LARCHMONT CHRONICLE • 2019
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Community service during summer inspires ESLA students actively lead in the realms of By Billy Taylor High school students at the social justice.” Episcopal School of Los AngeStudents that serve les (ESLA) spent their sumJunior Tessa Carlisle mer fulfilling civic engage- interned at Children’s Hospiment requirements through tal Los Angeles (CHLA) this internships and volunteer summer as a way to give back opportunities. to the hospital’s community “Our service learning pro- that she credits with saving gram combines our mission- her life. driven focus on the city as a As a freshman, Carlisle sufclassroom with the Episcopal fered a “really bad seizure” tradition of openness to the due in part to a brain aneucommunity,” ESLA Head of rysm. She underwent mulSchool Peter McCormack told tiple brain surgeries, which the Chronicle. “had a 20 percent success “We aim to send our gradu- rate.” Although Carlisle came ates off to college and beyond out of the surgeries all right, with hands-on experiences she suffered more health comBLUTHNER/LARCHMONT 4X2.5 8/22/16 that provide them the 4X2.5.qxp_BLUTHNER/LARCHMONT tools to plications a few months later,
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Taking a difwhich required ferent approach even more surto civic engagegeries before ment, Senior returning to Joseph Roberts school. serves as the As a way to youth board cope, Carlisle member for the started making Greater Toluca digital art using Lake Neighborself-portraits and hood Council. brain scans. Over According to the summer, she Roberts, who volunteered at is the youngCHLA as a way est member of to give back, sharing her work ESLA SENIOR Riley Sobel the board, he with other young volunteered this summer doesn’t view the to help end sexual violence role as a chore patients. Carlisle and suicide. but something says that sharing 11:04 her experience with others has he enjoys because he’s making even helped her better process a difference in his community. Caroline Ellis, also a senior, her own traumatic events. Senior Riley Sobel, for the spent her summer at Razorsecond year in a row, interned cake, a nonprofit organization for the summer at Teen Talk, that publishes a do-it-yourself a teen suicide hotline. Sobel (DIY) punk rock fanzine bialso spent time working on monthly. Incorporated in 2009, the projects for Sexy Beast for Planned Parenthood of Los Episcopal School began by Angeles. Of the experiences, providing tuition-free afterSobel says that she learned school programs that offered that it is important to under- playful, project-based learnstand consent and rape cul- ing. Then, in 2012, ESLA ture as a way to prevent sexual opened its doors to 28 fulltime middle school students. violence.
Since then, its community has expanded to include 190 students in grades six through 12; the school plans to grow to include 360 students in the next five years. Visit es-la.com for more information.
Back to School is published annually by the Larchmont Chronicle 606 N. Larchmont Blvd., L.A. 90004, 323-462-2241 larchmontchronicle.com The Larchmont Chronicle is published monthly and delivered to residents in Hancock Park, Windsor Square, Fremont Place, Park LaBrea, Miracle Mile, Larchmont Village, and elsewhere in Greater Wilshire.
John Burroughs Middle School would like to welcome the neighborhood, staff, parents, and students to the 2019-2020 school year. JBMS offers a rigorous instructional program that considers the whole child. We work hard as a community to provide the best learning environment for all students. We are proud to announce that we have been recognized as a National School to Watch, one of only 16 California middle schools to be awarded the distinction.
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My summer experience at the Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute
By Talia Abrahamson Formally, I attended the Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute this summer, but to my professors and peers, I was a “cherub” at the Medill cherubs program. Along with 82 other cherubs, I spent five weeks at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, gaining journalism experience by attending lectures and writing articles. The program is sponsored by Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. The program admits only rising high school seniors, and my peers came from 21 states plus Brazil, China, Indonesia and South Korea. We filled a dormitory near the southern border of campus, within walking distance of the mom-and-pop shops on the streets of Evanston. Doing journalism A typical weekday schedule included three classes per day —– one each in the morning, afternoon and evening. The program’s professors, many of whom were cherub alumni, gave lectures on journalism fundamentals from constructing leads to conducting interviews.
cherub and Medill connections (known as the “Medill mafia”) to bring in noteworthy guest lecturers. I had the honor of listening to a lecture by Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist John White, a for-
mer Northwestern professor. Reporters from Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, ESPN, TV Week, Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times came to share their experiences work(Please turn to page 4)
CHERUB INSTRUCTOR John Kupetz and Talia Abrahamson. Photo by Danielle Bennett
Following a particular lecture titled “How to use social media to lock down sources,” I opened Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Reddit accounts that night. My professors believed the best way to learn journalism was by doing it. In line with that thinking, they assigned articles with tight deadlines to adjust us to real-world journalistic practices. Among others, I wrote feature stories, editorial articles and descriptive writing articles. The most notorious assignment was the trend story. Assigned the trend story on a Monday, I first had to discover a trend. Once I selected my topic,
I had to source interviews and write the article, due Sunday, while still attending classes. Many of my friends pulled allnighters before it was due, and everyone drank enough coffee to be caffeinated for days. Although we did not receive grades, assigned professors gave us feedback on articles. My instructor preferred to edit articles with green ink –– a color that he associated with hope –– in hurried handwriting that required multiple people to help me transcribe. Green is now my favorite color. Medill mafia The program pulled on its
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Larchmont Chronicle
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INSTRUCTORS surprised cherubs with free ice cream during Web Week.
SUNRISE over Lake Michigan marked the last day of the Medill cherubs program.
Cherubs
games so that we could walk to the Lakefill and watch the sun rise over Lake Michigan. It is difficult to condense five weeks without leaving out highlights. From movie nights to Cheraoke (cherub karaoke) to one-on-one Saturday instructor meetings to recording my first broadcast stand-up, the cherub program offered me new, unforgettable moments. I now hope to pass on what I learned so that my cherub experience did not just end with the summer. Talia Abrahamson is a senior at Marlborough School, and serves as co-editor-in-chief of the UltraViolet, the upperschool newspaper.
Photos by Talia Abrahamson
(Continued from page 3) ing in the media landscape. Some of the most exciting days were field trips into Chicago. Along with a small group of other cherubs, I toured the Wall Street Journal’s Chicago office. A different day, I boarded a boat on the Chicago River for an architecture tour of the city, per annual cherub tradition. We also saw a taping of NPR’s news-based radio panel show, “Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me!” Evanston Cherubs walked to destinations in Evanston, too. An article assignment almost as old as the cherub program is the Fourth
CLASS OF 2019. Our reporter is in the fourth row from the top, second from the right.
of July assignment. Each year, cherubs are sent to cover Evanston’s award-winning Fourth of July parade located 45 minutes away by foot. We had to find a unique angle on the parade, and for many cherubs like me, that meant finding an article idea on the spot. After we turned in the article that night, my friends and I headed to Northwestern’s Lakefill. The Lakefill is a section of
campus composed of reclaimed land from Lake Michigan, and the eastern half forms a peninsula with greenery, bike paths and painted rocks to break the waves. We brought blankets, glow sticks and snacks, and watched fireworks bursting over the lake. I also walked into downtown Evanston with my friends. I adapted quickly to the smalltown lifestyle. At the end of
five weeks, I was bringing a reusable Whole Foods bag on my many grocery store runs, and the local poké shop owner knew me by name. I came close to filling out its loyalty punch card. Cherub website We finished the program by building the Medill cherub website for 2020 applicants. The last night, we stayed up watching movies and playing
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ALLA seeks new members for its second century of services
By Kai Tramiel In 1919, philanthropist Anne Banning and a group of 12 friends formally organized the first Assistance League to provide food and clothing for local families adversely impacted by World War I. Our founding chapter inspired the formation of chapters throughout the country and the creation of the National Assistance League, representing over 22,000 members. Today there are 120 Assistance League chapters across the United States, of which Assistance League® of Los Angeles is one of the largest. Today, hundreds of committed Assistance League of Los Angeles member volunteers join hands in service to improve the lives of impoverished children in our community through philanthropy, dedicated service and compassionate programs. Three of the League’s auxiliaries are actively seeking new members to help run and raise funds for Operation School Bell, Foster Children’s Resource Center and Theatre for Children programs.
