Hi Longfellow Community! We know school looks and feels very different this year. These times are challenging our focus, energy, and resources as families. Like all of us, PTA is adapting too. We are in this together.
We are fellow Lion parents and PTA members Ann, Andy, and Celine. We want to acknowledge the hard work of the PTA in developing programs for students and families, and with that, activate all of us to contribute to strengthening those programs.
At the June 16th PTA meeting, we had a community discussion and began to examine ourselves and ask these questions: Do all parents really feel welcome at our PTA meetings and events? If not, why not and how can we change that? Who are we not reaching and why? Is our PTA community an anti-racist, truly inclusive one? Are our PTA programs? What can we do better to ensure we are serving all our students equally? The three of us volunteered to get the ball rolling.
A lot of people in the meeting had much to contribute to the conversation and really, all of us do! As such, Longfellow PTA has founded its first Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee, something our California state PTA encourages for all its districts: CAPTA Outreach, Diversity, & Inclusion toolkit CAPTA statement on racial justice & inclusion
At the heart of our Longfellow PTA effort is inclusion and support. We want everyone to be included, feel seen and supported, and we want to support our PTA work. We want to see our PTA Board, membership, sponsors, and programming reflective and affirming of our student body. Let’s look at our current programs through the lens of inclusion and equity for our students and families of color, LGBTQ+ community, and our students with disabilities. And in doing so, get more volunteers to help run those programs! Let’s do more intentional membership outreach and make meetings more accessible and welcoming for more parents. For our great PTA to run even better, we need more folks on board – and if there are road blocks for those folks, let’s figure out how to clear the path. For all our programs to reach more of our students in a meaningful way, we need to be intentionally inclusive with those programs.
One of the first steps was to hold a Virtual Community Conversation for anyone interested in joining in discussion with the Diversity & Inclusion Committee. This is town hall-style gathering for us to get to know each other and share our experiences with inclusivity and accessibility within PTA. We welcome everyone to join the conversation and for all of us to take communal ownership of it. We held this on July 28th via Zoom and it was an important first step. We had 29 attendees and the honest, open dialogue showed us that there is indeed work to be done – and that we have a community willing to be a part of it. Notes from the meeting will be shared soon, as well as actionable next steps, and likely there will be more Community Conversations to come.
We need more voices, we need more volunteers, we need more representation of our students. We need you. The time is now and we know so many of you care. Our Longfellow community is truly an awesome one. If this is our first or fifth or fifteenth year with Longfellow PTA, all of us can make it better.
Ready to jump in or just want more info?
Contact us at allofus@lblongfellowpta.org. We look forward to meeting you!
Ann Lall
Celine Malanum
Andrew Terranova
Join our active PTA Facebook group! Click here
Like our city's Long Beach Council PTA Facebook page! Click here!
Like our Council PTA's Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Facebook page! Click here!
And check out their great DEI resources page! https://linktr.ee/LBCPTADEIC
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Our first Longfellow PTA Community Workshop was held on November 17th, 2020. The topic was special education and IEPs.
Thank you to all who attended!
And a HUGE THANK YOU to our facilitator, Priya Bahl-Sen, Longfellow Lion parent alumni!
Please see below for a link to the PDF presentation.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
LBUSD Distance Learning Plan (DLP) Template
Special Ed Resources compiled by Priya
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Living List of Black History Month Resources
for Kids & Families
*coming soon...
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Living List of Native American History Month Resources
for Kids & Families
Visit NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.gov
Learn about the Tongva People at Rancho Los Cerritos
Learn about current local Native issues – Sacred land at CSULB
"California’s Office of Historic Preservation has sided with Native American tribes trying to force Cal State Long Beach to clean up construction debris dumped on Puvungna, a 22-acre parcel on campus considered sacred to the Gabrielino/Tongva tribe and others....
The latest controversy stretches back to last fall, when soil and construction material from a residence hall project was moved to Puvungna — land that parallels Bellflower Boulevard. That site is used by Native Americans for meetings and ceremonies, and has been a source of contention for more than a decade."
Mapping Indigenous LA: Placemaking through Storytelling
Indigenous LA is about how the original peoples of the Los Angeles- basin (and islands) relate specifically to this land and how subsequent relocations and migrations of indigenous peoples have reworked space, place, and the meaning of these new racialities and concepts of indigeneity. This project attempts to disrupt the linear and spatially flattened notion of Indigenous peoples who live in LA. That is, we are not presenting a historical narrative that begins with the maps made by the Spanish but rather hope to show that many Tongva have had consistent occupation in the region, not just those associated with the San Gabriel mission, and still reside in various parts of the city.
Take a day trip to Palm Springs and get to know the sacred lands of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians by visiting Tahquitz and Indian Canyons. Tahquitz Canyon is home to a 60-foot waterfall, rock art, ancient irrigation systems, and hikes to explore the native fauna and flora.
