Our Association meeting last week was unexpectedly focused on our school safety issues in the light of the horrific murders in Uvalde, Texas. Please note the National PTA statement on this at the end of this newsletter.
We heard from our principal, Dr. Erickson and Sgt Yap, one of our RBPD School Resource Officers. We also heard from Councilmember Todd Loewenstein, invited by our Legislation Chair, Zoe Caldwell, to talk to our members about city issues affecting the Parras Community. The Association approved a preliminary budget for 2022-2023. The president reported on the hard work the Executive Board and volunteer chairs have completed, in fundraising and student programs such as Greek Day, Renaissance Faire and the 7th Grade Science Fair. Our thanks go to Melissa Dechandt and her committee for her hard work on the service awards and scholarships, Amelia Lee and Louis Choi for their hard work on our Family Stem Night, to Deb Williams-Stiffler working on our Grad Signs, and Casey Schwartz on the Graduation Leis. We also shared information about BCHD's new AllCove project, a mental health center for youth opening this fall. Information about the AllCove project is available here. https://www.bchd.org/beach-cities-health-district-partners-allcove-develop-youth-wellness-center-redondo-beach.
PTA Honorary Service Award Winner - Karen Ford Cull
Congratulations to Parras PTSA President, Karen Ford Cull who won the PTA Honorary Service Award for 2021-22. This is a very big deal & very well deserved. Thank you, Karen, for everything you have done for the Parras students, community & school. You are a great advocate!
PTSA Scholarships
Congratulations to all of the PTSA Scholarship recipients. We wish you the best of luck in the future! Here are just a few of our winners.
PTSA Survey Raffle Winner
Thanks to all who took the time to take our PTSA 2022-23 Goals Survey. The winner of our raffle is Luciano Fiszman, who won the mixing bowl set from Charleston Wrap.
8th Grade Graduation Yard Signs - HURRY, ONLY A FEW LEFT!
Are you proud of your graduating 8th grader? Purchase a yard sign to display in front of your residence. We have a few left!
Guess what? Next school year we will celebrate our Platinum Anniversary. That's right, Parras PTSA is turning 70 years old, and we are going to celebrate big! We need several Chairs and Committee members to help make the 22-23 an epic year full of education, fun, events, and more! If you can help, please complete the google form below.
Diversity & Cultural Celebration~Spirit Wear ~ Silent Auction ~ Parent Social Event ~ Greek Day ~ Canva Designer ~ Videographer ~ Calendar ~ Family Stem Night ~ Mindfulness Fest ~ 7th Grade Science Fair ~ 8th Grade Legacy Project
Search for NICK G. PARRAS MIDDLE SCHOOL PTSA or use our organizations number - SE934
Click Enroll
Linking your card to Nick G. Parras Middle School will help the PTSA with their fundraising efforts. Every time you swipe your card or use the phone number associated with the account, Parras will receive credit for that purchase.
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.
2022-23 Reflections Theme Announcement: Show Your Voice!
The 2022-23 National PTA Reflections theme has been announced: Show You Voice! Watch this short video from National PTA and stay tuned for more on Reflections.
As a member of California State PTA, you advocate for children, promote parent and family involvement in schools, and improve the lives of all children and families. To show our appreciation, we have partnered with several organizations to bring you some extra perks of membership!
Visit our website or download the Member Perks flier in English or Spanish to learn more and take advantage of your exclusive offers!
LACOE Social-Emotional Resources for Families and Educators
LA County Superintendent of Schools Statement on Texas school shooting:
As mothers, fathers, caregivers, and educators, mere words cannot adequately express the pain and devastation of today’s tragic shooting of 14 children and a teacher at a Texas elementary school. My heart aches for the families, students, educators and community members of Robb Elementary School and all our education communities.
It is inconceivable and unconscionable that we continue to experience these horrific acts of violence in communities across our country. In our collective shock and grief, we must continue to take care of ourselves and one another and act with sensitivity, compassion, and empathy as we engage in conversations in the coming days.
Schools must be safe spaces in our communities – both physically and emotionally – where our children may learn and grow. As children, youth, and adults hear about this tragedy, are triggered or impacted by what they hear, have questions, and/or need to talk about what has happened, we have put together some resources that will be helpful. Focusing on the mental health of our students, staff, and families must continue to be a priority in our schools.
Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Debra Duardo, MSW, Ed.D.
2021-2022 Yearbooks!
Yearbooks cannot be purchased online but we always purchase extra books just in case parents want to wait until the book is released. Please bring a check or cash to school and students will receive the book on June 2nd or June 3rd if payment is received before then. After Thursday, June 2, students can wait in line to purchase and receive the book.
All checks can be made out to "Parras Middle School – ASB" for $45.
On the memo line, it is best to put "Name of student Yearbook Purchase"
Drop off with Ms. Kanemaru (Hall 1 - Home Ec) to get on the sales report.
RUHS - Incoming 9th-12th Graders:
COVID-19 Testing
Beach Cities Health District has regular COVID testing Monday through Friday with expanded hours and is located at 514 N. Prospect Avenue. Please use this link to sign up for a test: BCHD Testing Link.The student ID can be found in PowerSchool. The BCHD School Well-Being Line will open tomorrow at 8:00am if you have any registration or testing questions at 310.374.3426, press option 2.
Performing Arts Workshops, WINNER, BEST SUMMER CAMP in LA Parent Magazine. For fourteen years, PAW’s Matching Fund Scholarship program has enabled thousands of children throughout Los Angeles to enjoy the benefits of an arts education. We are very excited to announce that our donor has stepped forward for the 14th year to make the matching fund scholarships available once more. It is our wish to make sure all 200 Matching Fund Scholarships are gifted once again.
