Toler Times

Happy Friday, Toler Families!

What a week of wild weather again here in San Diego. I hope everyone is staying dry and enjoying the little surprises Mother Nature has been sending our way.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone at our Annual Toler Halloween Carnival this Saturday from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

A HUGE thank you to all the families who have donated candy and prizes, helped with setup and decorations, and volunteered their time to make this event possible. Your generosity, time, and dedication are what keep our wonderful Toler traditions alive year after year. We truly could not do it without you.

I love seeing our school community come together for events like this. It's one of the things that makes Toler such a special place.

See you Saturday, Dolphins! I'll be waiting for you in the dunk tank!

Proud to be a Dolphin!

Kristy

Our Toler Dolphins really outdid themselves this year. We were blown away by the creativity, imagination, and artistic talent showcased in this year's Halloween Poster Contest. Every entry was unique, and it was clear how much thought, effort, and pride our students put into their artwork.

Choosing just a few winners was no easy task. We had so many wonderful entries, and we are incredibly proud of every student who participated.

Please join us in celebrating this year's Halloween Poster Contest winners.

• Memphis, Room B

• Aston, Room 6

• Akiha, Room A

• Maxwell M., Room 6

• Leo, Room 10

• Elsie, Room 2

• Finn, Room 4

• Kalei, Room 9

• Hannah H., Room B14

• Marcos, Room 1

• Amelie, Room 9

• Isla, Room 4

• Esme, Room 5

• Garrix, Room 2

• Julian, Room B14

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to every student who participated.

Attention Winners: Your carnival prize tickets will be available for pickup at the ticket table on Saturday. Look for the envelopes labeled with your names.

We have some pretty incredible young artists here at Toler, and we love seeing their creativity shine. Keep imagining, creating, and sharing your talents, Dolphins.

Toler Families, We Need Your Help!

Throughout the school year, families are asked to complete important forms through the Parent Portal. While some of these forms help our school and district receive valuable funding, others provide important information that helps us better support our students and families.

Our goal is 100% participation from all Toler families, and we need your help to get there.

Please log in to your Parent Portal and make sure you have completed the following forms:

1. Family Resource Guide

2. Health Information Exchange Consent Form

3. Housing Questionnaire

4. Universal Form

5. Federal Impact Aid Survey (available beginning October 26)

Why Does This Matter?

These forms do more than collect information. They help ensure our school and district have the resources and information needed to support our students.

The Federal Impact Aid Survey, which opens October 26, is especially important because it helps San Diego Unified qualify for federal funding that supports programs, resources, and services for students.

Please note that the Impact Aid Survey is separate from the other Parent Portal forms. Even if you have already completed your paperwork this year, you will still need to complete this additional survey. All information is handled confidentially according to district procedures.

We Still Have 27 Families Who Have Not Set Up Their Parent Portal

If you are one of these families, we would love to help you get connected. The Parent Portal is an important tool for staying informed, accessing student information, and completing required school forms.

If you need help creating your account or accessing your forms, please contact our front office. We are happy to assist.

Let's get to 100%, Dolphins. Every family's participation makes a difference, and taking just a few minutes to complete these forms helps support our entire Toler community.

Thank you for being our partners in making Toler a wonderful place for all students to learn and grow.

Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday, November 1

It's time to fall back. Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 2:00 a.m. Remember to set your clocks back one hour before heading to bed Saturday night.

Enjoy that extra hour of sleep, Dolphins. We look forward to seeing everyone bright and ready to learn on Monday morning.

Planning a family trip during the school year? We have an option to help your Dolphin stay connected to learning while away.

Did you know that San Diego Unified offers Short Term Independent Study for students who will miss 3 to 14 school days for a planned absence? With administrative approval, students can complete assigned schoolwork while away and receive attendance credit when the work is completed and returned according to the agreement.

How Does It Work?

