October 3, 2018

ELAC 2018

You are invited to attend or ELAC informational meeting October 9th, 2018 at 3 pm in room 19. At the meeting we will discuss the details of the English Learner Advisory Committee and its importance to you and the education of your child. We will also gather names of parents who are interested in being on a ballot to run for election to serve on the ELAC. If you prefer, please use the form linked above to nominate yourself or suggest another parent or gaurdian. Please bring the form with you to the meeting or return it to the school office, or with your child to their teacher as soon as possible- no later than October 10, 2018.

After we have at least 5 names of candidates to put on a ballot, we will send the ballots home with all English Learner students so that parents can vote and return the ballots by the due date

9/26/18

Dear Families,

Olinda School is committed to providing every student with an environment that is safe and where all students feel included. This year we are excited to continue the No Place for Hate® Initiative at our school.

No Place for Hate is developed by ADL, the nation’s leading anti-hate organization. The initiative provides a model for creating a more inclusive school environment with an emphasis on disrupting bias that leads to identity-based bullying.  No Place for Hate incorporates new and existing programs with one consistent message and connects our school to a larger initiative taking place in other schools across the region and nation.

The program affords schools the opportunity to become designated as No Place for Hate by making a commitment to the following steps through the course of the school year:

1. Establish a No Place for Hate Coalition or “club” comprised of students, faculty, administrators, family members and community partners to spearhead intentional school climate work across campus.
2. Adopt the No Place for Hate Promise affirming a commitment to respect for diversity.
3. Complete a minimum of three “No Place for Hate” school-wide activities that promote respect for differences, deepen understanding about bias and identity-based bullying and develop ally skills across our community.

We had our first activity on August 31st with the Character Counts Assembly by Obediah Thomas, in which he discussed the 6 pillars of character.  This Friday marks the first day of our second activity, which is Mix It Up Lunch, an opportunity for Olinda students to get to know one another in a social setting during lunchtime.

We encourage you to discuss this exciting initiative with your child. As part of No Place for Hate, and the commitment to being respectful and supportive of others, students will be encouraged to adopt the No Place for Hate Promise, as follows:

• I PROMISE to do my best to treat everyone fairly.
• I PROMISE to do my best to be kind to everyone – even if they are not like me.
• IF I SEE someone being hurt or bullied I will tell a teacher.
• EVERYONE should be able to feel safe and happy in school.
• I WANT OUR SCHOOL to be No Place for Hate.

To learn more or to get involved with No Place for Hate at Olinda Elementary, please contact Amandeep Randhawa.  Together we can make our community a safe and welcoming space for all.

Sincerely,

Amandeep Randhawa

Becoming Actively involved in education at the local level can help influence the direction and quality of learning for all students. Olinda Elementary depends on the parents, guardians and community members who help out daily to make our school a better place. To become a volunteer there are a couple of steps to follow:

Apply Online at www.beamentor.org/now or call 510-342-7176 to have a paper application sent to you. You can also pick them up at the office! You'll receive a welcome email once you complete the application and questionnaire.

Log-in information will be sent to you with instructions on how to download and complete your Live Scan Form, and about scheduling a fingerprinting appointment Tuesdays 9:00 am-11 am and Thursdays 1:00 pm-3 pm at the Community Engagement Department 5100 Potrero Ave. Richmond, CA, 94804. Please bring these items with you: Completed Live Scan Form, Valid US Government issued ID or Consulate ID or Passport.

A WCCUSD Badge will be mailed to you after all documentation is received and verified- it might take up to 30 days to get your badge but once you have a letter stating you've completed the process- you can start volunteering!

Some positions we need filled:

Classroom Parents, Field Trip Drivers/Chaperones, Lunch Time/Green Team assistant, Fundraising, Event support (carnival help, movie night help, etc). Please contact your Student's teacher and the PTA for more information and more opportunities to volunteer.

Olinda provides a safe and supportive environment where all students can develop to their fullest potential academically, emotionally and socially. Our goal is to partner with parents and the community to ensure that all students are college and career ready, in order to be productive and successful citizens.