The Sun Valley Scoop
Sun Valley Community of Schools Biweekly Newsletter
Extra Scoop Edition- An Extra Helping of News, Profiles, and Photos
Issue #12- February 2022
MESSAGE FROM OUR COMMUNITY OF SCHOOLS ADMINISTRATOR
Dear Sun Valley Community,
Next week is the deadline for Seniors to submit their FAFSA applications. The FAFSA application is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and provides money for students to attend college. We encourage all 12th grade students to complete a FAFSA application this year even if they do not intend to attend college in the Fall. The FAFSA application can be difficult to complete. As an LAUSD student, you child can take advantage of the support that is available to them now from their high school college counselor to complete the application. Plans often change after student graduate.
The experience that students gain completing the application this year will prepare them to complete the application in the future if they decide they would like to pursue college. Every year billions of dollars of unused financial aid for college is left unclaimed. Don’t miss this is an amazing opportunity for your child to receive the resources they need for college. Please reach out to your child’s college counselor this week if you need more information about FAFSA. The deadline to submit is March 2.
Thank you,
John Rome
Community of Schools Administrator
Focus On
Our New Superintendent
Seth Avery, Lead Director
On February 14, 2022 Alberto Carvalho began as our new Superintendent of Schools. He served as the superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools in Florida for 13 years. Mr. Carvalho brings a sense of urgency about addressing the negative impacts caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and meeting the needs of our diverse student population.
"One of the clearest lessons that I have learned throughout my career is that standing with reason, living by science and following the direction of data – despite pushback – results in an outcome around which a community can always rally." If you would like to read more about Superintendent Carvalho including his full biography, click to read the press release announcing his selection.
Superintendent Carvalho announced a 100 day plan in order to hit the ground running.
Highlights from Superintendent Carvalho's opening school tour. The 100-Day Plan centers around four key tasks: learn, assess, communicate and act. These tasks will lay the foundations for the forthcoming Strategic Plan, illustrating a vibrant and robust picture of success at Los Angeles Unified.
February is Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Look through the slides to learn more about the accomplishments of these influential Americans.
Click below to access the presentation with links on each slide.
This is a visual from "Ron's Big Mission". Engage your child in a conversation about what they notice, wonder, and what the visual makes them think about. After, listen to the story click below.
Links below to apply for your Scholarship
2022-2023 HSF Scholar Application: https://www.hsf.net/scholarship
AAPA Scholarship 2022: https://aapa-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com/
Associated Administrators of Los Angeles Scholarship Opportunity for 2022 Graduating Seniors : http://www.aala.us/docs/2022/01/AALA-Scholarship-Application-2022.pdf
Safe Steps to Safe Schools
Click here for Spanish Flyer
Community Building
Charles Ford, Restorative Practices Advisor
Building a Positive Family Environment Through Communication
Talk About It All: Your children need to be comfortable discussing anything with you. Nothing should be taboo. You should be the safe haven for them to discuss any and everything, giving them advice and support when they need it.
Listen: To help your children feel comfortable, your children need to feel secure and comfortable. Attentive listening means you are giving you child your full attention (not doing chores) so they feel valued and heard. Give them the opportunity to finish their thoughts without interrupting. You’ll have time to respond after they finish.
Be open to discussion: Saying “No” followed by “Because I said so” creates dissension between parent and child. To create a more harmonious environment, share your reasons for saying no.
Talk About Feelings: Trying to hide your emotions can be confusing for your children. While they don’t need to know the details of adult problems, you can identify a feeling as sad, angry, or being overwhelmed. Talking about your feelings conveys that everyone has feelings and allows you to model how to deal with them. It’s also important not to tell your children how they feel. Statements like, “You’re fine” or “You’re not hurt” teaches them to suppress and hide their feelings.
Build Communication Skills: Model good communication for your child. They learn more from the way you behave than what you say. If you aren’t sure what your child means, check for clear understanding. Avoid criticism, sarcasm and judgement. Focus on one problem at a time. Attack the problem, not the child.
