Arts Magnet Weekly News
Week 6 or Families and Community September 13-17, 2021
Hispanic Heritage Month 9/15-10/15
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage and Hope on both campuses!
Hispanic Heritage Month begins and this year's theme is: “Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope." We will be celebrating on both campuses in various ways. To learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month, please visit https://nationalcouncilhepm.org/
Finding our Footing Together
Dear Altadena Eliot Arts Magnet Families,
I am thrilled to report that we had a wonderful week on both campuses! In talking with colleagues throughout our district and across the region, the dysregulation of students and adults is a permeating reality school leaders are facing. And it makes sense! It's been since March 13, 2020 that we've been all together for a full day on a school campus.
For our middle school students that means our 8th graders were only on campus in 6th grade for a few months and now they're getting ready to promote to high school.
But the good news is, we are all finding our footing together.
Thank you to all the families who joined me for Cafe con Scheckel on Thursday morning. It was wonderful to connect with you all in this informal setting. And a big thank you to all our Eliot families who joined us for our virtual Back to School Night on Thursday evening. It was inspiring to see so many families tuned in and engaged, and of course, I was super proud to be a part of the Husky family as I popped into every classroom to hear what our teachers had to say.
At the elementary site, we had a fabulous time with our first Cougar Values Awards Assembly on Wednesday and I so look forward to Back to School Night coming up on September 22, 2021!
I wish you a wonderful week!
It's a great year to be an Altadena Cougar and Husky!
Yours in Service,
Dr. Scheckel, Principal
ELEMENTARY SECTION
Cougar Values Awards Assembly
PTA Reflections Art Contest is coming!
Reflections is a National PTA program that provides opportunities for recognition of students artistic talents and creativity. We already know at AAM this boosts student confidence and success in the arts and in life.
Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. This 50+ year-old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.
The 2021–2022 Reflections theme is I Will Change the World By…
Students submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts.
Students participate in the appropriate division for their grade: Primary (Pre-K - Grade 2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5). Students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504 may enter in the Special Artist Division or grade division most closely aligned to their functional abilities.*Winners at AAM then have a chance to compete district wide, Statewide and even Nationally.
Ms. Victoria Camargo is the lead art teacher on this project. Please reach out to her for more information at camargo.victoria @pusd.us
Virtual Grandparents/Grandfriends Day is Monday!
GATE Parent Meeting
FREE DRESS FRIDAY!
French Book Fair
School Site Council Meeting is Tuesday @ 3pm
Meeting ID
Phone Numbers
(US)+1 402-751-0254
PIN: 178 923 279#
MIDDLE SCHOOL SECTION
Meet Ms. Kyanna Ray!
Mrs. Ray is a girl mom of two & wife to her high school sweetheart. She loves fashion, movies, and any performing arts! She was a former dancer, gymnast and cheerleader. She is a proud Sun Devil Alumna & cheerleader from Arizona State University. Her best memories are from her time in Arizona and getting to be a part of the Superbowl Halftime Show in 2015 with Katy Perry! Mrs. Ray was a former high school teacher and very excited to experience middle school with her students at Eliot! In her classroom, she promotes empathy, tolerance, safe spaces and confidence with all her students. She encourages her students to tell their stories and share their truths. Stop by her zen den in room 215 anytime!
Order your Husky Yearbook Today!
Our Husky Values!
New Pick Up/Drop Off at Middle School Campus
FOR BOTH ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL FAMILIES
Tuesday @ 5:45pm!
First ELAC Meeting of the Year!
Eliot and Altadena's Annual Fund!
For this year, both annual funds will remain separate, but both school communities will have the opportunity to support each other, knowing that each fund will support all our children in arts and French!
Elementary Annual Fund
Our Annual Fund Chair is Tasiah LeConte
Tasiah has an executive board who assists in reaching the goals of the fund.
Fundraising Goal: $100,000.00 per year for post magnet grant art sustainability
Major Fundraising Events
Free Dress Fridays
Holiday Tree/Wreath Sale
Altadena's Got Talent
Capital Campaign
Middle School Annual Fund
Our Annual Fund Chair is Felicia Lee
Felicia has an executive board who assists in reaching the goals of the fund.
Fundraising Goal: $100,000.00 per year for arts and French program sustainability
Major Fundraising Events
Silent Auction @ Altadena Country Club on 10/23
Capital Campaign
My vision as your principal is that all elementary families will buy tickets and attend the Eliot Gala at the Altadena Country Club and all proceeds will go to Eliot's annual fund to support our arts and French programs and in turn, all Eliot families will participate in Altadena's holiday tree and wreath fundraiser with all proceeds going to support Altadena's arts sustainability plan.
