Biweeky Newsletter

Issue #3- September 2020

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Sun Valley COS Website

In This Issue:

A Message from Mr. Rome
Restorative Practices
Digital Citizenship Spotlight- Media Balance
Instruction and Technology Corner
Our Life in the Sunshine- Community Profiles
Parent Portal- Stay Informed
COS Photo Highlights
Upcoming Events
Contact Us

John Rome

Sun Valley Community of Schools Administrator

A message from mr. Rome

To read Mr. Rome's message please click here.

Dear Sun Valley Community Members,

We are already coming to the end of our third week of school. School teams have worked hard to make sure that every student has a device and that students can log on to remote instruction. Teachers have been using Schoology, Zoom and digital tools to deliver instruction every day. I had the pleasure of visiting Pacoima Middle School and Sharp Avenue Elementary School this week to see teachers in action. What I observed, reassured me that LAUSD teachers are up to the challenge of providing engaging quality instruction for their students in a digital format.

In the next weeks, schools will be hosting Back to School Nights. Teachers will be sharing more information about their classroom plans and parents will have an opportunity to ask questions. Look for information from your principal about the Back to School Night at your school.

On Wednesday, September 9^th at 8:30AM, we will be hosting a Sun Valley townhall meeting. We will be sharing updates for parents and community members. More information about how to log in can be found in the newsletter below. I hope you will join us.

Over the next weeks, LAUSD will be piloting a program for regular COVID-19 testing and tracing. The program will start by testing a few staff members at selected sites. Eventually, this program will provide testing to all staff and students over time. The goal is to ensure that staff and students are virus free before returning to campus. Based on the guidance from the State of California a decision to return to campus is some time away. I am proud that LAUSD is taking this proactive step now to get us ready to return to campus safely when the time is right.

I know the school closure continues to be a great challenge for families. Remote instruction is not the same as in person instruction and parents are overwhelmed with the demands of working and providing safe childcare. We are all hopeful that this pandemic passes quickly and we will be able to return our normal lives.

Thank you for your continued patience and resilience.

Now more than ever, our students need

Restorative Practices

Restorative Practice is a way of thinking and being that involves staff and students working with each other in a manner that is both firm (consistent, explicit, with high standards) and fair (validates everyone's input and ideas provides explanations and sets clear expectations). In this climate, a sense of community is developed, and everyone is held accountable for their own actions.

Simply put, to be ‘restorative’ means to believe that decisions are best made and conflicts are best resolved by those most directly involved in them. We seek to develop good relationships and restore a sense of community in an increasingly disconnected world.

When things go wrong, one is expected to accept responsibility and repair the harm in an environment in which everyone is supported and treated with integrity and respect. The use of Progressive Discipline and Restorative Practice helps to create safe and inclusive learning environments.

Digital Citizenship spotlight- Media Balance

Does your child spend too much time on screens after class?

Check out this video for a great viedo to discuss media balance with little ones!

What about tips for older students? Click on the picture below for School Year Screen Time Rules from a Teacher!

“Do you want to be more confident about managing your children’s media and technology consumption? Receive @CommonSense free text message tips about how to practice healthy media habits at home with your family!

Just text the word "Kids" to this phone number: 21555.

Instruction and technology corner

With Jerry Song

Zoom Tip - Pin Video

Is your child struggling to find the teachers video during a Zoom lesson? Try pinning the teacher's video. This will make the teacher's camera full screen on your child's screen to help them focus on the teacher's instruction.

Zoom Help Center: Pin Video on Various Devices

Parents' Ultimate Guide to Zoom

LAUSD Zoom Login for Students and Staff

Parent Portal - Stay informed!

Explore your Parent Portal account today!

The LAUSD Parent Portal is LAUSD’s Parent Access Support System portal. It is a one-stop online system that connects parents and guardians to important information about their child's education. It is secure...it is personalized to your child...and it is custom-made for YOU, our parents and guardians.

Each icon is link to a window of information!

Explore today: www.parentportal.lausd.net

Our Life in the Sunshine!

Profiles of Arleta, Pacoima, and Sun Valley Community Members

(Click on the image for a sunny soundtrack!)

Meet Teacher of the Year Irene Maliwan!

Polytechnic High School Science teacher Irene Maliwan’s recognition as an LAUSD Teacher of the Year is a truly well-deserved honor. Ms. Maliwan has mentored teachers, influenced her colleagues, and inspired students to seek careers in science. Her love of the science classroom has resulted in a well-earned reputation for thoughtful and intentional instruction that results in academic achievement and confidence for all students. When entering Mrs. Maliwan’s classroom, the love of learning science is strongly felt, and so is her commitment to fairness and high expectations. No student wants to miss her class! Congratulations, Ms. Maliwan!

Meet Joseph Safdeye, Pacoima Middle School Math and Science Teacher!

Mr. Safdeye is a highly accomplished teacher who has worked at Pacoima MS for the past 10 years. He is a product of LAUSD schools, having attended Kittridge Elementary, Madison Middle School, and Van Nuys High School as a student!

Mr. Safdeye is a passionate teacher who specializes in supporting English learners and in implementing restorative practices such as community building circles. His advice for students and parents is, "Don't give up. Seek more and persevere!"

Meet Sophia Carbajal, 5th grader at Julie Korenstein Elementary School!

Sophia is excited about starting 5th grade via distance learning. She is using Zoom, Schoology, Freckle, Seasaw, and other applications to connect with her classroom and do her assignments. Her parents are also monitoring her progress via the Parent Portal and their Schoology account. Go Korenstein Explorers!

Community of Schools Photo Highlights

Behind the scenes at Mr. Safdeye's virtual classroom- using engagement strategies!

Scroll for the latest photos including Arminta Elementary's marquee mural that was completed this summer.

Calendar/Upcoming Events

Join us for our next Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday September 9 at 8:30 am!

Resources and Links

Available for all LA Unified students, K-12th Grade
Fun and exciting virtual enrichment opportunities after school and/or Saturdays
Dance, theater, visual arts, STEM, computer science, marine science, and much more!!
Classes will state the week of September 21st through mid-December

Student registration window: Tuesday September 8th-Tuesday September 15th

Fall Enrichment Flyer in Spanish

Do you need help with child care during the school/work day? Check out this resource that is free for most families!

Space is available at Arminta EEC. Enroll your child today!!

Attendance is being taken for distance learning!

Click on the image to enlarge.

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Understood.org is a website devoted to providing resources and support for those who learn “differently”. There are many resources for families to investigate, research, and utilize both throughout the year and during this time of remote learning. Topics specific to distance learning and the new school year include:

1. “Distance Learning: Start Strong with These Back-to-School Resources for Families and Educators”

2. “Supporting Kids’ Mental Health as They Go Back to School”

3. “Back-to-School Concerns About Your Child: How to Act on Them”

4. “How to Talk About the Coronavirus with Kids”

5. “7 Examples of Focus Wins When Your Child Is Learning at Home”

Please take some time to explore the website and to find what else Understood.org has to offer. There is much to learn and to discover.

Remember that Special Education has a frequently updated web page as well, in Spanish and English, with supplemental resources to support your child's distance learning experience. https://achieve.lausd.net/Page/16606

Digital resources to support Cognitive Development in students

Resources in Cognitive Development encourage the growth of language, math, science, and social studies skills in young learners.There are a variety of resources that can be used at home. Families can have fun with measuring with Sid the Science Kid, experimenting with "Gas in a Bag", studying their culture and community, and learning about democracy in action. Check out these resource!

https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/subjects/preschool/cognitive-development/?selected_facet=grades:12 or https://www.pbs.org/video/ or https://pbskids.org/