Bobcat Strong News Tracker

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

• TK-3 6:00-6:30

• 4-6 6:45-7:15

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

• 9/6 - Labor Day - NO SCHOOL

• 9/14 - Picture Day

• 9/17 - Bobcat Strong Parent Meeting (virtual)

• 9/17 - Bobcat Spirit Day (make sure to fill out your Bobcat Strong Registration for a special surprise! https://bit.ly/bobcatreg

• 9/24 - Staff Development- NO SCHOOL

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!

Happy almost Labor Day Weekend!

We have had another great week. I am often stopped and asked ‘How are things going?” My very truthful answer is “I am so happy to be back at Santa Rita! Which makes every day at work a good day.” This community of teachers, parents and students could not be more supportive of each other and it is a joy to be around everyday.

Teachers have been working hard getting ready to meet with all the families for Virtual Back To School Night tonight! You received an email from your student’s teacher with a link to their Google Meet. Please be patient as the teacher must ‘allow’ you into the meet, one by one.

TK - 3rd grade Meets 6:00-6:30

4th - 6th grade Meets 6:45-7:15

I hope you have a wonderful time getting to know more about your students class, their teacher and all the wonderful programs that make Santa Rita and LASD wonderful.

Update: Grandfriend’s Day has been POSTPONED until we are allowed to have more than just essential volunteers on campus.

COVID-19 Pool Testing Town Hall

Our principals have received many questions from families regarding our Los Altos School District school site-based COVID-19 testing program and the new quarantine requirements from the California Department of Public Health.

Please join our LASD District Nurses, Monica Sidher and Mary Fitzgerald, and Superintendent Jeffrey Baier for a Town Hall where we will provide information and answer your questions on these two important topics.

What: Pool Testing Town Hall

When: Wednesday, September 8, 7:00pm

Where: Zoom, please register here.

COVID-19 Testing at Our School

You may have received a message from Superintendent Baier last week about a new COVID-19 testing program for all of our schools. We have partnered with Concentric by Ginkgo to provide a voluntary and free testing program for all students from Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade. For more information on the Concentric program click here.

Concentric is providing a two-phase testing program for our schools for those who volunteer to participate:

1. Weekly pooled testing for TK-8th grade students

2. Follow-up testing if a pooled test result is positive

Testing Keeps Students in School

Asymptomatic testing and follow-up testing for school-based exposures to COVID-19 are essential to keeping our students in school due to the new school-based K-12 modified quarantine protocols from the California Department of Public Health. The new protocols allow students who have been exposed to COVID-19, but who are asymptomatic, to remain in school as long as they have two negative COVID 19 tests. This program will provide free testing at our school site to make testing convenient and allow your student to continue to come to school if they are well. Your student can only participate in the testing program if you have completed the online consent form per the instructions below.

To make this program a success, we need your help.

Here are the basics of the program.

1. The voluntary testing program is scheduled to begin this month, and we strongly encourage all students to participate to help keep our schools safe and open.

2. For your student to participate in the program, you must provide consent. To do so, please fill out this online consent form by September 9. You may also opt in to the program at any time during the school year.

1. To access the form for our school, please enter this access code: LASD-SANTARITA

2. Finally, enter your student’s information, and you’re done!

3. Note: If you need to provide consent for more than one student, please complete the process once for each student.

4. **If your student tested positive for COVID-19 within the last three months, please do not have them participate in this program.** They could produce a positive test result, which would make our results inaccurate.

3. Participating students will self-administer their weekly pool test at school using a short nasal swab. The samples will be collected together and tested as a group, so no individual test results will be provided to families.

4. If there is a positive case identified in the pool, Concentric will administer individual antigen tests to impacted students and staff. Please note: only students who have a completed Concentric consent form on file for the pooled testing program will be able to be tested on our campuses when a positive case is identified from the pooled testing program, which is one reason we urge you to complete the consent form for your child at this time.

Last year, we worked with Concentric on a very successful pilot program for our 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes. There were no positive pooled tests last year, which provided a greater sense of security for all students, staff and families. The program is part of our aggressive efforts to ensure the health and safety of all students, staff and families.

