LCE News From Mrs. Blaney
November, 2021
Dear Families,
This newsletter will highlight events of November, a short month in our school calendar due to the shortened school days and Thanksgiving Holiday break. I hope that everyone had a relaxing Thanksgiving and was able to see their loved ones.
Personally, I am grateful that I can lead such an amazing group of students and staff. Our students bring me joy and laughter every day. My staff is dedicated, hard-working, and professional. As I scroll through photos, I'm reminded of November a year ago, when we were getting our campus ready to welcome our TK-2nd graders back to in-person learning. What a journey we've been on together!
The days are getting shorter, darkness arrives earlier, and, like many of you, I start to think about the end of 2021 and the beginning of a new year. May the month of December bring the wonder of the holiday season to our students while finding them challenged with academic rigor and supported with their social and emotional needs.
At the end of this newsletter, you will see some upcoming events that you may wish to add to your calendars.
Sincerely,
Emily
Photo by Omid Armin on Unsplash
November Days
American Indian Heritage Month
• Kindergarten: Identify the purposes of, and the people and events honored in, commemorative holidays, including the human struggles that were the basis for the events like Thanksgiving.
• Grade 1: Understand the ways in which American Indians and immigrants have helped define Californian and American culture.
• Grade 3: Describe the American Indian nations in their local region long ago and in the recent past.
• Grade 4: Discuss the major nations of California Indians, including their geographic distribution, economic activities, legends, and religious beliefs; and describe how they depended on, adapted to, and modified the physical environment by cultivation of land and use of sea resources.
• Grade 5: Describe the cooperation and conflict that existed among the American Indians and between the Indian nations and the new settlers.
This map from Native Land Digital shows the many different tribal locations from history, and if you zoom into our area, you will see that we live on what was once the home of the Tongva (Gabrielino) Nation. Our third graders learn about the Tongva culture as well as the neighboring Chumash culture. 4th graders read about a fictional novel based on the real-life events of a Chumash Indian living on San Nicolas Island in Island of the Blue Dolphins, by Scott O'Dell. 5th graders learned about the relationship between European settlers and people of the Wampanoag, the Pequot, and Powhatan nations and will continue to learn how early settlers interacted with American Indians throughout their study of American history.
Collecting Taxes from British Colonists
What Play Teaches Children
TK Students Learn About Diwali
6th Grade Art Class
Regular PE Classes
COVID Updates
Omicron Variant Update from Superintendent Sinnette:
You have most likely heard a lot in the news lately regarding the newly emerging COVID-19 Omicron Variant. I have linked the California Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Fact Sheet Omicron Variant, dated November 28, 2021. I will send more information out to our LCUSD Community as it becomes available.
There are important steps we can all take to protect ourselves from COVID-19 and from emerging variants of concern. LACDPH reminds us that the most important strategy remains making sure that everyone 5 years and older gets fully vaccinated or receives their booster as quickly as possible to reduce transmission of the virus dominating across the county. The vaccines are effective against the Delta variant and earlier strains of the virus which allows us to remain hopeful that the approved vaccines will also provide some protection against Omicron.
Because there continues to be substantial transmission of COVID-19 and we have uncertainty about the level of vaccine efficacy against this new variant of concern, LACDPH reminds all County residents to be sure to adhere to the masking requirements and wear a mask when indoors or at large outdoor mega events regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, residents or LA County are reminded that they are required by public health order to isolate if they have a positive COVID test result and that vaccinated close contacts with symptoms and unvaccinated close contacts need to quarantine. It is also important that we work together to reinforce social distancing whenever possible and that families and staff respond nightly to the health screener prompts for the next school day.
Testing is an important tool in early detection of infection to reduce spread. LCUSD is prepared to test students and staff as widely as possible this week and to maintain its robust testing program throughout the holiday season. Along with LACDPH, we encourage families who have traveled for the holidays to get tested if they traveled internationally or to locations in the United States with high transmission rates, or if you have participated at gatherings and events with large numbers of people, some of whom may be unvaccinated.
While we are still learning much about Omicron, we know enough about COVID to take steps now that help reduce transmission as we prepare to better understand the additional strategies that may be needed to mitigate this new variant of concern.
