The Monthly Howl

Dear Jack London Families,

Spring has officially sprung! Please be sure to put your child's names in jackets and sweaters, as these articles of clothing are often removed and left at recess accidentally. We want to get them back to their owners!

Also, we have had many students (and staff) with seasonal allergies flaring due to the pollen in the air. Jack London scholars are outside daily for recess and for P.E. classes twice a week (Grades 1-6). Please plan ahead to provide your child with any necessary allergy medication they may need prior to coming to school. If your child requires medication or eye drops to be given at school, even if it is over the counter, a written prescription from their physician is required, along with the medication (in its original unopened package). Please call the office for support if your child requires medication at school, and the office staff will guide you through the process.

Every spring, California schools participate in State Testing. We will begin these tests next week for students in grades 3-6, and they will continue for several weeks. Please ensure scholars arrive at school every day on time during testing. Getting lots of rest and eating a healthy breakfast will also help them do their best on the test! Please see additional resources for families below:

CAASPP Resources for Families:

The California Department of Education (CDE) has launched new digital resources for parents/guardians that explores a variety of topics and tools to help families dig into state testing in a meaningful and useful way.

Click HERE to access the Starting Smarter Website to explore the resources listed below:

• Exploring Student Score Reports (in 9 languages!)
• Accessing Sample Test Questions and Free Parent Resources including
• Be A Learning Hero Website
• Supporting Your Child's Learning Website
• Partners In Learning Website
• Guide To Parent Teacher Conferences
• A Parent Friendly FAQ Page for CAASPP

While our 3rd-6th graders are working on State Testing, our Kindergarten through 2nd graders will be working on the final iReady Diagnostic of the school year. Students who are classified as English Learners are currently participating in the Summative ELPAC test, as well.

With the end of the year around the corner, information about end-of-year activities, including our 6th Grade Promotion and Clap Out, will be coming home soon.

Here are a few other important dates coming up:

• April 18 and 21 - No School for Easter (Observed)
• April 25 - Progress Reports go home
• Week of April 28 - Scholastic Book Fair in the Library
• May 15th - Spring Concert and Open House (evening event)
• May 16th - Minimum Day dismissal at 11:35 for K-6th grades

Please read all the way to the bottom of the newsletter for all important updates and reminders.

Thank you,

Dr. Roat and Ms. Torres

Please call in absences for each day your child is out. See information below regarding when to keep sick kids home. Thank you!

LOST AND FOUND

All lost and found articles are kept on the front gate, near the flagpole. We urge students and parents/guardians to check these areas frequently for missing items. We often post pictures on Facebook of our “lost clothes.” Unclaimed items will be sent to a charity throughout the year. Jackets, sweaters, lunch boxes, etc., should be marked with the child’s name.

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL

If your child requires medication while at school, a form is available in the school office. It will need to be completed and signed by your child’s doctor and returned with the medication in its original container. All medication will be dispensed from the office. Students are not to bring medicines otherwise, including over the counter drugs such as Tylenol, eye drops, allergy medication or cough drops. The medication form must be completed for any allergies or serious medical problems of which the school should be apprised. This policy is for the protection of all students and school staff.

PARKING LOT – ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL

We have a large number of students arriving and departing each day. Please do not park in the drive-through lane nor behind parked cars in the parking lot (blocking them in) at any time. If you need to park and leave your vehicle, please use designated parking spaces or street parking. "Traffic control" is not always an enjoyable responsibility, so parent patience and positive attitudes are always appreciated. Students and parents are required to use the crosswalk to cross from the parking lot to the front of the school. Please do not cross the drive-through lane anywhere except the crosswalk.

In order to ease parking lot congestion and provide a safe environment during drop-off and pick-up times, please adhere to the following procedures:

1. Parents must park in a designated parking space or on the street if they plan to exit their vehicles.

2. Students are to be dropped off and picked up in the right lane only.

3. Students must exit from the right side of the vehicle.

4. Parents must park on Country Hills Drive rather than dropping students off in the middle of the street.

5. Please drive slowly and carefully in the parking lot and near the school, adhering to all parking lot and road rules, including stopping for students/families at crosswalks.

Morning Arrival:

1. Breakfast students can arrive beginning at 7:30am in front of school, outside the gate near the office.
2. Non-Breakfast students should not arrive until 7:45am. Non-breakfast students who arrive early will be supervised in the cafeteria until 7:45am.
3. The Bus Circle on Country Hills is reserved for students in Special Day Classes, as well as AUSD buses and approved daycare vans/buses.
4. Preschool and TK students are dropped off in the top parking lot each morning, up to 15 minutes before school begins. Please park only in designated parking spaces, and keep the Bus Lane clear at all times.

Afternoon Dismissal:

1. Bus students, approved daycare students, and students in Special Day Classes are dismissed at the back gate, near the Bus Circle.
2. Preschool and TK students will be dismissed from the top parking lot every day. On minimum days, older siblings will be directed to join them at the top parking lot. Please park only in designated parking spaces, and keep the Bus Lane clear at all times.
3. All other students will be dismissed at the flagpole in front of the school every school day.
4. Students who are walking home are expected to exit campus and walk home at dismissal.
5. Students who are not picked up by 2:45pm (1:20pm on Wednesday; 11:50am on minimum days) will be in the flagpole/office area, and parents/guardians will need to come into the office to sign them out.

PROBLEMS / CONCERNS

If a problem arises regarding a particular subject/issue, first consult with the teacher. Teachers often have first-hand information. Please follow the “chain of command” policy. For instance, if the situation occurred in the classroom, contact the classroom teacher first. If the problem is not resolved, then the office should be contacted so the next appropriate steps can be taken.