Anne Banning Auxiliary Anne Banning Auxiliary was formed in 1955 and began as a service organization for young women. Named for the League’s founder, activities focused on helping children. Today, members raise funds for and operate the League’s Operation School Bell and Operation School Bell on Wheels programs, which provide school clothing, shoes and school supplies to children in need throughout the Los Angeles Unified School District. The auxiliary also hosts an annual Prom Day pop-up boutique for senior girls who are homeless or in foster care. Anne Banning Auxiliary members run Operation School Bell from September through May. They are currently seeking caring individuals who can volunteer at least once a month and bring joy to children living in extreme poverty. Hilltoppers Auxiliary Hilltoppers Auxiliary began in the 1940s, when women living in the San Fernando Valley collected merchandise for the League’s consignment
VINTAGE PHOTO o l star ar c or seate center le t ne t to ss stance ea nne ann n seate center r ht at the ne l o ene ss stance ea e earoo o c rca
and gift shop. Since many of the members had to travel over the Santa Monica Mountains to attend meetings, they decided to call themselves the Hilltoppers. Today, Hilltoppers Auxiliary operates and supports the Foster Children’s Resource
Center, a service that provides new clothing, grooming items and school supplies to at-risk children and families in foster and family care. The center is in Northridge and is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The Hilltoppers Auxiliary welcomes new mem-
e o n er oll oo
bers to help continue providing these critically needed resources to our community’s most vulnerable children. Nine O’Clock Players Nine O’Clock Players Auxiliary was founded in 1929 to create and produce live (Please turn to page 12)
Admission Open House For students applying to seventh and eighth grades
Students will create, lead, build, face challenges, and collaborate at an event for girls and their parents who are interested in applying for the 2020-2021 academic year.
October 19, 2019 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Check in starts at 8:30 a.m.
Book your online reservation at marlborough.org/admissions or call our Admissions Office at 323.964.8450. 250 South Rossmore Avenue | Los Angeles | California | 90004 www.marlborough.org
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Cathedral Chapel School to celebrate its 50th reunion
Cathedral Chapel School Class of 1969 will be celebrating its 50th class reunion on Sat., Oct. 19 with a welcome back tour and reception from 4 to 7 p.m. at the school, 755 S. Cochran Ave. Dinner will follow. Pastoral administrator Rev. Truc Nguyen will be celebrating the 10 a.m. mass in honor of the reunion on Sun., Oct. 20 at Cathedral Chapel of St. Vibiana. Cathedral Chapel School first opened its doors Sept. 8, 1930. Twenty-eight students comprised that first graduating class, and ten sisters of the Immaculate Heart Community, who commuted from the Hollywood Motherhouse, served as the faculty until the 1968/69 school year. By comparison, 43 students made up the graduating class of 1969; 36 eighth graders graduated June 2019. “The Immaculate Heart of Mary sisters had founded CCS and provided continuous education, service and dedication for 38 years. We will never forget the good sisters,” Karen Hall told us. She is a 1969
CLASS of 1969 with, far left, Sister Elizabeth Barnabas McGoldrick, 8th-grade teacher; center is Monsignor James E. Dolan, pastor, and at far right is Sister Sheila Jordan, principal.
alumna and school administrative assistant. “[1969] was the first year that the Sisters of St. Louis came to Cathedral Chapel School, and the first graduat-
ing class under their administration,” Hall added. The Sisters of St. Louis lived in the convent from 1968 to 1987, when Guadalupana Missionaries of the Holy Spirit
were invited by the Cardinal to use the facilities as their novitiate. In 1994, Cathedral Chapel Parish sold the convent to the Guadalupana Sisters. Tina Kipp has been lay prin-
cipal since 2003; the first lay principal was appointed in 1987 For more information, contact Hall, at khall@cathedralchapel.org or 323-938-9976.
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Temple Israel day school has a new name: Briskin Elementary
By Billy Taylor The day school at Temple Israel of Hollywood started the school year with a new name: Briskin Elementary.
Housed in an iconic temple compound, Briskin Elementary is a private kindergarten through sixth grade school that aims to educate students
through a curriculum of general studies, Hebrew and Judaic studies, and the arts. The new name for the elementary school is part of a
DONATION made by Judy and Bernie Briskin enabled the day school to make improvements.
IMMACULATE HEART
major rebuilding of the outdoor playground for use by the more than 700 students enrolled at the Temple Israel of Hollywood academic campus, which includes the Bay-Nimoy Early Childhood Center and a religious school, all located at 7300 Hollywood Blvd. Once completed, the improvements will increase the outdoor play space for students “tenfold,” according to Roberta Berrent, director of development and communications for Temple Israel. Judy and Bernie Briskin, longtime pillars of Temple Israel of Hollywood, contributed the lead gift that enabled the day school to build a major new ball field and play space. Bernie Briskin is a past president of Temple Israel, having served in that leadership
capacity from 1988 to 1990, a time that included the opening of the temple’s day school in 1989. Bernie served as chief executive officer and president of the Arden Group (a holding company for Gelson’s Markets, which included ArdenMayfair Realty) from 1978 to 2014, and as chairman from 1994 to 2014. Judy is an interior decorator, and she oversaw the first remodel of Temple Israel in the late 1980s. She also served as president of the Women’s Guild of CedarsSinai Medical Center. In addition to the name change, the second-floor classroom wing will be dedicated in honor of past president Maurice Douek and his wife Helen. Visit briskinelementary.org.
A Catholic, Independent, College Preparatory School For Girls Grades 6-12
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OUTDOOR playgrounds are being rebuilt at Briskin Elementary at Temple Israel of Hollywood.
Family-friendly events at The Autry
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Spend time with family and learn about western heritage at The Autry, 4700 Western Heritage Way. Hear cowboy poetry and western music Sun., Sept. 15 from noon to 3 p.m. Enjoy an evening at the Odd Market outside the Autry, Fri., Sept. 20 from 6 to 9 p.m. The “indie” bazaar has food trucks, live music and vendors of many types of goods and oddities.
Take advantage of the free guided tours Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Celebrate the museum’s founder at a birthday party in his honor Sun., Sept. 29, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum free days are Sat., Sept. 7, Sun., Sept. 8 and Tues., Sept. 10. For prices, times and other information, visit theautry.org.
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Directory of public and private schools Below is a listing of schools both in and outside the Chronicle’s delivery area. Information regarding these schools was confirmed recently either by phone or email. However, some schools did not respond to our request to confirm their information. In that case, we used the information available on school websites. Corrections or additions should be sent to info@larchmontchronicle.com.
