Parents Of Westchester With Orville Wright

Upcoming Events

2008-12-08T15:44:00.000-08:00

WEDNESDAY DEC. 10: The Westchester High School Theater Production Club and Mr. Barrow's Drama Class are pleased to present...

Westchester High Performing Arts Night!

Music! Drama! Baked goods! Fun!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008
7:00 PM
Social Hall
Admission is FREE!

Bring money for the bake sale!

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WEDNESDAY DEC. 17: The Westchester High School Performing Arts, Fine Arts, and Culinary Arts Departments are proud to the present...

The First Annual Winter Concert Dinner Theater

featuring the Band, Choir, Drill Team, Flags, Drumline, Jazz Band, and more!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Westchester High School Social Hall
Dinner service begins at 6 pm
Concert begins at 7 PM

Dinner tickets are $10
Concert is free

Mega Fund Raising Weekend Upon Us...

2008-06-18T22:37:00.000-07:00

Join POWWOW's National PALS charity benefit as we kick-off the weekend on Saturday, June 21st, with our 2nd annual Parent Reception; then on Sunday, June 22nd, we have celebrity alums of WHS on campus for a basketball exhibition, 02 vs. 05, and immediately following--the celebs take center court!

Parent Reception
Saturday, June 21st at 5.30pm
Westchester High School Senior Lawn

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Lewis King of UCLA and the Bradley Foundation on "Eliminating Achievement Gaps Through Reducing Gaps In Parent Participation".

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Celebrity Basketball Game
Sunday, June 22nd at 2pm
Westchester High School Gym

Trevor Ariza Los Angeles Lakers
Amir Johnson Detroit Pistons
Gabe Pruitt Boston Celtics ' 08 Champions
Hassan Adams Various NBA Teams

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Proceeds will benefit POWWOW's National PALS non-profit. Please support our Parent Group.

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Thursday, April 3rd: Westchester High School Open House

2008-03-31T17:42:00.001-07:00

Healthy Start Walk-A-Thon--5 weeks left!

2008-03-17T17:35:00.000-07:00

REMINDER: 5 weeks until the Walk-A-Thon! Have you contacted Healthy Start to sign-up or to assist in their efforts? If not, please do so today. Thank you.

We are encouraging all POWWOW Parents, Friends and Families to support the 4th Annual Healthy Start 5k Walk-a-Thon on April 26, 2008.

Kick off is at 9am in the WHS Cafeteria.In preparation of this event, Healthy Start needs parents and others to assist in:

Obtaining sponsors,
Contacting businesses,
Donations,
and signing-up walkers (including yourself)

Cost is only $5, which include t-shirt, food, water, entertainment and a chance to win prizes, but most importantly, this annual event, for all ages, is designed to support free Healthy Start services at Westchester High School, Del Rey High School and Westchester Math Science Aerospace Magnet. Among the services provided are weekly counseling, after-school tutoring, Saturday Academy and parenting classes for parents of students enrolled in these programs.

Please, we strongly encourage all parents, families and friends to support this event and send the message that Healthy Start is an integral school and student resource.Please contact Marvin or Billie today and let them know how you can help.

Contacts: Marvin Cooper and Billie Silvey
7400 Manchester Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Ph: 310.338-2440Fx: 310.338.2475
Billie's email: bxs9588@lausd.net

Successful, Thought-provoking Parent Meeting

2008-03-12T23:14:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all our parents (and our special guest) for engaging in such a thought-provoking, substantive meeting. Looking forward to materializing the framework of our discussion and will be in email correspondence soon for next steps.

Posting of various events and happenings will be posted shortly.

All the best and great meeting!

Scholarship: Emma L. Bowen Foundation For Minority Interests In Media

2008-03-11T21:49:00.000-07:00

Calling all Juniors!!! This scholarship's for you!
Please apply immediately. Please contact the Parent Center if you require any assistance.

Emma L. Bowen Foundation For Minority Interests In Media

Established by the media industry to increase access to permanent job opportunities for minority students. The Foundation's program is unlike other intern programs in that students work for a partner company during summers and school breaks from the end of their junior year in high school until they graduate from college.

During that five-year period, students learn many aspects of corporate operations and develop company-specific skills. Corporations guide and develop minority students with the option of permanent placement upon completion of their college degree.

Deadline:March 31, 2008

Award Amount:$2,250 plus internship experience

Website/Contact Info:www.emmabowenfoundation.com

Complete application at this link here:
http://www.emmabowenfoundation.com/main.html

Some of the Emma L. Bowen Foundation's Partner Companies

Wednesday, March 12th: POWWOW Meeting

2008-03-11T11:59:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, March 12th
6.30pm
Westchester Social Hall

March 28th from 4-7pm: A Teacher | Student Art Opening

2008-03-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

Shop 5: Art Opening

A Teacher and Student Art Opening

Friday, March 28th

4-7pm

Graphaids Art Supply

7280 Manchester Blvd.--off Rayford Street

Westchester, CA

310.216.6300

Parking is located behind Graphaids

Join Graphaids and Teachers, Students, Administrators and Parents for a Community Collaboration and Celebration between Westchester High School and Graphaids Art Supply.

Featured Mega Cast include:

Westchester High School's Shop 5--Teacher and Student Artists
Westchester High's Jazz Band
Other Student Performers

Featured works of Leila Levi, her Painting and Drawing Students & Student Teacher, Margot McCall Beaver, will be on display through April 25th.

POWWOW Parents, families and friends let's join together in supporting our students and teachers by participating in this event on Friday, March 28th and viewing the display of eclectic artwork through April 25th.

Westchester Healthy Start Needs You!

2008-03-10T14:20:00.001-07:00

We are encouraging all POWWOW Parents, Friends and Families to support the 4th Annual Healthy Start 5k Walk-a-Thon on April 26, 2008. Kick off is at 9am in the WHS Cafeteria.

In preparation of this event, Healthy Start needs parents and others to assist in:

Obtaining sponsors,
Contacting businesses,
Donations,
and signing-up walkers (including yourself)

Cost is only $5, which include t-shirt, food, water, entertainment and a chance to win prizes, but most importantly, this annual event, for all ages, is designed to support free Healthy Start services at Westchester High School, Del Rey High School and Westchester Math Science Aerospace Magnet. Among the services provided are weekly counseling, after-school tutoring, Saturday Academy and parenting classes for parents of students enrolled in these programs.

Please, we strongly encourage all parents, families and friends to support this event and send the message that Healthy Start is an integral school and student resource.

Please contact Marvin or Billie today and let them know how you can help.

Contacts: Marvin Cooper and Billie Silvey
7400 Manchester Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90045
Ph: 310.338-2440
Fx: 310.338.2475
Billie's email: bxs9588@lausd.net

Enjoy a couple pictures of last year's event...

POWWOW is featured in LMU EdVision Fall 2007 Issue

2008-03-01T02:41:00.000-08:00

We missed this great FALL 07 issue of EdVision--an LMU School of Education publication where POWWOW received kudos--and our very own Crissina Johnson and Orville Wright Principal, Mr. Rochelle and other community team members were featured.

Read full issue here: http://soe.lmu.edu/AssetFactory.aspx?did=20933

After Crissina Johnson read the WASC report, which discussed the need for greater participation among parents of children in the area’s secondary schools, she decided to take action. Johnson, whose three children have attended Westchester schools, founded Parents of Westchester with Orville Wright (POWWOW) last May, and quickly built an email listserv of approximately 400 parents. “A lot of parents begin to distance themselves from involvement with their children at the secondary level, and I believe there is a direct correlation between parent involvement and student achievement,” says Johnson, who calls the community’s relationship with LMU an “awesome opportunity.”

Congratulations!

Super Tuesday | California Primary Caucus | PLEASE VOTE, VOTE, VOTE

2008-02-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

24 STATES ARE HOSTING PRIMARY CAUCUSES ON TUESDAY.

It is IMPERATIVE IMPORTANT CRUCIAL URGENT that you get out and vote on Tuesday.

Please encourage all registered voters 18 and older to get out and let their voice be heard on Tuesday; tomorrow [Wednesday] will be too late.

Find your Polling Place: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_ppl.htm

LA Vote: http://lavote.net/locator/

Here are some guidelines to make sure you have an easy time at the polls on primary day:

Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to at least 8:00 p.m.
Anyone in line at the time the polls close is allowed to vote
If your name does not appear on the voter rolls, you may cast a provisional ballot

Best Buy Scholarships Available | Deadline: February

2008-02-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

Deadline: 8:59 p.m. PT on February 15, 2008.
The application must be submitted electronically

Best Buy Scholarships
Best Buy Children's Foundation is awarding $2.75 million in scholarships to recognize and reward students who have made extraordinary contributions both inside and outside of the classroom.

The Best Buy Scholarship Program is administered by Scholarship Management Services, a division of Scholarship America. Scholarship America is dedicated to improving access to postsecondary education for students through scholarships and educational support.

Guidelines and Application
EligibilityApplicants must:

Be a graduating high school senior living in the United States
Live within 75 miles* of a U.S. Best Buy Store

Have a minimum cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or an equivalent)

Demonstrate commitment to and involvement in volunteer community service or work experience

Plan to enroll in a full-time** undergraduate course of study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school in the United States or Puerto Rico no later than fall 2008.

**Full-time study is defined as full-time enrollment for the entire 2008-2009 academic year.

Award Criteria
Selection of recipients will be based on solid academic performance and exemplary community service or work experience. Consideration may also be given to participation and leadership in school activities. Financial need is not considered.

Awards are for undergraduate study only.

Recipients may only receive one Best Buy sponsored award.

Award Amounts
Scholarships will be awarded as follows:

1,500 scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded

51 scholarships of $10,000 will be awarded. State awards will be granted to exceptional students from the diverse population of Best Buy communities.

Awards are one-time only and are not renewable

WHS | 3rd Quarter: Begins Tuesday, 2/5

2008-02-02T00:30:00.000-08:00

3RD Quarter begins Tuesday, February 5th

WHS Holiday: Monday, February 4th

Presidential Candidates | Scholarship Opportunity

2008-01-31T09:48:00.000-08:00

Scholarship Eligibility
Prior to the deadline of June 12, 2008, you must be at least 16 years of age or older.

Scholarship Amount and Awards Available
$4400 - Only One Award Available

Allocation Date
July 4th, 2008

Scholarship Application Process
Submit an essay to scholarships@presidentialcandidates.tv answering the following questions:
(PLEASE KEEP YOUR ESSAY UNDER 1500 WORDS)

1. Name the three most important issues that you believe the 44th President of the United States should address.

2. Take one of the issues that you previously mentioned and discuss what should be done to address the issue. (ie: If you picked health care as one of your three issues, then you could mention that America should implement a universal health care plan. However, please be as detailed as possible, as many students may choose the same issue to address.)

3. Lastly, identify which candidate you believe will be the 44th President of the United States and why you believe he/she will be victorious.

Essay Formatting
Make sure your essay is sent in a word document. The document must be double spaced and include a works cited or bibliography page at the end of the essay. In addition, please indicate an email address or home mailing address that you would like us to use if you are chosen as a scholarship recipient. Please note that we will only contact the student that has been selected.
If you are not contacted and are still curious on who has been selected, come visit the website after the allocation date.

http://www.presidentialcandidates.tv/scholarship.php

Contact/Visit the Parent Center at WHS if you need any resources to assist you in submitting your essay.

HBCU Connect "Black History in Action" Scholarship

2008-01-31T09:41:00.000-08:00

HBCU Connect "Black History in Action" Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,000

The HBCU Connect "Black History in Action" Scholarship is available to full-time students at accredited US colleges and universities as well as graduating high school seniors.

To apply for this award you must submit a 1000 to 1500 word essay discussing the following topics: How is African-American history relevant to success in today's world? How are you, individually, committed to making a brighter future for the African-American community? What steps have you taken? What can be done to educate young people that history is still taking place in the African-American community today?

Log on to www.fastweb.com for more details.

I-Division Upon Us -- Parents | Teachers Vote: YES

2008-01-25T17:24:00.000-08:00

Parents, Teachers Taking Over Westchester High
By Paul Clinton

Parents and teachers at Westchester High School have voted to put themselves in charge of academic reforms in an effort to take the low-performing school where Los Angeles Unified couldn't.

