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Edison Language Academy – Together Through Two Languages (310) 828-0335 www.edison.smmusd.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS Edison Wins Recognition as a 2018 California Distinguished School – Based on outstanding student achievement, Edison has been selected by the California State Department of Education as a 2018 California Distinguished School! Said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson: “These schools implement outstanding educational programs and practices that help California students realize their potential, and put them on the path to achieve their dreams. Every day at these schools, teachers, administrators and classified employees, working with parents, apply their dedication, creativity, and talents toward providing a great education for all their students.” Congratulations also to fellow SMMUSD CDS awardee Grant Elementary! Thanks to our entire Edison team! ¡Sí se puede! Input for Edison Site Plan – Before Spring Break we held a number of briefings for parent groups on the goals and activities authorized by the Edison Single Plan for School Improvement (SPSA) – generally known as the “Site Plan.” The Edison Site Council will shortly begin work to revise and update the plan for the 2018-2019 school year based on our recent achievement data and the input of stakeholders. We invite your ideas! This week at the Wednesday ELAC meeting (8:30 am in Room 100), Site Council will be soliciting input from parents of English Learners. Watch for other opportunities to share your ideas with Site Council as we set goals and priorities for the year ahead. LCAP Community Meeting – A community briefing on SMMUSD’s Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) will be held on Tuesday, April 24 from 6:00-7:30 pm at Will Rogers Learning Community. SMMUSD to seek input on goals, priorities and strategies for the coming year.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK: SPRING BREAK PROJECTS While school was closed over Spring Break, several important projects were being completed here on campus. Check out the new Labyrinth, the new deck in the Pre-K/TK yard, the growing array of plants in the Edible Garden, and some new bedding plants in our central courtyard. El Laberinto Papalotzin (Butterfly Labyrinth) – With funding from the Education Foundation, and approval from Site Council as part of our Social Emotional curriculum, Martha Ramirez-Oropeza was commissioned to create a child-sized butterfly labyrinth on campus. Labyrinths are an ancient tool for contemplation and meditation found in Europe, India, Africa, and North and South America (among the Pima, Hopi and Navajo). Unlike mazes, a labyrinth has one path and is simple to walk (presumably freeing the right brain for contemplation and creativity). They can be powerful tools to build self-regulation, unleash creativity, work out a problem, and calm the spirit. Our variation of the labyrinth has footprints showing a path into the labyrinth on one side of the butterfly, and a path out on the other side. We elected this variation so that the children will not run into each other by having to double back on the same path. Labyrinths are meant to be walked at a slow pace; they are a way of slowing ourselves down. Because of the size of this labyrinth, the turns are tight and it needs to be walked slowly. When walkers enter the center (the body of the butterfly), they may elect to pause and do some mindful breathing or thinking – sitting or standing as they wish. Once it has its final protective sealant coat, the labyrinth will be open for exploration! ¡Muchisímas gracias to Maestra Martha Ramirez -- and the many “apprentices” who came by to help paint a little bit! In the Garden – Garden educators Debbie and Lucia were here during break watering, tending seedlings, feeding the worms, and cleaning out overgrown crops to create space for the next group of garden classes. With help from the students, we now also have a butterfly garden of flowers and milkweed just on the other side of the fence by the Laberinto Papalotzin and the beginnings of a pumpkin path for fall. Green STEM Committee Member Maestra Lorissa Boxer (and former Edison student and volunteer Mark Abraham) also spent some time in the garden planting the last garden bed with indigenous plants, experimenting with low-water irrigation strategies, and developing garden lessons. In the Seaside and Bridges Playground -- District workers were here over Spring Break to remove the sand from the sandbox in this playground – which had unfortunately become the neighborhood cat litterbox! They built a deck over the empty space, greatly expanding the usable play area on the yard. We still need to bring some shade into that area, but can soon bring over the wonderful wooden blocks and create an enhanced space for building and engineering explorations for our youngest students!
Upcoming Events PTA EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING – April 11, 6:00 pm - Community Room
YOUNG STORY TELLERS: THE BIG SHOW! - April 11 6:00 pm - Cafeteria
MOVIE NIGHT – COCO!! Friday, April 13