Green Dot California Updates
October 12, 2022
Families,
For the last 10 weeks, we have been thrilled seeing the academic progress our students have made in each of our classrooms. We have so much to look forward to this semester, and we look forward to your continued support and partnership in our mission to prepare all students for success in college, leadership, and life.
This week, we have a few updates that we would like to share with you regarding network-wide celebrations, progress reports, and more.
Network Celebrations
Our schools are founded on the belief that recognition of diversity and investment into history help our school communities grow as we help students pave paths for success. This is why our schools took a special moment to celebrate Latino Heritage Month. While we celebrate our communities all year long, our schools have made space to help our students explore and reflect upon the unique contributions the Latino and Hispanic communities have made in education and our lives.
October also holds several other celebrations that are dear to our Green Dot family and the broader education community. October also kicks off National Principals Month, where schools across California honor the different ways principals have impacted our lives in education. If you have a note to share with your principal, this is an exceptional time to share it!Lastly, our schools acknowledged how our teachers have transformed education during World Teachers Day on Wednesday, October 5.
Parent Teacher Conferences and 10 Weeks Progress Reports
This month, our schools will open their campuses for parent teacher conferences to discuss student progress at the 10-week mark. Later this month, our schools will mail physical copies of your child’s 10-week progress reports. Please reach out to your child’s school regarding any questions that you may have on parent teacher conferences or progress reports.
School Safety
Families, as you all know, the safety and wellbeing of our students remain our network’s top priority. As you may be aware, our nation is experiencing an overdose epidemic that has disproportionately targeted young people. The California Department of Public Health reports that fentanyl, a fatal synthetic opioid, is related to many overdose incidents that involve youth.
It is up to our schools, communities, and families to be as vigilant as ever to ensure all students have access to a safe, distraction-free learning environment.
Recently, the California Department of Public Health released an alert about a new trend involving brightly-colored fentanyl that can easily be mistaken for candy, chalk, and other familiar items.
According to the department: “Rainbow fentanyl can be found in many forms, including pills, powder, and blocks that can resemble sidewalk chalk or candy. Any pill (regardless of its color, shape, or size) that does not come from a health care provider or pharmacist can contain fentanyl and can be deadly.”
For more information about fentanyl, please see the following resources:
- Rainbow Fentanyl Alert – California Department of Public Health
- Fentanyl Awareness – United States Drug Enforcement Administration
- What Is Fentanyl – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Families, our schools look forward to working with you to prepare all students with the tools necessary for success in college, leadership, and life. Together, we will continue to promote joy and curiosity throughout each of our classrooms.
Sincerely,
Dr. Cristina de Jesus
CEO & President of Green Dot Public Schools California
Important Information
- Full-day, in-person instruction — five days a week.
- New health and safety protocols to keep your child safe.
- More social, academic, and emotional support for your child.
- Transparent data on Covid-19 testing available to all stakeholders.
- New, personalized accelerated learning opportunities.
Health & Safety
Click here for up-to-date Covid-19 data across our schools.
Click here to see our notice on Monkeypox
Click here to see our the Covid-19 health and safety policies for our schools.
Click here to see our Covid-19 health and safety policies for our teachers and staff.
Click here to see our Covid-19 health and safety policies for our students.
Click here for Los Angeles County Department of Public Health information on Covid-19 vaccines.
What You Can Expect This School Year
- In-Person Instruction: Students learn the best in the classroom with their peers. This year, we’ve made adjustments to our classroom settings to make our classrooms the safe, interactive, and fun learning environments that you remember. All students are invited back to campus this year.
- Five-Day School Week: This school year, all students will be in the classroom five days a week with full instructional days. Our high-quality teachers will also offer after-school office hours for additional classroom support.If you or your child is hesitant to return to campus, please contact your principal.
- Advisory Courses: In our Advisory courses, students have a safe space to build positive relationships, prepare for their classes, and develop college-ready skills outside of their core classes. All students are pre-enrolled into our Advisory courses at the beginning of the school year.
- Counselors Ready to Serve: Our academic counselors are here to help our students achieve their personal, academic, and college goals. With in-person instruction, students now have direct, face-to-face access to counselors to help them with college admissions, academic planning and any mental health or socioemotional needs.
- Mental Health Providers: At Green Dot we have at least one, full-time school psychologist serving every school, every school day. Our school psychologists ensure our students have a healthy balance of academic and personal expectations so they can be successful and help our students plan around obstacles to learning. We also have a full team of clinical social workers supporting students in need of additional support.