LCUSD COVID-19 Testing - Times and Locations
Students, families, and staff members may access the District COVID-19 testing program, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., at any one of the following locations (please note that arrival and dismissal times at our school sites are heavily impacted and if you are able to arrange for alternate times, that would be most appreciated):
Location: La Canada High School
4463 Oak Grove Drive, La Cañada, CA 91011
(818) 952-4200
Location: La Cañada Elementary
4540 Encinas Drive, La Cañada, CA 91011
(818) 952-8350
Location: Palm Crest Elementary
5025 Palm Drive, La Cañada, CA 91011
(818) 952-8360
Location: Paradise Canyon Elementary
471 Knight Way, La Cañada, CA 91011
(818) 952-8340
Location: District Office (Business Office)
4490 Cornishon Avenue, La Cañada, CA 91011
(818) 949-4758
Please use the following URL link(s) to register for testing with the COLOR Lab. You will be required to respond to questions from the Department of Public Health as well as fill out information about your insurance. You only need to register once, even if your child tests multiple times. The test results will be sent to you as well as shared with the District COVID Compliance Team so we are able to take necessary actions related to further isolation, quarantine, and contact tracing.
STUDENT LINKS:
PCR Student Registration Link for COLOR LABS
LCE Student Registration Link for COLOR LABS
PCY Student Registration Link for COLOR LABS
LCHS Student Registration Link for COLOR LABS
Vaccinations
Symptoms Update from Nurse Metz
LACDPH Decision Pathways state that only the four following symptoms are consistent with possible Covid-19 infection in children:
- Fever greater than or equal to 100.4F
- New cough, different from baseline
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
Students with these symptoms are required to have a negative PCR Covid-19 test prior to returning to school.
Travel Reminder from Nurse Metz
If your family is traveling, please be aware of the guidelines posted by the L.A. County Department of Public Health (L.A. County follows CDC travel guidance).
Delay travel until you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated but choose to travel, follow CDC recommendations and requirements below. Please be aware the only mandatory travel requirement is to test prior to returning to the United States when traveling abroad (see below for details).
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/international-travel-during-covid19.html
Get tested 1-3 days before traveling out of the U.S. (for unvaccinated persons)
Mandatory: “All air passengers coming to the United States, including U.S. citizens and fully vaccinated people, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 3 months before they board a flight to the United States.” (from CDC international travel webpage linked above)
Get tested 3-5 days after travel (for vaccinated and unvaccinated persons)
Self-quarantine after travel for 7 days with a negative test or 10 days without a test (for unvaccinated persons)
Self-monitor for symptoms (for vaccinated and unvaccinated persons)
Wear a mask and take other precautions during travel (for vaccinated and unvaccinated persons)
If you are traveling with children who cannot get vaccinated at this time, follow recommendations for people who are not fully vaccinated and choose the safer travel options described below.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-risk.html
If you have any questions, please contact kmetz@lcusd.net
Reminders
Daily Screener
Peachjar
Lost and Found
Upcoming Events
LCE Dine-Out at Chipotle
See flyer at the end of this newsletter.
Monday, Dec 6, 2021, 05:00 PM
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Foothill Boulevard, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Family Learning Series: Preparing Future Leaders for a Diverse World
Tuesday, Dec 7, 2021, 06:00 PM
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LCE Spelling Bee 4th - 6th Grade Competition
Friday, Nov 26, 2021, 09:00 PM
La Cañada Elementary School, Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
4th Grade Walk Through California "Field Trip"
Tuesday, Dec 14, 2021, 08:00 AM
La Cañada Elementary School, Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Governing Board Meeting
Tuesday, Dec 14, 2021, 07:00 PM
4490 Cornishon Avenue, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Teacher Collaboration Day and Early Release for All Students
Friday, Dec 17, 2021, 08:00 AM
La Cañada Elementary School, Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Winter Break for Students
Saturday, Dec 18, 2021, 12:00 AM
Not at School
La Cañada Elementary
Email: eblaney@lcusd.net
Website: lcelions.net
Location: 4540 Encinas Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA, USA
Phone: 8189528350
Twitter: @lcelions