1. Who are the teachers?
My Escuelita: Spanish for Kids
Spanish Summer Camp July 2013
Anza Elementary School Room #19
FAQ’s -Frequently Asked Questions
My Escuelita: Summer camp teachers are native speakers and hold an elementary
bilingual credential in the state of California. All three have a BCLAD and are
graduates of Loyola Marymount University. Below are teacher descriptions and
photos from www.myescuelita.com
Irma Vazquez is a native Spanish-bilingual teacher with over 23 years of classroom teaching
experience. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University (LMU '91,'95) Irma has a B.A. in
Liberal Studies, a California bilingual teaching credential (BCLAD-Grades K-8) and a Master's
in Bilingual / Multicultural Education. Irma taught in the Lennox School District for over 15
years and Co-Founded My Escuelita: Spanish for Kids in 2006 alongside her best friends and
teacher colleagues Norma Tabares and Rosa Villanueva. Irma has taught and mentored
Bilingual and General Education student teachers at LMU since 2006 and is currently the
director of My Escuelita, Spanish for Kids in Redondo Beach, California. In 2012 Irma helped
launch the first Southern California (South Bay) Dual Language Program at Washington School
in the Redondo Beach Unified School District as a Kindergarten teacher. She currently teaches
Spanish to children ages 2-5 at LMU Child's Center and is a volunteer member of i-act...a nonprofit organization which has built a pre-school in the refugee camps outside Darfur, Africa. She
is an advisor and early childhood consultant for Little Ripples Preschool. Irma is a wife of 18
years and mother to three children ages 8,10 and 12. Irma at LMU Child Center
Maria Flores joined My Escuelita in 2011 and taught during our Summer Camp I and II both
in Summer 2011 and Summer 2012. Maria has a B.A. in Liberal Studies from Loyola Marymount
University, two teaching credentials- a BCLAD Bilingual Authorization and Special Education
and is working on her M.A. in Special Education at LMU. Maria has been working as a
substitute teacher in the Santa Monica Unified School District and is "one on one" instructional
assistant in the Special Education Department at SMUSD. This Fall 2013 Maria will be teaching
4th grade in the Dual Language Program at La Ballona Elementary School in Culver City. Maria is the mother of three children ages 3, 12 and 18.
Maria playing loteria with older camp students!
Brenda Meza is a native Spanish speaker who obtained a Bachelors degree from UC Riverside
in Psychology and Spanish. Two years later she graduated with a Masters degree in Bilingual/
Multicultural Education from Loyola Marymount University. Brenda holds a multiple subject
teaching credential with bilingual authorization (BCLAD). Brenda was a volunteer this Spring
2013 at Washington Elementary School where she worked in the Dual Immersion Kindergarten
Program alongside classroom teacher Irma Vazquez. Brenda currently teaches Spanish at Can
Academy in West Covina, Ca. Brenda will be joining My Escuelita: Spanish for Kids in the
Summer of 2013 as a Spanish teacher. Brenda Meza
Maria Carillo
Maria Carrillo is a veteran classroom teacher of 21 years. She currently works in the
Lennox School District where she has taught second language learners for over 17 years.
She earned her A.A. from Santa Monica College, has her B.A. in Liberal Arts from
Dominguez Hills and a M.A. in Spanish from Loyola Marymount University. At L.M.U
Maria also earned Elementary California Teaching Credential. Maria also has experience
working with Speech pathologist in the Hawthorne School District. Maria is a an native
Spanish speaker , she is a wife and mother to twin boys, age 9.
2. What does my child need to bring to camp each day?
Your child will need a healthy snack each day. Please drop off their snacks outside
of the classroom each morning at check in. DUE TO TWO SEVERE PEANUT
ALLERGIES PLEASE DO NOT SEND SNACKS WITH PEANUTS TO SPANISH
CAMP. OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE DURING
CAMP...PLEASE HELP US BY CHOOSING ALTERNATIVE SNACKS FOR YOUR
CHILD DURING THESE THREE WEEKS. THANK YOU. Should you child forget
his or her snack we will make sure they get a back-up snack and water at camp.