- Face Masks: Proper face coverings will be required for all students, staff, faculty, and teachers while on campus regardless of vaccination status. Masking will not be required while eating or drinking during lunch and nutrition; while playing sports; or while physically distancing outside.
Our masking policy will remain in effect until guidance from leading health agencies deem otherwise. Your child’s school will send a complete list of inappropriate face coverings. Our school staff will provide safe and approved masks to any students who do not have one.
- New Signage: Our campuses are equipped with new signage to indicate when social distancing and masks will be required.
- Covid-19 Screening: All students, teachers, faculty, staff, and visitors will be screened before entering any school campus.
- Continued Covid-19 Testing: Students, teachers, faculty, staff, and visitors who show symptoms related to Covid-19 will be required to take a Covid-19 test. Every school will have self-administered testing kits available to any person who needs to be tested. In a measure of precaution, we will periodically test all students and staff for Covid-19 throughout the school year.All students, teachers, staff, and faculty who are present on our campuses owned by the Los Angeles Unified School District will be tested weekly.These school sites include: Ánimo Jackie Robinson Charter High School, Ánimo Legacy Charter Middle School, and Locke College Preparatory Academy.
Please contact the main office of your child’s school to learn more about how we’re keeping our students safe.
- Covid-19 Vaccination: All students 12 and older are encouraged to make vaccine appointments. You can visit the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health website to learn more.
To prioritize the health and safety of our learning communities, we are asking students to voluntarily submit Covid-19 vaccination documentation to our schools. Our school staff will contact you so you can learn more about how this voluntary action can keep our schools safe.
Since May of 2021, we have partnered with United Parents & Students and St. John’s Well Child & Family Center to turn our schools into temporary and accessible vaccination sites. So far, we’ve helped over 3,500 people across South and East Los Angeles to get vaccinated.
- 2:1 Computer Ratio: This fall, all Green Dot students will have two computers: one to keep at home and one to use at school.
- Fall Bridge: During Advisory courses and in select classes, students will have the opportunity to reacclimate to school and reconnect with their peers to jumpstart the meaningful, in-person relationships they have missed.
- High-Impact Tutoring: Select students will be eligible for high-impact tutoring in math to accelerate learning as they return to school.
- Building Meaningful Relationships: In each of their classes, students will have the opportunity to rekindle friendships with their peers in person.
- Expanded Learning: Our afternoon clubs and activities will return to our schools. Through our Expanded Learning program, we will offer over 100+ live virtual clubs through our partners at arc, Educare Foundation, Woodcraft Rangers, and the Just Keep Livin’ Foundation. Students will also be able to participate in select clubs in person, after school. Please reach out to your child’s school to learn more.
- Athletics: It’s game time! Following the latest guidance from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, our sports will resume normal scheduling. Please reach out to your child’s school to learn how you can enroll your child into intramural and competitive sports today.
- For any additional questions, please contact the main office of your child’s school.
Community Resources - Call 211 for 24/7 assistance
Please visit https://www.211la.org/resources for a directory of resources by category or call 211 for individual support finding the resources you need!
Unemployment Resources
Employment Development Department
888.745.3886
The EDD provides a variety of support services to people who have lost their jobs, had their hours reduced, or had their businesses affected due to the impacts of COVID-19 in California.
Learn about the rights of undocumented workers here >> https://legalaidatwork.org/factsheet/undocumented-workers-employment-rights/
If you become ill due to COVID-19:
If you’re unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim. DI provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week.
Learn about the rights of undocumented workers here: https://legalaidatwork.org/factsheet/undocumented-workers-employment-rights/
School Closures
If your child’s school is closed, and you have to miss work to be there for them, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Eligibility considerations include if you have no other care options and if you are unable to continue working your normal hours remotely.
If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim. UI provides partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced, through no fault of their own.
The Governor’s Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect UI benefits for the first week you are out of work. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.
LA’s New Job Portal:
Central and East LA
Boyle Heights WorkSource
1505 East 1st Street, Los Angeles CA 90033
323-267-5930
Wilshire WorkSource Center
3550 Wilshire Boulevard, #500, Los Angeles CA 90010
213-365-982
South and West Los Angeles
Watts WorkSource Center 2220 East 114th Street, Los Angeles CA 90059
323-249-7751
Vernon Central at LATTC WorkSource Center
400 West Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90015
213-763-5951
South LA WorkSource Center
1512 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90047
(323) 730-7900
Get Ready for Taxes: What’s new and what to consider when filing in 2021
The current deadline to file taxes for 2020 is April 15, 2021.