Thank you to everyone for looking out for all of our community.

Better Together, Go Bobcats!

Kelly Rafferty

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

• TK-3 6:00-6:30

• 4-6 6:45-7:15

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

• 9/6 - Labor Day - NO SCHOOL

• 9/14 - School Picture Day

• 9/17 - Bobcat Strong Parent Meeting PTA - all welcome! (virtual)

• 9/17 - Bobcat Spirit Day (make sure to fill out your Bobcat Strong Registration for a special surprise! https://bit.ly/bobcatreg

• 9/24 - Staff Development - NO SCHOOL

A free bowling pass donated by Homestead Bowl (Cupertino) is available for individuals who receive a vaccination at the event.

When: Thursdays in September (2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th), 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Appointment Required).

Where: El Camino Health Primary Care (Mountain View) Sobrato Pavilion, 2495 Hospital Drive, Suite 460

To schedule an appointment, please call 408-871-7460. Para asistencia en Español, llame al 408-871-7460, y oprima el numero 5.

Visit elcaminohealth.org/covid-19- resource-center/schedule/vaccine for additional clinic locations.

El Camino Vaccine Clinic Q/A

Q: Is a parent or legal guardian required to be present for minors?

A: A parent or legal guardian is required to be present for anyone under the age of 16 years.

Q: What should I bring with me to the mobile clinic?

A: The only item that is required is a photo ID. This could be a driver’s license or passport, but other items, such as a student ID, are also accepted. For minors, a photo ID for the parent/guardian is required. If you have health insurance, you should also bring a copy of your insurance card.

Q: Does getting a vaccine cost anything?

A: No. Vaccines are administered at no cost to all members of the community. If you have health insurance, El Camino Health may bill your insurance company for the cost of administration, but this cost will never be passed on to you.

Q: Who is eligible to receive a vaccine now?

A: At this time, anyone 12 years and older is eligible to receive a vaccine.

Q: What vaccine will be available at the vaccination event? A: Pfizer will be available at this vaccination event.

Q: How will I receive my second dose?

A: You will be scheduled to return to the same location three weeks after the first dose in order to provide second doses to everyone that received a first dose.

Q: What if I am unavailable to return for the second dose?

A: Please let our staff at the clinic know about this. There are many options available to you. The CDC allows for up to six weeks to pass before receiving the second dose, if necessary, and we can provide you alternative locations to receive this dose.

Q: Can I come to this clinic to receive my second dose if I have received my first dose somewhere else?

A: Yes you can. However, we will not have Moderna available and can only administer second doses of Pfizer. Please bring your CDC vaccine card and/or any other documentation from your first dose and ensure it has been at least 18 days since receiving your first dose.

Q: Who may I contact if I have additional questions?

A: For questions about or assistance with this event, please call 408-871-7460, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Hello Santa Rita Families,

My name is Adrienne Marquette and I am the Starting Arts Theatre teacher this year at Santa Rita for TK-3rd grade. The kids call me Miss Adrienne and we are in our second week of classes which have been really amazing! I have been teaching and directing children's theatre for 25 years all over the Bay Area , and I have been with Starting Arts for 10 years. I love my job, and I get to work with thousands of kids each school year.

This year we are focusing on different styles of acting like Pantomime, Improv., tableau, team building, creating characters and storytelling through puppets. My goal is to engage every child in the creative process of acting to boost their confidence and unleash their creativity. I've seen some amazing acts so far in every grade and the kids have been eager and enthusiastic to play our games and create what I call

" Theatre Magic"

-Miss Adrienne

• 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:

Lunch Service Volunteers

Lunch service is off to a great start! Thank you to all those who signed up to help! We still need a few more volunteers! It takes less than 45 minutes (11:30 - 12:15) and is a great opportunity for you to visit campus and see your kids mid-day!

