THE MESSENGER
Bi-Weekly eMagazine for the Monroe Community of Schools of Local District Northwest
Welcome Message
Visiting virtual classrooms throughout the Monroe Community of Schools, what stands out the most to me is the strong sense of community each teacher has created to keep students engaged in lessons. From planning Fun Friday events to providing students with choice in how they share their learning, it is very evident that there has been a great deal of collaborative planning among teachers, supported by the hard work of our administrators and staff.
But what is also extraordinarily evident is the amazing work of the parents and students in establishing routines and schedules to prioritize daily active participation in school. I recognize the sacrifices that many families have had to make in these unprecedented times to keep their children focused on learning, and I am humbled by what I have been able to observe so far.
To support your efforts, take a look at the "Creating Positive Culture" section that follows for information about social-emotional learning and its importance in a virtual environment. And, as always, please feel free to contact us at the Monroe Community of Schools if we can be of assistance.
Cara Schneider
Monroe Community of Schools AdministratorCommunity News and Resources
Los Angeles Public Library Resources
Free Workshops for Adults
Did you know that with a Los Angeles Public Library card you can do more than just check out books? The LAPL also offers a free adult literacy program with online classes to help you improve your writing, practice conversational English skills, engage in creative writing, and much more. Check out their website or email literacy@lapl.org for more information.
Free Workshops for High School Students
The Los Angeles Public Library has partnered with Princeton Review to offer FREE college preparation workshops and SAT/ACT practice tests. Click here for a flyer to learn how to register.
Are you or someone you know experiencing homelessness? The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority can help. Visit their website at lahsa.org to find out about services that can help individuals of all ages find housing, hygiene centers, or resources regarding COVID-19.
Click here for a flyer with information about the community meetings.
Learn About the the Light Rail Transit Line Project for Van Nuys Boulevard
Los Angeles Metro is bringing light rail to the Valley, and you are invited to learn more about this important project. Check out Metro’s new virtual tool that will provide an overview to the new median-running light rail line, which will include 14 stations along Van Nuys Boulevard from the Metro G Line (Orange) to the Sylmar/San Fernando Metrolink Station. Learn more and find out about upcoming community informational meetings at metro.net/eastsfvtransit or join one of two upcoming webinars:
October 14, 4:30-6:30 PM - in English - Zoom link: http://bit.ly/ESFV-Oct14, Passcode: 867267
October 26, 6:00-8:00 PM - en español - Zoom link: http://bit.ly/ESFV-Oct26, Passcode: 605402
Are You Registered and Ready to Vote?
Voting in the 2020 Election will begin later this month and end on Election Day, which is Tuesday, November 3rd. All eligible citizens should make sure they are registered to vote and should make a plan to vote safely. You can check your registration status and register to vote if necessary (voter registration is due October 19th) at lavote.net.
Workshops for Parents in the Monroe Community of Schools
Morena Camp
Parent and Community Engagement Coach
Stay Connected to Your Children During Distance Learning
October 27th at 10:00 AM
Click here for a flyer.
Virtual Town Hall Meeting – October 20 at 4:00 PM
Join our monthly Virtual Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, October 20th as we discuss the CHOICES Program through the Unified Enrollment process. The District is now accepting applications for the 2021-2022 academic year for the following programs: Magnets, Permits With Transportation, Dual Language Education, Schools for Advanced Studies, Admission Criteria Schools, Affiliated Charter Schools and Zones of Choice. Applications are due November 13, 2020.
At the October Town Hall, we will be showcasing our schools with special programs – such as the Spanish Dual Language Academy at Carlos Santana Arts Academy, Alta California's Gifted STEAM Magnet, and Sepulveda's Gifted Magnet and Kinesiology & Sports Medicine Magnet, as well as many others – and we will answer your questions regarding the enrollment process.
You can register in advance or register right before the webinar at bit.ly/MonroeCOSTH6. We hope to see you there!
College Support Webinar
Join Board Member Kelly Gonez for a Facebook Live event on October 20th to help students with their educational plans after high school.
Creating Positive Culture
Alana Burton
Systems of Support AdviserWhat is Social-Emotional Learning?
Self-Management: An important area of Social-Emotional Learning is Self-Management, which is the ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations. When adults and children use self-management strategies, they contribute to creating a positive culture.
Situation-Oriented: Choose/create your home learning environment to help you relax, do work, study, solve problems, or be more mindful. Plan and organize your space by choosing a quiet time to work.
Cognitive: Work during your flow, or time when you have the most productive energy to be creative, form your thoughts, or work. Take a break when you need to or get a different perspective.
Impulse/Emotion Regulation or Replacement Behavior: When you are aware that your impulses/emotions seem to take over, try to replace that behavior. Instead of spending hours using social media or playing video games, challenge yourself to be more productive. For example, start your homework/project early, organize your room, squeeze a ball instead of shouting out, etc.
More Self-Management Strategies:
Check-in with yourself and plan.
Slowly count to 10.
Listen to music or read a book
Use an affirmation. (For example, “I have the tools to regulate my emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in this current situation.”)
Use an affective statement. (For example, “I feel ____ and am more effective when I regulate/self-manage my emotions, thoughts, and behaviors with/by _______.”)
Fun Fact: Studies show that self-management skills may contribute to fewer dropouts, better life outcomes, and improved academic outcomes in school and beyond.
Reflection: What self-management strategies do you already use? What strategies will you add to your daily routine/schedule?
