Biweeky Newsletter

All of us are watching the COVID 19 cases in Los Angeles County and around the country and wondering how soon schools will be able to open safely. All of us in the Los Angeles Unified School District are aware of the tremendous burden that closing schools has on the community. During his November 2nd update, Superintendent Beutner announced that LAUSD schools will not reopen this semester. (See press release in English here and Spanish here.)

Despite this news, I can report that teams of employees are meeting daily to develop plans and make arrangement for a safe reopening. This work will ensure that once the health data in our county improves to a point that will allow our schools to open, we will be ready.

As a parent or community member you need to be informed about the plans that are being made and the option that will be available to you and your family when schools reopen. We will be holding town hall meeting during the week of November 16 to share the latest information about the reopening plans. There will be three separate dates and time to allow the maximum number of people to attend.

The English Town Halls (with translation available) are on Wednesday, 11/18, at 3:00 p.m. and Thursday, 11/19, at 6:00 p.m. Our Spanish Town Hall will be on Wednesday, 11/18, at 6:00 p.m. Flyers, with webinar information, are at the end of this Newsletter.

Thank you,

John Rome

Sun Valley Community of Schools Administrator

Digital Citizenship spotlight- Your digital footprint

What is a digital footprint and what does it mean for your child? Share these videos with your elementary aged child.

Oversharing on social media is a big problem for teenagers. Share this video with your middle/high school aged child and have a discussion about their digital footprint.

The Ultimate Parents Guide to Everything TikTok.

Instruction and technology corner

iPad Tip: View two apps a the same time

iPads allow you to view two apps side-by-side. This can be very useful for students as they can have a browser open while working on a Google Slides presentation at the same time time. This is a great tip for research projects. The video walks you through the process step-by-step.

MOVING BEYOND SPECIAL

parent resource: Supporting Reading at Home

5 Tricks to Reduce Your Childs Reading Anxiety

Does your child with a disability tell you they hate reading? They are probably really just showing you that they're frustrated and emotionally wiped out by its difficulty. When reading is both taxing and unenjoyable, kids avoid it. There is also a possibility that they will develop reading anxiety. Help your child learn to enjoy a good story and reading with the tips in this video.

https://youtu.be/GrmGeH5W3jk

Exploring Parent Portal - Icon by icon

Parents of EL Students can go to their Parent Portal account to view:

English Learner Progress
Reclassification Criteria

Explore your account today! https://parentportal.lausd.net/

Parents guide in the sunshine

The 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.

https://youtu.be/vzcaXQKTArs

Apply for Dual Language programs today!

DLE3.mp4

Check Out this Video about Dual Language Education (DLE)!!

DLE students have the opportunity to become bilingual and biliterate by learning skills in two languages in all content areas, strengthening academic achievement and sociocultural competence.

The Choices/Unified Enrollment for 2021-2022 Magnet and Dual Language Programs application window has been extended until November 20th!

Our Sun Valley Community of Schools offers Dual Language programs at 3 of our Schools.

Saticoy Elementary - Armenian Dual Language Program
Fernangeles Elementary- Spanish Dual Language Program
Roscoe Elementary- Spanish Dual Language Program

Apply now at: https://echoices.lausd.net

UE Flyer ENG.pdf

Unified Enrollment includes many other specialized programs as well. Click on the flyer for more inforation.

Have you and your child been tested?

LAUSD is offering testing for all students, parents and employees.

The testing is free, easy and convenient. We have a testing center at Pacoima Middle School. Testing will also be added soon at other sites.
Testing helps combat the coronavirus by allowing infected people to seek treatment early and take necessary steps to avoid spreading it.
Testing allows for some students to participate in programs on campus such as 1:1 tutoring and physical conditioning for athletics.
Covid testing prepares our schools and our community for the return to campus once public health conditions allow for it.
Have you and your child been tested? Make an appointment today?

Schedule Your Covid Test Appointment

Testing Flyer in English

Testing Flyer in Spanish

Community Building

Using Restorative Practices

Empathy is one of the most powerful tools you can teach your children. Why? It leads to better health, better relationships, improved communication skills and decreases negativity. But how do you teach it to your children?

