The LES commitment to our community continued with our partnership and outreach to the Interfaith Food Pantry of North Hollywood, New Friends of the Homeless, LA Family Housing, Fire Station 83, and essential workers in our community. Due to Covid, we could not take field trips, however, the underlying message of what it takes to be a strong community and to continue to make a difference was our focus.

Covid and self-care were at the forefront of our decisions. Students understood that they were a major part of keeping our community safe by adhering to the protocols of wearing masks, social distancing, and washing their hands regularly.

Our High Five project was completed during our At-Home program. Students received the hand-shaped template at one of their Material Pickup Days. This project was completed on Zoom, and the completed “high fives” were returned to LES via a self-addressed envelope, which were then “hand”-delivered to the essential workers at Providence Cedar-Sinai Tarzana Medical Hospital!

We held Material Pickup Days to coincide with food drives to benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry, New Friends of the Homeless, and Fire Station 83. Our families responded with true compassion as hundreds of items were donated to help relieve food insecurity.

We’ve had a warm and long-standing relationship with LA Family Housing (LAFH). Our outreach was year-round: Students created care boxes which included $25 Target gift cards, markers, and activity sheets for the children and teens residing at LAFH; special goodie bags were filled with treats for the veterans who are transitioning from homelessness; and our annual magazine drive was a tremendous success.

The Toy Drive for the 250+ migrant children at the Fairplex Pomona was spearheaded by our sixth graders. We coordinated with a school in Pomona that was preparing to welcome these children and we were able to transport over 50 boxes overflowing with books, toys, puzzles, and stuffed animals.  Congratulations to our sixth grade change agents! (Watch the video they made that documents their incredible act of kindness below).

At the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2021, speeches included remarks about our Virtues & Value program. Double-Vs such as Friendship, Initiative, Humility, Empathy, Gratitude, Joy, and Equity truly are more than just words to the students.  Within our curriculum, we dissect these important concepts from kindergarten on, knowing they shape the foundation of our Community Engagement program.

In closing, I want to thank Fire Station 83 for honoring a favor we asked of them. A new rope needed to be attached to the flagpole in the front parking lot on Ventura Blvd. Our ask was answered. They brought their ladder truck and made the repair in no time. An unexpected thrill came when the firefighters stayed to kick the soccer ball with our students who were out on the blacktop for recess!

As the year ended, in fact the last day for students, we heard that our founding head, Mr. Chris Holabird, was recovering from a broken femur. Each student signed a thinking of you card. He continues to update us on his recovery, and the yearbook and cards we sent him definitely brightened his day.  I am so proud of the way LES not only talks about community engagement, but really puts it into action. Thank you to everyone for your support!

A few of our main recipients of service and goodwill: