Luis Valdez Leadership Academy
Lion Roar
Week of April 27 - May 2, 2020
From Your Principal
Hello Leones,
Happy Day and happy third week of Remote Learning. I know it has been an interesting ride! However, do not give up and DO give into learning, even if things seem uneasy right now. We are worried for those of you that have not logged on. You are cared for and surrounded by many people that love you. Reach out to me, anytime, for anything. During these times, during unfortunate circumstances, it is helpful to focus some of the wonderful possibilities. Possibilities include for all of us to reconnect with ourselves, reconnect with elders and family members (via meet or zoom!), take time to view the sky (it is currently clearer it has been in a long time), enjoy the springtime blooms, or tune in to the sounds of birds (they are extra vocal right now). Stay connected, read this newsletter, and participate! I want you to know that even if it does not feel like it right now, we will be okay. We will be okay.
I hope you enjoy this week's contest winners and find this information useful. Watch the video below..I miss you..our geese miss you (thank you Ivan for capturing nature beautifully!). As always, be kind to each other, act in love, talk in love, and become love.
Your Principal,
Ms.Gonzalez
ACADEMICS
Teachers will track your submitted assignments and missing assignments. Submitted assignments, can and may, only IMPROVE your grade. So track your grade on PowerSchool. Again, it is important for you to engage so that you may improve your grade and continue in a routine of learning.
Lastly, please note that there is a change in the schedule. Please see the changes below. Changes were made to allow for a 60 minutes lunch break.
FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENTS
Hi Leones,
As always, I want to start by saying that you continue to be in my thoughts, and I hope that you and your families are safe and healthy. Week two of distance learning is behind us, and my hope is that you are building a routine around the current educational and communication platforms being used. That said, remember to be patient with yourself and ask for help! You got this!
Over the last month, I have connected with your parents/guardians via phone and provided them with tools they can use to help and support you with distance learning. Please make sure that when they ask you if you are submitting assignments, joining class meetings, and/or responding to teacher outreach, you are honest.
Your teachers, with the help of your parents, are doing their best to support you, and our goal is to continue to provide you with the best education possible.
So this week’s tip for success: Be Honest!
There are many loving and caring teachers and staff members who are eager to extend their support. Reach out with any questions or concerns.
Miss you! STAY SAFE and HEALTHY!
Mr. Monroy
RESOURCES
Alum Rock Counseling Services continue. The sessions are held virtually or by phone. Reach out if you would like support!
Support your parents in participating in our Parent Workshops! Your parents are your biggest supporters, so help them log on! The next workshop is on Wednesday, April 29th at 12PM, "The Importance of Grades and Transcripts".
Food Distribution:
Mondays: Our Lady of Peace (2800 Mission College Blvd Santa Clara, CA 95054)
Tuesdays: Our Lady of Refuge (Closest to LVLA) (2165 Lucretia Ave San Jose, CA 95122) (5PM-7PM)
Wednesdays: St. Martin of Tours (200 O'Connor Dr. San Jose, CA 95128) (9AM-11AM)
Thursdays: St. John Vianney (4600 Hyland Ave San Jose, CA 95127) (9AM-11AM)
Fridays: St. Lucy's Campbell (2350 S Winchester Blvd Campbell, CA 95008) (10AM-12PM)
Saturdays: Santa Teresa Parish (794 Calero Ave San Jose, CA 95123)
ACADEMIC COUNSELING CORNER
Class selections for 2020/2021 will happen in the few few weeks. You will need to select your schedule in PowerSchool. Ms.Canales is hosting live sessions to go over the process and classes you need to elect, as well as review elective options and descriptions. Please respond to the invites she sent you and participate. You can go to your Google Calendar and see the invite, or you may reference the e mail you received with the invitation, it includes the link to the live session. Respond to the invite by saying "Yes" you are attending.
The live sessions to learn about the process for class selections for 2020/2021 are as follows:
Class of 2021 - Tuesday @ 3:25 - 4:05 P.M.
Class of 2022 - Wednesday @ 3:25 - 4:05 P.M.
Class of 2023 - Thursday @ 3:25 - 4:05 P.M.
COLLEGE and CAREER
Announcements for Seniors:
What you should be working on: Submitting your Intent to Enroll & Deposit, and finalizing your Financial Aid Packages. Need help with these? Text us at (408) 430-7402.
Fill out this survey regarding your final college decision and plans after school. Please complete THIS survey by Tuesday, April 28th
Missed Friday’s webinar “College 101: What a College First Term looks like”? No problem, you can watch the recording here. We will continue to have webinars every Friday at 1pm. It is very important that you attend, since we are sharing lots of important tips for college- both 4 year universities AND community college!
