21MM U.S. kids get free/reduced-priced lunch | Only 1/2 get breakfast, even though eligible

Please join Mrs. Stephanie Leach, Principal as she leads a conversation regarding Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC), later this morning, September 11th in the Multi-Purpose Room at 8:15a. Please come for answers to your many questions!

Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) will begin for everyone at Eagle Rock Elementary on September 23rd. Our school or any other school for that matter cannot opt-out; however, participation is not mandatory as no student is ever required to take any meal offered by LAUSD Food Services Division (breakfast or lunch). 

LAUSD has a total K-12 enrollment of 664,233 students (as of Oct 2011), second to NYC of whom there are:

• Low-Income Students: 450,394
• School Breakfast Participation: Low-Income Students: 124,426
• School Lunch Participation: Low-Income Students: 238,173
• % of Low-Income Students Who Participate in School Breakfast: 28%
• % of Low-Income Students Who Participate in School Lunch: 53%
• Source: BreakfastFirst.org
  

This leaves over 300,000 students (up to 400,000 depending on the data sources) throughout our school community (Eagle Rock and beyond) that are potentially not having breakfast...which is the target audience.  Additionally, this is district wide, K-12 so even our older students can get access to nutrition if they can't at home, whatever the reason.

According to the LAUSD, many teachers are using this "breakfast time" for business as usual, like collecting homework and taking attendance while others use it to teach students about health/nutrition, sustainability and recycling or simply having the kids read or do other school work.

Whether these are the most nutritionally valuable foods to eat depends on our views as parents; however, LAUSD adopted the USDA Healthier US Challenge nutrition standards – the program promoted by First Lady Michelle Obama in Let’s Move campaign to reduce childhood obesity.  Interested to know what's being served? You can always access the school menu here. 

Lastly, food waste can be minimized once the program is implemented at ERE, considering that the number of meals served will be adjusted as student participation is assessed.

Please click the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) to learn more...

Celebrate Summer | Final performances | Macbeth & As You Like It | #ShakespeareSetFree

Bring the family as the Independent Shakespeare Company (ISC) concludes their very popular and wonderfully entertaining  "Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival." 

@NationalPTA guides to #CommonCore for grades K-8 and two for grades 9-12

The Guides includes:

• Key items that children should be learning in English language arts and mathematics in each grade, once the standards are fully implemented. 
  
• Activities that parents can do at home to support their child's learning.
• Methods for helping parents build stronger relationships with their child's teacher.  
• Tips for planning for college and career (high school only).

Click the link of the respective grades to learn more: Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade, 3rd Grade, 4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, High School English, High School Math

Tuesday, Aug 27 | Session 1 (6:00p–6:40p) | Session 2 (6:45p-7:30p) | Adults Only Please

The same information will be covered in each session to accommodate families with more than one child attending the school.

Back to School Night is an opportunity to visit your child’s classroom and meet with their teacher.  Teachers will describe their classroom program, homework and discipline policies and any of your concerns regarding your child’s education.  

This is an informational evening for adults only.  Therefore, we request that you leave children at home as there will be no supervision on the yard.

String Quartet/Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon 40th | Free/Family Friendly @LPMacArthurPark

Bring the family to the Levitt Pavilion at MacArthur Park for a performance under the stars by the Omega String Quartet presenting a classical interpretation of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon to commemorate the 40th anniversary of it's original release.

Levitt Pavilion at MacArthur Park
2230 W 6th St
Los Angeles, CA 90057
Directions

Sunday, August 25, 2013| Festival begins at 5:30 p.m. | Music begins at 7:00 p.m.

Experience the classic rendition of the complete track list from this monumental record, complete with the original light show behind Pink Floyd.

The Omega String Quartet presents a classical interpretation of the iconic rock masterpiece, “Dark Side of the Moon” by Pink Floyd. They are joined by the stunning soprano, Julie Christensen, the chanteuse who backed Leonard Cohen. In a spectacular development, Single Wing Turquoise Bird, the light show behind Pink Floyd in the 60′s and early 70′s, will present a showing of their light show in sequence with the Dark Side of the Moon in MacArthur Park.

