Weekly Principal Calls to Families and Staff
As the Principal of Standley, I believe that communication between the school and families and staff is of utmost importance. Thus, I strive to send a phone call to our Standley families as necessary, usually at 6:00 p.m. I hope you appreciate the phone calls and the information they provide.
9/22/23 6:00 p.m
Hello Standley Families,
This is principal Bill Pearson calling with your weekly update. Thank you to the families that attended the SafetyNet presentation on Tuesday. It was loaded with helpful information to help families navigate raising children with devices and the internet. Hopefully, you were able to attend and can share the information with friends and family. Remember, all students in attendance this week heard the student version through PE classes. Our after-school tutoring program, Homework Club, begins next week and will continue the rest of the year every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:00-4:00 in the media center. The purpose of Homework Club is for students to get assistance on any homework from either a staff member or peer tutor. Homework Club is not an after-school care program, or a holding area between school and outside activities. Students must bring work to do at all times with the goal of getting all homework done before they go home so their evenings are free. Students must sign up in the main office during lunch each day they plan on attending Homework Club. Rules will be posted at the sign ups and reviewed in the media center. You may find them attached to this email. Encourage your child to attend as needed or as part of your daily routine. As the district continues to strengthen the communications between school and home, some new options are in place for schools to include text messages and emails with multiple translations. If you feel you are missing our calls and emails, please make sure the school has your correct cell phone number and email address to be sure you are getting our messages. If you would like your messages in a language other than the one you are receiving, reach out to our office and let us know and we will try to accommodate. Finally, come to the next PTSA General Association meeting on Wednesday, September 27th, at 6:30 P.M., and hear how PTSA plans to support our Standley community this school year during their budget review. Hear school updates from me and find out ways you can get involved and get answers to your middle school questions/concerns from other Standley parents. You may attend in person at the Standley Media Center or virtually through the Zoom link. The PTSA looks forward to connecting with all of you!
PTSA Meeting
9/15/23 6:00 p.m.
Hello Standley Families,
This is principal Bill Pearson calling with your weekly update. Thank you to the families that attended the Tools for Success Parent Presentation on Tuesday evening. The purpose of the presentation was to share tools that you and your child can access to help them get unstuck when they are stuck. If you were unable to make it, you can find a link to the presentation on our school website and it is highly recommended. Next week we are hosting a SafetyNet Presentation for all students during PE classes on Monday and Tuesday. The San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (SD-ICAC) and the San Diego Police Foundation are providing tools to help families manage their online lives. Students will learn about cyberbullying, social networking, gaming, sexting, and online predators. Parents and caregivers are invited to attend a parent presentation from SafetyNet on Tuesday at 6 via Zoom. You will find the link under “Upcoming Events” on our school website. The first UC Cluster Meeting of the year will be on Monday via Zoom with the link also posted under “Upcoming Events”. Finally, please support the Standley PTSA by going to the PTSA Dine Out Fundraiser (Bites for Benefits) at The Kebob Shop in La Jolla on Thursday, September 21. They are going to give back 50% from purchases all day (lunch or dinner) using the attached flyer or coupon code.
PTSA Dine Out Flyer
UC Cluster Meeting Flyer
9/8/23 6:00 p.m.
Hello Standley Families,
This is principal Bill Pearson calling with your weekly update. We would like to offer a huge thanks to all the families that showed up to our Back To School Night. That was the largest turnout in the last few years. We are grateful for your support and look forward to a fantastic year. Next Tuesday we will host a Parent Presentation called “Tools for Success” at 6:00 p.m. via ZOOM. Hear about all the resources available to help you help your student get unstuck when they are stuck. The link will be available on our school website. Area Superintendent Mitzi Merino is extending an invitation to the University City Cluster Meet and Greet on Wednesday, September 13th from 4:30-5:30pm here at Standley Middle School. This meeting will provide an opportunity to learn more about your Area Superintendents and there will be time allotted for questions and answers. They are looking forward to creating partnerships and getting to know our community. On 8/29/23 a resolution was passed by the SDUSD Board of Education naming September as Suicide Prevention month. SDCOE is hosting virtual evening events (9/26/23 English and 9/27/23 Spanish) Experts will share techniques for recognizing potential signs and teaching what steps should be followed. We are serious about safety and we do monthly drills to prepare for emergency situations. Today, we held an evacuation drill of the whole school so students will be prepared should a real emergency happen. Students did a great job and we were back in classes quickly. Finally, please support the Standley PTSA by going to the PTSA Dine Out Fundraiser (Bites for Benefits) at The Kebob Shop in La Jolla on Thursday, September 21. They are going to give back 50% from purchases all day (lunch or dinner) using the attached flyer or coupon code.
