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Laurel Hall Students EMBRACE Learning

Dear Laurel Hall Graduates - 

On March 17, I held out hope that we would be together in a few weeks. Two weeks later, I held out hope that we would be together in a month. A month later, I held out hope that I would see you before graduation. Today, I realized that I wasn’t simply hoping. Rather, I was indeed living my life through Hope and Faith. 

Each time I thought of you, I thought of this: 

· You are extraordinary people 

· You are a beloved graduating class 

· You are spirited 

· You are the ones who have matured the most, those who have come together so beautifully 

· You are the “kids” who evolved into outstanding young men and women – especially over the past few years 

Here is something else. Each moment I thought of you, thought about when we would all return, when we would be together, those were all moments I was not dwelling on the past, nor lamenting about the present situation. Those were moments of my Faith and Hope. For that, I have you to thank. For you, I am ever grateful. 

The time has now come for you to move on. On the one hand, it is our loss. On the other, it is everyone’s gain. Though, the time has come for you to abandon the comfort and security of that which you have known since before kinder, you now enter a world of infinite possibilities. You will leave us, yes - only to make your distinct, indelible mark on your high school. Then, in the blink of an eye, your journey will evolve far beyond your wildest dreams. 

If the past few months have told us anything, it has clearly indicated a need for global leadership where brilliant minds make wise decisions. YOU possess those brilliant minds. You must never succumb to the ties of fear that too often bind us. Great leaders emerge in times of duress and uncertainty. 

Martin Luther King once said, “History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.” 

YOU possess a powerful voice. Use it in a positive way to always make positive change. You are the good people. 

It was not so very long ago, that you clung to your mothers and fathers as you held your tiny little hands in theirs and you walked through that kindergarten door as you set your sights on a wide-eyed mission. This part of your mission is complete, and now you are set to cross the threshold of a monumental transition. Your parents, family, and teachers have been there to support you every step of the way. Thank them; keep them close, for they will remain with you forever. 

Michelangelo once said, “The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and that we miss it, but rather that it is too low, and we hit it.” 

Alas, my dear friends, it really is time. We say “so long” for now. It has been an honor and a pleasure for you to have entered my life. Laurel Hall Class of 2020 - Go out and do what you do best – aim high and achieve. 

You are absolutely the best! 

Mr. G

IMPORTANT DATES

Thursday, July 23 - Summer Blood Drive
Wednesday, September 2 - Laurel Hall Welcome Back Activities 
Thursday, September 3 - 1st Day of School (12:00 Dismissal )
Friday, September 4 - 2nd Day of School (12:00 Dismissal) 
Monday, September 7 - Labor Day (No Schoo
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END OF THE YEAR CHAPEL
Watch the video for the last Weekly Chapel Message
of the school year from Pastor Jeff!
FAMILY RESOURCES
In a world where people are becoming more aware and empathetic to people who have faced inequality and injustices, it is important to enlighten our youth. Many children are asking questions during this time, and it may be hard to find the right words to explain what is happening in the world around them. Luckily, there are books that can help you make the conversation easier; where your child can understand without being overwhelmed. 

