Inspirations of a Young Lady
Guest Blog Post by Elite Student Chaya Shmukler
I started painting when I was about 10-years-old. One day, I picked up a canvas, some paint, and a brush and decided to create something to see what would come out of it. Since that day, I have continued to paint because painting calms me down. When my creative thoughts start flowing, my whole being relaxes. It has now been almost six years. Two years ago I started taking oil pastel and watercolor art classes, but I only attended them for two months because I was ahead of what the teacher was presenting to the class and I did not like being taught how to paint. I found that it crushed my creativity so I decided to continue learning how to paint on my own.
I am featuring two of my most recent paintings. The first is painting is inspired by Pop Art. The painting depicts two people kissing. I chose to paint the male in blue and the female in hot pink with features such as plump lips with a rounded profile.
The black and white painting is a representation of a dream I had, foreseeing my own future. It is a type of surreal silhouette. You have to look at the painting from a specific angle in order to see what it is. Can you see it? Do you see one person? Two people? Or is it an animal or plant? Look first before reading on. Here is a hint: Focus your eyes on the black. The white is empty space that looks a little like Pikachu, but this is not the image. The painting is of a mother and father with their newborn baby.
These two paintings brought much inspiration into my heart. This summer I am hoping to take more art classes, so I can pursue my dream of painting.
Together We Can Make The Difference
Submitted by Sal Becerra, Elite School Counselor
It’s important that we all care for each other during this challenging and uncertain time. Suicide is the leading cause of death among school-age youth. However, suicide is preventable and together we can help keep each other safe and away from self-harm.
Individuals who are contemplating suicide frequently give warning signs of their distress. Parents, teachers, and friends are in a key position to pick up on these signs and get help. Most important is to never takes these warning signs lightly or promise to keep them a secret. When all adults and students in a school community are committed to making suicide prevention a priority and are empowered to take the correct actions, we can help someone in need before they engage in behavior with irreversible consequences.
During this pandemic time, social distancing can create further isolation and enhancing the feeling of being lonely or disconnected from support systems. It is during this time that we as a community can keep supporting each other and help someone be uplifted.
Every one of us has a role to play in supporting love ones during the COVID outbreak. Here are some things we can do:
- Regularly check on your friends, neighbors and family members by calling them or by contacting them through facetime.
- Ask how they are doing during this period of time, how their daily routines might have changed, and what kinds of things they are doing to cope with the stress.
- Encourage them to keep doing the activities that are allowable during COVID for their local area. Some ideas can include daily exercise or a walk, stretching, listening to or playing music, reading, enjoying favorite or humorous shows, puzzles, games, social activities, and meditation.
- If they are experiencing symptoms of physical or mental health decline, help them seek adequate medical care or call a lifeline.
- Express gratitude and appreciation for any support you get from your relationship with them. Let them know what you admire about them and the positive impact they have on you.
Our routines and daily interaction with those we love may have changed temporarily but we can still keep in close contact using creative ways. Reach out to those you love and check-in to see how they are doing. Seeing your face and smile through FaceTime may just make their day more positive.
If you or you have knowledge of someone needing help please call one of these numbers below:
| National | National Suicide Prevention Lifeline | (800) 273-TALK (8255) |
| Imperial County | Imperial Valley Crisis Hotline | (760) 482 - 4000 |
| Orange County | TeenLine Hotline Help Center | (714) 639 - 8336 |
| Los Angeles County | Suicide Prevention Center | (877) 727 - 4747 |
| Riverside County | California Youth Crisis Line | (800) 843 - 5200 |
| San Bernardino County | Family Service Agency | (800) 832 - 9119 |
| San Diego County | United Behavior Health Access and Crisis Line | (800) 479 - 3339 |
| San Fernando County | CSUN Helpline | (818) 349 - HELP (4357) |
| Ventura County | Crisis Team-Suicide/Crisis Line | (805) 652 - 6727 |
Bringing Education Alive Through Travel
Ever wondered what it would be like to travel back in time? How people lived? What their lives were like? Elite Academic Academy students were able to experience just that. 7 students took a trip to Washington DC on March 10th, 2020 and had the opportunity to visit some amazing historical sites.