SDCOE Suicide Prevention Resources
PTSA Dine Out Flyer
9/5/23 6:00 p.m.
Hello Standley Families,
This is principal Bill Pearson calling with your weekly update. We want to remind you that schools will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day. School will resume with a normal schedule on Tuesday. We have been reviewing the schoolwide expectations during Academic Prep classes for the last two weeks and held Behavior Expectations Assemblies today through PE. All students riding the bus met to review expectations while using district provided transportation. At this point, we expect all students to abide by classroom and school policies including getting to class on time, dress code, and citizenship standards. I want to remind all families that every child at Standley continues to be eligible for free breakfast and lunch all year. The forms sent home will help determine school and student eligibility for next school year. We would like to get some additional dates on your calendar for September.
Sept. 6 Back to School Night
Sept. 12 Tools For Success Parent Presentation
Sept. 13 Make up Picture Day through PE
Sept. 18 UC Cluster Meeting
Sept. 19 Safety Net Parent Presentation
Sept. 27 PTSA General Association Meeting
8/27/23 5:00 p.m.
Hello Standley Families,
This is an important message regarding food delivery and campus safety. Due to the unique layout of our school and the potential for unsafe conditions, we will not accommodate food delivery services during the school day. Services like Uber Eats and GrubHub hire drivers who do not undergo thorough background checks, which creates a safety concern for our school. The deliveries also interrupt our staff and take them away from important duties. As a reminder, Standley Middle does not allow food delivery from restaurants or other delivery services. When outside food is delivered at lunch your child will be swarmed with pressure to share and it creates a major disruption. Please remind your student of this important practice. As a parent, you are welcome to bring your child’s lunch to the main office if they forget it but remember, all students receive a meal at no cost all year. Any food delivery services sent to the school will be refused and if the service bypasses the office, it will be confiscated. Thanks for helping us keep school safe and free of unnecessary distractions.
8/25/23 6:00 p.m.
Hello Standley Families,
This is principal Bill Pearson calling with your weekly update. We are thankful to you and your children for a smooth start to the year. We enjoyed seeing all the bright eyes and smiling faces throughout the day and especially at lunch when they reconnected with old friends and made new ones. We thank you for your patience as we work on scheduling enrollment priorities due to an unexpected over enrollment. Many classes are completely full, and we are still seeing families enroll, but our focus has been on fixing gaps and possible errors while enrolling new students. Counselors will begin to review course change requests next week and call students in if changes should, or can, be made. Monday, students will receive a packet of important forms that need your attention. Please complete all forms and return them to school with your student. Mark your calendars for Back to School Night at Standley Middle School on September 6th at 6 p.m. We look forward to welcoming you back, or for the first time, to our campus. You play a vital role in the future of our school. You may support us by joining the Standley PTSA as a member or volunteer.
Thanks for listening and have a great weekend.
Sign up for PTSA Here
8/24/23 3:30 p.m.
Hello Standley Families,
This is a special message for our families who may be impacted by the death of the student at the end of summer that was announced last week. As promised, we were prepared to support those in need all week with additional counselors and activities to help students that were struggling with the loss. Whether you or your child was connected to the student, loss is hard for everyone.
Coping with the loss of a loved one, especially a young one, can be an overwhelming experience for children. We want to let you know that you are not alone in helping your child. There are resources and organizations available to provide you with the guidance, understanding, and emotional support you need during this time of healing.
If you or any member of your family are seeking help, we've compiled a list of organizations and resources that specialize in providing support to individuals who have lost a loved one to suicide:
Coalition to Support Grieving Students
https://grievingstudents.org/
National Alliance for Children’s Grief
https://nacg.org/
Grief Support Groups: The Elizabeth Hospice Children’s Bereavement Program is an option. Their Peer-Based Support Groups are for children ages 3-17 who have experienced the death of a loved one. Enrollment is currently open and at no cost to families. If families are interested in applying on behalf of their children they can use the link below.
https://elizabethhospice.org/grief-support/children/
If students are interested in ongoing individual grief counseling, their guardian can contact The Elizabeth Hospice Services Team at (760) 737-2054 to submit a referral.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7. They can provide immediate assistance and connect you with local resources.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP): The AFSP offers various resources, including local support groups and online forums where you can connect with others who have experienced similar losses.
