Issue #14 APRIL 23, 2021
A Message From Dr. Maxey
Just like that, we are off to the races. I want to start off by thanking Bertrand Elementary School for leading the Reseda Community of Schools in reopening. April 12th saw the return of students, teachers, and staff to Bertrand Elementary. Teachers and students were smiling ear to ear and you could feel the joy emanating from the school.
This week we continued with the reopening of Schools. Our Early Education Centers and the rest of our Elementary Schools started on April 19th. I had the pleasure of working with Shirley Elementary School and was in awe of what I saw. Protocols and procedures were in place and being followed. Teachers and students were engaging, socially distanced, of course and parents seemed genuinely happy to have students back at school.
The next phase of our reopening will be with our Middle and High Schools. In talking with our principals, I am extremely confident that the Middle and High School openings will be just as smooth as the Early Education and Elementary openings. As we come back to school, students are looking forward to athletics, graduation, and finishing the year strong. This year was not what anyone expected, but we will make the best of it.
Please make sure to reach out to schools directly for more detailed information about:
COVID testing;
Bell schedules;
Drop off/pick up locations;
Child care; and
Meals
You can also contact us here at the Reseda Community of Schools Office should you have any questions and/or concerns.
SPOTLIGHT ON SPECIAL EDUCATION
The Leichman Career Preparatory and Transition Center Project SEARCH Program is made possible through the partnership between the Los Angeles Unified School District, Tierra del Sol Foundation, North Los Angeles County Regional Center and Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center.
Please click on the link for more information: Project SEARCH
On April 14th, a committee of representatives from each of the program partners interviewed and then selected seven interns for next year’s program. These interns will learn complex skills as they train and work at Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Center. After graduation, they will have developed a strong vocational skill set that they will take with them as they pursue their goal of independent competitive employment.
Program Director Leslie Anderson, 2018 teacher of the year - education specialist, teaches at Leichman Career Preparatory and Transition Center. Her greatest joy is seeing her students learn to utilize their strengths, understand and rise above their challenges, and conquer their fears as they transition to adulthood. She holds teaching credentials in both Mild-Moderate and Moderate to Severe Disabilities. Leslie achieved certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in the area of Exceptional Needs. Reseda Community of Schools is excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with Leichman CTC in making students' dreams come true.
Instructional Updates
The Reseda Community of Schools Welcomes You Back to Campus
Bertrand Elementary
Principal Sylvia Guzman
Hesby Oaks Leadership Charter
Principal Movses Tarakhchyan
Lokrantz
Principal Ryan Morse
Gault St. ES
Principal Antoinette Brusca
Lemay Elementary
Principal Long Nguyen
Tarzana Elementary
Principal
Thomas Ramirez
EL Updates - Title III Coaches
This year’s theme for Earth Day 2021 is Restore Our Earth, which focuses on natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems. It is up to each and every one of us to Restore Our Earth not just because we care about the natural world, but because we live on it. Ms. Veronica Pepe and her 3rd graders at Lemay Elementary, Science, Technology, Engineering/English, Arts and Math are challenging LAUSD teachers and students to make a commitment to love our planet, not only on Earth Day April 22, but each and every day. A healthy planet is not an option, it is a necessity.
Save Our Earth (click to watch)
Earth Day 1970 gave a voice to an emerging public consciousness about the state of our planet —
In the decades leading up to the first Earth Day, Americans were consuming vast amounts of leaded gas through massive and inefficient automobiles. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of the consequences from either the law or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. Until this point, mainstream America remained largely oblivious to environmental concerns and how a polluted environment threatens human health.
Earth Day Live:
Join people from all around the world and celebrate Earth Day 2021
https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2021/
Earth Day Events happening all over the world.
Take a look at all the different events taking place across the globe.
Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day-April 24
LAUSD is home to a large population of English Learners whose native language is Armenian. One of the most important historical dates that is observed among the Armenian community is April 24, 1915, Armenian Genocide Remberance Day. Last year, the Board of Education unanimously voted to add a new holiday to future LAUSD calendars to commemorate Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day on April 24. The resolution, authored by Board Member Kelly Gonez, gives families across Los Angeles Unified the day off to observe and remember the start of a genocide that killed 1.5 million Armenians. This year, the date falls on a Saturday. You can expect to see demonstrations all over Los Angeles and the world commemorating the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Click on the link to learn more about the rich history of Armenia that dates back over 3,500 years. The site also offers information on the Armenian culture, heritage, travel, culinary traditions, and so much more. Armenia.travel
Systems of Support
Stacy Lieberman
Resilience Guide for Parents and Teachers
American Psychological Association
Last Updated August 26, 2020
We tend to idealize childhood as a carefree time, but youth alone offers no shield against the emotional hurts, challenges, and traumas many children face. Children can be asked to deal with problems ranging from adapting to a new classroom or online schooling to bullying by peers or even struggles at home. Add to that the uncertainties that are part of growing up in a complex world, and childhood can be anything but carefree. The ability to thrive despite these challenges arises from the skills of resilience.
The good news is that resilience skills can be learned.
Building resilience—the ability to adapt well to adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or even significant sources of stress—can help our children manage stress and feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. However, being resilient does not mean that children won’t experience difficulty or distress. Emotional pain, sadness, and anxiety are common when we have suffered major trauma or personal loss, or even when we hear of someone else’s loss or trauma.
Tips for building resilience in children and teens
1. Make connections
Teach your child the importance of engaging and connecting with their peers, including the skill of empathy and listening to others. Find ways to help children foster connectivity by suggesting they connect to peers in-person or through phone, video chats, and texts. It’s also important to build a strong family network. Connecting with others provides social support and strengthens resilience.
