The Messenger
Newsletter for the Monroe Community of Schools
May 7, 2021
APPRECIATING OUR SCHOOL STAFF
The month of May is a time to show appreciation to all of the dedicated educators–principals, teachers, and school staff–who have worked together through a challenging time to keep open bright paths of learning for all of our students. The Monroe Community of Schools thanks all of our educators for the hard work and countless extra hours–so much of which goes unrecognized except by those who are directly affected. You are stars, and together we shine!
- May 1 – National School Principals Day
- May 3-7 – National Teacher & Substitute Teacher Appreciation Week
- May 9-15 – Celebrating Los Angeles School Police During National Police Week
- May 12 – Day of the Teacher
- May 16-22 – Classified School Employee Week
Happy Mothers Day!
Whether you celebrate it on May 9th or May 10th, the Monroe Community of Schools wishes all mothers and others who lovingly raise children a very Happy Mothers Day!
News and Updates
School Calendar for 2021-2022 Announced
On Tuesday, May 4th, the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education approved the instructional calendar for the 2021-2022 school year. The first day of instruction for students will be Monday, August 16, 2021. Click here to download a copy of the calendar.
Summer School Registration Begins in Mid-May
Each Community of Schools will offer English Language Arts, English Language Development, and Math with weekly enrichment classes for students in Grades TK-8th.
Our high school students will have the opportunity to take elective courses or academic courses that they have not previously taken or need to take for credit recovery.
The district-wide enrichment program will offer over 150 choices, including: World Languages and a wide variety of arts programs for elementary students; Art + Activism and ethnic studies courses for middle school students; and a wide range of honors and CTE courses such as filmmaking, robotics, computer science, and more for high school students.
Free Vaccine for Families in the Monroe Community of Schools
We are pleased to announce a new COVID-19 vaccination center for our Monroe Community of Schools families, in collaboration with the Valley Community Healthcare at the North Hills Wellness Center. To make an appointment, please call (818) 432-8509.
DAYS AND TIMES:
Saturday, May 8 & Saturday, May 15
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
If you have any questions, please feel free to call the Los Angeles Unified Family Vaccination Hotline at (213) 328-3958.
Spotlight on Schools
Holmes Middle School Students Perform at So-Fi Stadium
Four of our students at Holmes Middle School received a surprise when they were invited to join Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. at a taping of VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World. As participants in the District's enrichment program with Fender Guitar, the students–Mia Avila, Anthony Martinez, Jacob Montiel, and Aubrey Sanchez–played their guitars along with the star as she recorded her performance. The concert can be seen starting Saturday, May 8. Click here for the schedule.
Many thanks to the Monroe Community of School's Program Specialist Vanessa Frnzyan for chaperoning the students to the event and making this memorable opportunity possible for them!
Gledhill Elementary Welcomes Back Students and Staff
The Langdon Lion is Happy to See Students on Campus
A Day in the Life of Lassen Elementary
Liggett Elementary Celebrates Teacher Appreciation and May the Fourth Star Wars Day
Community Resources
Los Angeles Public Library Re-Opening
Many Los Angeles Public Library branches have re-opened this week for limited services, including: quick browsing, computer access, pick up of holds and mobile printing orders, checking out of materials inside libraries, and Library To Go contactless pick up service.
Hours are as follows:
- Monday/Wednesday/Friday: 10:00 AM-4:30 PM
- Tuesday/Thursday: 12:30-7:30 PM
- Weekends: Closed
The regional branches that have re-opened in our community are:
- Panorama City Regional Library
- 14345 Roscoe Boulevard, Panorama City
- (818) 894-4071
- Mid-Valley Regional Library
- 16244 Nordhoff Street, North Hills
- (818) 895-3650
Open Library
Open Library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. The nonprofit group, which has made millions of books available online for free, says that it is suspending waitlists for the 1.4 million works in its lending library.
Zoom with the L.A. Dodgers Foundation
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation invites all students in Grades 6-12 to a free virtual college workshop exploring how college admissions are adjusting to COVID-19. Students will have the opportunity to engage with panelists and win Dodger prizes!
- Date: Thursday, May 13th
- Time: 4:00 PM
- Click here for more information and to register.
Social Distancing Tips for Kids
Social distancing can be a challenge for many students, especially our youngest learners and those who learn and think differently. This article from Understood.org provides some tips for parents and school staff to support all children successfully practice social distancing.
May is Asian American and Pacific Island American Heritage Month
Almost 19 million Americans are of Asian/Pacific Island descent, and the month of May has been designated to honor their rich and varied heritage, experiences, and contributions. The following are some ideas to help celebrate with children.
