Category Archives: Announcements

Welcome Back To School!

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It’s been a minute since I posted up here, so I figured it was time to reconnect and say, Hello, Los Angeles. How are you?

I have been working exclusively on Zoom for consultations as well as group talks, and have met some incredible families. I really enjoy meeting all of you and making a strategic admissions plan specifically catered to each child and each situation. From new parents trying to decide if they should adopt a TK program or wait another year, to tweens worried about finding the right middle school, to supporting our surly teenagers through those challenging high school years wondering if they will find their footing… and with everything going sideways over the past couple of years and our world continuing to churn, I have met with and supported so many of you and your children. I feel honored to be able to, in my small way, connect and assist families, by bringing clarity and a way forward through one of the most confusing systems during one of the most tumultuous time periods.

With another fall admissions season quickly approaching, I have announced a new lineup of fresh LIVE webinars. Just click over to my GoMamaGuide webinar series for all the details and to grab a ticket.

Weds, August 27, 2025 at 12p *LIVE*

Weds, Sept 3, 2025 at 12p *LIVE*

Weds, Sept 10 at 12p *LIVE*

Weds, Sept 24 at 12p *LIVE*

View the whole GoMamaGuide webinar series in more detail, and purchase tickets HERE.

If all of this stresses you out and you just need immediate one-on-one assistance, let’s set up a Zoom Consultation together and create a personalized admissions strategy just for your child. Please note that Fall Admissions season is my busiest time of year.

I recently made the decision to retire my GoMamaGuidance newsletter – which started out as a monthly 15 years ago, then went to a quarterly, then eventually went dormant. To be honest, I just couldn’t keep up with it, and respect that you probably enjoy one less thing in your inbox.

Looking backwards, I realize I am coming up on the 20th anniversary of the launch of GoMamaGuide, which, frankly, is just astounding to me. 20 years! It was all quite by accident.

My daughter – who was the impetus for learning all of this – successfully navigated K-12 public schools in LAUSD (there was no TK back then), launched her way to college during the Covid lockdowns, graduated with honors from a top east coast university, is halfway through grad school, and has signed with a top firm for next summer. Bravo to her for finding her grit, her passion, her work ethic, and a way forward.

I’ll wrap up here for today, but more to come in this space as I reflect forwards, and backwards.

GoMamaGuide Webinars Now Available!

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We’re heading into the final few weeks of the on-time LAUSD Choices lotteries, due Friday, November 17, 2023 for the 2024-25 school year.

Many of you have been asking about my webinars, and yes, all of them are now available on demand to watch at your convenience. These are content-dense LIVE recordings with the latest info. Just click on the webinar you want, purchase a ticket, and I will personally email you a special link and passcode to access the replay. Each ticket comes with a 14-day replay so you can watch and review at your own convenience.

View the whole GoMamaGuide webinar series in more detail, and purchase tickets HERE.

All webinar tickets come with a 14-day replay. 
View the whole GoMamaGuide webinar series.

If all of this stresses you out and you just need immediate one-on-one assistance, let’s set up a Zoom Consultation together and create a personalized admissions strategy just for your child. Please note that Fall Admissions season is my busiest time of year.

Last LIVE Kindergarten 101 Webinar This Fall! Weds October 25

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New Date Just Added!

Many of you have been asking about my webinars, so I am adding a final fall LIVE date for my most requested webinar, Kindergarten 101, just in time before the LAUSD Choices deadline hits. This talk will have all the latest information, including the new and expanding age eligibility for Transitional Kindergarten (TK), and what that may mean going forward.

Announcing, Kindergarten 101: Know Your Public Options
*LIVE* Weds, October 25, 2023
12p
$35
TICKET
After you purchase your ticket, you will be sent to Zoom to register for your unique login. (Don’t skip this step or you’ll miss out!)

This is a LIVE webinar, where you can ask me your questions in person, and/or watch the replay afterwards at your own convenience.

