Hello Allen Families and Staff
Happy Patriots Day!
Our ELAC, SSC, and PTC meetings for September will be online and in-person in the MPR on Monday, Sept. 12. Our Safety Plan and SPSA will be reviewed at the SSC Meeting.
Parent-Teacher Conferences begin this Thursday, Sept. 15th. September 15 – 23 are minimum days will a 2 pm dismissal for all K-6 students. Fall Break begins on Sept. 24th for the Chula Vista Elementary School District.
Some friendly reminders:
- School starts at 8:50 am everyday. On time, excellent attendance is a key indicator of future success! Students need to be on the blacktop at this time and teachers will walk them to class. We ask all parents to exit at the front office promptly so that we can secure the campus and lock the gates after the bell.
- Keep the safety of our children as our #1 priority! Use caution when crossing the street as a pedestrian and please use designated crosswalks. Help us model safe habits for all students.
- Please use the traffic loop if dropping off or picking up your child while staying in your car. It is a safety violation to drop off a child or pick them up at the intersection in front of the school. CVPD or the San Diego County Sheriff may issue a citation to drivers who fail to comply with safety rules. Right turn only onto Allen School Lane when exiting the traffic loop in your vehicle. Please do not parked in spaces designated for persons with disabilities unless you have a placard. Do not park in spaces marked “Staff” (the entire front of the school is staff parking only).
If you have questions for our staff or need assistance, please call at at (619) 479-3662. Office hours are 8 am to 3:30 pm, M-F.
Have you downloaded the Family Handbook for 2022-2023? Kindly review this with your child.
https://allenelementary.org/family-handbook/
Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week
Please watch Mr. Greenwell’s Sunday Update for today, September 11th, at the YouTube link below:
Parent-Teacher Conferences begin on Thursday, Sept. 15th and everyday is a minimum day until we dismiss for Fall Break. We would like to meet with every parent/legal guardian during this time. Thank you for honoring the Parent-Teacher Conference schedule provided by your child’s teacher.
Please see our updated 2022-2023 Family Handbook here: Link to Family Handbook
A reminder of our school’s Core Values and Common Courtesies:
The Core Value for this week of school is Respect. The Common Courtesy for that week is “I apologize for…“
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!
Kindness counts! Wondering how to support children if they experience a problem with another student? We suggest using “I feel…” statements, moving away from others, and seeking help from an adult nearby. Our staff prides itself in actively monitoring students at all times. What our staff has noticed is that students are learning how to interact with one another and having some problems or conflict. This is not bullying. It may be due to trauma and other sudden social-emotional issues with a child. What is bullying?
See the helpful graphic below:
If you have a concern about another child’s behaviors impacting your child, we suggest you first contact your child’s teacher. Afterwards, please see this page here.
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, at (619) 479-3662 and we will arrange an appointment with you.
A Look Ahead:
Monday, September 12, 2022
- ELAC at 3 pm in the MPR and online here
- SSC at 3:30 pm in the MPR and online here
- PTC at 6 pm in the MPR and online here
Tuesday, September 13, 2022 – DAC/DELAC at 12 noon at the ESSC (84 East J St., Chula Vista)
Wednesday, September 14, 2022 – CVESD Board of Education meeting at 6 pm
Thursday, September 15, 2022
- Fall Conferences Begin – 2 pm dismissal every day until Fall Break
- Hispanic Heritage Month begins
Friday, September 23, 2022 – Dismiss for Fall Break at 2 pm
Monday, October 10, 2022 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day (NO SCHOOL)
Tuesday, October 11, 2022 – Students return from Fall Break (2 pm dismissal for grades K-6)
Wednesday, October 12, 2022 – CVESD Board of Education meeting at 6 pm
Friday, October 14, 2022 – Family First Friday 8 am to 9 am
Monday, October 17, 2022 – Parent Meetings
- ELAC at 3 pm in the MPR and online here
- SSC at 3:30 pm in the MPR and online here
- PTC at 6 pm
Thursday, October 20, 2022 – 130 Anniversary Celebration at Hedenkamp Elementary (5 – 7 pm)
Friday, October 21, 2022 – Allen’s Fall Festival 4:30 – 8 pm [Details coming soon]
October 24-28: Red Ribbon Week and Fall Spirit Week
Monday, October 31, 2022 – Costume Parade 8:50 – 9:30 am
Safety Plan Updates
Our school is currently updating its Safety Plan for the 2022-2023 school year. A safety committee meets several times at the start of the school year (and then at least once a quarter afterwards) to consult with experts and look at data to improve safety on our campus. Teachers and other staff, parents and legal guardians, and community partners are all invited to attend these meetings.
If you would like to be a part of this optional safety committee, please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662. The school plans to share a full Safety Plan update at the SSC meeting on Monday, September 12 at 3:30 pm in the MPR. This meeting will also be available online. Please check the blog for the link.
