February 3rd is Global Play Day and Alisal is Playing Along!
Join us in celebrating a day of play on Wednesday, February 3rd. The idea is to allow kids the unstructured time to just play. No need to organize or set things up, just play! Think about it...a little unstructured play time with your kids might do a world of good for your mental health right now too. Look for some specific ideas coming from your child's teacher...but also feel free to just unplug and PLAY!
We have an open position to chair (a possibly co-chair) the
Reflections Arts Program. The Reflections program is fast approaching and we really would like to be able to offer this to our school.
Are you are interested in filling this role?... or do you know someone that would be a great fit??
Please forward this request onto anyone you know that might be interested- it could be a parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc....
The Chair also has the option to formulate a team of helpers, to make this a group effort! Keep in mind that it will most likely be all virtual this year.... (maybe that makes it easier??)
Click on the link above for more information.
Wondering how to be the best parent you can be in this ever changing world of constant togetherness and remote schooling? Need some reminders about when to walk away and when to hold firm to boundaries? (ME TOO!) Want some tips about how to keep kids safe on the internet and how to tell the difference between a Google Doc and a FlipGrid? Need some help figuring out how to help your child organize his/her/their work space?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then Parent University is for YOU. This year, Alisal Administrators, PTA Board members and Our School Counselor are all teaming up to bring to you some practical advice that we hope will not only help you survive, but maybe even thrive. And, we are going to be offering it in two different forums...
If you just want to read tips, look for them in Around Alisal. Our first tip actually came out last week and included all kinds of useful information about Remote Learning. This week, we are featuring information about Digital Citizenship and Safety. Check out the resources and tips put together by Mrs. Martinez, our counselor!
If you want to interact with other parents LIVE (but not in person), plan to join us at our first Coffee With the Principal on Thursday, September 3 at 9:00. We will Introduce Mrs. Martinez to everyone and then talk about Setting up Work Spaces and Using Positive Reinforcement to Reward and Shape Behaviors at Home.
Working together, we made it through our first week of remote learning. Was it without bumps in the road? Not in my house. Was it without tears? Not in my house. Was there maybe a little yelling...maybe in my house. But, we did it and next week will be even better. Remember that EVERY little thing you are experiencing as a parent in your home, I am experiencing as a parent in my home. I see how hard this is on our kids. I see how hard this is on us.
I also see the other side. I see how faces light up when they see their teachers and their friends for the first time in months. I see how teachers smile and share stories of 5 and 6 year olds learning how to sign on and turn off their microphones, proud of their new accomplishments. I see office staff and PTA board members working tirelessly to support and encourage teachers so that they can do what they do best-connect with the kids. I see the good right along with the bad.
As I have said all along, the key is going to be communication and flexibility. If you are struggling, let us know. If we are struggling, be patient and kind. Together, we can do this. Next week will be better, and the week after that even better, and after that, who knows...maybe it will be just grand?! Hang in there, we've got this!!
Karen Johnson , principal
Check out our Back to School, August Flag Salute.
Just in case you missed our last Parent University, you can watch the recording of the presentation. The topic for Parent University (Episode #2) was Positive Behavior and Motivation Systems at Home. The presentation slides are also available and include some great "clickable" links. Be sure to check out the behavior charts that parents are welcome to print and use at home! Click on the link above to access the video and slide presentation.
Alisal Parents and Guardians,
The staff at Alisal is working extremely hard to provide an even better remote learning experience for our students as we begin this school year. We are so excited to have them join us in virtual classrooms on Tuesday! We recognize the pressure that many parents/guardians are probably still feeling. Here is a GENERAL resource that may be helpful as you navigate remote learning with your student. Please remember that information specific to your student's classroom will be coming directly from their teacher.
Love data? Want to know how the school spends its money? Passionate about school safety? Interested in helping to make decisions and work closely with Alisal staff to do so? Then School Site Council is for you!
Alisal is looking for three to five parents who are interested in getting involved with helping to make decisions about processes, programs and how we spend money to support learning and safety for all students. There will be a total of eight meetings held over the course of the school year, starting out virtually, of course.
If you have ever been curious about ""how things work"" or ""how decisions are made"", please consider being a part of this key group of decision makers. Email Karen Johnson at kcjohnson@pleasantonusd.net if you are interested in participating.
Our new school counselor, Mrs. Martinez, has a virtual counseling office (link located on her website) to help support students online. In the virtual counseling office you will find various rooms containing links to videos, read alouds, activities, games and various coping strategies, as well as a check-in form for student to submit directly to Mrs. Martinez. Don't forget to check out the virtual tour to help you navigate!
Click on the link above to visit Mrs. Martinez' website!
Is your student in need of a Chromebook or hotspot? Do you already have a District provided Chromebook or hotspot that is broken? For all of your technology needs, please click on this link and complete a request.
