El Semanario
January 16-20, 2023
This Week at Edison / Esta semana en Edison
- Monday, January 16 -- Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday – School Holiday
- Tuesday, January 17 - -- Teatro Informance - Maestra Melendez 8:30-9:20 am, Room 107
- Wednesday, January 18 -- Teatro Informance - Maestra Tejeda, 12:30-1:20 pm , Room 107; Seaside Preschool Orientation – On Campus 6:00-7:30 pm
- Thursday, January 19 -- IEPs (morning)
- Friday, January 20 -- Teatro Informance - Maestra Martinez, 8:30-9:20 am, Room 107; Fire Drill (afternoon); classroom visits from JAMS Immersion Teachers
From the Principal's Desk Del escritorio de la directora
Helping Students Learn to Manage Technology Responsibly
A number of our students seem to have received cell phones and other devices that are connected to the internet as gifts for the holidays. We are seeing more of these devices at school -- and an uptick in the number of behavior challenges related to them. So it seems like a good moment to review school policy in this area and make sure parents understand that -- with rare and documented exceptions -- cell phones really should not be coming to elementary school. This is the policy detailed in our Family Handbook:
Policy on Cell Phone Use at School:
"Students, visitors, or volunteers may not use cell phones and pagers during school hours on campus. SMMUSD Board policy prohibits the possession and/or use of any electronic signaling device while on school property by elementary school students. Cell phones can be a major distraction for students at school, and smartphones give your child access to more than just a telephone – they are connected to the internet, and the temptation to watch videos, play games, and otherwise explore on-line (usually without a filter) is too great for many youngsters. If you believe there is a safety reason why your child needs to have a cell phone at school, please fill out a request for a waiver of this policy. If your request is approved, you and your child will sign a waiver and a copy of the rules on cell phone use. The device must remain turned off and put away during school hours. If your child has a cell phone on campus without an approved request, or if your child turns on the device during the day, the device will be confiscated and may only be retrieved by the parent after meeting with the principal. Students and parents assume full responsibility for any electronic devices brought to school. In no event will the school district or school personnel assume liability for the theft, loss or damage of the device, including for any confiscated devices. Please make sure that your child is fully aware of these rules."
Also, please keep in mind that while children are very adept at using technology, they are often less sophisticated in understanding how to responsibly use it. There are students who say things in group chats about others that they would never say to their faces. Those words can harm and humiliate other children. And the sender is often mortified when they discover that someone has taken a screen-shot of their mean words and spread them far and wide. Children tend to think that texts, chats, and emails are private space, but they most assuredly are not. When children use their district email accounts or district devices inappropriately, we can retrieve nearly everything that they have done. And -- even if they are using their own phones outside school hours -- all it takes is a screen shot and your child's words can be shared widely and create a digital footprint that follows them. If you've provided your child with a cell phone, please be very clear about your expectations for their use of technology, and regularly review their text messages, email, and browser history. Just like new drivers have to drive under adult supervision until they really know the rules of the road, kids on cell phones and with access to the internet need both instruction and regular supervision by adults. And whether the speech is in person or on line, speech that disparages others or uses slurs has no place in our community.
Edison parents are invited to attend a workshop at Grant Elementary School that can help with many of these topics on January 24 at 6:30 p.m. The workshop is called Screen Time Rx: Raising Healthy and Balanced Kids in the Digital Age and interpretation in Spanish will also be provided. Topics include: how to manage screen time and set realistic boundaries, safety and privacy, video games and new cell phones. It is being offered by Julia Storm, a Los Angeles-based Digital Media Wellness Educator. She is a writer, teacher, public speaker and the founder of ReConnect, a whole child and whole family approach to preparing kids for life in the Digital Age. Thanks to Grant Elementary for opening this important workshop tonall SMMUSD parents. In response to a few incidents that have affected our Edison students, counseling staff is working on some workshops for students (starting with our 5th graders) and we hope to hold a parent workshop for February about how to help your child navigate the often "gossipy" world of group texts and chats, behave kindly on line, and avoid cyber bullying.