Sign up below:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18jTUQiboQi3BRQc_jAdiy2ge-37P2B11NP-lV9VR838/edit?usp=sharing

If you can’t commit to once a week, every other week is great too. Please indicate in the note area. Also, don't worry about occasional schedule changes; we have backup volunteers who can sub in. For questions contact Yang Liu, our hot lunch chair at yang@santaritapta.org or 612-730-1639.

Yard 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.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS

FREE Virtual Reading Tutoring Program (K-3rd Grade):

Teen Tutors is an organization run by Los Altos High School students to connect young readers with high school tutors! Our Read to Me program features tutors who read to students one-on-one to strengthen their reading comprehension & listening skills. As the students grow more comfortable, they can choose to read themselves with tutor assistance as needed. Virtual Read to Me sessions will be available on Saturdays from 10:30 am-11:15 am and 11:15 am-12 pm. Please register your child here: https://tinyurl.com/K3rdReading

For more information about our program, please visit www.teentutorslahs.wixsite.com/lahs or email teentutorslahs@gmail.com with any questions.

Programa gratuito de tutoría virtual de lectura (K-3rd Grado):

Teen Tutors es una organización dirigida por los estudiantes de Los Altos para conectar a los lectores jóvenes con tutores de la escuela secundaria. Nuestro programa Read to Me ofrece tutores que leen a los estudiantes de uno en uno para fortalecer su comprensión de lectura y sus habilidades de escucha. A medida que los estudiantes se sientan más cómodos, pueden optar por leerse a sí mismos con ayuda de un tutor según sea necesario. Las sesiones virtuales de Read to Me estarán disponibles los sábados de 10:30am a 11:15am y de 11:15am a 12pm. Registre a su hijo aquí: https://tinyurl.com/K3rdReading

Para obtener más información sobre nuestro programa, visite www.teentutorslahs.wixsite.com/lahs o envíe un correo electrónico a teentutorslahs@gmail.com con cualquier pregunta.

AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES

Parents, looking for some great after school enrichment activities?! The following programs will be offered at Santa Rita...click on the links for e-flyers:

Mondays - Science Made Fun, After School Hoops;

Tuesdays - Easy Spanish;

Wednesdays - Run for Fun;

Thursdays - Lunchtime Chess Club;

Fridays - After School Tennis;

Plus, LASD Flag Football. (see below)

Mathletes and Speak Debate will be offered on-line, for Fall.

Check the school website under Enrichment activities for schedule, more info, and registration links. After School Activities • Page - Santa Rita Elementary School (santaritaschool.org)

FLAG FOOTBALL

Calling all 3rd-6th graders! LASD Flag Football is back on!

Please sign up for our only school sport. Each school in LASD has a 3rd/4th grade team and a 5/6th grade COED team.

We compete against the other schools in the district after school and the season culminates in a district-wide tournament at Foothill College. It is a lot of fun, and even the teachers stay to watch the games!

No experience necessary and it’s a no-cut sport.

Please sign up here: http://www.asa-lasd-flagleague.com/

Living Classroom is in need of volunteers to teach our fun, hands-on lessons and help care for our school gardens. No experience or green thumb necessary as we teach you everything you need to know! Join a community of people who enjoy connecting kids with nature and teaching them where their food comes from. The suggested time commitment is only 6 hours a month and you get to participate in fun volunteer enrichment activities such as nature hikes, garden tours, educational workshops, talks, and more! Living Classroom is a great way to act locally to help care for our planet and nurture our future environmental stewards! Get involved today!

Join us in-person for our upcoming Fall Docent Training!

Living Classroom Fall Docent Training

Mondays 9-Noon

9/13-10/11

LASD iLearn Studio (masks required)

201 Covington Road, Los Altos

-or-

email for information on joining us virtually

Please RSVP to livingclassroom@lasdschools.org

Questions? Contact us at (650) 947-1103 or email livingclassroom@lasdschools.org

email for information on joining us virtually

Please RSVP to livingclassroom@lasdschools.org if you plan to attend.

