Ever wondered what it feels like under a 340 ton boulder? Now you can at the long awaited installation of artist Michael Heizer's "rocking" outdoor sculpture in the park now open at LACMA and accessible anytime, from morning until sunset. 

As a way of saying thanks to all in the communities through which the boulder passed on its journey, LACMA is offering free admission to the rest of their galleries. If your zip code is on this list, simply show proof of residence (a driver’s license will do) at the box office and you’ll be on your way to explore the collection - offer is good through Sunday, July 1.

Remember, admission for NexGen members under 17 accompanied by an adult is free!  What's NexGen? NexGen LACMA is the nation’s only free youth membership program! NexGen offers free general admission to anyone 17 and under as well as one accompanying adult. This includes permanent collection galleries and selected special exhibitions. NexGen applications are available in the Main Office (when school is in session) and you can also visit the LACMA box office or print the enrollment form and mail it in.

Did you know  that yesterday, June 21 at 1:04 A.M. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time) was the official start of Summer 2012? 

This year's summer solstice takes place a day earlier than it's been for the past three years, due to the fact that 2012 is a leap year—this February got an extra day, to keep our calendar year of 365 days in sync with the astronomical year, which is about 365.24 days.

The solstices are the results of Earth's north-south axis being tilted 23.4 degrees relative to the ecliptic, the plane of our solar system. This tilt causes different amounts of sunlight to reach different regions of the planet during Earth's year-long orbit around the sun.

Visit the National Geographic website to learn more: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/06/120620-summer-solstice-2012-longest-day-sun-earth-space-science/

Our community partners at Dahlia Heights Elementary are inviting you to attend a press conference, tomorrow, Friday, 06/22/12 at 10:30a with our Local School Board Member Bennett Kayser to protest the cuts to after school programs such as Beyond The Bell. 

Conference will be at Dahlia Heights Elementary which is located 1 block east of Trader Joes:

Dahlia Heights Elementary School
5063 Floristan Ave
Los Angeles, CA  90041

Additionally, they have setup an online petition through Change.org if you'd like to show your support from the Cloud:

http://www.change.org/petitions/john-deasy-superintendent-save-the-beyond-the-bell-youth-services-after-school-programs

Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 1:00p, the LAUSD School Board will convene to review and act upon a series of Board Actions. Last but certainly not least in tomorrow's agenda is Item 42 which the Board will be voting to recommend the authorization for their Human Resources Division to deviate from making offers of reemployment to certificated employees in order of seniority when personnel with special training and experience are needed. 

If passed, this vote will improve upon the chances for our RIF'd (Reduction In Force) teachers who are certificated in their respective disciplines, particularly those certified in Gifted Education.  We call upon our Eagle Rock Elementary Community to attend tomorrow's Board Meeting to voice your interest in this matter and to pursuade our Board Members to vote in favor and once again here these Eagle Rock Elementary Eagles Scream!

If you cannot make it to the meeting, please call, fax and email a brief letter in support for our affected teachers to our respective district representative, Mr. Bennett Kayser and the rest of the LAUSD Board of Education:

Bennett Kayser, Member, Local District 5
333 S Beaudry Ave, 24th Fl
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 241-5555
(213) 241-8467 Fax
[email protected]
[email protected]

Dr. John Deasy, Superintendent
[email protected]

LAUSD Board District #1
Ms. Marguerite LaMotte
[email protected]
213-241-6382
Fax: 213-241-8441


LAUSD Board District #2
Ms. Monica Garcia
[email protected]
213-241-6180
Fax: 213-241-8459

LAUSD Board District #3
Ms. Tamar Galatzan
[email protected]  
213-241-6386
Fax: 213-241-8979

LAUSD Board District #4
Mr. Steve Zimmer
[email protected]
213-241-6387
Fax:  213-241-8453

LAUSD Board District #6
Ms. Nury Martinez
[email protected]
213-241-6388 
Fax: 213-241-8451

LAUSD Board District #7
Dr. Richard Vladovic
[email protected]
213-241-6385
Fax: 213-241-8452

Thank you all for your amazing and continuous support!

After more than 1300 bright idea submissions and 10,000 votes, our very own Amanda Millet is one of the three winners of the 2012 LAUSD My Bright Idea Challenge.  Amanda's Bright Idea, "Online Kindergarten and New Student Enrollment" helps to alleviate the human and natural resource demands by enacting a process that can be fully or partially completed online and directly entered into an LAUSD database. Paperwork that needs signatures, or staff review can be printed out ahead of time and submitted, reducing printing costs,
paper waste, and staff time. 

Congratulations Amanda on your selection for one of three, $3,000 Bright Ideas Awards!

Come support our very own Eagle Rock Elementary Performers as they participate in CDI's Event of the Year.  2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the CDI program which currently reaches out to 8 public schools here in Los Angeles serving over 1,400 children.

The End of Year Performance takes place at the Wilshire Ebell Theater on Thursday, June 7 at 7:00p and Friday, June 8 with performances at 4:00p and 7:00p.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased from our very own Mr. Franke and will also be available at the door.

The Wilshire Ebell Theater is located at:

4401 West 8th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90005

See you tonight, Wed 6/5 from 5:30p to 7:00p. Visit the Reflections Exhibition in Room 29, @EREEF90041 Silent Auction, Food Trucks and more!

We're calling on our community to donate bond paper!  Last year's collection yielded enough paper to last nearly six months! Bond paper donations will be collected during Spirit Assemblies on Friday, 6/1 and Friday, 6/8. A special Saturday collection will also take place on Saturday, 6/9 from 8:00a uintil 12:00p. Your donations are greatly appreciated and have a direct impact on helping keep our school's supply costs down.  Thank you all in advance for your support and generocity!

Remember that Monday, May 28 is a School Holiday in honor of Memorial Day.  Enjoy the long weekend and be safe!  See you back at school next Tuesday, May 29!

Calling all kid chefs: The Healthy Lunchtime Challenge invites parents of kids ages 8-12 to submit an original recipe for a lunch that is nutritious and delicious. All entrants have the chance to win a trip to Washington D.C. and the opportunity to be invited to attend a Kids’ “State Dinner” at the White House in August, where a selection of the winning healthy recipes will be served. The "State Dinner" will be attended by one child/parent team selected from each of the 50 states, plus D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Territories.
 
Let’s Move! is teaming up with Epicurious, the Department of Education and USDA to find great lunch ideas that are healthy, affordable, and — of course – tasty.

Recipes can be submitted May 21 through June 17.  Visit http://www.ed.gov/blog/2012/05/a-state-dinner-just-for-kids/ for more information.