Dear Encino Charter Families,
This is Principal Besser with your Sunday Message. We have another exciting week ahead at Encino Charter! 💙
🇺🇸 Labor Day — No School
There will be no school Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day. School resumes Tuesday, September 8.
Please remember that every school day matters! We appreciate families making every effort to have students at school and on time following the long weekend. Consistent attendance supports learning, routines, and student success.
🚗 Arrival & Dismissal Safety
Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation during arrival and dismissal. Student safety is always our highest priority. Please follow all traffic and parking laws, keep crosswalks clear, never double park or call children into the street, and have children enter and exit vehicles from the right side, directly onto the sidewalk.
A little extra patience and attention during these busy times helps keep all of our Encino Explorers safe. 💙
🌟 After-School Programs in Full Swing!
This week, all of our after-school programs will be in full swing! At dismissal, students participating in after-school programs should report to the Lunch Pavilion, where they may enjoy cafeteria supper or a snack from home. Students will remain supervised until approximately 3:00 p.m., when their Enrichment, Intervention, or after-school program staff member picks them up.
Please remind your child that school rules and behavior expectations continue after dismissal. Students should eat only in the Lunch Pavilion, clean up after themselves, and follow school expectations throughout campus.
BookNook High-Dosage Tutoring begins Wednesday, September 9 and will take place Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:00–3:45 p.m. in Room 19. Participating students will report to the designated BookNook table in the Lunch Pavilion at dismissal and will be escorted to and from tutoring by school staff. Regular attendance at all three weekly sessions is important for students to receive the full benefit of the program.
Questions about BookNook may be directed to Assistant Principal Mrs. Kim at (818) 784-1762.
🗳️ Charter Leadership Council Parent Elections
Thank you to the three ECES parents who have expressed interest in serving on our Charter Leadership Council (CLC):
- Christine Hower, parent of Hannah (Kindergarten)
- Larry Fantroy, parent of Arya (TK)
- Steven Mizrahie, parent of Dylan (3rd Grade) and Sophia (Kindergarten)
Our CLC brings together parents, teachers, staff, and school leadership to participate in important decisions regarding school programs, curriculum, budget, hiring, schedules, and events.
Please take a few moments to read the attached Statements of Interest to learn more about each candidate. Candidate speeches and nominations from the floor will take place Thursday, September 10 at 8:30 a.m. Parent voting will take place Monday, September 14 during morning drop-off at the Addison Gate, with election results shared with the school community that afternoon.
Our first Local School Leadership/Charter Leadership Council Meeting will be held Thursday, September 24 at 3:30 p.m.
📊 i-Ready Parent Workshop — This Wednesday!
Please join us Wednesday, September 9 at 8:15 a.m. in the Encino Charter Auditorium for an i-Ready Parent Workshop with Mr. Leonidas Tarca, i-Ready Specialist.
Families will learn more about how i-Ready identifies student strengths and areas for growth, supports personalized learning, and how you can support your child’s progress at home.
💙 Meet Our Psychiatric Social Worker — Ms. Dawn
We are excited to welcome Ms. Dawn Brannon, Encino Charter’s Psychiatric Social Worker (PSW)! Ms. Dawn is on campus Monday through Friday and works with students and families to support social-emotional wellness, resilience, positive relationships, and student success. She provides individual and small-group support, crisis intervention, parent support, community referrals, and classroom lessons focused on social-emotional well-being.
Families interested in mental health support for their child may complete Ms. Dawn’s PSW Referral Form.
Families are also invited to meet Ms. Dawn at our next Coffee with the Principal on Monday, September 14 at 8:30 a.m. We’ll talk about building community through trusted adults and learn more about the mental health resources and supports available to our Encino Explorers. ☕💙
🎓 Save the Date — Middle School & CHOICES Parent Information Session
Thinking ahead to middle school? Please join us Monday, September 28 at 8:30 a.m. in the ECES Auditorium as we welcome Ms. Shira Scherb, Region North Strategic Enrollment and PSA Counselor, who will share information about LAUSD CHOICES programs, middle school options, and how to navigate the application process.
All interested families are welcome to attend!
📅 This Week at Encino
Monday, September 7
- No School – Labor Day
Tuesday, September 8
- 8:03 a.m. – Line-Up Bell
- 1:31 p.m. – Banked Time Tuesday Early Dismissal
Wednesday, September 9
- 8:15 a.m. – i-Ready Parent Workshop with Mr. Leonidas Tarca
- 3:00 p.m. – BookNook High-Dosage Tutoring Begins
Thursday, September 10
- 8:30 a.m. – Charter Leadership Council Candidate Speeches & Nominations from the Floor
Please stay up to date on school news, announcements, and upcoming events by visiting the Encino Charter website.
That’s all for now! Wishing all of our Encino Charter families an enjoyable and relaxing Sunday evening. We look forward to another wonderful week of learning, growing, and building community together.
It’s always a great day to be an Encino Explorer! 💙🚀
Kind regards,
Principal Besser