Welcome Back

2021-2022 School Year

Welcome Back2021-2022 School Year

A Letter from Mrs. Meris

​​Dear Shadow Hills Families,


Welcome to the 2021 - 2022 school year! I am thrilled to welcome you back to school. I am truly honored to be the new principal of Shadow Hills Elementary School (SHES).


For those of you who I did not have the privilege of meeting as a teacher, this will be my first year as a principal and I could not imagine a more caring and supportive staff and community to work alongside. My family and I love being part of east county. I truly believe that parents are the first and foremost educator in their child’s life. At SHES, we encourage open communication between staff, students, and families. We understand the importance of building positive partnerships with students and families, and we are committed to our students and families.


This school year we will be bringing back many of our traditions that we had to pause due to COVID. We have planned this upcoming year to be as "normal" as possible. As always, the safety of our students and staff will remain a top priority. We will continue most of our safety protocols and procedures. Prior to school starting Dr. Newman will be sending a communication to clarify all policies and procedures for the school year.


As our school year is fast approaching, I would like to extend a warm congratulations to Erica Lyle who will serve as our new Dean of Students. Erica brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. I'd also like to introduce you to a few new incredible staff members joining our team.

  • Mrs. Brianna Watson will be the new first grade English teacher. Mrs. Watson has taught Kindergarten and 2nd grade for the past eight years in San Diego. She went to Cal State Long Beach for her Bachelors in Liberal Studies and her teaching credential, and received her Masters in Reading Education and her Reading Specialist Credential from San Diego State.

  • Mrs. Lisa Stone will be the new English second grade teacher. Mrs. Stone graduated with her Bachelor's in English from San Diego State University, where she also received her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She has taught in San Diego for the past three years in Early Admission Kindergarten, and this last year in Kindergarten.

  • Mrs. Christina Fregoso will be the new Special Education Resource Specialist Teacher. She is a proud alumni of California State University San Marcos and has been teaching in San Diego for the past seven years.

  • Mrs. Angela Crow will be the new Education Specialist Aide. Working with young children and helping them to learn and grow is one of her greatest passions in life.


I am truly excited about the year ahead. As always, we will continue to put your children first in every decision, and we very much looking forward to a wonderful school year.


Thank you for your support.


Beyond excited,

Meghan Meris


IMPORTANT UPDATES:

  • Parents on campus - At this time, parents will only be allowed on campus to drop their child off and to pick up their child and will not be allowed in any indoor space. This includes classrooms, bathrooms, and the office. We ask that parents leave campus immediately afterwards and not mingle with other parents. As of right now, our plan is to allow volunteers on campus starting on October 4th.

  • We are in need of three new parents for our School Site Council (SSC). SSC is group of teachers, parents, administrators, and interested community members who work together to develop and monitor a school's improvement plan. The SSC decides upon the focus of the school’s academic instructional programs and all related categorical resource expenditures for a school. If you are interested in becoming a member, please fill out the School Site Council Election Interest Form and email it to mmeris@alpineschools.net.

  • Cohorts - Students will continue to be separated into cohorts. This means that the students will be separated by class at lunch and recess, and eat and play in assigned areas. We are hoping that this is only temporary and will change in the near future.

  • Start time - School starts at 8:45 am. Students may be dropped off as early as 8:20 am if they are eating breakfast at school. If not, students may be dropped off as early as 8:35 BUT will need to go straight to their class. For the time being, students will not be allowed to play or mingle with students in other classes before school starts. Please note that there is no supervision before 8:20 am. Parents will be called to pick up their student if he/she is dropped off before this time.

  • First day drop off - On the first day of school, please plan to arrive early and leave yourself plenty of time to find parking. You will be allowed to walk your student to the classroom but will not be allowed to enter the classroom. We are asking that parents leave campus immediately after walking their student to the class to reduce contact with other people. Again, classrooms will be open at 8:35 am.

  • Dismissal - School is dismissed at 3:02 pm. We encourage you to be early if you plan on parking and waiting for your child outside of school. Our parking lot is going to be crowded and it will take time and patience as we all adjust to our pick-up and drop-off routines. At approximately 2:55 pm, we will open the gates to the school and parents can enter and walk to their child’s classroom. Again, we ask that you leave the campus immediately after you pick up your child.

  • Virtual Back to School Night - We will meet on Wednesday, August 25 for our Virtual Back to School presentation. Two sessions will be offered, the first is from 5:00 - 5:45 pm, and the second is from 6:00 - 6:45. Please choose one of the two sessions offered to attend. Parents only please. Please create a Zoom account prior to the meeting time. Please login to Zoom and join using the code your child's teacher provides at the designated time. Please also mute yourself upon entry, background noise can override us. If you have questions, please use the nonverbal communication tools or chat feature and we will answer them as soon as possible.

  • Class Lists - Class lists will not be posted outside the school this year but you will be able to log into ParentVue at some point on Tuesday to view your student’s class assignment. We will announce the exact time as we get closer to the date.
  • Chromebooks - If your child does not already have a Chromebook, please go to the SHES office to check one out. Chromebooks will need to go back and forth from home to school daily and will need to be charged at home every night. Once again, we will be offering insurance to protect our Chromebook if it is lost or damaged. If you purchased this last year, you will need to "renew" it by purchasing it again this year. Please use this link to do so: Chromebook Protection Plan

  • Beach Towels - We are requesting that the students bring a beach towel in their backpacks so that they have a comfy spot to sit for outdoor learning.

  • Water bottles - It is extremely important that your child bring a water bottle to school DAILY. We do have multiple water bottling filling stations on site to refill their bottles.

  • Parking lot - Our parking lot will be very busy and it is going to take time for everyone to get adjusted and learn our routines. Please read the SHES Parking Lot Guidelines.

  • Bussing - Bussing does start on the first day of school but only students who have completed their bus registration will be permitted to ride the bus.


UPCOMING EVENTS


  • Tuesday, August 17th - ParentVue will show teacher and class assignments - exact time TDB
  • Wednesday, August 18th - First Day of School
  • Friday, August 20th (and every Friday) - School Spirit Day - Wear SHES Gear or colors
  • Monday, August 23rd (and every Monday) - College Gear Dress-up Day
  • Wednesday, August 25th - Teacher Collaboration Day - 2:02 pm Dismissal and Virtual Back to School Night: 5:00-5:45pm or 6:00-6:45pm via Zoom.

A Letter from our PTA

Hello Shadow Hills Parents,

We are excited for our students to be starting school very soon!! As everyone knows the last year and a half has been beyond our normal and we look forward to getting back to as normal as possible.

We are part of the foundation of our public-education system and a trusted messenger to millions of members, parents, families, educators and allied agencies throughout the state. PTA is the nation’s largest volunteer-led child-advocacy association working to drive improvements in the education, health and well-being of all children and families.

We believe every adult has a responsibility to ensure that all children develop to their full potential. We believe parents are children’s first teachers and that parent involvement is essential throughout a child’s educational experience. We believe that family is the basic unit of society responsible for the support and nurturing of all children, and we recognize that “the family” may be defined in many ways. We believe our responsibility includes advocating for the safety and welfare of all children and the opportunity for a quality public education for each child. We’re also part of National PTA – the largest child advocacy association in America.

Working together, we promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community; raise the standards of home life; secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth; bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth; and develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental and social education.

Please remember that we are always looking for volunteers so please reach out to us if you are willing to help in any way.

Thank you Alpine,
Shadow Hills PTA