.

Dear Cougar Families,

This week, our teachers came together to share classroom successes and collaborate on ways to support student learning across both our English-only and Dual Language Immersion programs. Our shared focus is helping every Cougar grow as a thinker, communicator, and confident learner!

Teachers discussed strategies for Academic Conversations that help students explain their thinking, listen carefully, ask questions, and build on one another’s ideas. Whether students are discussing a book, explaining a math strategy, or sharing an observation in science, these conversations give them opportunities to deepen their understanding and learn from their classmates.

Math fact fluency is another important focus across our school. Teachers are strategizing around ways to help students develop automaticity—the ability to recall math facts accurately and readily. Having these facts at their fingertips allows students to put more energy into reasoning and solving increasingly complex problems.

Please practice math facts with your child at home! Card games, dice games, quick verbal practice, and activities recommended by your teacher can make practice engaging. Short, consistent practice sessions can make a difference. Please connect with your child’s teacher if you have questions about which facts to practice or the expectations for their grade level.

Our DLI team also shared some wonderful writing celebrations. Fourth graders wrote reports about animal preserves, created dioramas, and recently finished Charlotte’s Web in Spanish. Third graders are developing their ideas with such enthusiasm that they’re asking for more paper, and second graders are building their Spanish writing stamina. These are exciting examples of the growth happening within our school community!

To keep the learning conversations going at home, try asking, “What challenged you today?” or “Can you explain how you figured that out?” Giving children time to talk through their thinking helps build confidence and gives you a window into their learning.

Thank you for partnering with our teachers and encouraging your children each day. We appreciate the many ways you support our Cougars!

With Gratitude,
Principal Brittany Birchall

Words Matter: Kindness the Cougar Way

At Soquel Elementary, we teach our Cougars that being kind includes the words we choose. Racist, homophobic, sexist, and other discriminatory or demeaning language has no place at school. This includes hurtful jokes, slurs, and put-downs—even when a child says, “I was just kidding.” We help students understand that words can hurt, regardless of intent, and that every person deserves to feel respected and included.

Please take a few minutes to talk with your child about choosing kind words, respecting differences, and telling a trusted adult when they hear hurtful language. When children make mistakes, we work together to help them understand the impact, take responsibility, and practice a more respectful response.

Thank you for reinforcing the Cougar Way at home and helping every child feel safe, valued, and welcome!

Helpful resources for families:

• Talking to Children About Racial Bias — American Academy of Pediatrics

• 5 Ways to Talk to Your Kids About Swearing—and Why — Common Sense Media

Halloween Fun: Keeping Our Cougars Safe!

Halloween brings plenty of excitement and creativity! As families plan costumes for school, please help us keep our celebrations safe, comfortable, and welcoming for all students.

• Keep faces visible. Costume masks that cover students’ faces are not permitted.

• Leave all real, toy, and replica weapons at home.

• Choose costumes that respect others. Costumes should not mock or stereotype anyone’s culture, race, religion, disability, gender, or other personal characteristics.

• Keep our youngest Cougars in mind by avoiding graphic or overly frightening costumes.

• Make sure children can see clearly, move comfortably, and participate in regular school activities.

For families celebrating beyond school, remember flashlights or reflective accessories, use sidewalks and crosswalks, and have children stay with a trusted adult or supervised group. Drivers, please watch carefully for excited children in our neighborhoods!

You can find more guidance in the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Halloween Safety Guide.

Wishing our Cougar families a fun and safe Halloween!

We are always grateful for the support our volunteers provide to our school. Your help in classrooms, on field trips, and at special events is an important part of our school community.

Recently, the State of California passed a new law requiring school volunteers to serve as Mandated Reporters. As a result, all volunteers are required to complete Mandated Reporter Training each year.

We use Keenan Safe Schools Training to provide this online training. Please click the self-registration link below and complete the training at your earliest convenience:

Keenan Self-Registration Portal:
https://soquel-keenan.safeschools.com/register/c02ca60f

After completing the training, please email it to ddamer@suesd.org or bring a copy of your certificate of completion to the school office.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me by email or call the school office at 831-464-5655.

Beginning November 13, volunteers who have not completed the required training will not be able to volunteer until the training is completed.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and our school community!

Veteran's Day - No School - Wednesday, November 11th

ELAC - Thursday, November 12th at 5pm

Home and School Club - Tuesday, November 17th at 6pm

Thanksgiving Break - Thursday, November 23 - 27

Your child’s artwork has been included in our school’s art fundraiser through Square1Art. Please check out the flyer to view the QR code;

English

Spanish

Coming home to you soon will be your child's custom catalog from Square1Art. You can get a head start on ordering keepsakes featuring your child's art, online NOW, if you like!

Orders will arrive in time for the winter holidays.

Simply search for your child's art using Art Search, and enter state, school name, and your student's

name. Your student's art and code will appear, and you may order!

Upload additional art if you like, using Art Upload!

Thank you for supporting Soquel Elementary!

Questions: sblackburn@suesd.org

At our November 4 School Site Council meeting, parent, staff, and community representatives reviewed student achievement data and discussed our School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA). This plan guides our goals, student supports, and use of school resources.

Our priorities include strengthening reading and math achievement, supporting English learners’ progress, and improving attendance. These goals connect directly to the work happening across our classrooms and both programs.