Nursery Schools
CHILDREN’S CENTER PRESCHOOL 1260 N. Vermont Ave. 323-422-9690 ourccp.com Tim Siregar, director. Ages 2.9 years to kindergarten. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to noon, or until 6 p.m. for a full day option. Call or check website for information. LARCHMONT PRESCHOOL TODDLER PROGRAM 555 N. Windsor Blvd. PRESCHOOL PROGRAM 522 N. Wilton Pl. 323-572-0186 larchmontpreschool.com Debra Stolberg, director. Ages
2 to 4 years for toddler program, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Monday to Thursday, $400 to $800 per month. Preschool program for 3-to-5-year-olds, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday, $600 to $1,350 per month. PLYMOUTH SCHOOL 315 S. Oxford Ave. 213-387-7381 theplymouthschool@gmail.com
theplymouthschool.com Megan Drynan, director. Ages 2 to 5 years. Full days are 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Half days 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. 60 students. Email for rates. ST. JAMES’ EPISCOPAL PRESCHOOL DIVISION 625 S. Gramercy Pl. 213-382-2315 sjsla.org Patricia Joseph Thomas, director. From 2 to 6 years, hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with before and after school care beginning at 7 a.m. and until 4:30 p.m. To apply for the 2020-21 school year, go to sjsla.org/visit. SUNSET MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL 1432 N. Sycamore Ave. 323-465-8133 4212 Tujunga Ave. 818-623-0913
sunsetmontessori.com Liliya Kordon, head of school. Ages 2 to 6 years, 30 students. Full and half days are available. Tuition is $1,500 per month for half days and $1,700 per month for full days. WAGON WHEEL SCHOOL 653 N. Cahuenga Blvd. 323-469-8994 wagonwheelschool.org Ruth Segal, director. Ages 2 to 5 years, 110 students. 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with after school program. $1,800 per month. Malibu Location 28211 Pacific Coast Hwy. 310-457-2250 wagonwheelmalibu.org Carol Jeffers, director. Ages 2 to 5 years, 40 students. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. $1,600 per month. WESTSIDE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER PRESCHOOL 5870 W. Olympic Blvd. 323-556-5250 westsidejcc.org Lauren Friedman, director. Ages 20 months to 5 years, preschool through transitional kindergarten. Arts and playbased and includes an afternoon enrichment program. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
with an early drop off option. Check website to schedule a tour. WILSHIRE BLVD. TEMPLE EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTERS West (Mann) 11661 W. Olympic Blvd., 90064 424-208-8900 East - Temple (Glazer) 3663 Wilshire Blvd., 90010 213-835-2125 wbtecc.org Carol Bovill, director. Ages 2 to 5 years. West campus hours are 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. East campus hours 7:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ages 18 mos. to 5 years. Baby and Me classes offered weekly. Call for rates.
Parochial and Private Schools
ARETÉ PREPARATORY ACADEMY 11500 W. Olympic Blvd., #318 310-478-9900 areteprep.org Jim Hahn, head of school. Grades six to 12. An accelerated and high-ability liberal arts program. Call admissions office for more information.
BAIS YAAKOV SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 7353 Beverly Blvd. 323-938-3231 Joel Bursztyn, director. Ninth to 12th grade. 300 students. $18,300 per year. BLESSED SACRAMENT 6641 Sunset Blvd. 323-467-4177 schoolblessedsacrament.org Rachel Kolbeck, principal. Pre-kindergarten through 8th grade. 130 students. Inspiring learners in the Jesuit tradition since 1915. Call or check website for tuition rates. BRAWERMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WEST 11661 W. Olympic Blvd. 424-208-8934 BRAWERMAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL EAST 3663 Wilshire Blvd. 213-835-2170 brawerman.org Brandon Cohen, head of school. Kindergarten to 6th grade, co-ed. Enrollment is 350 for both schools. Tuition is $31,150 for west campus and $24,050 for east campus. (Please turn to page 10)
Inspire. Honor. Nurture.
Early Childhood Center BABY AND ME - AGE 5
Brawerman Elementary KINDERGARTEN - GRADE 6
AN UNPARALLELED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE THE SCHOOLS OF WILSHIRE BOULEVARD TEMPLE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TOURS WBTECC.ORG BRAWERMAN.ORG
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Directory of public and private schools
(Continued from page 9) BRISKIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF TEMPLE ISRAEL OF HOLLYWOOD 7300 Hollywood Blvd. 323-876-8330, ext. 4000 tiohdayschool.org Rachel Lewin, head of school. Kindergarten to 6th grade, about 230 students. After school enrichment and supervision until 4 p.m. Tours are Oct. 18, Nov. 8, Dec. 6 and Jan. 10. Call to reserve a space and for rates. THE BUCKLEY SCHOOL 3900 Stansbury Ave. 818-783-1610 buckley.org Alona Scott, head of school. 830 students. Kindergarten to 12th grade. Call or check the website for more information. CAMPBELL HALL 4533 Laurel Canyon Blvd. 818-980-7280 campbellhall.org Julian Bull, headmaster. Kindergarten through 12th grade. 1,120 students. Check website for tuition rates. CATHEDRAL CHAPEL 755 S. Cochran Ave. 323-938-9976 cathedralchapelschool.org Tina Kipp, principal. Kindergarten to eighth grade. 268 students. Extended care. Call for a tour. CENTER FOR EARLY EDUCATION 563 N. Alfred St. 323-651-0707 centerforearlyeducation.org Mark Brooks, head of school. 2 years to 6th grade, 540 stu-
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dents. Check website for rates. CHRIST THE KING 617 N. Arden Blvd. 323-462-4753 cksla.org Ruth Anderson, principal. Montessori transitional kindergarten to 8th grade. 200 students. Check website for tuition rates. CURTIS SCHOOL 15871 Mulholland Dr. 310-476-1251, ext. 820 curtisschool.org Meera Ratnesar, head of school. Developmental kindergarten to 6th grade, 491 students. Call admissions office for rates. ECHO HORIZON 3430 McManus Ave. 310-838-2442 echohorizon.org Peggy Procter, head of school. Pre-kindergarten to 6th grade, 180 students. Hours are Mondays, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesdays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Check website for more information. EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF LOS ANGELES 6325 Santa Monica Blvd. 323-462-3752 es-la.com Peter McCormack, head of school. Grades six through 12, 195 students. Full meal service, one-to-one laptop program, and after-school programming included for all families at no additional cost. Nearly half of overall tuition costs are funded through need-based financial aid. FUSION ACADEMY 5757 Wilshire Blvd., Prom. 1
323-692-0603 fusionacademy.com Katheryn Nguyen, head of school. Grades six through 12. One teacher to one student; enrollment capacity 75 students. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Check website or call for Open House dates and tuition. HARVARD-WESTLAKE UPPER SCHOOL 3700 Coldwater Canyon MIDDLE SCHOOL 700 N. Faring Rd. 818-980-6692 hw.com Richard Commons, president and head of school; Debbie Reed, interim head of school; Laura Ross, of upper school; Jon Wimbish, head of middle school. 1,600 students, co-ed, 7th to 12th grade. Check website for tuition rates. HOLLYWOOD SCHOOLHOUSE 1233 N. McCadden Pl. 323-465-1320 hshla.org Ilise Faye, head of school. Preschool to 6th grade. All school supervision until 6 p.m. 320 students. Check website for rates. IMMACULATE HEART HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL 5515 Franklin Ave. 323-461-3651 immaculateheart.org Maureen S. Diekmann, president; Naemah Z. Morris, high school principal. Gina B. Finer, middle school principal. Girls only, 6th through 12th grades,
