To show our gratitude to all Veterans and Active Duty Military, each class at McMillin Elementary will create a “Door of Honor” for Veterans Day. This year, we are asking to please email digital photos to your child’s teacher of military friends or family so that we can display them on our doors.   Photos will need to be received by Friday, November 6th.

If you are a Veteran or Active Duty, we would like to invite you to join your child for lunch on Monday, November 9^th in YOUR honor for Veterans Day. We will have a special picnic area for you to eat with your child. Just bring your lunches and a blanket. PTA will be providing desserts!!

***Don’t forget to have your child wear red, white & blue on Monday, November 9^th and Tuesday, Nov. 10^th.

ELAC Meeting

Why Is My Child Identified as an English Language Learner?

 When: November 5^th

Time: 8:30 am

Place: McMillin Auditorium

Guest Speakers: Emma Sanchez, Executive Director, Patricia Pimentel, Coordinator Language Acquisition Develepment Services and Support

Welcome Principal Cynthia Orr!

September 13, 2015

Dear Families,

Hello, my name is Cindy Orr, and I am so excited to be the new Principal of McMillin Elementary School! I am looking forward to building long-lasting relationships with you and your children.

Let me start by telling you a little bit about myself. I am originally from Napa Valley and have been living in Chula Vista for the past fifteen years. I have two wonderful boys that keep me very active from mountain bike riding to sailing. They also had the wonderful opportunity to go to school at McMillin Elementary. Family is extremely important to me, and I look forward to introducing my family to yours.

During my twenty-five years in education, I have worked with students in preschool through sixth grade in both Napa Valley and Chula Vista. I helped open McMillin in 2001 as a teacher. I have a Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education and a Masters Degree in Mathematics and Science in Elementary Education. I also work with two nonprofit organization: Childhelp, National Organization that helps in the prevention and care of children of abuse and the Socal High School Mountain Bike League.

The connection between home and school is necessary for the success of our children. There are many ways for you to be involved in your child’s education at school, and at home. Please look for blogs from me sharing upcoming events and tips for working with your child at home.

Please know that my door is always open and that creating a safe and nurturing school climate for your child is my top priority.

Sincerely,

Cindy Orr

Principal

McMillin Elementary School

cynthia.orr@cvesd.org

Please Click to see video clip: New Principal

The following image is a picture from the mural painted on the auditorium wall! Guess whose name is also painted on the scroll?

McMillin Jog-a-Thon Success! Thank you very much!

The Beagle Bolt Jog-a-Thon took place last Friday, September 11th and it was a huge success!  The students walked/jogged around our field with the help of several parent volunteers passing out water to keep our children nice and hydrated!  Several Navy personnel were also present thanks to Mrs. Pembleton and her husband.

We would like to announce the grand total that was raised.  Drum roll please…..$34,200!!  Thank you so much to the 520 students who participated in this huge fundraising effort.  All the money raised goes directly back to our students’ field trips, assemblies and so many other things that they all benefit from on a daily basis.

We would also like to announce the top grade level earners:

TK – Finn M and Giovanni D tied with $100 each

K – Mason B in Mrs. Elbel’s class with $720

1st – Katerina W in Mrs. Romo’s class with $400

2nd – Joseph P in Mrs. Reece’s class with $430

3rd –  Aiden A in Ms. Guthrie’s class with $360

4th – Hasti S in Mrs. Sullens class with $545

5th – Maisey B in Mr. Chumbley’s class with $256

6th – Jade D in Ms. Hernandez’s class with $275

Those top grade level earners will be having a catered lunch from Pizzo’s with Mrs. Orr, our principal, in the office conference room on Tuesday, September 15th.  Thank you for all your hard work!!

The school also had 47 students who raised $200 or more.  They will be having pizza in the auditorium with Mrs.Orr, Mrs. Cruz, and their teacher on Wednesday, September 16th.  A big thank you to those students as well.

Other announcements:

September 14 – September 17th – Parent Teacher Conferences continue

Monday, September 14th at 8:15 am – Military Coffee

Thursday, September 17th – Attendance Assembly

 

Beagle Bolt Jog-a-Thon

We are in our second week of our Beagle Bolt Jog-a-Thon Fundraising campaign.  As of Sunday afternoon (August 31), we have raised $6,300.  We want to thank all of the families that have participated in getting us to this level!  But we still have a long way to go to get to the $50,000 we would like to achieve.