Therapists and Counselors: Seeking the help of a licensed mental health professional can be incredibly beneficial during this time. They can provide you with individual or family therapy tailored to your needs.
Books and Literature: There are numerous books written by experts in the field of grief and loss that can offer insights, coping strategies, and comfort during this challenging period.
Please remember that healing takes time, and it's okay to reach out to others for support. Students can surround themselves with understanding friends and family to provide a sense of connection and solace.
We are here for you and willing to assist in any way we can. If you need assistance finding local resources, connecting with support groups, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
8/22/23 2:55 p.m.
Hello Standley Families,
This is principal Bill Pearson thanking your family for an amazing first day of school. All students in attendance first period should have received a Standley Planner to stay organized for the year and a Meal Eligibility Form. Be sure to review the first 18 pages of the planner with your child as those are the basic expectations at school.
California was the nation’s leader in implementing a Universal Meal Program last school year. All students received a breakfast and lunch each school day at no cost. The Meal Program will continue this year and students will be able to receive a breakfast and lunch at no cost. However, this school year, meal eligibility applications are necessary at Standley. This is different from last year. Not enough students qualified for the free meal eligibility to skip the application processing. In short, we need to determine and certify student meal eligibility for Food Services to receive federal and state reimbursement for the meals served to students this year.
Please complete the paper form and return it to the school. Only one application is needed per household. Parents may also fill out the application online at www.sandiegounified.org/food
Eligibility categories also determine LCFF funding, Title I rankings, rebates, and other grant monies available to the district and its schools. Thanks in advance for helping us qualify moving forward.
8/20/23 1:45 p.m.
Dear San Diego Unified Families,
Out of an abundance of caution, San Diego Unified is delaying the first day of school. Our first day of school will now be on Tuesday, August 22.
We are making this decision based on the latest storm-related information from local officials. This storm is expected to impact our region most severely today, between 4 and 8 p.m., with strong winds and flooding expected in some areas, along with potential power outages and road closures. This may very well result in damage to facilities that may not become evident until Monday morning.
Postponing the first day will allow us to assess any impacts to schools and district offices, and ensure that we are prepared to welcome our students and families to the new school year.
As we continue to monitor the weather and the impact in our community, I remain hopeful that the storm will continue to decrease in its intensity as it moves through our region. However, given the uncertainty of the weather and our need to thoroughly assess any impacts to our facilities, all schools will be closed to students on Monday, August 21.
We know the first day of school brings joy and excitement for students, families and staff. Thank you for your understanding, and for our collective desire to have the best first day of school possible for you, our students, and our staff.
Please take care of one another and follow emergency guidelines.
It is important that you stay connected and informed about public safety conditions in our district and community. Consider signing up for Alert San Diego and visit the County of San Diego website to boost your family’s preparedness for this storm or any other emergencies.
Thank you for your partnership, and stay safe.
With much love,
Dr. Lamont A. Jackson
Superintendent of Public Education
8/18/23 6 p.m.
Hello Standley Families,
This is principal Bill Pearson calling with your weekly update. The first day of school begins Monday with the first bell ringing at 8:00 a.m. and a 2:55 dismissal. We will pass out schedules by grade level and alpha to all students starting at 7:30. Each schedule will have all of their classes, room numbers, teacher names, ID#, and a school map. Students will also get a new lunch PIN card they can use until student IDs are delivered. Due to the possibility of bad weather, 6th grade will pick up schedules in the library, 7th grade in the auditorium, and 8th grade in the activity room. Please see the attached map or visit our website to see locations if you are new to Standley. We know students are finding creative ways to look at draft schedules on line but these are not accurate so students must pick up a schedule on Monday and follow that schedule. They may go to the wrong classes otherwise. Staff will be out in force to help them find their way and answer questions. If a student notices a problem like a missing class or the wrong class, they will go to the counseling office during the period with the problem to get it fixed. We ask that parents do not join students on campus or in buildings to minimize crowds and keep lines organized. Please do not use the staff parking lots for drop-off or pick-up. The drive way must remain clear for district vehicles and school buses. Drop-offs and pick-ups are along Governor and/or Radcliffe. All students will be able to pick up a breakfast item every morning, no charge, and lunch will continue to be free for all students this year with a lunch PIN. All students need to bring their school issued laptop, charged, with the charging cable and positive attitude. Teachers will let students know what is recommended throughout the course of the day. Students will not be marked tardy and we will assist them getting to classes. If you have a free morning on Monday and would like to help us distribute schedules to students, we have a few sign ups available on the link provided in the corresponding email. We are super excited to welcome students back to campus and staff have been preparing classrooms and activities worthy of your children. We look forward to partnering with you on your child’s educational journey this year. Please refer to our website for more information about Standley and don’t forget to sign up with PTSA!