Working with Loyola Marymount University under the banner of the district's new Innovation Division, they will try to turn around a school that ranks in the bottom fifth of the state academically.

With the votes, the school is signing up for a five-year partnership with the Catholic university - known as the Family of Schools - to improve achievement and draw local students back to LAUSD classrooms.

"I am very optimistic about what is going to happen here," Superintendent David Brewer told an audience at the school Friday. "I expect a lot of students to go all the way through and become graduates of college, especially LMU."

The division, which was created in mid-2007, now reviews proposals from schools hoping to hook up with universities, governments or other community partners looking to guide schools toward reform.

Crenshaw High also voted to join the Innovation Division this week.

Like many LAUSD high schools, Westchester High graduates a lower percentage of students than schools in many other Southern California districts.

Three out of four students attending the school score below proficiency in basic subjects such as algebra, geometry, English and science.

Discipline and truancy issues also have plagued the school for years. On a typical school day, as many as 10 percent of the students arrive late to class.

Many of the details of the reform plan for the school must still be worked out, but the university will begin placing student tutors in spring mathematics classes. Also, an exploratory committee of parents, teachers, administrators and others will begin formulating goals for improvement.

During voting on Wednesday and Thursday at Westchester High, parents and teachers voted overwhelmingly (89 percent and 75 percent, respectively) to seek greater control to set budgets, hire staff and change curriculum.

The work won't be easy, said board member Marlene Canter, who represents the area.

Read entire story here: http://www.redorbit.com/news/education/1230951/parents_teachers_taking_over_westchester_high/

2 high schools join LAUSD reform effort
By Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer January 25, 2008

Westchester and Crenshaw parents and teachers vote to take the low-performing schools in a new direction.

Parents and teachers at two venerable but struggling high schools voted this week to put themselves in charge of crucial academic reforms.

Crenshaw High, south of Leimert Park, and Westchester High, on the Westside, will join the Innovation Division, a new reform initiative of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The results of school elections were obtained early Thursday evening by The Times, minutes after the counting was completed. Under the rules, parents had to approve the move in a simple majority. That election was conducted Wednesday.

Teachers also had to approve in separate balloting that took place over two days.

Parents voted in low numbers, but overwhelmingly in favor of the reform plan. At Crenshaw the count was 95 to 6, a turnout of about 5%. At Westchester, the tally was 100-12, a turnout of about 6%. The parent results surprised no one -- most observers assumed that only the motivated parents would vote and they were far more likely to vote yes.

Read entire story here: http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-innovation25jan25,1,6271160.story

Westchester High School to Join iDivision
Source: LMU

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 25, 2008 — Westchester High School voted yesterday to join the Los Angeles Unified School District’s newly formed Innovation Division, in partnership with Loyola Marymount University Family of Schools. The high school joins Orville Wright Middle School’s community and magnet programs and Kentwood Elementary School, which both joined the LMU iDivision Partnership last December.

With LMU as the Westchester schools’ external network partner, this partnership moves budget authority and decision-making over instructional and staffing choices to each school locally. The LMU Partnership will support teachers, staff, parents and community in decision-making roles.

The Westchester High School community showed their commitment to reform and improve student achievement through overwhelming support from teachers, school staff, parents, community members and local community organizations.

Read entire story here: http://www.lmu.edu/pagefactory.aspx?PageID=41981

Other area musings...

Westchester High School moves into the iDivision
Posted on January 24th, 2008 by westchester dad

I’ve received word that Westchester High Schools parents and teachers voted to remove themselves from the authority of LAUSD District 3 and into the LAUSD’s Innovation (iDivision) Division. The unconfirmed vote were that teachers voted 68-30 to approve and parents voted 106-7 for approval. (Note: L.A.Times reports this morning that the teacher vote was 72-24.)

I’m sort of surprised by the extremely low parent turnout but that may be because there are so few neighborhood families with students attending there and parents in the lower grades who might have a stake in the school in the future weren’t allowed to vote. A news conference is planned for tomorrow.

Joining the iDivision is good news.. however the devil is in the details since everyone was really voting for a concept. The details of the relationship and governance between the neighborhood, LMU and the LAUSD have yet to be hammered out.

Community support will depend on how much control or oversight the community is given in the Loyola Marymont/Westchester Family of Schools (LMU/Westchester FoS) operations. So far the iDivision is a very abstract concept.

The only given is that the schools will:

Retain 80% of their average daily attendance money compared to the 50% they get now. Not nearly as good as charters, but better that regular LAUSD schools which are on the poverty scale because of district overhead.
Teachers are still represented by the UTLA and the district will continue to negotiate their contracts.
Schools may contract out for facility services if they choose and/or they may choose from a menu of district services. (This is a good development)
The availability of school resources including enrollment and facilities are still available to those outside of the local enrollment area and managed by the district. (this could very well be a deal breaker if the schools has to continue to allow high levels of open enrollment, opportunity transfers and program improvement transfers).
There is some kind of undefined partnership between the schools and LMU. Not even LMU knows what it is.

On the discouraging side, Superintendent Brewer’s comments at WHS a month ago downplayed how much influence the neighborhood would have. He said that the community would have only 1 vote among many which could be something like 1:4 or 1:8 or 1:10. It all depends on how many stakeholders they want to see at the table.

Drew Furedi noted that the LMU/Westchester FoS will still have to conform to LAUSD enrollment policies.

What this all boils down to is that the district will continue to have a pretty firm grip on many critical aspects of the LMU/Westchester FoS operations. Will it follow previous unsuccessful attempts at reform such a School Based Management (SBM) and LEARN?

On the flip side will the LMU/Westchester FoS mean more electives for our kids? Will there be more academic and sports opportunities for Westchester’s families and their kids? Will it result in higher academic performance? Will the school once again have a band?
We’ll just have to see. The devil is in the details and so is its success.

Source: http://westchesterparents.org/

Get Out The Vote Support Rally: Tuesday, January 22nd!

2008-01-21T18:04:00.000-08:00

Parents of Westchester With Orville Wright (POWWOW) and the Crenshaw Cougars Coalition (CCC) has organized a "Get Out The Vote Support Rally" on Tuesday January 22, 2008 from 7pm to 8pm.

Please join us at...

Windsor Hills Magnet School
5215 Overdale Drirve
Los Angeles, CA 90043
(Near the intersection of Overhill and Northridge)

REMINDER: The VOTE is WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23RD from 7am-8pm at Westchester High School and Crenshaw High School. (See you there!)

January 21, 2008: National Holiday Commemorating the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.

2008-01-21T08:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday MLK (January 15th)!

$10k Scholarship Award: Attention Music Students and Teachers (Deadline January 31st!)

2008-01-20T17:57:00.000-08:00

ATTENTION MUSIC STUDENTS AND TEACHERS!

$10,000 Scholarship Award

The MusicLink Foundation seeks talented music students ages 8-18 for the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award.

The MusicLink Foundation, working as a pipeline organization for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, is seeking talented music students in financial need who may qualify for the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. The goal of the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award is to identify and nurture talented young musicians whose lack of financial resources might otherwise hinder their progress. Approximately twenty-five student musicians will be selected annually to receive Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Awards. Each of these students will:

1. Receive $10,000 to support his/her education and artistic development (including tuition, training, or equipment);

2. Perform on a live taping of From the Top's National Public Radio show; and

3. Participate in a Cultural Leadership workshop in order to create and implement his/her own performance outreach activity.

Eligibility is limited to pre-college classical musicians (ages 8-18). Student applicants must be interested in appearing on From the Top's popular National Public Radio show, and demonstrate:

1. Exceptional musical talent;

2. Unmet financial need; and

3. Strong academic achievement.

FINAL DEADLINE: January 31, 2008

Application Process:

Students interested in this Award should fill out both the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award application and the From the Top Soloist application. Both applications can be found on From the Top's website - http://www.fromthetop.org/. Just click on the "Young Artist Award" link at the bottom of the page. You can also find additional information about the scholarship on this website including answers to frequently asked questions.

If you know of a student who may apply for this award or a teacher who may be working with talented students in financial need, please forward this on. Please also send their names and email addresses to Jennifer Kitchin at singoutjen@verizon.net.

Please indicate on the application that you heard about the award through the MusicLink Foundation (Student Application, Part IV, Question 5 – check the box for "MusicLink Foundation.")

For more information, please contact: Jennifer Kitchin
http://compose.mail/?compose=1&.ob=74deccd5dc578ce421de7fe8c31083351ea6c633&composeto=&composecc=&subject=&body=http://www.musiclinkfoundation.org/

AUTONOMY VOTE IS UPON US!

2008-01-16T13:44:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, January 16th: Parent-Teacher-Student Autonomy Workshop

2008-01-14T16:32:00.000-08:00

POWWOW and LMU are facilitating a Parent-Teacher-Student Workshop on the subject of AUTONOMY...

Westchester High School – Social Hall
Wednesday, January 16th

6.30-8.30

Here's an opportunity to speak out, hear and work together through the details surrounding AUTONOMY! Come prepared to contribute your thoughts and visions for the future of WHS!!!! (And - Bring A Dish, please.)

Your voice is PRICELESS!

We encourage all students to participate along with their parents/guardians!

AUTONOMY VOTE IS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23RD!

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23RD: AUTONOMY VOTE!

2008-01-13T17:07:00.000-08:00

AUTONOMY VOTE -- JANUARY 23RD!

WESTCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL

AND

CRENSHAW HIGH SCHOOL!

TIME: 7AM UNTIL 8PM

ABSENTEE BALLOTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE (MORE DETAILS FORTHCOMING ON THIS METHOD)

Deadline: January 18th: Tom Joyner Foundation Full Ride Scholarship

2008-01-13T15:26:00.000-08:00

The Tom Joyner Foundation Full Ride Scholarship is this organization's most prestigious scholarship award to date. One scholarship will be awarded to a freshman entering a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the United States in the fall of 2008. The scholarship recognizes academic distinction as well as strong character and personal qualities.

The recipient of the Full Ride Scholarship will receive full tuition waivers and stipends to cover room and board (on campus only) and books. The scholarship recipient will have to maintain a required 3.0 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) and 15 credit hours per semester -the scholarship award will be renewed each semester up to ten (10) semesters.

Students will be selected as finalists based on their academic accomplishments, intellectual and creative distinctions, extracurricular activities, letters of reference, and original essays.

More info can be found here: http://blackstudents.blacknews.com/opportunities/01-18-08.html

The Argonaut: School autonomy moving ahead in Westchester

2007-12-29T17:00:00.000-08:00

School autonomy moving ahead in Westchester
BY GARY WALKER(Created: Friday, December 28, 2007 10:45 AM PST)

Parents and teachers at Kentwood Elementary School, Orville Wright Middle School and the magnet school at Orville Wright continue to bask in the afterglow of the December 11th vote for independence from the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), which many view as a critical first step for their schools and students to reach their full academic potential.

As the next phase of navigating these uncharted waters begins, Loyola Marymount University (LMU) has promised to continue to act as a guidepost on the challenging road to autonomy.

According to representatives of the university, LMU will continue to play a key role in assisting schools that join the Innovation Division, a subdivision of the school district that was created over the summer to provide guidance and support to schools such as those in Westchester that opt for autonomy.

"It is our mission to be involved in the community around us," said Shane Martin, dean of the LMU School of Education. "Our Family of Schools is a perfect example of how LMU is transforming the way universities work with their neighborhood schools."

"It's a great day for the kids and the schools in Westchester," Drew Furedi, executive director of LMU's Family of Schools added. "The vote in favor of autonomy really demonstrates the deep commitment to taking a hard look at what things are working and figuring how to support the things that are working and make them even better."

School district officials have given their blessing to autonomy for Westchester, where there are seven schools.

"[The vote on December 11th] was another important step forward for our families and students as we continue to work together to ensure that children in these schools — which are our highest priority — graduate from high school and are college prepared and career ready," said school superintendent David Brewer. "That's why we created our Innovation Division for Education Achievement as part of our efforts to transform the LAUSD into a high-performing, world-class district."

