Dear CSD Families:

I want to take a moment to remind our families that keeping children safe is something we work on together every day. both at school and at home. As many of our students spend time online playing games, watching videos, or connecting with friends, this is a good opportunity to check in with them about how to use technology safely and responsibly.

We encourage you to talk with your child about simple habits that help keep them safe, like not sharing personal information, being kind in digital spaces, and telling a trusted adult right away if something they see or hear online makes them feel unsure or uncomfortable. Even our youngest learners benefit from knowing that adults are here to listen, guide, and support them.

Our schools continue to be safe and caring places because of the strong partnership we share with our families, staff, and community. Thank you for the many ways you support your child’s well-being and help us build a positive environment where all students can learn and grow.

And since fall is here, we thought it would be fun to share some fall-themed fun facts that your children might enjoy exploring with you:

Fun Fall Facts for Kids

• Fall has its own special smell from crisp air, leaves, and plants changing colors.
• Not all places have the same fall colors—some leaves turn red, some golden yellow, and some stay green.
• Leaves change color in fall because trees stop making green pigment, showing the reds, yellows, and oranges underneath.

We hope these fun facts inspire curiosity and learning, and maybe even spark a few family conversations about the amazing things happening around us this season.

Take care,

Michael Chaix, Ed.D.
 Superintendent

Los Amigos Elementary School

By Principal Amber Arreguin

Growing Tomorrow’s Leaders: 4th Grade Launches Student Leadership Team

This week, our amazing 4th grade teaching time, Ms. Peterman, Ms. Martinez, Ms. Vaca, and Mr. Acuna proudly launched our 4th Grade Student Leadership Team, an exciting new opportunity designed to empower students, strengthen school culture, and build the next generation of leaders here in our Dragon Community.

To kick off the program, our 4th grade teachers facilitated a mini professional development session. Students enjoyed a special lunch together, followed by an engaging series of activities that helped set the tone for their leadership journey.

The session began with a fun ice-breaker and community circle, giving students a chance to build trust, share, and have fun. From there, students engaged in thoughtful discussions around prompts such as: A time when I have felt like a leader is when…,why are you excited about being a leader, and what do you hope to gain from this experience. These conversations encouraged students to reflect deeply on their strengths and experiences.

Our amazing teachers also guided students through a workshop on how to lead student community circles, a skill that plays a key role in our PBIS, POG, and restorative practices. Students practiced how to navigate circle conversations with confidence. 

Each student leader was then assigned a leadership group. To personalize their leadership identity, they designed a poster and created a 3D printed talking piece that will be used during circle time.

We are thrilled to share that this Friday, our student leaders will facilitate their very first community circles with their peers! These circles will continue every other Friday throughout the school year and will focus on spreading kindness, encouraging positive contributions, and strengthening student voice across campus.

Our goal is to build student capacity in leadership skills, promote empathy, and support students in practicing calm, productive dialogue, as well as using respectful words, actions, and active listening. We are incredibly proud of our 4th grade teachers for leading this initiative and even more proud of our young leaders who are stepping up to make a difference.

Together, we are empowering Dragons to lead with heart, purpose, and community.