Volunteer For Schedule Distribution Here
Sign up for PTSA Here
FAQ for Standley
School Map
8/17/2023 12:00 p.m.
Dear Standley Families:
It is with great sadness that I notify you of the death of one of our students this week who was a rising 8th grader. All of us at Standley Middle School are deeply saddened by his death.
District counselors will be on campus Monday to assist students, staff and parents as needed. The school counselors will continue to provide support throughout the week. Please be assured that we are doing everything possible to prepare for a smooth opening day while supporting each other as we deal with this sad event. We will provide outlets for student expression such as drawing, writing and talking in a special lunch time activity in the media center.
It is normal to expect that your child may have feelings and questions. We encourage you to talk to your child, listen, and respond factually and honestly to his/her concerns, according to age and maturity level.
In an effort to protect the privacy of the student, we are limited in the details we may share. However, we felt that it was important that you know about this situation in case you are hearing rumors from social media or your child. We ask that you please respect the family's privacy during this difficult time. In the meantime, if I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected].
Sincerely,
William Pearson
Principal
Standley Middle School
8/12/23 6 p.m.
Hello Standley Families,
This is principal Bill Pearson calling with your weekly update. This week we held a virtual New Parent Orientation with lots of great information to get you and your child back in the know for the new school year. If you missed it, a link is provided on our school website and will remain through the first week of school. We want to give you one more reminder about the PTSA Prep Day scheduled for next Tuesday from 7:30-10:30 at Standley Middle School. This is an optional event but we are expecting several hundred families to attend and PTSA would love your support by volunteering if you are able. Please click on the link provided to find a time that works for you. This is a great opportunity to get involved, meet other parents and staff, and support your child’s school. If you live in the neighborhood, you are very aware of the construction on Genessee Avenue that can impact your drive to and from school this year. The City of San Diego Pure Water Project has a website where you can find notices, recent presentations, a fact sheet and more. You may also sign up to receive construction notices directly by signing up to their email list and choosing option #6.
Finally, our main office is open from 8-3 all next week. We are looking forward to partnering with you this year on the middle school journey.
Thanks for listening and have a great weekend!
PTSA Prep Day
PTSA Prep Day Volunteer Link
Morena North Pipeline Project (University City)
8/9/23 9 a.m.
Hello Standley Families,
This is principal Bill Pearson reminding you about the PTSA Prep Day scheduled for next Tuesday from 7:30-10:30 at Standley Middle School. This is an optional event but we are expecting several hundred families to attend and PTSA would love your support by volunteering if you are able. Please click on the link provided to find a time that works for you. This is a great opportunity to get involved, meet other parents and staff, and support your child’s school. Thanks for your consideration and have a great day!
PTSA Prep Day Volunteer Link
8/3/23 8 a.m.
Dear Families,
SDUSD students' in grades 6-8 have an amazing opportunity to participate in
Middle School Athletics after school and on Saturdays at middle and high school
campuses. We invite your student to participate this upcoming Fall season in
either basketball or track & field. This opportunity is for SDUSD
students only. Please fill out this form to sign your student up to participate
in either basketball or track & field during the Fall season. Completion of
this form allows your student to tryout for their school's team.
Sign
Up Form
Middle
School Athletics Webpage and Links
8/2/23 11 a.m.
