We have much excitement across our campus as we quickly approach our Thanksgiving week break! Please mark your calendars - school will be closed November 25 - 29. School will resume on December 2. I hope everyone enjoys quality time with your loved ones during this time of giving thanks and breaking bread together.

Parents and guardians, you are invited to attend a special presentation on Tuesday, November 19 at 8:30 am in the Las Palmas Cafeteria. The Olivewood Gardens Kitchenistas will be there to do a demonstration on creating healthy food and beverage choices for our families. There will be samples! I will also have a presentation on the School Site Council and ELAC committees so that parents may learn more about how to participate. We are still in need of volunteers for these important groups.

On Friday, November 22, students who consistently follow the Gator Way will participate in the Gator Pride Dance Party! This means that students who have not received tier 1 or 2 referrals because they have shown to be safe, responsible, respectful, and kind may be rewarded by attending the dance. Last month we had approximately 75% of students earn this reward last month! Keep it up, Gators - it’s your year to SHINE!

I'm happy to report an exciting development... the Las Palmas lower playground and field has officially begun construction! Of course, all construction comes with inconvenience - the field will be closed for approximately 3 months. However, our new play area will be worth the wait! It will include a pickleball court, basketball court, baseball field, soccer pitch, new playground, and a walking track. We are very excited!

Please be sure to scroll through the entire newsletter - important information is included below!

Thank you for your continued partnership with Las Palmas!

Kind regards,

Mrs Berenice Walker

Principal

At National School District, we believe in illuminating human potential to positively impact the world. We will continue to share information on what this means.

Help us recognize a Las Palmas Employee of the Month who is making our school SHINE. Fill out the form here: https://forms.gle/GVLLhCPUeSFEMG6GA

Did you know Chronic absence — missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absence for any reason—excused, unexcused absences and suspensions—can translate into students having difficulty learning to read by the third-grade, achieving in middle school, and graduating from high school? Missing even 1 or 2 days a month can have a huge impact on your child's academic success.

We are SO close to reaching our average daily attendance goal of 95%! We are currently hovering around 93% average daily attendance.

Please consider joining the PTA in order to help share your ideas and talents to bring fun activities for our students! Volunteers make a huge difference in our school! We are better together!

You may pick up an envelope in the office or join online today at: https://jointotem.com/ca/national-city/las-palmas-pta/join.

Thank you!

In our continuing efforts to collaborate with families as well as gain feedback about our efforts to promote and support student success, we have established a partnership with the Better Together Team at UCSD. They have developed the following survey. This survey is voluntary and anonymous, meaning that it is the family’s choice to participate and their names will never be used as connected to their answers. They are collecting this data to make NSD schools and the district an even better place!

The survey will take a few minutes to complete. We appreciate your time and willingness to encourage families to take it. It is only one per family. The grade with the highest responses will receive class goodies! https://ucsd.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eaJWgKHLRGNruC2

As part of the Las Palmas Elementary School plan, we encourage the involvement of parents and community members in the education of our students. I would like to invite you to serve as an important member of the Site Council (SSC). There are currently five (5) parent/community member vacancies and we are now accepting nominations for SSC. Elected members will attend six (6) meetings throughout the year at 2:45 pm on:

• October 30, 2024

• November 20, 2024

• December 11, 2024

• February 5, 205

• March 12, 2025

• April 30, 2025

The School Site Council serves the students and the school by:

• Developing the School Plan with teachers and support staff

• Implementing the Plan, putting it into effect for student learning

• Evaluating the Plan to see if it is helping all students

• Verifying and assuring expenditures in the School Plan are used to improve academic performance of all pupils.

Parent members of the SSC are expected to:

• Serve a two-year term for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years

• Attend the meetings on the dates listed above

• Actively participate in SSC responsibilities

• Represent parents in the neighborhood and community

If you are interested, please email Berenice Walker at rberenicewalker@nsd.us or fill out the nomination form here (https://forms.gle/r1Me2r8vTewhLrqXA).

Our school gate opens at 7:45 am

Breakfast served from 7:45 am - 8:05 am

At 8:00 am - 1st - 6th grade studnets are invited to walk laps in the upper playground. Kinder students remain at the tables to wait for their teacher. TK students will be escorted to the TK playground.

At 8:10 am - all students line up by class to meet their teacher

All students and teachers are in classrooms by 8:15 am to begin the school day.

STUDENT UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

All students will be required to wear Governing Board approved uniforms as follows:

SHIRTS/BLOUSES

Blouses, polo shirts, and turtlenecks. Tops must be tucked in and must be plain. Shirts must have collars. No designs/logos.

Fabric Color: White, Gray, or Navy Blue

SKIRTS, SKORTS AND/OR SHORTS

Shorts must be above the knee; worn at waist. Skirts must be an appropriate length (no miniskirts).

Fabric Color: Khaki, Gray, or Navy Blue

LONG PANTS

Pants must fit at waist, hemmed, or cuffed; belt if loops on pants; worn at waist. Sweatpants are allowed.

Fabric Color: Khaki, Gray, or Navy Blue

SWEATERS, JACKETS, OR SWEATSHIRTS

Hip length maximum, plain color, crew or V-neck, cardigan or pull over. No designs/logos.

Fabric Color: Solid White, Gray, or Navy Blue

Please see the office if you require assistance with your uniform

SHOES

Must wear shoes with a closed-toe and heel. No Crocs or sandals.

National School District recognizes that the use of smartphones and other mobile communication devises on campus can be beneficial to student learning and well-being, but could be disruptive of the instructional program.

Please remind students that cell phones and smartwatches are not to be used during the school day - phone calls, Face Time, texting, social media, etc.

Please contact the main office if you need to communicate with your child during the school day.