Principal's Message
Dear Alta Vista Families:
Welcome to the 2018-19 school year! I am excited to kick off my eighth year as the principal of Alta Vista, which promises to be one of our best ones yet. After a busy summer here on campus with multiple summer school programs, our custodial staff and teachers have been busy preparing the campus for the children’s return. Whether you are returning to Alta Vista from your summer break, or if you are new to our area and school, we are pleased to welcome you to our community of learners.
At Alta Vista, we strive to ensure every child feels welcomed, connected, and a part of the Alta Vista family. We are dedicated to helping your children reach their fullest academic potential through risk-taking and engaging in productive struggle. We hope that our ongoing focus on the Growth Mindset, fosters a community wherein children feel safe to make mistakes and persevere through the “hard work” of school. Through the Alta Vista Instructional Leadership Team (ILT), we will be strengthening our current instructional programs in addition to implementing new science curriculum and strengthening the usage of our math curriculum. Eureka Math, a program Alta Vista adopted several years ago, is a research based and highly regarded curriculum that strengthens students’ foundational and fundamental math skills through rigor and a stronger focus on the Standards for Mathematical Practice. In addition, our new science curriculum, Amplify, focuses on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) through hands-on labs and lessons.
This year, I am ecstatic to announce the addition of Andrew Estrada, our new Assistant Principal. Andrew grew up in Orange County and received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara while being a student-athlete on the baseball team. Andrew has been a part of the RBUSD family for a while, having previously taught at Adams Middle School and serving as the TOSA (Teacher On Special Assignment). He is looking forward to witnessing the academic and social development students experience during elementary school.
Alta Vista has experienced some small changes and growth this summer. I am pleased to announce the following staff changes, additions, and important new dates:
- Mrs. Cosgrove will be moving down to join the first grade team.
- Mrs. Young and Mrs. Vorland will be team-teaching their PM kindergarten class. Both teachers will be in the classroom full time in addition to an instructional aide and Ms. Nickles.
- Mr. Siler is returning from a district science teacher position to rejoin Alta Vista at third grade.
- Kindergarten classes will host their own Back to School night prior to the first day of school. Kindergarten BTSN will be held on Monday, August 27th at 5pm in classrooms. Kindergarten class lists will be posted at that time.
- Fifth grade will host their own Back to School night prior to the first day of school. Parents will have the opportunity to learn all about the exciting fifth grade activities, expectations, and of course, science camp at Camp Pali. 5th grade BTSN will be held on Monday, August 27th at 5pm in the cafeteria. Individual class lists will still be available during our Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, August 28th from 1:00-3:00pm.
- Kindergarten and the preschool SDC classrooms will be hosting a classroom visit and meet the teacher for their students on Tuesday, August 28th at 9am.
Again, I ask all of our families to help me in a few small ways. First, show your appreciation to our wonderful teachers and staff whenever you can. Second, make the commitment to become involved in at least ONE activity or event this school year. Alta Vista is a school that depends on our family and community volunteers in order to meet the needs of the “whole child.” Over the next few weeks, I will be reaching out to our families, explaining more about how you can become involved and continue to enrich our community. Next, join the PTA and add your voice to this powerful student advocacy group. The teachers and I are all members of this organization and your support of PTA supports us. And lastly, donate to RBEF. Your financial support of the Educational Foundation provides our students with critical programs and teaching staff on site.
I look forward to seeing everyone again and remember to mark your calendars for our Back to School Night for the CDC, PreK and grades 1-5 on Thursday, September 13th. Please stop in to see me or call if you have any questions or concerns.
Principal, Alta Vista Elementary
Teacher Assignment
All class lists will be posted on Tuesday, August 28th starting at 1:00pm. Please join us in meeting your teacher at 2:00pm for our Ice Cream Social. See website for details.
The First Day of School
All students (AM Kindergarten – 5th grade) report to their classrooms directly at 8:15am. If arriving prior to 8:15am, students may report to the blacktop area. Parents are more than welcome to walk their children directly to their classrooms. A bell will ring at 8:15am wherein students and parents can say their goodbyes and parents can join the PTA and Mrs. Wildes in the library for a welcome back breakfast and coffee.
General Information about the School Day
Our school day begins at 8:15am and ends at 2:25pm (grades 1-2) and 2:30pm (grades 3-5). Wednesday dismissal times are 1:15pm for grades 1-2 and 1:30pm for grades 3-5. Kindergarten students arrive at the kindergarten gates and AM kindergarten dismisses in the front of the school, PM kindergarten dismisses out the kindergarten playground gate. AM kindergarten runs 8:15am – 11:35am and PM kindergarten runs from 11:40am – 3:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays, with Wednesday times 8:15am – 11:35am. (The early Wednesday times for kindergarten do not begin until mid-September and your teacher will communicate the start date.)
