CDA Community,

We will use this platform to house communications since March 10, 2020, when the Covid-19 / coronavirus health crisis started to affect our day-to-day operations. Make sure to check the district’s website for more up-to-date information. If you are not receiving their communications by phone or email, please email me so that we can check your contact information in our student data system.

Stay well and together we will get through this crisis. Thanks.

Andrew Jenkins, Principal
[email protected]

Email Sent on December 18, 2020

Dear CDA Families:

We have two updates for you today: a dedication to our beloved Mrs. Ricks, who retires this month, and an update on our pupil free day, which has been moved to January 11, 2021. Students will return to school on Tuesday, January 12, 2021 and their last day of instruction will therefore be Friday, June 11, 2021. Thanks.

Congratulations to Mrs. Andrea Ricks

In October of 2009, Mrs. Ricks became our School Administrative Assistant, entering her first year at our school like me as someone in a position that was a first for her. What we admire most about her, as I begin a long list of strengths and talents, is her smile. One of the more essential functions of any school office manager is to be the face of a school, welcoming all who enter with warmth and inclusiveness. Mrs. Ricks has become a model for what it means to make one feel at home. What I will also miss most about her is the laughter she generated with all of those she interacted and before the time of social distancing all of the hugs she gave. There was a certain serendipity in the coincidence that we started together because in many ways we were able to grow into our work together. I often joke that she is the real “boss” of the school because in many ways I needed someone with her wisdom and intuition to help me make the right decisions. I will miss next her wise counsel, the many times we sat in my office and she listened with care and gave me the sage advice that helped me make some of my more difficult decisions. She always was always able to set my ship back on course and in so many instances was the necessary calm I needed in moments of tumult and uncertainty. I know I am not alone when I say that we will miss her guiding force, her genuine interest in us as people, and her caring of all who entered our office, from students who needed a band-aid to teachers who needed help with a task. While one could easily argue that she is irreplaceable, she is giving one of her greater gifts in Ms. Elizabeth Limas, who she mentored these many years and helped to gain the credentials needed so that she could seek promotion to her position. So while we say, “Congratulations to Mrs. Ricks on your retirement!” we can also say, “Congratulations to Ms. Limas on your promotion!” Thank you Mrs. Ricks for the many hours of service you have given to our community. We will always remember your smile and hear your laughter.

Parents, please feel free to add you wishes to a Padlet we have created for her or email her at [email protected] through December 30, to wish her well. Thanks!

Pupil Free Day

We are now preparing for instruction to resume after Winter Break. In order to provide our teachers with more time for planning, Monday, January 11, 2021 will be a pupil-free day. Classes will begin at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, and will continue in an online format. Your teachers will email you updates by Monday, January 11, 2021, with schedules and coursework that will begin on the 12th. Students will not be responsible for work or synchronous participation until Tuesday, January 12th, but we do encourage you to ensure they read every day and engage in the kinds of games and activities that will deepen all of the learning in which they have engaged our first semester. In addition, because of this change in the calendar, the last day of instruction for the school year will be Friday, June 11, 2021. Additional information will be posted our website and on www.lausd.net. Thank you and have a wonderful Winter Break, December 21 – January 11.

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