700 students. Tuition for 201920 school year is $17,650. LAURENCE SCHOOL 13639 Victory Blvd. 818-782-4001 laurenceschool.com Lauren Wolke, head of school. Kindergarten through 6th grade, 300 students. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with extended care available. The 2019-2020 tuition rate is $30,420. LE LYCÉE FRANÇAIS DE LOS ANGELES 3261 Overland Ave. 310-836-3464 lyceela.org Clara-Lisa Kabbaz, president. French and English curriculums available. Preschool to 12th grade, co-ed. Check website for rates and information for their six campuses. LOYOLA HIGH SCHOOL 1901 Venice Blvd. 213-381-5121, ext. 1200 loyolahs.edu Gregory M. Goethals, president. Frank Kozakowski, principal. Boys only. Ninth to 12th grade, 1,254 students. Call school or check website for tuition rates. MARLBOROUGH SCHOOL 250 S. Rossmore Ave. 323-935-1147 marlborough.org Priscilla Sands, head of school. Girls only, 7th to 12th grade, 530 students. Tuition is $42,900 per year. MARYMOUNT HIGH SCHOOL 10643 Sunset Blvd. 310-472-1205 mhs-la.org Jacqueline L. Landry, head of school. Girls only, 9th to 12th grades. Base tuition $36,930 per year for 9th to 11th grades; $37,530 per year for 12th grade. Daily transportation and lunch are included in tuition. MAYFIELD JUNIOR SCHOOL 405 S. Euclid Ave., Pasadena 626-796-2774 mayfieldjs.org Joe Sciuto, head of school. Coeducational school. Kindergarten to 8th grade, co-ed, 518 students. Call for tuition rates. MAYFIELD SENIOR SCHOOL 500 Bellefontaine St., Pasadena 626-799-9121 mayfieldsenior.org Kate Morin, head of school. Girls only, 9th to 12th grade. 330 students. Base tuition is $28,650 per year. MORASHA ACADEMY AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER 7561 Beverly Blvd. 323-532-6458 morashaej.org Shlomo Harrosh, head of school. Boys only, gifted with learning differences. Focus is on kindergarten to 8th grade, but evolves with need. Call or email school for tuition rates
and for more information. NEW COVENANT ACADEMY 3119 W. 6th St. 213-487-5437 e-nca.org Jason Song, principal. Kindergarten to 12th grade, Christian and co-ed, 174 students. WASC accredited and IB School offering the diploma program. Tuition K to 5th grade is $12,890; 6th to 8th grades is $13,990; 9th to 12th grade is $15,490. NEW HORIZON SCHOOL 434 S. Vermont Ave. 213-480-3145 newhorizonla.org Jolanda Hussain, principal. Preschool to 5th grade, co-ed, 75 students. WASC accredited. Tuition rates are $7,150 for pre-school; $6,750 for K to 5th grade. NEW ROADS 3131 Olympic Blvd. 310-828-5582 newroads.org Luthern Williams, principal. Kindergarten to 12th grade, coed, 508 students. CAIS, NAIS and WASC accredited. Tuition for K to 5th grade is $32,875; 6th to 12th grade is $40,655; financial aid available. NOTRE DAME ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL 2851 Overland Ave. 310-839-5289 ndasla.org Lilliam Paetzold, president. Girls only, 9th to 12th grade, 353 students. Tuition is $16,920. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 2911 Overland Ave. Transitional kindergarten to 8th grade, coed, 289 students. Tuition for TK to 4th grade is $10,750; 5th to 8th grade tuition is $12,250. THE OAKS SCHOOL 6817 Franklin Ave. 323-850-3755 oaksschool.org Ted Hamory, head of school. Tanyanya Hekymara, director of admissions and civic engagement. Kindergarten to 6th grade, 160 students. Call for tuition rates. PAGE ACADEMY OF HANCOCK PARK 565 N. Larchmont Blvd. 323-463-5118 pageacademyca.com Charles J. Vaughan, president; Pat Klindworth, senior director. Preschool to 8th grade. Accelerative Learning Certified teachers and fully accredited by NCPSA, MSA/CESS and AI. Extended hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Call for tuition rates. PARK CENTURY SCHOOL 3939 Landmark Street 310-840-0500 parkcenturyschool.org Judith Fuller, head of school. CAIS and NAIS-certified independent school for children ages 7 to 14, second through 8th grades, with learning disabilities. Call for information regarding tuition. (Please turn to page 11)
Larchmont Chronicle
PILGRIM SCHOOL 540 S. Commonwealth Ave. 213-385-7351 pilgrim-school.org Paul Barsky, head of school. Preschool (2 years) to 12th grade, 420 students. CAIS and WASC-accredited; member of NAIS and TABS. Call or check website for rates and more information. SHALHEVET HIGH SCHOOL 910 S. Fairfax Ave. 323-930-9333 shalhevet.org Ari Segal, head of school; Daniel Weslow, principal. Grades 9 to 12, co-ed, 258 students. Tuition is $38,380 plus fees. Tuition assistance is available. ST. BRENDAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL 238 S. Manhattan Pl. 213-382-7401 stbrendanschoolla.org Collette Young, principal. Kindergarten to 8th grade. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with after-school care. Call for tuition rates and monthly tours. ST. JAMES’ EPISCOPAL SCHOOL 625 S. St. Andrews Pl. 213-382-2315 sjsla.org Pat Reinke, head of school. Preschool to 6th grade. 355 students. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the CAIS. To apply for the 2020-21 school year, go to sjsla.org/visit. STEM3 ACADEMY 6455 Coldwater Canyon Ave. 818-623-6386 stem3academy.org Ellis Crasnow, director. Kindergarten through 12th grade, 80 students. Specializes in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects for students with high-functioning Autism, ADHD or other social or learning challenges. Tuition is $36,900 per year. STRATFORD SCHOOL 1200 N. Cahuenga Blvd. 323-962-3075 stratfordschools.com/melrose Candi Schreuders, head of school. Jamie Patrick, director of lower school. Preschool through elementary school. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with optional before- and after-school care. Tuition varies by program and enrollment is ongoing. Check website for more information. TREE ACADEMY 8628 Holloway Dr. 424-204-5165 treeacademy.org Darryl Sollerh, co-founder and director. Sixth to 12th grades, 118 students. Provides accredited small classes with individualized instruction. TURNING POINT SCHOOL 8780 National Blvd. 310-841-2505 turningpointschool.org Laura Konigsberg, head of school. Pre-school (2 years and
SEPTEMBER 2019
9 months) to 8th grade, 350 students. Before- and afterschool care. Check website for information and tuition rates. VISTAMAR SCHOOL 737 Hawaii St., El Segundo 310-643-7377 vistamarschool.org Chris Bright, head of school. Ninth to 12th grade. Tuition is $38,600 plus fees, assistance available. WESLEY SCHOOL 4832 Tujunga Ave. 818-508-4542 wesleyschool.org Ernie Levroney III, head of school; Joseph Campanella, assoc. head of school/middle school head; Chris Thinnes, lower school head. Coed. Kindergarten to 8th grade, 315 students. Hours are 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. with extended care available. Tuition for K to 5th grade is $26,850; 6th to 8th grades is $30,200; additional fees required. WESTRIDGE SCHOOL 324 Madeline Dr., Pasadena 626-799-1153 westridge.org Elizabeth McGregor, head of school. Girls only, 4th to 12th grades, 500 students. Tuition is $29,110 for 4th to 6th grade, $32,280 for 7th and 8th, $37,750 for 9th to 12th, plus fees. WILLOWS COMMUNITY SCHOOL 8509 Higuera St. 310-815-0411 thewillows.org Lisa Rosenstein, head of school. Developmental kindergarten to 8th grade. Before- and afterschool care. Call for tuition rates. YAVNEH HEBREW ACADEMY 5353 W. 3rd St. 323-931-5808 yha.org Schlomo Einhorn, dean. Coed, from 2 years old to 8th grade. Check website for more information and tuition rates.
Public Schools Elementary CHARLES H. KIM ELEMENTARY 225 S Oxford Ave 213-368-5600 kim-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com Jonathan Paek, principal. Kindergarten to 5th grade, co-ed. Special education, gifted and talented, Spanish dual language, maintenance bilingual Korean program and structured English immersion programs. HANCOCK PARK 408 S. Fairfax Ave. 323-935-5272 hancockparkschool.com Ashley Parker, principal. Transitional kindergarten to 5th grade, 719 students, co-ed. After-school programs to 6 p.m. LARCHMONT CHARTER FAIRFAX 1265 N. Fairfax Ave.