Housing
LA-HOP is designed to assist people experiencing homelessness in LA County with outreach services
Homeless Shelters
Families with Children:
- Metro LA: PATH → 323-644-2200
- East LA: The Whole Child → 562-204-0640
- South LA: SSG/HOPICS → 323-948-0444
- West LA: St. Joseph’s Center → 310-694-6035
Youth (If you are a young person living on your own and need stable housing.)
- Metro LA: LA LGBT Center → 323-860-3619
- East LA: Jovenes, Inc. → 323-260-8035 x102
- South LA: CRCD (Coalition for Responsible Community Development) → 213-743-6193
- West LA: Safe Place for Youth (Venice) → 310-902-2283
Women
- Guadalupe Homeless Project Women’s Shelter
135 North Mission Road Los Angeles, CA 90033
Phone: 323-604-9985
Hours: After 4 pm until space is exhausted
- Volunteers of America Center for Life
8770 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90003
Phone: (213) 529-0926
Men
- Volunteers of America – Pathways to Home
3804 Broadway Place Los Angeles, CA 90037
Phone: 323-231-1711
Maternity Shelters
- Casa de Los Angelitos
954 Koleeta Drive, Harbor City
Phone 310-325-8208
- Community’s Child
25520 Woodward Ave., Lomita
Phone 310-534-4040
LA City Covid Housing Resources
Resources for Tenants >> https://hcidla2.lacity.org/residents
Inner City Law Center:
(213) 891-2880
SAJE:
213-745-9961
Eviction Defense Network:
(213) 385-8112
Legal Aid Foundation Los Angeles:
(800) 399-4529
Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA)
LAHSA is working with the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health along with the Department of Health Services, Department of Mental Health and other key Federal partners to promote effective hygiene, to prevent and address potential Coronavirus infections among those experiencing homelessness, and how to keep staff safe.
Call at 800-548-6047
Social supports
211 LA Food Resource Directory >> https://211la.org/resources/subcategory/food
FoodFinder
A web and mobile app that helps you find your closest food bank.
LA Food Bank
An online food locator that can find a nearby food pantry.
Everytable
Healthy, affordable grab and go meals are available for purchase at 7 Stores that remain open across LA County. These sites offer curbside pick-up or delivery within a 3 mile radius.
- Apply for Calfresh in 10 minutes – get up to $192 a month per household member on an EBT card.
- Apply for WIC Online or text APPLY to 91997.
The WIC program, which provides cash assistance for groceries to pregnant and postpartum women and families with children under age 5, has recently established an “Apply by text” option. Immigration status does not affect eligibility.
Los Angeles County
211
Get in touch with an operator who can connect you with free resources, including childcare.
New Freedom – Transportation Resources in Los Angeles County
A list of transportation resources available in LA County
New Freedom Transportation Hotline: 1-888-863-7411
- Free access to L’il Libros worksheets for kids
- Free KCET PBS programming organized by grade level
- Scholastic offers free, online learning experiences for kids of all ages
- Virtual Trips:
- San Diego Zoo has a website just for kids with amazing videos, activities, and games. Enjoy the tour!
- Yellowstone National Park Virtual Field Trip: Mud Volcano, Mammoth Hot Springs, and so much more: Yellowstone National Park!
- Explore the surface of Mars on the Curiosity Rover They are updating from WEBVR to WEBXR now, but 360 Mode offers a digital view!
- Animal Cameras : Live Cams at the San Diego Zoo, Monterey Bay Aquarium live cams, Panda Cam at Zoo Atlanta, 6 Animal Cams at Houston Zoo, Georgia Aquarium has Jellyfish, Beluga Whales, and more
- Virtual Farm Tour FarmFood 360 offers 11 Virtual Tours of farms from minks, pigs, and cows, to apples and eggs.
- Discovery Education Virtual Field Trips, including Polar Bears and the Tundra, Social Emotional Skills, STEM, Manufacturing
- The Louvre:Travel to Paris, France to see amazing works of art at The Louvre with this virtual field trip
- The Great Wall of China: This Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China is beautiful and makes history come to life.
- Boston Children’s Museum: Walk through the Boston Children’s Museum thanks to Google Maps!
