2020/21 LCUSD Elementary Update
October 18, 2020
Dear Parents,
We wanted to first update you on our reopening plans. Hopefully, you read the recent email from Superintendent Sinnette, but if not, we will summarize our next steps in this newsletter. We are pleased to inform you that plans are underway to invite small cohorts back to all three campuses as early as November! And, thanks in great part to the partnership with our labor unions, we are prepared to apply for a waiver to welcome back our hybrid students in TK - 2nd grade. The county will carefully review our application, and they will grant waivers to schools in a specific order. Therefore, it is possible that all three LCUSD elementary schools could have different start dates.
What can be expected when students return?
When SDC and RSP students return to school for their services, they will check in at the front office for screening and from there they will be directed to the office or classroom where their service providers will be. Service providers will be wearing PPE, and plexiglass partitions will be available.
Campuses are preparing for the return of our TK - 2nd graders by creating check-in stations for students, painting paw prints all over the grounds to help students with social distancing, and preparing the classrooms with desks that are spaced six feet apart. Our custodial staff is prepared to clean classrooms between the AM and PM sessions, and they are currently cleaning all high touch surfaces and bathrooms regularly.
Students must wear a cloth mask and bring their own water bottle to school as shared water fountains will not be used. They may bring a snack; snacks will not be sold at school. Grab and Go lunches will be available for students who want them.
Recess will be outdoors, but it will look quite different. We are planning games that allow for social distancing and safety, and students will stay with their cohort and rotate each day or each week to a different zone/activity on the playground. We will not be sharing equipment or playing the games that students are used to playing, like basketball or soccer, but we will find creative ways to have fun!
You will be updated as soon as we know more about the waiver process. In the meantime, we want to thank you again for your partnership in the education of our students. Our teachers have been amazing, and so have our families. Students are learning! They are growing! They are finding ways to connect! We are SO PROUD of them.
Sincerely,
Emily Blaney
Carrie Hetzel
Cory Pak
Background Photo by Sara Collins on Unsplash
Paw Prints are appearing all over PCR!
October is National Dyslexia Month
The International Dyslexia Association defines Dyslexia as "a specific learning disability that is neurobiological in origin. It is characterized by difficulties with accurate and/or fluent word recognition and by poor spelling and decoding abilities. These difficulties typically result from a deficit in the phonological component of language that is often unexpected in relation to other cognitive abilities and the provision of effective classroom instruction. Secondary consequences may include problems in reading comprehension and reduced reading experience that can impede the growth of vocabulary and background knowledge."
LCUSD elementary schools use diagnostic assessments and teacher observations to look for signs of Dyslexia. We offer a reading intervention program in grades 1st - 3d for selected students who qualify, and these students receive systematic instruction based on Orton-Gillingham multi-sensory practices. If you have an interest and wish to learn more about Dyslexia, you may enjoy this resource. You may also be interested in joining our Family Learning Series event on this subject. Information is included in the Upcoming Events section of this newsletter.
Future Fridays
“I don’t care if Monday’s blue, Tuesday’s gray and Wednesday too. Thursday I don’t care about you. It’s Friday I’m in love.”
—The Cure
We know you may not be in love with the various Friday schedules - some are reserved for Teacher Collaboration, others are condensed, and the rest are "typical" - but we are trying to make things easier for you by adding the Friday plan to our elementary school calendars. Just check your school's website!
Collaboration and planning time is critical for our teachers, and teaching an AM and PM schedule keeps them very busy. We appreciate your understanding as they take some time on Fridays to plan.
Red Ribbon Week
Red Ribbon Week takes place each year from October 23 through 31st to educate and inspire our children to pledge and stay drug-free life. On the week of October 26th, we will focus our attention on the celebration of a drug-free life. While we may not be on our school campuses to celebrate Red Ribbon Week in person, there are many ways that we can celebrate it virtually.
