FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

New Staff Orientation - or NSO - consists of five consecutive training days and a variety of topics.

You'll be introduced to the history and values of LA's BEST, learn about our approach to student behavior, gain tips and tricks for activities with students, and receive critical information that helps keep students safe. You'll also get to connect with both new and existing staff to talk through ideas and strategies together.

You'll attend five consecutive days starting Monday and ending Friday. If you miss a day due to illness, holiday, emergency, etc., you will be asked to register for the next training date. For example, if you miss Tuesday’s training, you will need to register for the next available Tuesday.

At LA's BEST, we have a group of skilled Learning Facilitators who prepare new staff at NSO. Each LF has experience working with groups of children, and nearly all of them have been promoted from within the organization - which means they can provide valuable insights into the program and culture you'll find across our 200+ sites. Take advantage of your time at NSO and ask lots of questions!

Once you arrive at your site, your Site Coordinator (SC) and/or Area Program Supervisor (APS) will walk you through logistics at the site, introduce you to other staff and admin, and set you up with your first group! They'll stay available to support and clarify any questions you have.

Training locations may vary and are listed on the form when you RSVP. Generally, NSO takes place in a Central location to accommodate staff coming from different LA's BEST sites.

Fun Fact!

LA's BEST has 201 sites. From San Pedro to Pacoima, and Venice to East LA, 25,000 kids can stay right where they're at when the last bell rings.

Unless otherwise noted, NSO hours are 2:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. Monday thru Friday.

Be mindful of allowing a few minutes to park, get to the training space and sign in. Training begins promptly at 2:30 p.m.

Once you start New Staff Orientation, communicate with the Staff Development Department if you are unable to attend one of the training days - LAsBEST.StaffDevSupport@lausd.net. 

On your first day of NSO, you received an Onboarding Checklist with a list of items to complete; including NSO trainings, online trainings and other actions. You'll find detailed instructions for how to complete each individual item in the Conditions of Employment PDF.

You can also visit the Onboarding Checklist page on this site for easy access to all of the web links associated with individual actions (e.g. uploading/submitting documents). Note that there are designated timelines to follow during your in-person NSO week and subsequent weeks at the site. 

During the week of in-person NSO, payroll will be processed for you (i.e. processed by Operations). This includes select MyPLN trainings that you will take online from home. More details to come.

Once you arrive at the site, your Site Coordinator or Area Program Supervisor will walk you through the regular payroll process.

Learning Facilitators will be available to answer questions during New Staff Orientation. Once at the site, your Site Coordinator and Area Program Supervisor will be available to support and clarify any questions you have.

Your first priority will be to meet the Site Coordinator and become familiar with how the site operates.

Your SC may:

• Help you clock in

• Show you a map of the school

• Give you a schedule

• Show you the site bin, where supplies are kept

• Introduce you to admin

• Introduce you to different groups

• Show you where the available restrooms are

• Place you with a group

• Etc.

You'll also use this first day to provide your SC with the following documents, which can be printed at the site when you arrive:

• Copy of Digital Personnel Form

• "First Four" MyPLN Certificates

• Copy of your CPR/First Aid certification (must be provided within 90 days of employment; American Heart Association and Red Cross ONLY)

Determining group assignments is a conversation that takes into consideration both site need as well as staff and student interests. The final determination will be made by your Site Coordinator and Area Program Supervisor and may change based on site need.

LA’s BEST is structured in such a way to offer multiple levels of support to site staff. If you are out of ideas you can certainly turn to your co-workers, your Site Coordinator and your Area Program Supervisor, as well as any program department staff in the LA’s BEST Operations Office.

We also encourage you to explore the Activity Library and The Link Index for programming resources.

LA's BEST/LAUSD offers direct deposit to a checking or savings account. If you do not select the direct deposit option, you will receive a check in the mail to the address on file. 

As an LA’s BEST/LAUSD employee, you will be paid twice monthly, depending on your classification:

• Semi-Monthly Pay Calendar

• Classified Monthly Pay Calendar

Your Site Coordinator/Area Program Supervisor will walk you through the payroll process when you arrive at the site.

LA’s BEST offers trainings and other development opportunities throughout the year. Click here for more information.

LA’s BEST values the opportunity to develop and promote leadership from within. Be on the lookout for emails promoting job openings. At any time, you can visit the job opportunity board posted on the LA’s BEST website (www.lasbest.org), and view which positions are available with the organization.

All staff are encouraged to seek out answers to questions or concerns from anyone in the organization. There is no one you cannot talk to. However, your first point of contact is with your Site Coordinator and Area Program Supervisor at the site level.

If your questions are not answered to your satisfaction with your Site Coordinator or Area Program Supervisor, feel free to contact your Regional Director or any other Department Head in the LA’s BEST Operations Office. Click here for contact information.