SimondSays Principal s Newsletter March 21, 2017 Edition Dear Simonds Families: Updating Student Emergency Information This is a friendly reminder from San José Unified School District to check the emergency contact information on file for your student and make sure it is up to date. The safety and security of students is our top priority. That s why it s important for us to know how to reach you in case of an emergency. You can update your student s emergency contact information anytime by logging on to the parent portal or by contacting your student s school. We hope we never have an emergency at any of our schools. But it s important for all of us to be prepared. Thank you for taking the time to check your emergency contact information today. ATTENTION 5 TH GRADE PARENTS Bret Harte Cheer Tryouts 2017-18 Mandatory Cheer Team Parent and Athlete Meeting March 29, Wednesday, in the BH GYM from 6:30 to 7:30p.m. Meet Coach Amanda, receive a tryout schedule, learn more about the online sports registration process (RMA), and the requirements for the 2017-18 BH Cheer Team. Future Chef Competition We are super excited to announce that Simonds has a student that will be competing for the SJUSD Future Chef Title Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Gunderson High School. Please help me send tons of good cheer and good luck to Simonds 3 rd Grader Aashna R. from Mrs. Hreha s class Castillero Elective Auditions Please check the Castillero webpage for information related to tryouts and auditions for Castillero electives. CHOIR: Incoming 6th graders: March 28 & 29, 3:00-5:00pm, C17. Those who are auditioning should prepare a short, approximately a minute, of a song to be sung without any accompaniment. DANCE: 6th graders: March 29th & March 30th after school, C-18. Some 6th graders will be invited to a call back on April 4 th Advanced Dance and Dance Infinia: Saturday April 1 st. Simonds Auction Please join us for the annual Simonds Auction on 3/31/17 at Cinnabar for a fun filled evening. (see attached info below)
Exci%ng Happenings Around School I am very excited to update some of the exci4ng things that are happening, about to happen and or will be happening in and around our school. Solar Project: I am sure that you have all no4ced the bright pink paint on the blacktop. This is in prepara4on of the solar shade that will be install this spring/ summer, along with improvements to the blacktop. School Marquee: THANKS TO Parents and PTA THIS IS HAPPENING!! Play Ground Structure: NEW EQUIPMENT IS COMING!! Summer Enrichment Program: Simonds will be having a strategic summer academic enrichment program from 6/12 6/23. More informa4on to follow. More Exci4ng News: Summer Academic and Beyond Would you be interested in... A1er School Computer Science Workshops (2017-2018) Coding projects, typing skills, and computer applica4ons. A1er School Program (2017 2018) Every day un4l 6PM, homework assistance, enrichment and recrea4onal ac4vi4es. Would you like to learn more informafon about these programs... The representa4ves from Math Enrichment will be at Simonds hos4ng two parent mee4ngs to provide informa4on regarding their 2017 summer programs and 2017-2018 a[er school programs. They have mul4ple programs available, including some that will located here at Simonds, so if you are interested please a\end one of the mee4ngs. Simonds Cafeteria March 28, 6:00 pm March 29, 8:45 am The mee4ngs will be short and will last no more than 30 minutes. More InformaFon aoached below! Next SimondSays will be Monday, April 3
Would you like to get involved in one of our WONDERFUL Parent Organizations? You can!! See below on how you can become involved. SMTF Board Openings The Simonds Music & Technology Foundation has Board level and Chair positions open for the 2017-2018 school year. The Board level positions include President, VP Special Projects and VP Communications. Chair positions include Direct Drive, Corporate Sponsors, Auction, Band & Violin and PR. Please visit smtf.org for more information or email president@smtf.org if you are interested in volunteering for or learning about any of these positions. Being involved with the Foundation is a great way to support Simonds students and staff! Thank You! Simonds PTA Board Openings A number of PTA BOARD MEMBER positions will be available for the 2017-2018 school year: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, VP of Volunteers, VP of Membership, Health and Welfare. Nominate yourself or someone you know who would be great at making our school an even bexer place for our kids. Contact Jackie Wildblood jwildblood@yahoo.com if you would like more information about any of these positions. March 27@ 6pm Cafeteria Parent Information Night After School Enrichment Programs 2017-2018 (Math Enrichment and beyond) March 28 @8:45am - Cafeteria Parent Information Meeting After school Enrichment Programs 2017-2018 (Math Enrichment and Beyond) March 30 Spring Pictures
