Category Archives: Announcements

Allen Parents,

It is so exciting to see the official Allen Elementary School website up and running. Kudos to our new principal Mrs. Garcia for regularly updating and maintaining this site. You can visit the Chula Vista Elementary School District’s sponsored school website at http://schools.cvesd.org/schools/allen/Pages/default.aspx#.VAYTnyS7kaw.

Here are some of the upcoming events Mrs. Garcia has posted on the school website:

For the last couple of years, I’ve been developing, maintaining and updating this blog for Allen Elementary School, hosted by the PTC, and in collaboration with Allen’s Administrative Staff. As I continue to bring you the latest news and updates, please feel free to leave me a comment on how I can make this site better serve you, the parent at Allen Elementary School. You can also let someone know at the school office or email me at “natalia [at] valerdi [dot] com.”

See you around,

Natalia

Dear Allen Parents/Guardians and Staff:

It is with mixed feelings that I write to inform you that I am leaving Allen Elementary to accept the position of Principal at Juarez-Lincoln Elementary in the Chula Vista Elementary School District. While it saddens me to leave behind such talented and wonderful students, parents, and staff members, I know that everyone here will continue to work hard and stay focused on our students to ensure their success.

During the past seven years, I have watched our students grow and thrive at Allen Elementary. These years have rewarded me personally and professionally. I’m proud of the progress that each child has made and attribute that success to the partnerships between our parents and staff. Allen Elementary will always have a special place in my heart.

In order to fill the principal position, a Community Forum has been scheduled for Wednesday, June 18. The forum will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the school’s multipurpose room. Childcare and Spanish interpretation services will be available. This forum will offer you an opportunity to provide input on the skills and experiences you would like to see in your new principal.

If you are unable to attend this forum, you may provide your input on the enclosed form. Kindly return it by Tuesday, June 17. Your input will be used to create a profile to help select your new principal.

Please notify the CVESD Human Resources Office at (619) 425-9600, ext. 1340, by Tuesday, June 17 if you plan to attend the forum. You may also fax your confirmation or comments to (619) 427-3271 or email to: laura.mcclendon@cvesd.org.

Once again, let me express my sincere gratitude for all our work together over the past seven years. I will always be grateful for the many wonderful memories I take with me. It has been an absolute honor to serve our children and this learning community.

Sincerely,
Toni Faddis
Principal

Click here to download letter in English and Spanish, and the form to submit input to the district office.

Start by finding out what your child knows.

When a news topic comes up, ask an open-ended question to find out what she knows like “What have you heard about it?” This encourages your child to let you know what she is thinking.

Ask a follow up question.

Depending on your child’s comments, ask another question to get him thinking, such as “Why do you think that happened?” or “What do you think people should do to help?”

Explain simply.

Give children the information they need to know in a way that makes sense to them. At times, a few sentences are enough. “A good analogy is how you might talk about sex,” adds Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Ed. D. “You obviously wouldn’t explain everything to a 5-year-old. Talking about violence and safety is similar.”

Listen and acknowledge. If a child talks about a news event (like a local robbery or kidnapping) and is worried,recognize her feeling and comfort her. You might say “I can see you’re worried, but you are safe here. Remember how we always lock our doors.” This acknowledges your child’s feelings, helps her feel secure, and encourages her to tell you more.

Offer reassurance.

When a child is exposed to disturbing news, she may worry about her safety. To help her calm down, offer specific examples that relate to her environment like, “That hurricane happened far away but we’ve never had a hurricane where we live.”

Tailor your answer to your child’s age.

The amount of information children need changes age by age. “A kindergartner may feel reassured simply knowing a hurricane is thousands of miles away. An older child may want to know how hurricanes could affect the place where he lives and may want to know what is being done to help those in need. Both ages will be reassured by doing something to help,” notes Jane Katch, M.S.T., author of Under Deadman’s Skin: Discovering the Meaning of Children’s Violent Play.

–Information provided courtesy of KPBS News