The Weekly Wave

Happy Weekend Short Avenue Families and Friends!

We are in the middle of a very busy and wonderful weekend. Friday we had an amazing turnout for our school-wide assembly. Last night was a wildly fun and successful Fall Festival. Today, at Bill Roendahl Park (at Glencoe and Alla Rd), is Del Rey Day. I encourage families to come out to this free community event later this afternoon. I give enormous appreciation and praise and respect to my staff, to FoSA, and to ALL of the volunteers whocame together to provide an absolutely amazing experience for our school community and our neighborhood community Friday through today!

With Halloween just around the corner I find myself focused on safety and good decisions. Halloween is a fun time for all ages. As you and your family celebrate Halloween please be sure to:

• Cross streets carefully, looking both ways several times before crossing the street;

• Of course say “Trick or Treat,” but remember too to say, “Thank you;”

• Before allowing your children (or yourselves) to dive headfirst into a mountain of candy be sure to check the candy and then be sure to exercise moderation;

• Remember that the candy stays at home and not at school

This week, unfortunately, had a variety of behavior issues that occurred with students. We know our students are great kids. We sometimes forget that they are learning and that mistakes get made. There is always room to grow. Please know that we encourage students to talk to staff if there is an issue because we can never assist with what we do not know. I do recognize that there are times where a child is more comfortable sharing at home. Please know that we want to know so that we can continue to grow and improve and make the school as safe as possible. I appreciate the strong partnership we have as a community and appreciate your patience and support as we improve our systems.

Please enjoy the rest of your weekend.

See you Monday!

Mr. Lamb

October 27th- Del Rey Day, Bill Rosendahl Park, 11:00am-4:00pm

October 28th- Morning Brew & Updates, 8:20am, Parent Center Rm. 12

October 31st- Halloween Parade, 8:20am, Main Playground

November 1st- Dia De Los Muertos celebration, Rm. 12

November 11th- No School, Veteran's Day

We will have our annual Halloween parade on October 31st, at 8:20am, on the blacktop. Children will come to school dressed in their costumes. Please consider school-appropriate and culturally-sensitive costumes. No pretend weapons of any kind may come to school as part of a child's costume. We kindly ask that you keep very scary masks at home as well. After the parade, students should change into their school clothes so that they are ready for learning and playing that day. Parents are welcome to watch the parade.

As a reminder, please be mindful of the following expectations regarding costumes:

-school appropriate and culturally sensitive costumes only

-no weapons of any type

-no scary or gory masks

We are looking forward to celebrating Dia De Los Muertos on Friday, November 1, 2024. Once again, we will be setting up our ofrenda for the school community in Room 12, the Parent Center. Students will be visiting the ofrenda with their classes on November 1st, and parents are welcome to sign in at the office if they would like to take a look.

We are asking that students bring framed pictures of loved ones who have passed, as well as any other items of significance that your family would like to contribute. Decorations and flowers (marigolds) are also appreciated. Please make sure to turn in all clearly labeled items to your child's teacher by Monday, October 28th. We will accept any perishable items through Thursday, October 31st, as we want to keep them fresh for the display.

Lastly, we will be handing out conchas and hot chocolate to all students on the morning of November 1st. We are looking for volunteers to assist us in distributing to the classes. We are also seeking volunteers to help set up the ofrenda on 10/30 and 10/31. Please click here to volunteer for either opportunity.

We have some new information about our SEEDS Greening project that is listed below. The big news is that there has been a change about trees and grass and the order of installation. Apparently there is a fear that the soil delivered will somehow negatively affect the tree planter boxes so the trees were delivered and installed first!

Expected Dates of Activity:

October 26 - Spread latest delivery of soil; delivery and installation of trees

November 4 - Irrigation work for the native plant area

November 11 - Concrete pour for the stage area

We keep moving closer and closer! Thank you for your patience and your support!