These special scholarships have been made available for us to give as a matching fund. Our donor believes that an arts education is essential for a child’s growth and development and is sponsoring half the tuition for up to 50 children at each camp site. Each Matching Fund Scholarship provides half of the tuition for our two week MUSICAL THEATER CAMP when the parent matches the remaining $425.
It is our donor’s request that the scholarships have no conditions or prerequisites. We are gifting these scholarships immediately. To receive one of these scholarships please call us at (310) 827-8827 and mention “Matching Fund Scholarships.” For more information about us visit PerformingArtsWorkshops.com. Camp Locations In: West LA, Studio City, Redondo Beach, Pasadena, El Segundo, Northridge, and Rancho Palos Verdes!
Mindful Yoga on the Beach
Mondays, June 6, 13 and 27 at 6:30 p.m.
South of the Manhattan Beach Pier in the sand
In partnership with the City of Manhattan Beach
*No Free Fitness on Monday, June 20
Mondays, August 15, 22, 29 at 6:30 p.m.
In front of Scotty’s Restaurant in the sand
In partnership with the City of Hermosa Beach
Zumba
Mondays, June 27, July 11, 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Julia Field, Alta Vista
In partnership with the City of Redondo Beach
*No Free Fitness on Monday, July 4
Mondays, July 25, August 1, 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Lincoln Elementary
In partnership with Redondo Beach Unified School District (RBUSD)
CAPTA supported SB 93, which prohibits the sale of many flavored tobacco products is in danger of being repealed. Vaping is a national health concern for students, with devastating effects on the mental and physical health of our students. Learn more at an upcoming free virtual conference.
SACRAMENTO, CA – In the wake of recent elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, California State PTA, is asking for more than your thoughts – it’s time to take action.
California State PTA stands with National PTA and Texas PTA as one voice demanding safe schools for every child in our nation. We must put an end to gun violence and provide support for our children and families impacted by this trauma.
We must stand up for the 19 students, two teachers that died and the 17 injured in the Uvalde, Texas tragedy. As the country's largest volunteer led child advocacy association, we must demand that our lawmakers be as brave as the teachers who gave their lives to shield their students from gunfire. As parents and teachers and community members who care about our children we must end this violence.
"For more than a century, California State PTA has advocated for safe schools and for gun laws to protect our children. And now another school shooting is in the news. When will it be enough? How many more children have to die before we do something? Gun violence is a public-health crisis that affects us all – and it is time for action,” said California State PTA President Carol Green. “California State PTA supports state and federal legislation that protect children and youth from gun violence.”
Our position statement on Firearms and Assault Weapons affirms the association’s stance on firearms including minimum age requirements to purchase guns, prohibiting the sale and possession of assault weapons defined as automatic and semi-automatic weapons, and incorporates language from the National PTA position that the safest schools are gun free schools.
California State PTA will be addressing gun violence, school safety and mental health issues with federal lawmakers in Washington D.C. on June 15 during the 2022 National PTA Hill Day – but we are not waiting – we ask our members to take action now and urge congress to protect our children from gun violence.
California State PTA President Carol Green has released the following statement in response to the proposed Governor’s May Budget Revise:
California State PTA is pleased that the Governor’s May budget revision includes many PTA priorities. We are encouraged by the projected increase in Proposition 98 funding and the proposed increase in the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) base grant. Adequate and stable school funding has been a long time PTA priority. Although we appreciate the direction of this proposal, we urge the Governor to embrace the significantly larger LCFF base grant increases proposed by the Legislature and supported by California State PTA. Further, we renew our commitment to seek stable, ongoing funding rather than fluctuating and one-time funding.
PTA Priorities:
Nutrition Adding $611.8 million to the Universal school meals program to ensure reimbursement rates for schools continue when the federal funding ends (current funding ends 6/30/22 unless Congress acts to extend this program).
LCFF Base Funding May Revise proposes an increase of $2.1 billion, about three-percent, to the LCFF base funding. This will impact students in all public schools in California and we encourage the administration to go further to increase the funding closer to what is proposed in the legislature.
K-12 facilities $3.9 billion in facilities over the next three years for modernization and new construction. To address outstanding school maintenance and energy efficient upgrade, the governor is proposing an additional $1.8 billion.
Expanded Learning Opportunities This budget proposal would fully fund the implementation of the Expanded Learning Opportunities per classroom based ADA Program (ELOP) four years ahead of schedule. This proposal would allocate $2500 for every low income student, English language learner and foster youth in grades TK-6 in the state.
Pre-Kindergarten Education
State Preschool Family Fee Waivers – waiving the family share cost for children participating in the State Preschool Program for the 2022-2023 school year
State Preschool Program – increased funding via adjustment factors for students with disabilities and dual language learners in the State Preschool Program
We are hopeful that the proposed Discretionary Block Grant will allow school districts to use one-time funds to address student learning challenges, support the mental health and wellness of students and staff and allow local decision making on how best to use the funds to support our local school communities.
The increase to 6.56% to the Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) from the proposal of 5.33% in January is improving news, although this still puts school districts behind inflation which is just over 8%. This highlights the need to pursue the Legislature’s proposals to further increase LCFF base funding.
PTA is also encouraged to see the Governor’s commitment to invest in special education, community schools, mental health services, early literacy, community engagement, STEM instruction and teacher and staff retention and recruitment.
California State PTA will continue to work with both the administration and Legislature to ensure the needs of California’s children and families are met. As PTA members, this is an opportunity for advocacy both locally and throughout California.
Beginning of the Federal Government’s Appropriations Season
The federal government’s appropriations season for Fiscal Year 2023 has officially begun! As Congress negotiates a spending package, National PTA is part of conversations to increase federal investment in public education and ensure that key programs supporting our nation’s children and youth are sufficiently funded.
