La Cañada Elementary PTA

 
 
 
 
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PTA President Message

Posted: 1/13/2025 9:25 am

1/12/2025

 

Dear LCE Families and Staff,

 

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe. It has been an incredibly difficult and heart wrenching few days (can you believe it's been less than a week?). 

 

My prayers have been with our community and every family who has been affected by these devastating fires. I know that many of you are navigating the challenges of rebuilding and recovery. We have staff members and school families who have lost their homes and belongings, others have yet to return home, and all of us are trying to ensure our kids' well-being. It may seem overwhelming, but I am heartened by the willingness of others to chip in to help.  

 

Things are not business as usual. As I write this message, we do not know when our kids will return to school, so this issue of Lion Times will not include its typical school announcements.  Rather, it contains a summary of various resources available to the community. 

 

Before we move on to those resources, I wanted to share that several of you have reached out offering to help all of the individuals impacted. Thank you! LCE's PTA Board has been in touch with the other LCUSD schools and the District to pull together some sort of District-wide program, so folks can give specifically for those in our LCUSD community. The details of that program are still being worked out.  We will push out more information/giving options once finalized. In the meantime, if you feel moved to give to individual GoFundMe Campaigns or other organizations, I encourage you to do so.         

 

Please remember to fill out the Family Status Survey, which was sent out by the District.  This will assist the District in making decisions.  

 

I know this has been a challenging time, but I also know the resilience of this community. Through our shared strength and care for one another, we will continue to heal and rebuild. 

Thank you for being part of this incredible community. I am so proud of the way we have come together in the face of adversity. Let’s continue to stand side by side as we move forward, knowing that brighter days are ahead.
 

With gratitude and hope,

Debbie Barsom

LCE PTA President

president@lcepta.org

IG: @lceptapresident

 

 

LCUSD Governing Board Special Meeting - 1/13
 

The LCUSD Governing Board will call a special meeting at noon on Monday, January 13, 2025, to give direction to staff regarding engaging and implementing its comprehensive response to the Eaton fire, mandatory evacuations, school closures, and the emerging LCUSD Reopening Plan.  The meeting will be held in person and available via online viewing. 

The 3 Agenda Items will include:

  • LCUSD’s Conditions for Reopening - Responses to Mandatory Evacuations, Power Outages, Air Quality Conditions, the Eaton Fire - Loss and Displacement, Learning Materials and Facilities Readiness, and Instructional Plan Development;

  • Learning Continuity - Plans for Delivering Instruction Prior to Schools Physically Reopening;

  • Support Plans for Teachers, Staff, and Families Suffering Catastrophic Loss.

 

The meeting will be accessible via livestream, and you can join by clicking here. 

 

Latest Lion Times Newsletter

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LCUSD Updates: School Scheduled Reopening Thursday, January 16

Posted: 1/7/2025 11:12 pm

LCUSD Update 1/13/2025

 

School Reopening Thursday, January 16th

Today the Governing Board met and took action on staff recommendations related to reopening, learning continuity, and support plans.

 

Reopening:

  1. Plan for all schools reopening Thursday, January 16th, 2025 pending all conditions are met (all evacuation warnings are lifted, power is available on campus, air quality is in orange or better via AirNow)
  2. We will send a communication out Wednesday evening by 8:00 p.m. to confirm school will be open on Thursday. 
  3. Important: To prepare for return, if your student had medicine stored in health offices that required refrigeration, please plan on sending new medicine to school. 
  4. If conditions are not met for Reopening on Thursday, January 16th, the Governing Board will convene a special meeting on Monday, January 20, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. to provide direction to staff regarding next steps for reopening schools as soon as possible.

Learning Continuity Plan:

  1. In support of students impacted by the Eaton fire due to new living situations or health conditions, students can access the Learning Continuity Plan (emergency home learning plans) outlined here from Thursday, January 16th - Friday January 24th, 2025.
  2. If needs still exist, students can sign up for an short-term independent learning plan for an additional 15 school days (January 27 - February 18, 2025).
  3. For needs beyond this timeline, we’ll work with families individually.

Support and Resources:

 

  1. Staff severely impacted by the Eaton fire will have access to 10 paid administrative leave - Natural Disaster - days to use during the remainder of this school year. 
  2. Here is a great guide on talking to children about wildfires: Guide from NASP.
  3. LCUSD will be building out a “get support/give support” webpage to assist those who need support or those interested in providing support. You can review what we have so far here.
  4. LCUSD school enrollment: If you know an LCUSD resident whose student attended an impacted private or charter school in Pasadena/Altadena, we can support enrollment in our schools. For current staff members whose students’ schools have been impacted by the fire, please contact our LCUSD Registrar to assist with enrollment. 
  5. CEC has offered childcare at each elementary school site from 8am-6pm this week.


