Dear Lampson Families,
As we begin another exciting school year, I would like to once again welcome back all families and extend a warm welcome to our many new families to Lampson Elementary School, a place that is rooted in its community and fosters critical thinkers today to solve tomorrow’s challenges.
Our Lampson TEAM has been working tirelessly preparing to make our students' distance learning experience an incredible one. I cannot be any prouder of our Lampson community as you have been extremely patient, flexible, and supportive. In accordance with state guidelines, our school district started the 2020-21 school year in phase 1- 100% distance learning. We cannot transition into phase 2 until Orange County remains off the state’s COVID-19 monitoring list for 14 consecutive days. Today (August 27, 2020) is day 5. Lampson and our school district have been working hard to ensure that all CDC and county guidelines are fully implemented to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
By now, our teachers have shared our Lampson Phase 2 survey with you. The link to the survey is below. This is the most important step as we prepare for phase 2. Your immediate responses will provide valuable information as we continue to prepare for phase 2. All parents (even those who have completed the district survey) must complete this survey for each student attending Lampson. DEADLINE TO COMPLETE THIS SURVEY: Friday, August 28, 2020.
Survey Link: https://forms.gle/TAoNJnoHi71iiwkb7
Despite the challenges that we face, this promises to be a year filled with incredible opportunities for our students as we strive to find ways to fulfill our school vision- Fostering critical thinkers today to solve tomorrow's challenges. We embark on this journey with a pledge to you, our students, and parents, that this will be a year of engaging, meaningful, and rigorous work in our classrooms.
We will continue to build upon and refine our classroom instruction, professional development, and on-going progress monitoring of our students. Our Lampson family is composed of highly qualified professional educators and support personnel who are committed to providing our students with a safe learning environment.
We are truly excited about the upcoming school year and the great things that will continue happening at Lampson Elementary. I hope that Lampson provides ALL our students with a well-rounded education, not just academically, but one that will teach them valuable life lessons. I know what a great education can do to change the life of a student. I know because I lived it. My moral compass leads me to pay it forward to our students, our future, and my community. Here is to another incredible new school year as we work together to make Lampson a great learning institution.
For our latest school information and happenings follow us on Twitter and Instagram @Lampson Leopards, Facebook @LampsonElementary, or visit our website at https://www.orangeusd.org/lampson-elementary-school-k-5.
Student Placement
A great deal of time, effort, and thought has gone into the process of student placement for the 2020-21 school year. Careful consideration was given to input from our staff. Classrooms have been balanced academically and socially. Our class lists are structured to provide equitable class sizes at each grade level. Moving students is difficult without causing imbalances and inequities. Please keep in mind that I cannot make any changes during the first ten days of school. After the ten days, each parent request will be considered but such requests are not guaranteed.
Thank you so much for being positive with your child and helping them understand that it is impossible to place all students with a preferred friend or teacher. Our entire staff works hard to make school a positive experience for ALL students. Lampson is eagerly looking forward to enriching your child’s life. Thank you for understanding that it can take a few weeks for a child to acclimate to a new grade, peer group, and/or teacher.
AVID Elementary
Lampson Elementary is an AVID Elementary School. This means that our entire Lampson team uses AVID Elementary strategies in their instruction. This past summer, our 1st and 2nd grade teams attended AVID's Virtual Summer Institute.
By teaching and reinforcing academic behaviors and higher-level thinking at a young age, our teachers create a ripple effect in later grades. AVID Elementary will help our students develop the academic habits they will need to be successful in middle school, high school, college, and careers in an age-appropriate and challenging way. Our students will learn about organization, study skills, communication, and self-advocacy. Our students will also learn to take structured notes, ask and answer high-level questions that go beyond routine answers, and will be encouraged to begin thinking about their college and career plans.
Title 1 Parent Information
Lampson is a Title I school. Title I is the largest federal program for public schools. Our school is designated Title I based on our population of disadvantaged children who receive Free or Reduced lunch. The funds received are used to help all of our students in meeting challenging academic standards. Title I is the federal government commitment to closing the achievement gap between low income and moderate to high income students. Funds are used for the following:
- Resource Teachers
- Academic programs (after school, staff development, and instructional materials)
- Parent involvement opportunities
- Community Assistants in the office
- Instructional coach
Parents' Right to Know: For All Parents of Students at Title 1 Schools
As a parent of a student in the Orange Unified School District, under the Every Student Succeeds Act, you have the right to know the professional qualifications of the teachers who instruct your child. The Every Student Succeeds Act gives you the right to ask for the following information about each of your child’s classroom teachers:
- Whether the teacher has met State qualification and licensing criteria for the grade levels and subject areas in which the teacher provides instruction.
- Whether the teacher is teaching under emergency or other provisional status through which State qualification or licensing criteria have been waived.
- The baccalaureate degree major of the teacher and any other graduate certification or degree held by the teacher, and the field of discipline of the certification or degree.
- Whether the child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.
If you would like to receive any of this information, please contact Mr. Angel at (714) 997-6153.
Your Right to a Free and Appropriate Education
Article IX, Section 5 of the California Constitution states: “The Legislature shall provide for a system of common schools by which a free school shall be kept up and supported in each district.” The California State Supreme Court held that this provision prohibits public schools from charging mandatory fees for curricular and extracurricular educational activities. This decision affects our students in several areas.
Art Projects: All students must be provided with the supplies to complete art projects. Once projects are completed, students may be charged the cost of supplies if they wish to keep the item. Students may not be charged for food items prepared as part of the class.
Binders/Notebooks, Class Materials: Teachers may recommend optional materials, provided there is no penalty for students not having these items. No fees may be required for participation in a class or use of supplemental novels, workbooks, or supplies.
Fieldtrips/Outdoor Science School: Schools may charge fees in connection with school-related field trips and Outdoor Science School as long as no student is denied the opportunity to participate. In the case of Outdoor Science Education, an alternative activity must be provided for students who choose to stay home.
Donations: Donations are voluntary only. There will be no negative impact on failing to donate. Programs may be canceled or modified if financially unfeasible given the level of donation.
Drug Education
Per California Education Code 51260, “parents shall receive notice of the program of instruction required by existing law in the elementary and secondary schools on drug education and the effects of the use of tobacco, alcohol, narcotics, dangerous drugs, and other dangerous substances". All students in 1st through 6th grade receive a program of instruction on drug education and the effects of the use of tobacco. Lampson Elementary School utilizes "Too Good for Drugs" (TGFD) as the prevention program that is designed to reduce students' intention to use alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs while promoting prosocial attitudes, skills, and behaviors. The program seeks to build the self-confidence of students so they are better able to make healthy choices and achieve success. Promoting positive, prosocial attitudes and fostering healthy relationships is a running theme throughout the program’s curriculum. Overall, TGFD seeks to develop positive peer norms; appropriate attitudes toward alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use; knowledge of the negative consequences of alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use; and finally the knowledge of the benefits of living a drug-free lifestyle. If you have questions about the program in a specific grade, please contact your child’s teacher. They will be happy to discuss this program with you.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT SCHOOL SITE COUNCIL’S PURPOSE IS?
Composed of the principal, staff and parents, our School Site Council (SSC) provides a forum for all of the major players in the school to come together to identify common goals and establish a plan to achieve these goals. The Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) was established as a way to increase school-wide effectiveness, improve student achievement and, over time, better prepare students to be responsible citizens. The School Site Council is the vehicle by which the school community comes together to chart the school’s path to improvement and make significant decisions affecting the instructional program of the school.
School Site Council will be revising and approving our Single Plan for Student Achievement. The content of this school plan is aligned with our school goals, which are based upon an analysis of local measures of student achievement.
Lampson Elementary School
AVID Certified School
Common Sense Certified School
College and Career Early Awareness Programs
Lampson weLAB - we Learn, we Apply, we Build
Lampson i2Lab for Imagination and Integration
2019-2021 National PTA School of Excellence
2016 California Gold Ribbon School
2016 Title I Academic Achievement School
Email: LampsonPrincipal@orangeusd.org
Website: https://www.orangeusd.org/lampson-elementary-school-k-5
Location: 13321 Lampson Avenue, Garden Grove, CA, USA
Phone: (714) 997-6153
Facebook: facebook.com/LampsonElementary
Twitter: @LampsonLeopards
