Have a great weekend!

Safety Reminder
Please be extra cautious when entering the dirt parking lot by car (speed limit: 5 mph).
The children under parents’ supervision should avoid running on the dirt parking lot, as cars are regularly parking and leaving.
Upcoming Events by dates
Monday, January 18th
Martin Luther King’s Day – No School
Tuesday, January 19th
COVID-19 Screening
Make-up day and distance learners K-8 Pictures with Lifetouch
Tuesday, January 26th at 4:15 pm
School Council #2 (virtual event)
Wednesday, January 27th at 5:30 pm
State of the School (virtual event)
Thursday, January 28th at 12:00 pm
Room Parents Meeting (virtual event)
Thursday, January 28th at 5:30 pm
Cognitive Development in Bilingual Children, A presentation by Ellen Bialystok (virtual event)
Sunday, January 31st at 2 pm
Why boost your immune system and why? (virtual event)
February 3, 4 & 5th starting at 8:30 am
PK0-PK1-PK2 Pictures by Alexandra Borbolla
Saturday, February 6th or Sunday, February 7th at 2 pm (tentative date)
À Table Series – Savory and Sweet Crêpes Workshop (virtual event)
February 8th – February 21st
Book Fair
Friday, February 19th
Minimum Day
Monday, February 22nd – Friday, February 26th
February Break – Camp for PK and Kindergarten
Reminder: Minimum Day Pick-up times
Kindergarten (by the auditorium)– 11:45 am
3rd, 4th & 5th grade (dirt parking lot) – 11:45 am
Middle School (dirt parking lot) – 12:15 pm
We encourage you to subscribe to the events calendar, so you can get automatic reminders.
From the Financial Aid Office (deadlines coming soon)
1) Financial Aid Allocated by SDFAS (deadline February 1st) SDFAS offers tuition assistance to qualified applicants based entirely on demonstrated financial need.
Make sure to submit your application before February 1st, 2021. You will be able to upload your tax return or other supporting documents later. More Information:
Financial Aid.
2 ) Bourses scolaires françaises pour l’année scolaire 21-22: (deadline February 19th) The French government awards scholarships to French nationals, three years and older, who demonstrate financial need. The timeline for 2021-2022 has now been published on the consulate website. More Information:
Financial Aid.
Message from Emmanuel Poulain:
Comme annoncé dans notre communication hebdomadaire (Echo Info # 17 du 8 janvier 2021 –
echo-info-17), la campagne des bourses scolaires 2021-2022 est ouverte à compter de demain 15 janvier avec une date limite de dépôt des dossiers fixée au
19 février 2021. Comme chaque année, nous sommes prêts à vous soutenir dans votre démarche. Il est impératif que nous puissions revoir votre dossier avant sa transmission ou tout au moins disposer d’une copie. Du fait des circonstances particulières liées à la pandémie, je vous propose soit de déposer une copie de votre dossier à l’école à mon attention soit de m’adresser par email le formulaire et les pièces obligatoires. Nous nous efforcerons de revenir vers vous dans les 24 heures de la transmission. Veuillez trouver les formulaires et brochures du Consulat de France à Los Angeles ci-dessous. Elles sont également accessibles sur leur site internet. (
bourses-scolaires-2021-2022).
4) Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) for Military/DoD Fee Assistance programs. New! We are now accredited by Child Care Aware® of America (CCAoA) for Military/DoD Fee Assistance programs.
Contact Isabelle Gilet, admissions@sdfrenchschool.org for more information.
From the Development Office
SAVE THE DATE! May 15, 2021
2021 GALA – TRUE COLORS The Gala directly benefits our students and faculty. Funds raised help us improve our campus (auditorium, track & field, etc.), preserve the socio-economic diversity of our student body through financial aid, invest in expert educators through professional development, foster innovation through programs and facilities (innovation lab), and much more.
We look forward to having you join the Gala Committee on the following dates:
- Tuesday, January 26th at 11 a.m.
