LA's BEST

Young Authors Culmination - Central Region

More than 200 LA’s BEST students from 12 schools in the Central Los Angeles area participated in the Young Authors Program culminating event in partnership with Target. For several weeks, these students have participated in the program which developed their creativity, writing, and language skills. This event, which took place at Loreto Elementary focused on the younger students, including Kindergarten through second grade. The event featured a read-aloud by authors Alma Flor Ada and Isabel Campoy, creators of the Young Authors curriculum, as well as literary-themed art projects and activities facilitated with the help of Target volunteers.

Principals' Breakfast 2012

For the third time, LA's BEST invited principals from all of our sites to a breakfast event to honor and show appreciation for all the hard work they do and for their support of LA's BEST in their schools.  The festivities took place on January 19, 2012 at the Grace E. Simons Lodge in Elysian Park.  There, principals enjoyed a breakfast buffet and a program of speakers including LA's BEST CEO Carla Sanger and Executive Director of Beyond the Bell, Al Cortes.  They spoke to the importance of elementary school principals and their partnerships with community organizations such as LA's BEST.  It was a wonderful morning of mingling, thanking, and getting feedback for improvement of LA's BEST.  Many thanks to our principals as our partners in creating brighter futures for children!

Mattel's Day of Play with LA's BEST - 2011

More than 400 LA's BEST students participated in Mattel's Day of Play at Mattel Headquarters in El Segundo.  Kids were treated to bounce houses, slides, basketball, sledding, ice skating, Barbie dress-up, train rides, Hot-wheels races and more...plus real snow!

Winter Fun at Beverly Center

More than 200 LA's BEST students were invited to celebrate the holidays at the Bevelry Center.  There, they were treated to a lunch, frozen yogurt, balloon figures, magic tricks, a meeting with Santa and the Ice Princess and the chance to play in snow in the Ice Palace!

Japan's Soka University visits Grape St.

LA's BEST at Grape St. Elementary received special visitors from Japan!  For the fourth year, students and teachers from Soka Univesrity in Japan visited the program to observe the teaching philosophy of LA's BEST in order to implement aspects of the program into education programs in Japan.

Yoga at Shenandoah - December First Friday

LA's BEST Friends brought yoga to Shenandoah Elementary.  Students and volunteers participated in stretching, breathing exercises, and fun yoga-inspired games.  It was a relaxing way to end the week!

Dr. Ellerbee visits LA's BEST at Leo Politi

Dr. Ellerbee, Deputy Superintendent of the Student Support & Special Services Branch at the California Department of Education visited the LA's BEST program at Leo Politi Elementary.  During his visit, he participated in a round-table discussion with LA's BEST and Politi staff.  He also visited several classes and witnessed LA's BEST students practicing science with racecars and mathematics and nutrition with grid gardening!

Snow White Panto Opening Night 2011

Supporters of LA's BEST gathered for an evening of theater fun at the opening night performance of A SNOW WHITE CHRISTMAS.  The play, performed in the style of a British Panto, was full of energy, music, and audience participation.  Proceeds from opening night benefited LA's BEST.  See pictures from the magical evening!

Vons Turkey Giveaway at Gledhill

Thanks to a generous donation from Vons, LA's BEST students from Gledhill who participate in SOS Mentors received free turkeys just in time for Thanksgiving.  An additional special thanks goes out to SOS Mentors, Kaiser, and Healthy is the New Skinny for helping make this event a big success!

'Animals Are Our Friends' Contest Winners

LA's BEST student winners of Found Animals Foundation's "Animals Are Our Friends" contest received awards and prizes at the California ScienCenter on Sunday, November 14, 2011.  See pictures of students accepting their awards as well as a gallery of the winning artwork! Congrats to all who participated!

FedEx builds garden at Euclid

FedEx sponsored and built a native plant garden at Euclid Elementary. With help from the Theodore Payne Foundation, FedEx volunteers created a garden oasis for students, including native plants, a raised pathway, reading benches and a watering system that utilizes run-off from rain water - all in one day!!

November First Friday - Games at 135th St!

LA's BEST students at 135th St Elementary were treated to an afternoon of games thanks to Educational Insights and LA's BEST Friends.  Students rotated to six stations, each with a different educational game - including board games, card games, and trivia games that taught science, math, and language skills.

UnWINEd 2011

More than 600 LA's BEST supporters helped raise over $68,000 for 28,000 kids! The annual wine tasting and silent auction held at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica was hosted by LA's BEST Friends, a young professionals, philanthropic network dedicated to helping secure the future of LA's BEST.

Photos by Ben Gibbs.

Randi Weingarten visits Politi Elementary

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), visited the LA's BEST program at Leo Politi Elementary.  There, Ms. Weingarten participated in activities with students as well as discussions with site staff, especially those who have chosen to pursue a career in teaching after working with LA's BEST.

First Friday - Drumming at Lankershim Elementary

Can you feel the beat?  LA's BEST Friends came out to participate in a drum circle with LA's BEST students at Lankershim Elementary.  Students learned different rythms and used drums, shakers, and tambourines to create a multitude of sounds.  It was a noisy but fun afternoon!

LA's BEST 9th Annual Family Health Festival

Over 4,500 LA's BEST students, staff and families attended this year's Family Health Festival.  The LA’s BEST Family Health Festival was designed to promote the importance of getting fit and eating well among children and families served by the LA’s BEST after school program.  This free event included a variety of fun and informative hands-on activities promoting healthy lifestyle choices.  Stars such as Janelle Ortiz of the Disney film Prom, Dillon Lane, star of Nickelodeon’s “Bucket & Skinner’s Epic Adventures,” Cymphonique, star of Nickelodeon’s upcoming series “How to Rock,” and recording artist Master P. were on hand to provide motivation and entertainment. 

Congresswoman Karen Bass visits Hillcrest

Congresswoman Karen Bass made a special visit to the LA's BEST program at Hillcrest Elementary.  There, she participated in activities with students such as learning sign language for the Pledge of Allegiance and discussing her role as a Congresswoman in Washington.

Kourageous Kids

In partnership with LA’s BEST, the SAG Foundation’s Children’s Theater Project took place this summer at Logan Elementary. In a final showcase called Kourageous Kids, the students each performed an original monologue that they'd written during the course of the program. Our LA's BEST students shined, showing a range of dramatic readings from comedy to tragedy. Congratulations and great job to all involved!

Bicycle Safety with Safe Moves

 LA’s BEST was recently presented with a commendation from Los Angeles City Councilmember Richard Alarcón for partnering with Safe Moves to teach our children the importance of bicycle and traffic safety. At the most recent event, LA’s BEST students from Dyer Elementary rode bikes through a miniature city featuring streets, sidewalks, cars, trucks and traffic signs and learned how to be cautious and avoid accidents when bicycling in their neighborhoods.

Alumni First Friday

LA's BEST's First Fridays program got an extra kick this August from our own alumni! Joining forces with the BEST Friends board, alumni and other volunteers helped to create a carnival for the students at Leo Politi Elementary.