Hedenkamp News

2020-2021 School Year

Welcome Back! We are looking forward to a wonderful school year with all our Huskies. Even though we can’t start the school year in person, we are excited to start the year virtually on August 31st. We know that with our amazing parents as partners, we will ensure a meaningful Distance Learning experience for all our Huskies. It is critical that you follow our blog for important information. Please also visit and follow our PTA Blog. We are looking forward to the very first PTA association meeting of the 2020-2021 school year! Please join us on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, tentatively scheduled for 6:00pm. Everyone is welcome! This meeting will be hosted virtually, so we kindly ask all attendees to please RSVP to PTA@HuskiesPTA.com for access to the meeting link. Over the next few weeks, we will share additional important details about our virtual start to 2020-2021 school year!

Residency Verification

Our annual proof of residency for returning students is going on now. ALL STUDENTS with the exception of incoming Kindergarteners who already registered, MUST provide documentation of residency.  All bills used to prove residency must have a date of July 1st or later.  Please review the documents below for detailed information.  

Residency Verification Letter

Verification of Residency Document

Second Family Residency Form (only for families living with another family)

Parent Leaders Needed

Are you interested in getting more involved at Hedenkamp?  We need parents to serve on our School Site Council and English Learner Advisory Committee.  If you are interested in making decisions about our school budget and Single Plan for Student Achievement, please consider getting involved.  Please let Mrs. Mazeau (gina.mazeau@cvesd.org) know if you would like to get involved.

Technology Needs

In order to prepare for a smooth launch to Distance Learning, we need some information from our families. We want to ensure your child has a reliable device and internet access for Distance Learning. If you have not done so already, please complete and submit our survey by August 10th. We want to ensure all Huskies have any devices they may need prior to the first day of Distance Learning on August 31st.

Technology Needs

ATTENTION KINDERGARTEN PARENTS

We are thrilled to welcome all our new kindergarten Huskies and families to Hedenkamp! We look forward to partnering with you over the next several years on your child’s educational journey!

You have probably heard that the in person kindergarten assessments were canceled indefinitely due to the pandemic. The reason that we conduct kindergarten assessments is to create balanced classes. Teachers and students have an easier time when there is a mix/balance of student abilities in each class. Some kindergarten students are just learning how to write their names and some are already reading. Even with my four children there was a difference in where they were in terms of being “ready” for Kindergarten. Just know that all children are ready no matter where they are in their learning. That being said, to balance the classrooms we would like to know a little about each of your children before they start the year with us. If you haven’t done so already, please complete the survey below by August 12th to help us get some information about your child.

Kindergarten Assessment Survey

Please be advised:  If your registration paperwork has not been completed, this survey does not guarantee enrollment. All registration paperwork must be turned in before your child will be placed in a class!

Hedenkamp News

Technology Needs

As you have heard, we will begin the school year on Monday, August 31st in Distance Learning mode. In order to prepare for a smooth launch to Distance Learning, we need some information from our families. We want to ensure your child has a reliable device and internet access for Distance Learning. Please complete and submit our survey so we ensure all Huskies have any devices they may need prior to the first day of Distance Learning on August 31st.

Technology Needs

 

Attention Kindergarten Parents

 

We are thrilled to welcome all our new kindergarten Huskies and families to Hedenkamp! We look forward to partnering with you over the next several years on your child’s educational journey!

You have probably heard that the in person kindergarten assessments were canceled indefinitely due to the pandemic. The reason that we conduct kindergarten assessments is to create balanced classes. Teachers and students have an easier time when there is a mix/balance of student abilities in each class. Some kindergarten students are just learning how to write their names and some are already reading. Even with my four children there was a difference in where they were in terms of being “ready” for Kindergarten. Just know that all children are ready no matter where they are in their learning. That being said, to balance the classrooms we would like to know a little about each of your children before they start the year with us. Please complete the survey below to help us get some information about your child.

Please be advised:  If your registration paperwork has not been completed, this survey does not guarantee enrollment. All registration paperwork must be turned in before your child will be placed in a class!