Moving Beyond Special
Shawn Hadcock, Program Specialist
Finding Our Sunshine
Mental Health and Wellness Resources
David Newhall, School Mental Health ConsultantThe Sun Valley COS is proud to team up with the North Hollywood COS to offer four Zoom groups for caregivers on managing stress and building resilience for ourselves and our children.
The sessions will be facilitated by our team of Mental Health Consultants and Psychiatric Social Workers.
Each session will be different. Don’t worry if you can’t attend them all. Please join for as many as you can!
Please see the flyer with the description, Zoom info and Registration QR Code below:
Our Place in the Sun
Jessica Barrios, Parent Engagement Support Assistant
Specialized Dual Language and Magnet Programs
What are the Dual Language Programs?
Dual Language Education refers to programs that provide grade-level content and literacy instruction in two languages, in English and the target language. Students develop and strengthen their cognitive, academic, and sociocultural competence in an environment where cultural and linguistic assets are recognized.
Did you know that Dual Language Education programs are in grades TK-12 available in the following program models: Two-Way Immersion, One-Way Immersion, and World Language Immersion. The programs are offered in Spanish, Korean, Mandarin, French, Armenian, Arabic, and Japanese. Please review the following Dual Language Education school list to determine the programs that fit your child’s needs.
The Sun Valley Community of Schools has several school sites with Dual Language Programs some are:
Spanish Dual Language Program at:
- Fernangeles Elementary
- Roscoe Elementary
- Armenian Dual Language Program at:
- Saticoy Elementary
Learn more about Los Angeles Unified's unique programs and discover how easy it is to apply to Magnets, Dual Language Education and other exciting Choices programs.
Apply now at: GoTo.LAUSD.net
Check out the Dual Language video below!
What are Magnet Programs?
L.A. Unified's magnet schools/centers are a voluntary integration program that provide rigorous, high-quality, theme-based instruction designed to facilitate student learning and promote academic achievement. Established in 1977, the magnet programs within our District have been one of the most successful in the nation. Currently, there are 330 magnet programs located throughout the District. The approximate number of seats available in 2022-2023 and the number of applications submitted in 2021-2022 to each magnet school/center can be found under each school’s name. All District students, including English learners, standard English learners, students with disabilities, and gifted/ talented are encouraged to apply.
Some magnet programs occupy entire school sites (Full School Magnets), while others are magnet centers located on residential school campuses with access to activities and experiences shared with the host school. The Sun Valley Community of Schools also offers a wide variety of magnet programs. Please see Magnet list to review the magnet school/center information.
Apply now at: GoTo.LAUSD.net
Meet Helene Cobb, retired teacher and muralist who has left her mark on Sun Valley schools!
After teaching at Glenwood for almost 20 years Mrs. Cobb retired and began to volunteer as Glenwood art teacher. She is beginning her 15th year teaching art, which is what she studied to do in college.
Back in 2006, Glenwood's playground wall was covered in graffiti. Ms. Cobb had a vision for the community to paint a mural together. Over six weeks 150 students, 75 parents and 15 staff members participated in the project and transformed Glenwood school spirit and the campus.
After retirement, Ms. Cobb began a new career painting over 45 murals with children all over LAUSD. You will find her work extensively at Arminta Elementary, Arminta EEC, and Glenwood Elementary. She is currently working on two murals at Vinedale College Prep Academy. Helene Cobb is a Sun Valley treasure!
Mural painted by Ms. Cobb at Glenwood Elementary.
Ms. Cobb at work at Arminta EEC.
Mural painted by Ms. Cobb at Arminta Elementary.
Meet Mr. Morris McCormick, 5th grade teacher at Arminta Street Elementary! Mr. McCormick also serves as Instructional Device Manager for his school. He serves as the EdTech technician and LMS Trainer for LAUSD's Teacher Support Unit and Personalized Learning Systems units respectively. He is also an author of an interactive children's e-book published by NSTA.
