Schools

7 People You Should Know at Your Child's School

A guide for parents, guardians and caregivers.

As a parent, you pack lunch, make sure your child gets on the bus and is ready for the school day. But do you do your homework and get to know all the important people at school?

With a new school year right around the corner, it's time to start figuring out who should be on your "must know" list.

1. Your Child's Teacher

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Know at least one teacher at your child’s school well enough to ask questions about your child’s schoolwork and to give him or her information that will help your child learn.

2. School Counselor

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The counselor can help your child deal with changes and challenges at home and at school. Counselors can be a great resource for college-bound students, too. A good school counselor can help explain dates and deadlines and review the application process with your high-schooler. 

3. School Nurse

If budget cuts haven’t taken your school nurse away, introduce yourself to the school's health care professional. School nurses provide much more than bandages and ice packs. They are managing diabetes, asthma, life‐ threatening allergies, mental and emotional illness, safety issues, administering medications and providing an
endless list of services to our students on a daily basis.

4. PTA and/or School Site Council

 Ask your school if there’s a committee you should be aware of. Or better yet, sign up to volunteer and get involved! Your school most likely has a Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) or Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA). PTAs are a well established avenue for parent involvement in school. Your school may also have a school site council that plays an important role in decision making for schools.

Hesby Oaks, for example, has an influential School Site Council and a Hesby Involved Parents (HIP) group. Encino Elementary School has its E-TEAM and School Site Council. Lanai Road has also has a very active PTA.

5. Bus Driver

Take time to introduce yourself to the bus driver who ensures your child travels between school and home safely. LAUSD parents can also learn more about safe walk routes and take a look at some of the frequently asked questions at transportation.lausd.net.

6. Board of Education Member

The Los Angeles City Board of Education is the governing, policy-making body of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Members of the Board make decisions on matters relating to local public education. The following Board Members who represent Encino should be able to hear your concerns and give you answers to your questions:

District 4 Board Member Steve Zimmer represents Encino Elementary, Lanai Road School, Nestle, Emelita Elementary, Wilbur, Portola Middle School and Taft High School, and more schools outside of Encino. He can be reached at steve.zimmer@lausd.net or 213-241-6387. Read more about him on his website.

District 3 Board Member Tamar Galatzan represents Birmingham Charter Community High School, and other Valley schools. She can be reached at Tamar.galatzan@lausd.net or 213-241-6386. You can also read her online newsletter at galatzangazette.com.

7. School Principal or Head of School

Find out if your school principal is holding any meetings, orientations, events or open houses to get to know parents. Many of our local schools host an informal "coffee with the principal" to discuss any questions or concerns regarding the school.

School Principal or Head of School
School Address School Phone

Birmingham Charter Community High School

Marsha Coates 1700 Haynes St. 818-758-5203 Marcia Koff 16941 Addison St.
818-784-1762 David Hirsch
15530 Hesby St. 818-528-7000 Mary Melvin
4241 Lanai Rd.
818-788-1590

Fr. Paul Henson, O. Carm.

5031 Alonzo Ave. 818-654-1329.

Ilene Reinfeld

17114 Ventura Blvd. 818-990-1006

Elizabeth Mayorga
17931 Hatteras St. 818-342-6353

Seta Khajarian, Encino Campus Academic Director

 

5300 White Oak Ave.

818-784 6228

Leslie Zarate Wise
17551 Miranda St. 818-609-8421

Patricia Chaimowitz

17720 Ventura Blvd. 818-344-4126

Muir Meredith 5461 Louise Ave. 818-380-1365

Mike Muir and Marilyn Kadzielski

4548 Haskell Ave.

818-501-4155

Sheva Locke 15739 Ventura Blvd. 818-788-6000


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