a feeling of being loved and accepted for his/her own unique self.
- To remember that a child’s work is play and that valuable learning and development experiences come through play.
- To expose the child to literacy and technology which will give the child skills to compete in the changing world.
Link to Pre-School Pre-Registration for 2021-2022: Click here.
All enrollment information and paperwork is handled by the district’s Early Childhood Education office. Please find more information here: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/welcome_to_enrollment/early_childhood_education
Middle School Info for 6th Grade Students
Attention parents/guardians of current sixth grade students! We will be sharing information regarding options for middle school. There are middle schools in Sweetwater Union High School District, public charter middle schools (such as those operated by CVESD – Arroyo Vista and Discovery), and private middle schools. Please check your email and speak to the school office or Mr. Manaig and Ms. Linderman for next steps.
This information is for families interested in Bonita Vista Middle School [Click here].
Families interested in Bonita Vista Middle School’s Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program should attend this meeting:
This information is for families interested in Discovery Charter School’s Middle School Program:
- Contact the Discovery Charter School office at (619) 656-0797 or email rubi.palomares@cvesd.org.
This information is for families interested in Arroyo Vista Charter Middle School (AVCMS):
- Contact the Arroyo Vista Charter School office at (619) 656-9676.
- Interest Form available online from Feb. 10 to March 1: www.bit.ly/avcms2021
- AVCMS Lottery on March 5
- Notification letters sent home on March 19
- Registration begins on April 5 at AVCS
Zone Transfers
Zone Transfer forms (ZTs) must be completed each year in order to have your child continue at Ella B. Allen Elementary School. Families who live in the Chula Vista Elementary School District, but whose neighborhood school isn’t Allen must complete the form and email it to: allenschool@cvesd.org. Families who live outside of the Chula Vista Elementary School District must follow the Interdistrict Transfer process instead here. If you have any questions or need assistance completing the form, please feel free to contact the school office at (619) 479-3662. If your child will not be returning to Allen, please let us know that as well. Parents of current sixth grade students on a zone transfer do not need to do this step.
2021-2022 Kinder and New Student Registration
Ella B. Allen Elementary School wants you to tell others how great our school is! Please spread the word to share how wonderful your child’s education at Allen Elementary has been! We are recruiting new students for Kindergarten and have a few open spots for students in grades 3 through 6 next year.
Kindergarten and NEW student registration will begin March 15th for the 2021-2022 school year with a NEW online system. There will be no paper packets for this year’s registration. Look for more information as it becomes available here on the school blog. Those currently registered at our school DO NOT have to register. However, if you attend Allen on a Zone Transfer or interdistrict transfer, those documents will need to be renewed. All families will need to complete proof of residency when the time comes. CLICK HERE for further information.
The following groups of students need to complete the registration process:
- Kindergarten students who will be 5 years old on or before September 1st
- NEW students in grades 1st through 6th
- Questions? Email michelle.reza@cvesd.org.
- All inquiries and registration for Preschool will be handled by the district’s Early Childhood Education office at (619) 425-2362 as they are able to share the most up-to-date information regarding this program.
Curbside Library Book Service
Ella B. Allen Elementary School students are now able to check out library books online by Thursdays and pick them up curbside on Tuesdays! Students can access the library catalog online and place up to two books on HOLD. Please note that any books already checked out must be returned.
Students must have a signed library agreement, found in the Family Handbook online at allen.cvesd.org or https://allenelementary.org/, and must turn in any overdue books to be eligible to check out books.
Instructions for reserving books online:
- Go online to https://allenelementary.org/
- Go to the “Students” tab at the top and click on “Library” in the drop-down menu.
- Click on the Destiny Library Catalog link.
- Select ALLEN ELEMENTARY.
- Click LOGIN at the link in the top right corner.
- Click on Chula Vista Elem SSO (the big blue bar on the left side of the page) to log in.
Username: studentID@live.cvesd.org
Example: 654321@live.cvesd.org
Password for K-1 students: lowercase letter of first name, lowercase letter of last name, student ID, equal symbol
Example for Jane Dominguez is: jd654321=
Password for other students (grades 2-6): Uppercase letter of first name, lowercase letter of last name, full birthdate
Example for Jane Dominguez, born on September 5, 2011 is: Jd09052011
- Search for books by title, author, genre and click DETAILS next to the book when you find the book you want. Select “Hold It” in the top right corner next to the book title. You will be notified via your student’s district email address that the book is available for you to pick up. Please note that some copies of books may not be available as multiple students may have placed a hold on the book. We will check out selections to student accounts that are reserved by Thursdays.
