August 21, 2020

Greetings, Caleb Families, 

I hope everyone is staying safe and healthy in the midst of our chaotic and ever-changing world. This combination of pandemic, heat, fires as we plan for distance learning and remote work is certainly trying everyone’s patience and perseverance. Despite it all, we are in full swing with planning for the school year and have quite a bit of information to share with you today. 

Please remember that our information and schedules are constantly in flux. I understand the need for accurate and timely information as you prepare your families for distance learning and will continue to do my best to adhere to publicized information, but as you’ll see below, changes happen and flexibility is required. I am continuing to advocate for and work to meet the needs of our students, families and staff, but I ask for your patience as I work to navigate district guidelines that enable us to equitably serve all students across our district.

Distance Learning Update: District and labor union leaders continue to work toward agreement about how we intend to return to distance learning. While we do not yet have a finalized schedule, every team is busy at work planning the first weeks of school and digging into Language Arts and Math planning, while Mrs. Cordero focuses on how we will maintain continuity and connectivity with IB and our enrichment programs. 

For more information about how SCUSD is returning back to school, please visit our district Return Together website. Caleb’s Distance Learning Plan is being developed in alignment with the district’s plan, for which some of the details are still being finalized and negotiated with labor partners. I ask that you remain patient and trust that I will provide concrete information as soon as I am able.

Staffing Update: Great news! We hired a fantastic new teacher, Ms. Clerissa Perez, to join our first grade team. She has spent the last two years working with primary students in San Juan, including providing Distance Learning last spring. She is ready to hit the ground running and our first grade team is ready to support her.

Class Lists Are Out! You can find them here. Please note that these lists are final and changes will not be made for any reason.

Kinder Parent Orientation: Tuesday, August 18, 6-7pm: If you missed our Kinder Parent Orientation, you can view a recording of the session here.

Back to School Night: Monday, August 31 & Tuesday, September 1: Please save the date for Back to School Night, which will take place before school begins this year. In order to facilitate participation for every family, teachers will hold two sessions and will record one of them for later viewing for those who are unable to attend. Zoom information to follow. 

Monday, August 31, 6pm: Back to School Night with Mrs. Hanson 

Tuesday, September 1, 5:30 & 6:30: Back to School Night with Classroom Teachers

GATE & SPED Parent Meetings, TBD: My apologies, but I must postpone the GATE parent meeting. I will schedule both a GATE parent meeting and a SPED parent meeting in the coming weeks. Please know our teachers and I are working hard to ensure that our planning meets the needs of all learners. We are committed to providing quality, differentiated instruction for all students through Distance Learning as well as interventions, accommodations, services and extended learning opportunities for all who need them.

Chromebooks: Monday, August 31: We currently have a limited number of Chromebooks available, with more on the way as needed. Priority right now will be given to families who have not yet borrowed a Chromebook from the school. In order to secure a Chromebook for your child, please complete this form: Caleb Greenwood Fall 2020 Chromebook Request. If requests exceed inventory, more Chromebooks will be acquired and distributed until all families have the number of devices needed to successfully engage in Distance Learning. See attached for more information. 

Student Materials, September 8 & 9: In order to ensure we are able to provide all learning materials required for successful engagement in Distance Learning at once, materials will be distributed the week of September 7. Teachers will digitally provide all materials necessary to engage in Distance Learning for September 3-10. Students will receive curriculum-related consumables, such as workbooks and packets, textbooks and an assortment of general supplies. Teachers will share additional supplies needed during Back to School Night on September 1 and via Google Classroom.  See attached for more information. 

Be safe! And as always, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions. 

Principal Erin Hanson 

erin-hanson@scusd.edu