Students enrolled in the CDC for afterschool care are walked to their CDC classrooms at dismissal time, and student enrolled in the Redondo Beach Afterschool Rec program are dismissed to the cafeteria for check-in.
Transportation – Pick Up and Drop Off Procedures
The front and side parking lots are for staff only. Parents may part on the north side of Knob Hill, on Julia Street in designated spots and in the church parking lot on Julia. Students in grades 1-2 are to be picked up from the blue picnic bench tables (walkers) or the valet line. Students are required to remain with their teachers until contact has been made with the parent/guardian. Students in grades 3-5 are to be picked up from the front grass area behind their teachers’ classroom cones.
Students in grades 1-5, may also be dropped off/picked up through our Valet Program. The Alta Vista Valet Program (AVP) utilizes the driveway in front of the school. It is the single, curbside lane only, designated by safety cones and signage. In the morning, approach the school heading westbound on Knob Hill, turn right into the driveway and pull forward as far as possible. Do NOT unload your students on Knob Hill or along the planters at the beginning of the driveway. Say your goodbyes before entering the driveway. Please do not leave your vehicle for any reason. Parent volunteers will be present to assist students. Students unload from the passenger (curb) side only.
For pick up (afternoon), have your AVP placard visible before you reach Alta Vista. The AVP placard can be picked up at our Ice Cream Social or through the front office. Please include your child’s last name and grade level in the blank space. This will assist our volunteers in locating your child quickly. You will not be allowed to utilize the valet line to pick up your child without a placard. Cars approach the school heading westbound on Knob Hill, turn right into the driveway and pull forward as far as possible. Students will be called to the car by the parent volunteers and loaded in to the back seat of your car from the passenger side only. Do not leave your vehicle for any reason. If your child is not present for dismissal, you will be asked to “drive around.”
In the event of rain, all students will be taken to the cafeteria for dismissal.
School Lunch Information and Payments
RBUSD schools offer daily breakfast and lunch options for students. Students may be on a daily basis, or money can be put onto your child’s lunch account. Please go to http://www.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/index.php?sid=0907131751131819 to find out more information as well as find a link to “My School Bucks” and to access your child’s lunch account.
Parent and Student Handbook
As a parent, it is important that you are aware of the Redondo Beach Unified School District policies and procedures. With this awareness, you will also be able to assist in helping your child understand the importance of conducting themselves appropriately. With these factors in mind and in accordance with California Education Code 48980, we are informing parents and/or guardians of their rights and responsibilities related to public schools. Please go to https://www.rbusd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=858186&type=d&pREC_ID=1221693
to access the handbook.
Health Information
If your child has any health concerns, please make sure you contact our school health clerk, Chris Denison or your child’s teacher as soon as possible. Students with outstanding immunizations will not be permitted to attend school or given their room assignment until all records are up to date.
Visitors
For security reasons, ALL parents and volunteers must check in at the office upon arrival. All visitors must have a photo ID in order to check into the building as well as to check out students. Parents walking their children into school in the mornings are asked to clear campus at the 8:15am bell. If you are checking out your child, we will call them to the office. If you are a parent volunteer, you will need to complete all volunteer requirement (see district handbook), sign-in and pick up a volunteer name tag.
Parent/Teacher Communication
We encourage parents and teachers to communicate on a regular basis. All families will receive a weekend school e-blast on Monday mornings, as well as a Wellness Wednesday e-blast that keep families up to date on our latest happenings. Teachers also maintain regular class websites and classroom newsletters to keep parents informed. Please contact your child’s teacher when there is a concern. They can be reached by email or you can call the school at 310-798-8650. Calls received during the school day will be put through to the teachers’ voicemail and they will return your call before or after school. Please allow 24 hours for your call or email to be returned.
PTA/Volunteer Opportunities
The Alta Vista PTA will have a booth set up in front of the school during our Ice Cream Social on Tuesday, August 28th . This will give you the opportunity to find out more information on how you can become involved in the PTA. Alta Vista Elementary spirit wear and t-shirts will also be sold.
Be on the lookout for our 2018-19/Volunteer Docent online form. Completing this quick, online questionnaire will allow your child’s teacher and the PTA to obtain all the volunteer information we need for our docent programs, room parents, and classroom helpers.
