Eagles Nest News - Week of 8/26/24

We did it! Our first full week of school is complete!

I know the first week can be just as tiring for families as it is for school staff as we get back into familiar routines and learn new ones. I hope everyone takes this weekend to relax and recharge.

It was wonderful meeting so many of you this week at our PTA meeting, Coffee with the Principal event, and throughout my daily routine. Our school is truly fortunate to have such an engaged and supportive community. I encourage all families to get involved with our PTA, if you aren't already. You can join and check out upcoming events by visiting their website here: Morello Park PTA.

This week’s newsletter is filled with important information, so please take a moment to read through it. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. I look forward to seeing everyone at Back to School Night on Tuesday!

Exciting News! With the construction fencing now removed near the east gate (the old main entrance), we can start using that area as it was designed. This space now offers plenty of room for everyone to spread out, along with new benches where you can sit while waiting. We’ve also installed new bike racks in this area for students. We encourage students and families to gather here in the mornings before the 8:00 a.m. bell before for our “walk and talk.”

Starting this week, please follow these morning protocols to help everything run smoothly:

These new procedures will help reduce crowding by using both gates and our new spacious waiting area. Additionally, they support our closed campus policy, enhancing school security. Please remember that no parent should enter the campus without first signing in at the main office.

Thank you for your cooperation!

To help us get an accurate count for lunches and snacks, we’re making some changes. Since TK and Kindergarten parents can no longer enter the school in the morning, we’ll be counting lunch boxes and packed snacks as students drop them off in their classrooms each morning. This method is already used by other elementary schools in our district for TK/K students.

To make this process easier, we kindly ask that parents pack lunch and snack separately for your child so they can put one in each bin. If lunch and snack are packed in the same container, please label it clearly and teach your child how to separate the snack from their lunch so they can place it in the appropriate bin. For the first couple of weeks, it would be especially helpful if parents could clearly mark any lunch box that also contains a snack that needs to be removed.

Thank you for your cooperation and support as we adjust to this new system!

On Friday, 8/30, there will be a minimum day. Dismissal will be at 11:00 am for TK/K, and 12pm for 1st-5th grades.

In past years, students were provided with a "grab and go" meal on minimum days, if they wanted one. This year, state rules have changed and we will be providing a meal to all students during the school day.

If students would like breakfast on this short day, they will have the option of going to the cafeteria and getting breakfast or going to the walk-and-talk in the morning.

Because recess and lunch will both be shorter on the minimum day, we ask that if you are packing a meal for your child, you pack a lighter "snack" type meal that can eaten quickly.

Walk & Talk or Breakfast in MUR: 8:00-8:12

Tardy Bell: 8:15

TK/K Lunch & Recess: 10:00-10:35

4th and 5th Lunch & Recess: 10:10-10:40

1st Lunch & Recess: 10:30-11:00

2nd & 3rd Lunch & Recess: 11:05-11:20

TK/K Dismissal: 11:00

1st-5th Dismissal: 12:00

We’re excited to welcome you to our Back to School Night this Tuesday, August 27th, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. It's a great opportunity to meet your child’s teachers, learn about what they’ll be doing this year, and connect with our school community. Here’s the schedule for the evening:

We hope to see you there and look forward to a fantastic year together!

SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC) is in the process of accepting nominations for our School Site Council (SSC). The SSC is an elected body composed of the principal, teachers, other school personnel, and parents.

If you are interested in serving on the School Site Council, please fill out this form by end of day, Friday 8/30: School Site Council Application

Ballots will be emailed home to all parents on: Sun, 9/1

The final voting deadline will be: end of day, Friday, 9/6

The election outcome will be announced on: Sun, 9/8

Questions? Please email or call the main office at Morello Park

We understand that electronic devices, especially smartwatches, are becoming increasingly popular among young children. While we recognize the convenience and safety they can provide, these devices have become a significant distraction in our classrooms.

To ensure a focused learning environment, we are asking that students do not wear smartwatches during the school day (unless they have a documented health need). Despite features like "focus time" or "school time" modes, managing these devices in the classroom remains a challenge. All electronic communication devices, including smartwatches, should be powered off and stored in students' backpacks or teacher storage areas during school hours.

Please note that parents should not expect to reach their children via smart devices during the school day. If you need to communicate with your child, please call the school office. Additionally, we ask that you inform your childs teacher of any pickup and drop-off arrangements rather than relying solely on messages sent to your child via smart devices after school. For safety reasons, the school needs to be aware of all such arrangements.

Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain an effective and safe learning environment for all students.

We kindly remind you of the following parking lot guidelines to ensure a smooth and safe experience for everyone:

Morello Park Elementary | Dedicated to Excellence

Email: jstewart@martinez.k12.ca.us

Phone: 925-335-5840

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