Mattos Messenger Absent Line: (510) 793-1359 press 7 Fax: (510) 793-8642
October 2018
Dear Mattos Parents and Community Members,
Thank you for working with us to have a positive start to the school year. I appreciate you all for being caring and
attentive parents and school partners. Back to School Night was well attended and parent volunteer sign ups show
that we are a lucky school to have so many involved parents and family members.
This month our students have been completing their introduction to the new English Language Arts curriculum
which is called Benchmark. Students participated in 20 days where they learned and practiced the routines
involved in successful implementation and also worked collaboratively to create anchor charts that will guide their
work. Teachers have also been assessing students in all core areas to determine their strengths and areas that
need improvement in order to plan for effective and differentiated instruction. We are well under way and
appreciate the support that you provide with homework, home school communication, and collaboration.
Please know that if you have questions or concerns about your student, class procedures and expectations, and/or
homework it is appropriate to speak directly with your child’s teacher to allow them to address any issues. Recently
many parents have been communicating on social media with each other and sometimes with me when a
conversation with your child and with the teacher directly can instantly resolve issues. Our team appreciates the
care and concern parents have and we want to serve you to the best of our ability. A suggested sequence of
communication is to speak with your child if there is an issue or concern, clarify together, speak directly to the
teacher to resolve, and work together to make sure positive two way communication is on- going. After this, if
there is a need to contact me, I can be reached directly at (510) 793-1359 ext. 65102 or at
sguerrero@fremont.k12.ca.us.
I want to thank our parents who are now serving as Noon Duty Supervisors as their help and assistance in
safeguarding our students is invaluable. We currently have 5 Noon Duty Supervisors and we are looking for 3- 5
more. If you are interested in applying for this paid job opportunity please see Mrs. Galloway in the office.
At lunch, we regularly encourage students to eat and focus on fueling up for the rest of the day. Many Noon Duty
Supervisors and I are noticing that a significant number of children do not eat their food; say they have too much
food, or are throwing away food. We have talked with them about the importance of proper nutrition and of
letting parents know if there is too much for them. You may want to discuss this with your child so that food is not
wasted. Please understand we do not insist children eat, we are just working to encourage healthy habits.
At Mattos we are asking that students respect the “Nut Free” table as an area for students who need a nut free
eating environment. We are also asking that parents refrain from sending food for birthdays as it does not follow
the FUSD guidelines for nutrition and with the many food allergies that exists for students we want to safeguard
all our children. We know that parents enjoy bringing cupcakes and other items however, we request that instead
parents consider participating in the Mattos Birthday Book Program which honors your child’s special day, builds
our library, and encourages the healthy habit of reading. A flyer went home today with Wednesday folders.
Thank you to our parents and community members who are adhering to the drop off and pick up procedures.
Please remember we ask that you pull all the way forward to drop off students at the drop off sign and also drive
all the way forward to pick them up. This helps your neighbors drive forward and does not impede or block traffic.
Please do not make a habit of having kids walk around cars to exit or enter in the street as it is dangerous for them.
Students should arrive before the bell for class and should be picked up in a timely manner. Some students are
arriving late and missing valuable instruction and late pickups are upsetting to students and impede the work of
the office. We understand emergencies or delays that can sometimes occur. If something unexpected happens,
please call the office to let them know so it can be conveyed to your child.
Mattos is currently seeking nominations for School Site Council. Our parents on SSC had students that were
promoted to Junior High. We now need 5 new SSC Members. The SSC meets the 1st Monday of every month and
collaborates on the yearly school site plan determining programs and budgeting matters for Mattos. In addition
to School Site Council, we are looking for parents of English Language Learners to serve on the English Language
Learner Advisory Committee also known as ELAC. ELAC meets monthly on the first Tuesday of the month and
collaborates to provide input to the site and SSC on English Learner Programs. Please nominate yourself if you are
interested in SSC or ELAC and turn in the correct form to the office by Friday, September 28, 2018. Forms are
attached to this newsletter.
Thank you again for being part of the Mattos family or caring and concerned partners. I appreciate the opportunity
to work with our community and the wonderful children who are our students.
Sincerely,
Susan Guerrero Mattos Principal MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Events can be found on our website at www.fremont.k12.ca.us/mattos/calendar Important Dates October 3, 10, 17, 24, & 31 Minimum Days
Gr. 1 – 6 8:25 – 1:25 19 Kindergarten Pumpkin Patch 26 Fall Festival 22 – 26 6th Grade Science Camp 29 – Nov. 2 5th Grade Science Camp
BIRTHDAY TREATS AT SCHOOL
Please refrain from sending food for birthdays as it does not follow the FUSD guidelines for nutrition and with the many food allergies that exists for students we want to safeguard all our children. We know that parents enjoy bringing cupcakes and other items however, we request that instead parents consider participating in the Mattos Birthday Book Program which honors your child’s special day, builds our library, and encourages the healthy habit of reading. A flyer went home today with Wednesday folders.
SCHOOL COMMUNICATIONS
Mattos Messenger’s are sent home by email approximately twice a month and posted online. Other important information is sent
every Wednesday in your child’s folder. Information is also posted on our web page at ww.fremont.k12.ca.us/Mattos. IF YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED AND EMAIL FROM MATTOS, THEN WE DO NOT HAVE YOUR CORRECT ADDRESS. PLEASE STOP BY THE OFFICE TO UPDATE.
