Biweeky Newsletter
Issue #10- January 2021
In This Issue:
- A Message from Our Community of Schools Administrator
- Digital Citizenship Spotlight-Safe Passwords
- Instruction and Technology Corner
- Moving Beyond Special
- Exploring Parent Portal
- Home Learning Environment
- Community Building with Restorative Practices
- Our Life in the Sunshine
- COS Photo Highlights
- Calendar/Upcoming Events
- Resources and Links
- Contact Us
A Message from Mr. Rome
Dear Sun Valley Community,
Welcome back to 2021 and the Spring semester. I am filled with hope for the new year. While the current level of Covid infections, still prevents us from returning to campus in person, know that everyday District leadership is planning and making preparations to open schools again as soon as it is possible.
I want to remind everyone that any member of an LAUSD employee or LAUSD student's household can receive a free Covid test. Covid tests are administered at Pacoima Middle School. You can make an appointment for a test at dailypass.lausd.net. If you have any difficulty scheduling your test, you can call the District hotline for assistance. The hotline number is 1-213-443-1300.
When we eventually return to campus, all students and adults entering a school will need to show evidence that they have tested negative for Covid as well as wear a mask and social distance. Please take advantage of this time to get your child familiar with testing and wearing a mask. In the next month, your school will be hosting Coffee with the Principal to share more information about safety protocols that will be required of all students, staff, and parents when schools open. I encourage you to attend to receive this critical information.
Thank you,
John Rome
Sun Valley Community of Schools Administrator
spotlight on Engagement in distance learning
How engaged is your child in distance learning every day? Use these descriptors to start a discussion and make goals about how to be more engaged this school year!
Disrupting
Level 0
Distracting others
Disrupting learning
Avoiding
Level 1
Looking for ways to avoid work
Off task behavior
Withdrawing
Level 2
Being distracted
Physically separating from the group
Participating
Level 3
Doing work
Paying attention
Responding to questions
Investing
Level 4
Asking questions
Valuing the learning
Driving
Level 5
Setting goals
Seeking feedback
Self-assessment
Any increase in classroom engagement will help your child's learning and grades.
Using the descriptions above, discuss what each level of engagement looks like in your child's class. Click here if you would like a Google slide deck that you can fill out together. (Computer required- you will need to make a copy of the slide deck on your computer/drive so that you can type into it.)
Ask your child at the end of day or lesson what her/his level of engagement was. The new year is a great time to set engagement goals!
Instruction and technology corner
Top 5 Reasons Children Should Read
Reading expands a child's vocabulary.
Reading helps improve fluency and comprehension.
You can't comprehend what you can't read.
Early reading skills directly relate to a child's future academic success.
The more you read the better you are at it.
Parents guide in the sunshine
School on Wheels Flyer-English.pdfSchool on Wheels Flyer-Spanish.pdfThe Los Angeles Public Library offers many online tools and resources for all LAUSD students in grades K-12. Resources are all free.
Live one-to-one Online Tutoring to help with school work. Available every day 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Students will have access to check out 3 physical books at participating locations and 15 e-books by using their Student Success Card online. Students can access additional resources online from videos, e-magazines to connecting with a librarian. If you never received your card or you lost your Student Success Card please go to the link below and request a new card today.
https://www.lapl.org/studentsuccess
Need more information please click on the video link below.
Winter Reading Challenge:
A New Day in LA
This winter, join the Los Angeles Public Library for some fresh, fun activities like working with makers, learning about our Neighborhood Science program, participating in a coding challenge here —and reading of course!
Complete five activities and be entered into a drawing to win a prize from The Library Store.
Our Place in the sun
Celebrating the Sun Valley COS Special Programs
Maclay middle school
Verizon and Digital Promise have equipped every student at Maclay Middle School with an iPad and a three-year data plan to ensure students have access to technology. Teachers are receiving extensive professional development designed to provide students with the skills they need to succeed in the digital world. We will provide more information about this exciting program in the future!
Community Building
Using Restorative Practices
Setting Goals for the New Year
Goal setting for children is an integral part of building a child's self esteem, sense of purpose and confidence. Additionally, setting goals gives them focus and assists them in making better decisions Goal setting is a life-long skill that can enhance the quality of one's life. Here is an idea to try with your family:
Make a Family Bucket List
Get everyone together and pass out markers and index cards.
Develop a list of accomplishments, achievements and/or experiences.