323-656-6418 larchmontcharter.org Mersedeh Emrani, principal. Transitional kindergarten to 4th grade. LARCHMONT CHARTER HOLLYGROVE 815 N. El Centro 323-836-0860 larchmontcharter.org Alissa Chariton and Eva Orozco, co-principals. Transitional kindergarten to 4th grade. MELROSE MATHEMATICS/ SCIENCE/ TECHNOLOGY MAGNET 731 N. Detroit St. 323-938-6275 melrosestars.org Mathew Needleman, principal. Kindergarten to 5th grade, 460 students. 8:06 a.m. to 2:35 p.m., after-school programs to 6 p.m. NEW LA CHARTER 5421 Obama Rd. 323-556-9500 newlaelementary.org Jenna Rosenberg, principal. Transitional kindergarten to 3rd grade, co-ed. THIRD STREET ELEMENTARY 201 S. June St. 323-939-8337 thirdstreetschool.com Daniel Kim, principal. Expanded transitional kindergarten to 5th grade, co-ed, 650 students. 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Afterschool programs until 6 p.m. VAN NESS AVENUE ELEMENTARY 501 N. Van Ness Ave. 323-469-0992 vannesselementary.com
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Pauline Hong, principal. Kindergarten to 5th grade with a special education component for the visually impaired. Science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) program, Mandarin language program. Boys and Girls Club and other programs. WILSHIRE CREST 5241 W. Olympic Blvd. 323-938-5291 wce-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com Gayle Robinson, principal. Expanded transitional kindergarten to 5th grade, co-ed, 160 students. After school programs until 6 p.m. WILSHIRE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4063 Ingraham St. 213-739-4760 rockets-lausd-ca.schoolloop.com Leighanne Creary, principal. Transitional kindergarten to 5th grade, co-ed, 450 students. 8 a.m. to 2:24 p.m. After school programs until 6 p.m. WILTON PLACE 745 S. Wilton Pl. 213-389-1181 wiltonplacees-lausd-ca. schoolloop.com Jung Hae Kim, principal. Prekindergarten to 5th grade, coed, 535 students. Dual-language programs for Spanish/English and Korean/English. After school programs until 6 p.m.
Middle Schools JOHN BURROUGHS MIDDLE SCHOOL 600 S. McCadden Pl. 323-549-5000
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burroughsms.org Steve Martinez, principal. Sixth to 8th grade, 1,800 students. Title 1 distinguished school, national magnet school of excellence. School for advanced studies, Korean and Spanish dual language programs, also participates in Beyond the Bell. LARCHMONT CHARTER AT SELMA 6611 Selma Ave. 323-871-4000 larchmontcharter.org Sarah Perkins, principal. Charlie Seo, assistant principal. Co-ed, 5th, 6th and 7th grade. Check website for more information. NEW LA CHARTER 1919 S. Burnside Ave. 323-939-6400 newlamiddle.org Daryl Brook, principal. Co-ed, 6th to 8th grades.
High Schools
GIRLS ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, DR. MICHELLE KING SCHOOL FOR STEM 1067 West Blvd. 323-900-4532 galacademy.org Elizabeth Hicks, principal. Sixth to 12th grades, 600 students. Girls only. Concentrates in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects. Participates in Beyond the Bell after school program. FAIRFAX HIGH 7850 Melrose Ave (Please turn to page 12)
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School directory
(Continued from page 11) 323-370-1200 fairfaxhs.org Annick Draghi, interim principal. Co-ed, 9th to 12th grade. Athletics and after school programs until 6 p.m. HAMILTON HIGH 2955 S. Robertson Blvd. 310-280-1400 hamiltonhighschool.net Brenda Pensamiento, principal. Co-ed, 9th to 12th grade. Performing arts and humanities magnet. Athletics and UCLA-sponsored tutoring after school. LARCHMONT CHARTER AT LA FAYETTE PARK PL. 2801 W. 6th St. 213-867-6300 larchmontcharter.org
Mike Kang, director high school. Kelly Bartle, director of junior high school. Lori Lausche, assistant principal. Co-ed, 8th to 12th grade. Check website for more information. LOS ANGELES COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS 5151 State University Dr., Bldg. 20 323-343-2550 lachsa.net John Lawler, principal. Co-ed, 9th to 12th grade. Tuition-free public school specializing in college preparatory and visual and performing arts. LOS ANGELES HIGH 4650 W. Olympic Blvd. 323-900-2700 lahigh.org Travis Brandy, principal. Coed, 9th to 12th grade. Athletics and other clubs after school.
LADOT TRANSIT ll offer ree r es or st ents on b ses anno nce a or arcett last onth on the rst a o school e s ct re th st ents an arents o th treet le entar chool t ar r ht s ocal str ct er nten ent oberto art ne an center ront n bl e sh rt s chool oar e ber on ca arc a
Free local bus service for Los Angeles students ELEMENT MENT 31
Los Angeles students are invited to sign up for the Dept. of Transportation’s “DASH to Class” program, which provides free DASH (Downtown Area Short Hop) bus rides for all Los Angeles Unified and Los Angeles Community College students. DASH provides bus service downtown and in 27 neighborhoods across the city. Each route is designed
to serve travel within that neighborhood and to connect to other regional transit services. The new pilot program will allow students to access unlimited, free DASH bus rides during the entire school year. Students can apply for and obtain a Student Reduced Fare Transit Access Program (TAP) card at ladottransit. com/studentsridefree/.
Assistance League
our mission through fundraising and episodic volunteering. Founder Assisteens provides volunteer opportunities for parents and teen girls in grades 7 through 12; Young Professionals Group offers early and mid-career men and women monthly opportunities to volunteer, fundraise, and network; Family Membership introduces children and their families to the League’s legacy of service through quarterly volunteer service days; Mannequins is a group of fashionable women who host bimonthly luncheons and produce fashion show fundraisers; Preschool Auxiliary helps raise funds for the League’s Preschool Learning Center; College Alumnae Auxiliary hosts monthly luncheons with featured speakers; and League at Large members serve as general supporters of the organization. To learn more about Assistance League of Los Angeles and any of its membership groups, please contact me, ALLA’s director of membership and community outreach, at 323-545-4847 or ktramiel@assistanceleaguela. org.
(Continued from page 5)
EXPLORATION LORATION
Be part of the positive equation turningpointschool.org PRESCHOOL + ELEMENTARY + MIDDLE SCHOOL LOCATED IN CULVER CITY
theater events for the community. Today, its members perform two classic children’s plays each year at the Assistance League Theatre in Hollywood. In addition to acting in the productions, members design sets, make costumes, run sound and lights, and raise funds to support the Theatre for Children program. The Nine O’Clock Players Auxiliary members offer the magic of live children’s theater to the community and engage in special outreach to children from low-income schools and children with special needs throughout LAUSD. The members are currently preparing for their upcoming production of “Jack and The Giant” which runs Oct. 22 to Nov. 21. Theater enthusiasts interested in improving the lives of children in need are welcome to join! Previous acting experience is not required. Seven other groups In addition to our three direct service auxiliaries, the League has seven other membership groups that support
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Big Sunday Books ’n Brunch favorite: green eggs, ham The 7th annual Big Sunday Books ’n Brunch is on Sun., Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Big Sunday offices, 6111 Melrose Ave. The volunteer organization will be collecting a variety of new and gently used books for several non-profits. Volunteers are invited to help sort and box the books, and then to join ev-
BIG SUNDAY back to school events last year are pictured above and at right. Photos by Bill Devlin
Loans just got easier for homeless students
By Suzan Filipek Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA) has made college a little easier for homeless students, regardless of their race, religion or ethnicity. While all loans are interest free at the Miracle Mile-based association, this new program streamlines funds for dedicated and responsible students who lack a co-signer. So far, seven students have received up to $5,000 each in the emergency funding program, interest free. Principal repayments of between $25 $75 a month also help make the plan affordable. After learning about the overwhelming number of homeless college students (10-12 percent at some college campuses), JFLA started the program in March. “It was very, very sad to learn, and we wanted to help. We’re like that uncle you go to who has money when you need some money,” said Daphna Nissanoff-Gerendash, of JFLA. Some applicants lack housing for the summer, when school housing closes; others are living in their cars. One student had three days to pay rent or would be evicted. “She came to us as a last resort,” said Nissanoff-Gerendash. Applicants are recommended by counselors and teachers at partner organizations: Los Angeles Valley College, USC, UCLA and the Cal State universities. “The difference between our homeless student loans and traditional student loans is that our homeless student loans don’t have a deadline. We have more lenient terms, and we work hard to approve the loans so they can get the assistance they need and get into a proper living space in a timely manner,” said Nissanoff-Gerendash. Students 18 and older who reside in Los Angeles and Ventura counties and are fulltime students are eligible. Traditional student loans of up to $10,000 require at least
two co-signers. Last year, more than $2 million was awarded in education loans. (Another $2 million was given to healthcare, small business and other loans.)