School board member Marlene Canter, whose district includes Westchester, feels that autonomy is more than just about the acquisition of academic freedom and having hands-on management of a neighborhood school.

"This is a way to create innovation within the district," Canter said. "What I was hoping to do [with autonomy] was to create an access point for partners that could help us create better schools, and autonomy is a great way to create innovation within the district."

Furedi, who has been actively involved in helping to shape conversation surrounding the topic of academic independence since his arrival at LMU this summer, believes that the vote at the three schools was more than just a watershed moment for Westchester.

"We saw strong, overwhelming support from parents in the vote, and you also saw a lot of engagement among parents, teachers, staff and community members during the runup to the actual vote," he pointed out. "In the few days since, we've seen more engagement and excitement in trying to put this into context."

Over 98 percent of the parents who voted at Kentwood cast ballots in favor of autonomy. Of the votes cast by parents at the Orville Wright magnet school, over 95 percent voted yes, and the middle school's percentage was 90 percent.

Furedi listed two reasons he thinks that the decision to pursue freedom from the Los Angeles Unified School District is important and should be viewed in a wider context.

"This is about a community saying, 'We are taking absolute responsibility for the excellence and success of our schools.' That's different from how public education has worked in the past," he explained. "The other difference is, here is a university saying that we are redefining what a university partnership looks like."

Ingrid Lamoureux, who heads the Parent-Teacher Association at Orville Wright, is thrilled that the university has offered to be actively involved with the reform movement.

"I and the [Orville Wright] PTA look forward to collaborating with LMU," said Lamoureux. "Drew Furedi has been a dream to work with."

Stephen Rochelle, the principal at Orville Wright, also feels that having a prestigious university on board is a distinct advantage for his school and others in Westchester that chose autonomy.

"LMU has the infrastructure, the research teams and the resources," Rochelle noted, "and what better partner to have than a university of its caliber?"

The university has begun working with the Innovation Division to continue to design the next stage of autonomy and what it could look like in Westchester.

"Literally right after the votes were tallied, we started working on pulling together foundational data and information around instruction and operation of schools," Furedi said. "We've already begun taking apart the budget to see what the real numbers are going to show us in terms of funding, and we're looking at individual success and talents of students in order to frame a conversation to figure out a way to unlock the greatness that's there, using research based methods and data to figure out what's best for our kids."

Canter, who also has been publicly supportive of autonomy for Westchester schools, believes that autonomy can be "a sustainable way to reform from within the district."

Schools that choose autonomy will chart their own plan for academic improvement, and while there will be discussion, suggestions and comparing notes among all the principals and teachers in Westchester, each school will be responsible for designing its own academic blueprint.

"I think that's the really exciting part of working with the whole group of schools," said Furedi.
"It's exciting for each school to be working with several other schools that might have slightly different programs, but taking into account what the specific needs of their students are.

"It's about maintaining the individual character of a school, but really making more intentional use of a professional learning community," Furedi said.

The remaining five schools in the Westchester area are slated to vote in January. Proponents of autonomy believe that sustaining the momentum of having three schools that have joined the Innovation Division is critical.

"There's a palpable energy and excitement among the parents and teachers that there are schools that have [voted for] autonomy already, and there's an excitement about that," Furedi said. "And I think capitalizing on that energy is very important."

One of the challenges that must still be overcome is that for some, change remains a risky proposition.

"[Change] is difficult, and we realize that," said Furedi.

Canter agrees.

"It's always hard in the beginning," the board member stated. "My hope is that [the December 11th vote] ignites parents to see that now they finally have a vote."

Orville Wright principal Rochelle is looking forward to both the excitement and the challenges of autonomy.

"This is the most important work of our time," Rochelle said.

He contemplated the possibility that Westchester could be used as a reform model for the school district."

If we are successful, could this be replicated throughout LAUSD?" he asked.

Furedi reiterated that the university will continue to be a partner as Westchester parents and teachers explore autonomy in 2008.

"But it's going to take everybody working toward the same goal," Furedi said. "The idea behind autonomy is to give all of the stakeholders a voice in improving their schools, not for the university to become the new LAUSD."

Source: The Argonaut http://www.argonautnewspaper.com/articles/2007/12/28/news_-_features/top_stories/3w.txt

The Associated Press: Audit: textbook shortage, unqualified teachers at LA-area schools

2007-12-25T17:15:00.000-08:00

Audit: textbook shortage, unqualified teachers at LA-area schools
The Associated Press

HAWTHORNE, Calif.—Auditors found textbook shortages, unqualified teachers and deteriorating campuses plaguing eight campuses in the Los Angeles and Centinela Valley school districts.

Hawthorne High School got especially bad marks because of dirty drinking fountains, rotting wood, a leaky roof, exposed wiring and pervasive bird droppings.

Leuzinger High School in Lawndale, also in the Centinela Valley district, was cited for broken cracked windows, doors that don't operate properly and a wobbly wall in one classroom.

Banning High, Westchester High and Meyler Street Elementary in the Los Angeles Unified School District were also in poor condition.

Daily Breeze: Education Briefs (POWWOW citation)

2007-12-18T01:03:00.000-08:00

CONGRATS to POWWOW and Proud POWWOW Parent, Florence Bracy, who landed a spot in our local paper, The Daily Breeze, for her coordination of an outreach effort geared toward helping needy families with children this holiday season.

Way to go Florence and POWWOW for your philanthropic and humanitarian efforts!!!!

Education briefs
By Paul Clinton and Shelly Leachman Staff Writers
Article Launched: 12/16/2007 09:01:32 PM PST

WESTCHESTER HIGH

100 families get toys, clothing

Students and parents from Westchester High School collected more than 1,000 toys and clothing items to provide to a Westside foster home.

The students presented the gifts to the Westside Children's Center, a foster care and adoption placement center, parent Florence Bracy said.

The gift drive was organized by Parents of Westchester With Orville Wright. The students delivered the gifts Wednesday. On Friday, the agency gave the gifts to 100 families with children 5 and younger.

Read entire story here: http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_7739615

Daily Breeze: LAUSD tries to stem the outflow

2007-12-16T22:21:00.000-08:00

LAUSD tries to stem the outflow

by Paul Clinton Staff Writer

12/16/07

Hoping to stem the tide of sixth-graders abandoning Los Angeles Unified elementary schools on the Westside for private schools, trustee Marlene Canter is stepping up recruiting efforts for seven middle schools.

Canter wants local parents to take another look at LAUSD, so she's offering tours of higher-achieving magnets, hosting an open house and extolling the virtues of Los Angeles public schools in speeches.

"Many families in the areas that I represent send their children to LAUSD elementary schools, but opt for private schools when their children get older," said Canter, who represents schools from Westchester to the San Fernando Valley.

"But as the district opens new schools in overcrowded areas, we now have the opportunity to increase local resident enrollment."

Her case should be bolstered by the decision of two Westchester schools to opt out of LAUSD bureaucracy and partner with Loyola Marymount University in a "family" of campuses.

Last week, parents and teachers at Wright Middle School and Kentwood Elementary School agreed to a five-year experiment to bring decision-making powers over curriculum, hiring and budget issues to school communities.

Parents often switch from LAUSD to private schools, because they perceive them to be safer and believe they offer higher quality academics, parents and educators say.

Read more hear: http://www.dailybreeze.com/ci_7739792

December 12 Letter from LMU Family of Schools...

2007-12-12T22:44:00.000-08:00

Three School Communities Vote to Support Local Control

Friends:

We wanted to pass along the exciting news that yesterday, Kentwood Elementary School, Orville Wright Middle School, and Orville Wright Magnet Middle School voted in favor of joining the iDivision with LMU as a partner.

We had really incredible turnout for the votes from teachers, staff, and parents, so thank you for your interest and effort!!

The other schools in the LMU Family of Schools will continue discussions and meetings with teachers, other school staff, parents, and community stakeholders. These school communities will likely vote when these meetings are finished in either January or February.

Look out for more updates in the weeks ahead!

If you have any questions, please send us an email (fosinfo@lmu.edu)

===================================

LMU NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LMU FAMILY OF SCHOOLS VOTE TO JOIN LAUSD'S INNOVATION DIVISION

Three Loyola Marymount University Family of Schools vote yes for local control.

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12, 2007 — Three schools from LMU Family of Schools' voted yesterday to join the Los Angeles Unified School District's newly formed Innovation Division. Orville Wright Middle School's community and magnet programs and Kentwood Elementary School, three of the LMU Family of Schools, were invited to join the iDivision this fall. The remaining school campuses will vote in January 2008.

All three school communities demonstrated their commitment to reform through strong support from teachers, school staff, parents, community members and local community organizations.

"It is our mission to be involved in the community around us," said Shane Martin, dean of the School of Education. "Our Family of Schools is a perfect example of how LMU is transforming the way universities work with their neighborhood schools."

Executive Director for the LMU Family of Schools Drew Furedi said he was thrilled with the outcome.

"The yes vote shows support from both the teachers and parents that they are ready for a change in this Westchester community," Furedi said. "LMU is fully committed to serve as a leader and a partner with our Family of Schools and the LAUSD."

Earlier this year, LAUSD established the iDivision to provide school communities with a new opportunity to accelerate learning through the principles of teacher, parent and student empowerment, partnership with strong community organizations and accountability for improved academic achievement.

"Today's vote is another important step forward for our families and students as we continue to work together to ensure that children in these schools - which are our highest priority -- graduate from high school and are college prepared and career ready," said David Brewer, superintendent of LAUSD. "That's why we created our Innovation Division for Education Achievement as part of our efforts to transform the LAUSD into a high-performing, world-class district."

Through partnerships with LAUSD for more than 50 years, LMU's School of Education has trained thousands of teachers, assistant principals, principals and other district leaders and worked to support excellence for the students in local public schools across the District. For more information, visit familyofschools.org.

Daily News: LAUSD pays for fliers backing mayor's plan

2007-12-10T22:40:00.000-08:00

LAUSD pays for fliers backing mayor's plan
By Naush Boghossian, Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 12/10/2007 09:31:15 PM PST

Los Angeles Unified officials have sent thousands of fliers urging parents and teachers to let Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa manage some district schools in what critics decried Monday as a biased campaign that misuses taxpayer funds.

The district paid for the fliers and automated calls to remind parents about today's vote at seven schools, but critics say the information is essentially an advocacy campaign for the mayor's Partnership for Los Angeles Schools.

One flier obtained by the Daily News from the district's innovation division lists the benefits of a yes vote to join the partnership but makes no mention of any potential drawbacks.

"Any time a government official or the government itself has a stake in the outcome of an election, it's unfair to use public money to influence that election," said Tim Bittle, director of legal affairs for the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

"It sure sounds like the mayor has a stake in the outcome of this election, because if he can persuade the parents and the teachers to approve this plan and then he pulls off some positive reform, it's going to be a publicity opportunity for him and his quest perhaps for higher office."

But Kathi Littmann, executive director of the LAUSD's innovation division, said her office is working with the mayor to develop the reform effort and did a thorough job informing communities about the issues in a limited amount of time.

Read entire story here: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_7687537

LA Times: Teachers Draft Reform Plan

2007-12-03T22:40:00.000-08:00

Teachers draft reform plan

Union's proposal calls for local, grass roots control over schools and gives instructors more breathing room to formulate curricula.
By Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
December 3, 2007

In this education nirvana, teachers would decide what to teach and when. Teachers and parents would hire and fire principals. No supervisors from downtown would tell anyone -- neither teachers nor students -- what to wear.

These are among the ideas a delegation of teachers and their union officers are urging L.A. schools Supt. David L. Brewer to include in the school reform plan he will present to the school board Tuesday.

If Brewer passes on the delegation's proposals, the union can go directly to the seven-member Board of Education. Employee unions recently have had success in getting the board to overrule the superintendent on health benefits for some part-time workers and on school staffing.

At stake now is the Los Angeles Unified School District's effort to turn around its 34 most troubled middle and high schools. The data suggests the urgency: As many as three-quarters of the students in these "high priority schools" scored well below grade level across multiple subjects on last year's California Standards Tests.

