Hello Allen Families,
Can you believe we are in the final two days of the school year? Please be sure to enjoy your summer break by getting active outdoors and continuing to read all summer long. School resumes on Wednesday, July 21st for all students, in-person from 8:50 am to 2 pm.
Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week
Watch the short YouTube video for Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week for June 13th:
Please see our revised Parent Handbook here.
A reminder of our school’s Core Values and Common Courtesies:
The Core Value this week is Honesty. This week’s Common Courtesy is “Thank you.“
Students may earn an Allen Eagle Ticket for demonstrating the Core Values and Common Courtesies each day. Students can redeem these tickets at the Eagle’s Nest Store at the end of each quarter of the school year. Our staff is always looking for ways to celebrate our students!
If you need to conduct business with the school office, please contact the school office between the hours of 8 am and 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Please contact the office directly at (619) 479-3662 and we will arrange an appointment with you.
A Look Ahead:
Monday, June 14, 2021
- District Device return from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
- Final PTC Meeting of the school year at 6 pm [Link]
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
- Last Day of School [Distance Learning for all students]
- Kindergarten Promotion at 9 am [online only]
- District Device return from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm
Wednesday, June 16, 2021 – District Device return from 8 am to 3:30 pm
Wednesday, July 21, 2021 – First Day of School for ALL students back on campus
Sixth Grade Promotion
On Friday, June 11th, Allen Elementary held its Sixth Grade Promotion ceremony. The school followed strict safety measures from the California Department of Public Health in order to make this rare, in-person event possible. The event was set to be live streamed for all families. Unfortunately, numerous technical issues plagued us that day and despite multiple attempts to display the ceremony online, we were unable to do so. We also attempted to record the ceremony, but that did not work either. If you attended the ceremony and are comfortable sharing your video so that other families and staff may have a memory of this event, please email Mr. Greenwell at: john.greenwell@cvesd.org.
Returning Computers and WiFi Hot Spots
We must collect all school laptop computers and wifi hot spot devices that were checked out by families. For your convenience, we are offering three different dates with a wide range of times. Please bring the computers and chargers to the front of the school where we will have staff ready to accept them at a table and record that the computer or wifi hot spot device was returned.
- June 14th: 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm
- June 15th: 11:30 am to 5:30 pm
- June 16th: 8:00 am to 3:30 pm
Please make plans to return any computers or WiFi hotspots device at one of these times. Please note:
- If your device was damaged while in your family’s possession, you may contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 to set up a payment plan to fix or replace the damaged device. You may also contact the school office if the computer or wifi hot spot device was lost or destroyed to set up a payment plan to replace the device.
- If you would like to return your device earlier, please contact the school office to arrange an earlier drop-off date and time.
June 15th & Kindergarten Promotion
PLEASE NOTE that Tuesday, June 15, 2021 will be a distance learning day, meaning that no in-person instruction takes place on this date. This schedule for this day will mirror our Friday minimum-day instructional schedule. All students will have class from 8:50 am to 11:25 am via distance learning.
Kindergarten Promotion: Kindergarten promotion will be on June 15th at 9 am and will be a 100% virtual, online ceremony. Please look for additional communication from your child’s teacher for more information regarding details and the link for the virtual ceremony. This event is being held online to be more inclusive of all Kindergarten families and we are excited to celebrate your child’s milestone with you online.
Is Your Child Immunization Ready?
While our school is taking full precautions to keep everyone safe at school and limit the spread of COVID-19 at school as much as possible, we wanted to remind you that there are other infectious diseases, such as measles and chicken pox, which can impact our school also. That said, we need all of our children to be up to date on their immunization shots.
We ask all families to check with your child’s doctor now to get caught up on any required shots your child may have missed. If your child is 12 years or older, ask their doctor about how to get the COVID-19 shot. As you may be aware, doctors are taking extra steps to keep you and your family safe during in-person appointments. If your child does not have health insurance, please contact our school nurse, Nurse Linda, at (619) 479-3662 or visit 2-1-1 San Diego’s website at https://211sandiego.org/ to find a clinic that offers free or low-cost immunizations. Please visit the CDC website to view the recommended child and pre-teen/teen immunization schedules.