LCUSD Update (From ParentSquare update)

 

1/9/2025

 

Superintendent's Update: Information on School Closures and Communications - January 9, 2025
Wendy Sinnette • 13 hours ago • Thursday, Jan 9 at 6:11 PM • La Cañada USD

 

Dear LCUSD Community,


I hope this email finds you and your family safe as we deal with the difficult, for many devastating, conditions brought on by the Eaton fire, the winds, and the evacuations. Today the LCUSD Cabinet and Governing Board President and Vice President met, and I wanted to share with you some important outcomes and updates from the meeting.


Firstly, I know that with people’s lives being upended, any information for planning is essential. So, please be advised that LCUSD schools will NOT be open on Monday, January 13, 2025.


Because we are in a current state of emergency, this allows us to apply for a State waiver which offsets the lost days and provides the district with funding. Given this, we do not believe that we will be required to add any additional days to the end of the school year.


Next, we recognize how important it is to have timely and reliable updates from your school district.  For the length of the school closures and throughout the time that we are responding to this disaster, the district will be sending out communications every Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and we will send a communication on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.  These communications will all be sent via ParentSquare.


Importantly, we know that many teachers, staff, and families have faced life-altering loss from these fires and everyone’s life has been upended to some extent.  LCUSD’s administration has endeavored to reach out to all teachers and staff in order to be informed regarding what they have suffered during this last week.  We are working on an action plan to provide support and will share details as soon as we are able.  We intend to do the same type of outreach to all families in the days ahead.


Additionally, we wanted to share a few resources with you that may assist you in accessing necessary information which may help address your family’s needs during this disaster.  These resources are listed at the end of this email.


My heart goes out to our entire LCUSD Community.  Please stay safe and feel free to contact me and/or your LCUSD Administration if there is anything we can do to support you.


Sincerely yours,


Wendy Sinnette

Superintendent


List of Resources for LCUSD Families

Fire Status Updates/Air Quality

Evacuation Centers

Housing/Shelter

For Animals/Pets

  • Pasadena Humane Society: Emergency shelter for animals, 361 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. Seeking families to foster pets displaced by fires. Email foster@pasadenahumane.org.

Food/Drink/Transportation/Recharging Electronics

  • Planet Fitness: Free access to facilities (showers, locker rooms, WiFi) for those affected by fires, including first responders. Contact your local club for details.

  • AT&T: Unlimited talk, text, and data for fire-affected areas through Feb. 6. Check their website for eligible ZIP codes.

  • Odyssey Games, Pasadena: Offering evacuees a place to charge phones, use restrooms, and grab a snack (1795 E. Colorado Blvd.).

  • Lyft: Free rides to/from shelters (up to $25 per ride, max two rides). Use code CAFIRERELIEF25 by Jan. 15 (limit: 500 riders).

Other Resources

 

 

 

 

 

 

1/8/2025 LCUSD Update

 

 
1/8/2025

Dear LCUSD Community,

 

LCUSD schools will remain closed Thursday, January 9 and Friday, January 10, 2025. The devastating wildfires and winds are tragically impacting our community. Personal stories of loss are being shared and our hearts go out to every family who have experienced such hardships. 

 

Please remain safe and connected. We will work together as a strong and loving community to build back and support each other. 

 

The District is monitoring school facilities and will provide information on reopening as it becomes available. We are also in touch with City leadership so that we can support emergency operations as that becomes a possibility.

 

Thank you for being an integral part of our LCUSD Family.

 

With love and in solidarity,

 

Wendy Sinnette

Superintendent

 

1/7/2025 LCUSD Update

 1/7/2025

 

Dear LCUSD Community,

 

In light of the severe wind storms and fires impacting our local area today, which will continue through tomorrow, LCUSD will be closed on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. While we understand the disruption this may cause our families, the safety of our students, staff, and community is our utmost priority.

 

We appreciate your understanding this difficult decision. We will continue to monitor the extreme weather conditions and will provide additional updates regarding reopening later in the week as more information becomes available. At this time, we anticipate that school will resume as scheduled on Thursday, January 9, 2025.

 

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to ensuring the safety of our LCUSD Community.

