Keeping our students’ healthy and safe is our top priority. Being healthy includes sun safety. Hope has launched a new Sun Education Program to help teach our Hawk students, families and community how to protect ourselves from the strong California sun while enjoying our outdoor lifestyles. Hope has partnered with Sun Bum’s Protect the Groms, a non-profit program, to help us provide various sun safety education opportunities throughout the year. We are the first Carlsbad school to receive a Sun Wise designation from the through the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF).
We encourage all students, staff and families to take preventative measures when exposed to the sun, whether at Hope, at home or on vacation, including:
1. Sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)
2. Hat (wide-brimmed, SPF rated recommended)
3. Sunglasses
4. Long clothing (long sleeves and pants when possible)
Hope parents are encouraged to have students apply sun block (SPF 30 or higher) each morning at home. As part of our sun protection initiative, we will allow students to bring sunscreen to school and apply as necessary. Make sure your student knows how to apply sunscreen as staff will not apply sunscreen to the students.
Hope Elementary is now registered as a Sun Wise school through the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF). To read more about Sun Wise programs, visit www.neefusa.org.
We have been working closely with the CUSD main office, Carlsbad Police Department, and other agencies to address safety and security improvements. As part of this process, the district has made a number of recommendations and required changes that will be implemented this year. A few of the primary changes parents and students should expect in 2018-2019 are:
We know these changes will be a challenging shift for some of our families, as they represent a change from the traditional “openness” of our campus. However, as recent events have highlighted, the reality surrounding our schools has changed in the past few years. Because student safety and security are our number one priority, we will continue to seek opportunities to make our campus more safe and secure for everyone.
Students, staff, and parents have an important role in promoting school safety by following procedures and reporting unusual or concerning individuals or behavior. It is important to maintain a balance between sufficient building security and providing students a healthy, nurturing, normal school environment. Safety measures at school extend across all parts of our campus.
When in the parking lot, parents should observe all instructions from the crosswalk attendant and be alert to moving traffic. You should always use a crosswalk instead of walking through lanes of traffic. Parents must remain in their vehicles along the fire lane and only vehicles of families with students in rooms 1, 2 and 4 are allowed directly in front of the main gate and kindergarten area for student drop off and pick up times.
There is limited access to our school buildings with our office as the only point of entry when classes are in session. Gates must remain closed and locked during school hours . All visitors are required to check in at the front office to obtain a visitor's badge and use the sign in/out binder. A passive closed-circuit television monitoring system records activity with 14 cameras on campus and our campus alarm system is actively monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by a private security firm.
We maintain a safe and caring school through clear behavioral expectations, positive behavior interventions and supports, and crisis planning and preparedness. Our School Safety Plan, which addresses school safety issues (prevention, preparing, responding, and recovering), is formally reviewed each year by our School Site Council and staff members. The plan is updated regularly.
Open communication between home and school is critical to the safety and well-being of our students and your children. Let us know if you have a concern or question about school policies or your child's safety.
The internet offers a world of opportunities to socialize and communicate. But they come with risks. OnGuardOnline.gov's Net Cetera campaign provides information and resources about helping kids make safe, responsible decisions when they're online. Visit this link for more information.
It is always essential to take care of our mental health, but especially during times of tragedy. Below are a few resources that may be helpful in times of crisis:
SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Line: Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. Click here
As we work together to raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, and prevent suicides, it is vitally important that we take care of ourselves. Our most valuable resource is each other and we need to strive to be ready for the tasks ahead, by practicing what is often referred to as “self-care.” Self-care includes activities and practices that we can engage in on a regular basis to reduce stress and to maintain and enhance our short and long term health and well-being. Self-care is an essential survival skill and is necessary for our effectiveness and success in honoring our professional and personal commitments.
Below you will find links to information, materials, and resources that can be used to assess what we are doing, as individuals, to care for ourselves.
Make sure you're protected. Getting vaccinated offers you the best chance to stay healthy. Vaccines protect against different flu viruses each season. For additional questions regarding Tri-City Medical Center's flu clinics, please call 760-940-5758. For more information about the flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control's website, www.flu.gov.