Thank you in advance for helping keep our students, staff, and community safe.
School Office Hours over Summer Break
The school office will be closed to the public from June 22 through July 12, 2021 so that our fantastic office staff can recharge and prepare for the upcoming academic year. Beginning July 12, 2021, the school office hours will be 8 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday. If you have any questions, you may contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 and we will respond as soon as the office reopens.
We will continue to provide brief weekly updates on this blog every Sunday. Please continue to check the district’s website, http://www.cvesd.org, and the school blog at http://www.allenelementary.org for regular updates.
Verification of Residency Process
You should have received an email this past week with a link to complete the Verification of Residency process online. Please note that this process is required every single year. All students continuing at Allen Elementary must complete this process and update any information. If you have questions or need support with this new online process, please contact the school office by phone at (619) 479-3662 and one of our friendly staff members will assist you.
Preschool Information
There are still a few spots available for next year’s Preschool Program at Allen! 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.
Please find more information here: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/welcome_to_enrollment/early_childhood_education
Zone Transfers
Families who live in the Chula Vista Elementary School District, but whose neighborhood school isn’t Allen must complete the Zone Transfer 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.
Kinder & New Student Registration
Do you know someone new to our community? Or, do you have a child ready for Preschool or Kindergarten? Enrollment in the Chula Vista Elementary School District for the next school year has begun! This year, the District is utilizing a new online enrollment system that promises to make registration easier. 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 for the 2021-2022 school year is now available on a NEW online system. There are no paper packets for this year’s registration. Those currently registered at our school DO NOT have to re-register. However, if you attend Allen on a Zone Transfer or interdistrict transfer, those documents will need to be renewed every year. All families will need to complete proof of residency when the time comes. CLICK HERE for further information and here to register on the district’s website.
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 the Preschool at Allen Elementary 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.
YMCA Summer Camp
South Bay YMCA Summer Day Camp will be hosted at nearby Casillas Elementary. The YMCA Summer Day Camp program is a great way for kids to get active, socialize with their peers from around the community, and to learn new skills, games and songs. See the flier for more information on this fee-based program:
Return Your Library Books
Kindly ensure that all books checked out are returned by June 16, 2021. You may return books when you return your district-borrowed devices on June 14th, June 15th, and June 16th.
For more information, click here: https://allenelementary.org/parents/library/
COVID-19 Corner: Health & Safety Updates
We anticipate that the Governor of the state of California will make an announcement regarding COVID-19 restrictions on June 15th. Please follow all district and school safety guidelines at school. We encourage families to monitor the latest CDC guidelines for inside and outside of your own home.
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. We are actively encouraging all eligible persons to get the free COVID-19 vaccine.
If your child experiences any symptoms of COVID-19, please keep your child 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
Please see the latest COVID-19 Decision Tree below:
Weekly Meal Distribution
- Meal distribution will occur on Monday, June 14th from 1:00 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 upcoming school 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-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, June 14th 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 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.
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 Family First Friday will be on Friday, August 6, 2021 at 8 am.
We encourage parents and legal guardians to join this meeting with a cup of hot coffee or tea and listen to Mr. Greenwell give an update on the school year and meet other amazing Allen families.
English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)
Ella B. Allen’s next ELAC Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Monday, August 9th at 3 pm. The school encourages all legal parent/guardian of students designated as an English Learner to attend these meetings.
School Site Council (SSC)
Allen School’s next SSC Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Monday, August 9th at 3:30 pm.
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, June 14th 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 regularly scheduled CVESD Board of Education meeting is Wednesday, June 16th at 6 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 in August (Date: TBD) at 12 noon. 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.
Calendar for the 2021-2022 School Year
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. At this time, we anticipate that all students will be on campus for in-person learning in July 2021 when this school year starts.
Community Resources for June and July
Please see the graphic below for community resources.
Please see the following community events.
Be well Eagles! Stay safe: We encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine when you are eligible to do so. We anticipate that all students will begin the new school year in July 2021 on campus. In the coming weeks, please look for additional information in your emails from the district!
Ella B. Allen Elementary School 