- Tuesday, February 16th at 11 a.m.
- Tuesday, March 23rd at 11 a.m.
- Tuesday, April 27th at 11 a.m.
- Tuesday, May 11th at 11 a.m.
Join our first Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3310520338?pwd=ekNYaG9Db2NmbjJEN1lUd3JtdWJZdz09
Meeting ID: 331 052 0338 Passcode: 6550
For questions, contact Ana Walsh, 2021 Gala Chair at anaswalsh@aol.com or Véronique Rahmati, Director of Development at development@sdfrenchschool.org
Covid-19 surveillance testing
Tuesday, January 19th

To register for the screening test program on campus with the Excite lab, please submit the following forms. Once signed, these forms will be valid for all future screening tests. Please note that the new students’ information is submitted to the Excite lab to be registered every Friday. Newly registered students will not be eligible for testing until the NEXT Monday, 10 days later.
(1) Link
here to register
(2) Link
here for the Excite Lab consent form to download, complete and return by email to Marilyn Rakow, our school nurse
nurse@sdfrenchschool.org
(3) Link
here to give your consent via a separate Google form if you would like
SDFAS staff to do the nasal swab on your child(ren) (instead of you each week). This form is not mandatory. If this form is not submitted, parents need to come each week at the designated date and time and swab their children for the test sample.
Make-up day and distance learners K-8 Pictures with Lifetouch
Tuesday, January 19th
The photographers will be back on-site on Tuesday for make-ups from this week and for Distance Learners. The photos are taken outside, with safe physical distancing. The photographers are with us from 8 am to 1 pm so we ask that you come for your photo at the time assigned to your student’s class for COVID testing. An employee of the school will accompany your child to the studio.
NB: For MS DL students whose COVID test is after 1 pm, please come at your convenience in the 8 am-1 pm timeframe.
School Council #2 (virtual event)
Tuesday, January 26th at 4:15 pm
State of the School Address (virtual event)
Wednesday, January 27, from 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Please be informed and aware that all members of the SDFAS community are invited to the annual State of the School address. This presentation is always followed by a Q&A exchange and will be led by Mark Rosenblum (Head of School) and Peter Westlake (Board Treasurer). Other Zoom Webinar panelists will include Emmanuel Poulain (Director of Finance & Operations) and Véronique Rahmati (Director of Development) together with other Board members and administrators. Topics addressed during this important annual event include:
- Strategic plan goals and initiatives – Update
- Noteworthy accomplishments – Recognition
- Opportunities for ongoing progress forward – Future plans
- Financial health and enrollment status – Overview
- Covid matters – Statistics and evolving guidelines
If interested, please send us your questions before day’s end on Wednesday, January 20, using a form available at the link that follows. We will endeavor to provide answers to the most pertinent questions: Questions for the State of the School.
Cognitive Development in Bilingual Children by Ellen Bialystok (virtual event)
Thursday, January 28th, 2021 5:30 pm-7 pm

Please join us for a discussion with Ellen Bialystok, Ph.D., one of the world’s foremost authorities on bilingualism. Dr. Bialystok will lead a discussion on the cognitive effects of bilingual education, neural activity in bilingual children, and the effects of bilingualism across the lifespan.
Dr. Bialystok is a world-renowned psychologist who specializes in cognitive and language development in children. She is a professor at York University in Toronto, as well as an associate scientist at the Rotman Research Institute of the Baycrest Center for Geriatric Care. She is currently studying bilingualism from childhood through older adulthood, and the effects of aging on cognitive processes.
This promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking presentation, and we hope you can join us!
REGISTER HERE.
“À table” virtual series – A community-building initiative

Our cooking workshop on Saturday was again a big success. Thank you to Gregory Rivalan and Chrystel Gelin for sharing your recipe of the Galette des Rois. You did a fantastic job walking us through the recipe. It was delicious and really fun to make. Google Photos Album


February Workshop (date TBD): Les crêpes



Join SDFAS families in the kitchen to make your own Savory and Sweet Crêpes! Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy an exclusive taste of French cooking! Registration link in the next ECHO INFO.
