Palos Verdes Local Business Offers Home School Support!

1 month ago • Community Information, School Information

Palos Verdes Local Business Offers Home School Support!

Palos Verdes homes owners with school aged children are working on finalizing their plans to start the 2020-2021 school year on August 26, 2020. Many students have chosen for the Hybrid Learning Models, but quite a few have signed up for the Distance Learning Academy. The schools strict policies for opening, have put many families in a bind. Some have reached out for small pod learning groups so that the children can study with other children in a safe environment. However, there are not enough groups to satisfy the demand. Having learning pods allows the parents time to work from home or return to their jobs.

Elite Dance Studio is offering a school setting where children bring their laptops and participate in their zoom classes for school, then for physical education they can dance, or play games for activities. The hours would be from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with early drop off and late pick up for parents. This program will be starting in September to allow the school program to start on August 26,2020. This program is being offered on a first come first serve basis, due to distancing guidelines.

Pricing will depend on each child’s exact schedule requirements. If you are interested please contact the owner Dyan Lopez at (310) 413-6536, to save a seat and put together a specific program for your child.

Elite Dance Studio is offering Zoom dance classes, and in studio classes for the rest of the year respecting social distancing. To find out more information about these wonderful dance opportunities contact Dyan Lopez at (310) 413-6536.

Elite Dance Studio is located at 550 Deep Valley Drive Suite 241, Rolling Hills Estates. To read more about the studio go to www.elitedancerhe.com.

To read my last article on the Palos Verdes Peninsula School District click here.

Photo courtesy of Elite Dance Studio

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School Districts Guide for Reopening!

2 months ago • Community Information, School Information

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School Districts Guide for Reopening!

Palos Verdes homes owners with school aged children should read the District’s Guide for Reopening. This has been quite the school year for both parents and children who have had to adapt to remote home learning.

These educational choices have not been easy parents and the school board which is doing its best to follow the state guidelines. Now that the school year is approaching, families have had to decide whether to use the Hybrid Learning Models or Distance Learning Academy. For the students who have not yet responded to the school district’s choices, they will be placed in the Hybrid Learning Model unless they opt in for the Distance Learning Academy.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School Districts has encouraged families to make sure that they respond in a timely manner. August 2, 2020, is the deadline to select Distance Learning Academy. Following that protocol, August 19th, will be the tentative date for the material pick up at school campuses. As of now the 2020-2021 school district will begin on August 26, 2020.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School Districts informational guide can be seen by clicking here.

To read my last article on the Palos Verdes Peninsula School District click here.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District Townhall Meeting!

3 months ago • Community Information, School Information

Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District Townhall Meeting!

Palos Verdes homes owners who have students in the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District are encouraged to watch a livestream meeting on the School Reopening Planning on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, from 7:00p.m. to 9:00 p.m. This event will be Live Streamed and the public will have an opportunity to submit questions by joining the Zoom video-conference, via an online form or email.

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District’s Board of Education is inviting the community to watch this informative meeting regarding what comes next for your child’s education. The meeting will be moderated by School Board President Suzanne Seymour, and will include the school board members, superintendent Dr. Alex Cherniss, district staff and other outside information specialists.

If you are interested in video conferencing you can click here for the Townhall information and sign up under “How to Submit a Question.” You can also email a question ahead of time to boardcomments@pspusd.net. While the meeting is taking place, they hope to divide the amount of questions to 50% via live Zoom participation and 50% of written questions – each will be limited to one minute.

For more information click here for the Townhall information.

The Livestream link is available at: www.pvpusd.net/july1/

To read my last article on the Palos Verdes Peninsula School District click here.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District

Palos Verdes 2020 Summer School Changes!

5 months ago • Children's Events, Community Information, School Information

Palos Verdes 2020 Summer School Changes!

The Palos Verdes Unified School District has had to change directions for its summer school program because of the COVID-19 virus. This year, summer school will be an online program for all grade levels. All summer school programs will begin on June 22, 2020.

Palos Verdes elementary students participating in a Summer Break Program will be taking one block of reading, writing and math which will be taught via Zoom. The program will be taught with the maximum of only 18 students per teacher. Classes will begin at 8:30 a.m. and go until 12:00 noon. Students will be attending classes from Monday, June 22, through Friday, July 17, 2020. The cost for elementary students is $500. Registration will open on May 12, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. and will close on June 1, 2020, at 3:00 p.m.