Calendar / Calendario
Upcoming Events
- Monday, January 23 -- PTA Association Meeting 8:30-10:00 am -- Library
- Tuesday, January 24 -- Principals Meeting 9:00-3:30
- Wednesday, January 25 -- Teatro Informance - Maestra Díaz Roquette 10:35-11:05 am, Room 107 and Site Council Meeting 4:30-6:30 via zoom
- Thursday, January 26 -- Teatro Informance - Maestra Banks, 10:35-11:05 am, Room 107 and TK-K Round Up – Orientation #3 -Evening Orientation Campus Visit 6:00-7:30.
- Friday, January 27 -- Teatro Informance - Maestra Cervantes - 12:30-1:20 pm, Room 107 and Learning Rounds - School Leadership Team Members Subbed out as Walkers
- Monday, January 30 -- Teatro Informance - Maestra Castillo 10:35-11:05, Room 107
- Tuesday, January 31 - Teatro Informance - Maestra Herrera 11:10-12:00 pm, Room 107 ; Jazz Reach performance for 4th and 5th graders 9:20 am
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 15 is the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and January 16 is celebrated as a national holiday and day of services in his honor. We learn about the life, dreams, and courageous work of Dr King in our classrooms. Dr. King's image is part of the central mural on our campus in the amphitheater to remind us that people should be judged by the content of their character and not by the color of their skin. For many years, Edison has participated in the MLK Kindness and Justice Challenge -- a two week period in January that asks us to perform kind and just acts in Dr. King's honor. We started doing this inspired by the words of Dr. King's son Martin Luther King III soon after his father's birthday became a holiday. He asked students not to take a day off but to spend the day in service and action and supported the creation of this challenge, saying: "Like my father, I believe in the power of young people to change the world. Through the Do Something Kindness and Justice Challenge, students can put into practice the ideals to which my father devoted his life." Edison students set goals to carry out acts of kindness and justice and write down their kind acts. Sometimes we do this on strips of paper that we later assemble into a chain. This year, we're asking that students use the Kids Heart Challenge to set goals for kind acts and then report them on the KHC website.
While there are many children's books that teach about the life and work or Dr. King, I thought you might enjoy one recently written by his son, Dr. Martin Luther King, III offering his perspective growing up as the son of this warrior for justice. See the link below. Also linked below is a biography of Dr. King read in Spanish.
Happy Lunar New Year
On January 22, New Year celebrations begin for people of East and Southeast Asian heritage. The year 2023 is designated in the Chinese Zodiac as the Year of the Rabbit. The New Year follows the lunar calendar and typically begins with the first new moon that occurs toward the end of January. The New Year holidays span the first 15 days of the first month of the lunar calendar—until the full moon arrives. Each culture celebrates the Lunar New Year differently with various foods and traditions that symbolize prosperity, abundance and togetherness. In preparation for the Lunar New Year, houses are thoroughly cleaned to rid them of inauspicious spirits, which might have collected during the old year. Cleaning is also meant to open space for good will and good luck.
How do families observe this holiday? Those who observe this holiday at home may post red paper and banners inscribed with calligraphy messages of good health and fortune in front of, and inside, homes. Elders give out envelopes containing money to children. Foods made from glutinous rice are commonly eaten, as these foods represent togetherness. Other foods symbolize prosperity, abundance and good luck.
Where can you celebrate and learn more about Lunar New Year? Santa Monica Place is holding a free family event on Saturday, January 28 from 2-5 pm (see the link below for more information). Or you may want to head to Chinatown in downtown LA on January 28 for one of L.A.’s oldest traditions -- the 124th annual Chinese New Year parade and festival in Chinatown and it's Golden Dragon Parade. See the link below for more information -- and arrive early; the parade typically draws many celebrants!
Health and Safety / Salud y Seguridad
Health Precautions
Thank you for using the weekly home tests to screen students and for being watchful for symptoms of Covid, RSV or Flu. We continue to send antigen home test kits home each Friday.
