Olive Vista MS & STEAM Magnet

Scroll down to the 8th Grade News section for updates regarding Zone of Choice and E-Choices parent meetings, HS fairs, and important deadlines!

Click here for a link to our website:

https://olivevistams.lausd.org/

You can find important calendar dates, news, and school updates on our website. All past family newsletters can be found at this link on our website.

Resources are available here with information regarding the LAUSD procedures used at each school to address different emergencies.

School Emergency Information For Parents is available on the LAUSD website HERE

Coffee with the Principal Presentation from 9/16/2025 - HERE

Tuesday, September 23, 2025 - Holiday: School Closed

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 - ELAC Committee meeting in the parent center and zoom

Thursday, September 25, 2025 - Club Rush - Students can sign up for different school clubs

Saturday, September 27, 2025 - Choices Fair for Region North at Frost MS

Tuesday, September 30, 2025 - Make Up Picture Day

Wednesday, October 1, 2025 - The window opens for families to apply for Magnet schools and for 8th graders to select their high school for next year (both for Magnet or non-Magnet)

Thursday, October 16, 2025 - Student led conference night

In 2015, California PBIS (Postive Behavior Intervention and Support) initiated an effort to have a recognition systems to acknowledge schools for implementing PBIS with fidelity to the national framework. Olive Vista applied to be recognized at the Silver Level. We earned Silver recognition!

Good afternoon:

It is my privilege to congratulate you and your school communities on being awarded CA PBIS Recognition in honor of your strong implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).

This recognition reflects your leadership, dedication, and commitment to fostering safe, supportive, and inclusive school environments where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. The work you and your teams have undertaken to build positive school climates is both inspiring and impactful, and it directly benefits students, families, and staff across our district.

Thank you for your continued efforts to model excellence and to create meaningful opportunities for student success. Your achievements exemplify the values we strive to uphold districtwide, and I am incredibly proud of the progress being made under your leadership.

Congratulations once again on this well-deserved honor.

Thank you.

Alberto M. Carvalho

Superintendent of Schools

Subject: Resources and Support for a Safe Start to the School Year

Dear Olive Vista Families,

As we begin this school year, we want every family to know: you are welcome, valued, and safe in our school community.

Los Angeles Unified has created a We Are One Family Care Package with important resources to support families during uncertain times. It includes information on:

● Know Your Rights

● Legal referrals through trusted partners

● Mental health services and emergency tools

You can access these materials online at lausd.org/weareone and on campus the first day of school.

The Family Hotline at (213) 443-1300 is also available 24/7 to help with any questions.

Please be sure to ask your student for his or her progress report or check the parent portal and Schoology. If you have questions or concerns about your child's academic progress so far, you can contact the grade level counselor. Thursday, October 16, 2025 is our Student-led conference night. Mark your calendar to attend and hear from your child and his/her teachers about their academic progress so far.

Need to reach your child's counselor?

Mr. Turcios - 6th grade counselor - rene.turcios@lausd.net

Ms. Santini - 7th grade counselor - myra.santini@lausd.net

Ms. Vasquez - 8th grade counselor - clv9747@lausd.net

Mr. Camposano - Lead counselor - lgc4122@lausd.net

Mr. Meneses - Dean of Discipline - ram5014@lausd.net

The LAUSD Parent Portal App is a powerful resource to stay informed of what is going on with your child each day. It is free to use and we encourage all families to download it to a device for easy daily access. You can download it for FREE at the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

If you need assistance setting up your parent portal account or linking your students to the App, contact our parent center at 818-833-3909.

On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, there were multiple shooting incidents at Utah Valley University and a high school in Colorado.

Please know that resources for talking to students are available on the Human Relations, Diversity & Equity website under the Courageous Conversations tab located in both the Family and Caregivers Sections.

At Los Angeles Unified, we prioritize respect, understanding and empathy. We understand that events like these can be unsettling, and we're here to support one another. Counselors/mental health staff and additional resources are available for anyone who needs assistance processing this information or has concerns. Additionally, the Student and Family Wellness Hotline is available for live support 24 hours a day at (213) 241-3840.

As always, our primary concern is the safety and security of our students, employees and families. We will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as appropriate.

Thank you for your continued engagement and cooperation in maintaining a calm and supportive atmosphere within our school community.

HumanRelations,Diversity and Equity - Website home page

Human Relations, Diversity and Equity - Families and Caregivers home page

Human Relations, Diversity and Equity - Courageous conversations resources

Office Hours:

7:30 am - 4:00 pm

School Phone: 818 -833-3900

Select:

#2 Attendance Office

#3 Counseling Office / Records / SSO

#4 Health Office

#5 Magnet Office

#8 Main Office (until 3:30 pm)

Need to reach your child's counselor?

Mr. Turcios - 6th grade counselor - rene.turcios@lausd.net

Ms. Santini - 7th grade counselor - myra.santini@lausd.net

Ms. Vasquez - 8th grade counselor - clv9747@lausd.net

Mr. Camposano - Lead counselor - lgc4122@lausd.net

Mr. Meneses - Dean of Discipline - ram5014@lausd.net

Ms. Robledo - Restorative Justice Teacher - leticia.o.robledo@lausd.net

Before School Program:

Beyond the Bell

6:30 am - 8:15 am

Drop off at the gym parking lot

After School Program:

Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC)

Available after OVMS dismissal (2:15 pm or 3:16 pm) until 6 pm

Phone: 213-458-6385

Student pick up in the gym parking lot

Families are encouraged to participate in our Walk To Wellness activity. The exact date and time will be determined in the next few weeks. We plan to begin during the week of October 6, 2025.