2. Maintain a daily routine
Sticking to a routine can be comforting to children, especially younger children who crave structure in their lives. Work with your child to develop a routine, and highlight times that are for school work and play. Particularly during times of distress or transition, you might need to be flexible with some routines. At the same time, schedules and consistency are important to maintain.
3. Teach your child self-care
Teach your child the importance of basic self-care. This may be making more time to eat properly, exercise, and get sufficient sleep. Make sure your child has time to have fun and participate in activities they enjoy. Caring for oneself and even having fun will help children stay balanced and better deal with stressful times.
4. Move toward your goals
Teach your child to set reasonable goals and help them to move toward them one step at a time. Establishing goals will help children focus on a specific task and can help build the resilience to move forward in the face of challenges. At school, break down large assignments into small, achievable goals for younger children, and for older children, acknowledge accomplishments on the way to larger goals.
Return to Campus
Parent and Community Engagement
By: Morena Camp, Parent Educator Coach
Local District Northwest Parent Page:LDNW Parent Website
Schoology Group for Parents: https://bit.ly/2JqMzcW
Steps to Joining LDNW Parent Schoology Page: http://bit.ly/LDNWSchoologySteps1
Link to Flyer: http://bit.ly/AprilFlyers
2021
Local District Northwest Parent Page:LDNW Parent Website
Schoology Group for Parents: https://bit.ly/2JqMzcW
Steps to Joining LDNW Parent Schoology Page: http://bit.ly/LDNWSchoologySteps1
College Signing Month
The Board Office of President Kelly Gonez is launching for the second time their BD6 College Signing Month. They will be highlighting Class of 2021 starting May 1st.
Students, teachers, staff and families can submit stories/photos.
Congressional Art Competition (High School Students only)
For more information: Cardenas.House.Gov/Art
Deadline: April 23, 2021
Link to Flyer: http://bit.ly/AprilFlyers
Academic Testing During COVID-19
Join Board member, Mr. Scott Schmerelson on the discussion of testing. Learn about format and delivery of testing this spring, Changes to Standardized Testing (such as SBAC), and Advanced Placement (AP) Exams.
April 26, 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (English)
REGISTRATION LINK: bd3.info/TestingWebinar
5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. (Spanish)
PARA REGISTRARSE: bd3.info/webinarioevaluacion
Link to Flyer:
http://bit.ly/AprilFlyers
FREE Virtual College Motivational Seminar at Los Angeles Public Library
Special invitation for students in grades 7th - 9th
For more information contact directly: Yesenia Villar, Bilingual Outreach Librarian, at yvillar@lapl.org
April 27, 2021 at 10:00 AM
Town Hall Virtual Meeting
Reseda Community of Schools
Please join our monthly webinar. Important information will be shared!
Wednesday, April 28 @ 6:00 p.m.
Register by clicking on the Link:
http://bit.ly/ResedaCOSAprilTH
ZOOM ID: 837 2799 6077
PASSCODE: RESEDA
Link to Flyer: http://bit.ly/AprilFlyers
Get Ready for College
Workshop series from our Local Public Library.
Students and Parents-learn how to attend college with these APRIL 2021 programs! Please refer to the Flyer for the dates.
Aviation Career Day
To register, see attached flyer (flyer not available in Spanish)
http://bit.ly/AprilFlyers
April 30, 2021,
from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Spring Title I Conference
Please mark your calendars for the upcoming Title 1 Spring Conference. All parents are welcome!
Special Guest Speaker: Dr. Alan L. Nager, MD, MHA, Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
Saturday, May 1, 2021
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Registration Link:
http://bit.ly/TitleI-Spring-Registration
Link to Flyer: http://bit.ly/AprilFlyers
Resilient Families
Join a series of workshops brought to you by the Office of School Mental Health.
These workshops aim to support parents/caregivers in:
-Identifying & managing emotions
-Learning coping skills & ways to manage stress improving emotional wellbeing
-Learning about resilience
-Learning about mood-lifting activities, plus much more!
May 4, 11, 18 & 25, from 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Zoom ID: 885 9102 8770
Passcode: family
Draw All You Can
A Virtual Community STEAM Event
CONNECT, CREATE, & CELEBRATE
Join us for an hour and a half of joyful conversation while creating priceless memories and a one-of-a-kind piece of art!
May 6, 2021 5:00 P.M.
May 13, 5:00 P.M.
May 22, 2021 10:00 A.M.
Register:
bit.ly/ldnw-dayc-register
Distance Learning Is at the Y
This program is for students in grades Kinder-5th. It is a full-day distance learning support program available Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Learn more at ymcaLA.org/DisatanceLearning or email @DistanceLearning@ymcala.org
Unified Enrollment: 2021-2022 Choices Late Applications
The Late Choices Application opens February 1, 2021. Applications will be accepted until January 21, 2022.
Online applications may be completed at apply.lausd.net. Paper applications may be downloaded at GoTo.LAUSD.net.
LA Library's Student Zones: Homework Help (K-12)
Trained LA-Based Homework Helpers will assist K-12 students with school assignments and help navigate the library's online student resources.
Monday - Thursday: 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Monday Inspiration - Start your week right!
For Parents: Monday mornings at 9:30 AM
Zoom Link: https://lausd.zoom.us/j/85368214122
Positive Culture Club: 3rd - 5th Grade Students
Tuesdays at 2:30 PM
Zoom Link: 935 9066 4090
Password: 503 754
Northwest Stars Twinkle Time (TK - 2)
Virtual Field Trip on Wednesdays, 12:30 - 1:00 PM
After School on Thursdays, 1:40 PM - 2:10 PM
Meeting ID 897 6804 7212