In what was either an abundance of confidence, or a severe lack of judgment, Germain St. Elementary School Principal Sonya Ugarte promised last year’s student body that she’d “take a pie-to-the-face” if the school’s API (Academic Performance Index) score increased by just 12%. Instead, students boosted the school’s score to 13% — perhaps expecting a cherry on top. True to her word, Principal Ugarte not only took a pie-to-the-face this morning, but — decked-out in protective attire — she invited all families to witness, and even let one lucky child do the dirty work.

According to the California Department of Education, “The API Report is required by the state’s PublicSchools Accountability Act (PSAA) of 1999. This report shows how much a school is improving from year to year based on its API. A school’s API is anumber that ranges from 200 to 1000 and is calculated from the results for each school’s students on statewide tests. The state has set 800 as the API target for all schools to meet.”

Thanks to this year’s API score of 850, Germain St. Students and their teachers have earned the school a state-wide letter grade of “A”, surpassing state performance targets. According to our school’s report, every demographic and socioeconomic group scored above performance targets, so every Germain St. family should be very proud. However, our school’s greatest API increases have been achieved from the previous year’s lowest scoring students — a whopping 4-times higher than their growth target! It’s really quite an achievement, and it proves that every child can excel with the right support and motivation.

Covered in cream pie, Mrs. Ugarte promised students that she would top this year’s event for a 20% API increase. It seems a face-full of dairy will make even the most optimistic principal a little more conservative.

Also announced this morning: “Open Mondays!” Beginning in October families are encouraged to join students and faculty on campus for Monday morning assembly and coffee at the NEW conveniently located school-yard-adjacent Parent Center. This is a weekly opportunity to learn about upcoming events, student and family activities, witness student-lead presentations, and get to know other Germain St. families. We look forward to seeing you there!

For those who missed it, check out the YouTube video, and the rest of the photos below. (All graciously shot and submitted by Germain St. parents.)

 

Photo Credit: Rena Durham. Rena is a professional photographer, and proud mother of a Germain St. Elementary Student. You can see more of her work at RenaDPhotography.com.

Click to see all styles.

This year we have changed the color and logo.
We are also offering a larger choice of items:

• Short sleeve T-shirts are 100% Pre-Shrunk Cotton (heavyweight 6.1oz).
• Short sleeve Polo shirts (Youth 65% cotton/35% poly/5 oz) –
• Hooded Zip up Sweatshirts are 50% cotton/50% polyester (Youth 7.8oz/Adult 9 oz).
• Sport shorts are 100% polyester mesh (2.1 oz)

All these must-have garments are available in navy blue with an ALL NEW LOGO printed in green.

(Adult 100% Pre-Shrunk Cotton heavyweight 6.1oz)

Click HERE to PURCHASE! All proceeds benefit our students.

Want to ADD this calendar to yours? Just click the “+ Google Calendar” button above.

Unfortunately, CBS & NBC — who both called PTA representatives yesterday — were otherwise occupied this morning with North Hollywood High-School’s 6AM bomb scare. (http://cbs2.com/local/suspicious.package.North.2.1757114.html)

While it is unlikely that anyone would begrudge the media’s choice between the two events, there was an interesting tie-in: The suspicious wired box — suspicious enough that it was handled by LAPD’s bomb-defusing robot — was discovered by an on-site groundskeeper, hours before children arrived at school this morning. Had he not been on-campus this morning, it’s entirely possible that the first person to find the box might have been a student.

We value the work of every individual who contributes to the education and well-being of our children. While every teacher stands to improve the lives and livelihoods of  his or her students — as proven this morning in North Hollywood — there are some staff who’s presence not only contribute to educational objectives, but who’s very presence impacts the health and safety of the entire campus.

If you haven’t signed the petition yet, or you know others in the community who would like to, please click on the link below and print a copy. The signed copy can be dropped off in the PTA mail box at school any time through the end of next week.

Click HERE to download petition.

We have word that tomorrow morning, between 7:30 & 8:00 am, CBS and NBC news may be coming to report on our school’s fight to keep our plant manager, Dorothy Allison. Thanks to you, we have already collected hundreds of signatures. Now we need you and your children to join other families and show the LAUSD that our kids’ health and safety is non-negotiable. We encourage you to bring a mop or broom to school tomorrow morning, as a symbol of how important it is that we keep our school, and its staff and children working productively through these budget cuts.

This event was planned, in coordination with the media, to occur before school hours, so our children can go about their day. But, we do encourage you to involve them in the democratic process, in anticipation that next year they’ll have the opportunity feel pride in knowing that they contributed to their own education and well-being.

Please call into the school office (818-341-5821) if you can volunteer for any of these times.  It can be for an hour or so on any day you can spare the time.  We appreciate the help!

Actress Jennifer Taylor, from CBS TV's "Two and a Half Men", and Germain's-own Donna Lacour, kick-off Germain Street Elementary School's Red Ribbon Week.

This week our students will be participating in the following activities:

Monday, Oct. 26: Hands Off Drugs! Every student will be receiving a special “Hands Off Drugs” homework assignment.

Tuesday, Oct. 27: Pledge Day. Students will receive a wrist band when they pledge to “Live Drug Free”.

Wednesday, Oct. 28: Sock It To Drugs! Students are encouraged to wear crazy, funny, mismatched or bright colored socks to school.

Thursday, Oct. 29: Red Rally Day. Students can show their “Live Drug Free” spirit by wearing something red.

Friday, Oct. 30: Red Ribbon Themed Door Decorating Contest. A raffle will be held to decide the winners, among all participating classrooms. Grand prize will be pizza from Round Table Pizza!

Also Friday: remember to bring costumes and decorated pumpkins for the costume parade and pumpkin decorating contest. Red Ribbon raffle will be held during the costume parade.

Germain St. Mustangs: Drug Free is the Key!

This Saturday & Sunday, October 23 & 24
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Devonshire Police Station: 10250 Etiwanda Ave., Northridge
(By Northridge Park)