Week 1

Dear Families,

We are so excited to welcome our students back to school on Wednesday! To help everyone have a smooth and successful first day, here are a few fun ways you can start preparing on Monday.

🎒 Backpack Check
Have your child unpack last year's backpack, clean it out, and fill it with their new school supplies.

👕 Pick Out First-Day Clothes
Choose a favorite outfit together and make sure everything is ready to go. Review the dress code to make sure it ticks each check mark. This makes Wednesday morning much easier!

⏰ Practice the School Routine
Start going to bed a little earlier and waking up at school-day times on Monday and Tuesday. A little practice helps everyone adjust!

📚 Read Together
Spend 15–20 minutes reading a favorite book each evening. Reading together is a wonderful way to get back into learning mode. Right now "Nothing Bundt Cake" is hosting a reading log challenge. Turn in a completed log and receive a free bundlet.

🥗 Plan Healthy Meals
Talk about what your child would like for breakfast and lunch. A good meal helps students stay energized and focused. Review our menu below to see if it's a meal they would enjoy.

😊 Share Excitement
Ask your child what they are looking forward to this school year. They might be excited to meet new friends, see familiar faces, or learn something new. If they are feeling nervous, remind them that many students feel the same way, and we will be there to help them every step of the way.

⭐ Celebrate the Countdown!
Make Tuesday evening special with a family game, a favorite dinner, or a quick walk together. End the night by setting out backpacks, shoes, and water bottles so everyone is ready for Wednesday morning.

We can't wait to see everyone's smiling faces on Wednesday and begin another wonderful year of learning, growing, and making memories together. Thank you for partnering with us to make the first day a great one!

New Student Orientation

On Monday, August 10, we will host orientation for new ASMSM students in grades 2–8. (Kindergarten and first grade orientations will be held separately.) If you are a new student in grades 2–8, please join us:

• Location: Library
• Grades 2–5: 9:00 a.m. –10:00 a.m.
• Grades 6–8: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Kindergarten & First Grade Orientation

Kindergarten and first grade orientations will be held at Arroyo Seco on Tuesday, August 11. Following orientation, the PTA will host a playdate across the street at Sycamore Park.

• Kindergarten Orientation: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
• First Grade Orientation: 11:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
• PTA Playdate: 12:00–1:30 p.m.

If you have a student identified as an EL (English Learner) at our school, please join Mrs. Maisterra for the Master Plan Instructional Program Options Parent Meeting. See dates/options below.

Our PTA would like to invite families to come decorate the sidewalk along Figueroa together in the late afternoon/early evening before the first day of school. If you are available, please come join us between 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Tuesday, August 11th. See flyer below.

We have an amazing PTA who is always ready to support our school. If you are not yet a member, consider joining. The membership fee is $8 for the year.

If you would also like to support by donating time, please utilize these links to let the PTA know of your availability. Remember if you are volunteering on campus, you do need to be a district approved volunteer, so be sure to complete the applications and follow the required steps.

MS Volunteer Sign up

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4CAAA62EABFA7-65044519-2026

ES Volunteer Sign up

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E4CAAA62EABFA7-65046238-copy

Morning Drop-Off

On the first day of school and every day thereafter, parents may drop off students at the main gate or valet line between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.

Upon arrival, students will enter campus, where staff will be available to help them find their class line. Signs displaying each teacher's name and grade level will be posted throughout the drop-off area.

Please review your child's teacher's name with them before arriving at school. To help you find the correct class quickly, please bring the pink letter that was sent home or write your child's teacher's name on a sticky note for your child to carry. If you cannot find the pink letter or are unsure of your child's teacher, please call the main office at 323-254-5141, and we will be happy to assist you.

For kindergarten and new younger students, we also recommend sending your child with a name tag, as some students may not yet be able to communicate their names to staff.

Our school hours for the 2026-2027 school year will be as follows:

Elementary School:

8:00 am – 2:23 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

8:00 am – 1:23 pm on Tuesday.

Middle School:

8:00 am – 3:15 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

8:00 am – 1:28 pm on Tuesday.

Students who arrive after 8:00 am will be marked tardy.

Do not leave your child outside the school without any supervision.

Valet services will be available before school for students at the corner of Sycamore and Figueroa.