The purpose of the Beagle Bolt is to fund field trips, school assemblies, playground equipment, and classroom supplies for every one of our fabulous students!

 *NEW*

We are now adding something new to the Jog-a-Thon fundraising effort.  Every student that raises $200 or more will be part of the Beagle Bolt Pizza Party.  Those students will eat pizza with the new Principal, the Assistant Principal and their Teacher in the auditorium during their normal lunchtime.

For every $25 a student raises, they will earn a ticket with their name on it.  Each ticket will go in a prize drawing.  The more money they raise, the more tickets they earn!  The more tickets they earn, the better their chances of winning these

AMAZING PRIZES:

• 4 tickets to Legoland
• Hewlett Packard 15 inch Laptop
• 3 Professional HD cameras by Replay xd
• 10 pair of Spy sunglasses
• AMC movie tickets
• San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum passes
• Maritime Museum of San Diego guest passes
• 5 drawstring bags from 24hour Fitness filled with various fitness items
• NuYo Frozen Yogurt gift cards

The top money earner for each grade will earn a special lunch from Pizzo’s with our new Principal.  They will also receive a goodie bag with free kids meal coupons to McDonald’s and Rubio’s. Please look outside of the office wall for the poster listing the current leaders of every grade level.

Donations must be submitted by Friday, September 11^th to be eligible for prizes.

Please look at the office window for daily updates as to how much we have raised.

Fall Break Camp!

• $225 per child per week  (early registration BEST RATE)
•  After September 4th $250 per child per week

Mr. Mora’s Last Drill!

McMillin teachers cheer him off! Please click on link to see the cheer:  Last Drill

August 11, 2015

Dear Parents,

McMillin is in the process to reconvene the 2015-2016 English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC). The ELAC is a committee required by state regulations for any school that has 21 or more English learners. Members of the ELAC give advice and feedback to the principal regarding English learner programs.

McMillin will hold its first ELAC meeting on August 18 at 8:30 am at McMillin Elementary, auditorium.

We cordially invite you to this important meeting where members will be nominated and elected to the ELAC and DELAC. We will discuss English Learner programs that are in place at our school to help our English learner students do better in their education.

Sincerely,

Vanessa Cruz
Associate Principal

11 de agosto, 2015

Estimados padres,

McMillin está en proceso de reunir de Nuevo el Comité Consultivo para Aprendices del Inglés (ELAC) para el año escolar 2015-2016. El Comité Consultivo para Aprendices del Inglés es un comité requerido por el reglamento del estado para cualquier escuela con 21 o más aprendices del inglés.

McMillin llevará a cabo su primera junta de ELAC el 18 de agosto a las 8:30 am en el auditorio de la escuela McMillin.

Usted esta cordialmente invitado a esta importante junta donde se nominara y elegirá a miembros para el ELAC y donde se hablara sobre los programas que hay en la escuela que aydudan a nuestros estudiantes aprendices del ingles a progresar en su educación.

Atentamente,

Vanessa Cruz
Sub-Directora
 

Dear Parents:

The primary task of the School Site Council is to ensure our school is continually engaged in identifying and implementing curriculum and instructional practices that result in both strengthening the core academic program and ensuring students have access to and success in that program. The School Site Council is also responsible for continually updating and implementing the school plan and for the allocation of resources.

The McMillin School Site Council is comprised of six parents, four teachers, one classified employee and the Principal.   Currently there are 4 Parent Council vacancies with two-year terms.

Ballots to elect new School Site Council members will be sent home to all parents on Tuesday, August 11^th. Elections will take place the week of August 11^th-14^th and all ballots will be due in the school office no later than August 14^th. The newly elected parent representatives will begin their term of office at the Sept 2015 meeting.

Autobiographical sketches of each candidate will be on display in front of the office until after elections. Please consider this as a great opportunity to become involved with your child’s education.