Thank you to our council members for their thoughtful questions and partnership! Our next meeting is Tuesday, December 8, from 5:00–6:00 p.m. Officer elections will be held at that meeting. Families are welcome to attend and learn more.

Please check the Lost & Found rack for your student's missing items. It is very full of jackets, sweaters, and other items. All items not claimed by Winter Break will be donated to charity.

Projected completion date: Februrary 2027

Current construction is focused on preparing the sports field for its new synthetic turf surface and advancing the new trash enclosure. November’s planned work includes finishing the field base, installing protective padding, and beginning turf installation later in the month. Crews will also advance drainage, underground utilities and grading in the staff parking area, while working toward completion of the trash enclosure. Site preparation and foundation excavation for the future amphitheater and shade structure are scheduled to begin in November, bringing the campus closer to new outdoor spaces for students and staff.

Hi Soquel El families, I am so excited to continue working with our school community, classroom chorts, and students this year. Last year we successfully launched CYBHI (Children's and Youth Behaviors Health Initiative), receiving money from the State of California for mental and behavioral health support we already provide! In order to continue receiving reimbursement, we need families to update the consent to share information from each school year. If you did not do this with your back to school registration, please complete this consent form.

I am so thankful for your ongoing support as we start the new school year.

Jessica Hassani,

School Counselor

jhassani@suesd.org

(831)464-5655

If you would like additional information about the CYBHI program you can check out this informational FLYER or reach out to me at any time!

-Parents Night Out is here! — Saturday, November 7 at 5:30pm

Dinner, drinks, and live music for $100 per person + free childcare! (Spaces limited)

Email soquelelevents@gmail.com to reserve your spots.

-Dining for Dollars at Yogurtland in Capitola

Wednesday, November 18

12-8pm

-See’s Candy Fundraiser — Now Through Friday, December 4

Shop here: See’s Candy Fundraiser

-Save the Date: Winter Boutique — Friday, December 11

Want to sell your crafts? Does your student make something special they’d love to sell? We’re looking for volunteers to help organize the event and school families or community members who are interested in being vendors! Email WINTERBOUTIQUESE@GMAIL.COM to sign up.

-Portable lights? Anyone? We’re looking for freestanding outdoor lights to help light up the courtyard during our Winter Boutique on Friday, December 11th.

Lights that are battery or solar-powered would be ideal, since we may not have access to an electricity.

If you have any lights, you’d be able to lend please let us know! soquelelevents@gmail.com

-Next Home & School Club Meeting

Tuesday, November 17 | 6–7 PM

To keep arrival and dismissal safe, smooth, and welcoming for everyone, please follow these reminders:

🐾 Slow Down
Drive slowly and cautiously when entering, exiting, and moving through the parking lot. Please give yourself extra time so everyone can arrive safely.

👀 Watch for Pedestrians
Stay alert for students and families walking through the area. Look carefully before moving your vehicle, and always yield to pedestrians.

🚙 Pull Forward Along the Curb
For drop-off and pick-up, please pull all the way forward along the curb before stopping. This creates room for other families and helps keep traffic moving. Have your child ready to exit safely when you stop.

🅿️ Walking Onto Campus? Please Park
If you need to leave your vehicle or walk your child onto campus, please use a designated parking space. Do not park or leave your vehicle unattended along the curb. This area needs to remain available for student drop-off and pick-up.

❤️ Model the Cougar Way
Our students learn from us! Please use kind words, follow staff directions, and show patience toward other drivers and pedestrians. A little courtesy makes a big difference during these busy times.

Thank you for looking out for one another and helping every Cougar start and end the school day safely. Your patience and partnership make a difference! 🐾

• Home and School Club: meets monthly, fundraises for art & music and provides community events for Soquel El. The first meeting will be on August 12th at 6:30pm with childcare provided.

• School Site Council: meets monthly, and is an oversight committee for the school. A great way to learn a lot about Soquel El. and to give input in a short amount of time.

• English Language Advisory Council: meets monthly and is an advisory group for parents of multilingual students.

• Cradle to Career: parent advocacy group supporting parent leaders to lead initiatives at Soquel El.

• Classroom/school volunteers: more information will be shared at Back to School Night. To volunteer during school hours, fingerprinting (once at Soquel El. - not annually) and a TB test (every four years) are required. Please review the guidelines:

BREAKFAST and LUNCH MENUS are available on the CNS website here. Sign up to receive the monthly menu automatically by email here.

Remember to order LUNCH! Raise your hand and be counted! Students should tell their teacher if they want lunch during morning attendance.

When are Meals Served?

MONDAY through THURSDAY

Breakfast is served during morning recess.

Lunch is served during lunch recess.

FRIDAY

Breakfast is served before school.

Lunch is served during morning recess.

Questions about CNS? Please contact Amanda Timar, CNS Director, atimar@suesd.org or 831-464-5649

If your child requires medication during the school day, please have their doctor complete the appropriate health care plan and medication authorization form. These forms are available in the school office.

Once the forms are completed, please bring them with the prescribed medication to the office. Whenever possible, we ask that all forms and medications be submitted before the first day of school to ensure we are fully prepared to support your child’s needs.

Student Insurance

Please see this link if you are interested in Student Accident & Health Insurance: https://www.peinsurance.com/products/student-insurance/student-accident-insurance/

SUESD Parent Letter regarding Student Insurance:

English & Spanish: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ChiIPFOnSe9gF2dQAv-rI2pdmEkzOv-Q/view?usp=sharing