Dear Encino Charter Families,
This is Principal Besser with your Sunday Message. We have another exciting week of learning, celebrating, and building community ahead at Encino Charter!
Shana Tova to all of our families celebrating Rosh Hashanah! We wish you a happy, healthy, and sweet new year. 🍎🍯
🚸 Arrival Procedures and Student Safety
Families, we need your help keeping morning arrival safe and well supervised. Students should enter the school gates promptly upon arrival rather than remain or gather on the front patio. With significant vehicle and pedestrian traffic, the front of the school becomes extremely busy and is not a safe place for students to linger or play.
Our line-up bell rings at 8:03 a.m. At that time, teachers meet their classes at the classroom lines and begin walking students to class. Students who remain outside the gates after 8:03 a.m. risk missing their teachers, being outside our established supervision procedures, and being marked tardy.
For everyone’s safety, please ensure that your child is inside the gates and at their classroom line before 8:03 a.m. Thank you for your partnership!
🗳️ Charter Leadership Council Parent Election
Thank you to the three ECES parents who have expressed interest in serving as Parent/Community Representatives on our Charter Leadership Council:
- 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 shared decision-making for our school. Please review the candidates’ Statements of Interest to learn more about each candidate.
Parent/Community voting will take place on Monday, September 14, beginning at 7:40 a.m. during morning drop-off at the Addison Gate. Voting will be conducted by secret ballot in accordance with CLC election procedures.
Following the election, ballots will be secured for five working days before being counted. Election results will be shared with the school community following the official count.
Thank you for participating and supporting shared leadership at Encino!
☕ Coffee with the Principal — Monday at 8:30 a.m.
All Encino Charter families are invited to join Dr. Besser for Coffee with the Principal on Monday, September 14, at 8:30 a.m. in the auditorium, immediately following our Monday Morning Spirit Assembly.
This month’s conversation will focus on Building Community Through Trusted Adults and Mental Health Supports. Families will have an opportunity to meet Ms. Dawn Brannon, Encino Charter’s Psychiatric Social Worker, and learn about the support and resources available to our students and families.
Ms. Dawn is on campus Monday through Friday and supports students’ social-emotional wellness, resilience, positive relationships, and success at school. Her services include individual and small-group support, crisis intervention, classroom lessons, parent support, and referrals to community resources.
Families interested in mental health support for their child may complete Ms. Dawn’s PSW Referral Form.
Come enjoy a cup of coffee, connect with other families, ask questions, and be part of the conversation. All are welcome—we hope you can join us! ☕💙
🏆 Student Awards Assemblies This Week
This week, we are excited to recognize students for academic achievement with the Principal’s Award and for demonstrating Trustworthiness, this month’s Character Trait.
- Grades 3–5: Thursday, September 17
- TK–2: Friday, September 18
Both assemblies will begin promptly at 8:15 a.m. in the auditorium and will last approximately 30 minutes. Teachers will contact the parents and guardians of students receiving an award with an invitation to attend.
On the morning of the assembly, award recipients should report to their classrooms as usual and will come to the auditorium with their teachers. Invited parents and guardians may proceed directly to the auditorium.
We look forward to celebrating our students’ accomplishments and outstanding character! 💙🏆
🎓 Save the Date — Middle School and CHOICES Information Session
Thinking ahead to middle school? Please join us on Monday, September 28, at 8:30 a.m. in the auditorium as we welcome Ms. Shira Scherb, Region North Strategic Enrollment and PSA Counselor.
Ms. Scherb will share information about LAUSD CHOICES programs, middle school options, and how to navigate the application process. All interested families are welcome!
📅 This Week at Encino
Monday, September 14
- 7:40 a.m. — Charter Leadership Council Parent Election at the Addison Gate
- 8:03 a.m. — Monday Morning Spirit Assembly
- 8:30 a.m. — Coffee with the Principal
- Behavior Assemblies
Tuesday, September 15
- 8:03 a.m. — Line-Up Bell
- 1:31 p.m. — Banked Time Tuesday Early Dismissal
Wednesday, September 16
- Earthquake Drop, Cover, and Hold On Drill and Fire Drill
Thursday, September 17
- 8:15 a.m. — Grades 3–5 Awards Assembly
Friday, September 18
- 8:15 a.m. — TK–2 Awards Assembly
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