Stressed about choosing a Kindergarten?
For families just getting started, in this 90 minute webinar we’ll go over how (and when) to begin the elementary school admissions process, the new TK/K age eligibility changes, Magnets and “That Point System” demystified, Charters and other tuition-free options, what to look for in a school, and more! This is chock full of info and my most popular talk. Parents will walk away with a solid understanding of what public school options are available to them, how and when to apply, and the tools they need to make a choice they can feel good about, especially given our large and complicated public school system *Recommended for parents of 3-5 year olds. Each webinar comes with a 14-day replay so you can watch on your own timeline.

If all of this stresses you out and you just need one-on-one assistance, let’s set up a Zoom Consultation. Please note that Fall Admissions season is my busiest time of year.

New Fall 2023 Webinar Lineup! Launching Thurs, Sept 14!

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Just in time for the Fall LAUSD public school Choices or “Unified Enrollment” lotteries, I’m rolling out a fresh new series of live webinars with the latest information, breaking down exactly what you need to know, in order to successfully navigate the complex menu of public school options here in Los Angeles. These are live, interactive webinars with Q&A. If you can’t make the live, or want to review the material again, each ticket comes with a 14-day replay, so you can watch and review when it’s convenient for you.

Click on the webinar ticket link you want to purchase. After checkout you will be taken to Zoom to complete your registration. Don’t skip that step or you will miss out. To view the whole GoMamaGuide webinar series in more detail, visit: https://gomamaguide.com/store/webinars

Navigating the School System:
The Overview
Thurs, Sept 14, 2023 
12p
$35
TICKETS


Kindergarten 101: Know Your Public Options
Weds, Sept 20, 2023 
12p
$35
TICKETS
(Yes we’ll cover the new TK/K ages)

Middle School Madness
Weds, Sept 27, 2023
12p
$35
TICKETS


Mastering Magnets:
(Those Points!)
Tues, Oct 3, 2023
12p
$35
TICKETS

All webinar tickets come with a 14-day replay. 
View the whole GoMamaGuide webinar series. 

If all of this gives you a headache and you just need one-on-one assistance, let’s set up a Zoom Consultation. Please note that Fall Admissions season is my busiest time of year.

New Kinder 101 Date Just Added! Webinar Replays Now Available!

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We are in full-on Fall Admissions season, with the LAUSD Choices lotteries accepting applications now through November 18, for the 2023-24 school year. Many of you have been asking about my webinars, or missed my previous series, so I am adding a new LIVE date for my most requested webinar, just in time before the deadline. This will have the latest information, including the new and expanding age eligibility for Transitional Kindergarten and what that may mean going forward.

Announcing, Kindergarten 101: Know Your Public Options
Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 12p.
This is a content-dense LIVE webinar, where you can ask me your questions in person, and/or also watch the replay afterwards at your own convenience.

Kindergarten 101: Know Your Public Options
Weds, Nov 2, 2022 
12p – *LIVE*
$35
TICKETS

After you purchase your ticket, you will be sent to Zoom to register for your unique login. (Don’t skip this step or you’ll miss out!)

GoMamaGuide Fall Webinar Series – Replays Now Available!

If you missed the other webinars in my series, replays are now available. Just click on the webinar you want, purchase a ticket, and I will email you a special passcode to access the replay. Be patient. I am a human, not a robot.

Each webinar comes with a 10-day replay so you can watch at your own convenience.

Navigating the School System: 
The Overview
Replay Now Available!
$35
TICKETS

Middle School Madness
Replay Now Available!
$35
TICKETS

Mastering Magnets: 
(Those Points!)
Replay Now Available!
$35
TICKETS

After you purchase your ticket, I will email you a special passcode to access the replay. Be patient. I am a human, not a robot.

All webinar tickets now come with a 14-day replay. 
View the whole GoMamaGuide webinar series in more detail. 

If all of this stresses you out and you just need one-on-one assistance, let’s set up a Zoom Consultation. Please note that Fall Admissions season is my busiest time of year.

