Hello Allen Families and Staff,
Welcome back from Spring Break, Allen Families! Students return from Spring Break on Monday, April 3, 2023. Students in grades TK-6 will attend class from 8:50 am to 2 pm that day.
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.
Arab American Heritage Month is celebrated in April to recognize Arab American histories and cultures, and to pay tribute to Arabic cultures & the many contributions of Arab Americans to the United States. Allen Elementary and the Chula Vista Elementary School District celebrate and honor the diversity in our community!
Have you downloaded the Family Handbook for 2022-2023? Kindly review this periodically with your child.
https://allenelementary.org/family-handbook/
Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week
Please watch Mr. Greenwell’s Message of the Week for Spring Break at the YouTube link below:
Please download our Q4 Calendar of Events here:
Do you receive School Messenger emails and communication from our district? Be sure to check www.cvesd.org and bookmark our district’s website and follow its social media:
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 upcoming week of school is Responsibility. The Common Courtesy for this week is “Excuse me.“
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:
- Use “I feel…” statements to express yourself clearly.
- Set boundaries by saying “I don’t like that…” or “Please stop!”
- Move away from the student you have conflict with and…
- Seek 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. It’s our District’s Anti-Bullying page.
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, April 3, 2023 – Classes resume (with a 2 pm dismissal for all students in grades TK-6)
Tuesday, April 4, 2023 – 9:30 am Second Grade Dental Presentations
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
- Q3 Awards for grades TK-2 from 9 am to 9:45 am in the courtyard
- Passover
Thursday, April 6, 2023 – Q3 Awards for grades 3-6 and 800 building from 9 am to 9:45 am in the courtyard
Friday, April 7, 2023
- Family First Friday 8 – 9 am (with free coffee for adults) and our PTC Spirit Booth at the front of the school
- Good Friday
- Smarty Plants Assemblies for students during school hours
Sunday, April 9, 2023 – Easter Sunday
Monday, April 10, 2023 – Parent Meetings (in person in MPR and online)
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 – CVESD DAC/DELAC 12 noon to 2 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista
Thursday, April 13, 2023
- Masonic Awards at 9 am (Sixth Grade only)
- La Jolla Playhouse POP Tour during school – 3rd through 6th grade students only
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 – TK and Kindergarten at the San Diego Zoo
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 – CVESD Board of Education Meeting at 6 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista
Thursday, April 20, 2023
- 5th Grade Filed Trip to Star of India
- Room 502 visits the Health Station
- CVESD B-LAC Meeting at 6 pm at Fahari Jeffers Elementary (1145 Camino Prado, Chula Vista, CA 91913)
Friday, April 21, 2023 – Eid al-Fitr
Saturday, April 22, 2023 – Rise Against Hunger at Allen (8 am – 12 noon) in MPR
Monday, April 24, 2023 – Room 501 visits the Health Station
Thursday, April 27, 2023 – Sixth Grade Photos
Monday, May 1, 2023
- Principal’s Day
- First Day of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
- Celebration of School Staff Week begins
- Spirit Week
Friday, May 5, 2023 – Family First Friday 8 am to 9 am (free coffee for adults and PTC Spirit Gear Booth in front of school)
Monday, May 8, 2023 – Parent Meetings online and in person (in school’s MPR)
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 – CVESD DAC/DELAC 12 noon to 2 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 – Second grade field trip to the Zoo
Friday, May 12, 2023 – Family Science and Engineering Night at Allen 5 – 6:30 pm
Friday, May 19, 2023 – Allen Music Festival (adults-only) at CV Golf Course, 6 to 10 pm
Wednesday, May 24, 2023 – CVESD Board of Education Meeting at 6 pm at 84 East J Street in Chula Vista
Thursday, May 25, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades 3, 4, 5, and 800 building at 9 am
Friday, May 26, 2023 – Q4 Awards Ceremony for grades TK-2 at 9 am
Monday, May 29, 2023 – Memorial Day – NO SCHOOL
Thursday, June 1, 2023
- Sixth Grade Promotion Ceremony at 9:15 am
- Kindergarten field trip to the Zoo
- First day of LGBTQ+ Pride Month
Friday, June 2, 2023
- Last Day of School (2 pm dismissal)
- Kindergarten Celebration at 10 am
Wednesday, July 19, 2023 – First Day of School (all students in grades TK-6 dismiss at 2 pm)
Thursday, July 20, 2023 – Kindergarten and TK students dismiss at 2 pm
Friday, July 21, 2023 – Family First Friday (8 – 9 am) with free coffee for adults and the return of the PTC Spirit Booth
New Science Curriculum Coming in 2023-2024
The Chula Vista Elementary School District is adopting a new science curriculum for kindergarten through sixth-grade students. Twig Science was approved for adoption at the February 2023 Board of Education meeting.