When we work together, all our children benefit!
A big thank you to our parent and community leaders for coming together to make our fundraising efforts successful!
International Dot Day is Wednesday on both campuses!
On September 15, 2003, author and illustrator of children’s books, Peter H. Reynolds released his book “The Dot.” In the story, Vashti felt like she couldn’t draw — but her art teacher wouldn’t accept that. “Just make a mark, and see where it takes you,” the teacher said to Vashti. So, she marked her parchment paper with a small dot. The next day, Vashti was surprised to find her paper with the dot on the classroom wall. Vashti was so proud of her work that she started creating drawings with different kinds of dots.
Eventually, Vashti was able to pass the lesson about confidence that she had learned from her teacher onto someone else. A dot might be small, but it’s a powerful way to show your unique individuality and creativity. And that’s the story that inspired International Dot Day.
“The Dot” has inspired millions of children and adults. It is used by teachers as a method to encourage creativity and instill confidence in students. One teacher in Iowa, Terry Shay, introduced the book to his entire classroom on September 15, 2009. This led to the observance of International Dot Day every year on September 15. The flow of creativity and courage is celebrated by millions of teachers and students around the world. Such is the widespread influence of “The Dot” that it is currently celebrated in 192 countries by more than 19 million people!
There is also a website by the name ‘The Dot Club,’ which serves as a free resource for downloadable material and printouts like an official certificate of participation.
Find out more at: https://nationaltoday.com/international-dot-day/
COVID TESTING
As you know, PUSD was running low on testing kits. We expect this situation to be resolved shortly. Please read below how testing will work on both campuses, when we have enough kits.
What kind of COVID-19 test is given?
The COVID-19 test is a nasal swab PCR test that the students can self-administer under the supervision of a PUSD nurse. Testing materials are provided by Valencia Lab and results will be received within 24-48 hours.
Who will be tested?
Students with informed consent will be tested. Any interested staff can be tested.
How can parents give informed consent?
Parents can provide informed consent through two ways:
- Register through the online platform: https://home.color.com/covid/sign-up/start?partner=cdph094
- Complete the hard copy registration forms in English or Spanish which will be provided for you by the COVID-19 Response Team.
What do parents and staff need to do prior to testing?
We encourage parents and staff to register with the COLOR system prior to arriving for testing, however, the Color system currently is available only in English. Therefore, we will provide hard copies of an informed consent form in English and Spanish at the registration table. If the student or staff member has tested with PUSD before, they will not have to register again.
To register for COVID-19 testing, please use this link:
https://home.color.com/covid/sign-up/start?partner=cdph094
The COVID-19 Response Team will also bring posters of the QR code that connects directly to the testing link.
When does the COVID-19 Response Team come to my school?
Multiple COVID-19 Response Team members are organized to go to each school one time per week. As resources increase, teams will begin to go to each site for more than one scheduled visit.
The schedule to begin on August 30 is as follows:
- Mondays, 7:45-11:00: Marshall, PHS, Muir, Blair
- Tuesdays, 7:45-3:30: Altadena, Field, Washington ES, Norma Coombs, Focus Point
- Wednesdays, 7:45-3:30: Longfellow, Don Benito, Washington MS. Willard/PALS/CIS Jackson, McKinley ES
- Thursdays, 7:45 - 3:30: Webster, Sierra Madre ES, Madison, San Rafael, McKinley MS
- Friday: 7:45-3:30: Eliot, Sierra Madre MS, Hamilton, Cleveland, Rose City
How will testing be conducted during school hours
More information on this procedure will come to you.
What happens if a student is in quarantine or isolation?
If a student is in isolation, then they are confirmed positive and do not need to test for 3 months after they received their lab-confirmed positive result
If a student is in quarantine, then they need to test off-site. They can:
- Test with their medical provider
- Make an appointment with the PUSD Primary Care Clinic at 351 S. Hudson Ave. by calling 626-396-3600 xt 88180.
- Participate in the drive-through clinic on Mondays at 351 S. Hudson Ave. in the south parking lot, enter on Oak Knoll.
When will the student or staff member receive their results?
Results will come in 24-48 hours.
Will Incentives be given to students for participating?
Yes, we will be providing students with various incentives for their participation in the testing program.
https://home.color.com/covid/sign-up/start?partner=cdph094
If you or your child are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, do not come to school for testing. Stay home. You can come to the PUSD Primary Care Clinic at 351 S. Hudson Ave. Please call 626-396-3600 xt 88180 for an appointment.
Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the past 3 months, recovered, and are not showing any symptoms, are not recommended to test.