www.mathenrichment.net Summer Camp @ Leland High School June 13 th July 1 st, 9:00 AM 3:00 PM Math and Language Arts preparation for next school year Fun-filled activities and field trips o Great America o Movie Day o Carnival o Dave & Busters After School Program (2017-2018 school year) Every school day until 6:00 PM Homework assistance, enrichment and recreational activities Low student:staff ratio to ensure that your child receives more individualized attention than other, more expensive programs www.tekneprograms.org Summer STEAM Camp @ Simonds June 19 th July 21 st, 9:00 AM 3:00 PM Premium, technology based camp founded on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) principles Computer applications, typing skills, coding, animation, robotics, game design Each week will conclude with a field trip, and activities will share common themes with each trip After School Computer Science Workshops (2017-2018 school year) One hour workshops, one day per week Typing skills, computer applications, coding projects
SPRING 2017 Multicultural Fair Grab a passport and tour around the world! Bonjour Parents and Teachers, (Bonjour is Hello in French) The preparations have begun for Simonds 17 th Annual Multicultural Fair Friday, April 21st, from 4:30-7:30pm The Multicultural Fair is a fun event that allows us to experience the Cultures of our Simonds Community and the world, in one afternoon. We have always been blessed with many participating cultures. This is the last week to commit to hosting a booth: Passport information must be turned in for printing! So far we have the following cultures/countries participating: Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, India, Ireland Iran, Israel, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan & USA Do you want to represent your culture/country by hosting a booth? Would you like to help with the preparations and/or the day of the fair? Please email or call: Dawn Khatami at 408.410.7478 or dawnkhatami@live.com I ll answer your questions and let you know how you can help. Volunteers are needed to make this event a success! Danke Schön ( Thank you very much in German)
! Join us for a night filled with fun and good times! Mingle and meet other parents, and bid on fabulous items! Games, bidding, dancing, Gatsby style costume contest and so much more! Don t miss this great community event. Friday, March 31, 2017 Cinnabar Hills Golf Club 6:30-11pm What is included? A hot and cold cocktail buffet, dessert bar, unlimited house wine and soft drinks, plus music and entertainment all night! Don t take a gamble! Get your tickets now!! Visit www.smtf.org to purchase your Gala and Auction tickets! Or make checks payable to SMTF. No refunds. Please return this completed form along with payment to the office or your child s teacher SMTF GALA & AUCTION FUNDRAISER TICKETS Name of Attendees: Address: Phone: Email: Student Name: Teacher: Tickets x $60 = total Adults only. Please make checks payable to SMTF. An email confirmation will be sent. No refunds.
Facilities and Construction 408-535-6071 Simonds Elementary Solar Energy Project As part of a 25-school solar installation project, San José Unified School District is finalizing designs for the installation of a solar photovoltaic system at Simonds Elementary School. The solar energy system is being designed with the target of reducing the school s annual electricity bill by 80-100% for at least 25 years. This project will also provide some great benefits beyond cost savings: Educational Benefits: The solar energy system will serve as a learning laboratory for students. The contractor who is designing and installing the solar energy systems will provide curriculum on the subject of solar energy for teachers to share with their students. Student Comfort Benefits: The solar energy system will serve as a shade structure and provide much-needed shade which the students can utilize on hot days. Environmental Benefits: The electricity generated by the solar energy system will offset the greenhouse gas emissions from 449,000 miles driven by an average passenger vehicle OR provide a reduction in carbon emissions equal to the amount of carbon absorbed by 177 acres of U.S. forest every year. The image below shows the proposed location of the two solar installations. There will be one shade structure, labeled as C1 in the image below, which will provide much-needed shade on the blacktop. The second solar array is a roofmount array, labeled as R1. The current estimated construction start date is May 2017 and construction should last less than 3 months. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the project, please contact Project Manager Andy Marse at amarse@ecoact.org or 831-246-1505. Next SimondSays January 23, 2017