Families are invited to participate in Olive Vista workshops and classes and are also invited by our Local Superintendent and Staff to participate in our Region North events and activities also.

More information and live links are available at the Family Academy webpage found HERE. Select Region North for our local offerings.

Students can be dropped off at Borden St gate by auditorium between 7:45 am - 8:30 am.

The bell rings at 8:25 am - ANY STUDENTS ARRIVING AFTER 8:15 AM WILL BE LATE GETTING TO CLASS

Students can be picked up Borden St or Tyler St at the dismissal bell: 3:16 pm (or 2:15 on Tuesdays and Shortened Days)

Before School and After school programs are at the gym on Fellow St. See the map here

To ensure the safe pick up students by authorized adult guardians or caregivers, the LACC after school program staff will only release students to a parent/guardian with a physical identification card.

Please be sure to have your ID ready when you come to pick up your student from the after school program. This is entirely for the safety of the students and their families. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mrs. Mayra at 213-458-6385.

Students will be issued a pouch to store their phones starting on the first day of school. All families have the option of leaving the phone at home. If students bring it to school, they are expected to store it away in the pouch before entering the gate and will be allowed to unlock the device as they exit the campus. Phones will remain locked away during the time students are on campus including during the after school program.

As we kick off the new school year, I want to take a moment to encourage everyone to stay mindful of traffic safety whether walking, biking, or driving to campus. Please take a moment to review the attached August Traffic Safety Tips, which offer helpful reminders to ensure everyone gets to and from school safely.

In particular, I urge extra caution when traveling through the area near {Insert Intersection Cross Streets}. This intersection tends to be especially busy during drop-off and pick-up times, so let’s stay alert and considerate of one another.

Wishing you all a safe and successful start to the school year!

Click here for the ENGLISH application or here for the SPANISH application to sign up your child for free telehealth services.

All students eat free at school for breakfast, lunch, and supper! Delivery of food is not allowed to school during the school day. Please make sure students either bring their lunch from home in the morning or they can plan to have a school lunch. View Cafe LA menus HERE https://lausd.yumyummi.com/webapp

All parents are asked to DROP OFF students in the morning at the Borden gate, near our auditorium. Students should be dropped off no later than 8:15 am to ensure students make it to class on time.

Dismissal Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday is at 3:16 pm

Dismissal Tuesday is at 2:15 pm

Two gates are open for dismissal. Please plan ahead with your child which gate you would like them to exit. We will open Tyler Street gate at the front of the school or Borden St gate next to the auditorium.

Cones will be set up along Borden street for drop off in the morning. Please ask your child to use the crosswalk if crossing the street, for everyone's safety drop your child off on the school side of the street.

If your child needs to remain at school longer than 20 minutes waiting for pick up, please sign your child up for the after school program!

8th Grade students will be selecting their high school for next year starting in October.

Students that want to attend a Magnet High School:

1. Must complete Zone of Choice application AND

2. Must complete online Choices application for a Magnet school

Students that DO NOT want to attend a Magnet School

1. Must complete Zone of Choice application

ZOC is participating in a research study by the University of Chicago. Families are encouraged to participate in a survey that they have received through a unique text message from (213-376-XXXX) from LAUSD.

Current 8th grade students / families are eligible to win up to $1,000 by replying to the survey. There will be multiple cash prizes ranging from $25 to $1,000. Every school that participates is guaranteed at least one winner.

Thank you for your collaboration. This research study will help learn how families choose schools. You will be provided with information about the ZOC high schools' academic growth and social emotional percentiles.

The flyer shown above was mailed home which has information about the study and parent orientation dates. The deadline to respond to the survey is September 30, 2025, just in time for the opening of the ZOC application on October 1st. Thank you.

Olive Vista Middle School and STEAM Magnet is a Zone of Choice School!

Important Parent & Student informational Meetings regarding Zone of Choice for High School:

Informational meetings in English and Spanish via Zoom Only:

October 2 & 8 - English @ 9:00 AM or 4:00 PM

October 7 & 13 - Spanish @ 9:00 AM or 4:00 PM

https://Bit.ly/zocparentorientation

meeting id: 897 0896 5339. passcode: 152681

1-213-338-8477

Students that WANT to apply for a Magnet school:

• Complete Zone of Choice Application AND
• Complete a Magnet Application at E-Choices website

Students that DO NOT want to apply for Magnet schools:

• Complete the Zone of Choice Application

This is a reminder of our 8th grade Culmination Requirements:

Is your child on track to meet all the requirements? Check Schoology for up to date grade information.

Students CANNOT earn any U's for Work habits or Cooperation in the Spring 2025 semester! (Especially if they earned U's in the fall semester).

• Advisory earns each student 2.5 credits if they earn a P (Passing) or 0 credits for NP (Not Passing)
• Classes for periods 1-6 earn each student 5 credits per class if they pass (A, B, C, D marks) or 0 Credits for a failing grade (F) Students must earn 50 credits out of a minimum out of a possible 65 credits over the 8th grade year.
• Students earn Work Habits Grades of Excellent, Satisfactory, or Unsatisfactory (E, S, U) Students need 12 E's or S's total for the year.
• Students earn Cooperation Grades of Excellent, Satisfactory, or Unsatisfactory (E, S, U) Students need 12 E's or S's total for the year.
• Counselor / Student meeting were held in January to determine your child's progress
• Is your child in class AND on time every day? Attendance Matters! No more that 7 absences (96% or better attendance and no less than 96% on time to class). To appeal if your child is over the limit, he or she needs to show immediate and continued improvement.
• Reach out to our 8th grade counselor, Mr. Turcios with questions or concerns.