“En bonne santé” virtual series
Our community outreach program is expanding to include another series related to health! En Bonne Santé (in Good Health) will consist of a series of zoom events and potential outdoor meet-ups (pending COVID restrictions) to get our parents and students thinking about and actively pursuing a healthier lifestyle.
Why boost your immune system and how?
January 31st at 2 pm
The first episode of this new series will be dedicated to Why boost your immune system and how? Marie Svet (Elsie Svet, 1st grade) will share her knowledge of essentials oils and their benefits.
Outline:
1- Overview of the immune system and its defense mechanism
2- Importance of taking care of the immune system in general and especially during this pandemic
3- How to boost your immune system naturally
4- Naturopathy: definition, lifestyle philosophy, and alternative medicines
5- Essential oils: information and misinformation, and safety
6- How to boost your children’s immune system
7- Natural remedies and home remedies that actually work
Let’s Go Hiking
Tentative date: Jan. 30th at 9 am at the iconic Torrey Pines State Park.
Tired of the pandemic? Looking to connect with other SDFAS families while enjoying the outdoors and respecting social distance guidelines? Take the family hiking. SDFAS mom, Mony Liquard, is organizing an informal monthly hiking activity as a way to safely get to know other families while leisurely hiking. Each hike will be roughly an hour, and appropriate for all levels.
We hope to see you on the trails! We will confirm the event as soon as the county lighten the restrictions.
We are still looking for volunteers to assist with the community building series. Volunteers are needed for each individual episode as well as the logistics of the overall project.
Let us know if you are interested in the concept and/or if you would like to volunteer:
SDFAS Team Connection!
February Camp for PK and Kindergarten
Monday, February 22nd – Friday, February 26th – Half-days only (until 12:15 pm)
Registration for kindergarten and preschool February vacation camp is now open.
Deadline to register: February 5th.
Students will remain with their current pods and will arrive at school at their regular drop-off time. Limited space is available. A minimum of 3 participants is required for a class to be open during the break.
Half-day price $225 for the first child, and $220 for any additional child.
Please contact Ariel Arsac-Ellison at
aaellison@sdfrenchschool.org, if you have any questions about the vacation camps, daycare, or after school activities.
Girard Gourmet
It is time to register for your winter session Girard Gourmet plan! The winter lunch plan starts on January 4th and ends on March 31st.
Library
Lightbox subscription
Our Lightbox 1-year subscription is active now: https://sub.openlightbox.com/Lbxaccess/Login?tokenId=6ffa8fcb-b993-48a2-9756-00ee4d9f872e
All our students, teachers, or parents need to do is click on the link and they’ll have access to all of the Interactive eBooks! The link above offers full, unlimited access to anyone from your school and can be accessed from home, school, or anywhere students, teachers, or parents have a device and internet access.
This account is to be used by our individual school only. Please do not share outside of the SDFAS community.
Book Fair
February 8th – February 21st
You’re invited to shop our Scholastic Book Fair online. All purchases benefit our school and connect kids with new books, favorite characters, complete series, and more.
You’ll love the NEW option to shop for Book Fair exclusives directly from the interactive booklist and enjoy these special online shopping features:
- All orders ship direct to home
- Over 6,000 items, including new releases, best sellers, and value packs
- FREE shipping on book-only orders over $25*
- All purchases support our school and earn 25% in rewards
Stating February 8th, visit our Book Fair Homepage and click “Shop Now” to get started:
https://www.scholastic.com/bf/sdfas
*Free standard shipping is available on book-only orders of $25 or more after all discounts are applied. Free standard shipping (books) must be selected during checkout. Orders containing products other than books are not eligible for this shipping promotion.
