October 9, 2024

  • PTO President: Alex Berger (president@melrosepto.org)
    • Annual Giving is almost over, please donate: melrosepto.org/donate
      • Currently just shy of 50% goal of $170k
      • What does PTO pay for?
        • Star PE and playground supervision, Storiwr Drama, Star Science, Catalina Trip, Field Trips, Filmmaking Instruction, Campus Beautification, Garden Ranger Instructor, Headphones/Keyboards/Tech, Community Building (e.g. Family fun nights, Harvestfest, Community Coffee Hours, Staff Appreciation, Yearbook, Multicultural events and committee), “Plugging the Gaps” Misc), Admin Fees (e.g. Paypal)
        • Total $439,140 to be raised from Annual Giving and also Melrose Games (in the Spring)
        • Play structure
          • In 2 yrs, District is re-paving playground and maybe providing new privacy fencing. It may be a good time to put in play structure.
          • $350k for playground now (in 2024)
    • Costume Parade: Friday Nov 1st, 8:30am
      • No weapons & masks can be worn only during the parade
    • Harvest Festival: Friday Nov 1st, 5-7pm
      • Volunteer: https://signup.com/go/eLFKvcy
      • Games, arts & crafts, spooky things, fortune teller
      • Costumes encouraged for kids & adults
      • Food for purchase
        • Bake Sale (looking for donations/volunteers)
        • Chili Cook-off (looking for donations/volunteers)
        • Pupusa & Taco Truck
        • Caramel Apples
    • Next PTO Meeting/Chat with the Principal: Wednesday, November 6th at 5pm
    • Community Coffee Hour: Friday, November 8th at 8am
  • Coach Manny (emmanuelm@starinc.org): Upcoming Star Nova Classes
    • Oct 19 Star Eco Station Harvest Festival
    • Nova Session 2 Registration Oct 16 at 1pm
      • Classes include: Engineering (Secret Agent Academy), Idea Lab, Minecraft, Cooking
  • Mr. Leonard Choi, Fairfax High School Principal: leonard.choi@lausd.net
    • 2024 = Centennial Year!
    • “Unleash the Greatness”
    • Value Equity & Diversity
      • In the curriculum, clubs & organizations, culturally relevant pedagogy incorporated into curriculum, reflection of personnel
    • Innovative Curriculum & Professional Development
      • Rigorous, challenging curriculum, ongoing professional development for teachers and admin, differentiation of Common Core State Standards for Gifted Students, Equitable Grading and Instruction
    • Magnets & Programs
      • Visual Arts Magnet, Police Academy Magnet, Gifted/High Ability Gifted Magnet (2025 SY/9th & 10th), Schools for Advanced Studies, Korean Dual Language Program, Spanish Dual Language Program, International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (11th/12th)
    • Every senior has opportunity to take college level courses (“dual enrollment opportunities”) at places like Dartmouth
    • Opportunity to graduate early 
    • Example 9th grade schedule
      • AP Human Geography, Honors English, Algebra 1/Geometry/Algebra 2, Honors Biology, Language (Spanish or Korean), Ancient Civilization/LatinX Studies, Health/Career Explorations, Electives
    • Honors, Relevant Electives and Advanced Placement Courses Available
    • Career Technical Education Courses (used to be called “Shop”)
      • Fashion Design, COmputer Animation, Computer Science, Patient Care/Sports Medicine, Public Safety, Dual Enrollment Pathways
    • Sports
      • Flag football, wrestling, cheer, football, baseball, basketball, softball, tennis, track & field, golf, cross country, volleyball
  • Mr. Needleman (mathew.needleman@lausd.net, 323-938-6275)
    • Science Night (Halloween theme): Oct 17th, 5:30-7:30pm
    • Spring Beautification: January 25th, 9-11am
      • Painting, trash cleanup, gardening
      • Contact Danielle Tenner (Dktenner@gmail.com) to volunteer
    • All volunteers need to officially register (volunteerapp.lausd.net)
      • Ms. Monica will support you in the process
    • Lost iPads have $351 replacement cost
      • Devices don’t need to go home
      • Currently Melrose doesn’t have any iPads on reserve
    • Can’t connect your LAUSD iPad to WiFi at home? It’s a VPN issue. Call 213-443-1300 (7:30am-5pm) for help.
    • Contact Mr. Needleman for school-related inquiries (illness, etc) and use WhatsApp for planning playdates, etc.
    • Lice: if there are 2 or more cases in one classroom, the school send out a notification to parents that includes a “tip sheet”
      • Lice don’t fly or jump, they crawl
      • One sign (not the only sign!) of lice is an itchy head
    • School photos: complaints of kids looking miserable 
      • If unhappy, call photographer Mr. Lindsey
    • Misc.
      • Leave toys at home
      • If items come home that aren’t yours, please send back to school
      • Please label EVERYTHING that goes to school