Pomona Principal Points

We have had an amazing and smooth start to the school year! It has been fun having students back in classrooms after the summer break and the excitement for learning is palpable across the campus!

This month, we’re focusing on empathy and Kindness. We are challenging students to make sure that everyone they interact with feels seen, heard, and valued. We are partnering with you to grow and develop empathy in your student at home. As a family, use these activities to reflect on and better understand the needs of others.

ENGAGE: Celebrate Differences

Generate a list of each family member’s favorite things, such as their favorite ice cream flavor or favorite thing to do. Identify any similar answers and celebrate those things you have in common. Discuss how those similarities might impact your family and your relationships. Identify and celebrate each other’s differences. How might those differences impact your family? How do your differences make you strong? Use this example as a reminder for your child—and your family— to celebrate our unique differences. We are better TOGETHER!

EMPOWER: Build a Family Social Contract

Schedule time to have a family meeting and develop a family Social Contract together. Ask everyone to answer these questions: • How do we want to treat each other? • How do we want to treat each other when there is conflict? Write down any words you identify as a family (respect, kind, honest) and ask each member to commit to the contract by signing it.

EXCEL: Find the Light. Be the Light.

As a family, brainstorm a list of 3-5 individuals you typically encounter during the day who may not receive many notes or words of affirmation or appreciation. Consider people who make your day brighter or provide a needed service, like your mail carrier, the cashier at your local store, or a neighbor. Ask each person in your family to write a note thanking that person for “Being a Light.“

Conversation Starters:

• What can you do to show people you care about them? How does listening to others help them know you care?
  
• What can you do or say to show that you are listening to others?
• Describe what it means to “make someone’s day.”

It happened again! Pomona was awarded the designation of a Capturing Kids' Hearts National Showcase School for the 5th year in a row. Click on the icon for more information about this recognition.

This year we are trying out Camp Readmore on October 2nd. We are hoping the change to the fall will allow for better weather and a better experience for students and staff. Be on the look out for information from your classroom. Camp Readmore is a fun celebration of all things reading! If you would like to be a guest reader, please contact your child's classroom teacher.

Our goal at Pomona is that students are able to focus on their learning while at school. Student personal technology devices (ie smartphones, cell phones, smart watches) need to be powered down and stored in student backpacks during the school day (7:50-3:15). All communication with parents should be facilitated through the front office phone (970-249-2514) or via Talking Points. We can message you directly through Talking Points or you can download the app (link).

Pomona has two committees that rely on family support and participation. Please consider joining one of these teams. If you are interest, contact the front office and we will get you on the roster:

• SAC (School Accountability Committee) - This committee reviews budget decisions, building wide academic and behavior data and goals for the year. This is a committee to learn about why/how we do what we do at Pomona. Our first SAC meeting is on October 6th at 3:45. Call the front office or send a Talking Points message letting us know you would like to be on this committee. We are also looking for a parent who is interested in serving on MCSD's District Accountability Committee.
• PAC (Parent Action Committee) - This committee supports all of the fun stuff like family/student events, fund raising and staff appreciation activities. We are looking for one or two parents who would be willing to help lead this team. Our health tech, Addie Bogart is heading up our PAC this year.

Health Services Guidelines and Procedures:

• Illness Guidelines. Children should stay home if they are ill. Please DO NOT send your child to school if he/she is ill with fever (>100.0 F), a persistent/uncontrollable cough, contagious disease, a rash that has not been identified by a healthcare provider, nausea/vomiting, or diarrhea. Click HERE to see state guidance for parents/guardians on "How Sick is Too Sick", to send students to school.