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Edison Language Academy – Together Through Two Languages (310) 828-0335 www.edison.smmusd.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS
STAFF APPRECIATION LUNCH – PTA is hosting a luncheon for staff on Wednesday, May 4 and is looking for donations for dessert and help setting up and cleaning up. EDISON PARENT SURVEY – will be coming home in the May 4 Wednesday packets. Please complete and return by May 11. Your input matters and is reviewed carefully by Site Council as we set goals, plans and expenditures for next year. We’re aiming for a 100% return rate and your child will be entered in a raffle for prizes if the survey is returned by May 11. There will be a second raffle on May 20, so get your survey in! STATE TESTING IN GRADES 3-4-5 – Upper grade students are taking state CAASSP tests between May 2-16. Please avoid absences during this time. OLWEUS ANTI-BULLYING SURVEY – Our upper grade students will also be completing our annual survey about bullying. The survey is anonymous and the information is used by staff and Site Council to improve supervision, target teaching and problem solving skills, and make Edison an even safer and more supportive campus. Opt-out requests must be received by May 6. A GIRLS’ VOICE – On May 13, our 5th grade girls will be participating in this great program. Parents, watch for a letter with more information and a trip slip. OPEN HOUSES – The K-1-2 (and Mrs. Boxer’s 3rd grade class) Open House will be held on May 19. Dinner will be th prepared for sale by 4 Grade Families. The Open House for 3-4-5 will be held st on May 26, with dinner prepared by 1 grade families. Your child is anxious to share their accomplishments with you so please plan to attend.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK: APPRECIATING EDISON TEACHERS Teaching Creates All Other Professions People in hundreds of countries around the world have designated a day or week to honor and appreciate teachers. Over 100 countries observe UNESCO’s World Teachers’ Day in October and most countries in Latin American celebrate a Día del Maestro (with the date varying widely by country). In the US, we celebrate this year on May 3. At Edison, we are marking the occasion on Wednesday, May 4 when the PTA is hosting a Staff Appreciation Luncheon. I freely admit being biased about the teaching profession. Not only do I come from a long line of teachers, I’ll always define myself mainly as a teacher. My great-great aunt Susie taught in a one-room schoolhouse on the prairie and famously kept her students safe for two days in a white-out blizzard. My Aunt Bonnie, another veteran of the one-room schoolhouse and now well into her 90s, still has cursive handwriting that puts mine to shame. My mother taught 2nd grade in a time when the Superintendent could set an evening curfew and require her to sing in a local church choir! And my first teaching job was in a high school with six different preps a day and a roster of 250 students -- in a job that paid so little that I also had to teach adult school at night just to pay the rent! Thankfully, conditions and pay have improved in our profession! There is both an art and science to teaching. Great teaching starts with a heart for children and the desire to help them succeed – academically and as well-rounded individuals. To that foundation, add deep knowledge of effective teaching and learning. Then, in a dual immersion program, add strong skills in both English and Spanish, understanding language acquisition theory and how to infuse multicultural education into instruction. And then stir in a good measure of passion to make sure that demography is not destiny, and the desire to be an ever more effective educator – and there you have an Edison teacher! We are fortunate to have a staff that is so committed to dual immersion, our students and our school. I particularly feel grateful that we have a teaching staff that doesn’t just settle for being “good” but works each year to be “great!” We’re also fortunate to have a talented and hard-working classified staff . Our Instructional assistants, library coordinator, administrative, custodial, physical education, supervision, food service, and child care staff and everyone who works at Edison cares deeply about our students. Their work makes good teaching possible. Please let these talented professionals know that you see and appreciate their hard work. A card or note, a flower, a gift card for a cup of coffee (maybe at our new neighborhood Starbucks), or a letter of appreciation for their file – all of these small things make a meaningful difference for our staff.
May 23 rd 3 Grade Music Informances (see schedule)
May 25 – 8:30 am Parent Workshop “Helping Children with Transitions”
June 4 – 1:00-3:00 PM Immersion Seniors Graduation – Edison Cafetorium