El Semanario
August 22-26, 2022
This Week at Edison
- Monday, August 22 - 8:30-9:30 am PTA Association Meeting, Library
- Monday, August 22, 4:00-5:00 pm Parent Volunteer Training via zoom
- https://smmk12.zoom.us/j/5851786538?pwd=UVlwQ0hPRkttNDVLc25iYi9CVG9HQT09. Meeting ID: 585 178 6538; Passcode: Orum
- Tuesday, August 23 - MINIMUM DAY FOR ALL STUDENTS; Back to School Night for PreK-TK-K-1st-2nd grades 5:30-7:00 pm
- Wednesday, August 24 - Wednesday Banked Time Schedule - early dismissal
- Friday, August 26 -- Safety Drills -- Duck and Cover and Fire Drill; 9:00 am
From the Principal's Desk
Starting Strong! Our first days were filled with joy and excitement at seeing our students again and getting to know the newest members of our community! In classrooms, students are getting acquainted with their new classmates and teachers and building their learning communities. Our newest students are getting familiar with the campus and school routines.
Emergency Cards and First Day Packets -- Thank you for completing and returning the forms in the first-day information packets as quickly as possible.
Parent Meetings -- If you were unable to join us for either of our first days parent meetings, the slides from those presentations are posted on the Edison web site, We reviewed schedules, calendars, and important policies in the Family Handbook - posted on the Edison website (www.edison.smmusd.org). The Edison PTA holds its first Association Meeting of the Year on Monday, August 22 at 8:30 am in the Edison Library. For those who cannot attend in person a hybrid option is available.
Safety Drills -- Part of the way we keep children safe at school is to teach students what to do in different emergency situations and then to practice those routines regularly. This Friday morning we have our first drill and students will learn how to duck, cover, and hold on in the event of an earthquake and how to safely evacuate the buildings should we ever have the need to do so. Students learn how to respond to an emergency alarm or instructions over the Public Address System to safely and calmly follow an evacuation route to a line up area on the field. If you want to help prepare your child for safety drills, you can let them know that safety practices are something that happens every month and that we practice so we can stay calm and know what to do if there were ever to be an emergency at school. Fire drills happen once a month at different times of the day. Earthquake drills happen every other month and include the big statewide Great California Shake Out in October. We also teach about what to do in an emergency if we ever need to shelter in place and have a practice drill for that possibility each semester. If you happen to come to school during a safety drill, you'll find a sign on the locked office door asking for your patience while we finish the drill. If you are already on campus during a drill, you'll get to practice with us!
Classroom Constitutions and School Rules -- Another important thing that happens during this week is that students begin to develop their class rules and learning agreements. Students decide on a few rules that they want to live by in their classrooms and this becomes the equivalent of their "classroom constitution." Then, in schoolwide assemblies on August 31, we share our class constitutions, review important school safety rules and behavior expectations, and kick off our celebration of Constitution Day -- the day in 1787 when the U.S. Constitution was adopted. More about that next week!
And classrooms for Preschool, TK, K, 1st and 2nd grades are being readied for Back to School Night for Primary Grades this Tuesday evening, 5:30-7:00 pm. If you have a child in one or more of these grades, we hope to see you at 5:30 pm in the cafetorium for a schoolwide parent meeting. Your child's teachers will await you from 6:00-7:00 pm in the classrooms.
Here's to an amazing school year for all our students!
- Principal Lori Orum
Edison is a National PTA School of Excellence
The 2021-2023 National PTA Schools of Excellence are designated in recognition of their commitment to building an inclusive and welcoming school-community where all families contribute to enriching the educational experience and overall well-being for all students. Congratulations to the Edison PTA for all the work they did last year to document and demonstrate the ways that Edison incorporates and supports parents!
Staff News
Welcome New Teachers
Ms. Maribel Cachú Rios joins us this year as a 4th grade teacher. Maestra Cachú Rios was born in Michoacán, Mexico and raised in Yuba City, CA. Her last name Cachú comes from her grandfather, an indigenous Purépecha. She received her Bachelors Degree from CSU Monterey Bay and her Masters Degree in Education from UC Santa Cruz. She says that her bilingual superpower came first from her parents who emphasized the importance of maintaining their native language and culture, and second from her K-2 bilingual education. Maestra Cachú-Rios previously taught in dual immersion schools in the San Fernando Valley and in Central California. She chose to be a dual immersion teacher to share the strengths of being multi-lingual and what she enjoys most about teaching is witnessing students' growth mindset and “Aha!” moments. This year, like every year, she hopes students leave her class with a greater joy of learning than they had coming in, that they learn the importance of showing up, being mindful and present in their own lives.
We are also welcoming Mr. Mchael Pérez as a 5th grade teacher. Born and raised in Santa Monica, Maestro Pérez is bilingual because he grew up in a home that primarily spoke Spanish. He credits the dual immersion program at Edison, JAMS and Samohi with helping him become biliterate, a pathway that he describes as "a transformative K-12 experience." Maestro Pérez earned his BA degree at Arizona State University and a Masters of Arts in Bilingual Elementary Education at Loyola Marymount University. He has worked at Edison as a Bilingual Instructional Assistant, after-school Math Intervention Teacher, and Substitute Teacher. He became a dual immersion teacher because he knows from experience the benefits provided by a multicultural and multilingual education, and and because he wants to help students "explore and celebrate various cultures around the world as they build their own unique identity and discover their authentic thirst for knowledge...and grow into life-long learners who are always ready for the next challenge."