Online tools like Trello or Evernote may be options to capture your family goals if you or your children are computer savvy.
At the end of the year, look back at all the accomplishments you have achieved.
For more ideas about setting goals, please follow this link.
Our Life in the Sunshine!
Profiles of Arleta, Pacoima, and Sun Valley Community Members
Meet Angela Chavez, Teacher at Vena Elementary!
Ms. Chavez is a 3rd grade teacher at Vena Elementary. Apart from supporting her own students, she provides training to teachers on the Next Generation Science Standards. She has worked in the Girls Who Code program and has presented at conferences about girls in science.
Ms. Chavez was selected among six finalists at the state level for the 2020 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Congratulations to Ms. Chavez for making it a priority for students in general and girls in particular to access and excel in science. The Sun Valley COS community is proud of you and rooting for you to win this prestigious award.
Click on the following link to read about this accomplishment in the L.A. Daily News. https://www.dailynews.com/2020/12/22/san-fernando-valley-teacher-is-finalist-for-national-honor-in-math-science-education/?utm_content=tw-ladailynews&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social
Community of Schools Photo Highlights
Scroll through to see Sun Valley COS photo highlights!
Calendar/Upcoming Events
Our next Town Hall in February~
February Town Hall.pdf
Spring Enrichment Flyer- Spanish
BD 6 Virtual Art Contest- Submit Your Entry Now through February 14!
School Experience Surveys are due on Friday February 5th. Click on the image above and fill yours out today!!
Parent Workshops:
(click on the images for details)
LCAP Study Group- English
LCAP Study Group- Spanish
Family Financial Literacy Event
FFLE_Revised_november_LAUSD_20-21.pdfFamily Financial Literacy Spanish
FFLE_Updated_Nov-Spanish_Flyer.pdfELAC Conference-English
EL Conf. for Parents.pdfELAC Conference-Spanish
Spanish- EL Conf. .pdfResources and Links
LAUSD COVID tests are free, convenient, and easy to schedule. We have a testing center at Pacoima Middle School. You may use other LAUSD testing sites as well.
Due to a recent change, anyone living in the same household as an LAUSD student or staff member can be tested at one of our testing sites!
Use the button below to schedule a test or call (213) 443-1300.
Let's all do our part to get the pandemic under control! Getting tested is an important way that you can help.
More information- English
More Information- Spanish
Does your family need help getting free/low cost health insurance?
Financial Aid season is here for graduating seniors. Click on the Icon to go to the FAFSA webpage. Apply Early!!
TRiEE_Consultation_Line_Flyer_Final_-_11_23 (1).pdfMental Health Support for Little Ones
LAUSD is here to help you!
LAUSD Mental Health Hotline
Grab & Go Meal Centers
It's A new year! Time for some REsolutions....
There is no doubt that 2020 was a year like no other. What better time than now to help your children refresh, restart and set some goals and resolutions for 2021? Understood.org has a wonderful article that contains tools to assist you in teacking kids to set and work steadily towards goals, something all students with learning differences can benefit from. Please click the link below, utilize the tools, and start this new year off with some thoughtful planning and reflection. Happy New Year!
"How to Help Your Child Set a New Year’s Goal — and Stick with It"
A Sunny SOundtrack
Just for fun click on the sun...
Our Sun Valley COS Schools
Click on the image to go to the school website.
Sun Valley Complex
Coughlin Elementary
Fernangeles Elementary
Vinedale College Prep Academy (K-8 Span)
Maclay Middle School
Sun Valley Magnet (6-12 Span)
Valley Oaks Center for Enriched Studies (6-12 Span)
Polytechnic Complex
Arminta Early Ed Center
Arminta Elementary
Glenwood Elementary
Korenstien Elementary
Roscoe Elementary
Saticoy Elementary
Strathern Elementary
Byrd Middle School
Lewis High School
Polytechnic High School
Lowman Spec. Ed. Center and CTC
Arleta Complex
Beachy Elementary
CanterburyElementary
Sharp Elementary
Vena Elementary
Pacoima Middle School
Arleta High School
Our community of schools staff
Contact us
John Rome- Community of Schools Administrator
Seth Avery- Lead Director
Our office is located at 8501 Arleta Avenue, Sun Valley CA 91352 on the campus of Byrd Middle School (at the Local District Northeast office.)
You can contact us by calling the Local District Northeast switchboard at (818) 252-5400.
You can email us at SunValleyCOS@lausd.net