Click here for a curated list of Children's Books that can help you talk to your child/children about race, racism and socioeconomic differences.
RESOURCES FOR TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT RACE AND RACISM
Here are 10 ideas for how to use media to start and continue conversations about race and racism with your kids. This list is not exhaustive, so if you have other ideas, please let us know using the thumbs-up/thumbs-down feature at the bottom of this email.
Diversify your bookshelf
If you grew up reading Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie, you can still share these classics with your kids. But don't stop there: Look for stories featuring and written by people of color. Here are some places to start: 
Point out racism in movies, TV, and games
It can be easy to let stereotypes fly by when watching the minstrel-show crows in Dumbo or exaggerated accents in The Goonies. But by pointing out when something is racist, you're helping your kid develop critical-thinking skills. These skills will allow conversations about race and stereotypes to deepen as kids get older.
Watch hard stuff
As kids get older, expose them to the harsh realities of racism throughout history and through the current day. That doesn't mean nonstop cable news replaying gruesome details of violence but carefully chosen films like The 13th or McFarland, USA . You can also watch footage of protests to kick off conversations about anger, fear, oppression, and power. Be explicit about racism and discrimination being hurtful, damaging, and wrong.
Seek out media created by people of color
As you choose your family movie night pick or browse online for books, specifically look for authors and directors of color. Aim for stories that include people of color in lead roles and as fully developed characters. With older kids, take an audit of how many movies or books you've recently watched or read that were created by people of color. Discuss the reasons for any imbalance and the importance of a variety of perspectives.
Broaden your own perspectives
Follow and read Black and brown voices and media outlets. Use what you learn to inform conversations with your kids. Some places to start (and by no means a complete list): 
Discuss hate speech and harassment online
Ask kids if they've seen racist language in YouTube videos or comments. For social media-using kids, talk about racist memes. Ask them to show you examples and aim to develop empathy without shaming them. Help them understand how following or sharing racist accounts helps spread hate. Brainstorm ways they can safely and responsibly speak out against racist imagery and messages online. Adapt this lesson on countering hate speech for your conversations.
Understand the online landscape
Read this account of a White mom parenting through her son's exposure to online white supremacy. And read the son's perspective. Learn more about places where White racist groups congregate and how they recruit, and keep discussions open and honest with kids who socialize on sites like Discord and Reddit.
Explore the power of tech tools
Use recent examples of how phones, video recordings, and editing tools affect our understanding of race and racism. Discuss how the release of video evidence can spur action, like in the case of Ahmaud Arbery. Explore together how photos and videos can both reveal truth and hide it—especially when context is edited out.
Build news literacy
Besides sharing news articles from different perspectives with your kids, use opportunities like protests in Minneapolis to discuss how news is presented. What kinds of stories get the most attention? How are language and images used differently to depict people and incidents depending on the news outlet, the people involved, and the topic? Look at news coverage of incidents where White people commit acts of violence and compare to when people of color do.
Teach your kid to be an ally
Learn about how White people can support people of color by being allies and then integrate these ideas into your conversations and actions with your kids. Talk through scenarios your kid might encounter online and discuss (and model) when it might be best to just listen, to call someone out, to amplify someone's voice, to share resources, etc. Share mistakes you've made around talking about race and racism—in person or online—with your kids so they know it's OK to not be perfect or have all the answers.
What can I say to my kids about racism and racist violence?
Our kids are seeing police brutality and violence aimed particularly at Black lives in a constant stream of images and posts on TV and social media. So how do we talk with kids about big, important topics like racism? What you say depends on your experience. Guest author Allison Briscoe-Smith, a child psychologist and the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the Wright Institute, offers perspective and guidance on how to have these conversations. First, check in with yourself: It's OK not to have all the answers, and you can take a beat to tend to your own thoughts and feelings. Next, create a safe space: Talk to kids without distraction. Find out what they know and what they're worried about, and watch for signs of distress. Prepare to listen deeply to where your kids are coming from. Talking—and listening—is an important step toward affecting change. Read more
SUMMER RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
Sign Up for Our Weekly Learning at Home Newsletter
Sign Up
Looking for some help with remote teaching? Look no further! We've put together a weekly newsletter with all kinds of helpful K-5 content. And you can sign up for your particular grade level!

Each newsletter will include: 
  • Teacher tips
  • Hands-on activities
  • Mindfulness and exercise ideas
  • Fun websites, games, and apps
  • And more!
What am I going to do with my kid this summer?
OK, so summer 2020 will not be the idyllic canoeing-on-the-lake camp you might have envisioned for your kid. But online summer camps for kids stuck at home aren't necessarily a sad stand-in for in-person camp. In fact, your kid could have a pretty great summer doing many of the same things they'd do at traditional camp, like making new friends, learning cool things, and improving academic skills (not to mention staying out of your hair).
In some ways, online programs may even have a bit of an edge over in-person camps. With go-at-your-own-pace lessons, one-on-one meetings with counselors, and experienced instructors, kids get to take advantage of learning opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have. And most—but not all—virtual camps are less expensive than the traditional kind (or even free!). Plus they're flexible: Kids can do daily meetups that last a morning or an afternoon; complete work on their own time; or do a combo of video-chat and offline work. Whether your kid loves learning, tech, or creative projects or just wants a reasonable facsimile of their usual summer activities, you'll find it in our recommendations of more than a dozen—and growing—online camp listings. Read more
How do I keep my kid's math skills up over the summer with something they'll actually do?
Let's see: How do cupcakes, sushi, crazy mazes, and a whimsical land called Noomia sound? Those are the major players in math apps like Motion Math Cupcake, Sushi Monster, Marble Math, and DragonBox Big Numbers. Using stuff kids love, to grab and hold their attention—and distract from an anti-math mindset—these tools let kids tackle skills like addition, subtraction, fractions, and multiplication, stress-free. Daily math practice doesn't have to be—and, in fact, shouldn't be—drill-and-kill. Summer is a great opportunity to make learning more fun with apps that add a gaming element so kids can avoid the "summer slide" in a fun—and totally painless—way. Read more
What are some family movies that are just low-key fun?
Right now, we're all hungry for movies that are the visual equivalent of comfort food—upbeat, reassuring, and there for you when you need them. Fill up on something uplifting like Moana, or sweet and witty like The Princess Bride, or a little bit rock 'n' roll like School of Rock . Our feel-good family movie list is full of belly laughs, positive vibes, and happily-ever-afters. See the list
More for you
Helping Kids Process Violence, Trauma, and Race in a World of Nonstop News
Racism has a profound impact on the health and well-being of our kids. As elected leadership and institutions fail to protect Black lives, protests, anger, fear, and a nationwide call for justice have ensued, creating an opportunity to speak openly with our children. How can these conversations be most effective? Watch our recently recorded Conversations with Common Sense webinar with child development, children's health, and trauma-care experts discussing ways families can support their children, one another, and a just future. Watch the recording now
Podcast: Julie Andrews talks reading
Have you listened to our new podcast about parenting during the pandemic yet? This week, special guest Julie Andrews (yes, that Julie Andrews) and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton discuss their podcast, Julie's Library, and how important it is to foster a love of reading in kids. Subscribe now so you don't miss out. New episodes come out on Wednesdays. Available on Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.
Searching for good games?
We expanded our Common Sense Selections to include video games! We're highlighting entertaining, high-quality video games that have engaging gameplay and fun multiplayer, plus positive messages and role models. All are great for friends and family. After evaluating all games released so far in 2020, we launched Common Sense Selections with eight inaugural titles, including the sweet adventure sim Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the underwater journey Beyond Blue, and the powerful game creator DreamsSee the list
STORYCRAFTERS