Please join us for Del Rey Day on Sunday, October 27th at Bill Rosendahl Park, from 11:00-4:00. This is a wonderful community, sponsored by the Del Rey Neighborhood Council, filled with free food, activities, a dog contest and the annual Del Rey Day Spelling Bee. We will need volunteers at our Short Avenue booth so please click here to sign up to volunteer.

1-2-3-4 WE DECLARE A PENNY WAR

The Annual PENNY WARS are upon us, Nov 4-8. The students LOVE this weeklong event!

Gather up your coins & bills to send to school with your kids starting Monday, November 4th.

Each class's money jug will be in the breezeway before school 8-8:30am and Recess 10-11am.

TK & K teachers will chaperone their classes to their jug during the day.

This is a win/win & easy fundraiser that benefits everyone!

Asking yourself, what is Penny Wars?? See flyer above for explanation of the rules…

Our library does so much for our students—hosting incredible events, providing a cozy space to gather, and inspiring a love for reading. But all of this can’t happen without the help of our amazing community. Here are two ways you can support:

1. Help Us Clear the Library’s Wishlist: Every little contribution goes a long way in providing resources to keep our library thriving! (AMAZON LINK)

2. Join the NEW Library Committee: Organize Fundraisers
Recruit & Manage Volunteers
Advocate for Resources
Grant Writing
Promote Library Usage (SIGN UP HERE)

Your involvement, big or small, makes all the difference! Let’s work together to keep our library vibrant and enriching for all students.

#SupportOurLibrary #CommunityMatters #LoveForBooks

Join us at our next community meeting, Thursday, November 14th, 6-7pm. This will be a virtual meeting. A link will be sent out closer to the meeting date.

FOSA holds monthly community meetings the third Thursday of each month to inform our wonderful Short Ave community about important updates, events, and all things happening at Short Ave. Meetings alternate each month between in person, and virtual.

November Holiday Camps, for 11/11 (Veteran's Day) and Thanksgiving Week:

reDiscover Center has both 11/11 and Thanksgiving Camp

Euro Soccer has both 11/11 and Thanksgiving Camp

Let's Play LA has Thanksgiving Camp

Prime Time has Thanksgiving Camp

Got Game is having Both 11/11 Camp and Thanksgiving Camp:

• Got Game Registration can be found HERE!
• Got Game 11/11 info is HERE!
• Got Game Thanksgiving Camp info is HERE!

SOCIAL MEDIA: Last week I posted on our Instagram and Facebook:

The Fall Festival flyer, a call for volunteers to help set up our Ofrenda, pictures of the autumn inspired doors and art in the primary classrooms, a thank you post to parent Bory Chung who designed our new school banners for Del Rey Day, a Dolphin Cafe flyer, a Haunted House teaser post and pics from the Fall Festival!

Please set you Instagram notifications to be notified when I post, so you don't miss anything, and of course like and comment on our posts, it is the best way to see what is happening on campus and get important reminders!

Families,

We want to remind you of our birthday party policy. In an effort to be equitable and keep our students healthy, we do NOT allow caregivers to send in cupcakes and treats for birthdays. While classes may organize celebrations for various occasions throughout the year, birthday parties should be held outside of school. Parents are welcome to arrange with the teacher to read a story in their child's class, or lead a fun birthday activity. Additionally, parents are welcome to donate something special to the class in honor of their child. We understand that birthdays are special , and every student and staff member will be recognized with a birthday song at our monthly assemblies.

Student attendance is a focus for us this school year. It is important that your child is present and on time for school EVERY DAY. An accumulation of absences can negatively impact students both socially and academically. The school is working closely with the District to monitor student attendance and reach out to parents when students are consistently absent from school. While it is understandable that students might become sick throughout the school year, the goal is for seven or less absences between now and June. Family vacations should take place during school holidays and scheduled during school vacations. Additionally, doctors' appointments should be scheduled after school or during vacations, whenever possible. If your child is out because of an appointment, we ask that you bring a note from your doctor to the main office, or your child's teacher. Please let us know if your family needs any support in getting your child to school.