 

Sincerely,

Wendy Sinnette

Superintendent

 

 

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Be Safe and Some Resources, Federal Disaster Assistance

Posted: 1/9/2025 9:57 am

1/8/2025

 

Dear LCE Families,

 

I have been sitting in front of my computer, feeling that I should send a message to all of you, but struggling to find the right words to share.  I don’t know that I’ve found those words, but I’m going to try…

 

The events of the last 24 hours have affected so many of us, and have been devastating to our community. Our homes, our friends, and our families have been impacted, and I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the loss, pain, and hardship that so many of us are enduring right now, especially those that have lost their homes. 

 

During this difficult time, it is more important than ever that we come together to support one another. Our school community is a place of connection and care.  I want to encourage families to lean on each other, reach out for help when needed, and provide help when you can.  Mrs. Duncan’s correspondence of earlier today underscores this message- our LCE community is extraordinary and I’m certain we will all support and comfort each other. 

 

The LCE PTA Board is brainstorming ways to help while also respecting the privacy of our families. In the meantime, we wanted to share these resources (compiled from various web sources):

 

Housing / Shelters

  • 211 LA is partnering with Airbnb to offer free temporary shelter for people displaced from their homes by fire. Start by filling out this form.

 

Evacuation Centers

 

 

For animals/pets

 

  • Los Angeles Equestrian Center: 480 Riverside Dr., Burbank (accepts large animals)
  • Pasadena Humane Society is offering emergency shelter for animals, 361 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. But they’refilling up fast and are also looking for families to foster dogs and cats from families displaced by fires. Email foster@pasadenahumane.org
  • Dogtopia of East Pasadena is offering three free overnight stays for pups from families displaced by fire and a 50% discount afterwards, (626) 699-8577 

 

Food/drink/park/recharge

 

  • Planet Fitness locations in L.A. are offering anyone affected by the fires, including first responders, free access to their facilities, including showers, locker rooms, and WiFi. Contact the club near you for more information and hours
  • AT&T is offering people in fire-affected areas unlimited talk, text and data through Feb. 6 (if you don’t already have an unlimited plan). Check their website for a list of included ZIP codes
  • Boomtown Brewery in the Arts District is offering to open its tap room during the day for those who need a place to be and/or WiFi, email or DM on Instagram
  • Odyssey Games in Pasadena is offering their shop to evacuees to charge cell phones, use the restroom, and grab a snack, 1795 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
  • The rideshare service Lyft is offering vouchers to help people get to and from shelters. The offer — up to two rides per person, worth up to $25 per ride — is good for 500 riders and ends at midnight on Jan. 15. Use the code CAFIRERELIEF25.

 

Other resource lists

 

 

Please remember the strength of our community and the resilience that we share. 

 

With deep care and solidarity, 

Debbie Barsom, LCE PTA President, 2023-2025  

 

1/9/2025

 

This info, from Judy Chu’s office, seemed important enough to share- sorry for multiple messages and formatting: 

 

President Biden has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the Los Angeles fires. This means that residents and businesses in wildfire evacuation zones in our area can apply NOW for immediate and long-term federal relief.

 

You can apply for this immediate and long-term relief once safely out of the wildfires’ paths. 

 

Here’s how to apply:

Visit: disasterassistance.gov
Call: 800-621-FEMA (3362)
Use: The FEMA mobile app

 

What does this relief include?

For residents and homeowners:

  • Temporary displacement assistance (e.g., hotel costs for up to two weeks)
  • $770 for essential personal items
  • Larger direct grants to help cover essential needs such as medical bills, car repairs, and more

For businesses and homeowners:

For more information and answers to additional questions, please click HERE.

Thanks, 

Debbie Barsom, LCE PTA President, 2023-2025  

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Happy Holidays!

Posted: 12/9/2024 10:53 am

 

Winter Break

December 20 - January 6, 2025

 

2025 PTA MEETING

Wednesday, January 15th @9:15am

 

LCE Cafeteria

 
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Posted: 9/30/2024 10:28 pm

  HAUNTED MANSION THANK YOUS

“So if you dare to come and see, this mansion is full of mystery.

With laughter and a playful cheer, you'll have a blast, there's nothing to fear.”

 

 

Please join us in thanking the individuals listed below for all of the time they spent on this important fundraiser. These folks started preparing for Haunt in the Spring & Summer months, and continued all the way through to the big day and after!  Without their contributions, we would not have been able to pull off this event!  THANK YOU!