DROP OFF

• When dropping off, please make sure students only exit from the passenger side and that their backpacks are in the car with them.
• Students may not exit into street.
• Students should not have to get items from the trunk.
• DO NOT park in the valet line.
• If your child still needs help getting in and out of the car, please do not use the valet.
• Do not double park and let your child off in the middle of the street.

*Do not make a U-Turn in front of the school after you drop off your child.

Proceed down the block. Let’s keep everyone safe!

• Kinder and Middle School: Pedestrian Gate
  
• 1st grade and Middle School: Handicapped Pedestrian Gate
  
• 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th: Chain Linked Driveway Gate
  

There will be clear signage to support you in finding the correct gate.

The gates will open at 2:23 on all days except Tuesdays when the gate opens at 1:23. You will meet your children at the designated gates listed above.

If you have 2nd-5th grade students who are waiting for their middle school siblings, you can enroll them in BTB. They cannot wait for their middle school sibling unsupervised.

All students must be accounted for after school, so either they are enrolled in Beyond the Bell's LACC, Ramona Hall, the Boys and Girls Club, or they go home. Students may not remain on campus unsupervised. Please plan accordingly.

If you are interested in continuing with Chess Wizards or if you're new, here is the information below to join. We have already completed the paperwork for them to be on campus, we simply need a minimum of 10 students and a maximum of 14 for the club to commence. The cost is covered by the interested families. The school is simply providing the space.

Day: Tuesday(s)
Time: 1:20 - 2:30 PM
Dates: 10/13, 10/20, 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17, 12/1, 12/8 (8 Classes)
No class Dates: 11/24
Grades: K - 6

Cost: $208.00

Coach Jocelyn will be calling this week to confirm your enrollment in the program. If you have questions or need clarification, please call Jocelyn at 213-458-6368 or email her, jrivera@lacorps.org.

LAUSD is currently accepting applications for Parent Volunteers for the 26-27 school year. If you were a previously approved volunteer, you do not need to resubmit your TB test unless it has expired. If you are a new applicant, we will need a TB test. Don't wait. If you want to chaperone on ANY field trip at all, do it now to avoid the backlog later.

Here are the steps:

1. Log onto https://volunteerapp.lausd.net/ and click on LAUSD parent. (See image above.)

2. Sign in with your Parent Portal credentials.

3. Select returning and/or new and select "on campus volunteer 2026-2027"

4. Fill out all required information.

5. Review info and click the blue hyperlink to read "LAUSD Volunteer Commitment Form."

• Once your read it, click the click to agree.
• Type in your name
  
• Click submit.
• School will do our part and wait for district to approve.

Log in to see the status of your application if you have already applied.

We already have 28 applicants "processing." The application is in process. It has been approved by the school site and is pending final review and approval by the Office of Student, Family, and Community Engagement. Let's beat the back to school rush!

The Arroyo Seco Parent Handbook will be distributed during the first week of school. Please read the booklet in its entirety to ensure how to best support your child for a success new school year. Sign the acknowledgement form letting us know you have reviewed the handbook. The form will be a part of our welcome checklist.

Here is the digital link to LAUSD's Parent Handbook. Please review to note district policy on various items.

Please use this calendar to save some important dates for the 2026-2027 school year. Please use this calendar to plan your vacations and doctor appointments to support your child's academic progress. Whenever possible, we want them in school.

Consistent attendance starts with day 1! We kindly invite you to support your child's learning by ensuring that he/she attends school daily and arrives on time. This year, students can earn "Cougar Cash" on random mornings for arriving before the bell. Money can be saved to be spent at our "Cougars Kiosk."

Check out the menu. Decide with your child when you might send a sack lunch instead.

You can also download the YUMYUMMI app if you are juggling multiple schools and need the list sooner than when I am sending them.

To support you with back-to-school shopping, here are the dress codes for both elementary and middle school.

HEAD GEARS

No hats, baseball caps, or beanies of any kind are to be worn inside the classroom. Plain hats, caps, and beanies may be worn outside when it is raining, cold or when he temperature reaches 80 degrees. Baseball cap must be worn with the bill facing forward.