COVID-19 Safety Plan
As you may be aware the Delta variant, coupled with the fact that children under age 12 cannot yet be vaccinated, has put us all on high alert to ensure our safety practices are as robust as possible alongside the desire to get students back to school in person.
This fall we will continue with most of the safety protocols we had in place last spring.
- Masks are mandatory for all staff and students
- Purposeful hand washing and sanitizing
- Air purifiers in all classrooms
- Ventilation maximized by keeping doors open, as often as possible
- Maintaining 3 feet of social distancing whenever possible
- Having students eat outside, weather permitting
- Daily self health screening of students and staff
- Care room for isolating any student or staff member with symptoms of any kind
- 10 day quarantine for any person who tests positive
- Siblings of any positive cases must also remain home and in quarantine
- Weekly testing for staff and students (optional at this point)
- Campus COVID Safety Teams are still in place and will continue to meet virtually
- Families will be notified if they have been exposed to a positive case at school
Vaccinations
We are now able to mandate vaccinations for our employees. PUSD is working on the plan to ensure all employees are vaccinated.
Class Sizes
This is the one change from last spring. We will not limit class sizes, beyond the mandated ratios in K-5 classrooms.
Will my child be safe?
This is the #1 question principals are getting right now. The answer is, no one can say with 100% certainty that no one will get sick when we come back in person. However, all district employees that I know, who have children attending PUSD schools, are sending their students back to in person school. PUSD is committed to keeping all students and families safe. If the variant proves to be a threat to public health, I am confident PUSD will be ready to shut down in person school and pivot back to an online delivery model.
With that being said, every family must make their own decision about what's best for their child.
Independent Study
Independent Study run through our CIS school, is a viable option for those who need to keep their children at home. Government funds will not allow for specialty programs such as, IB, AP and DLIP to be offered in this format. However, PUSD is committed to hearing parents' concerns. If you are considering independent study but have questions about specialty programs, please fill out the interest form and book a consultation with the CIS team. They may be able to offer you a solution that is not ideal, but palpable until you are able to send your child/ren back to school in person.
If you would like to set up a conference or have more information, please see the attached PDF at the end of this newsletter.
As always, if you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out. We are all in this together and we all want what's best for our students.
Respectfully,
Dr. Scheckel, Principal
Loma Alta Park Program for Kids!
1000 Paper Cranes Art Installation
Altadena Eliot Arts Magnet Family Handbook!
The Eliot specific information is not yet complete, but I wanted to make sure you had something before next week.
We will continue to update the calendar of events and other pertinent information this week. This is a live document so added information will be updated automatically.
How to Conduct a Symptom Check Before Leaving Home
Before leaving home all students, employees and parents must conduct a self check. Ask yourself these questions:
Do I have a fever?
Do I have a cough?
Am I experiencing shortness of breath or difficulty breathing?
Am I experiencing any other symptoms?
Have I been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days?
In the last two weeks, have I been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19?
If you respond "yes" to any of the questions, you must stay home and it is recommended that you contact your primary care physician for further medical advice. If you have a fever with cough or shortness of breath, you are urged to contact your primary care physician as these symptoms may be attributed to COVID-19. To protect others, stay home, wear a facemask when you seek medical care and follow the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s Home Isolation Instructions. For more detailed symptom self-checker visit the Los Angeles County Public Health Department’s COVID-19 Symptom page.
Upcoming Events
September
● 9/6 Labor Day ALL SCHOOLS CLOSED
● 9/7-9/8 Rosh Hashana
● 9/8 Cougar Values Awards Assembly @ Elementary School
● 9/9 Eliot BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT Students dismissed at 11:45am
● 9/10 PTA Reflections Interest Forms due to Ms. Camargo grades K-5
● 9/13 Virtual Grandparents/Grandfriends Day @ 8:30am
● 9/13-9/27 Virtual French Book Fair
● 9/14 GATE Parent Meeting @ 10am
● 9/14 SSC for Elementary @ 2:45pm virtually for parents, in person for staff
● 9/14 JOINT PTA Meeting more info TBD
● 9/15 Hispanic Heritage Month begins
● 9/15 DOT Day grades K-5
● 9/15 JOINT AAPC @ 5:30pm virtually
● 9/15-9/16 Yom Kippur
● 9/17 Free Dress Friday grades K-5, Fun Friday @ lunch grades 6-8
● 9/20-9/24 Hispanic Heritage Spirit Week @ Middle School campus
About Us
Email: scheckel.benita@pusd.us
Website: https://www.pusd.us/Page/9
Location: 743 East Calaveras Street, Altadena, CA 91001, United States
Phone: 626-396-5650
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/altadenacougars/
Twitter: @altadenaES