Kindergarten Assessment Survey

We are looking forward to a wonderful new year with all our Huskies. Our weekly Sunday Blog posts will resume on Sunday, August 9th. Please remember to follow the blog and follow us on Twitter! Thank you!

New Associate Principal

Exciting News

I am pleased to announce our new Associate Principal – Catherine Kratochvil-Rojo! Please see her message to our community below:

Dear Hedekamp Elementary Families,

It is with great excitement that I write this letter of introduction to you as the newly appointed Associate Principal of Hedenkamp Elementary School.  I am humbled and honored to be in this position. I am committed to working in partnership with Mrs. Mazeau, the staff, students, and parents to build relationships that will support our students’ academic and social-emotional development in the upcoming school year.

I am thrilled and privileged to be a part of this amazing community.  I have twenty-three years of educational experience as a bilingual teacher spanning grades K-12 in San Diego County and International Schools in Mexico. My most recent position was District Resource Teacher working at three schools here in Chula Vista Elementary School District. I believe in working closely with teachers, parents, and the community to ensure our children achieve their full potential as our future leaders. Hedenkamp Elementary is a model school of excellence, and I look forward to being a part of the Hedenkamp Husky family.

I can’t wait to work side-by-side with all of you and build strong relationships to strengthen our community in the upcoming school year.  Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns; my door will always be open.

Wishing you and your family a safe and healthy school year,

Catherine Kratochvil-Rojo

Associate Principal

Catherine Kratochvil-Rojo

Important Update

Dear Hedenkamp Families,

Please read the latest update (shared below) from our Superintendent regarding the start of the 20220-2021 school year. Although we were really looking forward to seeing our Huskies in person in August, health and safety for all are important. We will continue to share updates both from the district and Hedenkamp as we get closer to the start of the year. I can’t even begin to tell you how much we miss our Huskies! Please reach out if you have any questions. Please stay safe and healthy!

Kindly,

Gina Mazeau, Principal

School Year to Start in Distance Learning Model

Dr. Francisco Escobedo, Superintendent of CVESD

Dear Parents/Guardians and Staff Members,

I hope your summer is off to a great start and that your families remain healthy and safe. Since March, our community has stood together to combat the COVID-19 pandemic by staying home. This time with family reminds me that “Education Starts in the Home.” And given today’s reality, so does safety. Last year, our theme was “Nurturing Relationships Through Grit” and our staff, students and community persevered throughout a difficult period completing the school year in previously unimagined ways. For the coming school year, our theme calls on our community again by “Nurturing Relationships Through Greatness.”

Since our schools closed on March 13, 2020, the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD) staff supported our students and community through many initiatives. Child Nutrition Services team members provided food service to our families in need. District teachers adapted education to provide distance learning to finish the 2019-20 school year while providing meaningful social emotional support for our students. I am so thankful for the professionalism and effort provided by our employees!

We are anxious to bring students and staff back to school for in-person instruction, but we must do so in a safe manner. Reopening campuses requires a great deal of planning and preparation, and many expenses that would not have been necessary under normal circumstances.

When the 2020-21 school year begins on August 31, it will be in a distance learning format. We will continue to work towards transitioning to in-person instruction but will only do so when guidance from local health officials supports a safe transition back to learning on site in classrooms. We know that many parents, students, staff, and community members are disappointed by this decision and we understand that this will complicate many individual family situations.

When students return to campus for in-person instruction, learning will look much different than previous years because of new health and safety measures. With safety goals always in mind, our leadership team, teachers, bargaining group representatives, parents, and community members are actively collaborating on a school reopening plan that will guide us on how to safely reopen our 46 campuses. At the suggestion of Board Members and a request from Board President Armando Farías, a Task Force on Reopening Schools was established to help us gather input and suggestions on guidelines and protocols in order to provide a strong continuity of learning for our students.

