Bobcat Strong Tracker

Having trouble reading this email? Just click anywhere on the content below or visit our website at www.santaritaschool.org and go to the bottom of the website to find this newsletter!

Also, need to translate this? Just click down on the Translate menu to the right and choose your language.

Monday, Jan 16- MLK Jr Day- No School

Tuesday, Jan 17- Staff Development Day- No School

Thursday, Jan 19 - STEM Challenge - Marble Run at lunch on blacktop - see below for details

Friday, Jan 27 - Bobcat Strong Coffee 9-10 in Multi

Feb 20-Feb 24- Winter Break- No School

PLEASE fill out your Bobcat Strong Registration: https://santaritapta.formstack.com/forms/Bobcat_reg

First and foremost, I want to wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year! 2023 is here and I think we all can agree it certainly began with quite a bang. Did somebody say it’s raining? It is great to be back and it was great to see our Bobcats back on campus and ready to learn.

If it rains on a Friday morning, there will be no outdoor assembly. The assembly will be over the intercom.

I am thrilled to announce that Santa Rita Elementary School has been named a 2023 California Distinguished School! The California Distinguished Schools program recognizes schools for their excellent work in one of two categories: closing the achievement gap and achieving exceptional student performance by analyzing data reported through the 2022 CDE Dashboard. LASD’s student achievement scores reflected excellence in both categories. The award program is returning this year after the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily suspended reporting of state and local student data in 2020.

California Superintendent of Schools, Tony Thurmond, announced the awards on January 6, 2023, stating: “California Distinguished Schools represent examples of not just excellent teaching, learning, and collaboration, but also highly successful, data-driven school efforts ranging from professional development for educators to mental health and social-emotional wellness strategies to address the needs of students and families.”

Myself, along with some staff members, will be traveling to Disneyland in February to attend the ceremony and accept this prestigious award. Keep your eyes open for information about a school wide celebration coming soon!

I am so very proud of our students, teachers, support staff, families and entire school community. Collaboratively, we provide a top-notch education for all children in a warm, welcoming environment that helps them succeed at the highest levels.

Please see below for some more important information.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend and sending my very best.

Kelly Rafferty

Principal, Santa Rita Elementary

Is it RSV, the Flu, or COVID-19?!?

If you become ill during this holiday season’s “Tripledemic,” it might be hard to determine which dangerous virus you suffer from. The “cold” is a common viral upper respiratory tract infection, but COVID, RSV, and the flu can all be much more serious – and harder to tell apart.

Here is a chart showing the differences in symptoms and a sheet with information about each as well as links to helpful resources in Bay Area counties.

If there are issues accessing the links please see below:

https://lungsrus.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/COVID-Flu-RSV-2022.pdf

https://lungsrus.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/RSV-the-Flu-or-COVID-19.pdf

Your Student will attend an assembly tomorrow, Friday Jan 13th to learn more about the STEM EXPO!

One of the highlights of our STEM Expo event is having the opportunity to listen to our students presenting on their projects. For Santa Rita’s STEM Expo event on Wednesday, March 1st,, we are looking for adults during the school day who would be willing to serve as a Guest Reviewer. As a Guest Reviewer, you will provide an authentic audience for the students to present their project submission and give feedback. Sign up here to participate for any block of time you are available! If you have any questions, please contact me at gchoi@lasdschools.org.

Bollywood is coming to Santa Rita!

Taught by a professionally trained Indian classical-dancer. Your kids will learn to dance to a medley of the latest Bollywood tunes.

Mon 3:00-4:00pm

1/23-4/23

Grades 3-6

More Information

Click here to register

Run for Fun

Wed 3:00-4:00pm

1/11-3/13

Grades K-6

More Information

www.runforfuncamps.com

Hands-On Fun Science at Santa Rita

Mon 3:05-4:05pm

1/23-4/3

Grades TK-3

More Information

www.sciencemadefunsfba.net/register.cfm

THANK YOU to those who donated to LAEF and helped us meet our holiday Challenge Match and to those who gave earlier this school year. We still need to raise $400K to fully fund teachers and staff. If you have yet to give, help us finish the job. Donate today. Gifts of any amount are appreciated.

Your donations are funding LASD music teachers this school year. It was fantastic to watch our holiday concerts and see how much our students are learning. Let’s keep music in our schools!

Raising Body Positive Youth: A Guide to Diet-Free Living, Exercise, and Body Image

Thursday, January 19, 2023 | 7pm - 9pm |

LAHS Eagle Theater ⧫ 201 Almond Avenue

“Eat less! Burn off your food! Eat right!” In a world fraught with diet-culture and weight stigma, many parents worry about their child's relationship with their body and food. Diet messages tell kids that something is wrong with their bodies, and can increase shame and teach fear. Wendy, Shelley, and Signe will discuss down-to-earth ways parents can help their kids take proactive actions in promoting a friendship with food, and preventative actions to minimize the risk factors for the development of eating disorders, particularly when early signs of disordered eating, excessive exercise, or body dissatisfaction have been noticed. They provide clear strategies and tools with a practical focus to gently encourage parents and teens to have a healthy relationship with food and exercise by centralizing joy and health.

Audience: Grade TK - 12 parents, caretakers, teachers, and counselors

Register: Register for this free event

More information: English ⧫ Spanish

Listen to previous speakers:
October 2022 - Adam Smiley Poswolsky on Making Friends as an Adult

November 2022 - Kristin Russo on Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth

Our new Universal Meals program will be available for a Grab and Go breakfast between 8:10-8:25, from our new Servery Window (By the lunch tables near the Multi) and eat at the tables. If they do not finish, they can save it until recess time.

• Monthly Menus will be published on the Santa Rita school website and in our weekly newsletters.

If you have a special diet please email santaritasecretary@lasdschools.org and ask for a form to fill out.

Please review the menu with your student. NUTRITION SERVICES FAQ - If you have questions, please add them to this document.

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