Visit the Tongva Exhibit in Heritage Park, Santa Fe Springs
Go to Boyle Heights and visit this mural of Toypurina, a young Tongva medicine woman who opposed colonial rule by Spanish missionaries and planned the 1785 rebellion against the San Gabriel Mission. Learn more here.
Find other Native public art & murals here and learn about Indian Alley in downtown LA here
Participate in the 45th ANNUAL AMERICAN INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL®
November 6-14, 2020
PBS Learning Media: Native American Heritage Collection
Take a fascinating look at Native American art, history, and culture as told through the historians, artists, students, and scientists in this featured resource collection. Also includes learning guides, lesson plans, and some Spanish resources
Check out "Molly of Denali" on PBS
Molly of Denali is the first nationally distributed kids’ show in the U.S. to feature a Native American lead. All Indigenous characters are voiced by Indigenous actors, including Molly, voiced by Alaska Native Sovereign Bill.
Visit Longfellow Bookshop's Suggested Reading List
10% of your purchase goes to our PTA "Read at Home" program!
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Mabuhay!
October was Filipino American History Month
Thank you for celebrating, Lions!
We will post your submissions here soon.
Living List of Filipino-American History Month Resources for Kids & Families
Right Here in Long Beach!
Filipino Migrant Center: www.filipinomigrantcenter.org
Filipino Children's Cultural Program: Kapwa Kids
Island Pacific Seafood Market (Filipino Grocery Store): www.islandpacificmarket.com/stores/listing/long-beach & Phil House turo turo restaurant inside 3300 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807
Tambuli Supermarket (Filipino Grocery Store & turo turo restaurant): 2520 Santa Fe Ave, Long Beach, CA 90810
Edna's Filipino Cuisine (turo turo): www.ednacuisine.com 2540 Santa Fe Ave., Long Beach, CA 90810
Gemmae Bake Shop (Bakery & turo turo restaurant): www.gemmae.com 1356 West Willow St, Long Beach, CA 90810
Kainan Sa Kanto: www.facebook.com/kainansakantolakewood 5521 Del Amo Blvd, Lakewood, CA 90713
Filipino-owned bookstore: Bel Canto Books 2122 E 4th Street, Long Beach CA 90814 (located inside The Hangout)
Filipino-owned clothing, jewelry, lifestyle shop: Native Sol 2018 E. 4th Street Long Beach, CA 90814
Close by! Historic Filipinotown in Los Angeles
Learn about it: Historic Filipinotown, Facts for Kids
"Visit it": Virtual Tour of Historic Filipinotown
History of Filipino-Americans
Filipino American National Historical Society: www.fanhs-national.org/filam
"Who Were the First Filipinos is America?": https://youtu.be/k3_105XQbOg
"Journey for Justice", Zinn Education Project: https://ufw.org/research/history/mexicans-filipinos-joined-together/
"Why It is Important to Know the Story of Larry Itliong":
"A Leader of Farmworkers, and Filipinos’ Place in American History":
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/21/us/larry-itliong-farmworkers.html
Important Current News about Filipino-Americans
"With the largest share of migrant nurses, entire U.S. Filipino Community hit hard by COVID-19": NBC News
Children's Book Lists & Activities
San Francisco Public Library "FAHM" Book List for Youth: http://ow.ly/kiaR50BSSdV
The Learning Basket’s Philippine Children’s Picture Books: Free Book Downloads and Activities!
https://diversebookfinder.org/
Filipino "Hands On Crafts for Kids": www.craftsforkids.com/projects/900/notes/902.htm
Filipino Arts & Culture
FilAM Arts: https://www.filamartsla.org/
LA County Library: Filipinotown Mural Activity
Filipino Cultural School (Norwalk, CA): www.filipinoculturalschool.org
Watch a Filipino folk dance, "Tinikling": YouTube
Filipino Museums & Cultural Centers
Filipino American National Historical Society Museum: www.fanhsmuseum.com
Filipino American Museum: www.filipinoamericanmuseum.com
Filipino Cultural Center of Los Angeles: Facebook
Bayanihan Community Center (Bay Area): www.bayanihancc.org
SOMA Pilipinas (Bay Area): www.somapilipinas.org
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Updates
11/3/20 – Added resources for Native American Heritage Month. Closed FAHM submissions. Deleted Family Survey info.
10/21/20 – Added resources and invitation to celebrate Filipino American History Month
10/6/20 – Added temporary announcement about 2020-21 Family Survey. Added Diverse Book List to Resource Round Up. Added links to California PTA and Long Beach Council PTA Diversity, Equity, Inclusion pages.