He holds a B.A. in Film & Video Production from the Picker Institute of Film, at the City College of New York, where he was also the student ambassador to the University of Nigeria. He attained his teaching credential and M.A. in Curriculum & Instruction at California State University Northridge. In addition, Mr. McCormick is National Board Certified, Level 2 Google Educator Certified, and recently completed a micro-credential in STEAM Education.
We thank Mr. McCormick for his dedication to our students.
Meet Mr. Roberto Batres, Magnet Coordinator at Canterbury Avenue Elementary/Gifted Magnet.! Mr. Batres comes to us with an amazing journey. He shared that his parents shortly after arriving in Los Angeles from Guatemala, walked him and his siblings to the nearest school they found.
He could not have known what significant impact that short walk would have on his education and future career. That school happened to be Community Magnet School. Even though his parents were informed it was a magnet school somehow, they were able to enroll him into the 6th grade. At Community he was able to thrive.
By the time Roberto left the 9th grade, he was in the gifted program and well prepared to attend Fairfax Magnet High School. After high school, he pondered his career path at CSUN, and contacted Ruth Lynn, one of his favorite teachers and mentor at Community School. She encouraged him to look into the field of education. By this time, she was the magnet coordinator at Brentwood Science Magnet and soon after hired Mr. Batres as Teacher Assistant there. At Brentwood SM he says, “I found a beautiful campus, amazing teachers, and great science labs”.
It was there when he decided to become a teacher. Since then, he has worked as a teacher, coordinator, and instructional coach. Currently, he is fortunate to again work at another great school with lots of green space, amazing teachers, and a great Gifted Program – Canterbury Avenue Elementary/Gifted Magnet.
The Sun Valley Community of Schools is lucky to have him.
Community of Schools Photo Highlights
Vinedale College Prep Academy Race for the Heart event
Vinedale College Prep Academy Race for the Heart event
Vinedale College Prep Academy Race for the Heart event
Reading instruction using the Reading Horizons program at Beachy Elementary
Reading instruction using the Reading Horizons program at Beachy Elementary
Student speakers at the press conference at Arleta HS.
Board President Gonez with Principal De Loera-Correa on a school visit to Glenwood Elementary.
La City Council
Calling all students who reside in City of Los Angeles and are ages 16-25 to apply for the Inaugural Olivia E. Mitchel LA City Youth Council presented by the Youth Development Department & Department of Neighborhood Empowerment. The application window opens on Friday, Jan. 28th-Monday, Feb. 28th. Members will have the opportunity advise the City Council and the Mayor with proposed solutions to the most pressing issues affecting the lives and futures of Los Angeles’ Young Residents. Additionally, Members will have an opportunity to earn up to a $300 stipend per month throughout their participation in the council. Finalists will be notified of their selection to the Youth Council by April 5th.
Apply here
Click here for Spanish Flyer
Fiesta Familiar Event
Click here for Spanish Flyer
Click here for Spanish Flyer
Student Congressional Art Competition
Click here to read letter from Congressman, Tony Cardenas
Join us in March for our next Town Hall meeting!
Click here for Spanish Flyer
Resources and Links
- There is an expanded birthdate range for transitional kindergarten for 2022-23.
- See more information in the following flyer.
Our Schools
Sun Valley Community of Schools Staff
John Rome,
Community of Schools Administrator
Seth Avery,
IT Solutions Technician
Norma Rodriguez,
Instructional Specialist
Eidy Hemmati,
Irene Hyland,
Office Technician
Maria (Rosy) Felix,
Jessica Barrios,
Parent Engagement Support Assistant
Charles Ford,
Restorative Practices Advisor
Special Education Program Specialist
School Mental Health Consultant
CONTACT US
John Rome- Community of Schools Administrator
Seth Avery- Lead Director
Our office is located at 8401 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, select Option 4.
You can email us at SunValleyCOS@lausd.net