Activities

2 years ago

Fun activities for you and your elementary school child

  1. Today is National Kids Day. Help your child plan an activity to celebrate it with the entire family
  2. Make tonight a 'No TV' night with your family. Ask your child to help select games or stories, and spend some quality time with them.
  3. Help boost your child's self-esteem. Take pride in their achievements and accomplishments today and every day.
  4. Put on a history play with your child today. Help them learn about important events in world history or even your own family history.
  5. Make learning to write letters and numbers fun for your child. Roll playdough or clay into long thin worms and ask them to create letters and numbers.
  6. Ask your child to help make lunch today. They can pick a spot in the park so that you can share lunch together.
  7. Take the family out to a water park today. Help your child put on sunscreen and explain the importance of protecting their skin.
  8. Go to the park and take a nature hike with your child today. Ask them to point out different animals and what they need to survive (i.e. food, shelter etc.)
  9. School's on the way! Help your child make a 'countdown to school' calendar. Ask them to cross off each day at bedtime.
  10. Encourage your child to make a 'to do' list today. Help them make a list of things that they would like to accomplish tomorrow, then check the items once completed.
  11. Visit a community pool with your child today. Go for a dip to cool off on a hot day.
  12. Take your child shopping for school supplies. Ask them to brainstorm a list of things that they will need for school.
  13. Help your child make a kite today. They can decorate it and fly it at the park.
  14. Teach your child about recycling. Show them how to recycle items such as paper, glass and aluminium.
  15. Take your child to a petting zoo today. Ask them to draw pictures of the animals that they saw today.
  16. Visit the library with your child today. Encourage them to borrow books about a different country, and learn about the people, cultures, and customs of that country.
  17. On a rainy day, set up a tent with your child in the living room. They can pretend to be a forest ranger.
  18. Help your child practice their math skills. Ask them to add up all the change in your pocket or purse today.
  19. Teach your child about the importance of preserving nature. Help them plant a tree in the yard and explain how littering harms the environment.
  20. On a large piece of construction paper, help your child write their name vertically. Using each letter, help them write words that describe their personality.
  21. Make car trips fun for your child. Play a game and ask them to point out license plates billboards and interesting road signs.
  22. Tell your child that you love them today and every day.
  23. Help your child create and design their own phone book . Make a list of their friends names and phone numbers.
  24. How much does your child know about their family history? On a map trace where your family is from and help them create a family tree.
  25. Help your child write a letter to a grandparent or friend today. Explain the importance of keeping in touch with loved ones.
  26. Get your child back in 'school mode'. Ask them to research a famous painter on the Internet. Get out the paint and let them express themselves through art.
  27. Teach your child about textures today. Ask them to find objects outdoors that are smooth, shiny, slimy or round.
  28. Suggest that your child write a poem for a friend today. They can mail it to them for a back to school present.
  29. Encourage your child to make journal entries and keep track of their experiences in a new grade this coming school season.
  30. Have a back to school party for some of your child's friends.
  31. Help your child prepare for school. Talk to them about setting personal goals this year.

 

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Parent Tips

2 years ago

Be generous with praise

Observe your child carefully and comment on the things that are done well. When you see an area that needs improvement, find a positive way to talk about it with your child.

 

Encourage "personal best"

Help your child by encouraging him or her to do the best in school and at home. Remember, "personal best" does not mean "perfect", and learning is not the same as high grades. Children, like adults, need the freedom to make mistakes and to learn from them.

 

Make learning a priority

Your attitude toward school attendance, education and involvement in the school makes a strong and lasting impression on your child. Show your child, by example, that learning is a priority.

 

Show interest in school work

  • Talk about school each day.
  • Ask to see class work.
  • Have your child read aloud to you.
  • Read to and with your child from a variety of material in your first language.
  • Encourage your child to discuss new ideas and opinions.
  • Show appreciation for good efforts.

Offer suggestions for success

Help your child use the following strategies to improve performance in school:

  • Read the assignment when it is given.
  • Keep a list of new vocabulary.
  • Proofread assignments to catch errors before writing a final draft.
  • Review notes before a test.

Schedule study time

Set up an area for homework away from noise and distractions. Post a family calendar that schedules school project deadlines, after-school activities, mid-term dates, exam periods and report card dates.

 

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Student Health Requirements

2 years ago

flyers

Information for Parents

The information below is to help parents learn about the required immunizations for the 2016-17 School Year.

What immunizations does my child need for school?
Immunization required for 7th grade:

  • Tdap (pertussis booster)

Immunizations required to enter Kindergarten:

  • Polio
  • DTaP
  • MMR
  • Hepatitis B
  • Varicella (Chickenpox)

Frequently Asked Questions (updated May 10, 2013)

Requirements and Documentation

Diseases and Vaccines

What is the whooping cough (pertussis) booster requirement?

  • All students entering, advancing or transferring into 7th grade need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster immunization (called “Tdap”).

