What fun we have had this past week.  It is finally feeling like autumn.  Goodbye 100+ weather. The weather is cooling down and sweaters and scarves are quickly appearing.  Students and their families got in the 'fall spirit' starting on Friday, October 27th with the PTA Fall Festival.  Tons of great food, decorations, music, creative costumes, and sweet treats.  For the first time, we held a Trunk or Treat.  A number of rooms participated with awesome looking decorated trunks of vehicles or treat booths for students. Winners were: 1st Place - Jurassic Park Rm. 15; 2nd Place - Carnival Rm. 36; 3rd Place - Pirate Rm. 26; Honorable Mentions: Nightmare Before Christmas Rm. 14 and Tarantula Nest Rm. 18.  Thank you to all who planned, set up, and participated which made the evening a success.

On Tuesday, October 31st, students displayed their creative talents by decorating a pumpkin or other type gourd.  What fun the students had as the classes visited the Pumpkin Patch to admire the students handy work.  It was hard to pick favorites as they all were charming and, in some cases, scary!  Thank you families for participating and making our Pumpkin Patch fill with pumpkins.

Congratulations to this years Pumpkin Patch winners: Awards in this order: 1st Place Overall, 2nd Place - Most Original, Scariest, Funniest:  K/TK - Isabella C. Rm. 36, Sophia D. Rm. 37, Shevell R. Rm. 36, David B. Rm. 35; 1st Gr. - Adrian M-Z Rm. 32, Sophi R. Rm. 33, Dylan P. Rm. 32, Carlos T. Rm. 30; 2nd Gr. - Catelyn R. Rm. 22, Jayleen C. Rm. 23, Lucas V. Rm. 24, Max G. Rm. 22; 3rd Gr. - Julien R. Rm. 19, Sonya B. Rm. 15, Sophia M. Rm. 20, Jayden C. Rm. 18; 4th Gr. - Emily B. Rm. 24, Kayla T. Rm. 28, Kassandra P. Rm. 14, Anabel M. Rm. 9; 5th Gr. - Isabella R. Rm. 7, Alessia D., Rm. 7, Kaitlyn A. Rm. 8, Dayanara Rm. 8. 

Tuesday, also featured the much anticipated Costume Parade.  Both children and adults let the magic of imagination take over the campus.  Vintage was transformed into a land of mythical, magical, storybook, heroes, and other pretend characters.  DJ music accompanied the students and adults as they paraded around for all to admire their transformation. 

PHOTOS OF THESE EVENTS CAN BE FOUND ON OUR WEBSITE UNDER "PHOTOS - School Events".

 We want to know what you think about our school.  Please complete the School Experience Survey, and return completed form to your child’s teacher.  Classes with 100% of the surveys completed and returned will receive $10 Bear Dollars.

5 Minutes of Your Time = $10 Bear Dollars

• Only one parent survey per school is printed for each household.  If multiple students attending Vintage share a household, the parent survey is printed for and distributed to the oldest child only.
• Any parent who opts to complete the survey online should go to http://achieve.lausd.net/schoolexperiencesurvey and input the 10-digit parent code found on the top right corner of his or her parent letter.
  

Please return the paper survey by Wednesday, Nov. 15th

Queremos saber lo que piensan sobre nuestra escuela. Complete la Encuesta de Experiencia Escolar y devuelva esta forma completada al maestro de su hijo. Las clases con el 100% de las encuestas completadas y devueltas recibirán $ 10 Billetes de Oso.

5 minutos de su tiempo = $ 10 Billetes de Oso

• Solo se imprime una encuesta para padres por escuela para cada hogar. Si varios estudiantes que asisten a Vintage comparten un hogar, la encuesta para padres se imprime y se distribuye solamente al mayor.
• Cualquier padre que opte por completar la encuesta en línea debe ir a http://achieve.lausd.net/schoolexperiencesurvey e ingresar el código principal de 10 dígitos que se encuentra en la esquina superior derecha de su carta para padres.
  

 
 
Por favor regrese la encuesta en papel antes del Miércoles, 15 de noviembr

Vintage families...Looking for a fun, family outing.  Don't miss the free science festival being held at UCLA. The festival will be held from noon to 5 p.m. at UCLA’s Court of Sciences, with additional activities planned for 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., weather permitting. Guests can touch a meteorite, meet astronaut Anna Lee Fisher and learn from renowned scientists. It is free and open to the public; parking on campus is available for $12.  For further details, maps, and directions CLICK HERE.

Tuesday, October 31st at 12:45PM (CORRECTION TO TIME) students will gather in the upper grade playground to get into the magical mood of imagination and display their costume in a parade.  Vintage families are welcome to join them for this fun photo op.  Additionally, students may bring a decorated pumpkin to display on the grass area in front of the school library Tuesday morning, by 8 AM - remember to pick the pumpkin up at the end of the day. Please be sure to read the guidelines for important information for both of these events --> Click here for the flyer detailing these events.