Whatever remedy emerges is likely to become a blueprint for widespread reform efforts. Brewer and his team are working on their 11th draft; the drafts have evolved significantly since September because of resistance inside and outside the school system.

At a meeting Friday between the district and the delegation from the United Teachers Los Angeles, union leaders were pointedly clear about what they want -- local, grass roots control over schools.

"This is what we think makes for a good education," said Joel Jordan, the union's director of special projects, who took part in the meeting. "We don't want to continue what hasn't worked and has demoralized teachers and students."

Rhetorically, Brewer has endorsed local control, but elements of his proposal cut both ways.

The separate plans of the union and the superintendent, as well as a "Schoolhouse" framework offered in January by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, all cobble together widely accepted strategies, such as smaller classes and schools, and better teacher training.

Read entire story here: http://www.latimes.com/news/education/la-me-teachers3dec03,1,6018033.story?coll=la-news-learning

LA Times: Op-Ed...Should Schools Be Blown Up?

2007-11-21T22:24:00.000-08:00

Should schools be blown up?

LAUSD Superintendent David Brewer on English reclassification, payroll problems and failing schools.
November 21, 2007

Admiral David Brewer, superintendent of the L.A. Unified School District, dropped by the editorial board the other day to discuss, among other things, the problems of English-language learners and his own on-again-off-again plan to create a mini-district for low-performing schools. Some highlights:

English language learners

David Brewer: We have the largest English-language learner population in the nation, over 200-some-odd thousand students. If we were to carve them out as a separate district, they would be the sixth-largest district in the nation. That population right there is the most challenged population. And there's an irony with that population; 70% of them are native born. And so we said, OK, so what's driving this low achievement throughout the system? Well, the standard English learners, a percentage of whom are also African Americans, are also in this mix. So when we began to look at it we said, my God, if, if you look at one of the pieces, called Reclassification to Fluent English Proficiency, and we're reclassifying about 50% of that population K through 5. That means 50% of that population's showing up in middle school not prepared, frankly speaking, for middle school, because of language. And so we said, OK, then we have to go to a family-of-schools approach.

Now you've heard all the UTLA rumblings. If a separate district was the answer, let them run it, was my position. But when I went and presented to the task force our findings, UTLA came back and said — you know, they were clearly opposed to a separate district. When I look back at [former superintendent Ruben] Zacharias, people were opposed to his hundred schools, because of the labeling, of the stigmatism. And my counter to that has been quite clear. I think that in L.A. the general public, other than through the 1381 debate, you know, really does not know how well or how badly the schools are doing. I don't think they really know. I don't think they're really focused on it.

Read entire story here: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oew-brewer21nov21,0,7180339.story?coll=la-opinion-center

NAACP Celebrating 71 Years of Youth Leadership and Activism: Saturday, November 10th

2007-11-08T12:37:00.000-08:00

NAACP partners with UCLA student groups to increase diversity through a College Access Campaign

FIRST AME CHURCH (2270 South Harvard Blvd., Los Angeles)
Saturday, November 10, 2007
1:30-4:30pm

The Los Angeles National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is sponsoring College Access Day, 2007.

Students from outreach programs at UCLA will conduct the workshops giving each student personalized attention. College students will educate high school students on the college process and ways to succeed once admitted.

In addition, parents can attend a workshop on "How to Finance Your Child's Education" presented by UCLA Financial Aid Office and Thompson Wealth Management (TWM).

The Los Angeles Chapter of the NAACP led by President Geraldine Washington was at the forefront of the campaign to address the low admittance rate of African American students at UCLA. College enrollment and graduation rates among African-American students continue to lag behind the population at large. To mitigate this trend the NAACP and the UCLA student groups are making a special plea calling for parents, high school counselors, teachers, churches and businesses to encourage student participation and support this worthwhile cause.

D'Artagnan Scorza UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Sciences, Ph.D. Student, UC Student Regent-Designate and NAACP Campaign Coordinator states "Education is the great equalizer and has been historically linked to our struggle for freedom. We must do everything we can to ensure access and equity for all of our students in our community"

We need and appreciate your financial support. Please help our students as they reach out and make a difference through education. No amount is too big or too small. Funds will be used for refreshments, instructional materials, printing and transportation. Write your tax-deductible check today and mail to the following address:

NAACP Inglewood/South Bay Branch
P.O. Box 8162
Inglewood, CA 90301
Phone: (310) 671-3174
-----------------------------------------------------------
The following student groups will participate:

African Student Union's Academic Supports Program (ASP):

The African Student Union's Academic Supports Program (ASP) is a student-initiated and student-run retention program that historically formed to address the attrition rates for students of African descent. Many African students expressed common concerns such as alienation from the campus, frustration from racism and discrimination, hostility from the campus environment, a lack of motivation to succeed and an uncertainty of goals. The ASP assists students with their academic development which is necessary to achieve graduation. Furthermore, they can gain leadership and other important skills which can be useful in their academic and professional careers.

UCLA students, under the Student Initiated Access Committee (SIAC), work with students in grades K–14 in educationally disadvantaged areas.

UCLA students from SIAC projects provide weekly, ongoing services, including one-on-one peer advising, tutoring, skills-building and workshops.
They also provide field trips, and parent dinners and workshops.
Their projects also join with various student organizations to host large-scale events promoting college, most of which take place annually.

Student Heightening Academic Performance through Education (SHAPE):

SHAPE was created by the African Student Union to counteract the repercussions of the removal of Affirmative Action programs in institutions of higher education, which resulted in the decline in admissions of underrepresented students. SHAPE was designed to target those youth at risk at the Middle and High School level by providing peer advising, tutoring, workshops, fieldtrips, and parent support. SHAPE goes out to the Inglewood, Crenshaw and Watts areas, as well as out to Audubon Middle School and Dorsey High School.

The Vice Provost Initiative for Pre-College Scholars, known as VIPS, is a partnership between UCLA and the Los Angeles and Pasadena school districts to help prepare historically underrepresented students in grades 9–12 to become competitively eligible for admission to UCLA and to encourage pursuit of graduate and professional education.

VIPS is focused on underserved students, including students from low-income and first-generation immigrant families, which includes underrepresented minorities.
VIPS services include college preparatory workshops, a Buddy Day (high school students shadow UCLA students for a day), college advising, and career and major seminars.

The UCLA Center for Community College Partnerships (CCCP) develops and strengthens academic partnerships between UCLA and California community colleges, particularly those with large underrepresented student populations. The center works to help the community colleges develop a "transfer culture."

The center works closely with community college administrators, faculty and staff to strengthen and diversify curriculum, create strong academic support programs, improve students' academic competitiveness for admission to the university and increase the diversity of UCLA's transfer-admit pool.

Among the center's programs is the East Los Angeles College Summer Immersion Program, a collaboration between the Youth Opportunity Movement, East Los Angeles College and UCLA. This intense 16-day academic program requires participants to complete successfully a three-unit UC/CSU-transferable course in a two-week period.

The Afro-Academic, Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) is a major youth initiative of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). founded in 1978, by the renowned author and journalist, Vernon Jarrett, ACT-SO provides a forum through which minority youth can demonstrate the same prowess, expertise and recognition often only reserved for entertainers and athletes. Rooted in the firm conviction that minorities can succeed and compete at the same or superior levels as their counterparts in classrooms, boardrooms and locker rooms across this nation and abroad.

The ACT-SO objective is to prepare, promote and recognize youth who exemplify scholastic and cultural excellence. ACT-SO conducts annual academic competitions for students in grades 9-12 NAACP branches throughout the country. Participating branches hold local competitions in 24 categories. The top winners from other cities at the national ACT-SO finals during the NAACP national convention.

The ACT-SO goals are:

To mobilize the adult community for the promotion of classroom and after-school excellence.

To recognize academic achievement among youth on par with the recognition awarded athletics.

To provide and assist students with the necessary skills and tools to establish goals and acquire the confidence and training to make a successful contribution to society.

For more information contact...

Michael Gallin, UC Regent Student Field Representative at (310) 206-4416 or by fax at (310) 206-6067

Marilynn Huff at (310) 672-7939 or email: mzhuff@gmail.com

Parent Information Meeting @ WHS: TONIGHT @ 6.30pm

2007-11-07T08:52:00.000-08:00

We strongly encourage all PARENTS of students attending Westchester area schools to participate. (Another Parent Information Meeting will be held next Wednesday, November 14th at 6.30pm at Orville Wright in the event you can't make this Wednesday's meeting.)

Representatives from LMU and LAUSD will be prepared to field your questions and concerns regarding:

Autonomy &
the I-Division (Innovation Division)

Be sure to formulate your questions and concerns NOW; write them on a note pad and be prepared to seek answers to them. In addition to a parent's main area of concern like...How does autonomy guarantee and/or ensure my student-child obtains a first-rate education in a safe and clean environment?...some sample questions may include the following, but feel free to ask any question.

Governance. Who will make up the governing body?

Who are the players and what role will each play?

Where do Parents fit into the equation?

Where does Community fit into the equation?

Should the Parents, Stakeholders etc. vote in favor of autonomy, when will implementation occur? Target date?

Are there any lessons learned to-date that Westchester can benefit from?

Are there models that closely resemble the plans for Westchester area schools? (Something in LAUSD; no out-of-state models, please.)

How can we view the models, i.e., school tour, datasets --What tangible results can we view...API scores, graduation rates, college acceptance rates?

What are the promises and perhaps perils that an autonomous structure might have on my student-child specifically?

What are the short-term goals and benefits of autonomy?

What are the long-term goals and benefits of autonomy?

Will students become displaced, i.e., over the short-term and long-term? What measures, if any, are in place to ensure displacement doesn't occur?

Again, these are just some questions that come to mind. Think methodically and ask any questions that come to your mind, or ask for clarification on anything that might be ambiguous or unclear to you.

PARTICIPATE, PARTICIPATE, PARTICIPATE!

CAHSEE TESTING: November 6th and 7th

2007-11-06T08:52:00.000-08:00

All 11th and 12th graders will be administered the CAHSEE -- CA High School Exit Exam over the course of Tuesday, 11/6 and Wednesday, 11/7.

This is a prerequisite for graduation.

Various News Articles on Brewer's and Villaraigosa's Reform Efforts

2007-11-05T16:09:00.000-08:00

DAILY NEWS: School reform facing hurdles
Read entire article here: http://www.dailynews.com/ci_7334829

Just two weeks after announcing an ambitious effort to reform Los Angeles Unified middle schools, Superintendent David Brewer III finds his plan already foundering amid fierce opposition from the politically powerful teachers union.

Brewer, who proposed creating a special district of 44 low-performing schools, already has had to eliminate 10 of the sites and still faces opposition from teachers over the remaining schools. Only one San Fernando Valley school remains on the list.

And new rumblings have surfaced that union leaders and teachers in the proposed schools intend to kill the plan entirely.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LA TIMES: Idea for failing schools fails to please educators
Read entire article here: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lausd1nov01,1,5272754.story?coll=la-headlines-california

The L.A. Unified chief says his plan to group lagging campuses into a district is now 'only an option.' Among the many complaints from critics is that his proposal would stigmatize such schools.

Faced with stiff opposition from the teachers union and little support elsewhere, Los Angeles schools Supt. David L. Brewer has backed away from his plan to put nearly four dozen poorly performing schools into a separate "transformation district."

The superintendent's retreat comes only about four weeks after he unveiled the plan, which was widely viewed as an answer to critics who said the retired Navy admiral had accomplished too little in the year since accepting the top job at the Los Angeles Unified School District.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DAILY NEWS: LAUSD drops five of six Valley schools from reform list
Read entire article here: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_7283026

Just a single San Fernando Valley school is in the running to participate in two key reform efforts widely touted by the mayor and schools chief as a key to boosting performance at Los Angeles Unified.

Superintendent David Brewer III said Thursday that he has cut five of the six Valley schools named in his original reform effort targeting 44 low-performing sites.

Sigifredo Lopez - president of the Parent Community Coalition, which represents 1,800 parents in the Valley and the rest of the district - said parents don't trust the mayor or Brewer.