Kindly read the “Let’s Talk Safety” newsletter below to learn more about the efforts our district takes to ensure student safety!
Excellent Attendance Matters!
Did you know that our attendance goal is 98% each day? Please be sure your child comes to school on time each and every day. If your child is ill, please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662.
CVESD’s 130 Anniversary Celebration
The Chula Vista Elementary School District celebrates 130 years as a school district this year. As we celebrate 130 years, we honor the past and look forward to the future. Our achievements as a District are undeniable. From our high-quality instruction, a technology-based curriculum, innovative programming, and strong visual and performing arts, we provide a highly sought-after education for all students.
On October 20, 2022, the Chula Vista Elementary School District will host a 130th anniversary celebration event at Hedenkamp Elementary School for all community members to attend. Hedenkamp’s address is 930 East Palomar Street, Chula Vista, CA 91913. The free event will take place from 5 pm to 7 pm, where we will recognize students, staff, and individuals who have impacted the District over the years. We look forward to celebrating with you then.
Don’t forget to follow along on our district’s social media pages! Like and follow CVESD social channels here: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Of course, the latest news is always here at our school’s blog: https://allenelementary.org/.
Sing and Speak Spanish
Sing and Speak Spanish is the most popular after school, optional Spanish enrichment program in San Diego. The group uses an annual curriculum that meets once per week after school. The group makes Spanish learning fun through games, humor, puppets, role play, and songs. See the file below for information and pricing for this after school, optional class!
Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Information
We are excited to announce that an all-day Transitional Kindergarten (TK) classroom will be added to our school after Fall Break. Please see our district’s Early Childhood Education department page for more information and help spread the word! For additional information or to enroll, kindly contact the Early Childhood Education Department (619) 425-2362 or (619) 425-9600 Ext.181725.
Green Lunch Application Forms
Your child should have come home from school with a green Lunch Application. If not, you can download and print the form here:
We are asking for your participation in the lunch application for 2022-2023. This form or application will have a critical impact on your child’s support and services. We are requesting all of our families to submit this form which determines the State and Federal funding that schools receive. This funding provides your child with support and resources for their academic success.
Benefits for your child include:
- Instructional materials
- Classroom technology
- Additional staffing to provide supports for students
- Extended learning opportunities for students
- Before and after school programs
We appreciate your time and support in ensuring your child gets what they need and deserve in CVESD. Please return the form by September 22, 2022. We urge all families to complete this form. While it is true that all students are eligible this year for free meals via our school cafeteria, these forms help provide critical funds to pay for this program and other programs in our school. This helps our school and district a great deal. Please complete these forms and return them ASAP to the school office.
Bonitafest 2022
In this interest of sharing community information, please see the information below regarding Bonitafest 2022.
Free COVID Testing
Families may come to the school office, Monday- Friday, between 8 am and 3:30 pm to receive a free antigen test. The testing is not required. Please report any positive cases to our school office at (619) 479-3662.
Weekly, voluntary COVID-19 testing will continue on our school campus via Campus Clinic each week. Parents and legal guardians must opt-in to the program and no child will be tested without proper consent. If families would like to watch a video on the registration process, they can visit: https://campusclinic.org/how-to/ .
For this testing, please check your spam folders. If you still did not receive the email, please reach out to: support@campusclinic.org and the team will be able to determine the correct next steps from there.
For community testing at the kiosks, individuals will need to register on-site. You only need to register one time for a test through the kiosk.
Parent Volunteers Still Needed
We need parent volunteers to help monitor student safety on the sidewalks around our school at dismissal time! Our Eagle Eye volunteers work with school staff to serve as an extra set of eyes to keep kids safe. Any interested volunteers should contact Mr. Greenwell or Ms. Reza in the office or call (619) 479-3662.
The State Public Health Officer Order of August 11, 2021 requires that all K-12 workers, including volunteers and contractors, provide proof of full vaccination (completion of the initial vaccination series) or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing. This order is still in effect and the CDPH says there are no plans to change it anytime soon. The requirements to sign in and complete fingerprinting will remain the same. All parent volunteers are allowed to volunteer inside the classroom and buildings after having completed the required training with the school principal and meeting the District’s volunteer requirements. See below for these requirements:
REQUIRED ITEMS:
- Proof of TB
- COVID-19 Evidence: Either a full course of COVID-19 Vaccine OR if not fully vaccinated, a negative test is required within 2 days of the day of volunteering.
- RAPTOR I.D. Scan
- Fingerprint Clearance – DOJ & FBI
Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 to be put on the volunteer list.
ZTs, VOR, & New Student Registration
Please remember that a Zone Transfer or Intradistrict Transfer may be denied if a child’s behavior or attendance require improvement.
NEW STUDENT registration is ongoing for those who may be:
- Kindergartners who were 5 years old on or before September 1, 2022.
- NEW students in grades 1st through 6th
- All registrations will take place online. There will be no paper packets. To register please visit our district website: www.cvesd.org
Please contact our office for questions about space availability at (619) 479-3662.
