CLAS will be holding its annual Science Fair on Thursday, May 23rd from 2:00 – 4:00 PM on both campuses.

At Coliseum,  students’ investigations will be on display in each of the CLASrooms™– Kinder Intermediate and Advanced through 2nd grade–to showcase their research.

Orville Wright students will display their science fair projects in our main building. Grades 6-8 will be in the middle school science CLASroom™ (Kimbrell’s)  and grades 3-5 in the middle school mathematics CLASroom™(Leopold’s). We will award 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place to the best research projects voted upon according to the science fair rubric.

For ideas and motivation students and parents can visit the following web resources:

http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com 

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fairprojects/project_ideas.shtml

Join the fun!  Encourage your child to participate!!!!

“What happens when a young person is engaged in conducting an experiment, or writing a piece of software, or solving a hard math problem, or designs a new gadget?  It is in these pursuits that talents are discovered and passions are lit, and the future scientists, engineers, inventors, entrepreneurs are born. That’s what it is going to help ensure that we succeed in the next century, that we’re leading the world in developing the technologies, businesses and industries of the future.”

                                                                                                                                                       – President Barack Obama

It’s the CLAS Scribes vs. the Testmakers

Care providers, you are part of the team as well. Here’s how you can help:

1. Make sure your child is at school on time during the testing window. Testing begins at 8:40 at Coliseum and 8:50 at Orville Wright. Do not plan any doctor or dental appointments during this time.

2. Ensure s/he gets a good night’s sleep. Establishing a curfew the night before each match is something all good coaches do to guarantee that players are well-rested, sharp, and focused.

3. Make sure that s/he gets a good nutritious dinner the night before and breakfast the morning of test days. View breakfast as the pre-game meal, providing the energy necessary to fuel your child’s best effort.

4. Encourage your child to do her/his very best on the test. This is important! Lackluster or, worse, no effort hurts your child’s and CLAS’ test scores. Students found to be bubbling iin answers randomly because they choose not to take the tests seriously will be removed from testing. Likewise, students whose behavior is disruptive and jeopardizes establishing an optimal testing environment for their CLASmates™ to do well on the tests will be removed from testing.

Don’t forget that all Scribes are encouraged to wear athletic/sports gear like their favorite jerseys all throughout the testing period.

Tuesday, May 7, it’s game on! Testing will occur from May 7 through Friday, May 17. Monday, May 6 is the Big Game Pep Rally. Refer to the published testing schedules for more info. Coliseum’s schedule is here. Orville Wright’s is here.

Scribes vs. the Testmakers? Scribes got this. GO SCRIBES!

Friday, April 26
6:30 – 8:30PM
Orville Wright Middle School Auditorium
Admission is Free!

Yes, you read that right. There is NO COST to see these amazing students and their amazing talents. However, we will pay all students who attend a free dress ticket! Plus, back by popular demand will be a special encore performance of The Godfather of Soul, the recent 1st grade revue show celebrating James Brown!

You don’t want to miss this!

Join us for the premiere screening of the documentary An Educational Oasis: The Story of CLAS. This thirty-five minute film reveals the untold story of pioneering Los Angeles charter school, Culture and Language Academy of Success. Through interviews with the founders, teachers, staff, parents, and students, the remarkable story of how three educators embarked on a dream to create the perfect school for our children is conveyed.

This special premiere event takes place on the evening of Thursday, April 25, 2013 from 6:30 – 8:00 at the Yvonne B. Burke Senior and Community Center located at 4750 W. 62nd St. in Ladera Heights.

Seats are limited to the first 50 people to RSVP at 323-292-2000. Call for more information.

Remember, the benefit of completing and distributing the electronic Learning Records is threefold. Firstly, because of the teaming, co-teaching, and or departmentalization that is occurring in grades 4-8, Google Docs provides a modern and efficient vehicle for sharing documents, making it easy for multiple teachers to complete a child’s Learning Record and even allowing them to work on the Learning Record or any other shared document simultaneously in real time! This way, there’s no need to e-mail the document back and forth as different student advocates include their grades and comments. Secondly, distributing the Learning Record electronically reduces the printing costs that accompany the multi-page document. Finally, it provides a distribution system that will ensure delivery to you without the possibility of being lost or misplaced.