New Fall 2022 Webinar Lineup! Launching This Weds, SEPT 14!

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Just in time for the Fall LAUSD public school Choices or “Unified Enrollment” lotteries, I’m rolling out a fresh new series of live “Lunch and Learn” webinars breaking down exactly what you need to know in order to successfully navigate the complex menu of public school options here in Los Angeles. These are live, interactive webinars with Q&A. If you can’t make the live, or want to review the material again, each ticket comes with a 7-day replay, so you can watch and review when it’s convenient for you.

Click on the webinar picture you want to purchase. After checkout you will be taken to Zoom to complete your registration. Don’t skip that step or you will miss out. To view the whole GoMamaGuide webinar series in more detail, visit: https://gomamaguide.com/store/webinars

Navigating the School System:
The Overview
Weds, Sept 14, 2022 
12p
$35
TICKETS

Kindergarten 101: Know Your Public Options
Weds, Sept 21, 2022 
12p
$35
TICKETS

Middle School Madness
Weds, Sept 28, 2022
12p
$35
TICKETS

Mastering Magnets:
(Those Points!)
Wednesday, Oct 5, 2022
12p
$35
TICKETS

All webinar tickets come with a 7-day replay. 
View the whole GoMamaGuide webinar series. 

If all of this gives you a headache and you just need one-on-one assistance, let’s set up a Zoom Consultation. Please note that Fall Admissions season is my busiest time of year.

What You Need To Know Now About Paying Less For College TODAY at 12p!

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Last chance to register for today’s live free college funding webinar recommended for parents of 8th-11th graders. Even if you can’t make the live, all registrants will have access to the 7-day replay. Learn how to approach paying for college tuition and applying for financial aid in a savvy way, and that starts with learning the landscape and planning early. Led by Cyndi Menegaz of SMARTTRACK College Funding. Join us.

What You Need To Know NOW About Paying Less For College
Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 12p

Register: https://bit.ly/3vktGxY

The Latest

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Hope you’re all doing well. Just thought I’d post a couple of updates here.

Late Apps [for LAUSD Choices categories] are in full swing right now if you missed the on-time November deadline, or want to add additional selections to your spread. Each selection will be submitted individually, time-stamped, and added to the end of the on-time waitlist. You will not receive any waitlist points on a Late App Magnet, however you just might win a seat.

Many Independent Charters have deadlines coming up right around this time. Each are submitted individually at each school’s website. If you miss the deadline, you can ask to submit a late app and be added to the end of the on-time waitlist.

Permitting – both within (intra) and leaving the district (inter) – are ongoing right now.

Upcoming Dates of Note:
Mon, March 14, 2022 – initial results of the LAUSD Choices lotteries are posted

Fri, April 8, 2022 – LAUSD Choices Accept/Decline Deadline

Mon, April 11 – Fri, April 15, 2022 – LAUSD Spring Break; schools and offices closed

Mon, April 18, 2022 – Waitlists start to move! (This is just the beginning of a very long process)

Weds, April 27, 2022 – Open Enrollment opens – always a few gems on that list

…AND we still don’t have a START DATE for LAUSD’s 2022-2023 school year. The Board of Ed may vote on this in March, but no official word just yet.


Webinars – The Basics
For those of you who are just getting started, are fairly overwhelmed with how things work around here (who isn’t), want to learn all about “those points!,” or need to get some good foundational learning done before we work on your personalized admissions strategy, I have made my most popular webinars available to you as replays. Introducing The GoMamaGuide Basics Webinar Series – grab a ticket and learn on your own timeline. Get the lay-of-the-land before we meet.

Just Announced
And for those of you with kids in High School, don’t miss this upcoming live FREE webinar, What You Need To Know NOW About Paying Less For College
with Cyndi Menegaz of SMARTTRACK® College Funding
Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 12p
*Highly Recommended for parents of 8th-11th graders. Read the scoop HERE.
Register HERE.