The new science curriculum is an interactive and hands-on science program that will immerse students in the exciting world of science and natural phenomena. The curriculum covers various scientific topics with a strong emphasis on interactive activities for students, digital resources for teachers, and real-world examples.
In December 2021, the District began the evaluation process for adopting a new science curriculum. A Science Curriculum Adoption Subcommittee was formed in early 2022, which consisted of teachers, Chula Vista Educators leadership, principals, and District leadership. During these meetings, non-negotiables were determined, materials were reviewed through a structured paper screening process, and two programs moved forward for the pilot process.
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After teachers could pilot and review each program, schools came to a consensus about the program they agreed to be the best science curriculum. The curriculum was examined with a focus on student learning, teacher support, and assessment. The Twig Science curriculum was determined as the best fit for the District and students.
The new curriculum will be rolled out in a six year process. The District will work closely with Twig Science and District staff members as the curriculum is rolled out to students. Training and professional development will be available throughout the implementation process and beyond.
The District is excited about the new possibilities for staff and students as it embarks on an engaging and innovative approach to science instruction. The new curriculum adoption shows the District’s commitment to providing high-quality and innovative education for all students.
VAPA Newsletters for Q3
Please review the Visual Arts and Music Newsletters below for Q3. You may need to scroll through the documents to find your child’s grade level. If you have questions, please contact Ms. Godoy (Music) or Ms. Gilman (Visual Arts).
Rise Against Hunger
Chula Vista Sunrise Rotary Club and community volunteers will package over 12,000 meals to be distributed to children and families in countries worldwide. Each meal combines rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, and a flavoring mix including 21 essential vitamins and minerals into small meal packets. Each meal costs only 29 cents and has a shelf life of two years. Allen Elementary’s Student Council will be serving as volunteers for this, but we need more!
This big event will be held at Allen Elementary on Saturday, April 22 from 8 am to 12 noon and they need volunteers of all ages! Parents must attend with their children. Please download the flyer below for more information or scan the QR code to sign up!
YMCA Junior Academy and DASH
This is the last week for DASH enrollment for the school year 2023-2024 has now opened! Here are some key points to know before applying for DASH for 2023-2024:
– Enrollment Dates: March 17-April 7
– Results will be posted on April 19, 2023
– Priority will be allotted to our Unduplicated Students who fall in any one of these categories:
- Foster Youth
- McKinney Vento (Homeless) Act
- English Language Learners
- Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Students
For further details on what our program entails this year, please visit our website: https://www.ymcasd.org/programs/child-care/before-and-after-school/dash-chula-vista-elementary-school-district
If you are interested in joining our DASH program for the 2023-2024 school year, please apply here: https://hipaa.jotform.com/230617115892153
Families with a 6th Grade Student
Do you have a current sixth grade student at Allen? This message is for you!
We wanted to share this important information from Bonita Vista Middle School.
Check out the flyer to learn the 3 steps to become a student at BVMS:
Please contact the Bonita Vista Middle School office at (619) 397-2200 for questions or for help with registering at another Sweetwater Union School District middle school.
Attendance Matters!