 

Co-Chairs: Rosie Etters & Matt Logelin

Asst Chair: Amy Lee

Clean-Up: Calvin Cha

Confetti Eggs: Stephanie Sim*, Davy Sim, Kevin Sim, Katie Sim, Rosie Etters, Charlotte Etters, Yang Zheng, Evelyn Hsing, Henry Hsing, Lu Huang, Anna Kim, Everly Kim, Mindy K, Nolan F, Roman F, Phuong Lieu, Ethan Ng, Justin Lu,  Josephine Lu, Madeleine Lu, Stephanie Cheng Lu, Yasmin Nounou, Nadia Fathy, Allen Ong, Alden Ong, Annisa Ong, Cheryl Park, Mattea Park, Eddie Stecker, Zoe Stecker, Corrie Tanous, Spencer Wood, Ziran Wu, Aven Wu, Anya Wu, Ella Zou

Decorations: Andy Etters, Stacy Craig, Megan Kreiner

Entertainment: Cyndi Rocco*

Food: Mindy Chu, Nicole Witek, Bhavini Lad*

Korean BBQ: Katie Kim* & Soraia Han*

Games and Science Show: Heather Hervey

Haunt Shop: Lisa Scott, Rupa Kasondra, Jennifer Liu*

Publicity: Larry Brown, Jenn Jones

Set Up: Colleen Pih

Silent Auction: Laura Jalaie*,  Joyce Lee,* Dana Kang,* Anna Kim*, Lynley Gross*, Jody Menerey*, Alexandra Steele, Tina Kim*, Seun Han*,  Patty Dyce, Jackie Ruffing, Erin Rhea, Sandra Rachild 

Sponsorship: Dayle Lyng

Tickets: Caroline Miller* & Hannah McKinley*

Treat Booth: Megan Kreiner & All of Our Bakers

Volunteers: Shelly & Kuen Hsu

Face Paint: Jill Tashjian

Logo Design/ Graphics: Jennifer Abel

Webmaster: Stephanie Sim*

Lion Times: Kam Flower & Christy Suh

School Support: Mrs. Duncan*, Ms. Strople*, and Mr. Rangel *

Costume Contest Judges: Wendy Sinnette, Mrs. Duncan, Mrs. DeBoer

LCE Teachers & Staff

PTA Executive Board Helpers

PTA President: Debbie Barsom* 

PTA’s VP of Ways & Means: Liz Alexanian*

PTA Treasurer:  Anne Marie Milano

PTA Corresponding Secretary: Seun Han

All of our Class Room Reps

* Second consecutive year or more as committee members.

 

    

 

  SILENT AUCTION
 

This year's Silent Auction was a huge success! Thank you to our many donors.  We have items that still need to be picked up! You may pick up your items on Monday (10/28) or Tuesday (10/29), from 8:30 - 9:30 am (School Office).  Items left unclaimed after 30 days will be donated. 

 

 

This auction would not have been possible without a wonderful group of people. Thank you to our chairs, Joyce and Laura! Thank you also to our bidders and winners!

 

If you have any questions, please email hauntauction@lcepta.org

 
  Thank you to our Sponsors & Underwriters

 
 

Thank you everyone for donating eggshells. 

We collected over 6132 eggshells (511 dozen)!

Please keep saving your eggshells for the next haunt.

Please email confettieggs@lcepta.org to arrange drop off or pick up.

 



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LCE Lions Pledge Drive Club

Posted: 8/15/2024 9:50 pm

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Back To School Order Form is CLOSED

Posted: 8/14/2024 12:00 am

 

The Back To School Order Form is CLOSED.

 

 

Did you miss the Back To School Order Form?

Some forms are still open and you can find them on the

 Back To School Checklist.

 

   
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First Day of School is August 14, 2024

Posted: 7/31/2024 12:00 am

 

1st PTA Meeting of the Year:

Wednesday, August 14th @ 8:15am

Join us for the first PTA Meeting of the year

in the LCE Cafeteria.

 

Hear about the upcoming school year from the PTA Executive Board and Principal Kelly Duncan. We will also discuss exciting volunteer opportunities at LCE, and you will have an opportunity to sign up for various items. Hope to see you there!

 

 

Are you a new family to LCE? Welcome!

Check out our New Family Guide!

 

Please create an account and sign up for our Lion Times Newsletter. Our first edition will be released on 8/12/24 at 6pm. Lion Times provides weekly updates on what is happening at LCE. School supply lists are available here.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact Debbie Barsom, LCE PTA President at president@lcepta.org. 

 

Welcome to La Cañada Elementary!

 

  

 

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Download the mobile app

Posted: 7/22/2024 8:22 pm

Download on the App Store  |   Get It On Google Play

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School Supply List

Posted: 6/13/2024 10:31 pm

EduKit Orders are Closed. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 2024-2025 SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST.

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