10/20 – Translation Team is founded! We have three founding members who are Spanish-speakers/readers/writers. We welcome more and also are actively recruiting Khmer speakers/readers/writers. Working with our counselor, Mrs. Reyes, to better understand and effectively reach out EL families. We hope our family survey can help better assess need as well. Please contact translate@lblongfellow.org if you would like to join or have questions.
8/11/20 – Added Special Education resources and Conscious Kids book recommendations list in Resource Round Up. Added updated Interest Survey to this page.
7/28/20 – Community Conversation held via Zoom with 29 participants. Notes with action steps to go out very soon. Plans in the works for focus area subgroup meetings and future Community Conversations.
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Resource Round Up
The work on this section has just started, and will always be in progress!
This section is for and by the community. Need resources or have some to share?
Please reach out so we can build this together: allofus@lblongfellowpta.org
Diverse Scholastic Book List
by Longfellow parent / YA author, Elise Bryant
bit.ly/LongfellowDiverseVoices
These books were specially curated for our Fall 2020 Scholastic Book Fair. These are Scholastic books featuring stories from diverse characters and are hyper-linked to Scholastic.com
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Social Justice Book Lists from Teaching for Change
https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/
"More than 60 carefully curated Multicultural and Social Justice Book lists for children,
young adults, educators, and parents."
Book Lists from The Conscious Kid
https://www.theconsciouskid.org/black-authors
"We are an education, research, and policy organization dedicated to equity and promoting healthy racial identity development in youth. We support organizations, families, and educators in taking action to disrupt racism in young children."
Book Lists from The Conscious Kid
https://www.theconsciouskid.org/antiracist-childrens-books
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Special Education / Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Information
Source: Priya Bahl-Sen, attorney specializing in Special Education law, Longfellow parent
www.hope4familiesca.org // www.bahlsenlaw.com
*Download this as a Word doc from Google Drive - click here*
What Are Some Issues That My Child May Be Experiencing, Which Might Require Additional Support In The Classroom?
To Request An Initial Assessment For Special Education Services:
Parents may start the assessment process by making a written request for assessment when they have concerns their child, ages 3 up to the age of 22, who may need special education. A school may also make a referral for assessment by requesting written permission to evaluate your child. The purpose of the evaluation is to see if he or she has a disability and requires special education services.
To request assessment to determine whether your child is eligible for special education services, submit a written letter to your school administrator.
You will want to retain proof of the letter’s delivery. Consider asking that your letter be date stamped at your school office and a copy of this given to you before you leave. Another option is to fax your letter and print your “successful transmission” fax report and follow up by phone to ensure the letter was received.
A written letter triggers an important timeline under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) law:
From the time the school district receives your letter, the school district has 15 calendar days (not counting calendar days of school vacation in excess of five schooldays) to consider your request. If they refuse, they must provide you with a written notice explaining the reason. If they agree, they will present you with an Assessment Plan for your consent.
From the time you consent to the Assessment Plan, the district has 60 days, including weekends, (not counting calendar days of school vacation in excess of five schooldays) to assess your child and hold the first Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting to consider eligibility.
In an initial IEP meeting, you and administrative, educational, and assessor team members will discuss the assessment results and make a determination whether the child qualifies for special education services. If your child qualifies, an IEP document will be developed.
Overview of Special Education Services
Special Education is a set of services provided to students who experience exceptional learning needs. Governed by federal law (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA), special education is defined as: “Specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.” Special education services may be provided across a variety of educational environments to students who have an individualized education program (IEP).
Eligibility for special education services requires that students have an identified disability that impacts their ability to learn and requires additional services and resources to effectively participate in school. Children who typically qualify for special education services include those with the following disabilities:
Under the law, the IDEA ensures that regardless of a student’s disability or level of severity, schools must provide an appropriate education to ALL children with a disability (ages 3-21). It also requires that the following six principles be provided for students who receive special education services:
Special Education Resources
LBUSD Resources – Special Education Parent Information:
https://www.lbschools.net/Departments/Special_Education/parent_info.cfm
LBUSD Parent’s Rights Handout:
https://www.lbschools.net/Asset/Files/Special_Ed/SE-Parents-Rights-2017-EN.pdf
Long Beach Community Advisory Committee:
https://www.lbschools.net/Departments/Special_Education/what-is-cac.cfm
Information On Learning Disabilities:
Mindshift Guide To Understanding Dyslexia:
https://kqed-org-assets.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Mindshift-Guide-to-Understanding-Dyslexia.pdf
Learning & Thinking Differences:
https://www.understood.org/pages/en/families/?_sp=e86267a4-a304-4775-aa56-874f9210f4c8.1596224129837
California Department of Education:
California Department of Education information on Special Education law and procedures as well as links to related forms:
https://www.dgs.ca.gov/OAH/Case-Types/Special-Education/Self-Help
California Dept. of Education List of Low-Cost or Free Attorneys & Advocates for Special Education
