Vaccinations are available for ages 5+ at no cost at Lawrence Middle School on November 15 from 3:00-8:00 pm. Booster shots for those that are already vaccinated are available. Walk-ins or appointments are available.

In celebration of RED RIBBON WEEK, Superior Elementary kicked off the festivities with Bully Free Day. Parent Center Director, Julie Meyers transformed into Bully Free Bonnie. With her superhero powers, she spreads the power of friendship and kindness throughout all the students at school.

Walking through the 4th and 5th grade halls of Nevada Elementary, you will be mesmerized at all the wonderful work on the walls created by the students. From Heritage Month paintings in History, landscapes of California for Geography and I am poetry in English, it is a collaborative wall of hard-working students at work.

Columbus Middle School celebrates a special celebration for Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, by having students engage in letter writing to their family in remembrance of their lives, painting sugar skulls, creating an altar, and with performances by Aztec dancers. Ms. Garcia, Columbus Math and Science teacher along with Principal Hamilton directly involved themselves with the dancing and creating this special celebration for all Columbus students. To all those that passed, their memories are still present.

5th grade families looking at Middle School choices are invited to join in the Middle School Fair happening on Tuesday, November 9 from 6-8pm at Chatsworth High School. Nobel, Lawrence and Columbus Middle Schools will be showcasing their amazing SAS and Magnet programs. Students and families are all invited to come learn about these wonderful schools and share in a fun, community event where free food, raffle prizes and games are all awaiting YOU! Check out the attached flyer for more information.

Please join us next Wednesday, November 10 at 6:00 pm for our Townhall Meeting. COS Administrators Mary Melvin, along with Taft COS Administrator Denise Collier, will be hosting this special Townhall Meeting to give information on the upcoming vaccination deadline of December 19 for all eligible (12 years and above) students. They will discuss how to upload vaccine information to Daily Pass, share about Safe Steps to Safe School incentives and give additional information about vaccinations. Please see the attached flyer for more information and the Zoom link to join the meeting. Have a wonderful evening.

The PTA at Beckford Charter put together a fun, safe way for all students to enjoy some Halloween fun. Creating a fun maze for everyone to enjoy along with a pumpkin carving contest, crafts and goodie bags, it was a "spook"tacular time for everyone at Beckford Charter. Thank you to the PTA and the teachers for making this a special celebration!

Diwali is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. Hamlin Elementary brought this wonderful celebration to the students through activities and craft making.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently authorized the sales of tobacco-flavored e-liquid pods, manufactured by RJ Reynolds Vapor Company. Knowing more about vaping, tobacco, and substance use and misuse is essential considering the important and influential role we play in the lives of our children and youth. A recent CDC study found that 99% of the e-cigarettes sold in assessed venues in the United States contained nicotine. Nicotine can harm parts of the developing adolescent brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control. Of further concern is the widespread use of marijuana with vaping, in the form of marijuana concentrate. A marijuana concentrate is a highly potent THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) concentrated mass that is most similar in appearance to either honey or butter. It can contain extraordinarily high THC levels ranging from 40 to 80%. This form of marijuana can be up to four times stronger in THC content than high grade or top-shelf marijuana, which normally measures around 20% THC levels.

For more information on the effects of vaping, tobacco use, addiction, and treatment, please refer to the resources below:

www.smokefreeteen.gov (NIH)

1-800-QUIT-NOW (National Tobacco Quitline) tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov www.justthinktwice.com

www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com

323-361-2463 Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Drug Abuse Treatment Program

888-777-8565 Tarzana Treatment Centers Adolescent Drug Treatment Program

Why do I need it – you may ask? Or perhaps – is this some self help book material? Well, not really. Have you noticed what happens with people around you when you are happy? When you smile and say G’Day to everyone? They smile in return. And if you manage to spark happiness big enough, it can create a snowball effect. Click on the link to find out more about how just making a simple attitude change can affect you and those around you! It's the perfect time of the year to choose gratitude! Reach out to Tricia Gillikin, Systems of Support, at plg4613@lausd.net to get more information to help support you and your children.

LA Unified students, grades 6-8, are taught virtually by LA Unified teachers and supported by Fender Play, Fender’s online music learning platform. Instruments will be gifted to students for free to participate. Quantities are limited and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. A mailing address for instrument delivery must be provided during registration for new students. There will be no in-person classes. All classes will be available online via the district’s Schoology application.

The YMCA began a partnership with the City of Los Angeles (City Council) in late 2020 to provide FREE academic enrichment experiences to youth, throughout the City. During the Thanksgiving school break and during the winter holiday break, the YMCA will be offering FREE Day Camp to the community to income-eligible children who reside in the City of Los Angeles, while space is available.

In order to qualify, the family must email EnrichmentCamps@ymcala.org<mailto:EnrichmentCamps@ymcala.org> to request an Intake Application. Once the family submits the Intake Application, along with proof of income and proof that they are a resident of the City of LA, it will be processed and the family will be approved to enroll their child in this free program, while space is available. Spaces are extremely limited. All families are encouraged to apply and participate, regardless of immigration or legal status (we do NOT require any proof of citizenship, just proof that they reside in the City of Los Angeles, such as an utility bill---all families are welcome to apply).