Hello Standley Families,
This is Principal Bill Pearson calling to welcome your family to Standley Middle School. Thank you for partnering with us on your child’s middle school journey this year. Standley offices will re-open on August 7th with office hours of 8-3 until school starts on August 21st. Be sure to visit our website for all the latest information about the upcoming school year. We will be working to create schedules for all students to make sure they have all the classes they need and schedules will be provided on the first day of school. You can help with this important process by keeping us up to date on your enrollment. If you know you will not be returning to Standley next year, we ask that you email our office ([email protected] ) as soon as possible to let us know. We can drop your student which then allows you to enroll them in their new school with enough time for the new school to include them in the scheduling process. We will host a New Student Orientation meeting for families that have not attended a Standley Orientation previously via ZOOM at 6 p.m. on August 8th. The link will be available on our website and the presentation will be posted for you to review after at your convenience. We want to get the PTSA Prep Day on your calendar for August 15th from 7:30-10:30 am. Families will be able to take their school photo for ID’s, purchase PE clothes, take a self-guided tour, and visit information tables for school activities. Maybe you haven’t even considered school yet, but if you have and want more information, please see our responses to the most frequently asked questions on the FAQ link found on our website or the corresponding email.
We are looking forward to partnering with you this year on the middle school journey. We hope the remainder of your summer is awesome!
PTSA Prep Day
6/16/23 6 p.m.
Hello Standley Families,
This is Principal Bill Pearson calling with your end of school year message. Thank you for partnering with us on your child’s middle school journey this year. Standley offices will be closed for the summer and re-open on August 7th with office hours of 8-3 until school starts on August 21st. Be sure to visit our website for all the latest information about the upcoming school year. We will be working to create schedules for all returning students to make sure they have all the classes they need. You can help with this important process by keeping us up to date on your enrollment. If you know you will not be returning to Standley next year, we ask that you call or email our office ([email protected] ) as soon as possible to let us know. We can drop your student which then allows you to enroll them in their new school with enough time for the new school to include them in the scheduling process. If you wait until August, your child may miss out on space available elective options or best class placement due to late enrollments. SDUSD will be offering free meals to all students all summer starting next week at multiple locations. Visit the district website for more information or click on the link provided in the corresponding email. Finally, we want to get the PTSA Prep Day on your calendar for August 15th from 7:30-10:30 am. Families will be able to take their school photo for ID’s, purchase PE clothes, take a self-guided tour, and visit information tables for school activities. On behalf of the entire Standley staff, we wish you and your family an amazing summer!
Free Summer Meals for Students
PTSA Prep Day
6/9/23 6 p.m.
Hello Standley Families,
This is Principal Bill Pearson calling with your weekly update. Today is the last Friday of the school year and June 14th is the last day for students. Our main office will be open through Friday of next week and then closes for the summer. Students will have modified schedules for the next 3 days to accommodate 8th grade promotion practice and the ceremony but begin and ends times will remain the same on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday, the last day of school, will end at 1:10 p.m.
As a reminder, 8th graders received their registration packets for UC High School after they turned in their textbooks in the media center. There is a letter attached with instructions and they need to be completed and returned to the Standley office before the end of the school year. After that, they will need to be turned in to UC High over the summer. If your student was absent when packets were distributed, please visit the high school to pick up the required paperwork.
Please help us in congratulating this year's PTSA Honorary Service Award recipients!
Ashleigh Messerman, Honorary Parent Service Award
Hiram Gonzalez, Outstanding Teacher Award
Eve Wright, Outstanding Teacher Award
6/2/23 6 p.m.
Hello Standley Families,
This is principal Bill Pearson calling with your weekly update. UC High counselors were here today to hand out registration packets to all 8th graders after they turned in their textbooks in the media center. There is a letter attached with instructions and they need to be completed and returned to the Standley office before the end of the year. After that, you will need to turn them in to UC High over the summer. Students that purchased yearbooks received passes to the yearbook signing events next week in class today. These must have a clearance stamp from the library to indicate all items have been returned prior to participating so be sure to help them get all materials returned. We would like to thank all families that contributed to help make Standley amazing this year through participation in SSC, SGT, ELAC, PTSA, DAC, and UC Educate. It is your contributions of time, talent, and/or finance that make the difference in good to great and you are appreciated. Next week is the last full week of school so encourage your students keep on course through the end of the year so we all can enjoy the last days of school and leave on a positive note. The last day of school is June 14th.