PTSA Sponsors: Thank you, Lazy Acres Natural Market

The National PTA School of Excellence recognition program opens the lines of communication and critical thinking within school communities to make data-driven decisions that yield positive, long-term results. School of Excellence is committed to supporting and recognizing partnerships between local PTAs and schools to enrich the educational experience and overall well-being for all students.

Our first step is to survey the entire school community to gain a better understanding of your perceptions on current family-school partnership trends. The more survey responses we collect, the more informed we will be as we move forward in the program steps to create our action plan.

Please click below to fill out this short survey. If you have any questions, please contact our PTSA President, Karen Cull at president@parrasptsa.org

Come on out to AR Workshop and get creative with other Parras families. Choose from several projects (wood and doormats) to create your one of a kind piece. Everyone in attendance must have a project to work on - no group projects.

No student drop-offs allowed. Every student must have an adult present.

Not able to attend? You can pick up a DIY project and have a family craft night at your leisure.

Join the Parras PTSA to support programs and events such as: Hands On Art, Assemblies, Teacher Grants, S.T.E.M. Night, 7th Grade Science Fair, and more...

Click to see the

If you would like to receive a paper membership card, you can do so at the next General Association Meeting (November 17)

When: Once a month, the 3rd Wednesday of the month, 7 PM on Zoom.

The next meeting will be on October 19th. The article to be discussed at this meeting is: Why teens need more sleep, and how we can help them get it by Lisa L. Lewis.

If you have time, you can read Lewis' book: The Sleep-Deprived Teen: Why Our Teenagers Are So Tired, and How Parents and Schools Can Help Them Thrive (More info...)

Have you heard that our school has a new mobile app? We are excited to announce that we now have a custom mobile app at our school! It's never been easier to access event calendars, class information, bell schedules, district information, fundraisers, volunteer opportunities, and so much more! AND, by installing our app, you will receive important announcements and friendly reminders about what’s happening at our school.

Search for our school or use these links to download our app today. You'll have a handy icon on your phone and with just a tap or two, you can be connected to our school! Don't forget to accept push notifications so that you receive our text alerts!

iTunes:  https://apps.apple.com/us/app/parras-middle-school/id1640131841

GooglePlay: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app_parras.layout

Schools of Excellence Chair

Hands on Art needs your help! Volunteer as a Docent or a Helper. We are especially in need of Docents for our first project October 24 – 28. 

Docent: You will present the Hands on Art projects to the students. You will attend training workshops or review the online lesson and try the project at home before teaching.

Helper: You will help with set up and clean up and assist the docent and students during the lessons. You do not attend training workshops.

Check out our first project of the year: City Perspectives

1.    It’s quick! Each period is about 45 minutes long so you can be in and out within 1 hour. Have more time? Sign up for 2 classes back to back for 2 hours of volunteer time.

2.    It’s easy! You do not need to have any artistic talent or teaching experience. Each project is designed for kindergarten through high school so anyone can do it. Slide decks, lesson plans, videos, and all art supplies are provided for you. You can attend in-person training or learn the project at home.

3.    It’s fun! Learn about different art techniques, art supplies, and artists. Join other Parras docents for an in-person breakfast training session where we will create our own projects with the artist.

4.    It’s important! Arts education encourages students’ creativity and critical thinking skills.

Questions: hoa@parrasptsa.org

Parras Yearbook - Reserve your yearbook ad space now!

The yearbook is not a PTA fundraiser and it is not organized by PTA.

Just go to https://smile.amazon.com/ch/95-6206414 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 every time you shop!

New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card. Reward cards are available at the customer service desk at any Ralphs.   

Sign this waiver if you want to participate in any of our in-person meetings

Down Syndrome Awareness Month – October was first designated as Down Syndrome Awareness Month in the 1980s and has been recognized every October since. It is a time to celebrate people with Down syndrome and to both raise awareness and advocate for their abilities and accomplishments.

LGBT History Month – LGBT History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements.

Filipino American History Month – In 2009, U.S. Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month in the United States. Filipino-Americans along with colleges and universities, museums, and community groups will be commemorating Filipino American History Month with various activities and events to bring awareness to the significant role Filipinos have played in American history.

Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities Awareness Month - October is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, a time when the nation turns its attention to the one in five students who learn differently because they have Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or other learning and/or attention issues. It is a time to share tools, strategies, and initiatives to make the school year more enabling and productive for the millions of learners with specific learning disabilities.

Oct 9^th – 16^th – Sukkot – This week-long Jewish holiday comes five days after Yom Kippur. Sukkot celebrates the gathering of the harvest and commemorates the protection provided for the children of Israel when they left Egypt. Sukkot is celebrated by dwelling in a foliage-covered booth (known as a sukkah) where observers give thanks for many things, like food and shelter.

Oct 10^th – World Mental Health Day – This is an international day for global mental health education and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health. The day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

Oct 10^th – 16^th – Week of the School Administrator - In observance of the importance of educational leadership at the school, school district, and county levels, the second full week in the month of October of each year is designated as the “Week of the School Administrator".

Oct 11^th – Indigenous Peoples’ Day - Indigenous Peoples' Day honors the past, present, and futures of Native peoples throughout the US. The holiday recognizes the legacy and impact of colonialism on Native communities, and it also celebrates and honors the cultures, contributions, and resilience of contemporary Native peoples.

Oct 12^th – 13^th – Karwa Chauth – Karwa Chauth is an annual one-day festival that honors the Hindu god Shiva and goddess Parvati. It occurs on the fourth day after the full moon in the Hindu month of Kartik, which is usually in October. The festival is only observed by married Hindu women and includes a strict fast from sunrise until moonrise. Observers of this holiday believe that it will ensure the prosperity, longevity, and the well-being of their husbands.

Oct 15^th – Dussehra – After the nine nights of Navarati, Vijayadashami also known as Dussehra, or “Day of Victory”, is celebrated as a major Hindu festival every year in India and Nepal. The holiday marks the triumph of Rama over the demon king Ravana, who abducted Rama's wife, Sita. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

Proposition 28: CALIFORNIA ART AND MUSIC K-12 EDUCATION FUNDING INITIATIVE

See the California State PTA Referendum Study Report here.

We also want to draw members' attention to our support for Senate Bill 328, on later school start, sponsored by California State PTA and which came into effect in 2022. If you would like to know more about the science behind this important legislation and why PTA supported it, we recommend watching this wonderful webinar about Teens and Sleep or find these resources.

Skechers Friendship Walk is Sunday, October 30^th! 

Today, Team Parras is at 64 WALKERS towards our goal of 300. 

Register to walk with TEAM PARRAS and RBEF for the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk supporting kids with special needs AND our public schools. 

Last year, Team Parras had 279 walkers and received an incredible check from RBEF for $12,555. This year, let’s form our largest team ever! 

You may wonder what crazy challenge will our Principal and staff do as we reach different milestones toward our 300 walker goal: 

Sign up your friends, family, neighbors, co-workers and even your PETS. This is also a great opportunity for family members and grandparents near and far to support Parras Middle School. The more walkers we get, the more money our school receives! 

It ALL counts! Just make sure you #WalkWithRBUSD #TeamParras!! 

CLICK HERE TO JOIN TEAM PARRAS TODAY!  

1. Select Join Team. 

4. Please Register Each Walker Separately. If you’d like to give a larger donation, please do so in the form of separate walkers so we get the full credit! 

5. Remember to select the “Redondo Beach Educational Foundation” so Team Parras can benefit from your contribution. 

For more information on the topic, also read the article: "Education on Fentanyl, other drugs often optional in California schools, if offered at all" by Carolyn Jones published in EdSource