3. What should my child wear to camp?
Please make sure your child wears tennis shoes. Flip flops and open toe shoes will
not be allowed and are unsafe on the playground. At times the classroom may get
cool. If your child is sensitive to A/C you may want to pack a light sweater. Please
apply sun block at home each day. We will have non-toxic/organic sun block for
children in the classroom in case you forget.
4. Where do I drop off and pick up my child?
Each day camp students will enter and exit via the YELLOW gates that face West.
The gates are right next to the entrance of Rainbow River/Wiseburn Child
Development Center. On the first day of camp please enter the gates and proceed
to the benches right outside of the classroom #19 for check in. Each day you will
be asked to sign in and out your child.
5. Can I stay and volunteer or observe camp?
Yes!! We have an open door policy....however the gates are closed as it is a closed
campus so please inform Irma if you wish to stay and volunteer or are returning
early or if someone will be picking up your child early! We love to have parents in
our classes! Especially on the first day of camp...please feel free to stay in the
class as long as you want.
6. How can I reach the teachers in case of an emergency or if I need to pick
up my child early or if I’m going to be late?
You may call or text Irma, Maria or Brenda at anytime during the camp should you
have an emergency.
Irma Vazquez: 310.227.9422, Maria Flores: 213.864.5961 and Brenda Meza:
323.351.0355 Maria Carrillo: 310.919.7746
7. How will my child know what to do in case of an emergency?
On the first day of camp we will review all of the school, classroom and playground
rules in English. We will also go over natural disaster emergencies and fire
drills...all in English so there is no confusion or mis-understanding due to language.
8. How will I know what my child is doing in camp and how I can help him or
her with the language aquisition?
We will be sending private emailed pictures and texting photos of your child to
your cell/email address. You will also get updates throughout the week and a weekly
newsletter with an overview or summary of what we are working on. “Escuelita a
Casita” the newsletter, will be full of resources including links, videos (of Irma)
other ways your child can access the curriculum and lessons!
That being
said...there is no homework during the Summer camp...but we encourage you to
watch the videos and visit the websites as a way to motivate your child! ;-)
9. What is the schedule each day?
Each day we will follow a schedule but it will also depend on the lessons, small
groups, crafts, games and guest speakers who join us during camp. In addition to
the schedule below we will also be visited by Gladys Barbieri Bilingual Teacher and
Author of Zapatos de Goma and Pink Firetrucks.
*Camp Schedule:
When
What
Where
8:00-8:15am
Free choice, Check in, Games, Puzzles, Wipe
board, books, puppets
Room 19, Snacks in basket
815-845am
Calendar, Agenda, Welcome Songs, Shared
Reading
Circle time on rug
8:45-9:00am
Read A Loud with Accountable Talk
Circle time on rug
9:00-10:00am
Small Groups
(each teacher will lead a small group)
Classroom, lunch benches,
classroom benches
10:00-10:45am
Recess on blacktop, snack, bathroom
Blacktop/playground
10:45-11:00am
Silent Reading, Independent reading, partner
reading
Classroom library
11:00-11:30am
Whole group craft
Outside benches
11:30-11:45am
DIrected game
Playground/blacktop
11:45-12:00pm
Clean up and dismissal
Room 19, Benches by
Yellow gate.
10.What is the address and exact location of the camp?
My Escuelita: Spanish Summer camp will be at Anza Elementary School in the
Wiseburn School District in Hawthorne. All three of Irma’s children attend this school/
district. It is near 120th and Aviation/La Cienega.
http://www.anzaeagles.org/contact_us.php
Juan de Anza School
12110 S. Hindry Ave.
Del Aire, CA 90250
Office: 310-725-2100
Fax: 310 643-0383
Email: info@anzaeagles.org
***Please feel free to call, text or email me this week with additional questions you may
have. I will be available all week. I look forward to seeing former students and meeting
new families next Monday July 1st!
Should you wish to begin taking a look at my videos...they can be found on youtube...my
user name is myescuelita. ;-)
Gracias! Irma