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Before we get into the "everything you need to know right now, because things change so quickly and you may get another email shortly after I click send" principal's update.....let's begin with a very warm welcome to our newest Sea Kings, as well as those who are returning. As the new school year kicks off, I ask our veteran Sea Kings to open your virtual arms to our new families and share the valuable insight and wisdom you have gained during your time at Palos Verdes Intermediate School.
Now, more than ever, we must come together as a community, support one another, share reliable information, ask questions, and communicate when you need help to ensure our students, staff, and families are safe and successful.
Regardless of your academic instruction program preference, hybrid or distance learning academy (DLA), we are all PVIS Sea Kings and we will do our very best to live up to the mantra.. Every Student Everyday!
Our teachers, school counselors, and staff have dedicated their time and energy over the summer months to instructional planning, sharing best practices, and learning how to effectively utilize our online academic programs.
Our main focus, as we begin the new year, will be to establish meaningful connections with students and create a safe space for learning. We will prioritize Social Emotional Learning (SEL). The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), defines SEL as “how children and adults learn to understand and manage emotions, set goals, show empathy for others, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. When we return to instruction, the first few days will be dedicated to going over new tools, best practices for communication (microphone etiquette, how to actively participate, how to effectively use chat features, etc), working out technical glitches (and how to respond to them), and allowing our students, and teachers, the time and space to focus on mental health and wellness to create: a sense of safety, feelings of connectedness, and feelings of hope.
A sense of safety the belief that your needs — and the needs of those you care about — will be met.
Connectedness refers to having relationships with others who can understand and support you.
Hope is the expectation that everything will work out and the feeling that things will be all right.
Our teachers and support staff are working together to plan lessons around building connections and making our students feel safe and secure before we move on to the academics. We know our students miss their friends and teachers (we miss them too), we all miss the feeling of being together and connected. The valuable time spent working on relationship skills, and how to talk to one other in a constructive/supportive manner will establish the foundation necessary for all of us to, not only succeed, but move forward focused on connection, community, and relationships.
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Getting Started.. The First Day of School Instructions
1. Student schedules have been finalized and are live on Aeries, click this LINK to view instructions to access Aeries. PLEASE NOTE: if you have not completed the district registration process, you will not be able to view your schedule.
2. Teachers will email students (student issued email address) and parents with login/link information to the teacher's Teams page.
3. If you have an error with your schedule please follow the Request for School Counselor form here Request for School Counselor Assistance. Please be sure to check the appropriate School Counselor based on student last name/Alpha.
4. Please complete our school registration packet by CLICKING HERE
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We will all follow the same schedule, until further notice. Please note days/times below:
Zero Period classes will begin on the first day of school. Please note the high school start times, if you are an 8th grade family enrolled in a zero period at that level.
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MESSAGE FROM OUR COUNSELORS
If you notice an error on your child’s schedule, please CLICK HERE to complete the form.
Requests will be addressed before the start of school and, typically, are handled within 24-48 hours of receiving the request.
Families will not be contacted directly; rather, you will be able to see your student's revised schedule in Aeries within 1-2 days of sending your request.
Please understand that we will be focusing on correcting possible errors, e.g. an incorrect class, wrong grade level, two classes in same subject, a missing period or class, etc.
It is the school practice to not make changes based on preference, e.g. teacher change, would like to be with friends, wants a particular class at a particular time, etc.
That said... we are always interested in students that "volunteer to change". Sometimes we need a seat in a class that is full to correct an error and it is helpful if a student is willing to give their seat up and transfer. We will always check and clear changes to schedule of a "volunteer" with the student.
Sincerely,
Mrs. McKenna, A-K
Mr. Sanz, L-Z
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Technology Updates
Parents, please be sure to familiarize yourself with the table below, these are the online platforms our students will be using. Teachers will dedicate time in the first week of school to explain and educate students on the programs they will be using. If you need technological support please communicate with the teacher first, if he/she is unable to assist they will inform the appropriate person/s. Our district help desk can be reached at [email protected]. Be sure to include student name, student dob, your name, your email, and your relationship to the student.
Here Are the Academic Platforms That Your Students Will Be Using
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Sea Kings Success Strategies
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