Palos Verdes intermediate students grades six through eight will be able to participate in the Summer PEP Program which will consists of (1 or 2) two hour blocks of time for each subject. There will also be a third 2 hour block from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to provide a limited number of enrichment based electives. The program will be taught with the maximum of 25 students per teacher. Classes will begin at 8:30 a.m. and go until 12:30 p.m. Students will be attending classes from Monday, June 22, through Friday, July 17, 2020. The cost for intermediate students is $275 (1 block), $550 (2 blocks) and $825 (3 blocks). Registration will be open on May 11, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. and will close on June 1, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. Online signups will close on June 12, 2020, at 3:00 p.m.

Summer high school for Palos Verdes students in grades ten through twelve will be offered online. Summer school full session cost will be $660 or tuition for a one semester class is $330. First semester classes (3 weeks) start on Monday, June 22, and continue through July 9, 2020. Second semester classes (3 weeks) start on Monday, July 13, and continue through July 30, 2020. The classes offered during the summer are listed on the summer school website listed below.

For more information and description of classes offered, go to www.pvpss.com.

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District

Palos Verdes 2020 Summer School Registration Starts Soon!

7 months ago • Children's Events, Community Information, School Information

Palos Verdes 2020 Summer School Registration Starts Soon!

Spring Break is not yet here for the Palos Verdes Unified School District, but summer school signs ups are quickly approaching and if history repeats itself they will fill up fast.

Registration for Palos Verdes elementary students for summer school will begin on Monday, April 6, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. This year the Summer Break program classes will be held at Soleodo and Dapplegray. The school hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and classes run from Monday, June 22, through Friday, July 18, 2020. There will not be classes on July 4, 2020. They will be offering 4 week programs, and a two week workshop. The cost for the four week program is $620, and the two week workshop is $310. Before and After School Care is being offered at both Soleodo and Dapplegray during the Summer Break. Online signup will start on Monday, April 6, 2020, and will close on May 21, 2020, at 3:00 p.m.

Registration for Palos Verdes intermediate students participating in a Summer PEP Program will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, March 23, 2020, and will close on May 1, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. This year, classes will be offered at Palos Verdes Intermediate School, Ridgecrest and Miraleste Intermediate School. Classes begin at 8:15 a.m. and go until 12:30 p.m. Students will be attending classes from Monday, June 22, through Friday, July 17, 2020. There will be no school on July 4, 2020. The cost for intermediate students is $565.

Summer high school for Palos Verdes students in grades nine through twelve, will be offered at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. Online registration will be activated according to the specific grade. On Tuesday, March 17. 2020, PVPUSD Seniors (Grade 12 in Sept. 2020) will be able to begin registration at 7:00 p.m. On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, PVPUSD Juniors (Grade 11 in Sept 2020) will be activated for registration at 7:00 p.m. On Thursday, March 19, 2020, PVPUSD Sophomores (grade 10 in September 2020) will be activated for registration at 7:00 p.m. On Monday, April 13, 2020, PVPUSD Freshman (Grade 9 in September 2020) will be activated for registration at 7:00 p.m. Open registration for all students (including out of district) will open on Wednesday, April 15, 2020. These classes are offered Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Summer school full session cost will be $660 or tuition for a one semester class is $330. First semester classes (3 weeks) start on Monday, June 22, through July 9, 2020. Second semester classes (3 weeks) start on Monday, July 13, through July 30, 2020.

For more information and description of classes offered, hours and costs, go to www.pvpss.com.

To read my prior article on Palos Verdes Peninsula Summer School click here .

Photo courtesy of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District

Palos Verdes Unified School District Spring Break Day Camp 2020!

7 months ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information, School Information

Palos Verdes Unified School District Spring Break Day Camp 2020!

Spring Break Camp is available for Palos Verdes Unified School District students in grades TK through 8 from March 30 through April 3, 2020, – hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity for working parents to use a convenient daycare for their school age children. The District will also allow students, who are not currently enrolled in PV Kid’s Corner, to join the program. In order to participate, you must complete a registration packet and return it to the PV Kid’s Corner business office no later than March 20, 2020. The business office is located at 3801 Via La Selva, Palos Verdes Estates.

The full day camp will take place at Soleado Kids Corner and will be a fun experience for children during the week of Spring break. The fee for participation is $175 per child for this 5 day program and there is a 10% sibling discount. You should provide a sack lunches with a beverage for your child, but morning and afternoon snack will be provided. This program is going to fill up quickly and you should register early.

