Wednesday, October 28th 2020
Dear Parents,
This week I am sharing information provided by our District. Please click on the links below to explore opportunities for Parent Learning, Flu Shots, providing recommendations for the District’s decision-making regarding Charter Schools and about Fall Enrollment in the Choice Program. As always, please feel free to reach out with questions. We look forward to seeing you for our Distribution Day this Friday! Students are welcome to come in Halloween costume if they like!
Parent Learning Menu
Free Flu Shots
Charter Schools Stakeholder Input
Choice Enrollment
As always, please reach out to me at any time.
Kindly,
Ms Richard
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Wednesday, October 21st 2020
Dear Torrey Pines Families,
Distribution Day is right around the corner on Oct. 30. We will follow the same schedule as before. This time, families who prefer to come to the school just one time may come to the oldest child’s time slot.
After dropping by the tent staffed by the oldest child’s teacher, please drive to the last tent. This will have a sign indicating Younger Grade Distribution. After providing the name and teacher of your younger student(s), staff will distribute the materials. Students are welcome to come in Halloween costume if they like!
In addition, please note upcoming dates in November:
- Nov. 11, No School, Veterans Day
- Nov. 16 - 20, Parent-Teacher Conferences, Minimum Day Schedule (there are no music, art and PE rotations this week). Please see your teacher for the specific schedule.
- Nov. 23 - 27, No School, Thanksgiving Break
As always, please reach out to me at any time.
Wishing you a great week!
Nona Richard
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Wednesday, October 14th 2020
Dear Torrey Pines Families,
Thank you for your continued support of our school as we enter Phase One of our reopening plan. I want to address some questions around Phase One. First, if you are wondering how we are selecting students to participate in Phase One, I want you to know that our decisions are based on teacher recommendations, classroom schedules and staff availability. All teachers have provided me with a list of priority students.
These children may have previously scored below grade level on the spring 2020 progress report, may not have met IEP goals and/or may currently be performing below grade level in one or more subject areas. Another question has come up around volunteering on campus. In addition, the District is not allowing any volunteers onsite during Phase One.
Volunteers are still not allowed to join Zoom sessions except in rare circumstances with permission from the principal. Next, if you are curious in learning more about the use of outdoor spaces, I invite you to join our La Jolla Cluster meeting tomorrow evening, Oct. 15, at 4:15 pm. The District’s COO, Drew Rowlands, will be there to address this question. The link is here. Finally, many of you have shared concerns about how we will maintain the high-quality of our online learning program once students fully return to site. I want to assure you that the teachers and I will be very cautious about the need for a continued, rigorous approach to online learning should the District direct schools to fully reopen. This is a priority we all share.
As always, please reach out to me at any time.
In partnership
Nona Richard
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Wednesday, October 7th 2020
Dear Torrey Pines Families,
I hope you are enjoying the week!
Federal Impact Aid Survey
The 2020-2021 Federal Impact Aid Survey completion window opens today, Oct. 7, 2020. This school year the survey will be distributed via the United States Postal Service along with a postage paid envelope for you to return the survey directly to the Impact Aid Office at the District.
Each year the District earns a significant amount of income which can be used for any general fund purpose such as instructional materials, salaries, transportation, technology, or capital needs.
We thank you for your continued effort and support. The survey will be mailed out to your residence on Oct. 7. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you complete, sign and date the document. Please return the survey back in the postage paid envelope as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, please send an email to Jill Pallulat.
Phase One Reopening Plans
I am continuing to meet with teachers to identify students who have the greatest need for support during this time of online learning. During phase one learning, teachers, service providers and paraeducators must participate voluntarily in working with children on campus. We are fortunate to have support staff who are able and willing to meet with students onsite. I will be coordinating appointment-based learning with these professionals throughout the coming weeks.
Thank you for your support of our school!
Warmly,
Ms. Richard
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Wednesday, September 30th 2020
Dear Torrey Pines Families,
Thank you for the incredible birthday wishes and attention! Your thoughtfulness and generosity were touching, and the Distribution Day birthday memories will have a special place in my heart for a long time to come. Please save the date for our next Distribution Day, Oct. 30.
Over the next few weeks, the teachers and I will be meeting to discuss our plans for Phase 1 instruction. We will share information related to what this looks like at our school as soon as it is available.
We still need one more parent to serve on our School Site Council (SSC). The SSC is a group of 10 stakeholders who are responsible for monitoring student progress at Torrey Pines. The SSC uses student data to make recommendations for structural and budgetary decisions on campus. It is important to have all five parent representatives in this group so your voice can be heard. This would be one place where parents could communicate their needs during the Phase 1 plan.
In addition, we are in need of a parent who would be willing to attend the District’s English Learner Advisory Council (DELAC) once a month (via Zoom) and report back to the SSC. The next DELAC meeting is tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 1, at 5.30 pm. If you are willing to represent TPES at this meeting, or if you would just like more information, please reach out to me here.
As always, we appreciate your support of student learning during these unique times. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Warmly,
Ms. Richard
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Wednesday, September 23rd 2020
Dear Torrey Pines Families,
We are so excited about our upcoming Distribution Day! There is nothing like watching the connections between our students and their teachers continue to blossom, and staff members have been working hard to prepare the materials needed for instruction during the upcoming month.
Speaking of connections, I am really enjoying getting to know students who are joining me for Breakfast and Books on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
This coming Thursday, (24), students are welcome to attend at 7.45 am for a read aloud and share. Then, moving forward, beginning Tues. 29, the time for Breakfast and Books will shift to 8.00-8.30 am. This allows school staff a bigger window to meet with parents in the morning before the school day begins.
Hope to see you there!
Warmly,
Ms. Richard
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Wednesday, September 9th 2020
Dear Torrey Pines Families,
It was a pleasure to see so many of you at our Back to School Night yesterday evening. Thank you for attending! If you didn’t get a chance to join us, please use this link and password: 2020 to attend on Friday, September 11 at 9:00 am.
I also really enjoyed our first Breakfast and Books session Tuesday morning!
What a treat!
If you had trouble logging in, please give us a try again and use this link and password: book on Thursday at 7:45 am. Please go through your student's Clever Portal account.
Did you feel the fall air yesterday? This is my favorite time of year. With the return to school and the change in season, I am reminded that our Torrey Pines community can stay connected and endure through any challenge. Let’s take good care of ourselves and each other, enjoying the return to routine and cozy comforts this week.
Warmly,
Ms. Richard