Gecko Gazette
Creekside Elementary' s Weekly School News
March 15, 2024
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A Message from Mrs. Worthington
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March has roared in like a lion at Creekside! Oh, the fun we are having! Leprechauns are wreaking havoc across campus, causing chaos and disrupting classrooms. Our littles are busy building traps in hopes of catching them this weekend! Staff continue to work with our new Illustrative Math across campus, and with our new phonological skill building program, IMSE, in our Kinder through 2nd grade classrooms. Students are taking off in their learning and generalizing newly learned skills into other disciplines.
We celebrated our garden harvest this week with smoothies in the garden. Such a delightful mix of fruits and vegetables, and such a delight to see how much our students enjoyed them. Hats off to the myriad of volunteers who helped to make this event a success. Students are gearing up for our Annual Spelling Bee, Talent Show and Gecko Glow Dance. It has been amazing to see the students practicing their spelling and building their acts for the talent show.
I am so enjoying the Creekside campus and community. The students here are incredible, the staff, oh so talented, and the families, so gracious. Thank you for all that you do to support the success of our Geckos and Gecko community!
With gratitude for all that you do,
Terry Worthington
Principal
#GeckoGreatness
#FeelGoodFairness
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Creekside Elementary's 2023-2024 Calendar
Upcoming March and April Dates to Keep in Mind:
- Mon 3/18, 3/25, 4/1, 4/15, 4/29 - 3.10pm - Chess Club
- Wed 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/17, 4/24 - 8am - Gecko Chorus
- Wed 3/20 - 8am - Rubick's Cube Club (5th grade only)
- Wed 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/17, 4/24 - Fit Kids America (after school enrichment classes)
- Thurs 3/21, 3/28, 4/4, 4/18, 4/25 - 1.30pm - 4th & 5th grade Math Olympiad
- Fri 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/19, 4/26 - 3.05pm - 2nd & 3rd grade Noetic Math
- Fri 3/22- 5pm Creekside Talent Show
- Fri 3/29- 6pm Gecko Glow Dance
- Mon 4/1 - NEW Student Enrollment for the 2024-25 School Year Opens
- Wed 4/3 - Spring Pictures
- Fri 4/5 - Xploration
- Fri 4/5 - Spirit Day - Western Day
- Fri 4/5 - 8am - Student Council Meeting
- Fri 4/5 - 8am - PTA Board Meeting & 9am - PTA Association Meeting
- Mon 4/8 - Fri 4/12 - Spring Break; NO SCHOOL
For more important dates, please click here to access to the school calendar for all upcoming events.
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The Poway Unified transfer window is now open!
Transfer requests for students who live within the Poway Unified boundaries and would like to attend a different Poway school other than their school of residence should be submitted online by visiting the PUSD webpage and clicking the “Transfers” link on the home page. This includes incoming siblings of current students.
Please remember to enroll your student at their school of residence when new student enrollment opens online on April 1, 2024.
Transfer requests cannot be processed until the student is enrolled in their school of residence. The transfer window closes on March 31st at 5:00 pm.
For more information, please visit PUSD’s Residency & Transfers webpage.
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2024-2025 Continuing Student Registration is now open!
Online Continuing Student Registration will be open from March 1- March 31, 2024. We must receive a completed digital packet for all returning students. This will allow for proper placement of your student for the 2024-2025 school year.
This annual digital process allows a family to complete one single “family” packet instead of completing one packet per student. Packets can be completed using any computer, tablet or smartphone with an internet connection.
Continuing Registration Steps:
- Login and complete the digital registration packet via the online registration portal found here.
- Review and complete any required forms located at the conclusion of the process. A packet is not considered finalized until this step is completed.
Please note: MEDICATION FORMS or ADDITIONAL SIGNED SITE-SPECIFIC FORMS WILL NOT BE COLLECTED UNTIL SCHOOL BEGINS IN AUGUST FOR THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR.
Forgot your username or password? Need technical help? You can retrieve your username as well as reset your password by visiting https://password.powayusd.com and clicking the button that represents the help you require. Technical help is also available by sending an email to accounthelp@powayusd.com.
Please email tworthington@powayusd.com and rbalaa@powayusd.com as soon as possible if you do not plan to return to PUSD for the 2024-2025 school year. Thank you for your attention to this important process!
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Health Office Donations Needed Please
Miss Brooke, our School Health Technician, is looking for the following items please:
- Wet wipes (travel size) - used for field trips.
- Soft gel hot/cold packs
- Tissue boxes
We appreciate your generosity!
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Come watch our talented Geckos light up the MPR stage on
Friday, March 22nd from 5pm
5pm - Act I
5:45-6:15pm - Raffle and Concession stand sale
6:15pm - Act II
Each Act will run approximately 45 minutes. You are welcome to attend just one or stay for both Acts.
Raffle prizes include Get Air, Gyminny Kids, Hop Stop and Orfila Winery gift cards.
Please RSVP Here for headcount purposes.
This event would not be possible without the help of our wonderful volunteers. Please consider signing up to help on the day itself by clicking here.
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MOANA MUSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP
This Spring, the PTA is sponsoring an after-school Musical Theatre workshop. This weekly class will introduce songs and scenes from MOANA. Through this process, children will learn basic performance skills such as theater terminology, healthy singing, dance skills and teamwork required for working on a musical production. The session culminates in a final presentation by the children for their family and friends.
These workshops are directed by teaching artists, Angie Serrano and Leasa Thernes.
This class will be held Tuesdays after school beginning March 19. The cost is $150 for the 9-week session. The class size is limited so please register HERE.
Email Angie Serrano jserrano@me.com with any questions.