1. Families must provide at least 5 school days' notice before the planned absence.

2. Visit the Toler front office to request Short Term Independent Study and complete the required district paperwork.

3. Our attendance clerk, Nora, will coordinate with your child's teacher.

4. Teachers will prepare assignments and the agreement before your child leaves.

5. Students must return their completed assignments to their teacher on the day they return to school.

Learning Doesn't Stop When Dolphins Explore

We know that family trips, visiting loved ones, and experiencing new places can create wonderful learning opportunities. Short Term Independent Study helps students stay connected to classroom learning while they are away.

If your family has upcoming travel plans, please stop by the front office as early as possible so we can help determine whether Short Term Independent Study is an option for your child.

Good Attendance Matters: Every School Day Counts

At Toler, every day of learning matters.

One of our schoolwide goals is to reduce chronic absenteeism and ensure every Dolphin has the opportunity to learn, grow, and feel connected to our school community.

Did you know that a student is considered chronically absent when they miss 10% or more of the school year? That's just 18 days in a typical 180 day school year, or about two days each month. Both excused and unexcused absences count toward chronic absenteeism.

Why Does Attendance Matter?

When students miss school regularly, they miss more than assignments. They miss important opportunities to:

• Build foundational reading, writing, and math skills.

• Participate in classroom discussions and collaborative learning.

• Develop friendships and strengthen their sense of belonging.

• Practice new skills and build on previous lessons.

• Grow in confidence as successful, independent learners.

Even a few missed days each month can add up over time and make it more challenging for students to keep pace with classroom learning.

We Understand That Life Happens

Children get sick, family emergencies arise, and sometimes students need to stay home. If your child is ill, please keep them home to rest and recover. Remember to notify our office and clear the absence.

For planned trips of 3 to 14 school days, Short Term Independent Study may be an option to help your child continue learning and receive attendance credit for completed work under an approved agreement. Please contact our office at least five school days in advance.

Let's Work Together, Dolphins

Our goal is not just better attendance numbers. It's making sure every student has access to the learning experiences, relationships, and opportunities that help them thrive.

Thank you, Toler families, for making school attendance a priority and for partnering with us to help every Dolphin succeed.

Halloween Parade

Since Halloween falls on Saturday this year, Toler will celebrate at school on Friday, October 30.

Our annual Halloween Parade will begin at 9:15 a.m. on the blacktop. Families are invited to join us and cheer on our Dolphins as they show off their costumes.

A Few Costume Reminders

As you are planning or shopping for costumes, please remember that costumes must be school appropriate.

• No blood, gore, or violent themes
• No weapons, real or pretend, including swords, toy guns, or knives
• Masks may be worn during the parade only
• Students need to be able to walk safely and move freely in their costumes
• Comfortable shoes are strongly encouraged

After the Parade

Families of our younger Dolphins are welcome to stay and help students out of their costumes after the parade. Older students should be prepared to remove their costumes independently and place them in their backpacks.

While we love a good Halloween celebration, it is still a learning day at Toler. Changing after the parade helps students get back to learning and keeps those carefully planned costumes safe for Halloween night.

Minimum Day Reminder

Friday, October 30 is also a minimum day, with dismissal at 1:00 p.m. Please mark your calendars and plan accordingly.

We have lots of Halloween fun ahead at Toler, and we can’t wait to see what our Dolphins come up with this year. More reminders will come as we get closer to the celebrations.

Saturday 10/24/25 Halloween Carnival

Monday 10/26/26 Wear Red

Tuesday 10/27/26 Crazy Hair Day

Wednesday 10/28/26 Minimum Day for all, Sun Glasses Day

Thursday 10/29/26 Pajama Day

Friday 10/30/26 Minimum Day! Halloween Parade - Wear your Costume

10/24 Halloween Carnival

10/30 Halloween Parade 9:15 am on Blacktop

10/30 Minimum Day

11/16 -11/20 Minimum Days Fall Conferences

12/16 Winter Performance

12/18 Minimum Day

12/19-1/4 Winter Break

1/5 Return to School

1/15/27 Minimum Day

1/18 Non Instructional Day No School

2/11/27 Minimum Day

2/12-2/15 Presidents Day -Long Weekend

3/23-3/26 Minimum Days Spring Conferences