Thank You Coach Alex!
Farewell and thank you to Coach Alex Morales, who has been a mainstay of our physical education program for nearly a decade and a half.. During most of that time, Coach Alex also worked as a Coach in the CREST after-school sports programs -- leading many Edison basketball, football, and volleyball teams. Coach Alex saw us through the construction of the new school when our playground and PE space was limited to one small parking lot and a small artificial turf field and the first two years of the Covid pandemic. Last year, Alex's CREST schedule was changed so that it was no longer possible for him to work a full day as PAS at Edison. Thank you for your service to the Edison community Coach Alex!
Free Transit Passes for SMMUSD Students
SMMUSD Students in K-12 are eligible to apply for a fee pass to the Big Blue Bus, Metro, and other transit agencies. You can learn more about the program at:
https://www.metro.net/riding/fares/students-k-12/gopass/?mc_cid=442c63b19a&mc_eid=2d28c4c904
Contact Community Liaison Jessica Hernandez for assistance in enrolling.
REMINDER: Face coverings are required while on board Big Blue Bus, regardless of vaccination status. Learn how we're keeping customers and Operators safe: bigbluebus.com/welcomeback
Program Focus
Physical Education at Edison
What does physical education look like in California elementary schools? Edison offers a standards-based PE program for all students in grades 1-5. Physical Education in elementary school is designed to provide students with the knowledge and abilities they need to maintain healthy, active lifestyles. A variety of movement skills are taught -- continuity, change and rhythm in movement and manipulating objects with accuracy and speed. Activities are designed to build aerobic capacity, flexibility and coordination and teach students to work with others, solve disagreements, persevere, and develop good sportsmanship. 4th and 5th grade students in SMMUSD have a dance unit with teachers from the Santa Monica Academy of Dance. In 4th grade, they study Ballet Folklorico and in 5th grade, American Jazz and Musical Theater.
How much physical education do students receive at Edison? Edison provides 260 minutes of PE every 10 days (exceeding the state required minimum of 200 minutes) . Students in grades 3-4-5 have daily morning PE classes and students in 1st and 2nd grades have slightly longer afternoon PE classes that meet M-T-Th-F pm. All three classrooms at a grade level have PE at the same time, giving students the opportunity to interact with other children at their grade level and affording our teachers common planning time.
Who teaches PE? This year our Physical Education program will be staffed by Coach Abraham Badillo and Coach Fabian León Reyes. Both Coach Abraham and Coach Fabian are experienced, able to teach in two languages, and know the Edison immersion program and community very well -- both having attended Edison as children and been part of the K-12 immersion pathway. Students are divided into two PE classes, each led by a Coach who delivers instruction, helps students meet behavior standards, and assigns grades. PE grades are not based on athletic skill but are given only in the areas of participation and sportsmanship. If you have any questions about your child's PE class, please contact Coach Abraham at abadillo@smmusd.org or Coach Fabian at fleonreyes@smmusd.org.
What do children need for P.E.? Students should wear sturdy shoes (rubber soled tennis shoes are the safest). Sandals, boots, shoes with heels, or open-toe shoes are not safe for most PE activities and should not be worn to school. It's a good idea for students to bring a re-usable water bottle (there are fountains on the field but most students prefer their own bottles); hats and sunscreen are always good ideas for outdoor play.
Covid Health Precautions
We will continue to be guided by Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's (LACDPH) Covid safety requirements as we work to make school as safe and healthy as possible for students and staff.
Covid protocols this year are:
- Families do health screening at home. Antigen tests will be provided at school to facilitate regular screening on Sunday evening or Monday morning.
- Students stay home if they test positive or have symptoms;
- Families use antigen/home tests beginning on day 5 after a positive test to determine when it's safe for students to return to school.
- Masking indoors is strongly recommended but not mandated;
- Masking indoors with a well-fitting high quality mask (e.g. HN95) is required if students have been exposed to Covid at school but are currently symptom free. As long as students remain symptom free and test negative, they can continue in-person learning during the 10-day post exposure period.
- We will continue with air filtration systems, hand sanitizer and using open air settings for meals.
- Contact Melina Garcia (melinagarcia@smmusd.org) or (310) 828-0335, ext 61-348 to report all absences and indicate the reason for the absence.
- Nurse Kristen Furano and Health Office Specialists Nancy Flores and Diane Gonzalez are here to answer questions and direct you to resources if students are exposed or symptomatic.
Announcements
Back to School Night for PreK, TK, K, 1st and 2nd This Tuesday
Parents and Guardians of students in Preschool, TK, K, 1st and 2nd grades are invited to join us on Tuesday evening, August 23 for Back to School Night! Start at 5:30 pm in the cafetorium for a brief meeting with the principal and parent leaders. At 6:00 pm, head to your student's classroom for a presentation and Q&A with your child's teacher.