"Reforms are coming out, but parents are saying nothing makes education better for children and brings more parent participation - that these reforms are political," he said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE EDUCATION REVOLUTION BLOG: Brewer Reform: Dead in the Water?
Read more blog entries here: http://www.insidesocal.com/education/

Teacher Autonomy Meeting: TODAY @ 3PM

2007-11-05T08:35:00.000-08:00

Teacher Autonomy Meeting at WHS today at 3pm.

WHS Library

This is not a teacher exclusive event -- Parents are welcome to attend also!

Hope to see many of you today.

UPCOMING MEETINGS ON AUTONOMY

2007-11-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

ACADEMIC RECOGNITION NIGHT: TONIGHT

2007-11-01T10:51:00.000-07:00

Join the Academic Booster Club, Teachers, Administrators, other Faculty and Parents in recognizing our...

"Academic Student-Achievers"

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

2007-10-31T09:10:00.000-07:00

SSC ELECTIONS: TONIGHT! Tuesday, 10/30 @ 6pm

2007-10-30T08:43:00.000-07:00

Westchester High School Site Council Parent Vote Is Tonight!

WESTCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY

Our Teachers, Administrators and Staff are looking forward to working with you in creating wonderful opportunities at our high school.

Come out tonight and vote for your Parent reps!

(All School Site Council meetings are open to the public.)

EXTENDED DEADLINE through October 30th

2007-10-28T09:13:00.000-07:00

DEADLINE EXTENDED THROUGH 10/30/2007!

Create and submit your own scholarship idea IMMEDIATELY!!!!

Go to: http://www.fastweb.com/

Community Service-Based Grant for Single Parent Women

2007-10-24T14:40:00.000-07:00

Community Service-Based Grant For Single Parent Women

This grant is awarded to professional single parent women with outstanding student loan debt who contribute to their community through volunteer work. We honor women who volunteer in their community.

Student loan repayment grants are available to women who volunteer their professional talents for an average of 8 hours a month, for a period of time to be determined by the amount of their student loan debt.

We recognize that women who are in the helping or teaching professions already contribute to their communities, therefore, no further volunteer work is required to qualify.

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: December 1, 2007

Website/Contact Info...

www.raisethenation.org/index.cfm?fa=scholarship.apply

Neighborhood Council Meeting: Tonight @ 6.30 pm

2007-10-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

UTLA PRESIDENT TO PRESENT SCHOOL REFORM MODEL — A.J. Duffy, president of the United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), will be the guest speaker at the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/ Playa del Rey Education Committee at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 23rd, in the Westchester Municipal Building Community Room, 7166 Manchester Ave.

Duffy will present UTLA's model for school reform and local control. UTLA has submitted a proposal to the Innovation Division of the Los Angeles Unified School District to assume control of Woodland Hills Academy, the former Parkman Middle School. The UTLA model would provide for increased funding to the school site, and, in the words of the proposal, "absolute control" over financial resources, hiring, curriculum, professional development and bell schedules.

Public schools in Westchester and Playa del Rey have been invited to submit their own reform proposal to the Innovation Division as members of the Loyola Marymount University (LMU) Family of Schools.

The board of the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/ Playa del Rey has voted to support such a proposal, provided that local schools report to the Innovation Division rather than LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District) Local District 3, are governed by a board with significant local community representation, and follow the best practices of successful independent charter schools, such as Palisades Charter High School.

Teachers, parents and community members are invited to attend the event and will have an opportunity to present their questions and comments to Duffy.

View entire agenda below...

http://www.ncwpdr.org/index.php?page=committees/Education/display.php

Daily Breeze: LAUSD Enrollment Down 2%

2007-10-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

DAILY BREEZE ARTICLE...
http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/10665001.html?showAll=y&c=y

LAUSD enrollment down 2%

This year's decline is attributed to fewer county births and students moving to charter campuses.By Paul ClintonStaff Writer
Los Angeles Unified's total student enrollment has continued its expected decline, dropping 2 percent from 708,461 students last year to 694,288 this year, according to figures released Thursday by the district.

Although the Harbor Area also saw declines, school board member Richard Vladovic said it wasn't as dramatic as he thought it would be.

"It's down 2 to 3 percent," Vladovic said. "We anticipated more."

About 41,000 of the students - or 6 percent of the population - are enrolled in fiscally independent charter schools.

Charter schools reduce enrollment at traditional LAUSD schools by about 1 percent per year.

District officials attribute the drop to a decline in births in Los Angeles County, which have decreased sharply since 1990 but have now stabilized.

The district saw a decline in each grade level, except for 11th and 12th grades.

Economic conditions like job availability and housing costs also contributed to the decline, officials said.

In Local District 8, Gardena High School reported the steepest decline, to 3,211 students from 3,428 a year ago. The school lost seven teachers and an assistant principal, officials said.

At Carson High School, enrollment dropped to 3,466 from 3,508, forcing Principal Ken Keener to cut two unfilled teaching positions.

The school also will lose an assistant principal, local administrator Myrna Brutti said.
About 100 additional students are attending Westchester High School this year (1,837 compared with 1,733 a year ago), which reversed a three-year decline.

The school has fallen from its peak of 2,369 in 2004-05, because fewer students filter in from other, more-crowded schools.

To boost attendance, Local District 3 administrators implemented an open-enrollment policy
that allows any student in the LAUSD attendance boundary to attend the school.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Saturday, 10/21 @ WHS

2007-10-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

JOIN PARENTS, STUDENTS, FACULTY AND FRIENDS FOR THE BOOSTER CLUB'S ANNUAL:

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

WESTCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL
7.30-11

PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT YOUR FAVORITE CLUBS ON CAMPUS.

$4 OF THE $5 ARE DONATED TO THE CLUB/GROUP YOU PURCHASED YOUR TICKET FROM. $1 GOES TO THE BOOSTER CLUB

UPDATES

2007-10-17T15:53:00.001-07:00

1. WHS lost 250K. Why? Not enough 'Meal Ticket' applications were submitted. PLEASE take the time to complete and submit your meal ticket applications even if your child is not going to use them or you feel your family does not qualify.

2. WHS School Site Council Information meeting is being held Wednesday October 17th at 6:00 pm in the school library. IT IS VITAL for ALL parents to attend this meeting. This council is responsible for governing the entire school!!! Let YOUR voice be heard!!

3. Orville Wright College week is this week!! Come out and support our school and students prepare for college.

4. Orville Wright's PSAT testing is Wednesday October 17th from 8:00 am to 10:45 pm. We need POWWOW parents go help facilitate (Proctor) this test.

5. Orville Wright Back To School Night is Thursday October 18th at 6:00 pm. POWWOW will be on campus welcoming families and registering parents.

6. POWWOW is selling Pancake Breakfast Tickets.This is our very first fund raising effort. We are asking all parents and friends of POWWOW to purchase 2 tickets from the WHS Parents Center as we endeavor to raise enough money to purchase a copy machine and other office equipment. (Only tickets purchased from the Parent Center will go towards POWWOW.)

7. POWWOW is encouraging ALL parents to drop in and visit YOUR child's class this month!! WHS parents are to check in at the parent center. Those random, surprise visits do wonders in encouraging our children to always be on their BEST behavior.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration. I hope to see or hear from you soon.Have a
terrific day!!

Daily Breeze: LAUSD will get more bond money

2007-10-16T17:48:00.000-07:00

DAILY BREEZE ARTICLE
http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/10569601.html

LAUSD will get more bond money

Measure by L.A. legislator changes formula to free funding.
By Rick Orlov, Staff Writer

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law a measure designed to provide up to
$640 million to Los Angeles schools from a voter-approved bond.

The governor Sunday signed Assembly Bill 1014, authored by Assemblywoman Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, designed to fill a loophole in Proposition 1D, a school-construction measure approved last November as part of Schwarzenegger's package of bonds aimed at improving California's infrastructure.

A provision in the measure, however, would have placed severe limits on the ability of Los Angeles Unified - the largest school district in the state - from getting its fair share of the funds.

Bass' measure changed the formula for funding from looking at new-student growth to considering traditionally overcrowded school districts, such as LAUSD.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, school board President Monica Garcia and Superintendent
David Brewer III issued a joint statement praising the governor and Bass.

"With the stroke of the governor's pen, the children in Los Angeles' public schools will receive their fair share of statewide funding to help build the safe, clean and new schools they deserve," the statement read.

"Assembly Bill 1014 will help put an end to the decades-old struggle against overcrowding in our schools and send a message to the 200,000 kids in Los Angeles who go to school in temporary classrooms each day that we will no longer shortchange their education."

Daily News: De facto LAUSD breakup

2007-10-15T16:50:00.000-07:00

Daily News Article...
http://www.dailynews.com/opinions/ci_7178278

De facto LAUSD breakup

If it works, it doesn't matter what it's called
10/14/2007 05:13:51 PM PDT

LOS Angeles Unified School District Superintendent David Brewer's plan to create a separate district for low-performing schools and to target middle schools for reform is an acknowledgment that something drastic needs to be done to improve education.

Brewer says that this is a step toward improving the LAUSD by empowering this new mini-district of the 44 worst-performing schools to be more flexible and to have the autonomy to tailor solutions to meet the students' needs. In addition he will create "personalized learning environments" at all of the district's 92 middle schools, which he said have been long neglected.

It seems the de facto breakup of the country's second-largest school district, begun with the mayor's breaking up two school clusters, is accelerating.

No one, of course, would call it such. That word carries too much political baggage.

"It's our way to try to create more smallness out of largeness," one district official said.

Whatever. But it doesn't matter what words people use to describe this important decentralizing of the power of the LAUSD. All that matters is the principles of breakup - such as empowering schools, the principals and the communities to take charge of their schools and educational needs, and not cede them to the vast and often uncaring LAUSD bureaucracy.

When it comes to schools, smaller is always better. It's what district secessionists have been saying for years.

Still, what counts is that this carving out of special districts be more than just a public-relations stunt. There's a real danger of ghettoizing the special district full of low-performing schools once they've been removed from the rest of the district.

If this breaku- er, reform effort, has a chance of succeeding, it needs more than just a separation. It needs sustained commitment to the ideals of smaller, more autonomous and innovative schools.

Meet the Press (10/14/07) feat. Bill Cosby

2007-10-14T14:47:00.000-07:00

NBC's Tim Russert interviewed Bill Cosby and his co-author, Alvin F. Poussaint, on the release of their new book entitled, Come On People: One the Path from Victims to Victors.

Watch the complete, hour-long show (available through Saturday, 10/27 at 11.59pm) below:

http://podcast.msnbc.com/video/podcast/pdv_mtp_netcast_wmv.wmv

Read more about the book here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21279731/

Purchase book here: http://www.amazon.com/Come-People-Path-Victims-Victors/dp/1595550925/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/102-8692202-4491341?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192658025&sr=1-1

COLLEGE FAIR THIS WEEKEND: Saturday, 10/13 from 9-12

2007-10-12T10:47:00.000-07:00

PLEASE BE SURE TO ATTEND AND LEARN VALUABLE INFORMATION. THIS IS THE 1ST FREE COLLEGE RECRUITING FAIR AND WORKSHOP SERIES. LET'S MAKE IT A HUGE SUCCESS!

CONSORTIUM OF AREA HIGH SCHOOLS TO CONDUCT FREE COLLEGE RECRUITING FAIR AND WORKSHOP SERIES

West Los Angeles College-Saturday, October 13, 2007-9am -12 noon

Objective is to increase applications to colleges and to demystify the college application process(Los Angeles, Ca-August 29, 2007)

A consortium comprised of local area high schools in the Los Angeles area (including Venice and Culver City) have joined forces to promote their first “Westside College Fair” college recruitment and workshop series arriving just in time for the college application season.

Presented by the Los Angeles Unified Local District 3, Culver City Unified and the Star Prep Academy with support from West Los Angeles College, this FREE one day event will be held on the campus of West Los Angeles College on Saturday, October 13 from 9am to 12 noon. With representation from over 80 colleges and universities across the country, college test preparation companies and financial aid and college scholarship representatives, both parents and students will have the ability to do ‘one stop college shopping’ in one location.

Participating colleges who will be sending representatives include colleges from the California State and University of California college systems as well as West Los Angeles and several other community colleges.