My French Film Festival
From January 15 through February 15, 2021
Online Catalogue
Check out books with our new Online Library Catalog-includes a new Guide to how to use the online catalog
In order to reserve books for your children, you will need a login and a pin. Send an email including your first and last names as well as your email address to
library@sdfrenchschool.org, and Anne Ricart will create them for you.
Once you have made a reservation (click the ‘Reserve’ button under the picture of each book cover), the librarian will be notified. The books will be checked out in your name and you’ll receive an email letting you know when the books will be handed to you (usually at pick up time).
Preschool
For questions about Preschool, please contact Babeth Esterly, besterly@sdfrenchschool.org, and Sophie Ricouard, sricouard@sdfrenchschool.org.
The PK0-PK1-PK2 pictures with Alexandra Borbolla have been postponed to February 3, 4 & 5th starting at 8:30 am.
What have we done this week in Preschool?
PK0: After the holidays, it’s all about the traditional French story “Roule Galette ” which is similar to “The Gingerbread Man”. Children were discovering some new vocabulary through the story, like “old man”, “old lady” and the names of some new animals, too. We also started making our classroom poster for the theme of ”galette” by applying different painting techniques, colors, and patterns. We learned a new song that we like to sing often, “J’aime la galette”.
PK1: We were very happy to see each other again after the holiday. During both distance learning days, we reviewed vertical, horizontal lines, and winter clothes. Back on campus, we discovered our new album “P’tit Loup est le Roi de la Galette”, around the theme of the French tradition. This month, we will cover the grid pattern and the circle.
PK2: Happy New Year PK2 and welcome back! This week the children discovered our new album “Roule Galette”. It is a traditional French story similar to that of the Gingerbread Man. We continue working on subitizing numbers to 6 by playing games.
Drop-off protocol reminder for Preschoolers: Please respect the safety distance with other parents when waiting in line. and drop off your child promptly at the classroom door (without entering in the classroom). Be mindful of parents who may be waiting for their turn. If you feel the need to engage in a long conversation with the teacher, please make an appointment. Thank you all for your cooperation.
Kindergarten
For questions about Kindergarten, please contact Babeth Esterly, besterly@sdfrenchschool.org and Sophie Ricouard, sricouard@sdfrenchschool.org.
What have we done this week in Kindergarten?
It was a fun week after returning from the break. We began learning about Arctic animals as we continue our winter theme. The children had lots of questions and facts to share about the Arctic. We are excited to explore this theme more throughout the month.
Elementary School
For questions about the elementary school, please contact Francis Carlier, fcarlier@sdfrenchschool.org.
Middle School
Academic Newsletters
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
For all questions relative to the middle school, please contact Tom Faure, Director of the middle school, tfaure@sdfrenchschool.org.
High School Placement
Updates from Erin Stoller – January 15th
SDFAS Apparel
Order Required Red Polo and Navy Blue T-Shirt and other Spirit Wear
There is no school uniform at SDFAS; however, the school does have a Dress Code, as outlined in the Parent-Student Handbook. For the 2020/21 school year, we are excited to partner, again, with Land’s End, a provider of high-quality school clothing and spirit wear.
- All Preschool students must wear their red polo during field trips and school events.
- All students from Grade 1 through 5 must wear a red polo during field trips and school events and a navy-blue T-shirt for Physical Education classes.
- All students Grade 5 through 8 must wear a navy-blue T-shirt for Physical Education classes.
Here is the Land’s End SDFAS webpage (900190869) where you will order:
- Red polo with the SDFAS logo (required for grades PK0 through 5)
- Navy-blue PE t-shirt with the SDFAS logo (required for grades 1 through 8). The school will reimburse one navy-blue PE t-shirt per child if purchased before September 30th. Your FACTs tuition account will be credited in October.
More Info here. Please remember to label your child’s clothing and personal belongings.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
School Calendar
Digital Citizenship
From Alice Kong, STEAM Coordinator. It is more important than ever to talk to children on a regular basis about online safety and digital citizenship.