When there are students who come down with Covid they are placed on home isolation. And if they have potentially exposed close contacts (classmates), we send families a notice. This last week we had four classrooms that had been exposed and now must mask for 10 days. If your child was a close contact but does not have symptoms, they DO NOT need to quarantine but are required to take the following steps to reduce the risk of spreading COVID COVID-19 to others.
- Monitor symptoms for 10 days. If your child develops symptoms, you need to test immediately. If positive, contact Melina Garcia (61-348 or melinagarcia@smmusd.org) and follow isolation guidance at ph.lacounty.gov/covidisolation
- Wear a highly protective mask around others indoors, except when eating or drinking, for 10 days after the last date of exposure.
- Test with an FDA-authorized viral COVID-19 test (e.g., PCR or Antigen test, including at home tests) within 3-5 days since the last date of exposure.
- Students with a mask exemption may wear a face shield with drape at the bottom or must test once between days 3-5 and once between days 6-9 to remain on site.
Announcements / Anuncios
Assessments
We have finished the Star Assessments and teachers will be looking at the results together this week to see what kinds of patterns emerge. We use this information primarily to guide instruction going forward, and to adjust intervention services. This week and next, our Kindergartners are taking a district math assessments and students in K-1-2-3 will be reading 1:1 with their teachers to see how fluency and reading comprehension are developing. These assessments are one of multiple measures that teachers will be using to determine marks on Mid-Year Progress Reports at the end of the month. Aside from making sure your child is in school on time and is well rested on assessment days, there is nothing that parents need to be doing to "prepare" students for these formative assessments. We regularly assess progress and do all that we can to help children be relaxed about assessments. Thank you for also sending this message to your child.
Edison Participates in the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge
We kicked off our Kids Heart Challenge last Wednesday with assemblies. There are already 53 students registered and working on the challenges; two have already completed Finn's Challenge. And Edison has raised over $1,600 so far for Kids Heart Initiatives.
It only takes 2 minutes to register your child online for the Kids Heart Challenge to help your class win the classroom challenge! Don’t wait! We are having a blast learning how to keep our hearts happy and healthy. If you haven’t yet, go tohttp://www2.heart.org/goto/edisonsmmusd or download the free “Kids Heart Challenge” app and register. Join the fun! Thank you for your support.
SCHOOL INCENTIVE:
The class with the most students registered will get a popsicle party!
Any student that completes Finn's Mission will get to silly string the coaches!
When 200 students register, we will unlock a Jersey/Sport Dress Day for the whole school!
*Download the FREE Kids Heart Challenge App for Apple or Android
From the Garden
With all the rain, we have a bumper crop of chard (aselgas) in the garden right now -- and we'd love to share it! If your family enjoys chard (or if you want to introduce them to it!), email Jessica Hernandez (jessica.hernandez@smmusd.org) and come to school this coming Wednesday morning right after drop off. If it's raining, we'll try Thursday morning. Bring a plastic or cloth bag and Jessica will lead a group to harvest some of this abundant vegetable! Swiss Chard is in the greens family -- between spinach and kale and it's easy to remove stems and saute in a little olive oil. Not only is chard packed with vitamins (vitamins K, A, and C), it also is anti-inflammatory and helps the body manage blood sugar. It's in the same family as beets, spinach, and quinoa. Try the first recipe below for a healthy side dish at dinner or if you'd like something with a bit more spice (picante) to it, try Chef Aaron Sanchez' recipe (below) for Quelites and substitute chard for the mustard greens!
Ballet Folklorico -- Still Room in the Edison Classes
Edison hosts Ballet Folklorico classes every Monday and Wednesday after school in the cafeteria. This is a program sponsored by the district and there is no charge to participants. Costumes and shoes for performances are even provided at no cost. There is still room in the Edison class if your 3-5th grader is interested in joining the group! Use the link below to enroll your child:
Siblings for Transitional Kinder (TK) or Kindergarten in 2023-2024
If your older child is still a student at Edison you do not need to attend a new orientation. However, if it's been a while and for up-to-date information about on campus child care options, sign up below to attend an orientation. If you have any further questions please email jessicahernandez@smmusd.org or call her at 310-828-0335 ext. 61-306.