Even though the 2020-21 school year will begin with distance learning, it is important to know that our District will continue developing plans to transition into either a hybrid learning model; which is a combination of in-person instruction and distance learning, or into a full in-person instructional model. In fact, there are three learning models CVESD could possibly offer during the 2020-21 school year, which are:

• Distance Learning: During High Risk Level
  • 100% of the learning occurs while the teacher and the student are in different locations.
  • Includes many new components such as daily live interaction with the teacher, and instruction that is aligned to grade level standards, provided at a level of quality and intellectual challenge substantially equivalent to in-person instruction.
  • Other criteria for delivering instruction in a distance learning model has been outlined in Assembly Bill 77, which also includes a requirement for a minimum number of daily instructional minutes, depending on the student’s grade level.
• Hybrid Learning: During Medium Risk Level
  • A combination of in-person and distance learning. There are many variations of what a hybrid model could look like. Hybrid instructional scenarios would be designed to reduce the number of students on campus up to 50%.
  • 100% distance learning would also be an option offered to students who feel safer learning at home.
• In-person Instruction: During Low Risk Level
  • 100% of the learning occurs at school, in the classroom with the teacher. Distancing norms and safety protocols would be in place.
  • 100% distance learning would also be an option offered to students who feel safer learning at home.

If at any point in the school year, conditions worsen and Public Health orders the closure of schools, CVESD will be prepared to move back into a distance learning or hybrid model at any time.

Again, all students will start the coming school year in the 100% Distance Learning model. To address circumstances in which families cannot sustain 100% distance learning at home, and have no other option other than to send students to school for the entire school day, CVESD will need to be advised in advance by the parents/guardians. We are actively exploring childcare options for families who must have students in school full time.

Once it is safe to transition into a hybrid model or an in-person instructional model, CVESD will need to determine how many students would prefer to remain in a 100% distance learning model. Therefore, on Friday, July 17, 2020, the District will send registration information to families so that they may choose the educational option that best fits their needs and comfort level.

In addition to the above options, the District is working to develop enrichment materials for all of our students to reduce any lost education opportunities during this health emergency. For parents who are concerned about the impacts of the virus on their student(s), we hope the distance learning model provides a level of comfort. We know that the process of returning to school while adapting to either in-person or online instruction, along with a host of new procedures, will be challenging for everyone in our school communities. But, as we have done throughout this ordeal, we will work together, persevere, and ensure our students are supported in every way possible.

When schools do reopen their doors, up-to-date safety protocols set forth by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) will be in place. Guidelines and protocols adapt frequently based on the status of the local community. Based on what is known at this time:

• Students are fully expected to wear face coverings; employees are required to wear face coverings. We plan to provide supervised breaks and outdoor time where students can temporarily remove their masks.
• Handwashing and hygiene will be regularly enforced.
• Daily disinfection of classrooms will occur.
• Daily health screenings and temperature checks will occur.
• Physical distancing will be in place within the classroom to the extent possible and following state/local guidelines.

Between now and the beginning of the school year, the District will be communicating frequently. Additional information on changes to our school environment will be shared with you prior to the start of school.

I want to reiterate the pride I have for our community and its response to the ongoing epidemic. The events that began to unfold in March and have continued have created enormous challenges and we as a school district are here to help support our families, staff, and community during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Francisco Escobedo, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Tentative Calendar

A Tentative Calendar for the 2020-2021 school year has been shared and is Pending Board Approval.  Please note, that the Board Meeting when this calendar will be discussed and possibly approved is Wednesday, June 17.  Please note this calendar is subject to change.

Tentative 2020-2021 CalendarDownload

Hedenkamp News

A Message from Ms. Baltierra

Dear Huskies and Families, 

I hope you are resting and rejuvenating from the epic reverse parade and incredible activities that we participated in these last few weeks. When I started at Hedenkamp, the children and families were kind, warm and respectful. I felt welcomed. Little by little, we have built relationships and I have grown to love our Huskies and learn as much as I could about each one individually. I have tried my best to talk to as many Huskies as I can every day. They often share their favorite things to do at home, the funny things their teachers do in class and even when they aren’t having a particularly good day.  One thing that stands out about our Huskies is they have remarkable grit, intelligence and ambition. They bring me so much hope for our future.  