Morning and After School Reminders

I want to take a moment to remind all McMillin families that all students should wait in front of the school until the 8:10 am bell rings before entering the campus. If you come from the back of the school we ask that you walk to the front and wait until the bell. I’d also like to remind you that parents are asked to quickly drop off their children in the drop off zone, indicated by the white curb. Please do not park in the drop off zone, rather feel free to park in the parent parking lot.
After school all student are to make there way home immediately, unless plans have been prearranged. All students being picked up in a vehicle should be picked up in our pick-up area located on the playground blacktop. The only exception to this is for our TK and Kinder students. I want to remind everyone picking up students in the neighborhood behind the school that CVPD regularly tickets cars that are parked illegally, so I encourage you to use our pick-up area. It has proven to be much safer and typically it takes 5-15 min at most to enter and exit the area.

Important Upcoming Events

• Tuesday Aug 11-DAC/DELAC Meeting @ District Office 12 pm. SSC Meeting @ McMillin 3 pm
• Thursday Aug 13-Full Disaster Drill
• Friday Aug 14 Identi-Kid will be here to take pictures of students for any interested parents.
• Tuesday Aug 18- McMillin ELAC meeting 8:30 am
• Thursday Aug 20- Beagle Bolt Kickoff

Welcome VAPA teachers to McMillin!

As you may already know, money is being allocated for supporting teacher collaboration across the District for the 2015-16 school year. McMillin and Marshall elementary will be sharing their services this school year. We are very excited to start our Visual and Performing Arts program (VAPA) this week. Check out this sneak peak video that introduces the teachers:

 VAPA biweekly rotations:

Beagle Bolt Jog-A-Thon

McMillin Elementary Fundraiser

Save the Date
September 11, 2015

100% of the money raised will go to McMillin!!!

The money will be used for field trips, assemblies, playground equipment, and classroom supplies.

Our goal is to raise $50,000. We are hoping for this fundraiser to be our ONE, BIG fundraising event IF we meet this goal.

Prizes will be awarded to top sellers in each grade level. Raffle tickets will be given for every $25 raised with chances to win gift cards from local businesses!

How can you help:

1.We will need volunteers on the event day.

2.We need your enthusiasm and participation with collecting donations. You may want to start thinking about family, co-workers, and friends you could ask to help.

3.If you have any connections to local businesses, please ask them if they are willing to help with gift cards or monetary donations.

Lastly, this event is all about your kids and making a great investment in their education. As a staff we are very excited about this event and we hope you are too.

More information about the Beagle Bolt Jog-a- thon will be communicated in the coming weeks.

Be informed

Bullying incidents can be reported on the district website through this link: http://www.cvesd.org/PARENTS/Pages/Bullying.aspx.  Please take time to review the site as it includes guidance  as to “what is and isn’t” bullying.

Welcome to McMillin Elementary 2015-2016 everyone!! We’re so excited to begin the year and can’t wait to begin working with the kids again! We hope you had a fantastic summer break and had lots of time to enjoy your family because in the end that’s what matters most. This year will be exciting for many reasons, but mostly because we have yet another year to CHANGE THE WORLD for the better!! As educators we know that our affect on students is great and we know that every action creates a reaction in our students! Some of those reactions may even lead to consequences that can make a huge impact in the world we live in. Almost every great innovator, leader, and person of influence can point back to at least one teacher that motivated them to make a difference and we know how great of an impact we have. We also know that even if the children we work with don’t end up “changing the world”, we know we can greatly affect their world and their future. This is a responsibility we accept with great humility and honor. As your principal, I hope to work alongside my great staff to find opportunities everyday where we can support, engage, motivate and inspire your children. I’d also like to point out that we are not motivated by reaching a number on a test, rather we want to instill a love of learning and a thirst for becoming a little bit better each and every day. Believe me if we do a good job of that the test results will come!

Every year brings a few changes and this year is no different. I’d like to introduce you to this years new staff members:

• Mrs. Cruz-Associate Principal
• Mrs. Cardenas-Resource Teacher (formerly McMillin 6th grade teacher)
• Ms. Ortiz-6th grade teacher
• Mrs. Pembleton-Kindergarten teacher
• Mrs. Zavala-Office Clerk
• Ms. Steuernagel-School nurse
• Mrs. Caquioa-Media Arts teacher
• Mrs. Goold-Dance teacher
• Mr. Simsic-Music teacher
• Ms. Baker-Art teacher

I’m confident you’ll find these individuals to be great members of the McMillin Family and we look forward to their support and contributions!

