Monday, September 23
- District Music 3rd-5th
- CREST afterschool classes start
- 5th grade parent meeting, 6:30 pm, Zoom
Tuesday, September 24
- Mariachi, 3:15pm, Cafeteria
Wednesday, September 25
- Parent Cafecito, Library, 8:30-10:00 am
- Assembly: Kindness is Free - Backpack Giveaway
Thursday, September 26
- Baile Folklórico, 3:15 pm, Multipurpose Room
Friday, September 27
- District Music 4th and 5th
- Baile Folklórico, 3:15 pm, Multipurpose Room
- Edison Spirit Day! Wear your Edison Spirit Wear
LA vs. Hate Week
This week is LA vs Hate Week. This anti-hate program was created in direct response to the rise in hate crimes and bias incidents that pose a dangerous threat to the safety and civility of our neighborhoods. Schools and school districts have a unique opportunity and responsibility to uplift messages of hope and unity. In honor of this charge, we are asking students to do something special each day the week. See below.
- Monday: Speak Kind Words Day! Say something kind to someone else.
- Tuesday: Chalk Day! Write messages of kindness with chalk during lunch)
- Wednesday: Good Vibes and Mix it up Day! Wear a shirt with a positive message and talk to somebody new at lunch)
- Thursday: Wear Orange Day! Wear orange to send an anti-bullying message)
- Friday: Edison Spirit Day! Wear your Edison Spirit Wear
Dear Edison Families,
Edison Language Academy has been a Title I school since I began working here 28 years ago. That means that at least 40% of our families qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch. In addition to receiving food for free and a reduced price, families can qualify for a variety of scholarships for after school programs and services. As a Title I school, the entire school benefits from Federal Funding to ensure that all students' needs are met and everyone succeeds.
Last school year, for the first time in three decades, our school did not receive Title I funding - we missed out on over $200,000 to support our students! Why? Because since the pandemic, food at school has been free and therefore families thought that they no longer had to fill out this application. They didn't know it also helps them get scholarships and it greatly affects the funding of our school..
Fortunately, this school year, we got our Title I status back! That is because enough parents filled out the application before the deadline last school year. We are using this money to provide Spanish Reading Intervention, updating our book collections, sub days so teachers can read with each student to determine their reading needs, teacher and instructional assistant training in best practices for teaching reading and language development, professional literature for our teachers, and a part time teacher to support our focus of providing high quality designated English Language Development to our English Learners.
We will not get this funding next school year if enough families do not fill out the Free and Reduced Lunch application by October 4th. Even though food is still free, we need families to fill out the application. If you have not filled it out, please do so ASAP!
Use the QR code below to fill it out digitally or come get a paper copy in the office. If you need support, our community liaison, Jessica Hernandez, will be happy to walk you through it.
Thank you, Edison community, for doing your part to help us ensure all students are thriving!
With gratitude,
Directora Ipiña
This Thursday, the Board of Education approved Ashley Zartner as Edison's new Assistant Principal. She will work 50% at Edison and 50% at McKinley.
Ms. Zartner brings more than 10 years of experience in education, specializing in instructional leadership, literacy development, and fostering equitable learning environments. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to improving student outcomes through data-driven practices, professional development for educators, and the creation of collaborative school cultures.
“I am honored and excited to join the SMMUSD,” said Zartner. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve students and their families alongside a team of individuals who value belonging and who prioritize equity. I look forward to contributing to the community and helping our students continue to thrive.”
Most recently, Zartner served as the assistant principal at The Accelerated School in Los Angeles, where she was instrumental in implementing systematic literacy and math interventions across K-5 settings. She also led efforts to enhance teacher professional development and build cohesive instructional practices through goal-based coaching and collaboration. Prior to her role as assistant principal, Zartner was a teacher and member of the leadership team at The Accelerated School, where she played a key part in transitioning the school to Common Core Standards and developed curricular maps and pacing guides for English language arts and math. Zartner’s dedication to supporting students with disabilities and English language learners has been a cornerstone of her work.
Zartner holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with minors in French and History from the College of Saint Benedict in Minnesota. She earned a Master of Education from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and she completed UCLA’s Leadership Support Program, where she received her Clear Administrative Services Credential. Zartner also speaks and understands Spanish.
“Ms. Zartner brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to educational equity,” said Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton. “Her ability to lead with data-driven strategies, foster collaboration, and prioritize student success aligns perfectly with the goals of Edison Language Academy and McKinley Elementary. Her familiarity with the Spanish language will be a supportive feature for families at both schools. We are confident that her leadership will have a lasting, positive impact on our students and their families.”
