August 12, 2020
The Beehive
Issue 2

2020-2021
From the Principal’s Desk 

Dear Blossom Hill Families:

Welcome to the 2020-21 school year!  There is excitement is in the air as we prepare for the opening of our virtual classrooms tomorrow.  I would like to extend a special greeting to all of the new families joining our learning community and warmly welcome back our returning families. Our goal at Blossom Hill is to build a strong Home/School connection to provide our students with a rich learning environment focused on each child’s social/emotional well-being and development, prioritized Common Core Standards, and a variety of enrichment opportunities.

Yesterday, class assignments were emailed to families.  Unfortunately, there was a glitch in the software and it transposed some of assignments after the email was sent.  You can imagine our surprise when we compared screen shots of email messages sent to families that did not match those received by families.  Complicating the issue is that this error occurred randomly, so we do not know which families received incorrect information.  Please know I understand this misfortunate occurrence has created confusion and in some cases angst and I respectfully request that you recognize our positive intentions and that such errors can occur.  Thank you.

To best clarify your classroom assignment this year, please consider the welcome email that you receive from your child’s teacher today your official notification.  

Below you will find information for this week’s Supply Distribution Schedule and next week’s Back-to-School Night Schedule. Please look for more detailed information to come from your child’s teacher.


MATERIALS DISTRIBUTION SCHEDULE
Thursday, 8/13                                           
1:15-1:45                                     Kindergarten/Cherry Blossom Drive-thru
1:15-1:45                                     1st Grade/Blossom Hill Drive-thru & Parking Lot
2:00-2:30                                  2nd Grade/Blossom Hill Drive-thru & Parking Lot
                                                                        
Friday, 8/14                                                 
1:15-1:45                                     3rd Grade/Cherry Blossom Drive-thru
1:15-1:45                                     4th Grade/Blossom Hill Drive-thru & Parking Lot
2:00-2:30                                   5th Grade/Blossom Hill Drive-thru & Parking Lot

To best prepare for the materials distribution, please follow the guidelines below to ensure a safe and efficient experience for all.  Thank you.

What to do before you leave home:
  • Write your student’s first and last name visibly (dark ink/marker preferred!) on a piece of paper to hang/post in your car window or dashboard.
  • Come during your designated time, as we will have your student’s materials ready for the exchange.

When you arrive:
  • Stay inside your vehicle and keep your windows up.
  • Watch for staff members directing traffic and asking you to stop or move forward. We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this process!
  • Ensure that your student’s name is visibly posted in your vehicle window or on your dashboard.
  • A staff member will ask or motion you to open your trunk or hatch.
  • A staff member will place pre-bagged student’s personal items in the trunk or back of your vehicle. 

Once this procedure is complete, the staff member will close your trunk or ask you to activate your trunk closing.  

At the conclusion of the drop-off, a staff member will let you know you are finished and ready to go!


BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT
Thursday, August 20
6:00-6:40  Grades: Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd Grade Sessions
                        6:45-7:30  Grades: 3rd, 4th & 5th Grade Sessions
Your classroom teacher will send you a Zoom link prior to the event
                                                

Although this year looks a bit different now, please be assured we are dedicated to providing your child(ren) a joyful, meaningful, and engaging virtual classroom learning experience.  One of the vital components for a successful year is ongoing communication between parents and the staff.  Anytime you have a question or concern you need to share about your child, please contact your child’s teacher.  In addition, it is a priority to me to have a supportive relationship with all Blossom Hill students.  If you would like to speak with me, please don’t hesitate to contact me by email or phone.  I value direct and open communication and am dedicated to continuous improvement to make Blossom Hill the best school it can be.

 
Yours in education, 
Lisa Reynolds
Principal, Blossom Hill School
Phone: 408.335.2100
IMPORTANT
DATES
August


  • 8/13 - First Day of School

  • 8/13 and 8/14 - Student materials pick up**

  • 8/13 - LGUSD Regular Board Meeting, 6:30-8:30pm (online)

  • 8/19 - H&SC Board Meeting, 8-9:30am (online)

  • 8/20 - Back to School Night, 6-7:30pm (online)**

  • 8/21 - New Family Virtual Q&A Session, 9:15am (online)*
*Scroll down for more details on these events.
**See details above "From the Principal's Desk"
IMPORTANT SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION
Office: 
408-335-2100

Attendance: 
408-335-2145

Office Hours: 
7:30 am - 3:30 pm

Book of the Month
A wonderful book to read with your child is Who Moved My Cheese for Kids by Spencer Johnson. It focuses on how people deal with and feel differently about change, distinguishing between what is in our control and what is not, and how to be resilient in hard times. It is a great conversation starter on living and thriving in a pandemic. For extension activities and discussion questions for Who Moved My Cheese, go to Project Cornerstone - Who Moved My Cheese.
Upper Grade Chorus
Calling all future 3rd, 4th and 5th graders! We have a great Chorus show planned for the next school year. In a non-COVID world, registration would open on Friday, August 14 at 12 pm and the shows would be on Thursday, November 5 and Friday, November 6. However, these uncertain times are leading to uncertain plans for the upper grade Chorus. We still want to sing with you so please stay tuned to the Beehive for up to date information.

Thanks for your patience and understanding,

Lacy Milos and the parent producers 
We've Got Spirit, How About You?!
Blossom Hill Spirit Wear has gone online! Rokkitwear is hosting our online store with all new designs and clothing options from t-shirts to polo shirts to sweatshirts and sweatpants. All items will be shipped directly to you with 15% of the gross sales benefitting the Blossom Hill Home & School Club. Show your school spirit by shopping anytime at https://www.rokkitwear.com/school/55867-blossom-hill-home-school-club. Gift certificates are also available.
Blossom Hill Vision Statement 
(Abilities and skills we expect our students to acquire and take-out into the world) 
All students will have the necessary skills to become enthusiastic, life-long learners and productive, empathetic, respectful members of society. 
Blossom Hill Mission Statement 
(What we need to do as a school community to ensure this happens) 
The Blossom Hill School community takes pride in providing an enriched standards-based curriculum in a safe, nurturing environment. We strive to appreciate an awareness of students’ developmental needs to help them progress towards independence. 
Blossom Hill Elementary School
16400 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032
Lisa Reynolds, Principal | [email protected]
Phone: 408-335-2100 | Fax: 408-356-0887 | Attendance Line: 408-335-2145
Blossom Hill Home & School Club
Jennifer Shapiro, President | [email protected]  
*The Beehive newsletter is approved by Principal Lisa Reynolds and the H&SC Board and is written exclusively to provide the Blossom Hill community with pertinent, weekly school information. Articles, information, calendars, etc. may not be duplicated or re-printed in any manner without the permission of the Home & School Club or the Blossom Hill school administration.
Submissions can be made to The Beehive editor, Jennifer Shapiro,