Announcements for Juniors:
Upcoming Workshops:
Sign up for Thursday College Lessons with Angel! Check the Class of 2021 Google Classroom or your email for the sign-up link
Junior Summer Boot Camp Opportunity: Summer College Essay Writing Boot Camp is coming up in June! Keep an eye out for that sign-up sheet.
Preparing for your College Applications Workshops
You can still join part 2 of the webinar! Complete this survey to sign up!
Part 1: If you missed it, you can watch the recording here.
Part 2 is April 29th, 4pm-5:00pm and will cover: Planting Seeds for Your College Application & Essays
Big Picture Stuff: 5 Tips for Keeping Stress Low and Creativity High
A Sane College Application Timeline
The Importance of Finding and Showing Your Core Values
How to Create a Great Activities List
What’s the Additional Info Section, Anyway?
The Purpose of the Personal Statement & Fun Ways to Find Your Personal Statement Topic
50+ College Application Resources
Have some time on your hands right now? Take a virtual college campus tour here! Campus Reel - Tours are led by current students!
Information Technology
Birthdays
APRIL
Angelo Tovar (27th)
Jennifer Castro-Alba (30th)
MAY
Uziel Valdez (1st)
Jennifer Espinoza (2nd)
The Foundation for Hispanic Education Updates
MINDFULNESS
This is a great introductory exercise to start practicing mindfulness since it can be attempted by anyone with any kind of food (although one with an interesting or unusual texture, smell, or taste is best).
In this exercise, take a few raisins (or almond, walnut, etc.) and pretend you have never seen a raisin before. Pay careful attention to:
- The way the raisin looks;
- How it feels;
- How their skin responds to its manipulation;
- Its smell;
- Its taste.
Focusing on the single object of the raisin is meant to bring your mind to the present, to what is right in front of you. We may be used to raisins, and not used to taking time to actually notice them.
When you follow these instructions and take notice, it is much easier to focus on what is in front of you. If your mind does wander, that is natural too. Gently guide it back to the exercise. So give it a go.
Class of 2020 College Acceptances
Carmen M.
CSU San Francisco
CSU Monterey Bay
University of Guadalajara
LAMVAR
San Jose City College
Sofia (Herminia) C.
San Jose City College
Evergreen Valley College
Esmeralda S.
UC Riverside
UC Merced
CSU San Jose
CSU East BayCSU Sacramento
CSU San Francisco
Alondra V.
UC Riverside
CSU East Bay
CSU Sacramento
CSU Monterey
Rey R.
Evergreen Valley College
Class of 2020 UPDATES
Finals are May 25-May 29, 2020. Check out day is Friday, May 29, 2020.
College Decision Day is coming up. Have you made your decision?
Without a confirmed date by our state to host large gatherings, we are constantly brainstorming ways of how we will celebrate graduation and college signing. Stay tuned for more information.
VIDEO CONTEST WINNERS! (yes...two!)
Just Breathe - Short Film by William Fletes
Drawing in Fast Forward by Jairo Lima
VIDEO CONTEST
Guidelines
- Email your video to Ms.Gonzalez at ggonzalez@sjlvla.org by Friday, May 1, 2020 midnight, using your LVLA email account.
- Entry must be an LVLA student.
- Video can be any style, on an appropriate subject.
- Must be original work.
- Video must be free of vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate images and language..
People That Changed the World
Lizzie Velásquez
As a Latina motivational speaker and a rare disease advocate, Lizzie Velásquez has made strides in advocating for people who have both disability identities and Hispanic heritage. Velásquez was born with a rare congenital condition, which has resulted in many health impacts and physical symptoms for the 27-year-old, including the inability to gain weight.
Due to her appearance, Velásquez was relentlessly bullied as a child. That bullying followed her online, once given the horrific title of "World's Ugliest Woman" in a YouTube video that circulated widely. But the anti-bullying advocate has turned her struggle into triumph, touring the globe as a powerful voice against bullying. A film of her life, titled A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velásquez Story, has also made waves at film festivals around the world.
Learn More
How Do You Define Yourself? https://youtu.be/QzPbY9ufnQY
I Choose To Be Happy: https://youtu.be/_d9wrDwztw0
DIY Hanging Plant Holder in 1 Minute! (Great Mother's Day Gift Idea!)
HAVE AN IDEA TO SHARE? CONTACT MS.GONZALEZ!
School Contact Information
Instagram Follow us @sjlvla
Website: www.sjlvla.org
Location: 1855 Lucretia Avenue, San Jose, CA, USA
Phone: 408-384-4015
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjlvla