Our students at Castlebay Lane represent a variety of cultural backgrounds and enjoy learning about the different traditions celebrated by others in our school. Earlier this month, the TK students at Castlebay enjoyed learning about the Lunar New Year. On February 1st they made and wore red hats representing the symbolic dragon for Chinese New Year. The students paraded around the school and into the office to bring good luck as they welcomed the new year.

Please join us in congratulating Porter Middle School Gifted Magnet student Tiffany Kim, whose drawing was selected to represent Los Angeles Unified School District for the Magnet Schools of America Poster Contest. Each district may submit one piece from each school level (elementary, middle school and high school) and Tiffany's was chosen to represent middle school. Tiffany's artwork will move on to compete against other Magnet students at the national level. Let's wish her all the best as she moves on to the next step in the contest. Tiffany is seen in the picture below receiving her certificate of achievement from Porter MS Magnet Coordinator Ms. Lucrecia Perez. Go Trojans!

Two of Kennedy High School's magnet programs have been recognized for their innovation and unwavering commitment to high academic standards. Kennedy's Architecture/ Digital Design/ Filmmaking Magnet has been awarded the Magnet School of America's School of Excellence Award, which is the top merit award and only awarded a select group of magnet schools. Kennedy's Gifted/ Highly Gifted Medical Magnet was awarded a Schools of Distinction award. Go Cougars!

Students in Kennedy's Teaching and Leadership Academy are getting hands on experience as teachers at Tulsa Elementary School. The high school students have been tutoring students and working with small groups.

Mrs. Guadagno's Class - Room 18 is a special day class servicing students in the mild to moderate range. The 13 students in the classroom are grades TK, K, 1 and 2 and live with disabilities that include autism, other health impairment and intellectual disability. The classroom began its journey into Black history with Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday. The students are learning about important figures in history (Social Studies K.6.2). Students are also learning about how laws are made and what goes in to changing them (Social Studies 1.1).

VAAS students' artwork is currently on display at the CSUN Art Gallery. Take a look at their beautiful pieces of art here: http://csunartgalleries.art/project/valley-academy-of-arts-and-sciences/

Mayall teacher, Ms. Laura East, entered her students in Los Angeles Public Library's Winter Reading Challenge. Her student, Ava Ortiz Calderon, won Granda Hill's branch challenge and a prize! Congratulations Ana! Thank you Ms. East for supporting your students to access all of the wonderful services the LAPL has to offer and inspire their love of reading!

African American History Month recognizes the contributions and culture of Americans of African ancestry. Take a look at some fantastic books that Common Sense Media has curated to learn more about extraordinary Black women in American history.

We are excited to announce that KNVCoS will be hosting a Pretty Brown Girl Club to empower Black and Brown girls in grades K-12. See the flyer below for more details or click here to register: https://share.hsforms.com/1qwuz06OeTfOAOUdVmXKC6Achjhi

For any questions, please email Ms. Josephine Stevens at josephine.stevens@lausd.net

The E-Choices Late Application for 2022-23 is from February 1st- September 23rd.

Families can apply up to 5 programs: Magnet, Dual Language Education, Schools for Advanced Studies, Admission Criteria Schools and Affiliated Charter Schools

Learn more and apply here https://echoices.lausd.net

The California Credit Union is offering scholarships to college-bound Los Angeles County students. To learn more, visit: https://www.ccu.com/studentscholarship/

The Alliance of Asian Pacific Administrators (AAPA), Council of Black Administrators (COBA), and Council of Mexican American Administrators (CMAA) have joined together to sponsor scholarships for high school students. Applications are due by March 11, 2022. To learn more and apply, visit: https://www.pdffiller.com/en/link_to_fill/915949141.htm

LA Public Library is hosting many in-person and online events this month including:

• Virtual Valentine's Day Stories & Crafts for Kids
• Toni Talk: Toni Morrison Book and Documentary Discussion
• Teen Council
• Free Income Tax Preparation and Filing
• Misty Copeland, Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy

Check out more fun events and exhibits at the LAPL by clicking on the link: https://www.lapl.org/events

To help engage and create our next generation of park visitors, supporters and advocates, Federal Land Management agencies, launched the Every Kid Outdoors initiative. The immediate goal is to provide an opportunity for each and every 4th grade student across the country to experience their federal public lands and waters in person throughout the school year.

Every year, beginning September 1, all kids in the fourth grade have access to their own Every Kid Outdoors pass at www.everykidoutdoors.gov. This pass provides free access to national parks across the country.

The Every Kid Outdoors pass is good for the 4th grade school year, until August 31. Information on obtaining the pass is available by visiting www.everykidoutdoors.gov.

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