Family-friendly activities
Grades 1-2
Grades 3-5
Grades 6-8
Helpful reading for adults
Social-Emotional Learning
Responsive Classroom
Responsive Classroom teachings remind us that in order to be successful in and out of school, students need to learn a set of social and emotional competencies – cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, empathy, and self-control — and a set of academic competencies – academic mindset, perseverance, learning strategies, and academic behaviors. Overview of the SEL Program at SDFAS
Acknowledgment Form
Return-to-School Documents for Acknowledgement and Signature
All parents with children enrolled at SDFAS for the 2020-2021 school year are required to review and acknowledge with signature the following documents using this ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM:
**URGENT Action Needed!**Click here for the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FORM to print, complete, sign, scan to pdf, and return by email to Stephanie Humbert at shumbert@sdfrenchschool.org.
Emergency Contact and Pick Up Authorization Update
How to Update Contact Information and Pick-Up Authorization in FACTS?
- Go to your Family Portal
- In the menu on the left: Select the “Family” drop-down
- Click “Family Home”
- Within the “Contact Info” click the edit pencil to update “Emergency Contacts” and “Transportation (Pick-up) Contacts”.
- You may add as many “Transportation (Pick-up) Contacts” as necessary.
Drop-off and Pick-up Protocols
Sign in/Sign out Procedure in Preschool with Procare App
Drop-off and Pick-up
Protocols Rules for bicycles, pedestrians, and vehicles in and around the dirt lot
Elementary School and Middle School Early Pick-Up
We would like to limit the number of visitors to the main office. If you wish to pick up your child earlier than regular dismissal time for a medical appointment or any other purposes, please email Stéphanie Humbert at admin@sdfrenchschool.org with the date and time of pick-up. Please also copy the teachers so your child will be ready to go. When you arrive in front of the school, please call the front office and we will escort your child to your car. Thank you for your cooperation!
From the Nurse’s Office
Download Magnus Health Screening App
Consult our Covid-19 webpage at any time to see our most recent updates. Great news from Magnus! They have heard the recommendations from the community and have updated the Magnus application to now include Face ID/ Touch ID. The best way to take advantage of this update is to update the app in the Apple Store (iPhone users) or Google Play Store (Android Users). Once updated, login, and a pop-up window will appear asking if you’d like to enable the Face ID/Touch ID feature. You may need to delete the app and download it again if you do not get the pop up upon logging in. Flu Season is here. Don’t wait to get the flu vaccine. Video from Anna and Mark
**URGENT Action Needed!**For the parents who have not downloaded the Magnus app yet, please do so as soon as possible and make sure that you are filling out this prescreening for your student(s) every morning before dropping them off at school. See instructions below. This helps us to move more efficiently in the morning and will help our students get to class on time. Your patience is appreciated as we continue to navigate through this pandemic together and keep our students on campus.
Instructions to install Magnus App For the upcoming school year, parents will use the Magnus Health Mobile App to complete a daily COVID-19 screening assessment for each SDFAS student from a smartphone in just a few clicks. This screening will need to be done every morning, at home, no later than 7:30 am, before departure for school. On August 27, 2020, parents will be able to set up a Magnus Health account via FACTS. After activating your Magnus Health account via FACTS you will install the Magnus Health Mobile App on your smartphone. To log in for the first time please follow the instructions below:
- Log into your FACTS account
- Go to the Family Portal
- Under the “Student Tab” Go to “Medical”
- Click on MAGNUS Login button
- Hover over your name within Magnus (top left of screen) and choose Change Credentials
- Enter a Username & Password that only you know and will remember. This should be the same username & password you use for FACTS
- You will see this phrase daily to remind you to complete your Covid-19 screening.

- Download the “Magnus Mobile V2” App from the Apple Store or the Google Play store, and log in using your username & password.