Please look for an email invitation from your child’s student advocate in the coming days (in grades 4-8 the email will be sent from the homeroom/guidance student advocate) sharing your child’s Learning Record. All Learning Records will be distributed no later than this coming Friday, February 8. If you require assistance remembering the email account that you used to register your Google account, simply reply to this email and include your first and last name and your child’s name and grade level. The information will be sent to you promptly.

If you are a parent of a currently enrolled student but have not established a Google account, email Mr. Jackson at ajackson@cultureandlanguage.org for assistance in getting set up with one as it is our desire to eliminate entirely sending home a printed paper version of the Learning Record.

Additional questions about the electronic Learning Record can be answered by your child’s student advocate(s) and/or Mr. Jackson.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

9 :30a.m. – 1 :00p.m.

Loyola Marymount University

1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles 90045
1000 Ahmanson Auditorium
(free parking via Lincoln Blvd. entrance, on immediate right)

TWO WORKSHOPS IN ONE!

Workshop One
Professional Tutors of America: Parent Involvement. This workshop helps parents understand the
importance of their involvement in their child’s education. Learn tips and strategies to get involved, help
with homework, and boost test scores. Learn tips that will allow you to work your child’s school to make
your involvement meaningful and effective. Parents will be inspired and motivated to get involved and
watch their children succeed!

Workshop Two
10 Things You Need To Know About The Closing of CLAS and the Opening of Validation Academy.
This workshop will answer all your questions in regards to the closure of CLAS and the latest with the
opening of the new Validation Academy.

Continental breakfast as well as chilcare will be provided for a nominal fee of $5.00 per child. As
an incentive for attending, families will receive four (4) participation hours toward the 42 – hour
requirement plus a free dress voucher per child.

Need more information or want to know how to help?
Contact: Denise Spears, Parent Representative
Phone : 323 – 524 – 8658
Email : dspears@cultureandlanguage.org

Download the complete flyer here.

Download the LMU campus map with directions to parking here.

On Monday, as a way of honoring Dr. King’s tireless dedication to human rights and justice, we encourage our students and families to not take the day off, but instead visit the internet and/or the local library to explore and research Dr. King’s accomplishments on a more in-depth level than is often presented in commercial media sound-bites about his life and legacy.

For instance, did you know that Dr. King enrolled at Morehouse College at the tender age of fifteen because his academic achievement in school allowed him to skip both the ninth and twelfth grades? Or that he graduated from Morehouse in 1948 with a B.A. in Sociology when he was just nineteen years old? Another fact often obscured when celebrating his life is that in addition to his much discussed role as a civil rights leader, he also became increasingly critical of poverty in the United States and took a strong stand against the Vietnam War. Many believe that there was little coincidence between his assassination and him connecting the condition of Blacks in the U.S. at the time to poor and oppressed peoples’ struggles internationally.

A great place to begin finding valuable information on the life and legacy of Dr. King can be found at The King Center website. We also encourage you to spend part of the day celebrating Dr. King at the Los Angeles Kingdom Day Parade on Saturday, January 19th, or one of the King Day events taking place in Southern California.

Be reminded that school will resume on Monday, January 7, 2013. Morning Affirmation marks the start of our instructional day and will begin at 8:15 AM at Coliseum and 8:25 AM at Orville Wright. Let’s start the New Year right by being present and on time.

See you Monday!

Today, January 1, 2013, we celebrate the seventh day of Kwanzaa by focusing on the final principle of the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles)–Imani (Faith). The purpose of Imani is “To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.”

As noted on The Official Kwanzaa Website, Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community and culture. Celebrated from 26 December thru 1 January, its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa from which it takes its name. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili, a PanAfrican language which is the most widely spoken African language.

Learn more about Kwanzaa ands its founder, Dr. Maulana Karenga here.

Heri za Kwanzaa! (Happy Kwanza!) Harambee! Harambee! Harambee!

Thank you as well for continuing to stand by us in this 10th anniversary and final year. From the dedicated and committed staff to the best parents and caregivers anywhere, your unwavering commitment to CLAS is greatly and sincerely appreciated. We love you more.

Of course, we are truly thankful for the true stars of the CLAS Community–our wonderful students! You’ve gotten off to a great year Scribes. Continue to be excellent! We love you most.

Remember, CLAS is closed throughout this week. School will resume on Monday, November 26, 2012.

Enjoy the time off. Have a great Thanksgiving! See you on the 26th.