PTA will have a membership booth and spirit-wear available if your child is ready for a new Edison t-shirt or sweatshirt. Remember, this evening is designed for adults so please leave your student at home with another family member if possible. For their own safety, students who do attend should remain with their parent at all times.
Remember that Tuesday is a minimum day for all students!
5th Grade Mariachi Class -- SIGN UP NOW!
5th Graders -- Sign up now and participate in SMMUSD's Introduction to Mariachi class. The class meets afterschool at Edison, Tuesdays and Fridays from 3:30-4:30 pm. Classes begin on September 13.
REGISTER NOW
https://tinyurl.com/MariachiClassRegistration . Deadline for registration is Tuesday, Sept. 6. If you have any difficulty registering on line, Edison’s Community Liaison Jessica Hernandez can assist you when the school office re-opens.
Parent Activities in August
- Monday, August 22 -- PTA Association Meeting 8:30 - 9:30 am - Library
- Monday, August 22 -- Volunteer Training - Via Zoom. 4:00 pm
- Tuesday, August 23 - Back to School Night 5:30-7:00 pm - PreK-TK-K-1-2
- Tuesday, August 30 - Back to School Night 5:30-7:00 pm - Grades 3-4-5
- Wednesday, August 31 - School Site Council 4:30-6:30 -pm Via Zoom
Volunteering at Edison
Please consider how you might be able to volunteer at school this year. We know everyone is busy -- especially parents of young children -- but please see of you can contribute at least 20 hours this school year in volunteer activities -- either from home or at school. That's only two hours a month or 30 minutes a week of your time! Whether you work full-time or part-time or care for younger children at home, we can offer interesting and valuable volunteer opportunities that fit your time and interests.
Benefits of volunteering at school? Volunteering with the school helps you understand more about the world where your child spends over six hours a day. You know more about what they are learning, how they are taught, and who their friends are. This not only creates more opportunities for connection with your child but it also communicates the fact that you think they and their education are important. Volunteering helps you get to know their teachers and other school staff and resources, and get to know other parents also raising young bilingual children. When you share your talents with the school, we can all do more.
What do volunteers do? Volunteers work in classrooms assisting teachers or supporting small group projects. They help chaperone school events/trips, keep the Lost and Found organized, provide additional safety support at drop off and pick up, make phone calls for teachers, help translate, and work with other parents to plan and staff special events and support fundraising efforts that allow PTA to fund enrichment programs and materials for all our students. Committees are forming now to support the Giftwrap Sale, the Fall Book Fair, and the Fall Festival/Día de los Muertos events. Many hands make light work!
Requirements for working directly with students -- If you're going to be working with directly with children, district rules require all adults to be fully vaccinated and boosted, be screened for tuberculosis, be screened on Meagan's List (a registry of sexual offenders), complete a volunteer application, and complete a training workshop.
Interested in learning more or finding a place to help? Come to one of the fall volunteer training workshops, fill out a volunteer application, and sign up!
- Virtual Training -- Monday, August 22, 4:00-5:00 pm via Zoom
https://smmk12.zoom.us/j/5851786538?pwd=UVlwQ0hPRkttNDVLc25iYi9CVG9HQT09
- In Person Training -- Monday, October 3, 8:30-9:30 am Edison Library
The Research Corner
Additive vs. Subtractive Bilingual Programs
What is difference between programs that promote ADDITIVE BILINGUALISM and those designed to foster SUBTRACTIVE BILINGUALISM? Additive bilingual programs provide students with the opportunity to acquire a second language at no cost to their home language (Hamayan, Genesse, &Cloud, 2013). Subtractive bilingual programs try to replace the home language with a second language (in the U.S., this second language is usually English). Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education (2018) from the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL), reminds us that:
"Considerable research over several decades demonstrates that additive bilingual programs are associated with content area achievement and proficiency in the second language and the home language (e.g., Genesee et. al., 2006; Lindholm-Leary, 2001; Lindholm-Leary & Genesee, 2010; U.S. Department of Education, 2012) and with improved self-esteem and cross-cultural attitudes (de Jong & Bearse, 2011; Lindholm-Leary, 2016b; Lindholm-Leary &Howard, 2008; Potowaski, 2017). Conversely, subtractive bilingual contexts, in which a second language replaces the native language, have negative effects on the school performance of many English learners. Native language loss is associated with lower levels of second language attainment, scholastic underachievement, and psychosocial disorders (Hammer, Lawrence, & Miccio, 2008); Lindholm-Leary, 2014; Lindholm-Leary & Borsato, 2006; Montrul, 2016). Thus, there are more positive outcomes for English learners who are able to develop both the home language and the second language simultaneously.
Implications for parents? If you are a Spanish speaking or bilingual parent, use Spanish at home to the greatest extent possible and help your child maintain and grow their skills in Spanish. Stronger skills in Spanish lead to higher academic outcomes and stronger English skills. Additive programs like dual immersion are a win-win for all students.
About Us
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