Representatives from both public and private colleges from both within and out of the state of California will be represented and representatives will also be present to distribute admissions materials and answer questions about their college admissions process.

The Westside College Fair will have something for everyone and is geared towards both middle school and high school students as well as parents.

An added feature of the fair will be a series of “hands-on” comprehensive college preparation workshops including topics such as “Show me the Money: College Financial Aid Tips”, “Preparing for the SAT/ACT”, “Middle School 411-The Right Steps to College”, and “Interviews and College Essays” as well as a host of other informative workshops designed to demystify the college application process.

Representatives will also be on hand to assist students in completing online applications to California State University and University of California colleges. The workshop series presented will feature the latest methods and information and will be relevant to both the novice or more experienced students and parents.

The Westside College Fair is sponsored by Crenshaw High School, Culver City High School, Dorsey High School, Hamilton High School, Los Angeles High School, LACES, Star Prep Academy, Venice High School, University High School and Westchester High School.

#

A Taste of Soul: A Huge Success!

2007-10-11T16:01:00.000-07:00

Because of each of you - "A Taste Of Soul" POWWOW Parent Meeting and Teacher/Parent Appreciation was a HUGE success!!!

Some reports of the event estimate there were close to 100 in attendance!!!

Parents, teachers, Administrators, School Staff and even the media enjoyed an evening of information sharing, appreciation and "A Taste Of Soul."

WHS Representatives included:

Anita Barner (Principal)

Cynthia Hill (Asst. Principal)

Dechele Byrd (Assistance Principal)

Mr. Glenn Mitchell (Dean and Biology Instructor)

The aforementioned updated parents of the 4x4 schedule, Small Learning Communities, student intervention programs, positive discipline, truancy and tardy policies, Williams book distribution and results, and so much more!

Mr. Cooper and Mrs. Billie Silvey (Healthy Start)

Dr. Salazar (Instructor)

Mr. Wright (Instructor)

Our Librarian

Terry Marcellus (Booster Club Pres.)

Robin Adams (Academic Booster Club President)

Patrick Ingram (Plant Manager)

...and a host of informed, engaged parents!!

OWMS Representatives included:

Ingrid Lemeaux (PTSA President)

...and several OWM parents!!!

LMU Representative included:

Mr. Drew Furedi of the LMU family of Schools who addressed our parents regarding the family of schools and the upcoming vote on Autonomy.

LD3 Represenative included:

Mrs. Cheryl Newman of local district 3 (Parent Ombudsperson) who shared vital information about School Site Council Information meeting and the upcoming elections at Westchester High.

ALL parents and Teachers received Certificates Of Appreciation for their commitment and dedication to working together in improving our schools and educating our children.

POWWOW parents who have volunteered in any capacity received coffee mugs filled with chocolates!!

Our administrators (Mr. Rochelle and Mrs. Barner) received eloborate gift baskets for their support of POWWOW. We would not have been able to achieve the success we have if our administrators did not support us.

Mr. Cooper (Healthy Start) and Mr. Clark/Ingram (Plant Managers) also received eloborate gift baskets for being so accommodating, supportive and responsive to all the special needs of POWWOW during our formative stages!!!

AND...There was soooooo much food!!!

The array of dishes included...

Collard and mustard greens, black-eyed-peas, hot water cornbread, chicken (fried and baked), potato salad, coleslaw, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, lemon cakes, pound cake, chocolate cakes, soda, water, even egg rolls, salami and salads!!!

Plan for next month's meeting (Wednesday November 14, 2007 at 6:30 pm). Staff, administrators, teachers, counselors and parents are planning another INFORMATIVE and eventful meeting.

YOU do not want to miss what we have planned for next month!

Thank each of you again and again for your support and attendance and I look forward to seeing you soon.

PROBATION DEPARTMENT ON CAMPUS

2007-10-09T10:33:00.000-07:00

PLEASE BE SURE TO ATTEND "MANDATORY MEETING" AT HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25TH FROM 7-9PM. SEE DETAILS AND ADDRESS BELOW.

October 9, 2007

Dear Parent/Guardian:

The County of Los Angeles Probation Department, in partnership with the Hamilton High School Administrators, request your presence at a MANDATORY MEETING at Hamilton High School (In the Cafeteria) located at 2955 S. Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles, California 90034 on Thursday, October 25, 2007 from 7:00 to 9:00 P.M.

We plan to discuss the role of the probation officer on campus, proactive solutions that result with increased campus safety, strategies to assist students with a positive and productive learning experience, and most of all any of your concerns.

There are several resources available for students at the school site and through the Probation Department as well. We want to ensure that your son/daughter receives the maximum benefit from the available resources.

We look forward to your presence on Thursday, October 25th, 2007. If you have questions, feel free to contact Deputy Probation Officer Darrin Deckard at (310) 365-3064 or Supervising Deputy Probation Officer Bertelle Berry at (323) 298-3554.

Sincerely,

Stan Ricketts
County of Los Angeles Probation Department
Director, School-Based Programs Cluster 2

Parent & Teacher Appreciation Night: Wednesday, 10/10

2007-10-08T13:54:00.000-07:00

We hope everyone can come out and support our Parents and Teachers!

When: Wednesday, October 10th at 6.30 pm

Where: Westchester High School

Because: We appreciate our Parents and Teachers!

Bring: Food contribution to add to the table

ORVILLE PTA/BOOSTER MEETING: TONIGHT AT 7PM

2007-09-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

The first PTA/Booster Meeting of the school year IS TONIGHT!

Wednesday, September 19th

7 pm

ORVILLE WRIGHT MIDDLE SCHOOL LIBRARY

Mr. Rochelle, Principal, will be speaking. We hope to see you there!

Questions: Please call Ingrid Lamoureux @ 310 645-2030 or salamou@pacbell.net

LA Times: Op-Ed "Schools Can't Be Colorblind"

2007-09-17T16:01:00.000-07:00

Schools can't be colorblind
Narrowing the achievement gap in schools requires acknowledging race, not ignoring it.

The achievement gap between African American and Latino students and their white peers is stark and persistent. It has existed for decades, and it's growing more pronounced.

The data refute what would be reassuring explanations. The gaps in reading and math test scores are not due to income disparities, nor are they attributable to parents' educational levels. The simple fact is that most black and brown children do not do as well in school as most whites. The data also show, however, that African American and Latino children are excelling in schools scattered throughout California and the nation, suggesting that the achievement gap is not intractable. Rather, there is a profound disconnect between what we say are high expectations for children of color and the quality of education delivered to them in the classroom.

All of which leads to an uncomfortable but important conclusion: If a less-stratified society is desirable, we must be prepared to design educational programs that explicitly take race into account, that address African American and Latino students specifically and that openly recognize that we are not a single society when it comes to the needs of our children.

That is not easy, and it runs against America's desire to move beyond a preoccupation with racial differences. In its last term, the Supreme Court struck down school integration programs in Seattle and Louisville, Ky., engaging in legal and moral sophistry to suggest that race no longer matters. And California Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell set off a tremor last month when he called on the state's schools to help Latino and African American students close the gap.

The court is wrong and O'Connell is right: Race does matter, and schools are better off realizing it. Ironically, one of those who implicitly recognizes that fact is President Bush, whose No Child Left Behind Act requires states to set the same performance targets for all students and to report those results by race, among other categories, revealing the truth of racial disparities in learning.

There was a time when the gap seemed on its way to obsolescence -- a relic that Brown vs. Board of Education and school integration would remedy. From 1970 through the late '80s, the gap between blacks and Latinos and white students narrowed exponentially. Then, in the '90s, improvement leveled and the gap began to grow.

Assigning causes is difficult, but there are striking examples of success amid a sea of failure. Why does Ralph J. Bunche Elementary School in gang-plagued Compton have an Academic Performance Index score of 866, almost equal to those of elementary schools in Beverly Hills and higher than many in Santa Monica or Torrance? After all, the school is 100% minority, and 40% of the students are non-native English speakers. Why do 81% of the students at Edison Elementary in Long Beach, where 90% of the students are Latino, 72% of whom are learning English, score as proficient or above in mathematics?

There are a few answers. In schools that help all children excel, the focus is squarely on instruction. The "teacher quality gap" runs almost parallel to the achievement gap. In math and science, for example, only about half the teachers in schools with 90% or greater minority enrollments meet minimum requirements to teach those subjects -- far fewer than in predominantly white schools. Early intervention in reading is key, as is truly ending "social promotion" -- the practice of promoting students to the next grade even when their skills lag behind significantly. And at great schools, teachers and students talk. They talk about expectations for themselves and for each other.

Do we honestly believe all children can achieve? Yes, we do. It therefore follows that strategies tailored to African American and Latino students must be integrated into the schools they attend. That requires developing programs based on race and devoting special resources to minority children, an approach that may offend the Supreme Court and those who wish for a society in which this is not needed. To them, we say: It is fair to wish for the day when we may cease to talk about race; in the meantime, it is inexcusable to ignore it.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-gap16sep16,0,3799936.story?coll=la-opinion-leftrail

Events: Mark Your Calendars

2007-09-13T15:07:00.000-07:00

Hi all:

Please mark your calendars for upcoming events, happenings and shortened days at Westchester High School.

TUESDAY, 9/18
Professional Development Day for Teachers
Early Dismissal (1.33pm) for Students

THURSDAY, 9/20
Back to School Night -- 6-7.45pm
& New Student & 9th Grade Student/Parent Orientation -- 5-6pm

(PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW AND DON'T MISS OUT ON THE OFFICIAL "BACK TO SCHOOL" NIGHT!)

FRIDAY, 9/21
Early Dismissal at 1.53pm

TUESDAY, 9/25
Professional Development Day for Teachers
Early Dismissal (1.33pm) for Students

THURSDAY, 9/27
School Site Council Meeting -- 5.30PM

Holiday Tomorrow -- Thursday, September 13th

2007-09-12T12:12:00.000-07:00

Orientation & Elections @ Orville Wright Middle School

2007-09-11T12:10:00.000-07:00

Orientation: Friday, Sep. 21st

Elections: Tuesday, Oct. 9th

~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~

Orientation & Elections for…

• School Site Council (SSC) Committee

• Title 1 Committee

• English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)

Daily Breeze: Best Way to Education Students?

2007-09-10T11:32:00.000-07:00

Best way to educate students?
Amid debate over how to improve scores, Westchester High School switches to a college-styled schedule.
By Paul Clinton

Westchester High School welcomed students back from summer recess last week with an ambitious restructuring plan to raise achievement and improve the graduation rate at one of the area's lowest-performing high schools.

The Los Angeles Unified school, which has sunk to the bottom fifth in the state academically, moved forward with the reform effort over the objections of teachers and community members who have questioned the school's ability to execute the plan.

Another parent group that formed in the spring has taken a less skeptical approach by pledging volunteers to help in classrooms and offices.

Fresh for the 2007-08 school year, Westchester High School began using a college-inspired class schedule - four classes per quarter rather than six classes per semester - and clustered groups of its 2,400 students into four learning academies, a concept that has taken hold districtwide.

Carson High and San Pedro High have also embraced smaller schools this year to give students more attention so they aren't lost in the shuffle of a 3,500-student mega-campus. Narbonne High in Harbor City and Banning High School in Wilmington converted their schools a year ago.

To create the academies, high schools develop theme-oriented small schools with topics such as business, arts, media and health. The schools also spend district bond funds to divide the physical geography of the campus into zones with logos, signs and other visual branding.

"The most major change one can see at a school is the move into a contiguous space, which creates neighborhoods, personalized instruction and camaraderie," said Ellis Kauffman, a district facilities director. "We believe that this is what urban youth really need. They get lost if they are on a huge campus."

Westchester High finds itself at the heart of a heated debate about the best strategies to provide a higher-quality education to Los Angeles schoolchildren.

Read entire article here: http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/articles/9685277.html?showAll=y&c=y

Johnson's Response to The Argonaut Article posted Sept. 6th

2007-09-07T09:19:00.000-07:00

Response to Gary Walker:

THE HEADLINE: When articulated to me, the headline was "Westchester parents forge bond in efforts to improve schools." Which would have been absolutely accurate. However, the additional wording "....through autonomy from L.A. school district" is not at all accurate.

