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Edison Language Academy – Together Through Two Languages (310) 828-0335 www.edison.smmusd.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS Site Council Elections – We had some communication glitches in getting ballots out for Site Council Elections, so they are also included in this Wednesday’s packets (paper and electronic). To allow for sufficient response time, the deadline to return your completed ballot is now Wednesday, November 21. This election is for two parent representatives to Site Council to serve two-year terms. ¡Su voto es su voz! Last Call -- Applications to claim a sibling preference for Seaside Preschool are due November 15. Please contact Yoly (ext. 61-305 or email at ygutierrez@smmusd.org) if you need an application. Mariachi Concert at Edison – Join us this Friday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the Edison Cafeteria for a free concert by the UCLA Mariachi! Last chance for Edison 5th graders to sign up for the new district afterschool Mariachi class (in January, Tuesdays at Edison). This is a free program and SMMUSD is providing the specialized instruments. Go to: https://smapa.formstack.com/forms/mariachi_ba nd. If you need assistance, contact Yoly and she’ll assist you. Classes in the Edible Garden -- 1st and 5th grade classes finish their 10-week garden education program this week. Check out the awesome tomatoes, marigolds, peas, cilantro, radishes and lettuces they have been growing. On November 29, 3rd and 4th grades begin their garden education program on Thursdays. If you have a child in 3rd and 4th grade and are interested in volunteering in the garden with your child’s class, contact the classroom teacher. Thanks to Garden Teachers Lucia Burke and Debbie Harding for working with our Edison teachers to develop this avenue of learning. PTA Association Meeting – Wednesday, November 21st 8:30-9:30 am in the Edison Library. Join us for the PTA Association Meeting , learn about budget updates, the successes of the Reflections Arts and Literature Contest and Fall Festival, and upcoming activities.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK: FOLLOWING UP AFTER CONFERENCES Thank you for making the time to conference with your child’s teacher last week! The purpose of conferences is to get to know our students and families more deeply and make sure that all students are on track to meet or exceed grade level standards by year end. Making time to discuss strengths and challenges and make a plan for supporting growth for the rest of the year is an important way for us to work together. Sometimes, the information shared at conferences will only confirm what you’ve noticed as you supervise homework or reading – or review grades on quizzes that come home. Sometimes the information shared may surprise you – both in the area of strengths and challenges. For example, a child who never seems to speak Spanish at home may be a student who really exhibits a lot of Spanish vocabulary and effort at school. Or a child who seems to be reading fluently at home may be missing some of the comprehension skills when compared to grade level benchmarks. When it comes to challenges in the areas of social skills, focus or behavior, some families see the same thing at home and are hard at work at home on these areas. But sometimes, there are surprises. Unless you routinely observe your child when he or she has to sustain focus and attention over time on things that are hard for them or you observe them in settings where he or she has to negotiate and share with multiple peers, you may not be aware of some challenges your child faces at school. And conversely, you may not have the chance to see the leadership skills your child shows with peers or their incredible kindness to others. Teachers also learn things from families that they might not have known about students. Sometimes we hear about a child who tries so hard to do homework but is frequently frustrated, or a child who struggles with a social relationship we weren’t aware was problematic. That information helps us adjust instruction or assignments, or work on social relationships during our class meetings. Thank you for your candor! Whether the information you received at the conference confirmed what you have already observed, or whether it gave you some new information to consider, the important thing is that we keep working together to help your child thrive. Thank you once again for your time and collaboration!
November 22 and 23 – Thanksgiving Holiday recess – No School
November 27 – Giving Tuesday – Support the Education Foundation!
November 28 – 8:30 am Parent Workshop on Social Emotional Education - Library