It is for this reason, I am sad to announce that I will not be returning to Hedenkamp next school year. It would have been my choice to continue with our Huskies a while longer, but I have been called to work at Arroyo Vista Charter School, where I began my career in Chula Vista. I am going to keep all your beautiful faces in my memory and all that you have taught me in my heart.  I will miss you more than you know, but I take solace in the fact that you have the best teachers and staff in Chula Vista! Please reach out any time and have a great summer break.  

Warmly, 

Kristin Baltierra 

Happy Summer

Thank you to those who came to our End of Year Reverse Parade!  We so loved seeing you all! We also appreciate all the love and gratitude you showed our amazing staff! As a reminder, students are able to access all programs they have been using this year, during the summer.  If you have borrowed a computer or hotspot from the school, you can use them throughout the summer.  Stay tuned for a return date.

 As a reminder, there will be no 4th quarter report cards for the 19-20 school year.

Do you still have library books or teacher materials that need to be returned?  Please drop them in the black bins near the office or knock on the office door between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:00pm. The office staff will be working through June 16th. The last day to drop off or pick up any items will be June 16th.

Remember, please check or follow the blog! We will post information about the 20202-2021 school year as soon as we receive more specific details!

WE NEED YOU! CURRENT PTA MEMBERS INVITED TO SERVE ON 2020-2021 EXECUTIVE BOARD!

Thank you to everyone who has taken time out to volunteer this year! We apprecite you! We welcome you to please consider serving with Hedenkamp PTA board; There are vacancies for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. Any current (2019-2020) Hedenkamp PTA members are welcome to serve (Not yet a member? You can join here!). Please nominate yourself by filling out this form.

Vacancies:

• Historian
• Treasurer
• Vice President of Fundraising 

If you have any questions or need help completing the nomination form, please email Parliamentarian@HuskiesPTA.com and/or PTA@HuskiesPTA.com.

The Hedenkamp Parent Teacher Association’s mission is to advocate for our children and teachers while providing them with all the necessities to be successful.

PARENT SURVEY

We really value your input! Please click here to take the CVESD Parent Survey to assist us in planning for 2020-2021. So far 390 parents from Hedenkamp have participated (the most in the district so far!!) If you have not participated yet, please do so today! We want to hear from all Hedenkamp families! We appreciate your input!

NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION FOR 2020-2021

Do you know a child who will be ready to start school in 2020? It’s time for TK and Kindergarten registration! We are also registering students that may have recently relocated to our area. Please spread the word! The school office is closed to the public, so registration is happening online.  Questions? email melissa.greene@cvesd.org

Current Hedenkamp  students do NOT need to re-register; they are automatically enrolled for 2020-21. Residency Verification for returning students will be done at a later date (stay tuned). If your child will NOT return to Hedenkamp for 2020-21 school year, please email melissa.greene@cvesd.org.

INCOMING KINDERGARTEN ASSESSMENT

If you registered your child for kindergarten in February or early March, you signed up for an appointment for an assessment in June.  Due to the pandemic, we are going to postpone these assessments.  We will post information on this blog with additional information about when the assessments will be rescheduled.  Please be sure to follow our blog and read all posts!

Please check out the learning and fun we had in our Hedenkamp husky community last week!

Happy Summer

We love our Husky Community

We were so happy to see so many of you at our Reverse Parade yesterday! We can’t begin to tell you how much joy it brought to us all! We hope it brought joy to our Huskies too! Our entire staff wishes you all a fun and rejuvenating summer! Please follow our blog for updates on when we will start the 2020-2021 school year! If you need anything at all over the break, please email me: gina.mazeau@cvesd.org. Please stay safe and healthy!

Hedenkamp Summer Fun Video

Last Chance for Pick Up/ Drop Off

We have one more opportunity to pick up awards, yearbooks, and medication. You may also drop off any library books or textbooks you may have at home also.

• When: Thursday, June 4th from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
• Where: Bus Loop
• Please stay in your Car
• Masks Required

Hedenkamp News

REMINDER REVERSE PARADE TOMORROW

We are super excited to wave all our Huskies off to summer break on Wednesday, June 3rd from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Our staff will line the parking lot and bus loop to wave to all our Huskies! We ask all families to come at your scheduled time, be safe, keep moving through the parade route, and stay in you cars. Please review the map to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow during the reverse parade. You may not stop to drop off or pick up any items during the reverse parade. If you have any items to drop off or pick up you may stop by the bus loop on June 4th from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

We Need You! Current PTA Members Invited to Serve on 2020-2021 Executive Board!

