S U M M E R
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El Semanario
Edison Language Academy – Together Through Two Languages (310) 828-0335 www.edison.smmusd.org
ANNOUNCEMENTS STAFFING CHANGES - Two long-time Edison staff members are retiring at the end of this school year. With many thanks, we bid farewell to Iris Preciado (Senior Office Specialist) and Angel Ybarra (Day Custodian) who are looking forward to being able to spend more time traveling, being with their grandchildren, and devoting time to service projects and hobbies. We will be interviewing over the summer to fill these positions. First Grade Teacher Georgina Mojica will be enjoying a shorter commute next year as she teaches in an immersion program closer to home and continues her masters’ studies at CSU Long Beach. Instructional Assistant Cara La Barbera is leaving us to student teach next year and finish her masters’ program at Antioch University. Each of these individuals have enriched our school with their talents and commitment and we are thankful for the time we have worked with them. YEAR END GIFTS TO EDISON PTA AND TO SMMEF There’s still time to get in on the $200,000 matching grant that the Franklin PTA pledged to SMMEF and help safeguard SMMEF programs from cuts next year. You can donate on-line at www.smmef.org, or leave a contribution in the Edison Office. Contributions to the Edison PTA – which are still also needed as we begin budget discussions for 2016-2017 – and can be made on line at www.edisonamigos.com (click the fundraising tab and Direct Donation) or by writing a check to Edison PTA and leaving it in the office. MARK YOUR CALENDARS -- 2016-2017 DATES: Sunday, August 21: Class lists posted on office and library windows at 4:00 p.m. Lists will also be posted in the courtyard on the first day of school. Immunizations and/or health exams, and any needed inter-district permits must be up to date before your child’s name will be put on a class list. Monday August 22: Instruction Begins – Minimum day for all students. Tuesday, August 23: Minimum Day for TK and K students; Regular day for grades 1-5 Tuesday, August 30: Back to School Night for TK-2nd rd Grade (Food prepared by 3 grade families) Tuesday, September 6: Back to School Night for Grades 3-5 (Food prepared by 2nd grade families) August 30-September 6: Fall Book Fair – stock up on bilingual titles for the new school year.
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK: FAREWELL 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR As the school year draws to a close, I want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to work with your children this year. Our students amaze and delight us every day and we will miss their smiles, hugs, and excitement with learning during the summer months. Children learn and grow so much every year and one of the privileges of working with young children is that we get to be a part of that. The end of this school year should finally mark the end of our long, long construction project! This has been my 10th year as Edison Principal and 37th year as an educator, and I can honestly say that being principal during this long construction project has been one of the most challenging times in my career! However, it also gave me the opportunity to really appreciate the process of change, how challenging it is for organizations and people, and the importance of maintaining a strong focus on teaching and learning – no matter what challenges arise. At the end of the construction process we have a new facility with more room for enrichment and specialized programs, a great step forward with technology, and play space that will be an asset for our students and the surrounding community. And, in the midst of the challenges of construction, we kept the focus on teaching and learning. Our achievement rose each year – even with the transition to new state standards and assessments. More Edison students than ever before are working above grade level, and fewer are working below grade level. I am tremendously proud of all of our staff. They have persevered through the challenges and kept their vision set on what was really important for our students. They adjusted to new standards and assessments, new buildings and spaces, and continued to grow their own instructional practices at the same time. This focus on our students and dedication to best practices and collaboration was why Edison was nominated as a National Blue Ribbon School this year. We will have minor ups and downs in test scores from year to year (all schools do) –but our steady growth over time is solid – for all students. th Next year we begin our 30 year as a dual immersion school, with a new facility that will support many future generations of students learning in two languages at Edison and a strong base of achievement to take our students even further. ¡Adelante Edison! Wishing you all some wonderful times together this summer and we look forward to seeing all our returning students August 22! June 9 – Last day of school – report cards go home
IISS Summer School at Edison – June 20-July 15