Escalona Weekly Newsletter

Monday, October 26th

• Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) — First 10 min. of school📚
• Red Ribbon Week - Wear RED 🔴

Tuesday, October 27th

• Red Ribbon Week -Wear Everything Backwards 🔴
• La Mirada Public Safety Awards Ceremony City Hall @ 6:30 PM

Wednesday, October 28th

• College or Trade Shirt Spirit Wear Day
• 📚🌎English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) Meeting🦅💙 (see info below)
• Red Ribbon Week -Crazy Hair Day 🔴

Thursday, October 29th

• Red Ribbon Week -Wear Your Favorite Hat 🔴

• ✨Makeup Picture Day 📸

• 🎓🌟College & Career Expo 💼📚 Norwalk High School @ 6:00 PM

Friday, October 30th

• Escalona Spirit Wear Day 💙

• 📚🎃Annual Book Parade📖✨ from 8:30–9:30 AM 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Parents are welcome to join us!💙🦅

• PE & Music Day 🎻⛹🏻

The good news keeps coming for Escalona! We are incredibly proud to share that our school has been named a 2026 California Honor Roll School by Educational Results Partnership (ERP), recognizing us as one of California's highest-performing schools! This recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects three years of strong academic performance in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Schools are recognized not only for high achievement but also for continued growth and their success in closing achievement gaps. This year, just 2,080 schools across California earned this distinction, and Escalona is one of them! We couldn't be prouder of our school community. Our teachers are doing incredible work in their classrooms, our students are rising to the challenge, and our families continue to be wonderful partners in this journey. These results remind us that the work we do every single day matters. We have so much to celebrate at Escalona, and we're not slowing down! We will continue to challenge ourselves, support one another, and keep our students at the center of everything we do. Congratulations, Team Escalona! This recognition belongs to all of us. Let's keep soaring, Eagles! 💙🦅 Learn more at www.honorrollschools.com

Just when we thought we couldn't have more to celebrate, here we are again! Escalona has been recognized on the U.S. News & World Report Best Elementary Schools list! Add that to our ERP Honor Roll recognition and the incredible academic gains our students have made this year. We are not just a happy, thriving school community. We are a school where students are learning, growing, and achieving at high levels! To our amazing teachers and staff, thank you for the love, dedication, and hard work you pour into our students every day. These accomplishments are a reflection of all of us! Look at us, Escalona! We're doing incredible things! 💙🦅

Escalona's recent recognition on the ERP Honor Roll and U.S. News & World Report Best Elementary Schools list reflects our continued commitment to academic excellence and student achievement. Our latest California School Dashboard results highlight the progress behind our success:

• English Language Arts: Blue performance level, with a 16.3-point increase.
• Mathematics: Green performance level, with a 6.8-point increase.
• English Learner Progress: 56% of students making progress, an increase of 12.5 percentage points.
• Science: Green performance level.

These results reflect strong instruction, intentional collaboration, and the dedication of our teachers and staff. We are proud to be a school where students are not only happy and thriving, but also achieving at high levels. Congratulations, Escalona! Our commitment to student success continues to make a difference.💙🦅

With our annual Storybook Character Parade coming up, we want to ensure every student has a fun and safe experience! Please help us by reviewing the following guidelines:

• 👧🏾 The costume must represent a character from a book your child has read.

• 📖 Your child must carry the book in the parade.

• 🚫 Scary, gruesome, or violent costumes are not allowed.

• 🎭 Masks may be worn during the parade only, and must not block your child’s vision.

• ❌ Villain costumes are not permitted for this event.

• 🪖 Toy weapons of any kind are not allowed.

Thank you for helping us make this a joyful, creative, and safe day for all Eagles! 💙🤍

Dear Escalona Families,

We invite all Escalona families to join us for our first English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) meeting of the school year! ELAC gives families an opportunity to learn about our programs for English Learners, share feedback, and have a voice in our school community. During this meeting, we will elect committee representatives and share important school updates. All families are welcome to attend! For your convenience, we will hold the meeting virtually via Zoom.

📅 Date: October 28th

⏰ Time: 1;30 - 2:00 PM

🔗 Zoom Link: https://umassglobal.zoom.us/j/5816625965

Escalona families, we have some exciting news! Dr. Siggie is coming back! 🎉 We are thrilled to welcome back Dr. Siggie Cohen, a renowned child development specialist and parenting expert, for another wonderful evening of conversation with our families! Known as the "Child Whisperer," Dr. Siggie brings over 35 years of experience helping families better understand children's emotions, behaviors, and development. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from an expert, ask questions, and gain practical strategies to support your children at home. Whether you're navigating big emotions, challenging behaviors, or simply looking for ways to better connect with your child, this conversation is for you!

📅 Wednesday, November 4

⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM

💻 Live on Zoom — join from the comfort of your home!

We encourage all our Escalona families to join us and take advantage of this special opportunity. Please help us spread the word! We can't wait to see you there! 💙🦅 📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer to join the conversation!

This October, our PBIS focus is SAFETY! At Escalona, we want our Eagles to understand that being safe means making choices that protect themselves and others.

Families can help reinforce safety at home by talking about:

• Walking safely in parking lots, hallways, and public spaces
• Keeping hands, feet, and objects to ourselves
• Following adult directions the first time
• Using playground and sports equipment appropriately
• Speaking up when something feels unsafe
• Making safe and responsible choices online

Ask your child: “What does being a safe Eagle look like?” When school and home reinforce the same expectations, our students hear one clear message: Eagles are respectful, responsible, and safe! 💙🦅

“Children learn kindness not only from what we teach them, but from how they see us treat one another.”💛✨ Little eyes are always watching, and kindness starts with us! 🌈💕

Our October Interactive Math Wall is up, and this month's challenge is extra special! Thanks to our amazing Math Mentor, Mr. Brown, and our student mathematicians who helped co-create this month's challenge! How cool is that? 🎉 We encourage families to join the fun and try the math challenges at home! Students who wish to participate can complete a student answer form and submit their creative solutions. At the end of the month, we'll recognize our most creative math thinkers with a special Math Award! 🏆 Let's keep building our math minds, Eagles! 💙🔢

We still have a few items waiting to be claimed at the front of the school. Please encourage your child to check for any missing belongings before we head into break. All unclaimed items will be donated after the break. Thank you for helping us keep our Lost & Found under control! 💙🦅

We encourage you to read the student handbook and other important information with your child. This helps everyone understand our school’s rules, policies, and the resources available to support your child’s success. Let’s work together to make this a great school year.

Click the link below to access the handbook.

Daily attendance is key to student success. If your child will be absent, please call the office at (562) 210‑2745 or use the link below to notify our attendance clerk.

Click here to report your student's absence

All students receive free, nutritious meals for morning snack and lunch. Families are also welcome to pack their own food, but please remember that Escalona is a nut‑free campus due to severe allergies. Our menu is designed to be well‑balanced and support your child’s learning and growth, with options for different dietary needs. Click the link below to see this month’s menu.

Our local library offers amazing programs, contests, and resources for students and families all year long. Click the link to explore what’s available:

If you haven't already, please consider joining the P.T.A. by clicking here https://jointotem.com/ca/la-mirada/escalona-elementary-pta. The PTA is a tremendous source of support for our students and the programs and initiatives at Escalona. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Vision

Escalona fosters curiosity, confidence, and community by creating a safe, respectful, and responsible place where every child can succeed.

Mission

Our mission is to inspire students to think, collaborate, and do their best while building knowledge, character, and confidence for life.

Dr. Nnenna Okpara

15135 Escalona

La Mirada, CA 90638

Phone: (562) 210-2745