Focus on Community Partners
Marina Grijalva
Founder & President of Mundo Academy
Mundo Academy is one of the Monroe Community of Schools' new community partners. They will offer a variety of services to students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels including SAT Preparation, academic tutoring, college workshops, and study skills classes. Mundo will also provide services to parents to give them the knowledge they need to navigate academic systems, with the ultimate goal of supporting a college-ready culture at home and school. Mundo understands the importance of building community and creates programming that empowers schools, parents, and students.
Mundo Academy’s focus is to create a warm, welcoming environment in which students can target areas of need and find their academic voice. Our mission is to foster educational equality by providing academic preparation services to an economically and ethnically diverse student population. We are proud to create an environment that is welcoming of all individuals and is a safe space for people of all ethnicities, gender expressions, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Mundo Academy was founded by Marina Grijalva. Marina began her career in education as a teacher immediately after graduating from Pomona College. She obtained a M.A. in Spanish Literature from the University of Texas at El Paso. Marina began her tutoring career in 2008 after working as a classroom teacher for 10 years. Her focus has always been teaching students techniques that will help them find their voice. Because Marina works with students from different geographical and economic areas, she has a clear understanding of the different obstacles students face. Marina Grijalva grew up in Calexico, California, which is a small town in the U.S.-Mexico border. Her father worked as a farm laborer in the Imperial Valley while her mother stayed at home raising five children. The youngest of five, Marina is the only person in her family to graduate from a 4-year university.
It is with this mindset that Marina has created academic coaching and test prep programs that will target the needs of every student. Marina is working on expanding her reach in order to help students of color obtain the resources they need that can have a major impact on their ability to apply and be accepted into the college of their choice.
Focus on Alumni
Linda Bueno, Principal of Gledhill Elementary & Science, Technology, and Math Magnet
Lassen Elementary • Sepulveda Middle School • Monroe High School
I attended Lassen Elementary School, Francisco Sepulveda Junior High School, and James Monroe High School from grades Kindergarten through 12. I grew up in Mission Hills and lived in my family home until graduating from Monroe High. I then moved to Europe and attended university for a year.
The most impressionable and my favorite teacher was Mr. Gabriel at Monroe. He was my 11th grade U.S. History teacher who brought out in me a love for history, reading, and writing. Being an English Language Learner, he was able to transform my fears of writing into love.
One of my fondest memories as an LAUSD student was being a member of the Lassen Drill Team. I built some amazing friendships that I still have today. I have always had a great love for sports. While I attended Monroe, I was part of the tennis and softball team. A great memory I have was when as a softball team, we worked tremendously hard, made it to the State Championships, and placed in 2nd!
After I graduated from California State University Northridge, I worked as a substitute teacher for Simi Valley and Castaic Unified School District for a few years. I then began my first teaching position at Napa Elementary School in a 1st-grade classroom. I have many fond memories from Napa and all the schools I have worked for since.
As a former LAUSD student, I have learned perseverance, drive, and dedication. As an educator in LAUSD, I have worked several capacities. I’ve been an Elementary Teacher, a Targeted Student Population Advisor, and a Magnet Coordinator, to name a few. My history and experience as a student and now educator working in predominantly Latino communities, Low-Performing, Title 1 Schools to a Highly Gifted Magnet Center, has assisted me in recognizing that communities vary within the district. Having the opportunity to work with different populations has allowed me to grow as an educator and best serve my community. I am honored to be a part of an amazing school district.
District News
Learn to Play Guitar, Bass, or Ukulele: Free Program for Students in Grades 6-8
Registration begins on Tuesday, October 13th for an exciting opportunity for L.A. Unified students in Grades 6-8. The District has partnered with world-famous Fender Guitar to offer free online classes taught by District teachers and supported by Fender Play. Students who commit to completing the class will receive free instruments. Click on the flyer or here for registration information.
Sign Up for a Free Flu Vaccine
To help support student, family and staff health and wellness, LA Unified has partnered with Health Net to bring “Free Flu Vaccines,” regardless of insurance status, to our school communities. There are six scheduled events throughout the Los Angeles Unified School District, and there are two in the San Fernando Valley. Please refer to this flyer for detailed information and appointment link.
Watch this video about the District's unprecedented COVID testing and contact tracing program, which is now underway.
Click here for Frequently-Asked Questions about the District's COVID testing program.
L.A. Unified Implements COVID Testing and Contact Tracing Program
Beginning this week, all employees of the Los Angeles Unified School District are being offered free COVID tests. These tests are part of a districtwide effort to ensure that, when conditions allow for students to return to schools, we bring them back in the safest way possible.
All staff members who have been working on school sites have already undergone testing. Over the next few weeks, students will be able to participate in the testing, beginning with our youngest learners in the Early Education Centers and elementary school students. This unprecedented effort of virus testing, community engagement, and contact-tracing is necessary to protect the health and safety of all in the school community.
Once elementary students have been tested, the District will begin to offer testing to middle and high school students as well. Testing will also be offered to family members of those who test positive or show symptoms of the virus.
With Communities of Schools, "Los Angeles Unified Is Moving in the Right Direction"
Adapted from a District press release, dated 10-1-20
The University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education recently released preliminary findings from their study of the first 14 Communities of Schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District. The findings reveal that the District’s Community of Schools program, which was launched in the 2019-2020 school year, has successfully fostered stronger community ties, increased collaboration among educators and better service to families. USC Rossier and Los Angeles Unified discussed the findings of the study at a virtual symposium on October 1, 2020. [Watch video]