Thank you to everyone who has taken time out to volunteer this year! We apprecite you! We welcome you to please consider serving with Hedenkamp PTA board; There are vacancies for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year. Any current (2019-2020) Hedenkamp PTA members are welcome to serve (Not yet a member? You can join here!). Please nominate yourself by filling out this form.

Vacancies:

• Historian
• Treasurer
• Vice President of Fundraising 

If you have any questions or need help completing the nomination form, please email Parliamentarian@HuskiesPTA.com and/or PTA@HuskiesPTA.com.

The Hedenkamp Parent Teacher Association’s mission is to advocate for our children and teachers while providing them with all the necessities to be successful.

PARENT SURVEY

We really value your input! Please click here to take the CVESD Parent Survey to assist us in planning for 2020-2021. So far 390 parents from Hedenkamp have participated (the most in the district so far!!) If you have not participated yet, please do so today! We want to hear from all Hedenkamp families! We appreciate your input!

Hedenkamp News

A MESSAGE FOR OUR HUSKIES

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!  Please check out the latest message for our Hedenkamp Huskies. Also, please remember the first 10 families that email me where the hidden word (husky) is, will receive a special surprise for their children in the mail :

READ ALOUD OF THE WEEK

We are so fortunate to have an amazing librarian!  Thank you Mrs. Camarena for reading to our Huskies throughout Distance Learning! Please check out The Read Aloud of the Week, the video is intended for Hedenkamp students for educational purposes only and were created during the virtual distance learning protocol:

Yearbook Distribution, Award Pick Up, Medication Pick Up and Library Book Return

If you preordered a yearbook you may pick it up on Monday afternoon. We don’t have extra yearbooks this year, so if you did not preorder you will not be able to purchase a yearbook. You may also pick up awards presented virtually on 6/1/20, medication and other items you may have left at school. In addition, please drop off any library books you may have.

• When: Monday, June 1st from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
• Where: Bus Loop
• Please stay in your Car
• Masks Required

Reverse Parade

We are super excited to wave all our Huskies off to summer break on Wednesday, June 3rd from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Our staff will line the parking lot and bus loop to wave to all our Huskies! We ask all families to come at your scheduled time, be safe, keep moving through the parade route, and stay in you cars. Please review the map to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow during the reverse parade.

HAVE A GREAT SUMMER BREAK!

We are so thankful for another great year with our Huskies! Our last day of school is Wednesday, June 3. Even though our year didn’t end the way we expected to, we are grateful that we had the opportunity to continue learning and connecting with our students even though we could not be together physically.  Students may continue to use Smarty Ants Achieve 3000, Raz-Kids, and Go Math over the summer break to keep reading and learning.  If students borrowed a school laptop, they can keep over the summer to access our learning resources. We are not yet sure when we will return to school for the 2020-2021 school year, but we will notify you husky here as soon as we know. Please be sure to follow our blog so you receive all important updates.

Summer Reading Ideas

As you look for titles to read with your children over the summer, please consider adding some of these titles to your reading list: 31 Children’s Books to support conversations on race, racism, and resistance and 19 Books to help children find hope and strength in stressful times.

Please check out the learning and fun we had in our Hedenkamp community last week!

Happy Friday

Our Last Huskies Report from Home

Huge Shout Out to our Broadcast Team for all their hard work! Check out our final broadcast of the 2019-2020 school year!

Huskies Report from Home

INNOVATION FUN

During this week, members of our District Innovation Team will be hosting live online events that explore topics from superhero technology, to building important tools (that will also produce some tasty treats), to exploring the amazing structures animals use for survival. All live sessions will be hosted on the Microsoft Teams platform and are open to the public to join.

Today Ms. Quiros will show you some of the amazing structures that animals use for survival! Please click here to join the live event! You won’t want to miss it!

Have a great day and a wonderful weekend!