Many students just read about the Battle at Gettysburg, George Washington’s plantation, The U.S Constitution and the Bill of Rights. But the experience of being present and actually seeing it up close and personal makes it more relevant to what we read in books. Students visit the plantation of our first president, George Washington, they were able to learn more about how people lived and the conditions they lived in.
Elite students also saw our The Declaration of Independence and the U.S Constitution in person at the National Archives Museum. They were able to learn more about the conversations and key movements that lead our countries birth.
The Civil War couldn’t of come more alive without the visit of Gettysburg, PA. Students had the opportunity to visit and step foot on one of the sites that brought our country together. Students heard about how the war started, how it landed in Gettysburg, and how people from across the country to this one site for battle. Through monuments that were created to represent key moments to our tour guides animated depictions of the battle that took place, it really made our experience being there more realistically.
Elite Academic Academy partnering up with EF Tours has brought the opportunity for students to learn in an immersive and enrichment environment. To sign-up for the next adventure sign-up to be part of the Travel Academy. Your next adventure awaits!!
Introducing Our New VAPA Club
Elite is excited to announce the newest addition to our Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Department, the VAPA Club! Visual and Performing Arts is growing at Elite Academic Academy, and with further student interest and participation brings a growing department with new opportunities. Our Visual and Performing Arts Lead, James Fowler, is very excited about this addition to VAPA:
“I have observed the unique talents and interests of our VAPA students. Each Elite VAPA student is deserving of a preparatory Arts community and communication platform. The VAPA department at Elite is proud to launch the VAPA Club April of 2020. This club will allow students a SAFE online communication platform, discounts on special VAPA field trips/events, free VAPA workshops from industry professionals, exciting VAPA themed parties, VAPA College and Career readiness coaching, fun giveaways and more. More information to come soon!”
Explore Colleges Virtually
By Salvador Becerra, School Counselor
There is no time like the present to start exploring academic programs that colleges/universities have to offer. Do you want to attend a school next to the beach? Do you want to attend a school with over 30,000 students on campus? Or would you rather attend a smaller college/university where you can receive a more personal approach to your education? All these questions are important as it can help you select the college/university that is right for you.
Here are 5 helpful tips in finding the college that is right for you
- Develop a short list of schools you would like to attend.
- Rank your priorities in what you are looking for in a college.
- Does the college/university offer your academic program?
- Focus on your endgame, consider which college will help you reach your goals.
- Investigate college/universities connections with future employers
With colleges/universities being closed to the general public, there are other ways of exploring your options. YouVisit provides you access to over 600 campuses across the united states. Each of the virtual campus tours will provide you with an immersive college tour experience. You can explore each institution through 360 experience or by using VR device to get a more realistic experience. Check it out and start exploring today.
Travel the World Without Leaving the Couch
By Dr. Laura Spencer, Director of Instructional Technology Integration
If you could travel to one place in the world, where would it be? What would you visit when you arrived? I've always loved museums, and zoos, and other cultural centers. I find that, no matter what town I am in, I can learn so much about the people when I visit their gathering places.
Recently, travel has been restricted worldwide to curb the coronavirus outbreak, but that doesn't mean you can't visit some really cool museums, zoos, and parks (and even some colleges!). It's just that you'll now be visiting them via your computer screen instead of in person!
Our school counselor, Sal Becerra, and our VAPA Director, James Fowler curated an awesome list of places you can virtually visit from your couch.
Where will you go today?
Share with us your favorite virtual tour, or one you'd like us to add!
Elite Virtual Academy Success Story: Ally Krahn
Elite Virtual Academy (EVA) is for the independent learner who enjoys technology. Students who choose this model have the flexibility to complete their 100% online courses while enjoying ample support from highly qualified instructors and caring counselors. Ally Krahn is an 11th grader that has found academic and personal success with EVA, and her instructors have certainly noticed.