Note: Each Tuesday you may drop off books you’ve already enjoyed and pick up new books that were reserved by the previous Thursday night. Any holds placed after Thursday night will be ready the following Tuesday.
Safety Reminders
- Anyone coming to the school must follow all safety protocols, including wearing a facial covering.
- For the comfort and safety of students, all books are sanitized before distribution at curbside pick up.
Curbside Library Check Out is Tuesdays, 12 noon to 2 pm
- Books must be reserved by Thursday evenings online.
- Please ensure that you have returned any outstanding library books and that you have received confirmation that your book is ready before driving to school to pick it up on Tuesdays.
South Bay Family YMCA Campaign
The South Bay Family YMCA offers many supports and programs to the families and community in the South Bay. This campaign raises money for the YMCA’s scholarship program to help kids, families, and seniors during this most difficult year. Please click the link below to support the YMCA’s Scholarship Program. The money raised stays in our community and all funds go to fund scholarships for children, adults, and seniors in South Bay. Kindly note that the link will list “Veronica Valdivia” at the top of the page, but this is indeed the correct link to support Ella B. Allen Elementary School’s efforts and partnership with the YMCA.
Link to donate: https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/3117250
Licensed Childcare via the YMCA
The Chula Vista Elementary School District is proud to partner with the South Bay Family YMCA to offer licensed childcare at select school sites! The Y’s Character Builders childcare program is designed to support distance learning curriculum and provide grade-appropriate activities throughout the day. Students will meet in a classroom-like environment for their school-required live sessions and assignments. Afternoon enrichment activities will allow kids to engage safely in imaginative play and physical activities that stretch both mind and body. This program runs 7:30 am – 4 pm, Monday through Friday at nearby schools. Weekly Cost $238 for Y Members / $280 for Non-Members. Click here to view updated flyer. Scholarships available for qualifying families (see flyer here for information). Please email Program Director Miriam Martinez at mmartinez@ymcasd.org for availability.
Spring Break Camp with YMCA
A friendly reminder that school will be closed for Spring Break, Monday March 29th through April 4th. Classes restart online on Monday April 5th at 8:50 am and this will be a minimum day. Click the link below for more information.
COVID-19 Corner: Health and Safety Updates
Please wear a mask, wash your hands, sanitize frequently used surfaces, and do not congregate with people living outside of your immediate household.
Please see the latest updates regarding public health and safety from the County of San Diego, including information about COVID-19 testing and vaccination, here. With the arrival of the vaccine designed to prevent COVID-19, our District is happy to share a fact sheet that details why the vaccines are safe and effective.
Visit covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/ for more information.
If you experience any symptoms of COVID-19, please also stay home, leaving only to get tested or seek medical attention.
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19 and should stay home:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
There are a number of testing sites in the South County, thanks to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency. It is highly encouraged for families to make an appointment for COVID-19 testing in advance. You may wish to reference 211sandiego.org or the County’s website here.
Weekly Meal Distribution
- Meal distribution occurs every Tuesday from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm for all students. Pick up the 5 days worth of meals at the front of the school. Please follow all safety directives, such as wearing a mask or facial covering that covers the mouth and nose. This free service is available for all families that attend a school in the Chula Vista Elementary School District..
Would you like your child to eat school meals this year? The school encourages all families who may need assistance to apply for free and reduced meals via the district website. These forms must be completed again every year! Find the forms and information at the district link here. We encourage all families to complete this form as the school receives additional funding to support families who qualify.
Parent & Youth Emotional Support Hotline
A group called Parents Anonymous recently launched the California Parent & Youth Helpline and Online Parents Anonymous® Support Groups in response to COVID-19 to provide free emotional support to parents and youth in any language, 7 days a week 8 am to 8 pm at 1-855-4A PARENT (or 1-855-427-2736).
Parent-Teacher Club (PTC)
Visit the PTC website at AllenPTC.org to become a member of the PTC and make a donation to support the latest initiative at the school. Allen’s PTC is a 501(c)(3) organization that supports the school’s educational mission through funding programs and initiatives.