Gary, you and I never discussed my views on 'autonomy'. I shared that the parent groups in Westchester are all working toward the common goal of 'improving' our schools, however, I also expressed that our functions and approaches were very different.

The assumption can not be made that, although our groups are NOT at war, that we share the exact same sentiments regarding reform. For the record, I am both in favor of and opposed to autonomy. Theoretically and conceptually, becoming autonomous seems to afford communities, schools, students and parents with a world of opportunity and freedom to provide 'excellent' educational opportunities - which is ABSOLUTELY wonderful; however, to date, 'autonomy' lacks structure. When the 'hard' questions are asked, teachers and parents are told that 'these areas are still being determined or figured out'.... (I am reminded of instances when track homes were being built on top of land fills and sink holes. The models looked 'beautiful' and 'wonderful'. Developers and marketers emphasized all the wonderful amenities and possibilities new home owners would be afforded by living in these 'new/innovative' communities. Then, weeks, months, even years later, the foundations began to crack, there were sewage issues, severe flooding during the rainy seasons, etc... )

My position as the leader of Parents Of Westchester With Orville Wright is NOT to 'persuade' or 'dissuade' parents. My sole responsibility is to insure parents are involved, informed and remain in a position to make their own informed, educated decisions.

So, in the very first paragraph of the article where it states, "two parental education advocates have joined forces to seek autonomy from Los Angeles Unified School District" is a false and misleading statement. Kelly and I agree that change needs to take place in order for our schools to improve - the jury is still out (from my perspective) as to whether autonomy is the ONLY solution.

THE GROUP PICTURE contains, not Crissina Johnson of POWWOW, but Kelly Kane of WPEF and Kelly's group. Next to Kelly is Ms. Leslie Brag, the UTLA Chair for Westchester High. Leslie embraces both POWWOW and WPEF, yet is an official representative for UTLA.

POWWOW DID NOT 'CONTRIBUTE' BOOKS - POWWOW parents distributed books according to William's vs. California. Our parents worked tirelessly this summer over the course of 3 weeks to insure textbooks were distributed to classrooms prior to the first day of school so students and teachers would be able to begin instruction from day one.

Gary, I would have loved to share my views with you regarding autonomy had you asked. Although the article hopefully laid to rest the rumors of discord between Kelly and I - it simply is inaccurate regarding my views on autonomy.

Have an amazing day and I do look forward to speaking with you soon.

Crissina D. Johnson
POWWOW Founder/Coordinator
POWWOW4Life@aol.com
http://www.powwow4life.com/

The Argonaut: Westchester Parents Forge Bond...

2007-09-06T09:08:00.000-07:00

Westchester parents forge bond in efforts to improve schools through autonomy from L.A. school district
BY GARY WALKER

Read entire article here: http://www.argonautnewspaper.com/articles/2007/09/06/news_-_features/westchester/w1.txt

After a summer of intense discussions and heated debates about the need to improve the level of academic instruction for Westchester students, two parental education advocates have joined forces to seek autonomy from the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Kelly Kane of the Westchester Playa-del Rey Education Foundation and Crissina Johnson of Parents of Westchester With Orville Wright, with the help of dedicated teachers, business leaders, local residents and Loyola Marymount University educators, are determined to create a new paradigm for educational success in Westchester through advocacy for autonomy from the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Along the way, there have been a few stumbling blocks. Not all parents and teachers are certain that they want to see autonomy from the district in Westchester, although the majority of those who have spoken with The Argonaut have indicated that they would welcome some type of reform effort.

How and when educational reform arrives is still being debated, and the challenge of balancing the need for all interested parties — teachers, parents and district officials — have shown signs of improvement, but they are still a work in progress.

"The reform train is coming to Westchester," Kane declared in an interview this summer, "and everyone is welcome to ride along with it."

Adding to the sometimes contentious movement to bring education reform to Westchester schools are rumors that surfaced recently implying that there was tension between Johnson, who is black, and Kane, who is white.

"The idea is absurd," Kane responded when questioned about the rumors over friction between the two parent support organizations. "For anyone to use that as a way to slow down change in Westchester is unacceptable."

Johnson, whose three sons attended Westchester schools, also sought to quell the rumors, which were heard at a teacher conference earlier this summer.

"Race War Hyperbole" by Westchester Dad

2007-09-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

Race Wars In Westchester???

Dear David,
Enough Is Enough!
My phone has rung numerous times this summer with individuals expressing that our group (POWWOW) and the other community groups in the Westchester area are divided and at odds based on the racial composition of our perspective groups. Please allow me to personally shed some light on this matter and PLEASE feel free to QUOTE me.

Thank you so very much,

I have to admit, I was a little floored by the title and the first two sentences of a POWWOW email I received this morning. The email was sent out to subscribers (parents, teachers, admins) affiliated with Westchester High School, Orville or people participating in the local reform movement.

A little hyperbole? Yep. It’s important to not use a few instances of some event (phone calls) and try to apply it to a scale the size of a community. A few gang banger wannabes might catch wind of the email, believe it, and try to finish a war that never was.

Read Westchester Dad's entire 8/27/07 post at http://westchesterparents.org/?p=174

WPEF Community Meeting: September 6th at 6.30pm

2007-09-05T17:12:00.001-07:00

Open to all Stakeholders -- that's you!

Save the Date: Saturday, October 13 from 9am-12pm

2007-09-05T16:54:00.000-07:00

www.kidkulture.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Karen Grace-Baker
Kid Kulture™ Marketing
Contact: kgracebaker@kidkulture.com
Phone: (323) 936-7671 -office or (323) 791-0628-mobile
Fax: (323) 938-1089

CONSORTIUM OF AREA HIGH SCHOOLS TO CONDUCT FREE COLLEGE RECRUITING FAIR AND WORKSHOP SERIES

West Los Angeles College-Saturday, October 13, 2007-9am -12 noon

Objective is to increase applications to colleges and to demystify the college application process

(Los Angeles, Ca-August 29, 2007)-A consortium comprised of local area high schools in the Los Angeles area (including Venice and Culver City) have joined forces to promote their first “Westside College Fair” college recruitment and workshop series arriving just in time for the college application season. Presented by the Los Angeles Unified Local District 3, Culver City Unified and the Star Prep Academy with support from West Los Angeles College, this FREE one day event will be held on the campus of West Los Angeles College on Saturday, October 13 from 9am to 12 noon. With representation from over 80 colleges and universities across the country, college test preparation companies and financial aid and college scholarship representatives, both parents and students will have the ability to do ‘one stop college shopping’ in one location. Participating colleges who will be sending representatives include colleges from the California State and University of California college systems as well as West Los Angeles and several other community colleges. Representatives from both public and private colleges from both within and out of the state of California will be represented and representatives will also be present to distribute admissions materials and answer questions about their college admissions process.

The Westside College Fair will have something for everyone and is geared towards both middle school and high school students as well as parents. An added feature of the fair will be a series of “hands-on” comprehensive college preparation workshops including topics such as ““Show me the Money: College Financial Aid Tips”, “Preparing for the SAT/ACT”, “Middle School 411-The Right Steps to College”, and “Interviews and College Essays” as well as a host of other informative workshops designed to demystify the college application process. Representatives will also be on hand to assist students in completing online applications to California State University and University of California colleges. The workshop series presented will feature the latest methods and information and will be relevant to both the novice or more experienced students and parents.

The Westside College Fair is sponsored by Crenshaw High School, Culver City High School, Dorsey High School, Hamilton High School, Los Angeles High School, LACES, Star Prep Academy, Venice High School, University High School and Westchester High School.

#

Tips for Helping High School Students Prepare for College

2007-08-31T05:00:00.000-07:00

A U.S. News & World Report: Nation & World...

What Parents Should Ask High School Counselors
Tips for helping high school students get ready for college

Between baseball practices and play rehearsals, it can be hard to find time to talk to your kids about college much less chat with their high school counselor. But with the number of applications to college setting records every year, it's more important than ever. So we asked a few counselors from different types of schools across the country some of the questions they get asked most often. And because they also are parents of kids that have gone off to college, our three counselors have an extra-sharp focus on what you should be discussing in your next appointment in the guidance office.

Read entire story and more here: http://www.usnews.com/sections/education/student-center/

*************************************************
A U.S. News & World Report: Education

America's Best Colleges 2008

National Universities

To rank colleges and universities, U.S. News first assigns schools to a group of their peers, based on the basic categories developed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 2006. Those in the National Universities group are the 262 American universities (164 public and 98 private) that offer a wide range of undergraduate majors as well as master's and doctoral degrees; many strongly emphasize research.

Read entire story here: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/ranknatudoc_brief.php

Interdependence | Synergy

2007-08-30T09:35:00.000-07:00

in·ter·de·pend·ent (adjective) mutually dependent; depending on each other.

(Excerpt from Stephen Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.)

Interdependence: Rather than being dependent upon other people, or trying to be totally independent, we learn how to be more effective by effectively working with others.

------------------------------------------------

syn·er·gy (noun) 1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects. 2. Cooperative interaction among groups, especially among the acquired subsidiaries or merged parts of a corporation, that creates an enhanced combined effect.

Covey writes: "What is synergy? Simply defined, it means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

To be successful you should learn to leverage the strengths of others.

LA Mayor & LAUSD Announce Historic Partnership: August 29

2007-08-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

Mayor Villaraigosa, LAUSD to Announce 'Historic' Partnership

Nation's 2nd Largest School District
(Source: ABC7.com)

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 29, 2007 (CNS) - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Los Angeles Unified School District will announce a "historic" partnership Wednesday that would give him control over two clusters of schools.

The plan, which is subject to approval by the LAUSD Board of Education and the parents and teachers of the selected schools, would allow the mayor oversight of two low-performing high schools and the middle and elementary schools that feed into them.

The two high schools will be among the 20 lowest-performing schools in the city. LAUSD Superintendent David Brewer indicated the high schools will be chosen in the coming months.

"We'll be announcing a historic agreement, creating a partnership for L.A. schools, which we think will change the culture and conditions of our schools, both in the family of schools that we'll be focusing on but also the whole school district," Villaraigosa said on the eve of today's announcement.

"I used the word `family' of schools because essentially what we're creating is a network of community support around schools, much akin to a family."

Since taking office two years ago, Villaraigosa has attempted to take control of the nation's second-largest school district. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation last year that would have shifted some of the decision-making authority from the seven-member school board to the mayor.

The law, however, was unanimously rejected this spring by a state appellate court panel, which questioned its impact on voters' rights.

Three days after the mayor's two chosen candidates won seats on the LAUSD Board of Education, giving his allies a 4-3 majority on the panel, Villaraigosa said he would not appeal the ruling.

Read the entire story here: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=local&id=5614912

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Deal would give L.A. mayor say on some schools
A partnership is expected to be announced today. The deal would take effect in 2008...
(Source: LA Times)

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and his former adversaries from the Los Angeles Unified School District are expected to announce a partnership today that will provide the mayor with a scaled-back version of the authority he has sought over city schools.

Villaraigosa and his senior education aides will play a major role in overseeing two of the city's lowest-achieving high schools and the middle and elementary schools that feed them under an agreement with the Board of Education and schools Supt. David L. Brewer.

"I think you'll see a change in the culture of our schools almost immediately," the mayor said Tuesday of the partnership that would begin to exert its influence over schools in the fall of 2008.

Read entire story here: http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-schools29aug29,1,5912416.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california

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Mayor-LAUSD partnership detailed
Villaraigosa has 5 years to get results at troubled schools
(Source: Los Angeles Daily News)

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and L.A. Unified will unveil a partnership today that calls for the mayor to oversee two families of schools under a five-year contract that will not be renewed if the schools don't meet goals for test scores and graduation and dropout rates, according to documents obtained by the Daily News.

The partnership - which if successful can be expanded to include more low-performing schools - appears to model charter schools, giving each campus greater control over budget, hiring and curriculum.

The schools in the partnership will report to a nonprofit created by the mayor - the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools - rather than the local districts, but the LAUSD board and the superintendent will maintain ultimate control.

"Nowhere in the country will we have this kind of partnership," Villaraigosa said Tuesday, adding that he expects to see improvements by the end of the first year. "We're excited about this effort. It's a long time coming.