1. Students are to BRING their costumes to school in a BAG. They are NOT to come to school dressed in 
costume. They will have time to put costumes on after lunch in their classroom.
2. Students must be able to put on their costumes without assistance.
3. Students must be able to wear costumes over the school uniform. In other words, they must be able to put on 
costumes over their clothes and change in the classroom.
4. Keep in mind that safety is our first concern. Costumes should not interfere with vision or mobility and should 
not include any items that could be hazardous to others (no makeup). NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND ARE 
ALLOWED ON CAMPUS. THIS INCLUDES TOY GUNS, KNIVES OR SWORDS.
5. No costumes/masks are allowed that hide the identity of the student (i.e., gorilla suit, “Scream” character, etc.)
6. All costumes should be age appropriate. Costumes which are graphically violent will not be allowed.

Tuesday, October 17th, LAUSD's School Board invited Vintage to attend their board meeting where Vintage was recognized as a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School.  Joining our school principal, Mrs. Nancy Mourao, were a sampling of the supportive parents and students who helped make this accomplishment happen.  The Vintage attendees were able to share what they felt made Vintage so special.   Below is the video of that board meeting.  Vintage's special recognition comes in at about "21" minutes.  Again, as a school, we want to thank all of our Vintage Community for making this recognition possible. 

Vintage Magnet's PTA will hold it's annual Harvest Festival on Friday, October 27th, 2017.  Doors will open at 5:30 PM until 8:00 PM.  A $1 per child donation at the door is appreciated.  There will be tons of fun for the family.  Trunk-or-Treating, DJ Dance Party, Haunted House, Photo ops, Food, and more!   You are invited to dress up but please no masks for safety reasons. 

Please support the event by donating a unopened bag of individually wrapped candy or a non-candy item some as bookmarks.  You can send the donations between October 16 -27.  Thank you!

Click here for flyer for Harvest Festival.

UPDATED 10/12/17:  Photos available for viewing. Thank you organizers (Mrs. Maar, Mrs. D. Hall, Mrs. Pacheco), staff, students, Vintage Families, and all others who made our Fall 2017 NASA Night a success.  We hope you all enjoyed the evening and our wonderful guest speaker.  Below are links to our photo albums celebrating this delightful evening.

Spacey Family Goodbye Cassini Photos:
http://www.vintagemagnet.net/school-events/spacey-goodbye-cassini-family-photos-nasa-night-2017

NASA Night - Fall 2017 Album
http://www.vintagemagnet.net/school-events/nasa-night-fall-2017

In case you missed last year's family photos....
NASA Night - Spring 2017 Out of this Word Family Photos
http://www.vintagemagnet.net/school-events/nasa-night-fall-2017
__________________________________________________________________________

Vintage families, it is time for our popular NASA Night event.  This fall, our Keynote speaker is William Munsch,  THAAD DACS Program Director from Aerojet Rocketdyne where they make rocket engines. These rocket engines are used for space launch, satellite station keeping, deep space exploration, and for many different military applications that protect our nation. The valley site produces the RS-68 engine that is the main propulsion for the Delta IV launch vehicle, the THAAD Divert and Attitude Control System, the Space Shuttle Main Engine that is being redesigned to be the main propulsion for NASA’s Space Launch System and numerous other programs.

In addition, here are some of the other sessions:

Spacey Goodbye Cassini Family Photos
Optical Illusion 
The Magic of Science
Pumpkin Structures 
Del Air Rockhounds 
Southwest Herpetologist 
Mad Science
Astromony Dome 
Society of Women Engineers 
Chalk Stencil Pumpkin Art 
Sweet Structures
Stacking Challenge

Food:
Kona Ice
Fratelli’s Pizza

So, join us starting at:
5:30 PM for food
6:00 PM for the guest speaker presentation (get to the auditorium early for a seat)
6:30 - 8:00 PM - Sessions around campus

  UPDATED:  Vintage Magnet has been designated as an Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing School for 2017 by U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. Vintage was one of 342 schools in the nation and one of 25 school in California to be recognized in 2017.

SAVE THE DATE:  Come help us celebrate on Friday, November 17th, 9AM.  Please print and return the RSVP/Save the Date form by October 27th to help us plan for this special event. RSVP Forms:   English     Spanish

CONGRATULATIONS TO STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND ALL STAFF MEMBERS FOR THIS AMAZING ACHIEVEMENT. We are the only elementary school in Los Angeles Unified in 2017 to receive this honor. It is beause of the hard work of our amazing teachers and an extraordinary amount of parental support! And of course, the academic achievement of our students!

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program award recognizes public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students either achieve very high learning standards or are making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. Vintage received this status for making notable improvements in closing the achievement gap. Since 1982, the U. S. Department of Education has sought out and celebrated great American schools. The National Blue Ribbon School award affirms the hard work of students, educators, families, and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging content.

I will be attending the award ceremony in Washington D.C. on November 7 and 8. We will celebrate our great achievement at a special event in November. More details will follow. 

Sincerely,
Principal Mourao

LAUSD Web Article:
http://home.lausd.net/apps/news/article/759782

Vintage Magnet, Harbor Teacher Prep Honored As National Blue Ribbon Schools

The award from the U.S. Department of Education affirms the hard work of creating a safe teaching and learning environment
LOS ANGELES (Sept. 29, 2017) - Two L.A. Unified schools – Vintage Magnet in North Hills and Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy in Wilmington – were named today as National Blue Ribbon Schools in recognition of their progress in closing the achievement gap.
 
