Bienvenidos padres de familia,
It is an honor to welcome our new and returning César Chávez Elementary (CCE) students, families, and staff to the 2023-2024 school year! I hope your summer break was full of great adventures and joy spent with loved ones near and far.
The first day of school is Tuesday, August 22, with student drop off between 8:10 a.m. - 8:25 a.m. This week, we have been preparing our campus for your arrival, and we are excited to share another wonderful year with you. Our school’s main office is now open to the public, and receives calls Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., 1221 Anderson Road, (530) 757-5490.
Please take a moment to review the following back-to-school information below, and in our 2023-2024 CCE Student-Family Handbook.
CCE Student-Family Handbook 2023-24.docx In addition, you will continue to receive “Principal Dunn Updates” via email every Sunday at 4:00 p.m. These messages are also posted weekly on our
CCE website. If you are not receiving our school emails, please contact our school office immediately so we can resolve this.
César Chávez Elementary school is truly a special place, and I look forward to seeing our students, staff, and families very soon!
Gracias y sí se puede,
Sra. Dunn
DJUSD Annual Registration
All DJUSD families received a district email with information regarding how to register your student and complete an annual registration process to make sure that we have the most accurate information to support your student and family. If you need assistance, please call our Technology Department help desk in English: (530) 757-5300 x117, Spanish: (530) 205-3053. Please take the time to complete this process by accessing the
Parent Portal that offers detailed instructions of how to complete this annual requirement.
Student Medications and Paperwork
We ask that all families ensure that any medication their child needs to have at school along with the accompanying paperwork, is brought to our school office before August 18.
Teacher Assignments
When you complete the DJUSD Annual Registration process, all registered DJUSD elementary school families will have access to their student’s classroom placement for the 2023-2024 school year on Friday, August 18, 4:00 p.m. via the
Parent Portal.
DJUSD Enrollment Update
Last school year, DJUSD elementary schools hosted several combination classes. This is a common practice and many of our teachers and staff have experience teaching in this model. Site principals, Elementary Support Teachers on Special Assignment (TOSAs), and classroom teachers will work collaboratively to ensure that these classrooms run smoothly, providing each child with an enriching learning experience at their grade level. Students in combination classes receive instruction in their grade level with differentiated instruction provided as needed and appropriate.
CCE Enrollment Update
Over the past three years, our Spanish Immersion enrollment fluctuated at each grade level. The CCE cohort most affected by attrition during this time is our rising fourth-grade cohort due to the COVID-19 Distance Learning academic year, 2020-2021. Thus, a decision was made to collapse the cohort into two fourth-grade classrooms to accommodate <30 students. That is, CCE opted not to host any mixed age or “combination classes” for this cohort. And in response to this, additional support staff will be assigned to both fourth-grade classrooms to mitigate the above average number of students per classroom. CCE will continue to host three classrooms in each of the K-3rd and 5th-6th grade classes this school year with an average of 23.9 students per classroom. Our Spanish Immersion program’s enrollment objective is to sustain the 24 - 30:1 student teacher ratio each academic school year.
Community Welcome Events
SAVE THE DATE:
Monday, August 21, 3:00-4:30 p.m., MPR lunch tables. SIPAT will be hosting a Bienvenidos Los Lobos gathering for students and families who would like to tour the campus, locate their classrooms, and purchase or order our 2023-24 CCE t-shirts which will be available and on display.
Back to School Events & Nights
Kindergarten AM/PM – August 21, Incoming Kinder Scavenger Hunt, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Kindergarten AM/PM – August 24, Back-to-School Night, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
First Grade – August 21, Back-to-School Night, 5:00-6:00 p.m., MPR
Second Grade – August 24, Back-to-School Night, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Third Grade – August 24, Back-to-School Night, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Fourth Grade – August 24, Back-to-School Night, 5:00-6:00 p.m., MPR
Fifth Grade – August 22, Back-to-School Night, 5:00-6:00 p.m., in classrooms
Sixth Grade – August 29, Back-to-School Night, 5:00-6:00 p.m., MPR
CCE Picture Day: Friday, August 25
What is NEW this school year at CCE?
Aug. 22-25, First Week of School Drop Off, 8:10 a.m. - 8:23 a.m., Back of the School Playground
During this first week of school, 1st-6th grade caregivers and families may walk their students on the blacktop at the back of the school where the classroom number lines are painted. Only CCE 1st-6th grade students have access to our campus hallways during this time, and we respectfully ask caregivers and families to keep our hallways clear to allow for student flow and use of restrooms. We encourage our caregivers and families to continue utilizing our campus zones around the perimeter of campus, including points of entry at the back of the school for drop off and pick up times.
Lobos Listos Recess Begins Monday, August 28
1st-6th grade Lobos Listos recess before school, 8:10 a.m. - 8:23 a.m., will not begin until Monday, August 28. We would like to help establish our back to school transitions and safe drop off routines during the first week of school (August 22-August 25). The first school bell rings at 8:10 a.m. where 1st – 6th grade students can start the school day having a staff supervised recess until the second bell at 8:23 a.m. Playground balls and equipment will be provided for students. Only staff and students are allowed on the CCE blacktop and playground structures during this time.
- All 1st-6th grade students will need to drop their backpacks off at their classroom hook before heading to the blacktop, restrooms, and/or participating in Lobos Listos recess.
- Students will line up at their classroom number on the blacktop at the second bell, 8:23 a.m.