FEF RUN 4 EDUCATION
Education benefiting FUSD
REGISTER NOW and come join in the fun while
raising money for our schools.
Elementary School Challenge
behalf of your school, so get your uncles, aunts,
grandparents, neighbors, etc. to register today!
(Virtual runners count!)
AUTOMATED PHONE CALLING SYSTEM
We use an automated phone calling system for important messages and announcements. Please listen to your message prior to calling the school. Messages received during the school day will be regarding your student’s attendance. Messages received after 4:00 will be regarding schedule changes or special events happening at school.
PEACHJAR
FUSD schools use an electronic flyer communication tool called “Peachjar” to distribute information to families. To view school-approved eflyers, simply
click the Peachjar button on your school’s website homepage. This “green” initiative will save our school tons of paper and reduce paper costs by thousands of dollars. On top of that, posting school flyers in this electronic backpack removes a significant administrative burden from teachers, office staff, and volunteers. No action is required on your part. If you do not currently have a Peachjar account, you will receive a welcome email that includes a username and password. This is provided to give you the opportunity to manage your account and flyer delivery preferences. You do not need to login to receive or view school eflyers. To ensure smooth delivery of this communication, we suggest you add “school@peachjar.com” to your email contacts. When you receive your first eflyer, be sure to click “always display images.” This system is used exclusively for distribution of school-approved flyers. Your email address will not be shared or used for any other purpose. Thank you for supporting our efforts to ensure parents are well informed about school programs, activities, and events.
THANK YOU Thank you to our Picture Day helpers. We appreciate all of their assistance helping to make sure clothes were straight and
hair was neat for pictures. Make Up Picture Day will be held on November 7. SCHOOL VISITORS AND VOLUNTEERS
We welcome volunteers and visitors! However, all visitors are expected to stop in the office, sign-in and obtain a visitor badge. Visitors are not allowed on campus without a visitor’s badge. Please return the badge to the office before leaving campus.
STUDENT DROP-OFF/PICK-UP
There is a student drop-off and pick-up in front of our school office. Please DO
NOT park in this area. This area is reserved for dropping-off/picking-up students to help assure their safety. BE PREPARED – BRING ID
Please be prepared to show ID when picking up your child. The office staff does not recognize all parents by sight and must request identification. This is for your child’s protection. As a further safety measure, the office staff will not give out any information regarding students over the telephone to anyone. This should further assure you of your child’s safety while at school. GATE Information 2018-2019 Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) provides support for gifted and talented (GATE) students through differentiated instruction. We believe that differentiated instruction not only serves the needs of our exceptional students, but also enhances the entire educational program for all students. All 3rd grade students will have the opportunity to be tested for GATE. The process is automatic and does not require parents to initiate it. Any student whose parent does not want their child to participate in testing must submit a written request to the Assessment and Accountability Department, 4210 Technology Drive, Room 280, Fremont, California 94538, no later than January 15, 2019. The request may be in the form of email, letter, or the optional form available in the district office. Requests submitted after the deadline will not be accepted. GATE testing for 3rd grade students will occur between February 4 – February 15, 2019. Students in 4th or 5th grade who have not taken the GATE assessment at FUSD have the option to take the GATE assessment. These might be students who are
new to the district or who were opted out of GATE testing in 3rd grade. If your 4th or 5th grade child is eligible for GATE testing this year and you would like them to be assessed, please submit a written request to the Assessment and Accountability Department by January 15, 2019. Fifth grade is the last opportunity for students to be assessed with the GATE test. 4th and 5th grade students will be tested between February 19-March 15, 2019. Students in 5th or 6th grade who were not identified in an earlier grade may be considered for GATE identification through the professional judgement process. Teachers and/or parents may nominate students. A completed Nomination Form must be submitted to the Curriculum and Instruction Department, 4210 Technology Drive, Room 260, Fremont, California 94538 between November 1, 2018 and January 15, 2019. Additional information and forms are available in the student’s school office and may also be downloaded from the Curriculum and Instruction Department website.
MEDICATION AT SCHOOL
The requirements listed below must be met prior to school personnel dispensing medications:
* ALL medications must be kept in the office, not in the student’s possession.
* Medication that is kept in the office for the student requires a medical form signed by the parent and physician. This form is required for over-the- counter drugs, including cough drops.
* All prescription and over -the-counter medicine must be in their original container (i.e., the bottle from the pharmacy) and have the student’s name printed on the label.
* Medication forms may be obtained from the school office.
* School personnel will not dispense medication to students if the child’s parent has failed to abide by the aforementioned regulations.
Questions … please contact the office
September 26, 2018
Dear Mattos Community,
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I would like to serve on ELAC: Name:_______________________________________________________________ Phone #________________ Email:_______________________________________________________________ Student/s at Mattos: Name/s Grade/s I understand that SSC Members attend monthly meetings to support creating the School Site Plan that focuses on Student Achievement. Signature:_____________________________________________________________________________________
Mattos 2018-2019 ELAC Nominations
September 26, 2018
Dear Mattos Community,
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Mattos 2018-2019 School Site Council Nominations
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