Latest news from Friends of Playa @ PDR Elementary School

Hello Playa Families!

December We Celebrate: Human Rights Month

I hope you enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday/break while staying safe and healthy. Even though this holiday might not look the same as years past, I also hope you were able to take some time to unplug, connect with loved ones safely, and reflect on what you’re most thankful for during this difficult time. I am incredibly thankful to be a part of the Playa del Rey School community that gives so much each and every day. We’re so fortunate to have each other.

Even though LA County does not meet the criteria of reopening at this time, the District is working to finalize hybrid instruction plans, prepare campuses, and hear from families to ensure that in person instruction is ready in a safe manner when it’s appropriate.

We all know the holiday season is an especially difficult time to continue social distancing and limit traveling, but I encourage you all to stay at home as much as possible, and make smart decisions so we can stop the spread and get back on campus safely. This isn’t easy for any of us—but I appreciate your continued patience and support.

Thank you for joining me for the November Coffee chat. A recap of the meeting presentation can be viewed here.

School Experience Challenge

ONLINE Parent School Experience Surveys continue this week and I'm looking for the next top class! Thank you to families that have already submitted an online survey.

-Go to http://achieve.lausd.net/schoolexperiencesurvey

-Click on the appropriate Parent Survey button (English, Spanish, Korean)

-Choose your child’s school from a drop-down menu to begin the survey.

*Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 classes to have 100% completion.

Return to Campus Family Planning

As the level of the virus continues to rise in the LA area, CDC and state guidelines say schools cannot reopen until it is safe and appropriate to do so. LAUSD is in the planning stages to serve schools as soon as it’s possible.

In preparation for an eventful return to campus, the district is giving every family a choice to make the best decision for your child and family—a return to in-person school or continuing with online learning. Please complete the Program Selection form, available in multiple languages, for each child. It’s also available on the LAUSD’s website by Sunday, December 6th.To complete the form, you will need to enter your child’s Student ID which you find in the parent portal. If no response is collected for your child, the default option for each student will be the Hybrid model.

In addition, detailed information on the safety protocols at schools and instructional models being prepared can be found in the Return to Campus Family Guide.

Report Cards: Our 1st Trimester Report Cards were mailed home via District offices. You may also view a copy of your child’s report card by visiting the parent portal (login with your sign in) and view academic grades-reporting period 1. (Access as of 11/15/20).

Big Thank You!

Monday, November 16th Young Storytellers (school partner) provided a virtual script to stage performance with the following 5th grade students: Dylan & Aiden Ali, Emerson Nygaard, Hayk Hanrix, Thailer Harvey, Will Hauser, Andrew Lopez, JuliaBuss, Kevin McReynolds, Cybelle Rivera Guzman, Joey Gonzalez, Drayonna Bee and Sofia Malykont. Thank you to our school partner, staff, parents and mentors for providing a program to help support young writers. Great Job!!

In addition, kudos to our garden/chicken care volunteers over the break: Mrs. Zeidman, Mrs. Takeshima, Mrs. Yasutake, Mrs. Eich, and Mrs. Brown

Save the Date: Next FoP meeting is on Tuesday, Dec. 1st,6pm look for the zoom log in; December Coffee chat, Thursday Dec. 17th (Holiday Crafts); Winter Break Dec. 21-Jan. 10th

In Case You Missed It

Schoology Parent Group

We have started a Parent Group in Schoology for parents to connect, get information and swap ideas. Here’s how to join:

Log in to your Parent Schoology Account: https://lausdschoology.azurewebsites.net/?destination=home&domain=lms.lausd.net×tamp=1602520315 (click on "Parents" and log in with your Parent Portal email and username)
Click on "Groups" at the top, then "My Groups" to the far right of the banner
Click on "Join Group" on the right side of the screen
Enter the following Access Code: 6HJG-X3HW-T83N4

Playa Monday Morning Assemblies @ 9am

Our Monday morning assemblies will be every week on Mondays at 9 am. Students will watch the video link with their classes. Families are welcome to watch by logging in and viewing with your classroom teacher. Come and celebrate with us!!

Initial COVID Testing for Students

Superintendent Austin Beutner explained in his October 5, 2020 Letter to the School Community, that Los Angeles Unified School District is now offering free COVID-19 tests to all students. The virus testing program is now underway and it’s time for our school community to be tested. Parents may schedule children for testing at one of the sites at your convenience. If families have children at various grade levels, they may schedule for the same date. You can also visit our school website, Facebook, Instagram as well as lausd.net, for more information on the testing program.

TechSupport: Have a chromebook/ipad or a hotspot issue? Need tips on how tonavigate website applications? Pleaseview district resources at https://achieve.lausd.net/Page/10470 for resources or contact:(213) 443-1300.

As always, you can contact us at 310-827-3560, Google Voice number at 310-571-8391, or call Los Angeles Unified’s Family Helpdesk at 213-443-1300 with any questions. Although we are starting the new year at a distance, we are still a school community. I look forward to a great school year and appreciate your support and continued partnership.

We’ll keep doing our best for you and your child in these difficult times. Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Sincerely,
Valencia Blue,
Principal

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