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El Semanario
Edison Language Academy – Together Through Two Languages (310) 828-0335 www.edison.smmusd.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS Where Are You From/What is Your Cultural Heritage? – There’s still time to join the Edison cultural heritage map. Just turn in the form that asks Where Are You From?/What Is Your Cultural Heritage? Student Investigations for Hispanic/ Latino Heritage Month – Student submissions for the “Did You Know?” /Wall of Knowledge bulletin board will be accepted on Fridays, October 2, 9 and 16. Participation is voluntary, but we’re looking forward to showcasing our students’ work at the Fall Festival. National PTA Reflections Program – invites students to make art responding to the theme LET YOUR IMMAGINATION FLY! The Edison PTA will be offering some lunchtime art rd workshops between October 12 and 23 to support Edison student artists. Or students can make art at home. Look for the flyer with submission details in the Wednesday packet. UCLA School Function Project – We’re delighted to be collaborating again this year with Dr. Alice Kuo and Bobby Verdugo of the UCLA School Function Program. Mr. Verdugo will be offering a series of seven bilingual parent workshops over the course of the year. The first workshop will be on Wednesday evening, October 14, 6:30-8:00 pm. There is no charge for the workshop but we ask you to pre-register so we can make appropriate child care arrangements. This first workshop will focus on how parents can support children who have challenges with attention and focus. Return the flyer in the Wednesday packet by Friday October th 9 to reserve a spot. Grades of Green: Every Child Makes a Difference -- Edison will be working with Grades of Green this year to increase recycling and environmental awareness on campus and strengthen our lunchtime composting and recycling. We’ll kick of the project with a day of training on October 1 (Principal Orum, Maestro Nepomuceno, Custodian Mark Aguilar, and a parent volunteer) and a student assembly on Wednesday, October 21. Watch for updates and join us!
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK: THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENT INVOLVEMENT Research is clear that parents play a critical role in influencing student achievement. That’s why supporting and engaging parents and other family members is an important part of our work to create a school where all students learn two languages and master a rigorous set of content standards. Edison has always been known for having an involved and supportive parent community. Ours is also a community with diverse backgrounds and needs. So providing appropriate support and building an inclusive and mutually supportive parent community is something we work on intentionally every year. As Site Council develops an annual plan, it is guided by input from school staff, ELAC, PTA, parent surveys, student achievement data, Edison’s guiding principles for creating an equitable learning community, and research on the kinds of parent involvement with the highest payoff for students. See the handout in this week’s packet for more information on this year’s plan and parent involvement opportunities. Research indicates that parental involvement, especially in the form of parental values and aspirations modeled at home, is a major force in shaping students’ achievement and adjustment. When parents hold high expectations for their children, provide consistent encouragement of academic effort, and take some action to enhance learning opportunities at home, the payoff for children is huge! Students generally have higher aspirations for themselves, stay in school longer, and have a higher likelihood of going to college. This is true regardless of students’ income or ethnic background. Of all the things that parents can do, showing interest in their children’s education and academic progress, has the strongest association with student achievement. How can parents show interest? Talk about school with your child. Ask questions about what they’re learning. Praise their efforts and accomplishments in school. Let them know how important you think school is by making on-time daily school attendance a priority. Participate in parentteacher conferences. Encourage reading at home. Attend as many of theater and music performances as possible. Support their use of programs like ST Math, KidBiz, and Lexia at home or at the public library. Alert us if you have concerns or feel like your child needs more support. Come to a parent workshop, class or parenting support network at school. Find a way to volunteer that is visible to your child. But whatever else you do this year, make sure to let your child know that their education is of great importance to you. Thank you for your critical support of your child’s education! October 14 ELAC 8:30 am Site Council 4:00 pm
October 15 – The Great California Shake Out – Earthquake Drill
October 28 – Picture Re-Take Day