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GECKO GLOW DANCE
Join us for this fun annual family event on Fri, March 29 from 6-8pm
A cool prize will be offered for the BEST DRESSED FAMILY!
Please RSVP HERE to ensure sufficient refreshments and supplies.
We'll have $1-$2 concessions (pizza, donuts, hot cocoa, chips etc.) and glow merchandise for sale.
Complimentary water, glow sticks and glow tattoos.
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Creekside Elementary's GroupRaise x Krispy Kreme Digital Dozen fundraising campaign is now LIVE. From now until April 11, 2024, 50% of orders will be donated back to our school when you purchase your doughnuts using our fundraising sales page.
Order now at grouprai.se/krispykreme39860sa
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Every year, California students take several statewide tests. Creekside students in grades 3-5 will be testing in May 2024. When combined with other measures such as grades, class work, and teacher observations, these tests give families and teachers a more complete picture of their child’s learning. You can use the results to identify where your child is doing well and where they might need more support.
Your child may be taking one or more of the following California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) tests.
- CAASPP: Smarter Balanced Assessments for English Language Arts/Literacy (ELA) and Math for all students in grades 3-5.
- CAASPP: California Alternate Assessments (CAAs) for ELA and Math for all students in grades 3-5 whose individualized education program (IEP) identifies the use of alternate assessments.
- CAASPP: California Science Test (CAST) for all students in grade 5.
- CASSPP: California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science in grade 5 whose IEP identifies the use of alternate assessments.
Pursuant to California Education Code Section 60615, parents/guardians may annually submit to the school a written request to excuse their child from any or all the CAASPP assessments.
How can I help my child get ready for the CAASPP?
You are an important part of your child’s education. Some things you can do to help your child are:
- Explain to your child that these tests are tools to help them learn, and they should not be anxious or scared.
- Remind your child that you and his or her teacher have high expectations and that you are both there to help, every step of the way.
- Explore the practice tests with your child so they can become familiar with the platform and setup of the tests.
- Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast before testing.
You will receive your child’s results at or before the beginning of the next school year. The results will identify where your child is doing well or needs more help, so you can better support their learning at home and teachers can better support their learning in the classroom.
Questions? Please contact Terry Worthington, Principal, at tworthington@powayusd.com or Parker Hensley, CAASPP Site Coordinator at phensley@powayusd.com.
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Click here for our March Counseling Newsletter for more information on Growth Mindset for Kids.
Vera Lambert
School Counselor
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The students have had another incredible month of Running Club! So far, our geckos have run over 53,000 laps or 16,600 miles.
We are in need of volunteers please during recess and lunch and time to help scan laps.
- To sign up for a recess slot in March, please click here.
- To sign up for a lunch slot in March, please click here.
Please refer to our Bell Schedule for exact timings on when your student(s) grade level will be at recess and lunch should you wish to volunteer during those times.
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Calling all 5th grade parents!
The deadline to finish your student's custom pages and 5th grade recognition ads is fast approaching on 4/15/2024! Now is the time to purchase your recognition ad and leave your 5th grader a message to remember.
To purchase a copy of the 2023-2024 Creekside Elementary Yearbook and begin customizing your 2 free pages,
please click here.
School Code: 101597898327959
The 2023-24 Yearbook needs your help! We are looking for pictures from any school event that you might have.
Please upload your pictures to treeing here:
2023-2024 School Photos
Questions about how to customize your pages or upload your photos? Feel free to contact Joy (jofutti@gmail.com) or Sunshine (sunshinebramwell@gmail.com).
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Creekside's Character Counts Book Quest
Mission Statement
The Creekside Character Counts Book Quest supports developing true respect for and celebrating the uniqueness and differences within our community that make it special. We all have the power to make the world a better place!
Each year, throughout the school, we undertake a journey of literary discovery. Each grade level reads and discusses a wonderful piece of literature targeted to stimulate enriching thoughts surrounding a monthly theme. These themes challenge our young thinkers to become people of depth and insight, prepared to engage more fully with each other and the world. At Creekside, we seek excellence both in academics and in the development of the whole child, including as citizens of our homes, schools, communities, and our world.
Diverse Author Showcase
ABCs for Girls Like Me by Melanie Goolsby
March's Theme: Caring - Gender Equity
This month students will explore Gender Equity. Gender Equality is about not having limits based on your gender. Students will learn about how gender stereotypes should not prevent people from following and achieving their dreams.
Primary (TK - 2nd Grade):
William's Doll by Charlotte Zolotow
Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores by James Howe
Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman
Upper Grades (3rd - 5th Grade):
Malala's Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai
The Bus Ride that Changed History: The Story of Rosa Parks by Pamela Duncan Edwards
Just Like Josh Gibson by Angela Johnson
Additional Recommended Reading:
Oliver Button is a Sissy by Tommy dePaola
Girl Running by Annette Bay Pimental
I am Rene, the Boy by Rene Colato Lainez
One Girl by Andrea Beaty
Tea with Milk by Allen Say
Brave Girl by Michelle Markel
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ESS Aide Hiring Fair
Friday, Apr 5th
9am - 11am
PUSD Office - 15250 Ave of Science, San Diego CA 92128
Click HERE to register for this event.
Click HERE to apply now for a position.
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We have a lot of sweaters, jackets, hats, water bottles, lunch boxes...etc. that are looking for their owners. Please stop by the Lost & Found rack located outside the main gate to see if any of the items belong to your student.
Items left over by Friday, April 5 will be donated to local charities.
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FREE Parent Education Courses in Spanish throughout March 2024
Teen Positive Parenting Workship (in person) on March 21 and March 28 from 6.00pm - 8.00pm
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