Dear Little Lake Community,
This month, many exciting things are happening across our district, and I’m thrilled to share a few highlights with you.
First, in the spirit of America’s Safe Schools Week, which is approaching at the end of this month, I want to remind the Little Lake City community that student safety is always a priority. That is why our district works to create and maintain safe campuses and strong relationships with community partners, such as the Whittier Police Department and the Norwalk Sheriff’s Department, as part of our commitment to ensuring our schools are safe and supportive places to learn and grow. To bring awareness of school safety across the district, I have asked the district’s 9 principals to hold school safety assemblies with students and review lockdown procedures with their staff.
On October 5th, our state celebrates World Teachers’ Day, a time to recognize the incredible work of our district’s teachers. We’re all grateful for their dedication to creating positive, welcoming learning environments for our students, and I want to take a moment to thank them for everything they do.
Finally, our Family Resource Center (FRC) has been awarded a Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association. This is a tremendous honor, recognizing the incredible support the FRC provides to students and families through food distribution, mental health services, and much more. We’re proud of the difference it’s making in our community and beyond thrilled they received this recognition. I encourage you to read more about this award later in this newsletter.
I invite you to learn more about our district’s happenings in this edition of our newsletter. Thank you for your continued trust and support.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Vasquez
Superintendent
Golden Bell Award Honors the Little Lake City School District’s Family Resource Center’s Impact on Student Success
The Little Lake City School District is pleased to announce that our Family Resource Center (FRC) has been awarded the prestigious Golden Bell Award. Presented by the California School Boards Association (CSBA), this award recognizes exceptional educational programs that tackle key challenges faced by schools today. Our FRC has become a crucial support system for students and families, providing services such as food distribution, mental health resources, and educational assistance.
The Golden Bell Award highlights programs that find innovative ways to improve student success by addressing real-world issues. Our FRC does precisely that by helping students overcome barriers such as housing insecurity, hunger, and the need for basic necessities. With the help of community partners like Giving Children Hope, the FRC ensures that students and families receive the necessary resources to thrive.
Since 2016, the FRC has been a vital source of support for foster youth, homeless students, and English learners. Last year alone, it served 928 students. Through programs such as We’ve Got Your Back and partnerships with local health providers, the FRC continues to offer the stability students need to succeed both academically and socially.
The Golden Bell Award is a significant recognition of the FRC’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for all students. We’re excited to keep you updated as we move forward in the award process, and we remain dedicated to removing barriers and opening up new opportunities for every student in the Little Lake community.
District Teacher of the Year Beth Bonilla Celebrated at County Luncheon
Little Lake City School District leaders and the district’s Teacher of the Year, Beth Bonilla, attended the Los Angeles County Office of Education’s (LACOE) Teacher of the Year Luncheon on September 20, 2024. The Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year (TOY) Program is the largest in the state and part of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honors competition for public school teachers.
Selected teachers represent exemplary dedication, innovative classroom practices, and a strong professional commitment. We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s honoree, Beth Bonilla, whose passion and excellence in education are truly inspiring. Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Bonilla on this well-deserved recognition!
LLEAF: Supporting Teachers and Students
The Little Lake Educational Advancement Foundation (LLEAF) is a nonprofit organization created by parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and community members to support the students of the Little Lake City School District. Since 2010, LLEAF has provided grants to enrich educational programs through community fundraising events, such as our annual golf tournaments.
In previous years, LLEAF grants have supported:
- Bus transportation for Outdoor Science Camp
- Tablets and iPads for classroom instruction
- New books for Library-Media Centers
- Support for middle school students on their Washington, DC trip
- Field trips to exciting locations like the Columbia Space Center, Natural History Museum, and Riley’s Farm
- Educational assemblies, including Science to Go and the Starlab Planetarium
This year, LLEAF has received 46 grant applications from teachers throughout the district, all aimed at enhancing their classrooms and benefiting our students. We look forward to announcing the grantees later this month.
Reminder: Parent-Teacher Conference Week
Parent-Teacher Conferences are happening now! From September 30 to October 4, all schools will be on a minimum-day schedule. This is a valuable opportunity to connect with your child’s teacher, discuss their progress, and set goals for the rest of the school year.
If you haven’t had your conference yet, please check with your child’s teacher for a scheduled time.
Parent Resource: Protect Your Child’s Chromebook
The Little Lake City School District is offering parents the option to purchase a Device Protection Plan for Chromebooks checked out to students in 4th through 8th grade. The plan costs $30 per year and is non-refundable. Coverage begins on the purchase date and lasts until the first day of the following school year.
The plan covers up to two incidents of accidental damage, loss, or theft, under specific conditions outlined in the agreement. If the plan is not purchased, any repair or replacement costs will be added to your student’s Aeries account. To keep the device protected, parents are encouraged to remind their children to:
- Keep the Chromebook in the supplied protective case at all times
- Report any issues to the school promptly
- Follow the district’s guidelines as stated in the agreement
For more information on purchasing the Device Protection Plan and reviewing the full details, click here.
Join Our Team at Little Lake City School District
Are you passionate about education and ready to make a difference? We’re hiring talented and dedicated individuals to join our growing team!
Explore here for exciting career opportunities and join our supportive, innovative community.
Important Dates
September 30 – October 4: Parent Conference Days (All Schools-Min. Days)
October 2: Walk to School Day
October 8: Meeting of the Board of Education
October 13-19: Week of the School Administrator
October 20-26: America’s Safe Schools Week
October 22: Meeting of the Board of Education
October 23: Red Ribbon Week Parade
October 31: Happy Halloween!
November 1: No School
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