Panda Pride Press
14600 Tyler Street, Sylmar, CA 91342 (818) 367-1071
February 2003 / Jean Whitaker, Principal
OLIVEVISTAMIDDLE SCHOOL’S VISION – Every student will achieve academic excellence by engaging in challenging and meaningful learning in a safe environment that promotes creativity, respect, self-esteem and personal growth.
MRS. CHILI NAKAMURA, OLIVE VISTA’S P.T.S.A. PRESEIDENT, INVITES YOU TO ATTEND THE PARENTCENTER’S FEBRUARY ACTIVITIES.
Feb 3 / Parent Volunteers / Feb 17 / Presidents’ Day – No SchoolFeb 4 / “Let’s Talk!” Parent Education Program @ 8:00 – 10:00 a.m. / Feb 18 / “Let’s Talk!” Parent Education Program @ 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Feb 5 / Parent Volunteers / Feb 19 / Parent Volunteers
Feb 6 / Parent Volunteers / Feb 20 / Parent Volunteers
Feb 7 / ParentCenter Directors’ Meeting @ 8:00 – 11:00 a.m. / Feb 21 / Healthy Families @
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Feb 10 / Parent Volunteers / Feb 24 / Parent Volunteers
Feb 11 / Parent Volunteers “Let’s Talk!” Parent Education Program / Feb 25 / “Let’s Talk!” Parent Education Program @ 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Feb 12 / Math Workshop @ 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. / Feb 26 / Parent Volunteers
Feb 13 / PHBAO Meeting @ 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. / Feb 27 / Parent Volunteers
Feb 14 / Healthy Families @
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. / Feb 28 / Title I Meeting @ 8:00 – 11:00 a.m.
THE SCHOOL CALENDAR HAS CHANGED. The Los AngelesUnifiedSchool District’s Board of Education has decided that next year’s school calendar will change. September 8, 2003 will begin the next school year. It ends on June 14, 2004. The major difference in this new calendar is that the Winter Recess will be two weeks instead of three weeks.
OLIVE VISTA’S ELP OFFICE BEGINS A TUTORING PROGRAM. The English Learner’s After School Tutorial Program began on February 3, 2003 from 3:10 to 4:10 p.m. in Room 59. The English Learner’s Tutorial will meet each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Saturday classes began February 8 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. in Room 30. For information about the English Learner’s After School Tutorial Program, please call Irene Ellefson at 818-367-1071 ext. 356.
THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS (NAEP) HAS SELECTED OLIVEVISTAMIDDLE SCHOOL. OliveVistaMiddle School has been selected to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the Nation’s Report Card. NAEP is an ongoing assessment of what young Americans know and can do in various academic subjects. Given to almost 1 million students throughout the U.S. in 2003, NAEP will show how students in California perform compared to other states and the country as a whole. NAEP data and results are often used by policy makers to make decisions regarding education. To help guide these decisions, NAEP asks students questions about their school experience, background, and what teachers teach in the classroom in addition to the subject matter questions. Students who participate in NAEP will gain valuable test-taking experience and our school’s participation will be beneficial in painting a picture of what our state’s and country’s school children are learning. For more information visit the web site
FALL SEMESTER ATTENDANCE PIZZA PARTIES. To increase student attendance and encourage students to stay in school Olive Vista begun a new program. All students in the homerooms with the highest monthly attendance during the Fall Semester will be invited to Miles Hall on February 18, 2003 for a pizza lunch. Winning homerooms include: 3, 8, 20, 29, 30, 42, 56 and 61. Teachers are asked to release students from winning homerooms for lunch 5 minutes early with their pizza ticket on February 18, 2003. Winning homerooms for the entire school year will receive a special reward! For information contact Mrs. Sharon Bolita at 818-367-1071 ext. 302.
OLIVEVISTAMIDDLE SCHOOL’s FAMILY READING NIGHT BEGINS. OV’s first Family Night starts on February 19, 2003 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Do you like to read? Do you like to listen to exciting stories? Come to Family Reading Night at the Olive Vista library. Sponsored by Mrs. Whitaker, principal, and Mrs. Saletta, librarian, Family Reading Night is open to all of OV’s Students and family.
BEYOND THE BELL, THE EXPANDED LEARNING AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAM IS SCHEDULED FOR OLIVE VISTA MIDDLE SCHOOL. Beyond the Bell provides students with a chance for additional academic assistance. It’s part of the No Child Left Behind Legislation. The Beyond the Bell Learning Centers will operate on Saturdays (Sundays if there is a religious conflict) from 8:00 to 11:30 a.m. and will provide for one through eight. Students will receive transportation, ten Saturdays of instruction, qualified teachers, small classes (1 teacher to 5 students), full-time Site Director, a Parent Component (parents may attend), nutrition, regular progress reports on students. For information contact Mrs. Connie Santiago at 818-367-1071 ext. 371.
THE MID VALLEYREGIONCOLLEGE AND CAREER PLANNING FAIR 2003. The Los Angeles Public Library is pleased to announce the Mid Valley Region College and Career Planning Fair 2003 at the Mid Valley Branch Library, 16244 Nordhoff Street, North Hills, California91343 on March 20, 2003 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. OliveVistaMiddle School students are invited to attend. Representatives from local colleges and area businesses will be there to talk to students. There will be presentations on improving basic study skills. Bus transportation to and from the Fair will be provided to all schools. For information contact Mrs. Pam Nowak at 818-367-1071 ext. 336.
COMMUNITY MEETING & INFORMATION FAIR. The Board of Public Works and the Honorable Alex Padilla, Councilmember, District 7, City of Los Angeles invite you to a Community Meeting and Information Fair on Wednesday, February 26, 2003, at 6:00 p.m., at OliveVistaMiddle School, 14600 Tyler Street, Sylmar, California91342. For information call the Public Affairs Office at (213) 978-0335.