- If your child arrives after 8:25 a.m. they must check in at the school office for a pass.
- All visitors who will be on campus during the school day must check into our school office Raptor system between 8:10 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
“First Chance” Breakfast or “Second Chance” Breakfast
- K-6th grade students may order one breakfast/snack per day offered two different morning times before, or during school.
- 8:10-8:23 a.m. is “first chance” breakfast. For the first week of school, you may walk your student to the MPR to order a first chance breakfast and eat at the tables. After the first week, your student will walk independently to the MPR to order and eat breakfast at the tables where a supervisor will be there to assist. A 2-minute bell will ring at 8:23 a.m., queuing students to clean their table space and line up on their classroom number line.
- 10:00-10:15 a.m. 1st-3rd grade “second chance” breakfast-snack is served.
- 10:30-10:45 a.m. 4th-6th grade “second chance” breakfast-snack is served.
Dismissal Time Change: Monday-Tuesday-Thursday-Friday
This year, MTThF dismissal times and bells will ring at 2:30 p.m. for 1st- 3rd graders, and 3:00 p.m. for 4th – 6th graders. We respectfully ask parents to prearrange a designated location for your 1st-6th grade student around the perimeter of our campus to meet the caregiver who is picking them up. The two CCE play structures and the blacktop playground are off limits to the public during school operations between 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. We ask that caregivers and younger siblings wait, meet, and, or play, if possible at the city of Davis’ Redwood Park adjacent to our campus, during the 2:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. dismissal times.
- There is no campus supervision before 8:00 a.m. and after 3:30 p.m.
- Early dismissal Wednesdays remain the same for 1st-6th grade at 1:30 p.m
Dismissal times for our Kindergarten program have not changed. AM Kinder families arriving in the Kinder yard by 8:25 a.m. will have AM students dismissed at 11:45 a.m., with PM families arriving in the Kinder yard by 12:00 p.m. and PM students dismissed at 3:20 p.m. Wacky Wednesdays begin August 30 and will dismiss at 11:45 a.m.
Who is NEW this school year at CCE?
Welcome to the CCE Staff
Mele Blackstone – CCE Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA)
Diana Loza-Alatorre – Reading Specialist
Cynthia Sluis – 5th Grade
Travis Nelson-Ortiz – 6th Grade
Nancy Sanchez – Music, Band
Lara Fitch Polse – Speech Pathologist
Dana Jeffrey – School Psychologist
Welcome Back CCE Staff Returning
Suzanne Hinton – Attendance and Office Manager
Daniela Loyola – Site Administrative Assistant
Lizette Ortiz – School Counselor, Rm 35
Marissa Chavez – 4th Grade, Rm 25
Stephanie Monarrez – 5th Grade, Rm 26
Ann Haines – Library Tech
Monique Escalante – Campus Safety Supervisor
Annette Quintana – Playground Supervisor
Macarena De Diego – 1st-3rd grade Guided Reading Team
How can I support CCE this school year?
Site Council: California Education Code requires the school site council to develop a Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) to create a cycle of continuous improvement of student performance, and to ensure that all students succeed in reaching academic standards set by the State Board of Education. Learn more about what our site council does, who serves on it, when it meets, and how to get more involved.
- Seeking one member as an alternate (1-yr term) Apply TODAY or please inquire at the Bienvenidos Los Lobos event or our main office. Submissions are due Wednesday, September 6. Applicant announcements and ballots with applicant statements will be distributed to families on September 8. Voting will close on September 14, and elected members announced on September 15.
SIPAT: Spanish Immersion Parents and Teachers (our school's PTA). Become a member, fill an open SIPAT position, donate to the "un-fundraiser" to support school enrichment programs, and sign up to volunteer for the coming year. Feel free to donate now or visit the SIPAT website ahead of time to learn more.
- Seeking parents to serve in the following positions:
- EVP, Parent Engagement
- VP Events
- School Scan Program
ELAC: English Learners Advisory Committee. Meet representatives from this important group that works to address the needs and goals of English Language Learners at our school site.
Climate Committee: Learn more about the social climate events and programs supported by this devoted gathering of parents, school counselor, teachers and administrator.
Lobos Activos & Environment Enrichment Program: SIPAT members support our school’s Lobos Activos, EEP gardens, and outdoor education programs. Learn more by visiting the SIPAT website here or inquire about ways to volunteer at the Bienvenidos Los Lobos event.
CCE Apparel: Show your school spirit with a CCE t-shirt or sweatshirt! SIPAT accepts cash, checks, or credit cards.
Learn More by Volunteering: One of the best parts of the Bienvenidos Los Lobos event is the chance to reconnect with other families and to learn more about Círculo, Lobos Activos, School Scan, Safe Routes to School, Bike Swap, Running Club, 1st grade Recess Volunteers, Environmental Education Program, 6th Grade Parent Committee, Davis Kids Klub, and Catalyst Kids opportunities.
Mark your calendars now for a few other important community-building fall events:
- Friday, September 1: Principal Dunn Parent Coffee, 8:30-9:30 a.m.,MPR
- Wednesday, October 25: CCE Fall Blood Drive
- Thursday, November 2: Día de Muertos SIPAT sponsored event, 2:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
This is a community-based school and your contribution, small or large, matters to each student at César Chávez Elementary. We are so thrilled to reconnect with you and your students. What a great year we are going to have together!
Sincerely,
César Chávez Parent Committees and Principal Dunn