The award from the U.S. Department of Education affirms the hard work of educators, students, families and school communities in creating a safe teaching and learning environment in which students can reach their potential. The honorees will receive their awards in November at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
 
“L.A. Unified continues to soar,” said Superintendent Michelle King. “Congratulations to the all of the students, faculty and administrators whose dedication and commitment to educational excellence is unwavering. This is a well-deserved honor for all.”
 
Chief Academic Officer Dr. Frances Gipson said the winning schools spotlight the personalized learning opportunities that are critical to student success.
 
“These two District exemplars epitomize innovation, partnership and school communities that believe, achieve, and are united in creating learning environments that are recognized at the highest level in the nation,” she said.
 
“We applaud the teamwork, urgency, and ‘Kids First’ focus of this year’s honorees,” said School Board President Mónica García. “Accelerating achievement is possible with commitment, hard work and love. Congratulations and thank you to the students, families, staff and partners for leading in Los Angeles and the nation.”
 
Located on the campus of Los Angeles Harbor College, Harbor Teacher Prep offers a dual-enrollment program that allows students to concurrently earn a high school diploma and community college degree. The 450-student high school also offers a rigorous STEAM curriculum for students who choose to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts or mathematics. The school boasts a graduation rate of 100 percent.
 
“If you visit Harbor Teacher Prep, you will see a caring, unified atmosphere where students develop the critical skills necessary for a successful life,” Principal Jan Murata said. “It is the combined efforts of the staff, students and community who create that atmosphere, and who make Harbor Teacher Prep such a special place. I am so proud of them all.”
 
“Harbor Teacher Prep Academy is adding another award to its already considerable list of achievements,” said Dr. Richard Vladovic, who represents the Wilmington area. “I could not be more pleased by the work being done by their teachers and administrators, and the impact they are having on the lives of their hard-working students. HTPA is achieving everything I could have hoped for when I worked to ensure the founding of this school.”
 
Vintage draws students from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds who are interested in its focus on math, science and technology. The schoolwide magnet offers hands-on learning activities and a cross-cultural curriculum, equipping its 800 students with skills for the 21st century.
 
“We believe that all students can achieve their dreams, no matter what their challenges or circumstances,” said Principal Nancy Williams-Mourao. “We work with teachers and parents to create a curriculum that is meaningful for students and that makes them want to learn.”
 
Vintage is a high-performing school, with strong supports and personalized instruction for English-learners and other students who may be struggling academically.
 
“This prestigious award reflects the hard work of our administrators, teachers and students and the commitment of our parents who have worked together to make Vintage a great school,” said School Board Member Scott Schmerelson, whose district includes Vintage. “I am proud of their accomplishments and excited about what the future holds for their students, who are our next generation of leaders.”
 
Keith Abrahams, executive director of Student Integration Services, credited the entire Vintage community for the success of the magnet.
 
“Vintage is the product of lofty expectations, a dedicated teaching staff and the desire to be the best at everything,” he said.
 
In addition to the District schools, Blue Ribbon honors were awarded to two independent charters authorized by L.A. Unified: Alliance Dr. Olga Mohan High School in Los Angeles; and KIPP Comienza Community Prep in Huntington Park.
 
Other Board of Education members added their congratulations to the schools.
 
"Congratulations to these students, families, teachers, and all school employees who go the extra mile every day and inspire us all to aim higher,” said Board Vice President Nick Melvoin. “We welcome the chance to celebrate the exemplary achievements of these honorees and will continue to learn from them as we accelerate the pace of improvement across the board."
 
“This is wonderful news for our teachers, students, parents and the District,” said Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III. “This award affirms the hard work of everyone who continues to create educational rigor in our schools.”
 
“I am so proud that KIPP Comienza Community Prep has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School,” said Board Member Dr. Ref Rodriguez. “This award honors the hard work of the teachers, staff, and parents who are working every day to close existing achievement gaps. KIPP Comienza’s mission to teach academic skills, cultivate character traits, provide learning experiences, and forge community relationships is proof that excellent schools can and will lead to thriving communities.”
 
“Congratulations to the educators, students, and families who are part of the four schools designated as Blue Ribbon Schools this year,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “These schools showcase the best of what the District has to offer to our families, demonstrating the immense potential of our students when given the right supports and resources.”
 
Contact: Shannon Haber (213) 241-6766Attached Files

•  NR_Blue Ribbon Schools_09.28.17.pdf
  

If you would like your child to attend Vintage Magnet or any other LAUSD Magnet School for the 2018-2019 school year, you must complete a Choices Application between October 2, 2017 and November 9, 2017 to be eligible.  Parents are encouraged to complete the Choices Application online at eChoices.lausd.net.  If you do not have internet, you may pick up a paper application at your local LAUSD school.  Please read the information below for details about who should apply and when.  Tours dates are also listed below.  Please share with friends and family who are interested in learning more about Vintage Magnet School.