Manual Arts Weekly Update
September 16-20, 2024
Week at a Glance
Monday, September 16, 2024
- Odd Schedule
- Flag Football vs Maya Angelou & STELLA @ 2:45 pm (Maya Angelou HS)
- Girls Tennis vs. Los Angeles HS @ 3:00 pm (Los Angeles HS)
- Girls Volleyball Vs. Diego Rivera High School @ 3:00 pm (Manual Arts)
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
- Even Schedule
- ID Photos Auditorium
- Local School Leadership @ 3:30 pm (Room 231)
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
- Odd Schedule
- ID Photos Auditorium
- Flag Football vs WISH & West Adams @ 2:45 pm (West Adams HS)
- SSC meeting @ 3:40pm
Thursday, September 19, 2024
- Even Schedule
- Behavior Expectations Assembly 9th and 10th @ 8:45 (Auditorium)
- Girls Tennis vs. GALA @ 2:45 pm (Manual Arts)
- Girls Volleyball vs. Jefferson High School @ 3:00 pm (Manual Arts)
Friday, September 20, 2024
- Odd Schedule
- Behavior Expectations Assembly 11th and 12th @ 8:45 (Auditorium)
- ILT meeting @ 8:30 am (Room 231)
- Varsity Football Vs. Lincoln @ 3:00 pm (Manual Arts)
Saturday, September 21, 2024
- Campus Beautification - 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
- Gear Up College Application and FAFSA workshop - 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
- AP Readiness
Engagement Strategy of the Month
It is essential to ensure students are discussing information that they learn in class. To make sure that students are owners of their learning teachers at Manual Arts utilize engagement structures to encourage student dialogue.
The Strategy for August and September is:
Round Robin
Round Robins are a great and easy way to start Kagan Structures in your classroom. Any time you pose an open-ended question a Round Robin can be used. The reason Round Robins are so great is that they give ALL students a chance to share their thoughts or ideas. We are NOT just calling on ONE student, we are allowing ALL students to respond within a lesson.
The steps to a Round Robin:
- Teacher poses an open-ended question
- Students are given think time
- Teacher selects the student to start (#1-4)
- Students take turns in number order sharing their idea
Encourage your students to engage in thoughtful academic conversations in class and at home.
Frias, K. (n.d.). Kagan 101: Round robins. Kagan 101: Round Robins. https://spotlightclassrooms.blogspot.com/2020/04/kagan-101.html
Latino Heritage Month
Manual Arts is proud to celebrate Latinx heritage from September 15 to October 15 during National Hispanic American Heritage Month. National Hispanic American Heritage Month is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the cultural assets and rich history of the Latino community that has contributed immensely to the fabric of our nation. As we celebrate Latino heritage, culture and history, we will be engaging in a variety of events and lessons that will incorporate culturally responsive strategies connecting our students’ funds of knowledge, backgrounds, and interest to the learning.
News and Information
Healthy Start
If you need any assistance getting resources for health insurance enrollment, food services, clothing, housing search/referrals, and vision & dental resources, please contact me via phone at (213) 866-7629 and (323) 846-3004, or via email at darrika.tripp@lausd.net, or in person at Manual Arts in room 120.
You can also complete this electronic referral form: https://forms.office.com/r/2ctk4wKGDi and I will follow up with you within 2-3 days.
Tutoring
Tutoring starts on Monday, 8/19/24. Parents are welcome to sign up their students/children (see flyer below)
25th Day of School
School Year Calendar
Sign Up for Parent Portal App 3.0
Cell Phones & Ear Buds/Headphones
Please be aware that while cell phones and smart watches are allowed at school, they must be turned off during instructional time and put away. Phones are available for student use in the main office in case of emergency, and parents can call the office if they need to relay an important message to a student. Earbuds are only allowed to be used under the guidance of a teacher.
Failure to comply with these rules will result in confiscation of the item(s). Students who bring cell phones or personal electronic items to school do so at their own risk. The school is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
No Outside Food Deliveries Allowed
The delivery of fast food/beverages is strictly prohibited as it is not consistent with school food service requirements, and it causes disruption to the school environment and the safety and well-being of students and employees (LAUSD BUL-154111.1).
To be in compliance and ensure safety, the District does not permit external food or beverages on campuses unless District-approved. Deliveries made to the school by delivery persons of any type who are not District-approved are not permitted and will be turned away. This includes but is not limited to:
Meeting students at the door, gate, or school parking lots
Leaving food at a designated drop-off location on the school perimeter
Clubs or athletic event parties *
Waiting by the gate for the food/beverages
* Exception – class or afterschool club/event with the approval of the principal at least 48 hours in advance and a staff member must meet the delivery person outside the school.
Administrators will be called to assist if students/staff are not compliant when staff implement this policy.
If a student forgets lunch, the student can contact the school office and the school cafeteria will provide the student with a free school lunch.
Opportunities for Family Engagement
Being a successful school requires a lot of involvement in the school by both parents and teachers, including time spent in meetings. We hope that parents will continue to volunteer their time to serve and help improve our school.
Want to get involved but don't know how? There are many opportunities for parents to get involved. The high school years are just as important for parent involvement as the elementary school years. Although teens and pre-teens may say they don't want parents to come to school or be involved, the fact is that they still need your active involvement. The one thing all great schools have in common is a high level of parent involvement.
SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL (SSC): The SSC is a decision-making council at Manual. The SSC is a council of parents, teachers, staff, and students who oversee the budgets of Title I, the English Learners Program (English Learners Advisory Council, ELAC) and the Gifted and Talented Education Program (GATE). EL and GATE are programs funded by the state and must follow state guidelines. Orientation and Elections for the SSC and the English Learners Advisory Council (ELAC) will be conducted soon. Mr. Tran is the coordinator of the Title 1 and EL programs.
