Hi all,

With the change in weather and our first snow day behind us, a few things to remember:

  • Make sure your child comes dressed appropriately: jacket, snow pants, gloves, and hat. They will continue to spend most recesses outside.

  • Your teachers may have already mentioned this, but please have your child bring shoes/slippers to wear inside. They must cover the foot and be warm enough the student could be outside in them in case of an emergency. Wearing these inside will protect our carpets and we have trays for the wet outside boots and shoes.

This week marks mid-year; our first progress reports will come out on Friday. We will hand these to parents or send them home with students in sealed envelopes.

There has been a problem with lunch invoices, for which I apologize. I had been sending them home with students, but it seems many parents are not getting them. I will go through the year and send a total from November through January, which seem the problem months. Please be patient as I figure this out; I will email and send home hard copies so hopefully everyone gets theirs. I will hopefully have this finished by next Tuesday’s folders.

Please remember to have your child at school on-time. Also, please do not drive up to the gate as that is off limits to all but TTUSD workers.

Message from a SELS parent: (I am including this message as I also encourage the volunteer help outlined below. As a small school, parents have increased opportunities to help guide the students and create the type of program they hope to see for their children)

Hello Crew Parents,

I want to encourage you to help out during recess: 11:15-11:50, 4th-6th and 12:10-12:45 for K-3rd. It is a great opportunity to observe the classes, get to know children in various grades and help the community at SELS. 

The students could benefit from having more adult hands to help them.  The recommendations for California schools is to have the same ratio of teachers to students as inside the classroom. On most days at recess, there is 1 teacher to 60 children, and when we have a parent volunteer we then have a 1 to 30 ratio. The students are guided by our words, modeling, and help.

When I examine the objectives of SELS character traits (strength, integrity, empathy, respect, responsibility, adventure),  I see recess as a key part of their day to foster and encourage the students.

SELS provides examples of these character traits in action; we are asked to practice these for good role modeling and community building:

  • Takes risks but does not endanger self and others

  • Tries different approaches and solutions before giving up

  • Stands up for beliefs

  • Accepts constructive criticism

  • Pitches in without measuring contribution against that of others

  • Works toward personal best

  • Respects the space and belongings of others

  • Takes care of the environment and community

  • Concentrates on being on time

  • Accepts consequences for actions

  • Listens to and speaks kindly to others

  • Looks for ways to include and help others

  • Makes eye contact and greets others by name

  • Celebrates differences 

I honestly find opportunities to help them build all of the above in 35 minutes of eating and playing, it happens every time!  They are building forts, playing games that they initiate, have periods of redirection when they are struggling, clean up the trash, and get to know us as parents and supporters of the school.

I encourage you to take a look at the volunteer page on-line and sign up when you have a moment.  Volunteer page is here.

Thanks, a SELS parent

PTC

Meeting to discuss the CRAB FEED AUCTION fundraiser on Tues, Jan 31 at 3:30. This is a big event for us and we need lots of help. If you are unable to make the meeting, please contact Marcy Thompson at mlttruckee@yahoo.com  to let her know how you can help. There is a info flyer going home this week as well.

Important Dates

  • Thurs, Jan 26 Expeditionary Learning Informational Workshop, 6-7:30 pm in M-4

  • Monday, Feb 6 Board of Director’s meeting from 5:30-8:30 pm in M-4

  • Wed, Feb 8 is a Minimum Day

  • Mon-Fri, Feb 20-24 is Ski/Skate Week – no school