Do ALL 7th grade students need to get the whooping cough immunization? Yes. Unless they have an exemption, all students going into 7th grade must have proof of having had the Tdap booster shot. This includes current students, new students and transfer students in both public and private schools. Many students have already received the vaccine and simply need to supply proof to the school, so check with your doctor or provider.

Why is the Tdap vaccine required? This requirement will help protect your child and others in your school and community from whooping cough. Whooping cough is a serious disease that causes coughing fits that can last for months. In recent years, whooping cough has been increasing in the United States. Whooping cough has been widespread in California and was responsible for 10 infant deaths in 2010.

Why should my child get vaccinated with Tdap? In addition to it being a requirement for school, children who get a Tdap booster shot will be better protected during their school years. Immunization also helps to protect others within the home, in the community, and at school. Immunizations help prevent school closures. Many schools in California have suffered from outbreaks of whooping cough. Students got very sick and parents missed work and lost wages to care for their sick children. In some cases, schools had to close, because there were not enough healthy teachers to keep schools open.

When should my child get vaccinated with Tdap? Now. Unimmunized children are at risk for catching whooping cough, getting really sick and missing weeks of school. Besides protecting your child, you can also beat the back-to-school rush by making an appointment for your incoming 7th grader to get a Tdap booster shot now. Keep documentation of your child’s Tdap booster shot in a safe place. Your child will need proof of immunization for school. Check with your school about how and when to submit the documentation.

What if my child had whooping cough recently or in the past? Any protection (immunity) developed after having whooping cough disease wears off, leaving your child at risk for getting whooping cough again. A whooping cough booster shot is needed to both protect your child in the future and to meet the school requirement. A Tdap dose administered on or after the 7th birthday will meet the requirement.

Instead of getting a Tdap booster to meet the requirement, can a student get a blood test to check for protection (immunity) against whooping cough? No. Testing for immunity to whooping cough is not reliable and will not meet the school requirement.

What if my child does not have proof of a Tdap shot before school starts? Your child will not be able to start school until you submit the documentation for the Tdap requirement to the school.

Is there a grace period/extension to get the shot AFTER school starts? No. As of now, there is no grace period or extension. Under current law, schools do not have the option to provide a grace period. All 7th grade students need to show proof of Tdap immunization or submit an exemption before starting school.

How long do you have to wait after your last tetanus shot before getting Tdap? According to state and national recommendations, the dose of Tdap required for the school law may be given at any time after the last tetanus shot.

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Diseases and Vaccines

What is Tdap and what are the diseases that the Tdap vaccine prevents? Tdap is a booster vaccine for older children, adolescents, and adults. It safely protects against 3 dangerous diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (also called pertussis).

  • Pertussis – also known as whooping cough, is a contagious disease that causes violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. It spreads easily when someone with the disease coughs or sneezes. The symptoms can last for months. Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for young babies.
  • Tetanus – causes a severe, painful tightening (spasms) of muscles, including of the jaw (‘lockjaw’), which can limit swallowing and breathing.
  • Diphtheria – is a throat infection that can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure and death.

Should parents and others at home get the Tdap vaccine? The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends that parents and other adults and adolescents at home get vaccinated with Tdap now if they haven’t done so already. Immunization also helps to protect close contacts, including young infants for whom whooping cough is most severe and sometimes fatal.

How soon does the Tdap vaccine work? Typically 1-2 weeks after the injection.

What other immunizations should I consider for my child? In addition to routine baby shots, preteens and teens also need the following vaccines:

  • Tdap to protect against whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria
  • One dose against meningococcal disease (brain or blood infection) at age 11 or 12 and a booster dose at age 16 years
  • Yearly immunization against flu (influenza)
  • The human papillomavirus (HPV) 3 shot series

Make sure your children are also up-to-date on their childhood immunizations including two doses against chickenpox (if they have never had chickenpox disease) and two doses of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Talk with your healthcare provider for more information and the recommended vaccine schedule.

Where can my child get vaccinated? Children should visit their regular doctor or health care provider to get their Tdap shot and other immunizations as soon as possible to avoid the back-to-school rush. The Vaccines for Children Program (VFC) offers free or low cost vaccines for eligible patients 18 years and younger. If your child is eligible for Medi-Cal, you can find a VFC provider near you. If your child's health plan does not cover immunizations, visit a federally qualified health center in your area. Some local health departments also offer free or low cost immunizations to children with no health insurance. Some pharmacies may also offer the Tdap vaccine and other immunizations. For more information, please contact your local health department.

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Adopt A Classroom

2 years ago

Welcome: 
Adopt-A-Classroom invites the community into the classroom  in support of teachers  and their students.   By   adopting   a   classroom,  donors form   partnerships   with   specific   classrooms providing   financial   and   moral   support.   The result is a meaningful contribution to education in  which  donors experience the impact of their efforts and celebrate in a classroom's success. 

Learn how to support teachers and students in our classrooms here: 

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