Make a Mothers Day Pop-Up Flower Card (For Ages 8+)
Join artist and maker Stacy Wong as she teaches you how to create a beautiful, hand-stitched pop-up card for Mothers Day. Using simple craft materials, this card will be a perfect gift for someone special. It is highly recommended children attend with an adult.
- WHEN: May 8 at 1:00 PM
- SITE: Live streaming, Pacific Asia Museum, register on website to receive the Zoom link
- INFO: Call (626) 787-2680 or visit pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu/calendar.
Learn Korean, Japanese, Mandarin or Vietnamese
The L.A. Public Library offers free language immersion classes for children ages 4+. Classes are live streamed, then archived, on LAPL's Facebook page and YouTube channel. For more information, call (213) 228-7250 or visit the LAPL Dive Into Language website.
Books for Children
Check out some of these children's books that feature Asian American lead characters. The first three are suitable to read aloud or for younger independent readers. The second group of three are suitable for late elementary and middle school readers.
Book Club Bonanza with L.A. Public Library
The L.A. Public Library invites young adults to join them as they read a book via hoopla, followed by presentations and trivia games.
- WHEN: May 10 and 24 at 4:00 PM
- EMAIL teens@lapl.org from your school email address at least one hour in advance of the program to request the program link.
- INFO: Call (213) 228-7291 or visit lapl.zoom.us.
Special Event: Screening of "Minari"
The City of Los Angeles is sponsoring a special virtual screening of the Academy Award-winning film Minari, which tells the story of a Korean American family that moves to a farm in Arkansas. After the screening, there will be a special Q&A with the cast. Click here for the flyer.
- Date: Thursday, May 27
- Time: 6:00 PM
- Register: Click here
Parent and Community Engagement
Morena Camp
Monroe Community of Schools
Flyers
For flyers (in English/Spanish) of the events listed below, please click here.
Other Resources:
Digital College Signing Month
Throughout the month of May, Board President Kelly Gonez will be highlighting our graduating seniors from across Board District 6. Help us celebrate their accomplishments by sharing pictures and stories. Submit your story at bit.ly/bd6collegesigning.
Draw All You Can: A Virtual Community STEAM Event
May 13 at 5:00 PM or May 22 at 10:00 AM
CONNECT, CREATE, & CELEBRATE – Join us for 90 minutes of joyful conversation while creating priceless memories and a one-of-a-kind piece of art! Register at: bit.ly/ldnw-dayc-register. Take a look at at some of the art created by Monroe Community of Schools Title 3 Coach, Soo Jin Horio:
Resilient Families: A Workshop Series
- May 11, 18, and 25 – 3:00-4:00 PM
- Zoom ID: 885 9102 8770
- Passcode: family
This series of workshops, brought to you by the Office of School Mental Health, 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!
Systems of Support
Gratitude
Creating positive culture includes setting aside time to feel and express gratitude. This gratitude can be for anything that makes you feel the quality of being thankful or a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Express Your Gratitude
Acts of Kindness
- Help someone you know who is having a hard or difficult time.
- Offer to carry something for someone.
- Donate unwanted clothes/things.
Tip/Compliment
- When you experience great effort and service at a store or restaurant, tip
- them or compliment their efforts!
Write a Letter
- The effort of sitting down to handwrite or type a letter is priceless.
Say the Words
- Call and tell someone how grateful you are for them, and why.
Be Respectful
- Be mindful of your words and actions when speaking and interacting with
- others.
Show through Creative Expression
- Paint, draw, sing, act, or use your creativity to express your gratitude.
Gratitude Gift
- Handmade gifts are like gold (a meal/plant/playlist), but if you don’t have time you can buy a little something.
Visit
- This gesture is huge!
Check-In
- Text or call to ask how someone is, and listen to their response.
Make a Scrapbook
- Find meaningful photos, memories, or representations that you can create for someone or yourself.
Volunteer
- Clean up a nearby beach, park, or area in your community.
Still Not Convinced? There are life benefits to feeling and expressing gratitude:
- Social - helps to build and maintain relationships
- Well-being - increases positive feelings and sense of one’s overall well-being
- Happiness - the path to happiness is through gratitude
- Physical - increases healthy activities and willingness to seek help for health concerns
Challenge Yourself
- Practice gratitude for a month, then try it daily!
- Here are two challenges you can choose from:
We Are Here to Help!
Monroe Community of Schools
Cara Schneider, Administrator
Suemi DeLeo, COS Assistant
Email: monroecos@lausd.net
Website: monroecos.org
Location: 15330 Plummer Street, North Hills, CA, USA
Phone: (818) 672-4521