“The Single Wing Turquoise Bird (SWTB) was one of the most sophisticated of the U.S. psychedelic light shows. Formed in Los Angeles in 1968 to accompany rock concerts, it reconfigured its membership and its performance modes several times, eventually freeing itself from its initial role as a supplement to live music events. Drawing on the long local history of intersections between avant-garde film and visual music, it developed many technologies and sources of both imagery and abstract light, and evolved into an autonomous multimedia unit that innovated the collectively improvised, real-time composition of projected light.”

Celebrando el 40’ aniversario del disco Dark Side of the Moon de Pink Floyd, experiencia la interpretación de todas las canciones de este disco monumental en el estilo cuarteto.

Eagle Rock Elementary can receive up to $10K from @Target for supplies. Vote Today & Share the Love https://givewith.target.com/school/32284 

With your help, Target is giving away up to $5 million in support to K-12 schools. Please vote now and share this generous gift from Target!

Parents and guardians can submit a meal application ONLINE to be processed within 24 hours.

Last year’s meal benefit status is valid through the month of September. 

If you do not have access to the internet please come to the main office for a paper application, or someone will assist you with accessing an online application.  Meal applications must be completed regardless of eligibility or family income, and need to be completed by every single family.  

You will not have to fill out a paper application and mail it or hand it over to the Food services Manager at your child’s school. Click here to access the online meal application. 

Without the meal applications we are at risk of losing critical funding from the federal government; please remember that the information you provide is confidential. Only one application per family is required. 

Last year’s meal benefit status is valid through the month of September.  If you do not know your eligibility, please send a sack lunch, or money ($1.00 for breakfast & $1.50 for lunch), until your eligibility status is determined.  Every effort is made to process meal applications within 24 to 48 hours. Families may purchase meals in advance for reduced price or full price meals to avoid having students carry cash daily.  This can be done electronically at http://cafe-la.lausd.net/  or the cafeteria manager will assist you in adding money to your child’s meal account before or after school. All outstanding balances must be paid at the beginning of the school year.

Breakfast is served daily from 7:40 a.m. to 7:55 a.m.  It is also served during Recess. September 11, 2013 Breakfast in the Classroom will be introduced to all students.

If you have any questions about our meal program, please call the Cafeteria Manager at (323) 255-8273. Monthly menus will be sent with the Family Newsletter and will be available on our website.

End the 1st Week of School at the Final @KCRW Summer Nights @LAChinatown ALL AGES/FREE!

Part food event and part summer party, Chinatown Summer Nights features live cooking demonstrations, hands-on Chinese cultural activities, the LA Craft Experience artist market, live bands, food trucks, authentic Chinese restaurants, and KCRW DJs rockin' the dance floor – all in the heart of one of L.A.'s most unique neighborhoods.

Saturday, August 17, 2013 (5:00p - 12:00a with KCRW DJ sets from 8:00p - 12:00a)
Chinatown's Central & West Plazas
943 – 951 N. Broadway
Los Angeles CA 90012 (Central and West Plazas)

Chinatown Summer Nights is located in Chinatown’s own Central and West Plazas. Between Broadway and Yale Street, from College to Bernard Street. Bike racks and plenty of lot parking available. – Neighborhood Map here

Driving Directions to Chinatown
Parking in Chinatown
Freeway Access Maps

By Public Transportation
Take the Metro Gold Line to Chinatown Station. Plan your best route with the Trip Planner.
Additional information on utilizing public transportation to get to Chinatown Summer Nights – click here

Music-School Giveaways-Health Screenings-Surprises-More @JimmyGomezCA @seiuULTCW @Dodgers

SEIU United Long Term Care Workers, the office of State Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez and the Los Angeles Dodgers are proud to sponsor this year’s Fresh Start Festival at Dodger Stadium! While many families continue to struggle in this difficult economy, ULTCW and the Los Angeles Dodgers believe that everyone deserves a Fresh Start. So bring your families for a day long festival filled with music, school giveaways, special surprises, health-screenings and much more!

Saturday, August 17, 2013 (12:00p - 5:00p)
Dodger Stadium 
1000 Elysian Park Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012

This completely FREE festival will feature:

• Free backpack and school supplies for the first 5,000 school age children*
• Free haircuts for boys and manicures for girls*
  
• Free health services for all attendees (immunization, blood pressure checks, eye exams & chair massages)
• Free picnic-style lunch for all attendees
• Games, activities and entertainment for different age groups
• Cultural and Musical Performances on the Main Stage
• Opportunities to learn about services available from community-based organizations

*First come, first serve; and supplies limited — so plan to arrive early!