Shark Tales is our parent newsletter intended to keep you up to date with what is happening at South Bay School and district written by y Paul Meyers, Superintendent/Principal. Click here to download Shark Tales as a pdf to view or print on your computer or other mobile device.

September 12, 2011

Welcome!
Welcome to the new school year at South Bay School.  The staff and I are glad you have selected South Bay School for your student’s education. We are proud to provide your student a safe and nurturing environment and a world-class education using state-of-the-art technology. We are family-friendly, and welcome your participation in your child’s education. We also strive to be accommodating, and we encourage suggestions from parents/guardians on how we can improve our service to you and your student.  Please email your comments to me at pmeyers@humboldt.k12.ca.us.

District Enrollment Increases 20%
The new school year is off to a good start. Student enrollment is up 20% in the district with over 500 students attending Pine Hill and South Bay Schools. With our new reconfiguration this year, it is very comforting that all our hard work preparing for the start of this year paid off. Not only have we retained our current students, we gained 110 new students to our district.  The opening of the new South Bay Charter School has brought in 67 students - 16 eighth graders and 51 seventh graders.  Another 43 students entered in grades K-6. In kindergarten, enrollment increased 25% and a fourth kindergarten teacher was added a few days before school started.

Academic Performance Index (API) Increases to 731
The API score for South Bay School improved by 65 points, an amazing increase of 9.0%! The API is based entirely on student performance on the annual state STAR testing. A point gain of 65 points is the largest of any school in Humboldt County (with more than 20 students in it). This is a huge improvement and the result of the improved educational environment at South Bay School. Kudos to all the students, staff, and parents whose hard work made this tremendous growth possible.

Back to School
South Bay School “Back to School” is September 14th at 6:00pm. Parents and guardians will meet briefly in the gym for staff introductions, then report to their student’s homeroom teacher for a presentation of the curriculum and class policies and procedures. The library will be open at 5:00pm for the Book Fair.

Book Fair
The annual book fair is one of two fundraisers used to purchase new books for the library. Your support is appreciated. Please stop by the library on Back to School night – opening at 5:00pm.

Cell Phone Policy
Although not encouraged, students are allowed to have a cell phone at school. The rule is that the cell phone must remain “off” and in their pocket or backpack. Cell phones are not to be used during school time and this includes the EXPLORE after school program. Parents, please refrain from contacting your student at school using their cell phone. If you need to reach your child, please use the school phone at 443-4828. If your child needs to contact you, he or she may talk with their teacher or come to the office and speak with Ms. Hanne about using the office phone.

Budget Woes
Due to the dismal state budget and the deferral of school funds, South Bay Union School District has a very tight budget. Schools have less money to make improvements and, consequently, several projects have been postponed. For example, the new playground at South Bay School has been put off until next year, pending next year’s state budget.

Site Council Members Needed
With the new reconfiguration of schools, we need parents/guardians to apply for a position on the School Site Council. Site Council is an oversight committee made up of equal numbers of school representatives and community representatives.  We need several parents or community volunteers to serve on this important committee. The site council meets about six times a year, usually 3:15pm for about an hour. Topics include school funding, curriculum, policies and procedures, and school safety. Please contact Hanne Heilmann at 443-4828 or Paul Meyers at 476-8549 for more information.

Get Involved with PTO
The Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) is open to parents/guardians of K-8 students at Pine Hill or South Bay Schools. The PTO is a huge supporter of our schools, and through their efforts thousands of dollars are raised each year to directly benefit the children in our district. PTO meets the third Thursday each month at 6:00pm. The location alternates each month from one site to the other. The first PTO meeting will be held at the Pine Hill Library on September 22 at 6:00pm. Please bring a friend and get involved with other parent/guardians like yourself who want to help make a difference in their child’s school. 

Bus Schedule
Minor modifications have been made to the bus schedule since the start of school. Please see the new schedules at www.southbayschool.org. Students do not need a special form to ride the bus to school in the morning. However, we do monitor who rides the bus home in the afternoon.   A student must use their regular bus stop each day, and may not change from their bus stop without a parent note.

Parent Pick Up
If you must pick up your child before the school day is over (3:00pm), you must sign the student out in the front office – no exceptions! Having a student come up missing during the day causes havoc and unnecessary stress on the staff. Thank you.

Student Release
The school office will only release your child to individuals listed on your emergency card. If you want someone other than you to pick up your child, and they are not on the emergency card, you must make prior arrangements with the school office. 

Picture Day Helpers Needed
If you are available during the day on September 30, the school office is in need of a parent helper to assist the photographer. Please call Hanne Heilmann at 443-4828 if you are interested.

7th & 8th Grade T-Dap Requirement
The deadline for 7th and 8th grade students to have the T-Dap immunization is Sept. 27th. By law, junior high students who have not had their T-Dap shot will not be allowed to attend school on Sept. 28. Please contact your physician or the county health department as soon as possible. Zane Middle School will be offering the T-Dap for FREE on Thursday, September 15 in Room 12 from 1:00-6:00pm.