Allen’s next PTC meeting is Monday, March 8th at 6 pm.
Please help support Allen’s PTC by shopping at smile.amazon.com! AmazonSmile has the exact same low prices, vast selection, and convenient shopping as the Amazon you know and already use. AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of all eligible purchases to the Allen Elementary PTC when you shop. Make sure to shop on smile.amazon.com and choose Allen Elementary School Parents Teachers Club Inc as your charity. Thank you!
AmazonSmile customers can now support Ella B. Allen Elementary School’s PTC in the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones! Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.
- Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
- Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into ‘Settings’
- Tap ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process
Please choose Allen Elementary School Parents Teachers Club Inc by clicking this link for your Amazon purchases: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/95-4403426
Meetings for Parents and Legal Guardians
Allen School needs parents and guardians to support our school through important parent groups, such as the PTC (Parent Teacher Club), the School Site Council (often referred to as SSC), and the English Language Advisory Committee (often referred to as ELAC). The site-based groups work with the Principal, staff, and other community members to ensure that community voice is part of the shared decision making process of a public school.
Virtual Family First Friday Meeting
The first Friday of every month is reserved for our Family First Friday, Allen’s version of Coffee with the Principal. Our next Virtual Family First Friday will be on March 5, 2021 at 8 am. Click here to access this meeting. We encourage parents and legal guardians to join an online meeting with a cup of hot coffee or tea and listen to Mr. Greenwell give an update on the school year. The link will be in an email shared with parents. You may also email michelle.reza@cvesd.org for the meeting link at least one day prior to access this online meeting.
English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)
Ella B. Allen’s next ELAC Meeting will be held on Monday, March 8th at 3 pm and will be held online. The school encourages all legal parent/guardian of students designated as an English Learner to attend these meetings. Click here or please email michelle.reza@cvesd.org for the meeting link at least one day prior to access this online meeting.
School Site Council (SSC)
Allen School’s next SSC Meeting is Monday, March 8th at 3:30 pm and will be held online. Click here or please email michelle.reza@cvesd.org for the meeting link at least one day prior to access this online meeting.
SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC) is composed of five elected parent/community representatives and five elected staff/teacher representatives. The role of the SSC is to develop, approve, and monitor the School Plan for Student Achievement.
With a few exceptions, meetings are held the second Monday of every month. Until further notice, meetings will be held online. All parents and staff are welcome to attend. Council members serve for two year terms.
Parent Teacher Club (PTC) Meeting
Allen’s PTC meets the second Monday of every month at 6pm. Until further notice, all meetings will be held online via this link. The next PTC meeting is Monday, March 8th at 6 pm. Please also check out the new PTC website to become a member and make a donation: AllenPTC.org
CVESD Board of Education Meeting
The district’s Board of Education meetings are also being held online and generally occur the second Wednesday of each month. The next CVESD Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, March 3 at 6:00 pm.
To access these public meetings, please click the link here: https://www.cvesd.org/board_of_education/board_meetings
CVESD DAC/DELAC Meeting
District Advisory Council (DAC)
The DAC is composed of parent and staff representatives from each School Site Council. It meets regularly during the school year in open public forum to share information, study instructional issues, approve school planning schedules, and make recommendations to the Board of Education on specific items. District meetings take place once a month, mid-afternoon. Most meetings occur on Tuesdays from 12 – 2 pm, with a parent training beforehand. This is an elected position to serve a one-year term.
District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC)
The district will continue to conduct all meetings online until further notice, including all DAC/DELAC meetings. DAC is the District Advisory Committee. DELAC is the District English Learner Advisory Committee. Both of these groups are designed to support and inform parents in a shared communication setting with the district. Parents learn with other parents and district leadership at the DAC/DELAC meetings.
The next DAC/DELAC Meeting will be on March 9, 2021 from 12 noon to 2 pm. You can access the meeting here at the district’s website.
Below is a schedule of all DAC/DELAC meetings for the upcoming school year. I recommend all parents download this schedule if they are interested in learning more about theses district meetings.
Did you know that next year’s School Calendar (2021-2022) was already approved by the CVESD Board of Education? Click this link to download it.
Be well Eagles! Stay safe: we miss you.
Ella B. Allen Elementary School 