October 2026 Halkin Community School Newsletter

Image of Halkin mascot, dolphin, on a coin, rotating

Halkin Community School Connections

A Community School in Action | October 2026

Hello Halkin Community

Welcome back! Each month, we share stories from around Halkin that bring our Community Schools values to life. You'll also find opportunities to connect, get involved, and share your voice.

Candice Camp

Community Schools Specialist

Halkin Elementary

two fourth graders are standing inn the hallway, smiling at the camera.

some text: Student Voices, Big Ideas!
When these two fourth graders were asked what was good about their day, they excitedly shared that they'd watched the news in class and had the opportunity to choose their own writing topics. One is exploring climate change, and the other is writing about Asia!
These moments bring to life one of the four overarching values of California Community Schools: Classroom-Community Connections, which emphasizes learning that is engaging, rooted in students' interests and experiences, and connected to real-world issues.

Halkin Teachers and Leaders Learning Together

teachers collaborating and talking in a meeting room

Text: During our Responsive Teaching professional learning series, Halkin teachers reflected on past and current intervention supports, explored student learning data, and started sharing initial ideas for strengthening instruction and support. In another session, teachers used a Structured Language Protocol to reflect on a math lesson and learn from one another. Collaboration is at the heart of continuous improvement. By sharing our expertise, examining our practices, and learning together, we strengthen opportunities for every student to succeed.

two quote bubbles and some text: Our Teachers Reflect on What's Possible
I feel like looking at the data across classes, it excited and inspired us on the future possibilities of intervention and possible platooning and sharing teaching practices, more collaboration.
One idea I'd like to bring into my teaching...
How important it is to have students explain their thinking and use academic language.

Leading Math Boldly

teachers and leaders leaning over a table looking at data

text: This work reflects our Community Schools commitment to continuous improvement and collaborative leadership - building on our strengths, learning together, and making thoughtful decisions that benefit students.
Curious to learn more? We invite you to explore the Leading Math Boldly slide deck, linked below, and share your questions and ideas, and help shape our collective learning and next steps.

Leading Math Boldly slide deck

Family-School Partnerships in Action

With family-teacher conferences just around the corner, it's a great time to celebrate how families and schools work together to support student learning.

From Conversation to Classroom Action

a teacher is holding up a morning routine checklist that she created after an SST

Listening to Families, Learning Together

Families responding to our recent SST surveys shared that they felt very welcome and included and found the meetings very helpful in planning support for their children.

We're encouraged by this feedback and remain committed to listening, learning, and strengthening our partnerships with families.

Community Schools Action Team

(CSAT)

Join Our Community Schools Action Team!

Meet some of the members of Halkin’s Community Schools Action Team (CSAT)! This dedicated group keeps students and their learning at the heart of its work.

Now in year four of a five-year Community Schools grant, our team helps shape Halkin’s vision as a Community School, identify needs and strengths, and make decisions about how grant funds are used to support our school community.

We need more voices at the table - especially family and community voices! We welcome those who are interested in helping shape Halkin’s future and turning our shared vision into action.

Our next meeting: Thursday, January 27th, 3:30

Interested in joining or learning more? Contact Candice Camp, Community Schools Specialist, at [email protected].

Our team wants to hear from you!

What's helping your family feel connected and supported at Halkin? What could we do even better?

Click your preferred language below to share your answer:

中文 | Español | English

Just one sentence is enough. All ideas are welcome.

Around Halkin

Learning, Connecting, and Celebrating in Community

image of fifth graders tending their garden plot

images from our pumpkin patch and learning activities

text: More Than a Pumpkin Patch
Our pumpkin patch was a blast, thanks to the many members of our school community who helped make it happen, including a crew that arrived at 5 a.m. to unload pumpkins.
The fun also extended into learning. Students investigated whether pumpkins sink or float, shared what they knew and wondered about pumpkins, and practiced new skills. One student even practiced naming English letters as he spelled his name for a parent volunteer to write on his pumpkin.
A lovely example of classroom-community connections, where learning happens through shared experiences.

Celebrating Our Multilingual Scholars

This week, Halkin celebrated students who have been reclassified as Fluent English Proficient, recognizing their hard work and achievement in academic English.

We celebrate not only the English skills they've developed, but also the home languages, cultures, and strengths they bring to our school. Their success reflects the dedication of students, families, and educators working together.

Congratulations to our students and families. We are proud of all that you bring to Halkin.

Upcoming opportunities to enjoy and connect with the Halkin community:

10/29 School Site Council (SSC) at 3:30
10/30 - Trunk or Treat @ 5:00 pm
November Schedule Changes - Calendar
11/2--PTC Meeting
11/6--Principal Coffee Chat
11/13 - Ruby Bridges Parade @ 10:25 am
11/12-11/20-Family-Teacher Conferences
11/20-Student of the Month Assemblies
12/4-Principal Coffee Chat
12/7--PTC Meeting
12/8--5th grade Science Camp Informational Meeting at 5:30 pm
12/15--5th grade Science Camp Mandatory Chaperone Meeting at 5:30 pm
12/17 - Family Dance Party @ 3:00 pm (Cafeteria)

Missed a Community Schools Connection newsletter?

Catch up on previous issues of Halkin Community Connections here:

-September 2026

My name is Candice Camp, and I’m honored to serve as the Community Schools Specialist here at Halkin Elementary. I have worked in neighboring school districts for 28 years as an elementary school teacher, high school teacher, Instructional Coach, Intervention Lead, English Learner lead coach, and leader of a COST (Coordination of Services Team).

I will be supporting the implementation of Halkin’s Community School Program. This means providing direct services to students, staff, and families, with an integrated focus on academics, health, social services, and community engagement. If you have any questions about Community Schools or ideas to share, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to hearing your ideas!