CHIRLA-Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights LA: https://www.chirla.org/
Catholic Charities LA Immigration Services: https://catholiccharitiesla.org/immigration-services/
Immigrants Rising Education Hub: https://immigrantsrising.org/
LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs: https://oia.lacounty.gov/
LA City Office of Immigrant Affairs: https://www.lamayor.org/sites/g/files/wph1781/files/page/file/Updated%20Comm%20Resource%20Guide%20Sep%202020%20Spanish%20-%20FINAL%20R%20%281%29.pdf
Recursos Legales:
- CHIRLA-Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights LA: https://www.chirla.org/
- Catholic Charities LA Immigration Services: https://catholiccharitiesla.org/immigration-services/
Health & Insurance
Covid Testing & Treatment for Uninsured LA County Residents
SAME-DAY COVID-19 TESTS NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL LA COUNTY RESIDENTS SHOWING COVID-19 SYMPTOMS
Here are the steps for getting a test appointment:
- Visit the website https://covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/
- Answer a series of questions. The answers determine if you are eligible for an appointment.
- If you are eligible, you will receive an appointment confirmation number by email.
- Bring the confirmation number and photo ID to your appointment.
- People with no access to the Internet can dial 2-1-1 for help making an appointment.
- People without a car can be tested as long as they have an appointment. The sites can accommodate pedestrians.
- There are NO walk-up appointments available for people who do not register.
- For a full list of locations and answers to questions about testing, go to https://covid19.lacounty.gov/testing/.
The following factors do not affect eligibility for a COVID-19 test:
- Immigration status
- Insurance status
- Age
- Underlying health issues
Find Vaccination Sites: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/vaccine/HCWSignup/
The County of Los Angeles advises anyone with flu-like symptoms to call their doctor or 2-1-1 to see if they need testing; you should not visit any healthcare facility without checking that it is safe for you to do so.
CHAMP 1-866-742-2273
Call to find a nearby health clinic or for questions about health insurance enrollment, including Medi-Cal. Serves people of all ages and schools across LA County. Leave a message and a Health Care Advocate will call you back Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm.
Wellness Centers
St. John’s Well Child and Family Center
Find a clinic in your area
Metro LA/East LA:
Jefferson High School Wellness Center: Operated by South Central Family Health Center (SCFHC)
323.908.4200 x4402
3410 S. Hooper Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90011
South LA:
Fremont Wellness Center: Operated by UMMA Community Clinic
323.789.5610
7821 S. Avalon Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90003
UMMA Community Clinic
323.789.5610
711 West Florence Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90044
Watts Healthcare Corporation
323.564.4331
10300 S. Compton Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90002
Crenshaw High School Wellness Center: Operated by T.H.E. Health & Wellness Centers
323.730.1920
3206 W. 50th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90043
South Bay Family Healthcare-Dr. Claudia Hampton Clinic
310.330.2960
1091 South La Brea Avenue, Inglewood, CA 90301
West LA Area:
Venice Family Clinic-Lou Colen Children’s Health & Wellness Center
310.392.8636
4700 Inglewood Boulevard, #101, Culver City, CA 90230
Venice Family Clinic-Milken Family Foundation Medical Building
310.392.8636
604 Rose Avenue, Venice, CA 90291
Venice Family Clinic-Robert Levine Family Health Center
(310) 392-8636
905 Venice Boulevard, Venice, CA 90291
LA WarmLine
855.952.9276
Aids people who are having difficulty coping with the stresses and crises which arise in daily living. Monday – Sunday open 10 p.m. 6 a.m.
Teen Line
310.855.4673
Text: TEEN to 839863
Aids teens who are having difficulty coping with the stresses and crises which arise in daily living. Monday – Sunday open 10 p.m. 6 a.m.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800.273.8255
Connects you with a crisis worker, available 24/7.
Crisis Text Line
LA to 741741
Connect with a crisis counselor to receive confidential crisis support via text 24/7.
Trevor Project Line
Text: START to 678678
866.488.7386
24/7 support for LGBTQ youth in crisis.
LA County Department of Mental Health Access Line: Call 1-800-854-7771
24/7 helpline and crisis counseling.
California Youth Crisis Line: Call or text 1-800-843-5200
24/7 crisis intervention counseling referrals for youth 12-24 and their families.
If you’re worried about quarantining in a home where you don’t feel safe, 24/7 help is available from the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Call 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522.
Call or Text 9-1-1 in an emergency
Los Angeles County Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-540-4000
Los Angeles County Elderly Abuse Hotline: 1-877-477-3646
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-467
Internet & Connectivity
If you have recently lost your job, even if you are receiving unemployment benefits, you may qualify for 20% off your natural gas bill with our CARE program.
Southern California Edison
CARE and FERA can reduce your monthly bills
Information about SoCal Energy Service Disconnections and Late Fees
Information about SoCal Gas Service Disconnections
Information on Verizon late fees during this time
Information about DWP Disconnections
Information about AT&T late fees and disconnections
Information about Comcast free internet essentials, late fees, unlimited data, etc.