DiscoveryOnstage is proud to introduce Storycrafters, an interactive virtual collaboration bringing a fresh approach to character creation and story-telling, all in keeping with the foundations of imagination and student-led creativity that our families have come to expect. 

Similar to our Summer Acting Camp, Storycrafters provides your young person the opportunity to take part in a creative exploration with like-minded peers to develop something completely unique! Through structured assignments and twice weekly meetings, DO'ers will collaborate with their Director, Writer and Graphic Designer to create a one-of-a-kind audio/visual storybook, using the craft of acting, vocal production and personal character-driven artwork and story boards. 

Not only will your young person be able to safely socialize from the comfort of home, he or she will also gain a sense of ownership in something dynamic and important, the cornerstone of DiscoveryOnstage.

  • Who: Ages 5-17
  • Where: Online via Zoom
  • When: June 1 - July 2 (Session 1), June 29 - July 30 (Session 2)
  • Tuition: $250 per session
For more information and frequently asked questions, please visit our page.
ELC 75th ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE NOW ACCEPTING VIDEOS & PHOTOS

Recordings for our video yearbook for Emmanuel's 75th anniversary continue to arrive! Thanks to all who have participated so far and if you haven't yet, please do! It's a fun, easy and great way to share thoughts and memories about the church. 

 

You can record on your phone, your computer or camera! Do it as a family or as individuals, whichever you prefer! State your name; when you joined the church; what groups you might have been involved with; what you like about Emmanuel and what you hope for the future of the church. 
 

For video yearbook instructions download this form. We have also been reaching out to alumni who have moved away and would like to be part of the celebration. We have been getting an enthusiastic response. For those people, we ask them to also include where they live now, what they remember about Emmanuel and any message they have for their old friends at church. 

The more the merrier! (Though please limit your video to 1-2 minutes. A 40-minute monologue is NOT merrier!) 

We have our Dropbox account all set up for our videos, so download the video form here. [Meaghan, please link video yearbook instructions A here also.] and note where it tells you to save your file to Dropbox. The Dropbox instructions can also be found here

We have created a Dropbox folder for photos too! Instructions for saving your digital photographs to our Dropbox account can be found right here

Spread the word! Let's get the entire Emmanuel family involved!

ELC SUMMER BLOOD DRIVE

Emmanuel Lutheran Church Blood Drive was originally scheduled for Tuesday, June 9 from 1:00PM-7:00PM. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we learned that we needed a larger space to accommodate social distancing. We have rescheduled our event for Thursday, July 23, from 1:00PM-7:00PM in the Parish Hall. 

Please consider donating blood at a facility near your home or workplace up through next Thursday, May 28. Any donations after May 28 will disqualify you from participating in our own Emmanuel blood in July. Thank you for sharing the gift of life!

MONTHLY SCRIPTURE

JUNE SCRIPTURE 
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." - Hebrews 11:1

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Laurel Hall School · 11919 Oxnard St · North Hollywood, CA 91606-3320 · USA

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