The next Orientation for Prospective TK-K Applicants, Thursday, January 26 from 6:00-7:30 pm at Edison. You must sign up in advance to assure that we have room (see the link below). Please spread the word to interested friends and neighbors, have them sign up on line, and help us recruit the next Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten Edison students!
Seaside Preschool / Pre-Escuela Seaside
Do you have a child ready for preschool in 2023-2024? Are you interested in exploring Seaside, Edison's dual immersion preschool program? Children with a birthday of 9/1/2020 or earlier can enroll. Since Edison is a Dual Language Immersion program, we tend to try and enroll older children first so they have some of the developmental skills ready to support their growth in two languages when they start Kindergarten. Come and learn more about Seaside and see if it's a good fit for your family. Two information sessions are available: Wednesday, January 18 from 6:00-7:30 pm on the Edison campus and Monday, February 13 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm via Zoom. To sign up for an information session, use the link below. Please share this information with any friends, family, or neighbors that may have preschool age children and help us identify the next generation of emerging bilinguals!
Reflective Parenting Classes
What is Reflective Parenting? A 10-week workshop that provides parents/ guardians a framework to view their children’s behaviors as meaningful. The group will focus on different topics including temperament, discipline, and emotional regulation. You will build reflective capacity and learn to understand the thoughts and feelings that underlie your interactions with your child. Reflective capacity is shown to strengthen your relationships with your children. It also supports healthy cognitive and social-emotional development in children.
When: Wednesday Evenings, 7:30-9pm, January 11th - March 15
Where: Virtually via Zoom
This workshop is free of charge for SMMUSD parents/guardians
For more info, contact Emily Ferro, LCSW (310) 362-5148, emily@ferrolcsw.com
Valentines Dance -- Mark your calendar for the evening of February 10!
We're super excited that this Edison tradition can be back on campus this year! Join us for a fun evening of dancing, dinner, loteria and other games, and a photo booth. 5th Grade families are raising funds for 5th grade activities by hosting the food sale and a silent auction. If you have anything to donate to the auction, please let us know. PTA will be running the Lotería games, the photo booth, and selling raffle tickets to support PTA funded programs at Edison and would also appreciate donations of any prizes. An event like this takes a lot of parent volunteers, so please sign up with your room representative.
5th Grade Science Camp at Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy
Edison's 5th graders will be heading to Catalina Island in May for a three-day and two-night camping experience. Students will be at the Emerald Bay Outdoor Academy May 22-24, accompanied by their teachers, Assistant Principal Elizabeth Ipiña and one or two parent medical volunteers. Last week we had our parent informational meeting and sent out the links to student medical forms and the payment schedule. Great appreciation to the Edison PTA that has made a scholarship fund available so help defer the cost of this trip for families. The first payment (checks made payable to Edison PTA) is due by February 13, 2022. If you missed last week's parent meeting and need additional information, contact Community Liaison Jessica Hernandez.
About Us / Sobre Nosotros
El Semanario is the weekly family newsletter from Edison Language Academy in the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District. Edison is a school of choice and offers a 90-10 Spanish-English dual immersion program for all students. Edison's PreK-5th grade program is the first of three schools hosting SMMUSD's PreK-12 grade Language Academy. Students promoting from Edison can continue the dual immersion program at John Adams Middle School (JAMS) and Santa Monica High School (Samohi).
Edison is a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, twice named as a California Distinguished School, a multi-year recipient of the State of California's Title I Academic Achievement Award, holder of a Seal of Excellence from the California Association for Bilingual Education, and a multi-year Honor Roll designee from the Education Results Partnership. This is Edison's 35th year as a dual immersion academy.
Email: lorum@smmusd.org
Website: www.edison.smmusd.org
Location: 2402 Virginia Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA
Phone: (310) 828-0335