Soleado Elementary School is located at 27800 Longhill Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes. For more information, and for registration forms click here, or call (310) 541-7626.

To read my last article on Spring Break Day Camp click here.

Photo courtesy of PV Kids Corner

Palos Verdes High Schools’ 2020 Booster Club Fundraisers

8 months ago • Community Events, Community Information, School Information, Things To Do In Palos Verdes

Palos Verdes High Schools’ 2020 Booster Club Fundraisers

Both Palos Verdes high schools will be sponsoring their annual 2020 Booster Club’s fundraisers during the month of March.

Palos Verdes High School will be sponsoring their 2020 Booster Club’s CATCH THE WAVE fundraiser on Saturday, March 14, 2020. The theme is “Denim & Diamonds” and will feature an amazing night of food, dancing, silent auction, and live auction. Get a group of friends and plan an evening of fun on Saturday, March 14, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m for $125.00 per person. This year’s event will be held at the Palos Verdes Golf Club located at 3301 Via Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates.

For more information about this event or to purchase tickets go to http://pvboosterclub.com.

Palos Verdes Peninsula High School will be sponsoring this year’s annual Booster Club BLACK AND GOLD AFFAIR fundraiser on Saturday, March 7, 2020. This event will feature food, dancing, silent auction, and live auctions beginning at 6:00 p.m, for $135.00 per person. Online registration closes on Friday, February 28, 2020. This event will be held at the Palos Verdes Golf Club located at 3301 Via Campesina, Palos Verdes Estates.

For more information about the event or to purchase tickets go to http:pvhsabc.com.

You don’t have to be a parent of a school child to enjoy these events. The purpose of these high school fundraisers is to raise money for academics, arts, and athletic programs. These fundraisers provide a large percentage of the Booster Club’s contribution for the much needed supplemental funding.

Booster Club Supporters take our high schools to a whole new level of excellence. The contributions help to subsidize so much at our local high schools. They help with academics by bringing in Tutors, Link Crew, Technology Upgrades, Digital Database, Speech & Debate Advisories, and Academic Decathlons. In the Arts Department, they help with the drama productions, video production, choral and color guard, musical equipment for the band, and more. The Athletics Department also gets help with turf maintenance, athletic trainers, athletic equipment, and maintenance for the athletic facilities.

They need and appreciate all your support to ensure the success of all Palos Verdes High School students. Historically, our district receives far less money per student due to state funding inequities. Bond initiatives, parcel taxes, PEF, and PTSA have all helped, but the additional funds from the Booster Clubs are necessary for our student needs.

To read my last article on Palos Verdes High Schools’ Booster Club Fundraisers click here.

Above photos courtesy of PVUSD

Palos Verdes 2020-2021 Kindergarten Registration Open

9 months ago • Community Events, Community Information, School Information

Palos Verdes 2020-2021 Kindergarten Registration Open

Palos Verdes homes owners (and/or tenants) who have children entering Kindergarten in the Fall of 2020, are invited to attend a Kindergarten Registration Information Program. The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District recommends that parents attend even if they have had other children go through the system because the program has changed. This is an important event if you have Kindergarten age children because some Palos Verdes elementary schools are impacted. California Law (SB 1381) regarding the age requirement for Kindergarten enrollment was changed. The law now requires a child be five years old on or before September 1, 2020, to be eligible for Kindergarten. To enroll in Transitional Kindergarten (which is a separate program), children must be five years old before December 2, 2020. Children who will be turning 5 years old on or between September 2 and December 2, 2020 are automatically placed in Transitional Kindergarten at the time of enrollment and will not need Transitional Kindergarten screening.

Parents are encouraged to attend one of the scheduled Kindergarten Orientation meetings and learn more about this change, the application process, kindergarten readiness, standards, transitional kindergarten, before and after school child care, fee-based summer programs and the application deadline. The meetings will be held on:

Tuesday, January 14, 2020 (6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) at Vista Grande Elementary School, 7032 Purpleridge Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes (310) 377-6066.

Thursday, January 16, 2020 (6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) at Dapplegray Elementary School, 3011 Palos Verdes Drive North, Rolling Hills Estates (310) 541-3706.

Each elementary school will host a parent orientation meeting in May that will include tours, program information and the curriculum information.

The enrollment process for 2020-2021 school registration is on the PVPUSD website at www.pvpusd.net with instructions and enrollment forms.