Attendance is important! Allen Elementary celebrates excellent attendance as it sets students up for success!
Students attending Allen on a Zone Transfer may be denied if a student has a poor attendance record or behavior concerns.
Did you know that if your child is out of school for five or more days, you can request an independent study contract? If an independent study contract is completed, your child receives attendance credit. For more information, you can contact Ms. Baptista in the front office at (619) 479-3662.
- LET’S CONTINUE TO IMPROVE OUR ATTENDANCE AT ALLEN!
- Students should only miss school if they are sick. Those with symptoms can return with a negative COVID-19 test, no fever for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, and symptoms improving. STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO BE SYMPTOM-FREE to attend school. We have plenty of rapid tests at school: just ask in the office. If you have a special circumstance and need an independent study, please let us know.
- Please make sure your child is here by 8:45 am and lined up on the blacktop. If they arrive to campus after 8:50 am, they will be marked tardy.
- We begin a secure campus at 8:50 am. Parents/guardians must exit promptly at 8:50. Thank you.
- Students can arrive as early as 8:20 am when our school’s gates open. There is no supervision for students prior to 8:20 am.
- FREE breakfast is served from 8:20 am to 8:45 am. All meals are eaten at the lunch arbor outside, rain or shine.
- If your child is absent, it is very important to call the office to report the reason for the absence.
- Absences that are not reported will be considered UNEXCUSED. After 3 unexcused absences and/or tardies you will receive a truancy letter.
- If you pick up your child early and/or they are tardy for personal reasons, this is considered unexcused by the state of California.
- Remember to bring a doctor’s note. Vacations, dentist, and doctor visits should be scheduled during our breaks whenever possible.
- If your child misses school, they are missing out on important learning!
- Our school staff will be scheduling SART (School Attendance Review Team) meetings with parents/guardians, calling home, and doing home visits for students who are chronically absent (missing 10% of school or excessive tardies).
- Thank you for helping to get your child to school every day and one time!
Parent Volunteers Still Needed
We need parent volunteers to help monitor student safety on the sidewalks around our school at drop off and dismissal time! Our Eagle Eye volunteers work with school staff to serve as an extra set of eyes to keep kids safe outside of our school gates. Any interested volunteers should contact Mr. Greenwell or Ms. Reza in the office or call (619) 479-3662.
All parent volunteers are allowed to volunteer inside the classroom and school 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
- RAPTOR I.D. Scan
- Fingerprint Clearance – DOJ & FBI
Note that COVID-19 testing requirements have been lifted by CDPH. Please contact the school office at (619) 479-3662 to be put on the volunteer list and to schedule a volunteer training with the school principal.
ThoughtExchange – We Need Your Voice!
Our annual ThoughtExchange for community input on the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) is still open! We need to hear from every parent/legal guardian at our school. This year, we are asking the question: What are some things we are doing well, and what could improve the educational experience we provide students through the LCAP?
As you’re aware, the LCAP shapes our District’s goals and guides our budgeting priorities. Please join in on the conversation from Feb. 1 through May 1, 2023 (extended from April 1, 2023). Please note that any negative comments and comments with profanity directed at an individual will be deleted. Constructive criticism on how to improve our school and district (and better serve students) is always welcome!
Feel free to reach out to our office team if you have any questions at (619) 479-3662. Allen Elementary’s budget priorities are discussed at every ELAC, SSC, and PTC meeting as well.
Link to survey: https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/629912727
Zone Transfers & Registration Information
It’s that time again! Everyone attending Allen Elementary on a CVESD Zone Transfer should have received an email with a specific link to renew the Zone Transfer for their child for the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete this Zone Transfer (or ZT) process ASAP to keep your child at our school, or families risk losing their child’s spot at our school if a new family moves into the neighborhood. Please also remember that a Zone Transfer or Intradistrict Transfer may be denied if a child’s behavior or attendance require improvement.
NEW STUDENT registration began on February 15 online for the following:
- Kindergartners who will be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2023.