Children of parents who talk to their teens regularly about drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those who don’t. Please see the attached Tips for Parents during Red Ribbon Week. Thank you!
Peachjar
Peachjar allows our schools to continue to promote programs from our community partners as well as to share school and district information with families. Parents will no longer have to search through backpacks or smooth out crumpled papers to learn about what's coming up in our community!
Mr. Gabriel and Ms. Violet are busy prepping materials at LCE
October is Anti-Bullying Month
We want to take the opportunity to dialogue with our children about ways we can prevent bullying. The word bullying is used a lot, so it is important that we all are talking about the same thing. The graphic below provides a good explanation of the difference between rude, mean, and bullying. When different issues come up with our children, we can help them identify the action as rude, mean, or bullying.
This will help us know how to best respond to the situation. A rude or mean act is easier to address and should be resolved quickly with an apology and instruction in how to act differently. However, a bullying situation has likely developed over time and needs more reflection, instruction, and restoration to provide a safe and comfortable space for all involved.
Let's encourage our children to speak up, be an upstander, and tell an adult when they see someone being bullied or are bullied themselves. This will help us to create a safe place for us all to live and learn.
Ways to be an Upstander (Adopted from BullyBust)
Help others who are being bullied. Be a friend, even if this person is not yet your friend.
Stop untrue or harmful messages from spreading. If someone tells you a rumor that you know is untrue or sends you a message that is hurtful to someone else, stand up and let the person know this is wrong.
Get friends involved. Let people know that you are an upstander and encourage them to be one too.
Make friends outside of your circle.
Reach out to new people at your school.
Refuse to be a bystander.
Respect others’ differences and help others to respect differences as well.
In honor of Unity Day on October 21st, students and staff can wear and share orange to show anti-bullying spirit. Unity Day is a time to show that we are together against bullying and united for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
Have You Registered For Jog-a-Thon?
2. Reach out to sponsors by sharing your pledge link!
3. Cheer on your student(s) through social media posts and encouraging friends and family to donate!
4. Remind sponsors to pay for pledges and turn in any cash or check payments by 11/30.
Mr. Anthony helps distribute materials for pick up at PCY
Upcoming Events
Unity Day
Wednesday, Oct 21, 2020, 08:00 AM
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2020 Reflections Contest Entry Deadline
Students submit art entries based on this year's theme "I Matter Because..." Their artwork could be a winner at the school, district or even the state level. All participants are recognized.
The deadline for entries is Friday, October 23 at 3pm. Entry forms and rules can be found on the LCE PTA website. There will be a box to collect entries starting October 19th in the LCE front office. Please email Shirley Quan at reflections@lcepta.org with any questions.
Friday, Oct 23, 2020, 04:00 PM
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Red Ribbon Week
Monday, Oct 26, 2020, 08:00 AM
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Special Day Class Resumes On Campus
Monday, Oct 26, 2020, 08:30 AM
On Campuses
Governing Board Meeting
Tuesday, Oct 27, 2020, 07:00 PM
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Family Learning Series Dyslexia Awareness: Overview and Best Practices
Thursday, Oct 29, 2020, 06:00 PM
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Collaboration Day
Friday, Oct 30, 2020, 08:00 AM
Home
Daylight Savings Time - Fall Back One Hour
Sunday, Nov 1, 2020, 09:00 PM
Wherever Your Clocks Are Located
TK - 3rd Grade RSP Services Resume On Campus
Speech, APE, PT, and OT services will still be provided virtually.
*edited on 10/21/2020
Monday, Nov 2, 2020, 08:00 AM
On Campuses
Election Day
Tuesday, Nov 3, 2020, 07:00 AM
4490 Cornishon Avenue, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Jog-a-thon Shirt Drive Through Pick Up
2020 Jog A Thon T-Shirt Pick Up Dates:
T-shirt picked up drive-thru (PCY, PCR, LCE Carline)
Friday 11/6- 5pm-7pm
Saturday 11/7- 10am-Noon