Founded in 1904, and operating under the biblical mandate of interest-free lending, the local JFLA office is at 6505 Wilshire Blvd. Call 323-7618830, or visit jpla.org.
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eryone for brunch, which will include the all-time Books ’n Brunch favorite, green eggs and ham (food coloring is added to the scrambled eggs in an homage to the Dr. Seuss book.) Big Sunday would also welcome sponsors for this event. Those interested can contact david@bigsunday.org for more information.
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NEW HORIZON By Eman Rashid 4th Grade
This school year I will be a 4th grade student at New Horizon School – Los Angeles. I am very excited to go back to school,
because I can’t wait to learn new things with my teachers and play soccer with my friends. I am excited to face
new challenges and make friends. Today I received a cool card from my teacher with a message about the first day of school. The theme for this school year is “Nature Champions.” I am looking forward to finding out what
St. Brendan School
A Catholic elementary school
CELEBRATING 105 YEARS
By Olivia Martinez 8th Grade
Grades K-8
WELCOME BACK to the School Year 2019-2020!
• Fully accredited by WASC • Strong academic curriculum • Spanish classes, K-8 • • • • • •
Student council CYO sports program After-school care Intrumental Music Program Numerous After-School Clubs Student Choir Mrs. Collette Young, Principal
stbrendanschoolla.com
238 S. Manhattan Place ~ (213) 382-7401
that is about. I like about my school that everyone always works together to help us achieve our goals and it feels like everyone in school is my family. I guess we will be working together to take care of the earth and learn more about nature!
ST. BRENDAN
©LC0919
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September is a very exciting month here at Saint Brendan! On the first day of school, the student council held an assembly welcoming the new teachers, students, the kindergarten class, and the eighth-grade class of 2020. The students were also happy to welcome many new teachers to our staff this year including, Ms. Kaitlyn Kammert as our new first-grade teacher, Ms. Chelsea Calleja, our new fourth-grade teacher, Mr. Isaac Johnson, our new music teacher, Mrs. Martina Nemoianu, our new Kindergarten assistant, Mrs. Griselda Gomez, our new first-grade assistant, and Mr. Bruce Tsai as our new full-time security guard. We are very excited to be starting the Kallpachay Spanish Immersion Language Program as we said goodbye to our long-time Spanish teacher, Señora Campain, last year. We concluded our first full week of school with an all-school mass celebrating the Inauguration of our Student Council in their new positions for the year!
OAKWOOD SCHOOL By Scarlett Saldaña 9th Grade
After the students of Oakwood experience class trips around California, they begin to settle in to the new school year. First, the middle schoolers register for the Cal Arts program, in which students learn anything from ceramics to making a banjo out of household items. This program truly helps students meet their artistic side, especially potentially helping them find a new hobby or a class they can take in high school. Once students continue to work in their classes, the end of the trimester culminates into a Cal Arts showcase, displaying the middle schoolers’ hard work over the past months. For the next few weeks of September, some of Oakwood’s Asian, Latinx, and Rainbow Affinity groups will meet and spend a day together. These affinity groups for both parents and students allows the school to bond and come together, without interfering in each others busy schedules. The gatherings are also a great way to meet new friends, families, and faculty coming to Oakwood. Lastly, at the end of the month, all of Oakwood’s Performing Arts classes will present their work to the school. This includes dance, music, and the performance of theatrical work. This showcase will be a great ending to the month of September and a great way to show new families how Oakwood celebrates their community.
Authors speak on young adult reads at Chevalier’s Books
JOYFUL LEARNING is at The Center of everything. The Center is a diverse, dynamic independent school for children, toddlers through grade six. www.centerforearlyeducation.org West Hollywood, CA 90048 (323) 651-0707
It’s September; school has started and the author talks have multiplied at Chevalier’s Books, 126 N. Larchmont Blvd., as the bookstore revs up its fall schedule. Many of the titles discussed and recommended are either for young adults or for children, but are also enjoyed by adults, so read on for the schedule and ideas on what to get for your next read. Katharine McGee speaks on her book “American Royals,” an alternate history of what happened when George Washington became King of the United States Wed., Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. She shares the night with Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (The Fug Girls), who are authors of young adult books “The Royal We” and “Spoiled and Messy.” Children’s author and illustrator Molly Rutan reads from her book “I am a Thief!” Sun., Sept. 8 at 10:30 a.m., about a girl who learns how to make
things right after taking a sparkly green stone from a display table. Meet children’s author Stuart Gibbs as he reads from the first novel in a new series, “Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation,” Sat., Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. Grown-up reads Meet author Howard Michael Gould in conversation with Wendell Thomas, as they discuss “Below the Line,” Thurs., Sept. 5 at 7 p.m., about a former LAPD detective who comes back to the city to solve a Hollywood murder. Consider where morality comes from Tues., Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. with Phil Zuckerman, author of “What it Means to be Moral.” Meet Harris and Nick Katleman as they discuss their book on Hollywood, “You Can’t Fall Off the Floor,” Wed., Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. But there’s more! Visit chevaliersbooks.com for a complete schedule of events.
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It’s never too late, or too early, to prepare for the Big One
By Conrad Starr When the deadly Loma Prieta Earthquake struck in the Fall of 1989, La Brea Hancock resident Diana Eisele’s son had just started kindergarten at nearby Third Street Elementary. The new mom had questions: “What if the streets are ruptured, and there are fires in the neighborhood, and I and everyone on my emergency list can’t get to my child?” She learned “the state mandates that [schools] take care of your kids in an emergency, but there’s no money to really keep them safe.” So, in addition to fundraising, Eisele and a handful of other parents helped the school develop and implement a plan: “We issued each classroom a backpack with a class list and very basic supplies.” Eisele also asked every parent in the school to bring a Ziploc bag with a juicebox or water, a granola bar, an index card with emergency numbers, and a couple of family photos. She didn’t stop there. “We bought about 30 50-gallon water drums. One Saturday, we filled them all up.” When they were through, Third Street’s emergency cache included cases of granola bars and MREs (meals ready-toeat), emergency blankets, stretchers, chemical toilets, first aid supplies, dust masks, hard hats, flashlights and AM/ FM radios. “Every year, we wrote letters to parents in Korean and English to communicate how the plan had to work,” Eisele said. Thirty years later, Principal Gayle Robinson describes the culture of preparedness at Wilshire Crest School in Sycamore Square. “We have an earthquake drill every month,” she told the Chronicle. For the Great California ShakeOut each October, “Kids pretend they’re injured,” she said. “Some staff are assigned to the reunion gate, teachers are at the request gate…” Parents even participate in the drill. “About 95 percent of parents [provide] emergency kits for their kids, which we store in a bin in the classroom. Sometimes parents put in so many items, we have to get a second bin.” Each classroom is outfitted with a backpack with first aid, a flashlight, and emergency contact lists (crucial for evacuations). The school also has mapped out evacuation routes to other area schools. A walkie-talkie network lets them communicate with other cam-
puses even in a power outage or network failure. At Torath Emeth Academy on North La Brea, Principal Chana Zauderer said their earthquake drills have an element of surprise: “Teachers are not aware of the drill dates, so they have to think on their feet and be spontaneous.” She added, “We have a designated area in the office for emergency medication that can be grabbed at a moment’s notice.” Often there is a duplicate set in the classroom. “Parents should rest assured that administrators have taken measures to assure the safety and security of their children, who are as precious to us as if they were our own,” she told the Chronicle. As head of school at St.