To read my last article on Palos Verdes Kindergarten Registration click here.

Photo courtesy of PVPUSD

Choose Your Palos Verdes High School Now For 2020-2021!

9 months ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information, School Information

Choose Your Palos Verdes High School Now For 2020-2021!

Palos Verdes residents who are parents of eighth grade students, should have received high school information packets as it is time to designate which high school their child will attend in September 2020. To assist in this decision, Palos Verdes High School and Palos Verdes Peninsula High School will be hosting their annual tours at both schools for Palos Verdes homes owners (and tenants) to visit. Any current eighth grade student will have an opportunity to enroll under “open enrollment” which means that the students who will enter 9th grade in September 2020, may choose which Palos Verdes high school to attend. Planning for the 2020-2021 school year is beginning, and enrollment numbers are critical to effectively prepare for this next school year.

Both high schools have scheduled several sessions to assist you and your student in selecting which one of our award winning high schools will be the best fit for them. The principal forum information meetings for Palos Verdes High School are: Friday, January 10, 2020, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and Wednesday, January 22, 2020, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Open House will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Palos Verdes High School is located at 600 Cloyden Road, Palos Verdes Estates.

Palos Verdes Peninsula High School will be holding their principal forums on Thursday, January 16, 2020, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Tuesday, February 4, 2020, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Open House will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2020, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Palos Verdes Peninsula High School is located at 27118 Silver Spur Road, Rolling Hills Estates.

If you are looking for more information or need enrollment forms, go to www.pvpusd.net. For specific high school information – for Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, call Deidre Heimer (310) 377-4888 x 42280, or Palos Verdes High School, call Karen Mills (310) 378-8471 x 208.

To read my prior article on the Palos Verdes High Schools, click here.

Photos courtesy of Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District.

Skechers Friendship 2019 Walk Benefits Peninsula Education Foundation

12 months ago • Children's Events, Community Events, Community Information, School Information

Skechers Friendship 2019 Walk Benefits Peninsula Education Foundation

Palos Verdes homes owners can enjoy and support a friendship walk for the Peninsula Education Foundation, which is seeking donations to support our local Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. The primary source of income for most public school districts in California, including the PVPUSD, is from the State. However, State support has declined since 2007-08. The most stable and reliable funding source in recent years has been local revenue from the Peninsula Education Foundation. This year the foundation will be celebrating their 40th year anniversary. A lot has changed in the past years, but the income from Peninsula Education Foundation has allowed PVPUSD to continue providing students the programs and services needed for their success in college and/or the workplace.

The Peninsula Education Foundation board of trustees has yet to set its fundraising goal for this year (the fundraising goal for last year was $3,100,000). Currently, a large portion ($1.5 million) of the pledge is allocated to saving teachers’ jobs, with the remaining pledge balance supporting elementary choral and instrumental music; library aides; PE for grades K- 5; STEM for elementary grades 4-5, intermediate & high school safe schools counselors, College Career Center staff and STEM programs for robotics and engineering called PVIT and SMERT. Recently, the PEF Board voted to allocate funding for the development of a digital citizenship program at the intermediate level and the creation of Parent University to provide technology training and resources to access important district and student information/resources.

Palos Verdes homes owners have a wonderful opportunity to support our schools by registering for The Pier To Pier Friendship Walk which will be held Sunday, October 27, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. (check-in is at 8:00 a.m.). Early check in for the walk takes place on Friday, October 25, 2019, from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, October 26th, 2019, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at any of the local Skechers stores located in Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach South Bay Galleria, Torrance Del Amo Mall or the Promenade on the Peninsula. The cost of the walk is $30 for early check in, or $35 on the day of the walk with the entire fee going directly to our schools. This 3.5 mile walk begins at Manhattan Beach Pier and you can sign up either as walker or “virtual walker” and designate Palos Verdes Education Foundation as your charity of choice. Last year our schools received a check for $247,000 from Skechers and had over 4,000 participants. This year they hope to have more participants and increase the money going to our schools. Every participant receives a tee shirt and gift bag. And if you stay until noon, you can join in the famous pumpkin races. It’s easy to register online at www.skechersfriendshipwalk.com and click on the “register to walk button.”

Please register your entire family to join in the fun and support PEF and our schools. This is a win-win. Our Palos Verdes schools will receive additional funding and you and your family can enjoy a beautiful morning at the beach!

To read my last article on Skechers Friendship Walk click here.

Photo courtesy of Skechers Friendship Walk