Due to a recently diagnosed medical condition, Ally was looking for a school that would accommodate the school - life balance she needed. Ally joined EVA in 2019 and found that it was exactly what she was looking for. “She has been excelling in her work in EVA all year, and we're truly proud of her,” says Evan Jorgensen, Elite’s Director of EVA.
Now that she is settled in with Elite and is on top of her grades, Ally enjoys being a part of many extracurricular activities. “I like to practice the piano and draw. I started to play the piano when I was 7 and grew to love it from there. I’ve always loved to draw, however, I started taking it more seriously this past year. I like to volunteer almost every day at Priceless Pets adoption center, and I also spend time as a volunteer at our local library."
Ally’s plans for the future include becoming a nurse and going to Loma Linda University. As she will be a 12th grader next year, she hopes to take college classes during that time to get a head start on pursuing her next degree. Elite Academic Academy is thrilled to offer a truly superior online learning experience for their Virtual Students, where they can keep a healthy balance between learning and pursuing extracurricular activities.
If you or someone you know is looking for a personalized education with an academy that meets your learning needs and an enrichment program that assists in pursuing your passion, visit our virtual page to learn more and find out how to enroll.
How To Help Your Child Manage Anxiety
Post by Sal Becerra, Elite Academic Academy Counselor
It is natural for anxiety to rise during pandemic events and Elite Academic Academy is taking every measure to ensure the safety of all of our students is kept a priority. In working with our families and the greater community, Elite would like to provide all of our stakeholders with some helpful tips on managing anxiety during times of crisis.
Be open with it
Talking about fears and concerns can help reduce anxiety from building up. It also allows the individual to identify what is making him/her anxious.
Take Breaks
Take a break from watching, reading and listening to news stories. Dedicating personal time to pandemic events can be very upsetting. Allow yourself to disconnect from upsetting situations. Take time to read a book, play family games, listen to music, journal or create art.
Practice Self-Care
There are several different ways to focus on self-care, many of which involve making time to get enough sleep, prioritizing healthy meals, ensuring a balance of leisure time in your schedule, and making time for friends. A simple but often overlooked form of self-care is having a self-pampering experience on a regular basis in your own home. Here some ways to practice self-care:
- Meditation improves a wide range of willpower skills, including attention, focus, stress management, impulse control, self-awareness, and reduce anxiety.
- Scientists have found that regular participation in aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood, improve sleep, and improve self-esteem. About five minutes of aerobic exercise can begin to stimulate anti-anxiety effects.
- Getting enough sleep recharges your brain and improves your focus, concentration, and mood reducing anxiety levels.
- Eating Healthy has many benefits. Sugar is associated with depression and anxiety. Emerging science shows gut health plays a role in anxiety. Eating healthy foods is a great way to practice self-care, important in CBT. Taking active steps to eat a nutritious diet can increase motivation
Let it simply be a part of you that you manage daily
It’s truly OK to be anxious or to have anxiety. We all feel that from time to time. If your child is someone who frequently experiences high levels of anxiety, just treat it as something you have to manage daily.
Personalized support from teachers, counselors, and advisors
We know that anxiety can be very overwhelming to a student. Our teachers and staff are ready to provide the support necessary to help reduce anxiety levels in our students. Students can ask questions through email, phone calls and instant messaging. If they need extra support, our staff can hold a 1-1 online session. Feel free to contact our school counselor at 866-354-8302 Ext. 711 or by email at [email protected]
Please note: this article is not a medical diagnosis, nor are the tips provided above a cure. If you feel your child is experiencing signs or symptoms of anxiety, seek the help of a medical professional.
Celebrating Women - Bella Neal
Lights, Camera, Action! Meet Bella Neal
Bella Neal is a name you are going to want to remember. A 7th grader in Elite’s Virtual Academy (EVA), Bella has known for quite some time that she wants to be a film director and make movies. Both of her parents are in the film industry, so she has grown up on set and fallen in love with the process. Bella found a home with EVA, where she is able to take her schoolwork to the film set with her, so she can grow academically and learn from professionals in her pursued field. We interviewed Bella to discuss her passion for the film industry and how she plans to use her current experience to break out in the industry down the road.