PRINCIPAL Gayle Robinson of Wilshire Crest Elementary with an emergency backpack, located in each classroom.
James’ School, Peter Reinke said this past July’s earthquakes provided an opportunity to take a second look at their emergency plan: “to determine what was terrific… and what we could refine.”
“In a really serious natural disaster, families can be assured their children will be safe — with access to food, water, and supplies.” To deliver on this promise, St. James’ hired a consultant, “to really
ensure that we are ready.” He added they are “looking for ways to partner more fully with parent organizations.” Indeed, the school / parent partnership is essential. The Los Angeles County Emergency Survival Guide tells parents to “obtain a copy of the school’s disaster plan and include it in [the] Family Emergency Plan,” providing answers to essential questions: “Will my child be sheltered in place?... Do I know to what location my child might be evacuated?... Will I be able to send somebody else to pick up my child?” Family Emergency Plans should also ask tough questions like: “How will I get home if I can’t get my car out (Please turn to page 19)
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A trip of a lifetime: A family’s journey across eight countries St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum, Vatican, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. We also were fortunate enough to attend Pope Francis’s papal blessing. We then woke up at 3 a.m. to drive to the Amalfi Coast, which looked like a photo out of a travel magazine! After our time in Rome and the Amalfi Coast, we took a long car ride to visit the leaning Tower of Pisa. Three hours later by car, we had the chance
to see in Milan the famous work of Leonardo Da Vinci, “The Last Supper.” We also got to view the city of Milan from the rooftop of the beautiful Duomo Cathedral. Finally, our final destination for the day was Lake Como. The views from the rooftop of our hotel were breathtaking. The next day we visited nearby towns and cities; we even passed George Clooney’s house! In the movie “Casino
CHRIST THE KING SCHOOL
IN FLORENCE the Luzuriaga family saw the city’s best-known site, the domed cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore.
Transitional Montessori Kindergarten through 8th Grade
Please call the school (323) 462-4753 and schedule a tour of our campus: 617 N. Arden Blvd. L.A. 90004 Visit our website www.cksla.org
©LC0819
A challenging academic curriculum A strong spiritual and moral foundation An advanced technology program Competitive after-school sports An education of the Fine Arts and more.......
Royale,” the last scene showed James Bond in Villa Balbianello, where we got to visit. Next, we took a bus to Switzerland. We woke up at 3 a.m. to take a first-class train to visit six cities in one day. One of the cities, Geneva, was the place where the book “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelly was based. Later, in Bern, we visited the Zytglogge clock, a 15th-century astronomical clock tower. After Switzerland, we took a flight to Nice, France. We took a tour of Nice, Cannes and Monaco. My favorite would have to be Monaco, which had everything you can imagine: designer brands, fast cars, big hotels and yachts. We also drove by the famous Monaco Grand Prix, saw the Monte Carlo casino and visited the church where Grace Kelly got married. To the Carribean Following a very tiring trip across Europe, we prepared to set off on a relaxing seven-day cruise. But alas, we missed our flight to Barcelona which caused us to miss our connecting flight as well as our chance
to board the cruise ship. We decided to meet the ship at its first stop in St. Kitts, which meant we could stay in Barcelona for two days touring the city. Among other things, we visited the La Sagrada Familia, still under construction but beautiful with stained glass, carvings and many details. When we arrived on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, we toured the island and had the chance to see the beautiful view of two oceans meeting. And after a very stressful few (Please turn to page 17)
IN PISA the group gave its best effort to correct the leaning tower.
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By Marjorie Luzuriaga Summer is about having fun, spending time with family, and relaxing. And that’s exactly what my family did. With summer coming to an end, here is a recap of my trip of a lifetime, which included eight countries, 16 cities, two continents, three weeks, and one family. In Europe Our vacation started with a flight to Rome, the Eternal City. We visited all the tourist sites:
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Working to improve district one project at a time in many of our schools. We have also expanded early education by working with our partners at the Youth Policy Institute to successfully bring a new state preschool program to Van Ness Avenue Elementary. We are also investing in the need to keep facilities up-todate so that our students can thrive. One hundred of our city’s public schools will be more than 100 years old next year, and our district’s comprehensive modernization program is well underway to address critical facilities repairs and upgrades across the district. This $3.4 billion project encompasses upgrades and modernization of over 170 buildings to benefit approximately 40,000 students. In the Larchmont area, we are anticipating that the plans for the John Burroughs Middle School will be finalized at the end of this school year, with construction to start soon after. We know that school needs vary, and you can’t solve diverse issues with one-size-fits-all solutions. Great public schools ensure students achieve their fullest potential, not only by providing great classroom teachers and principals, but also by engaging parents, families, and community partners to collectively move the school forward. I’m looking forward to another year of spending time in schools, meeting with con-
Family trip
beautiful. Everyone was very nice while helping us tour the U.S. Virgin Islands. After that, we had another day at sea and then we stopped at CocoCay, one of the Berry Islands. The island is home to North America’s tallest water slide, at 135feet high. We had a perfect day on the small, amazing island! After CocoCay, it was time to head back to Los Angeles to get ready to go back to school. As an incoming freshman at Larchmont Charter, I am excited to see what the future holds for me. But I will never forget this trip of a lifetime. Marjorie Luzuriaga graduated last spring from Christ the King Elementary School and is an incoming freshman at Larchmont Charter.
(Continued from page 16) days coordinating travel, our family arrived at the biggest cruise ship in the world, the Symphony of the Seas. The ship is about 1,184 feet long! Stepping on the ship, we felt our stress melt away when we saw how big the ship was and all the things we could do. There were a mini-golf course, basketball courts, a zip line, the tallest slide at sea, a FlowRider, an ice skating rink, bionic drink bar, Central Park, and Starbucks! It took at least ten minutes to walk from one end of the ship to the other end. We spent a day at sea, and then we stopped at the island of St. Thomas, which was
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stituents, and making progress for all of our students — in the Larchmont neighborhood and throughout LAUSD. Nick Melvoin is a former L.A. Unified teacher who has served on the Board of Education since July 2017. Follow him at @nickmelvoin on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Right: LAUSD board member Nick Melvoin visits students at Santa Monica Boulevard Charter School.
