PARRAS MIDDLE SCHOOL PTSA 
Newsletter
parras paw
Week of October 20, 2020                                                             v.20-21 i.5
Charleston Wrap fundraiser is still underway! Click the flyer to register or use the QR code in your camera app.  

The winner for our 2nd drawing is... 
MAGDALENA STIFFLER
  Thank you for supporting the Parras PTSA - enjoy your $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card.


The winner of our 1st drawing was... 
KAYLIN OLIVER!
  Thank you for supporting the Parras PTSA - enjoy your $15 Amazon Gift Card.

Final Drawing:
  • Each student who sells a combined total of $100 by October 27th will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Starbucks Gift Card.

The wrapping paper is double sided & thick! In addition to wrapping paper, there are a lot of other items to purchase.  The holidays are coming!

_________________________________________________________________________
Join PTSA
 
We are STRONGER TOGETHER!  Have you joined the Parras PTSA yet?
It's easier than ever, please sign up your family today by clicking on the flyer above.
 
We hope you will join us for our next PTSA Meeting on November 18 @ 8:30a.  Zoom link will follow.
 ________________________________________________________________________

PTSA still has a few open positions, please help us out, we need you!
  • Hands on Art Co-Chair
  • Fundraising Chair
_________________________________________________________________________
Restaurant Fundraiser


_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
Reflections

National PTA seeks a theme for the 2022-23 Reflections program year. 
Help us pick the theme idea that will spark fun and creativity during the 2022-23 Reflections program! The student who submits the winning entry will receive a $25 prize from California State PTA, and a $100 prize from National PTA.

National PTA's Reflections program has helped students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.

Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts in response to a student-selected theme.

Past themes and duplicate submissions are not considered. This means we're looking for the most original theme ideas.

To participate, please submit your theme idea online by November 1, 2020. Click here to submit, and click here to learn more about the Reflections program and see past themes.
_________________________________________________________________________

  
REGISTRATION IS FREE - click for more info.
________________________________________________________________________
   
Support Parras PTSA while you shop at Amazon!

Just go to https://smile.amazon.com/ or if shopping by phone, create an
Amazon Smile App Shortcut.  Designate Nick G Parras Middle School PTSA as your 
organization and shop as usual.  Amazon will then donate a portion of your purchase 
price to Parras PTSA. Don't forget to bookmark it or go to your AmazonSmile Shortcut 
app everytime you shop!
_________________________________________________________________________
Download the Benefit Mobile app (via the App Store or Google Play) select "Parras Middle 
School PTSA" as your school and we get up to 20% of your in-store purchases at Target, 
Starbucks, Whole Foods, and more.
 
SCHOOL NEWS


 

Please join "Team Parras" for the Skechers Pier to Pier Virtual Friendship Walk - October 25th.

Every registered walker brings at least $30 directly back to our school.
_____________________________________________________________________
Curbside Meal Service 

The Child Nutrition Department welcomes parents/guardians of children
(18 years of age and under) to come to our drive-thru curbside meal service to pick-up one
free breakfast and one free lunch.

Meals will be available for pick up at Alta Vista Elementary School, Madison Elementary School, Adams Middle School and Redondo Union High School, Monday through Friday from 11:00am to 1:30pm. These meals will be provided daily to all students at no charge. Adult meals are $3.00 for a breakfast and $5.00 for a lunch. Only exact change will be accepted.

For your convenience, students and/or parents are welcome to visit one meal service location of their choice. Students do not need to be present.

Menus will be updated monthly on the RBUSD Child Nutrition website.

As a friendly reminder, we ask that you please wear a face mask when visiting the drive-thru meal service locations.

_________________________________________________________________________
Parras MS Counseling

The official Mental Health Day has passed, but this is a great time to meet the Parras Counseling Team!

 

CLICK HERE for the Parras Counseling Dept website.
_________________________________________________________________________

Support the RBEF Investor Drive, see Parras video below & go to RBEF.org to donate!

____________________________________________________________________
 
 

 

Need Help Creating a Power School Account?

See this informational presentation for help!  CLICK HERE

COMMUNITY NEWS
 

Don't forget to check out the 
Families Connected speaker series! 
See their website for all of the info! 

 
Resilience, or the ability of an individual to function competently in the face of adversity or distress, is an important protective factor for both adolescents and adults. COVID-19, with its continuing and lasting impacts, has presented many unprecedented and unique challenges for Beach Cities students and families. Families Connected Speaker Series keynote speaker Dr. Kelly Greco, PsyD will guide participants through a discussion for parents, caregivers and community members to learn how to utilize and teach life skills that help families cope and managing the stressors, loss, disappointments and unique challenges of life - with and without COVID-19. The Families Connected Speaker Series is presented in partnership with Beach Cities Health District, South Bay Families Connected, Hermosa Beach City School District, Manhattan Beach Unified School District and Redondo Beach Unified School District.



CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN SAFELY
RESOURCE LIST
"Quarantine - O - Ween":
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html
Halloween Crafts:
www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/halloweenideas/g22062770/halloween-crafts-for-kids/?slide=8
Fall & Halloween Recipe's:
www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/photos/spooky-halloween-recipes-for-kids
Outdoor Events:
www.timeout.com/los-angeles/things-to-do/halloween-events-in-los angeles?package_page=2751
www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-09-10/pumpkin-patches-open covid-19-halloween
Halloween Movie Nights:
www.timeout.com/new-york-kids/movies/the-best-halloween-movies-for kids










 
Use this link to find out more about how to make a donation through the BCHD.  





Jahana Hayes
With the presidential election less than a month away, how are you talking to your kids about civic engagement? We spoke to U.S. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes, who offers wisdom from her experience in the classroom and on the Hill. She shares how families can help kids become active citizens and lifelong voters by encouraging them to contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.

Resources:
  • For more resources to teach your kids about the election, check out these tools from iCivics.
  • Read through the Congresswoman's tips for families that she shared with National PTA as the 2016 National Teacher of the Year.

OTHER NEWS
Earthquake Procedure

The Earthquake Country Alliance suggests that in MOST situations, you will reduce your chance of injury if you:

DROP where you are onto your hands and knees.
This position protects you from being knocked down and also allows you to stay low and crawl to shelter if nearby.
COVER your head and neck with one arm and hand
  • If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter
  • If no shelter is nearby, crawl next to an interior wall (away from windows)
  • Stay on your knees; bend over to protect vital organs
HOLD ON until shaking stops
  • Under shelter: hold on to your shelter with one hand; be ready to move with it if it shifts
  • No shelter: hold on to your head and neck with both arms and hands.

Coronavirus Online Resources

Additional information can be found on the Center for Disease Control and the LA County 
Public Health Department links below:
Click here for more resources from the school nurses and psychologists associations.
Click here for information and resources from the Beach Cities Health District.
Click here for information and resources from UCLA Health.
Click here for information on local businesses that are open from the Redondo Beach Chamber.
Click here for the RBUSD Covid-19 Community Resource Listings


Free Online Tutoring
 
Extracurricular Online Learning Opportunities

2. Outschool www.outschool.com
4. Online Cooking School https://www.onlinecookingschool.com/
5. National Emergency Library Free Online Books. https://archive.org/details/nationalemergencylibrary
6. San Diego Zoo Live Cam https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/videos
8. Free Magic Workshops https://schoolofastonishment.com/
9. Learn to Code online workshops 
      Ucode  https://www.ucode.com/   
10. Free Meditation Sessions https://chopracentermeditation.com/
13, Fender 50% off Online Guitar Classes CLICK HERE 
14. Free Music Apps and lessons CLICK HERE 
15. Smithsonian Virtual Tours CLICK HERE
16. Harvard University Free Online Courses CLICK HERE
17. Yale University Free Online Courses CLICK HERE

Do you know of other online learning resources that would be helpful to our Parras
community? Let us know at parras.ptsa@gmail.com

_________________________________________________________________________
CALIFORNIA PTA NEWS


CAPTA PTA Action Items - LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD IN SACRAMENTO! 

California PTA is working on your children's behalf to support various bills going through
the legislative process in Sacramento.  The bills cover many issues including increasing 
funding for education, full day kindergarten, later start time for Middle and High school, supporting arts education, sugar, and reforming the restrictions on passing local parcel 
taxes.  Here is a link with current legislation and from the link, each area of PTA interest 



Leglislative Update

Education funding in California is under attack due to the economic impact of COVID-19. 
Click here for more information from CAPTA on how you can advocate for educational 
funding in California.

CAPTA Resource Library:
The Resource Library has lots of great new content this month. Our three featured items revolve around Halloween and learning at home, two things that are definitely on the agenda for most families this Fall.
If you've never used the Resource Library before, why not give it a try? It's chock full of at-home learning activities, videos and documents that support the Next Generation Science Standards - and a whole lot more!

And the Resource Library is easy to use - the search function can help you quickly find what you need by keyword, category, topic, audience type, grade level, and language. Click here to browse.


CONTACT INFORMATION

200 N. Lucia Avenue
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
310-798-8616

PTSA President:   Jennifer Newman

PTSA General Inquiries:  parras.ptsa@gmail.com


Important Dates
OCTOBER

10/22:  Parras Earthquake Drill During 1st Period


10/23:  Coffee with Parras Counselors via Zoom

10/25:  Skecher's Pier to Pier Virtual Walk

10/27:  Charleston Fundraiser Ends

10/30:  Quarter 1 Ends


NOVEMBER

11/3:  Election Day

MUST USE CODE
'PARRASNOV20'

11/11:  NO SCHOOL

MUST USE CODE
'PARRASNOV20'

11/18:  PTSA mtg 8:30a via Zoom

MUST USE CODE
'PARRASNOV20'

11/23-11/27:  NO SCHOOL

MUST USE CODE
'PARRASNOV20'


DECEMBER

12/21-1/1:  NO SCHOOL




Quick Links

Shop & Earn
for Parras PTSA

Like us on Facebook