Bobcat Strong News Tracker

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• 8/12 - Virtual Bobcat Community Q&A https://bit.ly/ParentQ-A

• 8/13 - Class Lists Posted @ School by 5:00pm

• 8/14 - New Family & TK/Kinder Playdate at Santa Rita 9:30-11:30 Meet at Kindergarten playground

• 8/17 - TK/Kinder Lemonade Social - Tk 1:00-1:30, Kinder 1:30-2:00 (Kinder Playground)

• 8/17 - 1st Grade Meet & Greet 2-2:30

• 8/18 - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

• 8/18 - BOBCAT STRONG COMMUNITY MEET (8:45 am) 6th Grade Park

• 8/21 - Bobcat Chase (8am - 12pm)

BOBCAT STRONG REGISTRATION: Please make sure to fill out your Bobcat Strong Registration Information (https://bit.ly/bobcatreg) so we have your most up-to-date information!

Principal's Message

It is exciting to be back on campus getting things ready for students to return full time to our normal schedule. The daily routine of setting out cones and flags will not be missed. Here is a link to our weekly schedule, including early dismissal times on Thursdays and the Minimum Day Schedule.

Class Assignments will be sent out via email this Friday. Class list will also be posted in front of the school on Friday by 5:00.

Our goal this year is to build community across the school and classes. However, due to state guidelines, we must still limit campus access in certain areas. We will continue the daily symptom tracker. In addition, indoor air quality and ventilation are key, and combined with safe hygiene practices and indoor masking, we will provide a safe learning environment. See below for some things which have changed and what remains.

There are more changes, but I would like to be able to explain in detail what that looks like for Santa Rita Elementary. You might have more questions: What is a modified quarantine and what does that mean for students? What defines volunteering for an essential program at the school?, etc.

Link to 2021-2022 K-12 Schools Guidance Q&A

This Thursday, 8/12, I will host a parent zoom meeting where I’ll share more details. Please add your questions here to help inform the meeting.

Zoom Parent Meeting- Thursday, Aug. 12 at 6pm https://bit.ly/ParentQ-A

Sincerely,

Kelly Rafferty

Principal Santa Rita

As per CDPH Guidance on Face Coverings, "persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a mask" as well as "persons who are hearing impaired" are exempt from mask requirements.

Assessing for exemption due to a medical condition, mental health condition, disability that prevents wearing a mask, or hearing impairment is a medical determination and therefore must be made by a physician, nurse practitioner, or other licensed medical professional practicing under the license of a physician. Self-attestation and parental attestation for mask exemptions due to the aforementioned conditions do not constitute medical determinations.

Additionally, per CDPH K-12 Guidance, "persons exempted from wearing a face covering due to a medical condition, must wear a non-restrictive alternative, such as a face shield with a drape on the bottom edge, as long as their condition permits it."

• 8/12 - Virtual Bobcat Community Q&A Zoom link: https://bit.ly/ParentQ-A

• 8/13 - Class Lists Posted @ School by 5:00pm

• 8/14 - New Family & TK/Kinder Playdate at Santa Rita 9:30-11:30 Meet at Kindergarten playground

• 8/17 - TK/Kinder Lemonade Social - Tk 1:00-1:30, Kinder 1:30-2:00

• 8/17 - 1st Grade Meet & Greet 2-2:30

• 8/18 - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

• 8/18 - BOBCAT STRONG COMMUNITY MEET (8:45 am) 6th Grade Park

• 8/21 - Bobcat Chase (8am - 12pm)

• 9/2 - Back-to-School Night - Virtual

• 9/3 - Minimum Day- Student Dismissal at 12:15 pm

• 9/6 - Labor Day - NO SCHOOL

• 9/14 - School Picture Day

• 9/24 - Staff Development - NO SCHOOL

• Students: Masks are required inside and encouraged at all times during school hours on campus except while eating or drinking. Social distancing is not required at this time.

• Parents: Any volunteers or visitors to LASD schools are required to check in at the school front office and complete a COVID symptom screener. Only essential school volunteers will be allowed on campus after completing the school check-in at the front office and must show proof of vaccination.

• BOBCAT STRONG PARENT COFFEE - AUGUST 18TH @ 8:45 AM

Join us on Wednesday, August 18th at 8:45 am for the kickoff to our monthly Bobcat Strong Parent Events. This inaugural event will be held in the 6th grade park immediately following the drop off of your student for their first day of school.

• Meet & Greet with our new Principal - Mrs. Kelly Rafferty

• Hear about 2021-2022 school updates

• Learn about opportunities to get involved

• Best of all - see old friends & meet some new ones!