- 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 beginning on February 15: www.cvesd.org
Allen Elementary has plenty of space in our Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten classes for next year, but has limited openings in our upper grades. Please contact our office for questions about space availability at (619) 479-3662. More information is posted on our district’s website at www.cvesd.org.
- Please note:
- TK students will not need a renewal zone transfer link as they will need to register at their neighborhood school for Kindergarten. Our district’s Early Childhood Education department supports Preschool and TK enrollment. Please contact them directly at (619) 425-9600 Ext.181725.
- The Renewal Zone Transfer Form is independent of the “New Zone Transfer Form.”
- Students who will be transitioning to Sweetwater Union High School District for seventh grade (middle school) do not need to notify CVESD about this, but will need to complete registration processes with that district via https://www.sweetwaterschools.org/.
Preschool Enrollment
Are you considering enrolling your child in preschool? Look no further! Allen Elementary offers a free preschool program for qualifying families that live in San Diego County. Learn more and enroll your child today at http://cvesd.org/preschool.
Free Campus Clinic Health Services
Families may come to the school office, Monday- Friday, between 8 am and 3:30 pm to receive a free COVID-19 home antigen test. The testing is not required. Please report all positive cases to our school office at (619) 479-3662.
Weekly, voluntary 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 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.
In alignment with our district’s commitment to keeping your children healthy and in school, we are excited to expand Campus Clinic’s health services by adding the flu combo test to our weekly COVID-19 testing program. This combo test is designed to provide results for symptomatic individuals for some of the most common illnesses, such as Flu A, Flu B, RSV, and COVID-19. This testing is provided at no-cost or free to families, but Campus Clinic is required by the state of California to collect insurance information. Campus Clinic will also be providing other essential public health services on our campus in the coming weeks.
MedLab2020 may call or email families to verify insurance information for individuals who have tested with Campus Clinic previously. MedLab2020 is the lab that Campus Clinic partners with to process COVID-19 PCR & flu combo tests administered through weekly in school testing, as well as at the four kiosks throughout the district. They are part of the letterhead on most of the results sent out. Please feel free to direct any questions or concerns you may have to the Campus Success Team.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the information above, please call or email our Campus Success team.
Campus Success; 8:00am -4:00pm PST
855.286.2577
support@campusclinic.org
www.campusclinic.org
Again, for this free testing support, please email: support@campusclinic.org.
Health and Safety
Vaccines for children are now available. There is currently no mandate for vaccines, nor a mandate for masks. Please understand that the state of California may (in the future) require 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 encouraged for all staff, students, parents, and visitors while indoors on campus.
- There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and other illnesses in any public place where people are present. The school and district strive to reduce this impact to staff, students, and families.
- It is a current public health recommendation for all eligible people to get COVID-19 booster shots.
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. 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 and our school by joining as a member of the Allen Elementary School Parents Teachers Club.
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, April 7, 2023 from 8 am to 9 am. This meeting will be in person at school with a coffee cart available in front of the school. Our Allen PTC will also have their monthly Spirit Gear Booth with great items for sale!
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 April 10, 2023 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 April 10, 2023 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 April 10 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, April 19 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 April 11, 2023 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 April 20 at 6 pm and will be in person at Fahari Jeffers Elementary (1145 Camino Prado, 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. April 26 at 6 pm is the next BAC meeting. 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.
Academic 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!
Our Board of Education approved our 2023-2024 School Calendar as well and we are pleased to share that it aligns well with Sweetwater as well. Please also use this document to plan and schedule family outings, vacations, and other important appointments. Find that document in the file below…
Students in our district will end the current academic year on Friday, June 2, 2023.
Allen Elementary is proud to be a Kindness Certified School again in 2023!
Be well Eagles! As a California public school, we encourage everyone to stay healthy and get the COVID-19 vaccine (and/or booster shots), as well as to test regularly. The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our number 1 concern!
Ella B. Allen Elementary School 