W E E K
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J A N U A R Y
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El Semanario
Edison Language Academy – Together Through Two Languages (310) 828-0335 www.edison.smmusd.org
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK:
ANNOUNCEMENTS THANKS FOR YOUR ACTS OF KINDNESS AT THE HOLIDAYS! The gift cards shared by Edison families helped over 30 families have holidays that were a bit brighter! REFLECTIVE PARENTING WORKSHOPS – Gain increased confidence in parenting. Learn new ways to think about children’s behavior, and learn effective interventions for difficult behavior. Edison parents are invited to participate in a 10-week Reflective Parenting course for parents of children from 5-11 years old. There is no charge for parents with children attending Edison. To participate in the program in English, register and attend the workshops held at John Muir Elementary School at th 2526 6 Street on Tuesday mornings from 8:30-10:00 am. This course begins on 1/23. For more information or to register, contact Janet Medrano Reyes at jreyes@smmusd.org or (310) 451-9747. To participate in the program in Spanish—which will be held at Edison beginning 1/25 on Thursdays from 9:00 am to 10:30 am -- contact Hazel Tercero at htercero@smmusd.org or (310) 451-9747 to register or for more information. Our Family Services Counselor Cynthia Lua also has more information about both workshops if you’d like to talk with her and see if this program is right for you – (310) 8280335, ext. 61-312. CALIFORNIA HEALTHY KIDS SURVEY – Every other year, California collects information from students in Grades 5,7,9 and 11 to help schools understand how to improve student engagement, attendance, health, and social-emotional well-being. The surveys are anonymous, data are not reported at a class or school level and there is a way for parents to review the survey questions. This year in February th our 5 graders will complete the survey. If you have th a 5 grader, watch for a letter with more information and a parent permission form. See the link in the letter for more information and either Yoly or I would be happy to speak with you about anything that is not clear or that is of concern. The letter requires a parental response – to give or deny permission – so we ask that you please respond by returning the letter to your child’s teacher as quickly as possible.
STARTING THE YEAR WITH THE KINDNESS AND JUSTICE CHALLENGE During the Kindness and Justice challenge, I pledge to have courage, include others, be respectful and responsible, act nonviolently, and celebrate the ways I can improve the world around me!
For the last 15 years at Edison, we’ve kicked off the new year by purposefully completing acts of kindness and justice in honor of the work and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This project was initially started by a group called Do Something! with support from Dr. King’s children, who wanted to encourage people to honor their father not just by taking a day off school or work, but by taking action to keep advancing his work. So, in January of each year, we learn more about Dr. King’s life and the social justice movement to which he dedicated his life. We also work to turn admiration into action in our own daily lives. Over time, the daily virtues taught in the Challenge have become our school values. These values, in additional to kindness and justice include: vision, empowerment, courage, inclusion, tolerance and nonviolence, respect, responsibility, perseverance, and reflection and celebration. Each day during the Challenge we learn more about Dr. King’s work, students pledge to take some actions that involve being kind and just. The students reflect on things they can do – in the classroom, on the playground, at school, in their afterschool activities and/or at home – that support others and stand up for what is right. At the end of the day, they celebrate what they were able to do and write what they did on a small strip of brightly colored paper. Each classroom fastens these slips together as links in a chain. At the end of the challenge, we all bring our chains together to make one large chain that we hang in the cafeteria – showing how even small acts can be magnified when many people work together. There are many ways parents can support children in this journey: reinforce at home how important you believe it is to treat others with kindness and respect and stand up for what is right; ask your child to share with you what they are doing; plan for some acts of kindness for neighbors or family members; and you are welcome to add some family links to the Edison chain.
January 8 First Day Back from Winter Break
January 9 Visit from Corazon de Vida Students
January 15 Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Holiday – No Classes