This year we will work hard to improve communication with our community and a great way to stay informed is to read our blog which will be updated every 2 weeks. In addition, please remember to download our McMillin App. Available on your app store, its free and will provide a ton of information at your fingertips. We will also send out regular School Messenger voice mails, so please make sure we have updated email addresses and phone numbers to ensure you receive all communication.

Important Reminders:

• All students are to wait in front of the school before entering campus in the morning, our first bell will ring at 8:10 am allowing students to line up next to their classroom
• School begins promptly at 8:15 am
• Dismissal M-Th for 1st thru 6th grade will be at 2:45 pm, Fridays at 1:15 pm (TK and Kinder parents please check with your teachers for your schedule)
• Students being picked up via car will be picked up on the playground. Staff will be out the first couple of weeks to guide you to pick-up spot.
• No classroom changes will be considered until after the first 10 days of school.
• If you have any information you believe will help us to support your child, please communicate that information with your teacher asap
• Wed. July 22 will be an early release day for all students 1st-6th (1:15 pm)

Once again WELCOME and we hope you and your children have a great year!

We hope you all take some time to enjoy your summer break!

Important Dates:

• School Office opens July 8th
• 2015-2016 class list’s posted after 4 pm
• School begins July 22, 2016 and it will be an early release day (1:15 pm)

See you soon!!

This week students will continue with District and state assessments. Over the last two weeks our 3rd and 4th graders have completed the Smarter Balanced Common Core Assessment (SBAC) and our 5th graders have completed the California State Science Standard Test. This week our 5th graders will take the SBAC and next week our 6th graders will take it. In addition our Kinder through 2nd  graders have or will be taking the District Local Measures assessments in Reading, Math and Writing. All of this information will help to provide a snap shot of how students are performing towards grade level standards. Remember to encourage your children to get a good nights sleep, eat a good breakfast and most importantly not stress out. We want students to know that although important, this one tests is one piece of information that helps to identify the strengths and gaps in their learning, which in turn helps to inform their teachers when preparing their lessons. Thank you for your support.

Mother Day Tea
For all of our 3rd grade mom’s, we hope you are able to make the extra special event planned for you on Thursday May 14, at 9 am in our auditorium. I promise you this is an event you will not want to miss!

School Site Council
Also on Thursday, our School Site Council will be meeting to discuss our school site plan and other important information pertaining to the 2015-2016 school year.

It may be hard to believe, but in a short 7 weeks the 2014-2015 school year will come to a close. Your children and their teachers have worked extremely hard this year, as they attempted to master the new Common Core standards. These standards have challenged educators to prepare students for the rigors of the 21st century and to ensure that our citizens will be prepared to compete in the global market. Last year our 3rd-6th grade students took the standards test, called Smarter Balanced, but no results were reported. This was considered a “practice year” to become familiar with the new format and procedures. This year students will once again take the test and although test results will be made available to schools and parents, the scores will not be counted toward an Academic Performance Index (API) used to rate schools across California. Below is the testing schedule for our school. Please do your best to ensure they have a good nights sleep and have a good breakfast. Also try your best to keep the stress low. This is an important assessment, but it is only one piece of information in our assessment of your child’s learning.

Testing Schedule

Grade 3: 4/27-5/1

Grade 4: 5/3-5/8

Grade 5: 5/11-5/15

Grade 6: 5/18-5/22 

Grade 5 Science CST: 5/4

We Love Our Military Families!
April is Month of the Military Child. Please wear purple Friday, April 24th in appreciation of our military students and all they endure as their parents serve in the military.  During the month of the military child, military kids across the country are honored for their service, their strength, and their bravery.  A lot of times the focus is on the service member, but it can be just as hard on the kids so its important that we remember that and honor their sacrifices as well. On this special day, all military children will be recognized in their classrooms and they will be invited to a special lunch time activity!