SHES Weekly Update

Dear Shadow Hills Families,

Last Friday, our fourth graders went on a field trip to the Maritime Museum. With the exciting voices coming down the walkway upon their return, it's safe to assume all had a wonderful time. Be sure to check our social media accounts for pictures tomorrow.

We are officially in crunch/prep time for the Fall Festival. Last year was our biggest turnout yet. Through the Shadow Hills community, we raised funds for classrooms, field trips, and a new AV system in the auditorium. We could not be more grateful for everyone's help in making this night a success. Please continue to bring candy to your child's teacher. We also need volunteers to work a thirty-minute time slot at their child's teacher's booth. Please reach out to your child's teacher if you can help. If you'd like to learn more about the Fall Festival or want to volunteer, we have a Fall Festival PTA Meeting this Tuesday, October 11, at 4 pm in Room 15. Please join us, and all are welcome.

I'm looking forward to another fantastic week at Shadow. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Meris

Dear AUSD Families,

There are no adequate words to express how dedicated all of our staff are to making our schools safe places to learn and work. In fact, student safety remains our top priority, even before our critical mission of teaching and learning. As I shared previously, we have and continue to make many security upgrades to our campuses. These include new fencing at our campuses, new intercom and alarm systems, cameras at all entry points, and automatic gate closures.

While it is devastating to think of a violent act being committed on one of our campuses we must be prepared. We have worked closely with the Sheriff’s Department to develop plans for an emergency we hope to never experience. Consequently, in order to maintain a safe environment for your children to learn, it is necessary that we practice our emergency and crisis response plans by having drills designed to exercise our procedures.

Keeping our school campuses safe from intruders is one component of a school emergency plan. In coordination with the Sheriff’s Department, we will be conducting an intruder drill on each campus. Sheriffs will be present at school to check our procedures and provide feedback on our plans. The upcoming drill will be part of a stepped approach and will only be a lockdown drill.

Drills will occur on the following dates:

• October 17 - Joan MacQueen Middle

• October 18 - Shadow Hills Elementary, Mountain View Learning Academy, Creekside Early Learning Center

• October 24 - Boulder Oaks Elementary

We understand in this day and age of social media, messages about emergencies or what is occurring on campus may be posted prior to us contacting you or the information posted may not be accurate. We hope this letter makes you aware of the upcoming drill and the reason why law enforcement will be on each of our campuses.

As always, thank you very much for your continued support and partnership in working to ensure the safety of your children.

Sincerely,

Dr. Rich Newman

Proudest Superintendent on Earth

Here at school, we have been very busy learning about courage - what it means, and why it's important! Learning happens best when it is done both at school and at home. Below are many ways that you can help you child continue to learn about the theme courage through reading about it, talking about it, and practicing it! We have really enjoyed exploring this topic at school, and I hope your family will enjoy it just as much!

Reading About It

Here are some books to help you learn more respect:

Practice It!

Together with your child, create a list of things you are afraid to try. Hang this list in a visible place, and cross the, off when you have accomplished them. Everyone in the family can have things on this list. A great way to teach children that courage knows no age!

Talk About It!

Here are some discussion points to help you talk about respect with your child:

• What do you think courage means and why is it important?
• Tell me about a time that you did something you were afraid to do. How did you feel after?
• What keeps you from being courageous sometimes?
• Is there anyway that I can help you be more courageous?
• What would you do if you knew you wouldn't fail?
• Who is the most courageous person you know?

Please review and save this handbook for reference throughout the year.

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

If you are planning on volunteering this school year, please fill out our Volunteer Packet and return it to the Shadow Hills office.

• 3rd and 4th Grade Fire Engine Demo
• PTA Fall Festival Meeting, 4 pm, Room 15

• AUSD Board of Trustees Meeting, 6:15 pm - Agenda

• School Spirit Gear Dress-up Day

10/18 - PTA Meeting

10/19 - Early Dismissal, 2:02 pm

10/20 - Great California Shakeout

10/21 - Fall Festival

10/24 - 28 - Red Ribbon Week

11/1 - PTA Meeting

11/2 - Early Dismissal