Ms. Zartner won't start for a few weeks, but we wanted you to hear the good news right away!
As you know, Ms. Aída Díaz, has been serving as Edison's Interim Assistant Principal. We could not have asked for a more wonderful person for the job. Aída Díaz is no stranger to Edison. She is a former Kindergarten and 4th grade teacher, parent of three immersion graduates, former Coordinator of Family Services and English Learners for SMMUSD, and former coordinator for the District's Immersion Program.
She graciously stepped out of retirement to be our Interim Assistant Principal for the beginning of the school year. We couldn't be more grateful to have her as part of our team. She brings intelligence, expertise, and humor to everything she does. She is extremely hard working, and wiling to do whatever it takes to make sure the Edison is the best it can be. She is truly a part of our Edison Familia and we are hopeful that she will continue to support our school in any way she can. Fortunately, she will be around as AP for a few more weeks, helping with the transition.
Each Wednesday, from 8:30-10:00 am, we have parent meetings in the Library. All parents are invited. Meetings are bilingual and there is a Zoom option at this link (although in person attendance is recommended). The meeting types are as follows:
1st Wednesday: Coffee with the Principal and Experts
2nd Wednesday: English Learner Advisory Council
3rd Wednesday: PTA General Meeting
4th Wednesday: Parent Cafecito
This upcoming week we will be having a Parent Cafecito. This is an informal socializing event for parents to connect in the morning. There is no formal presentation.
TEST SCORES ARE NOW AVAILABLE! There was a slight delay on getting the scores into Aeries, but they are now accessible. This video explains how to access the portals: Parent Portal. Here is a guide for parents on how to locate Test Scores and State Test Scores Reports: Parent Portal: Test Scores [Aeries]-attachment.
Remember that STAR scores are based on national percentile rankings. The 50%tile is average. Scores above 50 that are above average, scores below 50 are below average. These scores and more about your child's achievement will be discussed during Parent Teacher Conferences at the beginning of November.
Our students are so fortunate to have district sponsored classes in Mariachi (5th only) and Baile Foklórico (4th and 5th only) at our school. The classes started last week, but we noticed that both classes were offered on the same day (Tuesday) and many of our students wanted to take both. So, we negotiated with the program and were able to move Baile Folklórico to Fridays. The schedule is as follows:
Tuesday - Mariachi, 3:15 pm in the Cafeteria
Thursday and Friday - Baile Folkóorico, 3:15pm in the Multipurpose Room
Due to some staffing changes, we are in need of parent volunteers to help with the AM drop off zone on Virginia Avenue from 8:00-8:30 am. All you need to do is check in at the office at 7:55 am, get an orange vest and then stand at the curb, open car doors, and greet children with a smile and "Buenos días". The more people we have, the faster and safer it will be. It's a wonderful way to start everyone's day!
If you can help at least one day/week, please contact our AP Aída Díaz (adiaz@smmusd.org).
We couldn’t host our incredible community events without the support of parents like you. We have two upcoming events where we could really use your help:
PreK-2nd: Movie Night: Oct 4th
We need parents to help set up the space, make popcorn, and get the movie ready!
Fall Festival: Nov 2nd
This is one of our biggest events! We need help with the set up of both the festival itself (Nov 2) and the classroom altar displays in the cafeteria (Nov 1). We also need parents to make decorations (paper flowers and papel picado), run booths, sell tickets, and support our entertainers.
If you would like to help at either of these events (and you have not already communicated with our event coordinator, Irene Guerrero), please email her: edison.pta.special.events@gmail.com
Calling all creative kids! This year's annual PTA Reflections contest theme is "Accepting Imperfection" and your student is invited to share their original artwork interpretation of this theme.
Categories are: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts.
The contest is open to all grades, PK-5th, and you can submit an entry for one or more categories. To submit your student's work, please use https://forms.gle/bnKssM6nz7FyLajH9 (printed forms will be available in the office)
Deadline is OCTOBER 23, 2024. Questions? Email edison.pta.reflections.2024@gmail.com
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
- Oct 2: Coffee with the Principal and Experts (Rocio Naranjo on Writing)
Oct 4: Movie Night PreK-2
Oct 10: Hispanic Heritage Cultural Tables Display by parents
Oct 14: Make up Picture Day
Oct 16: Hispanic Heritage Schoolwide Gallery Walk
Oct 17: Great Shakeout
Oct 23: Assembly (Brazilian Ballet Folklorico)
Nov 2: Festival de Otoño