Verification of Residency is required by CA state law for all students to attend Allen Elementary in the upcoming school year. Please contact our friendly office staff for assistance with this.
COVID-19 Corner: Health and Safety
Vaccines for children are now available. Please understand that the state of California may in the future be requiring children to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to attend a public school, just as they already do for other diseases (polio, mumps, rubella, etc..). This decision is not a school-based or district-based decision, but rather a state government decision.
Masks, although not required at this time, are strongly encouraged for all staff, students, parents, and visitors while indoors on campus. There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place where people are present. The school and district strive to reduce this impact to staff, students, and families.
If your child has a chronic health condition, such as allergies or asthma, please contact the school office and download the form below to have your child’s doctor complete and send it back to the school’s nurse. We recommend doing this in advance of a child showing symptoms.
If your child experiences any symptoms of COVID-19, please keep your child home and contact the school office at (619) 479-3662. If any person (regardless of vaccination status) presents with symptoms of COVID-19 while at school, that person will be immediately sent home and may only return with a negative test and no more symptoms. All schools in CVESD must follow the latest County of San Diego COVID-19 Decision Tree (see below) for persons with symptoms associated with COVID-19.
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 here: LINK to Newest Decision Tree
Parent-Teacher Club (PTC) Corner
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.
Please help support Allen’s PTC by shopping at smile.amazon.com! AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of all eligible purchases to the Allen Elementary PTC when you shop on smile.amazon.com and choose Allen Elementary School Parents Teachers Club Inc as your charity.
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
The standing PTC Meeting link is here: PTC MEETING LINK 2022-2023
Meetings for Families & Staff
Allen School needs parents and legal 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 usually reserved for our Family First Friday, Allen’s version of Coffee with the Principal. Our next Family First Friday will be on Friday, October 14, 2022 from 8 am to 9 am. This meeting will be in person at school with a coffee cart available in front of the school.
We encourage parents and legal guardians to join this meeting with a free cup of hot coffee or a cold cup of cold brew on nitro 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 will be on September 12, 2022 at 3 pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.
The school encourages all legal parent/guardian of students designated as an English Learner to attend these meetings.
School Site Council (SSC)
Ella B. Allen’s next SSC Meeting will be on September 12, 2022 at 3:30 pm. Please note that if you join early, you’ll be attending the ELAC meeting already in progress. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Online link here.
All SSC members are welcome to attend ELAC meetings for additional information.
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. All parents and staff are welcome to attend. Council members serve for two year terms.
Parent Teacher Club (PTC) Meeting
Allen’s PTC usually meets the second Monday of every month at 6pm. This meeting will be both online and in person at Allen in the MPR. Link: via this link. The next PTC meeting is September 12th 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, Sept. 14 at 6 pm. Limited in-person access is permitted, but check the district’s website for more information on this.
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 October 18, 2022 at 12 noon. This meeting will be in person at the CVESD Education Services and Support Center (ESSC) in room C. The address is 84 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA. 91910.
The link below contains 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: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/dac-delac
CVESD B-LAC Meeting
District Black Learners Advisory Council (B-LAC)
The B-LAC is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The B-LAC provides and monitors the ongoing support for Black/African American students and families in the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) to ensure unbiased practices/policies, equitable educational outcomes, and equal access to a quality education. The group meets regularly during the school year, once a month. Most meetings occur on Thursdays from 6 – 7 pm. The next meeting is October 13 at 6 pm and will be in person at Hedenkamp Elementary (930 East Palomar Street, Chula Vista, CA 91913). For more information and to download the schedule of these meetings, clink the link: https://www.cvesd.org/parents/getting-involved/black-learners-advisory-council—b–lac
CVESD BAC Meeting
District Budget Advisory Council (CVESD BAC)
The District’s Budget Advisory Council (BAC) is composed of parents, staff, and community representatives from around the district. The BAC monitors the financial statements and fiduciary obligations of the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD). Although it usually only meets 5 – 6 times a year, the BAC’s meetings are useful in understanding how state and federal monies support student learning at a local level. Please check the calendar at http://www.cvesd.org for the next meeting!
Calendar for the 2022-2023 School Year
The 2022-2023 School Calendar is available online! Click this link to download it. Please reference this when planning vacations or scheduling appointments with your children that may require them to miss school. Excellent attendance is important in student success!
Students in our District are scheduled to start the 2022-2023 school year on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 and end the school year on Friday, June 2, 2023.
Key breaks include:
- Fall Break: September 26 – October 7, 2022
- Thanksgiving Break: November 21 – November 25, 2022
- Winter Break: December 19, 2022 – January 6, 2023
- Spring Break: March 20 – March 31, 2023
Be well Eagles! Stay safe: As a California public school, we encourage everyone to get the COVID-19 vaccine and to test regularly. The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our number 1 concern!
Ella B. Allen Elementary School 