Need HELP?
I have been quietly working away in my cubicle helping as many families as I can with their public school queries during these trying times. I know it’s difficult with no on-site tours, and no fresh school data, still. If you need assistance, reach out to schedule a Zoom or Phone or Relocation Consultation with me, and let’s talk school.

Ok folks, hang in there!

What You Need To Know NOW About Paying Less For College Tues Mar 8, 2022

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Hello Friends,
I know some of you are just getting situated in your elementary schools, yet a large number of GoMamaGuide families are inching their way closer to high school, then college. You know I’ve been there, excited for my daughter, but dreading facing that college tuition bill, wondering how we’ll ever swing it.

For my parents of 8th through 11th graders, just in time for tax season, GoMamaGuide presents the return of Cyndi Menegaz, National Program Director at SMARTTRACK® College Funding, with her brilliant talk. Join us for:

What You Need to Know NOW about Paying Less for College
Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 12p
FREE


You may be surprised to learn that with a little planning, you can significantly lower out-of-pocket costs, maximize grants and scholarships, reduce debt, and learn to cover tuition in a more tax-advantaged, cost-efficient way. Even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for Financial Aid, preparing for how best to pay for college can make a tremendous difference and it starts earlier* than you might think.

*Recommended for parents of 8-11th graders. Parents of 9th and 10th graders – the financial decisions you make now will impact how much you pay later. 11th grade families don’t have a minute to lose!

Folks, I’ve personally taken this seminar twice while my daughter was just starting high school, and found it extremely helpful as I prepared financially for my daughter’s college tuition bill. Luckily our high school was on it and brought Cyndi in to assist parents with this info, but the truth is, most high schools are ill-equipped to advise parents beyond completing the basic financial aid forms. The reality is that families must begin organizing their finances a couple of years in advance in order to get all the financial aid they may be eligible for. 

I learned so much about the process, and it helped me plan my finances early on so we didn’t have to limit her college options, or pay retail tuition prices. I am convinced that SMARTTRACK saved me a huge percentage of tuition by looking over my assets, and suggesting adjustments I could make while my daughter was still a sophomore in high school. I also learned which types of schools were going to be more generous than others, and that surprised me. If you are savvy about planning ahead, and I hope you are, please jump on this opportunity to learn more. Like everything else, the earlier you start planning, the better off you’ll be. And as public school families, we need all the options we can get.

As a special bonus, GoMamaGuide is partnering with SMARTTRACK where you’ll have an opportunity to schedule a free call with them, just like I did, to review your financial picture and see if there are any strategic things you can do well before filling out those financial aid forms senior year. (The dreaded FAFSA and CSS. Yay, more acronyms to learn!) If you do decide to work with them, you’ll get the GoMamaGuide discount.

More about Cyndi Menegaz, National Program Director 
SMARTTRACK® College Funding is a national leader in helping families better pay for college. Cyndi is a popular speaker and conducts workshops across the country, educating and empowering parents and professional colleagues on the critically important financial piece of college planning. Prior to joining SMARTTRACK®, she had a successful career in the video business and received a degree in Communication Studies from Northwestern University. Cyndi is also the proud mom of twins who recently graduated from college debt free!

Fall Webinar Series Replays Now Available!

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8 days until the November 12 LAUSD Choices DEADLINE!

For those of you missed my live webinar series last month, but still want to jump on some quick learning before the Choices deadline, now’s your chance. The replays are available now through Nov 12. Grab a TICKET and watch the playback at your own convenience.

•Mastering Magnets (Those Points!)
•Kindergarten 101
•Understanding Gifted Options
•Middle School Madness

View the whole series/get tickets HERE.

I have been helping as many people as possible with their public school strategies ahead of this big deadline and have a limited number of Phone and Zoom Consultations available between now and Nov 12. Once I fill those appointments, my calendar will be closed and will reopen on Nov 17. Email me if you need further assistance. Best of luck in the lotteries folks!