Questions? Contact us at (650) 947-1103 or email livingclassroom@lasdschools.org

Santa Rita is super excited for the return of in-person after school programs! Here are some of the offerings:

Mondays - Science Made Fun, After School Hoops;

Tuesdays - Easy Spanish;

Wednesdays - Run for Fun;

Thursdays - Lunchtime Chess Club;

Fridays - Coach Ken Soccer, After School Tennis;

Plus, LASD Flag Football. Mathletes and Speak Debate will be offered on-line, for Fall.

Check the school website under Enrichment activities for schedule, more info, and registration links. After School Activities • Page - Santa Rita Elementary School (santaritaschool.org)

• FLAG FOOTBALL

Calling all 3rd-6th graders! LASD Flag Football is back on!

Please sign up for our only school sport. Each school in LASD has a 3rd/4th grade team and a 5/6th grade COED team.

We compete against the other schools in the district after school and the season culminates in a district-wide tournament at Foothill College. It is a lot of fun, and even the teachers stay to watch the games!

No experience necessary and it’s a no-cut sport.

Please sign up here: http://www.asa-lasd-flagleague.com/

• FREE ONLINE CODING CLASSES (4TH - 6TH GRADE)

Trained local high school students from the Computer Engineers of the Next Generation are hosting free coding classes on Zoom in Scratch, JavaScript and Python

Dates: Wednesdays, September 1 - October 6, 2021

Time: 4:15 - 5:45 pm PST (NEW TIME)

No. of Weeks: 6

Format: Zoom online classes

Cost: Free

Registration Links:

4th grade - Scratch (Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced)

5th grade - JavaScript (Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced)

6th grade - Python (Beginning/Intermediate/Advanced)

Students will be put into different breakout rooms according to their levels.

Registration deadline: 12:00 noon on Saturday, August 28, 2021 or when class is full.

Computer Engineers of the Next Generation (CENG) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to inspire underrepresented minorities to pursue Computer Science. For more information, please check out our website at cengclass.org. Questions? Please contact cengclass@gmail.com

Free Virtual Reading Tutoring Program (K-3rd Grade):

Teen Tutors is an organization run by Los Altos High School students to connect young readers with high school tutors! Our Read to Me program features tutors who read to students one-on-one to strengthen their reading comprehension & listening skills. As the students grow more comfortable, they can choose to read themselves with tutor assistance as needed. Virtual Read to Me sessions will be available on Saturdays from 10:30 am-11:15 am and 11:15 am-12 pm. Please register your child here: https://tinyurl.com/K3rdReading

For more information about our program, please visit www.teentutorslahs.wixsite.com/lahs or email teentutorslahs@gmail.com with any questions.

Programa gratuito de tutoría virtual de lectura (K-3rd Grado):

Teen Tutors es una organización dirigida por los estudiantes de Los Altos para conectar a los lectores jóvenes con tutores de la escuela secundaria. Nuestro programa Read to Me ofrece tutores que leen a los estudiantes de uno en uno para fortalecer su comprensión de lectura y sus habilidades de escucha. A medida que los estudiantes se sientan más cómodos, pueden optar por leerse a sí mismos con ayuda de un tutor según sea necesario. Las sesiones virtuales de Read to Me estarán disponibles los sábados de 10:30am a 11:15am y de 11:15am a 12pm. Registre a su hijo aquí: https://tinyurl.com/K3rdReading

Para obtener más información sobre nuestro programa, visite www.teentutorslahs.wixsite.com/lahs o envíe un correo electrónico a teentutorslahs@gmail.com con cualquier pregunta.

Thank you!

Let’s strongly support our students this school year!

Donate to LAEF and fund teachers for STEM, Wellness, Literacy, and Arts. LAEF helps fill 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. Our 2021-22 goal is $2.8 million. Parents are encouraged to donate $1,200 or $120/month per student this school year. Gifts of any amount are appreciated.

Donate or Pledge to LAEF today!

• Find out more about the teachers that LAEF will be funding this school year.

• Learn why our local public schools need your support by watching our video: "Funding an Excellent Public Education".

Check out the 2021-22 LAEF Brochure in English, Spanish, Russian, Japanese, and Chinese

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