Today as we successfully complete LFCSA’s third year, I have paused to reflect on what we have accomplished this year and recognize that this has been an extremely successful year for our little school. Exactly one year ago, we were frantically packing up our Fairfax location and moving onto Selma Elementary School’s campus. We have now successfully cohabited with this wonderful public school for one year.
The transition to our second home at Selma was smooth. Principal Julie Kane and her helpful administrative team, along with Mike, Roy, and Alva, cheerfully assisted us as we arrived and have continued to welcome us as partners at Selma. And from the very beginning the cafeteria staff has cared for us with warm smiles and tasty food treats. Since our arrival, Selma’s campus has changed with the addition of two play structures, a lovely garden, and even a worm bin.
This year there is much to celebrate and reflect upon:
· Our program grew in size and achievement. With the move we successfully welcomed five new teachers, Ms. Jindra, Ms. Galli, Ms. Goodfried, Ms. Son, and Ms. Chan to our staff. In addition to our new teaching staff, our three dedicated teacher’s aides, Mark, Esmerelda, and Alba have supported our teachers and students throughout the year. And with tender loving care, Maria kept our classrooms especially clean.
· Our drama, dance, and visual arts programs have become invaluable components of our school, thanks to the hard work of our arts specialists, Diana Van de Kamp and Heather Newlin. Their programs allow our students freedom to express themselves in, through, and with the arts. When our keyboard music program had to be suspended mid-year, Ms. Jennifer added a new dimension to our music program with her “Mary Poppins” fuzzy bag of instruments that has kept our student’s interest and love for music alive.
· As always, Mr. Wenger continues to build a wonderful, popular P.E. program for our students. We are so lucky to have him, as he keeps our children healthy and strong. Additionally, he has created a Safe School Plan that is second to none and keeps our students and campus safe and secure.
· Michelle, Samara, and Christina, without you, we would be lost in paperwork and unanswered telephones. Thank you for all your hard work this year.
· Collaborating with our community, first and second grade students worked with USC students on the integration of media literacy. Selma’s staff and students in the first grade learned how to make new friends by gathering for a meet and greet, hosted by our own first grade students.
· Integrating technology into our program was demonstrated as the M.I.N.D. Institute computer based math program created a huge buzz, all about Jiji. Second and Third Grade children loved this new element of our math program. The second grade team added a new level of sophistication with the second grades’ website where photos, student work, videos, and all updates were added showing us the way to a new level of parent/teacher communication.
· With the addition of field trips linked closely to our curriculum, students had exciting school bus adventures and walks around the neighbourhood, visiting UCLA Live, Beauty and the Beast theatre production, Disney Hall, The Natural History Museum, Trader Joes, Mel’s Diner, and various Hollywood walks. Thank you to all the parent volunteers who made these trips possible.
· Recently in the LA Times, Stella Kimmell’s poems were featured as the youngest entry of a published author! The second and third grade students received a letter from the White House, and an autographed photograph of President Barack Obama. They took the time to voice their concerns in letters to the newly elected present who responded to our thoughtful children’s voices.
· The first grade block building unit was a great example of constructivist learning and our children have joined with reading buddies as they become a community of readers that we are so very proud of.
· The PTA provided the teachers with a special week of appreciation. Thank you to all of the PTA members and volunteers for making the teachers feel so acknowledged.
· This year was packed with student presentations and demonstrations of learning to packed audiences of appreciative parents. We have truly shown a spotlight on our extraordinary students.
· The School Site Council worked cooperatively to guide and give oversight to the variety of committees and programs that make our program run.
As you can see with just these few specific examples, we have much to celebrate and remember with fondness. There are so many special moments that we do not have space to acknowledge. Without the help of parents all would not have been possible. Our room parents and parent volunteers have assisted in the classroom, at home, and participated in learning communities through the Town Hall Meetings. Your services were invaluable.
Important to this amazing year have been our successful fundraisers, Big Night Out, Harvest Festival, Jog-a-thon, Penny Drive, 80 Seconds, and the student run, second grade Art Auction. These were a huge success toward our schools’ financial goals. Without events such as these our school would not be able to operate the quality and quantity of programs that you would normally find in a private school setting. Thank you to those special community members that spearheaded the important work of fundraising, and all who volunteered their time and efforts in this direction.
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Much credit for all of the successes noted must go to an incredible support team composed of our assistant principal, Nancy Martorelli, who wears many hats, as a musician, a dancer, and special education coordinator; our instructional coach Karolynne Gee, who mentors our staff weekly through professional development, as we all learn how to reflect and grow as educators; our special education support team of Dr. Colvin, psychologist, Tracy Colite, speech and language therapist, Carole Lee, occupational therapist, Marielle Pasqual, occupational therapist, Cristina Desiere , resource specialist, and Koko Lytie, adaptive PE specialist, who work tirelessly with students that need extra support.
An especially important body I want to acknowledge is our Board of Directors who have worked tirelessly to make LFCSA’s mission, to become an outstanding learning environment for our children, a reality.
Looking towards the future, we are excited about our new home, at Media Center, where LFCSA’s vision has never been clearer. A special thanks to Kevin Mulcahy, Florie Savage, Marta Alcumbrac, and George Abrams for their efforts in making this dream a reality!
And at the end of the day, we must acknowledge the most significant part of our school, the children. We have supported and inspired a community of creative, questioning, and collaborative learners. Seeing their smiling eager faces each day make our collective efforts worthwhile!
Have a wonderful summer, look for special mailings each month from LFCSA, and stay safe. I look forward to seeing you in the fall and excited to welcome new teachers, students, and parents to our community of learners as we add fourth grade classes to LFCSA.
Best,
Karin Newlin