How did you find your passion for the film industry, and how long have you been on sets shadowing employees?
I've watched my parents working on sets my whole life. When I was in third grade, I went on set to watch a movie that my parents had made and my dad was starring in, and I sat next to the director the whole time. I instantly fell in love with the idea of being in charge of the film. Being a director means I get to help with the script, the editing, the makeup, the costume design, the set design, the location, the music, and my favorite part which is casting and working with the actors.
What does your typical daily schedule look like throughout the school week?
If I'm at home, I wake up at 7:30 AM, have breakfast and then either walk our dog, Gabe, or go to the gym with my mom. Then we go to my mom's office and I do my school work while my mom works on a script. Then I have the rest of the day to either see one of my tutors or draw, write, and make movies. I have tutors four times a week, two are online through Elite and my math tutor meets me in person twice a week. A few evenings a week I go to rehearsal because I'm currently acting and singing in a musical. If I'm on set, I sit in a trailer or at Craft Service where a tutor works with me. My first time on set, I thought we would do crafts at Craft Service but it's actually much better, it's full of free candy!
How does being an Elite Student accommodate fulfilling this passion?
Ever since I was in second grade, I wanted to leave school to go to an online school. I knew that if I went to an online school I'd have more opportunities to work on my movies. I have dyslexia and ADHD and the noise and chaos of the traditional classroom was very distracting to me. Now, I can put my headphones in and concentrate on my schoolwork in the privacy of my own home or office or trailer. Being able to bring my schoolwork anywhere is really helpful because I want to start working on sets as a Production Assistant as soon as I can, and I'll be able to shadow the director on my parents' next project, which I'm really excited about.
What are your plans for the future, whether it be continuing academics, going into film, or otherwise?
I'm not sure yet if I'll go to film school for college; for now, I know that I'm definitely going to keep making movies, and maybe even act. I really enjoyed being on the craft segment on Home & Family (a daytime talk show on the Hallmark Channel). I also really want to publish my own graphic novels one day. My mom and I just started creating a graphic novel together that we hope will get published one day. My ideal future looks like this: Being a director-producer-writer-actor who makes movies and also creates graphic novels with an Oscar or two over my fireplace!
Bella with the hosts of Home and Family being featured in the crafts segment.
Elie Academic Academy is very proud that we can offer a standout student like Bella the opportunity to chase her dream while receiving a superior education. Check out our Virtual Academy Homepage to learn more about this program and find out if it is the right fit for you or your student.
Introducing the FitBit Inspire
Introducing the FitBit Inspire
Physical Fitness is a vital component to our student’s education at Elite Academic Academy. All 5th, 7th and 9th graders are required to take the state Physical Fitness Test (PFT) which begins in April of this year for our students. The main goal of the test is to help students in starting life-long habits of regular physical activity. The test has six parts that show a level of fitness that offer a degree of defense against diseases that come from inactivity. The test results can be used by students, teachers, and parents to see where students are able to improve their overall fitness levels and lead healthier lifestyles.
We want our students to have the knowledge and resources necessary to succeed in their physical fitness testing. In order to motivate our students and make fitness testing fun, our students that will be taking the physical fitness test will now be given the option of receiving a brand new FitBit Inspire!
The FitBit Inspire tracks steps, distance, active minutes, calories burned and many other components to see how every part of your day impacts your goals. The battery lasts up to 5 days, and it also works as a clock or stopwatch. With the FitBit app that you can add to a mobile device of your choosing, students can communicate with their Elite FitBit group members to motivate each other and compete in challenges against other Elite Groups!
Our Athletic Lead, Andy Allanson, creates challenges for FitBit groups to provide students with fitness goals one week per month. These challenges can include most steps taken, most active minutes, most steps taken before a certain time, the opportunities are endless! Through the app, students can see what the next challenge is and motivate each other to win the challenge! Here is a look at what the dashboard looks like for students on a mobile device:
The next Elite FitBit Challenge starts today, March 9th. With the introduction of the Fitbit Inspire to our PFT Students, we hope to make fitness an important part of their education while also having fun and engaging with other students.
