S E P T E M B E R
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El Semanario
Edison Language Academy – Together Through Two Languages (310) 828-0335 www.edison.smmusd.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK: KEEPING KIDS SAFE AT SCHOOL
VOLUNTEER TRAINING – The last of the three trainings for volunteers (for new or renewing At the end of August, SMMUSD Superintendent Ben Drati volunteers) will be held Friday, September 21 at 8:30 wrote to all parents about the importance of safety in our schools. am in the cafeteria. This last training is in English. He also directed all elementary schools to consult with local law SAFETY AWARENESS EVENING – Join us this enforcement and then review and strengthen their safety Friday evening, September 21 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm protocols. One of the strongest recommendations we have and learn more about how to keep kids safe at home, received from law enforcement officials is to reduce the access to on-line, going to and from school, when taking the our campuses as much as possible when students and staff are metro, or when using bicycles and scooters. There present. So, all SMMUSD schools are looking at their gate policies. will be a bike skills safety course (bikes and helmets Edison already has good perimeter fencing, controlled provided) and a visit from Santa Monica Fire access through the main office with a camera and buzzer system, Department and Santa Monica Police Department. and locked gates during the school day. Our School Resource Thanks to our partners at SM Safe Routes to School Officers have advised us that the place where Edison can and Project, there will also be light refreshments, goodie should improve campus security is during the times when students bags, and a raffle for some run recreational items. arrive and depart from school. With this input, we will be updating SAFETY PLEDGES – Return the signed parent our drop-off and dismissal procedures to minimize open gate time safety pledge by September 21 and help your child’s and reduce adult access to campus during these times. classroom win free safety helmets! The first class This may mean that children will say goodbye to parents with 100% returned wins. at the school gate in the morning and meet parents at the gate in EDUCATION FOUNDATION PLEDGE DAYS – The the afternoons. Parents who have specific business on campus Santa Monica Education Foundation is a non-profit would still be admitted by signing in through the office, and organization that raises funds to support our Santa wearing a visitors badge while they conduct that business. Parent Monica Schools. At Edison, Ed Foundation support meetings and classes, going to the cafeteria to take care of a lunch means that we have Bilingual Instructional bill, helping teachers with Wednesday packets, etc. would still Assistants, our PS Arts (theater and visual arts) continue. And family activities after school -- concerts, festivals, nd Program, Preschool-2 grade Spanish Choral Music family evenings, etc. -- would continue as they do currently. Program, before and after school safety personnel, Our challenge as we look at changing gate policies to and funds so that we have a full-time health office improve safety, is to so in such a way that school still feels like a assistant. The Ed Foundation relies on donations – welcoming place for parents and that still allows parents the from families and staff and September 23 through opportunity to connect with each other and with school staff. September 29 are Ed Foundation Pledge Days. In We’ve already had initial conversations with faculty and with whatever amount you can manage, please consider parents at ELAC and PTA meetings about possible changes in gate making a direct donation or pledge to the Ed policy. I’d love to hear from other families this week with ideas Foundation. Last year Edison had the highest about how we can maintain the spirit of our Edison community as participation rate in the district for individual family we work to improve student safety. Please feel free to email me donations – this year, we’re hoping for 100% at lorum@smmusd.org or drop me a note in the office with your participation. You can make a one-time donation or thoughts and ideas. create a payment plan and stretch your donation over time. You can donate in person or on line at https://www.smedfoundation.org/waystogive/suppo rt-overview The funds you give will make a big Wed. Sept. 19 Wed. Sept 26 – 8:30 am and difference at Edison! Local Holiday No 6:00 pm Town Hall Briefing on School Achievement and Safety