Parents,

Please make sure that you have registered for an account on the Parent Portal. The Parent Portal is is an online system that connects parents and guardians to their child's information. The website to register is: http://parentportal.lausd.net. Once you are registered, you will be able to add your student(s) to your account with their student ID and your parent pin code. Letters were sent home last week with your parent pin codes. It is important that you link your student(s) to your account so you can view their information.. Please call the office if you need any help in obtaining your child's student ID # or any other assistance registering on the portal.

Click here for instructions to register for the Parent Portal.

Click here for instructions on how to add your student to your Parent Portal account.

Rams Reading Challenge Update:

We are a little more than halfway into the 45 day Rams Reading Challenge, that was launched on September 24th!

Please encourage your children to read, and for those kids in 1st through 3rd grades, make sure they are writing down their minutes! The Rams Reading Challenge will end on November 7th!

We are competing against 11 schools, and the one with the most minutes read and logged will win....drum roll please...4 FREE TICKETS TO DISNEYLAND FOR EACH STUDENT IN GRADES 1st - 3rd!!! SO, if you have a child in 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade, let them read as much as they want and be sure to log those minutes!! Let's with this!!!

VOLUNTEERING!

Are you interested in volunteering in your child's classroom, the library, or the garden, or going on a field trip? We LOVE volunteers and hope that you will be one!!

You must be an approved volunteer with a negative TB test to Volunteer for field trips, classroom projects, the garden etc.

1. All Volunteers must have a negative TB test. Please get your Negative TB test first, BEFORE filling out the Volunteer Application. New volunteers must have a recent negative test within 60 days of application. You must email your negative result to avril.lipsky@lausd.net so that they can be inputted into your application. TB tests for returning volunteers are good for 4 years.

2. Please fill out the Volunteer Application through this LAUSD VOLUNTEER LINK! This is for BOTH new and returning Volunteers. Do NOT check Tier 3 assignments unless you are willing to get a Fingerprint. Email avril.lipsky@lausd.net for more info on fingerprints. Here is a link the the most recent Volunteer Guide if you want a step by step visual of how to fill out the volunteer application.

3. Volunteers need to sign a Liability Waiver and the Commitment Form electronically in the application..You do NOT need to email them to me.

4. Please see the LAUSD Volunteer Page for answers to questions.

https://www.lausd.org/volunteer

5. ALL Volunteers (both new and returning) must watch the The Mandatory Volunteer Orientation Zoom Recording, if you did NOT attend the live Zoom on September 11th.

6. Here is the Materials Folder Link that we spoke about in the Zoom Orientation, that includes the Orientation, Zoom, the Guide to Volunteering, The Volunteer Commitment Form, and the Quick Guide.

If you are a RETURNING VOLUNTEER from last year, you still need to fill out the LAUSD Volunteer Application online at LAUSD VOLUNTEER LINK! You Negative TB test should Auto Populate, if it is less than 4 years since you did the test. It takes 4 to 5 weeks to get you approved AFTER I get the TB test, so please do not wait

Please be aware that ClassDojo will translate into over 130 languages!

Here’s a brief overview of how parents can set language preferences in ClassDojo:

1. Content Language: This allows users to select the language for story and message translations.
2. Communication Language: This option lets users choose their preferred language for emails and push notifications.

You can reach out to Rachel Burris @ rjs6223@lausd.net or Avril Lipsky @ avril.lipsky@lausd.net if you need any assistance with translation. We are here to support you!

Looking for a hidden gem for your child’s middle school years? Marina del Rey is a fantastic option for Short Ave Elementary families, offering unique opportunities like a Performing Arts Magnet which includes theater, dance and music, an honors track for high achievers, and exciting programs like Marine Science and a beautiful garden! Let’s support our local school and explore all it has to offer. Interested in learning more or joining our parent group? Email dave@jdpropertiesla.com to join our list of Short Ave families discovering MdRMS!

Email: wlamb@lausd.net
Website: https://shortavees.lausd.org/
Location: 12814 Maxella Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Phone: 310 397-4234