At the completion of this initial process, you will be able to download the Magnus Mobile App for free on your smartphone and log in through the app to complete the screening assessment each morning. If you need additional help, you can always reference the parent tutorial. You will access the screening via the button titled “COVID-19.” We thank you in advance for your cooperation in this daily screening as it will be an imperative function of our safety protocols. Upon completion of the quick survey each morning, you will receive a message for the student’s attendance giving instructions for that day. If your child arrives at school and the screening has not been completed, we will ask that you complete it before the student exits the vehicle. A parent must be the one to fill this out. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us keep the school operational during this pandemic. Use of this App will help us create the safest possible environment for your children, our faculty, and staff. For any technical issues with the mobile app such as login problems, or problems completing the screening please contact customer support at Magnus Health SMR by phone at 877.461.6831 or by email at service@magnushealthportal.com.
Medical Forms
Preschool and K & Medical Forms
- PK0 New Student Medical Packet Including Emergency Information Form, Consent for Emergency Medical Treatment, Child’s Pre-admission Health History – Parents Report, Physicians Report, Notification of Parents’ Rights, Acknowledgment of receipt of the Personal Rights, Parent consent for Administration of Medications, and Medication Chart, A copy of the student’s immunizations, SDFAS Emergency Health Card, SDFAS Aggressive Behaviors and Biting Policy, Parent’s Guide to Immunizations (for parents to keep)
- PK1 Potty Training Policy
- PK1 and PK2 New Student Medical Packet Including Identification & Emergency information, Consent for Emergency Medical Treatment, Child‘s pre-admission Health History – Parent‘s report, Physician Report, Notification of Parents Rights, Acknowledgement of Receipt of Personal Rights, Parent consent for Administration of Medications And Medication Chart, A copy of the student’s immunizations, SDFAS Emergency Health Card, SDFAS Aggressive Behaviors and Biting Policy, SDFAS Potty Training Policy, Parent’s Guide to Immunizations (for parents to keep)
- Kindergarten New Student Medical Packet Including A Copy of Student’s Immunizations, Parent consent for Administration of Medications And Medication Chart, Report of medical examination for school entry, SDFAS Emergency Health Card, SDFAS Aggressive Behaviors and Biting Policy, Parent’s Guide to Immunizations (for parent’s to keep)
- Guide to Immunizations – Physician’s Report – Proof of immunization and vaccines must be on file by the first day of the school year. As required by law, a child will not be allowed to attend school if these records are not on file.
- Food Allergy Action Plan
K-8 & Medical Forms
- 1st Grade: A School Entry Health Checkup is required for all incoming 1st graders.
- 7th Grade: Please be reminded that all incoming 7th graders must have their whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination before school starts.
- Immunization Records for New Students: Proof of immunization and vaccines must be on file by the first day of the school year. As required by law, a child will not be allowed to attend school if these records are not on file.
- Food Allergy Action Plan
- Guide to Immunizations
Back to School Presentations
Grades Pk0-PK1-PK2
Grades K
Parent Webinars by Mark Rosenblum, Headmaster – SDFAS Reopening Overview
Grades 1-5
3rd Grade
4th grade
5th Grade
Elementary School Parent Webinar by Mark Rosenblum, Headmaster – SDFAS Reopening Overview
Middle School
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
You can find
here the general information shared during the Middle School Back to School Night.
MS Parent Webinar by Mark Rosenblum, Headmaster – SDFAS Reopening Overview
School Supplies
School Supplies
SDFAS is happy to partner with
School Tool Box, for Grades 1 through 8, a service that allows you to do school supply shopping from home! Students will receive quality, name brand supplies that match their school supply list shipped directly home. Not only that, one meal is donated to Feed My Starving Children for every box ordered. It’s easy, visit
School Tool Box, select your child’s grade, remove any items you already have, and purchase the rest.
If you order supplies online, consider supporting the school by using Amazon Smile and Mabel’s Labels (San Diego French-American School (La Jolla)) to purchase name tags to label your child’s belongings!
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