LOCAL SCHOOL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (LSLC): The LSLC is the other decision-making council at Manual Arts, dealing with such topics as discipline, calendar, school operations. Like the SSC, it is comprised of parents, teachers, staff and students. Elections for the LSLC will also be held soon.
Unable to spend time at school? You can still help your child by showing interest, looking at classwork or homework, and checking for notes from school.
Attendance Matters
Regular and punctual attendance is mandatory for all students. Student success and achievement is reliant upon regular school attendance. Excused or unexcused, if a student is absent from school they are missing classroom instruction, therefore all students are expected to attend all classes, each day, on time. Please see the school LAUSD calendar below to plan appointments and holidays.
VERIFIED LEGAL ABSENCE*
- Illness absence with a doctor’s note or authorization by school nurse or other authorized school official.
- Exclusion from school supported by written documentation by nurse or other designated school official.
- Medical appointments; verified by a written note from a doctor.
- Quarantine of the home; verified by the health department.
- Funeral due to the death of a member of the student’s immediate family (1 day, within the state; 3 days, outside the state).
- Student’s appearance in court,
- Absences for justifiable personal reasons, with prior written request and written approval from the principal, such as attendance at a funeral service, observance of a holiday or ceremony of his or her religion, attendance at a religious retreat, or attendance at an employment conference. Written proof of attendance regarding justifiable personal reasons is needed for verification.
*Absences for reasons other than those listed above, will be considered unexcused
Attendance procedures at Manual Arts High School
- When returning from an absence, students are expected to provide an excuse to clear the absence.
- All absences not cleared within 10 school days will be marked truant. If the student brings a note at a later date (before the close of the current school year), the absence code will be changed accordingly.
- Automated phone calls are sent 2 times daily to notify parents of absences and tardies. Parents are expected to contact the Pupil Services and Attendance Counselor, Ms Anna Aguilar when they are notified that their child is absent without their permission (parents are required by California Education Code, section 49408 to update their address and telephone number whenever there is a change). Please come to the Attendance Office to update your information or update your phone number or email in the Parent Portal.
- Acceptance of absence notes from parents is a courtesy. More than 7 absences within a school year is considered to be excessive. A student with excessive absences may be required provide a doctor’s note or have approval from the School Nurse or designated school official to excuse subsequent absences.
- Students with 8 or more absences (for the entire school year) will not be allowed to participate in extracurricular activities. Senior students with 8 or more absences during their senior year may not be allowed to attend Prom and/or participate in senior activities including graduation.
- Students with excessive absences will be referred to the Pupil Services and Attendance Counselor for further intervention which may include a referral to the school site Student Attendance Review Team (SART), the School Attendance Review Board (SARB) and Juvenile Court.
Parents are encouraged to contact school staff regularly to inquire about their child’s attendance and request assistance as needed.
Entrance and Exit Gates
Entrances for Manual Arts High School are the 42nd Streets gate and the 40th Street gate. Students with Bikes and Skateboards should enter via the 40th street gate.
Principal's Welcome
Greetings Toiler families! Welcome back to a new school year. This is our Toiler Family News Letter that is sent out on a weekly basis, usually Sunday evening, to help you stay informed and prepare for the week ahead. In addition to checking our website (https://www.manualartshs.org) and following us on Instagram (@manualartshsofficial), please take a few minutes each week to review the newsletter and stay up-to-date on the latest activities, deadlines, news, celebrations, and opportunities for involvement. We look forward to partnering with you and your student this year to accelerate learning and success.
Manual Arts High School is dedicated to the success of your child. In addition to talented and dedicated classroom teachers, we have an entire team who focus on supporting the needs of every student, including:
- Magnet Coordinator
- 4 Academic Counselors
- College Counselor
- 2 A-G Counselors
- PSA (Attendance) Counselor
- Full-time Nurse
- Dean of Students
- Restorative Justice Teacher
- School Psychologist
- 2 Psychiatric Social Workers
- 2 Intervention Teachers
- BSAP Counselor
- 2 Culture & Climate Advocates
- Librarian
- Categorical Program Advisor & EL Coordinator
- Athletic Director
- 2 Community Representatives (Parent Center open every day)
- Wellness Center - Open every day
- ...and more!
These last four years of high school are an exciting time of a teenager's life. Students are discovering their passions, what motivates them, and where they fit in. Getting involved in clubs, sports, and extra curricular activities are the best ways to keep your student connected to the school community. They will find new friend groups and earn greater independence. The phrase "trust, but verify" is a moto to live by as you navigate these years as a guardian. LAUSD provides you with all of the tools you need to be able to verify your child's attendance, grades, test scores, and overall progress toward graduation through the Parent Portal App, and we encourage you to stay involved with us at Manual. I look forward to a wonderful year together!
Sincerely,
Lavon Flowers Ed.D.
2024-2025 Goals
Equity
Faculty will implement Equitable Grading and Instruction
All graduating students at Manual Arts will apply to college and complete their FAFSA
Collaboration
Teachers will have students collaborate in classrooms using engagement structures
Staff will collaborate using the Plan, Do, Study, Act (PDSA) Cycle of Improvement
Excellence
Manual Arts campus and classroom environments will be clean, welcoming, and inclusive
Staff and students will strive for excellent attendance (96% or better)
Rigor
All Manual Arts Faculty will regularly utilize writing across the curriculum
The distance from standard will be closed by 10 points on the Smarter Balanced Assessment in ELA and Math