ACCESSORIES

1. No handkerchiefs of any color carried as a clothing accessory or worn on the head.
2. No belt buckles that display letters, symbols, or numbers.
3. No chains which dangle out of pockets, including watch chains, wallet chains, interlocking links, etc.
4. Skateboards must be stored in main office.
5. No crocs, high heel shoes, open-toe shoes, sandals, roller skate shoes, or gang related tennis shoes.
6. No gang or drug related jewelry allowed.

TOPS (Blouses/Shirts)

1. No shirt wear with logos or trademarks of alcoholic beverages, suggestive messages, or illustrations (sexual, racial, drug, tobacco, or vulgar language).
2. No halter-tops, tube tops, spaghetti straps, bathing suit tops, or any tops which expose undergarments/skin, display cleavage or reveal the bare midriff.
3. See-through or mesh type tops are not to be worn without an appropriate undergarment.
4. Sleeveless blouses/tank tops are allowed.

JACKETS

1. Jackets and sweatshirts should not be worn on hot days during physical education class.

LONG PANTS

1. Pants and shorts must fit at the waist and be wearable without a belt.
2. No pant legs that drag on the ground, or pants with non-existent cuffs (cut-off or frayed).
3. Pants with holes/rips above knees may not be worn.

SHORTS / SKIRTS

1. Shorts/skirts/skorts should be no more than four (4) fingers from the knee.
2. Leggings/tights should be worn under short dresses.

🏛️✨ FREE MUSEUM DAYS IN LOS ANGELES — AUGUST 2026

• Explore more and spend less! 💸
• From LACMA and The Huntington to NHM, MOLAA, Skirball and more
• Save this guide for the full schedule
• 🎟️ Reserve early when required
• 🪪 Bring proof of L.A. County residency for eligible offers

Do you shop at Food for Less?

Enroll in Food4Less Community Rewards and earn money for us every time you shop. It’s easy and free to enroll! When you link your Shopper’s Card, every purchase you make provides funds for schools in need. Plus, you’ll earn fuel points at the same time.

It's easy! Sign up with your mobile number and link it to our school. Look for ARROYO SECO MUSEUM MAGNET OR IF528. Once that's done, you enter your mobile phone number at each check out and will automatically generate funds for our school to purchase incentives for our students AND items for our "Cougars Kiosk."

Visit Food for Less for more information on how to do this. Thank you!

Practice Time

• Go to bed early
• Prep your clothing for the week
• Solidify your afterschool care

New Student Orientation

• Grades 2-5, Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am
• Grades 6-8, Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Kindergarten Orientation

• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
• Rooms 7 & 8

Kindergarten Playdate

• Sycamore Park
• 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
• Bring your own picnic to enjoy
• Connect with other ASMSM families

First Orientation

• 11:30 am - 12:00 pm
• Rooms 5 & 6

First Grade Playdate

• Sycamore Park
• 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
• Bring your own picnic to enjoy
• Connect with other ASMSM families

Elementary School:

8:00 am – 2:23 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

8:00 am – 1:23 pm on Tuesday.

Middle School:

8:00 am – 3:15 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

8:00 am – 1:40 pm on Tuesday.

Parents/Students Homework

• Review Parent Handbook
• LAUSD handbook
• Arroyo Seco handbook
• Complete/Return (All due on Friday, August 21st)
• Emergency Card

• Publicity Authorization and Release
• Responsible Usage Policy
• Student Housing Questionnaire
• Parent Handbook Acknowledgement
• Subject to Additional Items

Work on the welcome forms. Every class who returns all of their opening forms by the end of the week will earn every student $1 in Cougar Cash. We will be hosting a Cougars Kiosk at the end of each month starting in September where students can spend their cash to purchase something they want or they can choose to save it for something bigger later on.

• Emergency Card
• Responsible Use Policy
• Photo Release
• Household Income Form (HIF)
• Parent Handbook Acknowledgement

FIRE DRILL TODAY!

'Elementary School:

8:00 am – 2:23 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

8:00 am – 1:23 pm on Tuesday.

Middle School:

8:00 am – 3:15 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

8:00 am – 1:40 pm on Tuesday.

Students who arrive after 8:00 am will be marked tardy.

Do not leave your child outside the school without any supervision.