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Cathedral Chapel School Archdiocesan State8th Academic 2017! through grade •Decathlon Honors MathChampions Program • Kindergarten & Math Program Kindergarten through grade •• Honors Accredited WASC8th & WCEA CYO Sports •• Fully SportsProgram Fully Accredited WASC &Access WCEA •• CYO •• Schoolwide 4G Internet Hot Lunch Hot Lunch Program Counseling Schoolwide 4G Internet Access •• Outreach Concern •• 36 MAC Computer Lab Concern 36 MACProgram Computer Lab •• Outreach •• Spanish Extended Day CareCounseling Extended Day Care SpanishSchool Program • •• Middle iPad Program • Junior High Academic Decathlon High Academic Decathlon K-8 iPad Program Junior High •• Junior •• Departmentalized Instrumental Music Program Departmentalized JuniorProgram High • Instrumental Music Program •• Classroom Art & Music Classroom Art & Music Program • Science Lab / Art Center • Tuesday Tours: Call for an appointment 755 South Cochran Ave., L.A. 90036 For Information (323) 938-9976 or cathedralchapelschool.org
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By Nick Melvoin It’s hard to believe that another summer break has come to a close. As your Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board member, I am excited to welcome all our families and staff back to an exciting new school year! Last month marked the beginning of my third school year since being sworn in to represent your families and the Larchmont-area school community. Throughout my campaign, and over the past two years, I have heard from constituents like you that our district must invest in innovation and put more dollars back into the classroom so that all our schools can succeed. We have worked hard to do just that — and will continue to do this work and make progress for all our public schools. Since I took office in 2017, we have invested more than $12 million in projects to benefit local schools in the Larchmont community, including multiple “bond grants” from our office to fund projects in your community based on individual school input. Our office, and the Board of Education, have funded water bottle filling stations to increase sustainability at Santa Monica Boulevard Charter School, new security features to keep students safe at Cheremoya Avenue Elementary and Hancock Park Elementary, and technology upgrades to promote innovation
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SEPTEMBER 2019
Frostig Center opens new school
By Billy Taylor Pasadena-based Frostig Center has opened a new school in West Los Angeles for children and teenagers with learning challenges, located on the campus of Bel Air Church, 16221 Mulholland Drive. Frostig School West, which opened last month, serves students with a wide range of learning and attention issues, including specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, as well as high functioning autism, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disor-
ianne Frostig, a pioneer in the field of learning disabilities who taught children in her West Los Angeles home. As the school grew, it relocated to a storefront on Melrose Avenue and later to a campus at the intersection of La Cienega and Venice boulevards. In 1979, the school moved to Pasadena, where its main campus remains. The school is accepting applications now for enrollment for the fall, and it will continue to do so on a rolling basis. Visit frostigschool.org
der) and anxiety. The school welcomed 20 students in its first month and plans to grow enrollment over time to include an upper elementary school, middle school and high school at the location. “The Frostig Center has a deep understanding of learning differences, and we look forward to sharing our expertise with a new community of families,” said Executive Director Dean Conklin. With the West Los Angeles campus, Frostig is returning to its roots. The Center was established in 1951 by Mar-
Music roundup: Oliver Tree, GoldLink and Blarf By Elijah Small Three new albums for your consideration. Happy listening, music lovers!
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Do You Feel Me Oliver Tree released Aug. 2 another EP (extended play record) “Do You Feel Me,” following his first EP, “Alien Boy,” and the wait was worth it. The new recording consists of alternative and hip-hop songs with some added indie undertones, which is a familiar sound for the Santa Cruz artist. The recording shines with songs like “Hurt,” “Miracle Man,” and “Do You Feel Me.” These songs, which include Tree’s unique style, work well; however, other songs, like Introspective, don’t work quite as well because they lack his
style. The song “Alien Boy” is great, but that song was on the last EP. Overall Oliver has done some great work. Review: 7.5 out of 10.
Diaspora Artist, singer and songwriter GoldLink is out with his second album, Diaspora. The album is a very simple yet diverse piece of art. Songs such as “Cokewhite” have rhythm changes that make them so good. Other songs, like “U Say,” don’t have as strong stylistic changes but are still very good. The album has a simple vibe feel with ambient piano, sampled drum loops, musical drops, and smooth jazzy bass. Yet also it feels very diverse, with every song differing from the last, while not dipping out of the album’s general theme. The album does lack in something important: a good beginning. The first five or six songs don’t stick out to me as much as the second half of the album, but it’s worth the wait. Review: 6 out of 10. Cease and Desist Comedian and songwriter Blarf, also known as Eric Andre, creator and star of Adult Swim’s “The Eric Andre Show,” has released a new
album. Cease and Desist is a very plain and simple compilation. The album does have an amazing first half, but a quite average second half. The comedic style on this album definitely sticks out in a good way. That is until the track, “I Worship Satan,” which runs 12 minutes and is just a recording of old bombs exploding; it is extremely boring and serves no musical purpose for the album. Following that song, the next two tracks also do not hold up well, both lacking structure. When the album finished, I physically felt tangled up and in a mess. Review: 5.5 out of 10. Elijah Small is a student at Pilgrim School.
Music Center’s free Spotlight Academy is Sun., Sept. 15
The Music Center’s Spotlight Academy, 135 N. Grand Ave., will offer a free day of performing arts workshops Sun., Sept. 15, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Visit musiccenter.org/ spotlightacademy. Deadline for submission for the Spotlight scholarship and arts training program is Mon., Oct. 14. Submission is free. Visit musiccenter.org/spotlight.
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Signups continue for Goldie’s Girls Basketball at St. Brendan Goldie’s Youth Sports All Girls Fall Basketball League with St. Brendan Basketball Association is open for regis-
tration through Mon., Sept 30. The league runs Oct 15 - Dec 15 for girls 5- to 15-years old. Games are held at St. Bren-
dan School, 238 S. Manhattan Pl. All skill levels welcomed. Visit goldiesyouthsports. com for information.
COACH Pamela Wright, far right, with members of the Division 9-10 team during a game.
Soccer ready to kick off at Pan Pacific Park and Fairfax High
The fall season of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Region 78 Hollywood-Wilshire opens Sat., Sept. 14 at Pan Pacific Park and Fairfax High. Games continue until the end of November and in early December. Registration has closed for both boys and girls in the 7U & up divisions, but remains open for younger kids during the first week of September. Registration will also remain open for younger Playground (born in 2016), Schoolyard (2015) & 6U (2014) divisions through Sun., Sept. 8, Kurt
Muller, Regional Commissioner AYSO 78 Hollywood, told us. Both Divisional League Champions and All-Star teams for the region will participate in Area League Championships and Area AllStar Tournaments in January. Register at ayso78.inleague.org. For more information, check out our website at ayso78.info.
Youth Symphony to perform at St. James’, LAX
The American Youth Symphony kicks off its 55th concert season at UCLA’s Royce Hall, 10745 Dickson Ct., Sun., Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. The free concert begins with Grammy-winning composer Joan Tower’s piece “Sequoia.” Gallia Kastner will play Sibelius’ violin concerto. The evening will culminate with Beethoven’s “Pastoral Symphony.” The AYS principal string quartet performs at St. James Episcopal Church, 625 S. St. Andrews Pl., Sun., Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. AYS Brass Ensemble opens the holiday season at Los Angeles International Airport Tues., Nov. 5 to Thurs., Nov. 7, at 11 a.m. and noon and Tues., Nov. 12 to Thurs., Nov. 14 at noon and 1 p.m. Specific locations at LAX will be announced in November. For more information, visit aysymphony.org/2019-20-season/.
Emergency prep (Continued from page 15)
of the parking structure? Or if the freeways are closed? Or if my maps app isn’t working? Where will my family safely reunite if we can’t go home? Who can we relay messages to others out-of-state… if intown phone lines in town are all jammed?” Looks like parents have some homework as well this fall. Let’s all set a good example and get it done on time. Conrad Starr is the president of the Sycamore Square Neighborhood Association, a Battalion 18 member of the Community-Emergency Response Team, and the Resilience Liaison for the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council; and he is uncle to a St. James’ School student.
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Larchmont Chronicle