MARCH 20-26, 2019
El Semanario
Edison Language Academy – Together Through Two Languages
M A R C H
(310) 828-0335 www.edison.smmusd.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS 4TH GRADE THEATER INFORMANCES – The 4th graders began performing their year-end one act plays from The Untold History of California for families and their buddy classes last Monday March 18 (Room 202). The plays continue this Friday March 22 (Room 200), and Monday, March 25 (Room 201). All plays will be performed in the Edison Cafeteria from 8:40-9:30 am
EDISON’S TWO OPEN HOUSES ARE RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER – MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR Thursday, March 28 for TK-2 Grade Classroom Visits (Dinner prepared BY 4th Grade Parents) AND Thursday, April 4 for PRE-K and 3rd-5th Grades Classroom Visits –Dinner prepared by 1st Grade Parents. This is an evening when students can show parents the learning they’ve been doing this year. Students generally serve as tour guides, showing parents the work they are proud of, so it’s a good evening to bring the children. The playground is closed because the children will be busy showing their families all their great work. SPRING BOOK FAIR – Get ready to stock up for summer reading! The Edison Spring Book Fair will be back from March 28 through April 4, featuring books in English and Spanish from Mrs. Nelson’s and La Librería. Proceeds from the Book Fair help us keep the Edison library collection up to date.
EDISON JOGATHON IS COMING APRIL 3! Get ready for this healthy and fun Edison event. This is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for our school. Jogathon raises funds to fulfill the commitments PTA has made for programs this school year. These include the scholarship fund for 5th grade science camp. So, we encourage the participation of ALL families to the degree that is possible for your family’s budget. To make it easier to get support from grandparents and relatives who live at a distance, supporters can also pledge and pay on-line! Which class will run the most laps? Prizes for individual and class accomplishments. Watch for the pledge materials and start collecting pledges now!
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK: ¡QUE VIVA DOLORES HUERTA! Friday, March 15, we had our annual Noche de César Chávez celebration. The evening featured dinner prepared by ELAC parents, and concerts by our 2nd grade Spanish music program, the afterschool 3rd- 5th grade chorus, and the Family Singing Circle. Edison initiated Noche de César Chávez more than a dozen years ago to help our urban students learn more about the agricultural history of state, and California’s involvement in the non-violent struggle for human and civil rights. This work now also reflects SMMUSD’s new goals to graduate students who are college and career ready and socially just. Guided by the Social Justice Standards, we teach students about the actions of people and groups who have worked throughout history to bring more justice and fairness to the world. And the story of César Chávez and the United Farmworkers, is an important part of that history. But far too often, history has not acknowledged the crucial contributions of women. So, inspired by Women’s History Month, with support from ELAC and PTA, we decided to focus this year’s celebration on UFW Co-Founder Dolores Huerta. Dolores has spent a lifetime working for justice. At 89 years old, she is still on the front lines working to empower new leaders and organizing in the areas of rights for workers, women, LGBTQ persons, and immigrants. Fearless and hardworking, she has organized workers, led strikes, boycotts, and picket lines, negotiated labor contracts and was arrested many times for non- violent resistance. Check out our web page for the slide show about Dolores that we shared on March 15 to learn more about this strong and effective leader. Music has always been an important part of movements for justice , so we also showcased our Spanish music programs led by Maestra Jacqueline Fuentes. Learning choral music in Spanish provides a wonderful language learning opportunity (for students and parents!). Just as importantly, it also opens windows into the cultures and traditions of the Spanish speaking world. On Friday, students and parents performed songs from Uruguay, Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Chile. The lyrics reminded us to care for children and each other, to take care of the world we live in, to appreciate the wonderful things in life, to work, live, and create together in peace. Students and parents “raised the roof” in a rousing concert and sing-along! We are grateful to the Santa Monica Education Foundation and our own Edison PTA for providing the funding that makes these Spanish music programs possible. There’s still time to join the Family Singing Circle – Friday mornings at 8:30 am. The program runs through April 4. ¡Vengan a cantar! March 27 – Site Council Meeting, Room 100, 4:00 -6:00pm
April 3 – 9:00-11:30 am Jogathon!
April 3 – 6:00 pm Young Storytellers The Big Show!