• AND stay tuned for our new monthly parent event dates comings soon

• BOBCAT CHASE - AUGUST 21ST @ 8AM - 12 PM

It’s BACK and better than ever! Join us on Saturday, August 21st from 8 am - 12 pm for our annual Bobcat Chase! No registration is required and it is FREE to all! There will be races for each grade level, donuts, beverages, popsicles and complimentary coffee for the parents.

Also, this year there will be a special opportunity to get IN THE KNOW about Santa Rita with information available about after school programs, volunteer opportunities and much more! For questions, please contact events@santaritapta.org

• Bobcat Strong Registration: Please make sure to fill out your Bobcat Strong Registration Information (https://bit.ly/bobcatreg) so we have your most up-to-date information! Because of You we are able to provide all the wonderful programs and technology to our Bobcats - fill out by September 17th for a chance at awesome prizes!

Yard & Lunch Duty: Are you interested in working part time? Want to have insight into lunch time at Santa Rita? Get your extra steps in each day? Please consider applying to be Santa Rita Yard Duty. The position is very flexible - you can volunteer any day Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm. Please click on this link and fill in your available time and email so we can contact you. This is a paid position and if you have any questions, please email volunteer@santaritapta.org.

Hello Bobcat Families!

We are excited to welcome students back to campus and know that everyone is ready to start planning for lunches.

For families interested in hot lunch for their student(s), please login or create an account at https://www.choicelunch.com/ to start your order. The lunch orders need to be in two days before for optimal preparation time. You can still order closer to the day but items are more limited and prices are slightly higher. Also, you can download the ChoiceLunch App on your mobile device for easy access anytime.

In addition, we need YOU to make it possible to deliver hot lunch options for our Bobcats. Without volunteers, it wouldn't be possible. It's easy and fun! Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18jTUQiboQi3BRQc_jAdiy2ge-37P2B11NP-lV9VR838/edit

For questions or to volunteer, please email volunteer@santaritapta.org

Want to learn more about the after school programs at Santa Rita? Make sure to join us at the Bobcat Strong Parent Coffee on August 18th at 8:45 am in the 6th grade park. Also, several representatives for the after school programs will be on campus during the Bobcat Chase for any additional information and questions.

• SCHOOL BELL SCHEDULE

• TK (until September 13th) All Days 8:45 am - 12:15 pm

• Kinder (until September 13th) All Days 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

• Grades 1st & 2nd

• M/Tu/W/F 8:30 am - 2:40 pm

• Th 8:30 am - 1:25 pm

• Grades 3rd - 6th

• M/T/W/F 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

• Th 8:30 am - 1:45 pm

• DROP OFF/PICK UP PROTOCOLS: We are excited for the new school year and looking forward to our Bobcats back on campus. Please note no parents except essential volunteers are allowed internally on campus. Walking or biking to school is highly encouraged as traffic around Santa Rita can get congested.

• Drop Off Information:

• Campus opens @ 8:15 students are allowed to enter campus but must remain on back of campus open space area (classrooms open at 8:30 am)

• If walking/biking please lock bikes in bike racks and students may go to the playground before 8:30. Kinder/TK please drop off in the Kinder Play area

• If driving please proceed through the drop off drive area and have your student ready to unload when you get to the designated unloading area

• Pick Up Information:

• If walking/biking please wait for your child in front of school on sidewalk near parking lot. Kinder/TK please pick up in the Kinder Play area.

• If driving please proceed through the pickup drive area (do not cut through the parking lot or wait in the parking lot unless there is a parking spot available)

Welcome back to school! Let's get our students off to a fabulous start with strong support from our parent community. Your partnership with the Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF) can help the Los Altos School District (LASD) deliver a high-quality, well-rounded learning experience for all our TK-8th grade students.

LAEF is a non-profit organization that raises funds from parents and the community to sustain and enrich LASD's excellent educational program beyond what public funding provides. LAEF fills the gap in school funding from federal, state and local sources and is the only way for parents to fund LASD teaching staff in our district.

Here’s the Goal

LASD is counting on us to raise $2.8 million to fund teachers and staff for STEM, Wellness, Literacy, and Arts this school year. Donations to LAEF from parents like you will benefit your student and every student in our seven elementary schools and two junior high schools. Find out more about what LAEF funds.

Let’s Get Started

Your generosity is key! Donate or Pledge to LAEF today. Parents are encouraged to give $1,200 or $120/month per student this school year. Gifts of any amount are appreciated. If you are able to submit for a corporate match, we would be most grateful. Both parents can apply.

It’s for the Students

Let's come together and help our kids receive an excellent, well-rounded education. Your donation to LAEF will impact your child's education this school year.

Email: krafferty@lasdschools.org
Website: https://www.santaritaschool.org
Location: 700 Los Altos Avenue, Los Altos, CA, USA
Phone: (650)559-1600
Facebook: santaritaPTA
Twitter: @BobcatsSR