Here are a few tips to teach your child empathy:

Remind them that everyone has a story - Bad behavior from others often stems from hurt they have suffered.
Meet your child's needs - Talk with your children about their emotional needs by being available for them to share their feelings.
Encourage your child to find connections with others - This allows your child to see "others" as humans with similar needs, fears and desires.
Address their bad behavior - Set limits so they understand how their behavior impacts others.
Let them know that there are MANY different perspectives - Make sure they understand that everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

Our Life in the Sunshine!

Profiles of Arleta, Pacoima, and Sun Valley Community Members

Meet Lilit Tannberg from Byrd Middle School!

Lilit Tannberg is one of many outstanding staff members at Byrd Middle School. More than just an employee, she dedicates herself to making a difference in students’ lives. She has worked in the field of special education for over 20 years, first as a paraprofessional, then as a special education teacher, and finally in her current position as a special education coordinator. During a recent interview, Lily shared so much about herself, even some details that you probably didn’t already know!

What inspires you? Kids have always inspired me. When I was a child of 5, in Armenia, I used to gather up all of the neighborhood children and teach them. My kindergarten teacher was and remains my inspiration. She always seemed perfect to me, always.

What makes a “good” day at school for you? I love engaging with students and supporting them. A great day is when I can make one smile.

How do you show school spirit? I volunteer as often as possible, for school events, etc. I love to check in on students and classrooms daily.

What are some things that others may not know about you? I speak 3 languages: Armenian, Russian, and English. During this time of COVID, I have learned to ride a bike, and I hike and/or bike everyday now! I love classical music and have always loved to use it in the classroom.

What is your favorite quote? “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted”.

Thank you, Lilit, for ALL that you do and for making the time to share more of yourself with us!

Meet Maria (Rosy) Felix, our NEW Parent and Community Engagement (PACE) Coach!

I am your Parent Educator Coach, supporting all schools in the Sun Valley Community of Schools. It has been a pleasure serving my community in different capacities, beginning as a parent volunteer, teacher assistant, resident teacher and magnet teacher. As I say goodbye to my Categorical Program Advisor and Targeted Student Population Advisor role, a position I served for the last six years, I embrace this new chapter in my career and look forward to getting to know and supporting my new LDNE community.

Meet Denise Dacles MacNeill, our Least Restrictive Environment Specialist!

I am an LRE Specialist supporting schools in the Arleta Complex within the Sun Valley Community of Schools (Cos). I also support schools in the Grant Complex that is part of the Van Nuys/Valley Glen CoS. This year begins my 29th year with LAUSD. My career has mainly been in elementary school where I was a general education teacher and then a Resource Specialist Teacher. After obtaining my Administrative Credential in 2013, I became a Specialist within the Division of Special Education in Due Process for a couple of years which led me to the LRE position that I am currently happy to be working in. My heart has always been in the field of Special Education and I am grateful for the path that I've taken that's led me to where I am today.

Community of Schools Photo Highlights

Byrd STM MS Meet the Magnets 2020 Ultimate Edition.mp4

Learn about Byrd Middle School's Magnet Programs!

Scroll through to see Zoom instruction at Roscoe Elementary as well as what distance teaching from school looks like.

Calendar/Upcoming Events

Welcome to a community designed for everyone of African descent!
Kickoff meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at 5:00 PM
The Umoja Village Elders will provide the Zoom link.
Click on flyer and then follow the REGISTRATION LINK.

November Town Hall English.pdf

Nov. Townhall Span..pdf

ENG_Flu_Shot_Notice_San_Fernando_MS_11-19-20 (1).pdf

SPN_Flu_Shot_Notice_San_Fernando_MS_11-19-20.pdf

Parent Workshops:

(click on the images for details)

LCAP Study Group- English

Special Education Parent Workshops

LCAP Study Group- Spanish

Special Education Parent Workshops (Spanish)

FAMILY FINANCIAL LITERACY EVENT

FFLE_Revised_november_LAUSD_20-21.pdf

Zone OF Choice Parent Meeting

English/Spanish

ZOC Parent Meetings ENG & SPAN.pdf

Title 1 Conference

Title I Conf. .pdf

Title 1 Conference (Spanish)

Resources and Links

Call 311

If you require information from the City of Los Angeles and don't know where to call, dial: 3-1-1 and City staff will help guide you to the correct city department You can also contact the City through the MYLA311 app from your mobile phone. Visit myla311.lacity.org to initiate service requests and more.