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Duff Language Magnet Academy

Dragons R.I.S.E. to the Challenge and Shine

Week 8: Duff Staff Weekly Bulletin

Posted Date: 10/04/26 (06:02 PM)


Duff Staff Weekly Bulletin 2026-2027

🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉Duff Dragons R.I.S.E🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉

October 5, 2026

🐉Unleash The Leader In You!🐉

Theme Of The Year

 

Principal's Message

Dear Duff Staff,
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend with family and friends indoors to avoid this heat. I can’t believe it is October already! I am looking forward to collaborating with you on all the upcoming October events. 

October Focus:
We will continue to focus on PBIS theme  Integrity flyer and Habit #2 flyer of Leader in Me. Be sure to implement Dragon Duff Dollars when RISE PBIS expectations and or any LIM Habit characteristics are observed. Remember to let students know the reason they are earning the Duff Dollars. Please refer to RISE expectations HERE for reference. Be sure to post both flyers in the classrooms to be visible to students. 

🎃 Class Pumpkin Decorating Contest!
We will be asking families to donate 16–18 medium-sized pumpkins, with the goal of having one pumpkin for each class to decorate. With teacher guidance, students will work together to decorate their class pumpkin. The purpose is simple: creativity, discussion, collaboration, teamwork, and FUN!  Class pumpkins will be displayed in the cafeteria from October 28–30, and students will vote based on the categories below. On October 30, teachers may raffle the pumpkin to a student who would like to take it home. Decorating can be simple, no painting required!I I have included some easy ideas and examples.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. See resource links and decorating ideas HERE.

  1. Most Creative 
  2. Spookiest
  3. Funniest
  4. Most Scientific/Most Futuristic 
  5. Cutest

Duff Internal Calendar: 
Please add Duff Internal Calendar to view all school events if you haven't done so. Click HERE to add. All school events, meetings including PLC, VAPA, PDs are calendared in this Internal calendar. Please develop the habit of changing this calendar and your own google calendar for invitations, and don’t forget to RSVP to the invitations. Should you be unable to attend any meetings, RSVP no and please let me know ahead of time, and perhaps we can reschedule. 

For Teachers:
 

Construction Update

It looks like all construction work has now been completed! The next steps include the final inspection and any remaining requirements before the area can officially open.

Should you have any questions regarding the construction project, inspection, or progress, please do not hesitate to contact the Child Development Center at (626) 307-3396 for additional information. Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout the construction process.

Traveling Staff at Duff This Week:

LMT & SCC (CHI): 10/6, 10/8
LVM Romie: 10/5, 10/7
CSS Ms. Thomas: 9/29 
RSP Mr.Lee: 10/7
SLP Ms. Kim: 10/7
HSA Ms. Zariss: 10/6, 10/8
Nurse Ms. Chien: 10/9 
 
This week

What is happening:

10/5-10/9: 6th grade at Science Camp @Wrightwood 
10/5: Monday Announcement -Student Council/Custodian Appreciation recognition 
10/5: TK PLC check in @1:40pm in Principal’s office
10/6: Dowell visits 6th grade science camp in the AM 
10/6: Spanish VAPA check in @1:55pm for 4th grade in Principal’s office
10/6: No Staff meeting
10/6: PBIS team meeting @2:50pm (Lin, Kwong, Zhong, Herrera)
10/7: Dowell at Management meeting 9-12:30pm
10/7: SPSA workshop at Rice@2:30pm (Xu, Mou, Chu, Dowell)
10/8:  Spanish VAPA check in @8:20am-11:10pm for K, 2, 3 & 1st @ 1:10pm in Principal’s office
10/8: IEP @11:30- Gohar & Li in Principal’s office 
10/8: Fire Drill @ 2pm
10/9: PLC 
10/9: PTO Fundraiser at Noodle Word 10am-10pm, including to gos. See flyer HERE. 
 

Looking Ahead:

  • 10/12: Learning Walk (Hillcrest at Duff in the AM, MTSS team & Dowell to Hillcrest in the PM)
  • 10/13: Lunch Pop Up- Red Ribbon Week collage 
  • 10/13: Grade Level Collab. at different schools  (TK@Williams, K-2@Bitely, 3-6@Rice)
  • 10/14: School Site Council (SSC) at 1:45pm.
  • 10/15: Coffee with Principal @8:30am, LSS (Learning Support Service) will be presenting on various topics. See flyer HERE. 
  • 10/16: Fall Picture
  • 10/16: Chocolate Sale begins for current 5th graders to prepare for next year 6th grade Science camp 
Calendar
 

Imporant Information

Meetings:
As a reminder, staff meetings are an important part of keeping everyone informed and connected, so I appreciate everyone making every effort to attend all the Staff meetings and Committee meetings. If you have a training or another commitment that conflicts with a scheduled staff meeting, please let me know in advance so we can communicate and plan accordingly. I appreciate your participation in professional learning and your help in keeping me informed of any scheduling conflicts. Thank you. 

Parent Square:
Teachers post in PS for school wide event parent communication , please select to add Office Staff, so we are not sending parents duplicated information to overwhelm them. 

SB 848
SB 848 Memo from HR- quarterly check by admin ensure all classrooms adhere to SB 848 requirments. SB 848 requires all couches, and oversized furniture that creates hidden on isolated seating areas in the classrooms must be removed. This means no couches (including single seat) in the classrooms with this new policy. 

All classroom/school volunteers must complete the district mandated reporter training before they can volunteer. This is for ALL volunteers, doesn’t matter which level. PTO and office have notified all volunteers to complete this process as soon as possible to avoid long

Must wear school or district badge:
For safety and security reason, all employees must wear either school or district badge at all times when on campus. This also apply to all volunteers and any other agency staff that enter Duff campus. 

Food/Beverages on Campus (New)- See new guidelines HERE.
To comply with USDA and state nutrition guidelines, the District has updated its Food/Beverages on School Campus guidelines. Should we have any questions, we can contact Student Support Services at (626) 307-3427.

Security Camera Implementation Guidelines- See District Guideline shared with staff HERE. 
Cameras are now installed districtwide and soon will be in operation. They're placed only in public-facing areas, record video only (no audio), and footage access is limited to authorized personnel. Signage is posted at entrances.
 
Duff Family Weekly Newsletter

October Focus: Integrity

Integrity
Integrity

October Focus: Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

 Begin with the End in Mind

PBIS Matrix

PBIS Matrix
 

The 7 Habits Tree

The 7 Habits Tree
 
 

Happy Birthday To:

  • 10/6: Ms. Fuentes 
  • 10/7: Ms. Sophia