LAUSD Superintendent David Brewer said the schools he eventually will propose for the partnership will go to the school board for approval in the coming months.
Read the entire story here: http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_6745104

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Villaraigosa-LAUSD Partnership
(Source: KNX 1070 News)

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the Los Angeles Unified School District are expected to announce today a partnership that will give the mayor control over two clusters of schools.

The mayor would take over two low performing high schools and the grade schools that feed into them. The exact school will be picked over the next few months.

The Board of Education, the parents, and teachers of the selected schools have to approve the plan. The head of the teachers union (Duffy) has expressed hesitation on how the plan will be implemented.

http://www.knx1070.com/pages/875896.php?contentType=4&contentId=855508

The Argonaut: Green Dot Public Charter School Founder...

2007-08-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

Green Dot Public Charter School founder to speak at Neighborhood Council about education reform
by Gary Walker

Westchester academic reform advocates will have the opportunity to hear another alternative to improving their schools and increasing local control at 7 p.m Tuesday, August 28th, when Steven Barr, the founder and chief executive officer of Green Dot Public Charter Schools, is scheduled to speak before the Westchester Playa del Rey Neighborhood CouncilEducation Committee.

Green Dot bills itself as "the only organization with a proven track record of successfully serving secondary students, the highest-need student population of Los Angeles."

In May, the charter school company became embroiled in a highly publicized clash with the Los Angeles Unified School District board over its entry into Locke High School in South Los Angeles, which had been underperforming for years. Green Dot hopes to set up ten smaller reform-oriented schools at Locke by next fall.

The move was heralded by many teachers and parents at the high school, who are desperate for a new method that will increase their children's chances of improved graduation rates and improved academic performance.

Locally, parental education advocates, including the Westchester-Playa del Rey Education Foundation, have also been lobbying with community groups to change the way that children are being taught in Westchester schools. While the elementary schools have performed quite well, Orville Wright Middle School and Westchester High in recent years have not.

"It's another option to consider," said Kelly Kane, the education foundation's president, who has been at the forefront of the push for autonomy at Westchester schools. "We're not saying that [Green Dot] is necessarily the kind of reform that we want, but we all recognize that there needs to be a change in the way that the district has been functioning, and [the district] has been very close-minded about changing its ways."

Barr, in a recent interview, stated that the purpose of his discussion at the Westchester council meeting will not be to advocate for his charter school, and he says Green Dot enters schools that are willing to work with them.

"We only go where we're wanted," he said.

He said that both Kane's organization and the Westchester Neighborhood Council invited him to address the education committee. "I think that they are getting restless, and they want to hear another approach," Barr surmised.

On another front, Los Angeles Unified School District teachers have selected a charter-like reform model that they believe will fit their goals of having more localized control while maintaining teacher benefits.

The new model "encompasses the entire [union] contract," said A.J. Duffy, the president of United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA).

While Green Dot teachers are union educators, teachers at Locke, for example, would need to re-apply for their jobs to principals hired by the charter school. The current UTLA contract would become invalid.

Read entire story here: http://www.argonautnewspaper.com/articles/2007/08/23/news_-_features/westchester/w1.txt

NCWPDR Education Committee Meeting: Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 28 @ 6.30PM

2007-08-27T09:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.ncwpdr.org/index.php?page=committees/Education/display.php

Location: Community Room, 7166 W. Manchester Ave., Westchester, CA (Lincoln and Manchester)

The public is requested to fill out a 'Speaker Card' to address the Board on any item of the agenda prior to the Board taking action on an item. Comments from the public on Agenda items will be heard only when the respective item is being considered. Comments from the public on other matters not appearing on the Agenda that is within the Board's subject matter jurisdiction will be heard during the Public Comment period. Public comment is limited to 2 minutes per speaker, unless waived by the presiding officer of the Board. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities. Sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services may be provided upon request. To ensure availability of services, please make your request at least 3 business days (72 hours) prior to the meeting you wish to attend by contacting the

Neighborhood Council Project Coordinator (323) 224-2314

SUMMER READING ASSIGNMENT 2007: DUE 1ST DAY OF SCHOOL, SEPT 5

2007-08-26T09:45:00.000-07:00

REMINDER! REMINDER!! REMINDER!!!

ALL Parents...

All WHS returning students (10th -12th graders) are REQUIRED to read (using criteria below) and submit a book report on the 1ST DAY OF SCHOOL, 9/5/2007.

This assignment was previously emailed to parents several weeks ago.

This homework assignment is critical, and given the new 4x4 schedule – where the school year is broken into four quarters rather than two semesters – it is IMPERATIVE that your student-child gets off to the right start on DAY ONE!

If your student hasn’t started this report, he/she has a little better than one week to read, comprehend and synthesize the data for his/her report as outlined below! GET THEM MOVING IMMEDIATELY! PASS ON TO ANOTHER PARENT!

View information on WHS' website at: http://www.westchesterhs.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=38121&id=0&rn=6686742

Summer Reading Assignment 2007 (6/1)
“The more that you read, the more you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”—Dr. Seuss

Since research shows that those who read more, know more and read and write better, Westchester High School encourages students with its annual summer reading assignment. All students must select one book from the list below for their incoming grade and class and then complete one of the attached assignments; those in an Honors class must select any two books for their grade and complete one assignment for one book and the other assignment for the other book, and those in an Advanced Placement class must select both books and contact their teacher at www.westchesterhs.org for their assignments. Books may be borrowed or purchased; assignments must be typed and are due on the first day of school, September 5, 2007, in English class—work that is late or plagiarized or without a name will receive a Fail. All students should expect a quiz or test on this assignment. For examples of student work or more information, visit http://www.westchesterhs.org/.

Assignment #1: Readers/Writers Notebook

A Readers/Writers Notebook is a personalized journal of a student’s own comments, opinions, or questions about a work that helps him or her to remember, think about, and understand the text. Entries are frequent—every chapter or section—and at least one 5-7 sentence long paragraph with meaningful and relevant notes. The assignment is neatly typed and double-spaced in 12 point Times New Roman font in black ink with 1 inch margins on clean printer paper; no coversheet or folder is required. The assignment is due on the first day of school, September 5, 2007, in English class.—work without a name or that is late or plagiarized will receive a Fail. For examples of student work or more information, visit http://www.westchesterhs.org.

Assignment #2: Literary Notebook

A literary notebook is a study guide that summarizes and analyzes a work’s various elements and helps review that work in preparation for any assignments, quizzes, or tests. Each element consists of at least one 5-7 sentence long paragraph with a detailed and thorough explanation of that element. The assignment is neatly typed and double-spaced in 12 point Times New Roman font in black ink with 1 inch margins on clean printer paper; no coversheet or folder is required. The assignment is due on the first day of school, September 5, 2007, in English class.—work without a name or that is late or plagiarized will receive a Fail. For examples of student work or more information, visit http://www.westchesterhs.org/.

1. Title: What is the title of the book? How and why do you think it received its title?

2. Author: Who is the author? Describe his/her persona. What was his/her purpose or reason for writing this book? Who do you think is his/ her audience?

3. Summary: What is the book about? Briefly summarize the content or main plot and identify its exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.

4. Setting: When and where does the book take place? Describe the setting in terms of the time period, and emotional, mental, and/or physical environment.

5. Motif/Symbol/Theme: What is an important motif, symbol, or theme in this book? Explain its significance with relevant concrete details or examples from the book.

6. Protagonist: Who is the main character? Describe his/her emotional, mental, and/or physical persona. What is his/her conflict or relationship to the antagonist? Explain with relevant concrete details or examples from the book.

7. Antagonist: Who is the individual in opposition to the main character? Describe his/her emotional, mental, and/or physical persona. What is his/her conflict or relationship to the protagonist? Explain with relevant concrete details or examples from the book.

8. Other: Select another character. Describe his/her emotional, mental, and/or physical persona. What is his/her function or place? Explain with relevant concrete details or examples from the book.

9. Style: What is your opinion of the author’s writing style? Analyze his/her words, sentences, and other details. Explain with relevant concrete details or examples from the book.

10. Quote: Select a brief passage that means something to you, and then comment on or discuss its importance. What does it say? What does it mean? Why does it matter?

Parent/Teacher Workshop: Saturday, 8/25 @ OWM School

2007-08-22T14:53:00.000-07:00

We strongly encourage all Administrators, Teachers, Parents, Community and other Stakeholders to attend the informative workshop below this Saturday, 8/25.
Eliminating The Excellence Gap Parent/Teacher Workshop

Americans are among some the lowest achievers world wide. Why is this? Why do some students excel while others do not?

Come out and learn how YOU can become part of the solution!

Saturday August 25th
8:30-11:00am

Orville Wright Middle School -- Auditorium
6550 W. 80th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90045

You can win a $100.00 Gasoline Gift Card!

As our high school implements two very significant reforms (4X4 and Small Learning Communities), come out and learn how administrators, teachers and parents can work together to eliminate excellence gaps.

Meet us in the auditorium of Orville Wright Middle School on Saturday for a power packed workshop exploring this subject!

Let us work together in improving our schools and increasing student proficiency.

4X4 Information Meeting: Thursday, 8/23 @ 6pm

2007-08-22T14:52:00.000-07:00

Come out and receive information on WHS's new 4X4 schedule.

Meeting is being held in the WHS Social Hall (Cafeteria).

See you there!

Summer of Fun Event: Sunday, August 26th @ 10am

2007-08-22T12:46:00.000-07:00

You are invited to celebrate with us Sunday, August 26th at Mother's Beach (located next door to the Marina Del Rey Cheesecake Factory).

We will be celebrating a full and productive summer with our parents.

If you are a Teacher, coach, school site group leader, stakeholder, administrator, POWWOW parent or the student of a POWWOW parent...YOU ARE INVITED!

ASKED & ANSWERED: DAVID L. BREWER III: ‘First, we want to empower parents’

2007-08-16T09:39:00.000-07:00

Source: Los Angeles Wave
By Marisela Santana, Staff Writer 16.AUG.07

Nearly one year after being named superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, David L. Brewer III is certain of at least one thing: the more politics are set aside, the better LAUSD can perform in the business of education. In a wide-ranging interview that took place as he traveled to San Diego last week for a conference, the retired U.S. Navy vice admiral spoke candidly about matters including his goals for the massive 900-school district, his relationship with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and how he is addressing the issue of African-American student achievement.

You are a strong advocate of parental involvement, citing it as the leading factor in student achievement. How will you help boost parents’ role in their children’s education?

It goes with my guiding principles. … First, we want to empower parents. We’re using an airline analogy: If you are on an airplane, the flight attendant says if we lose oxygen pressure, and the oxygen masks come down, and you’re sitting next to your child, who do you put the oxygen mask on first? You put it on yourself and then you put it on your child. Empower yourself, empower your child. And so what we’re saying is that if parents don’t have an education, then they should get one. And then the second component is that we want you to know how to engage the schools in terms of educating your children. The research shows that at the elementary school level parents tend to be fairly engaged. But as they enter higher grades, parents tend to stop being as engaged. Parent advocacy then needs to turn into parents asking themselves, “What do I need to do in my home to make sure that my child is learning calculus? I don’t have to know calculus to make sure that my child learns calculus, but I do have to understand what I need to be doing to create a homework environment at home, making sure that that television is off, and making sure that the child is getting the research that he or she needs to learn that particular complex subject.”

LAUSD board member Margaurite LaMotte has consistently raised the issue of African-American student achievement. Is this a particular concern for you? If so, are there any special initiatives under way or in the works?

When we look at the research and the data, unfortunately, African-American students are still the lowest performing in our school system. While they only comprise [12] percent, now with over 75 percent being Latino, and of the lowest performers, African-American males are still the lowest performing. As a result we have to focus on that, but obviously you can’t just focus on one race. So when we aggregated all of the data, and we looked at it, it’s basically the lowest performance of boys, both African-American and Latino boys. And so what that is forcing us to do, is to create new paradigms within the context of guiding principle No. 3, have to have innovative approaches to go after this problem. Two of our principals have done this already. I’ve advocated for boys academies. We have to create boys academies in order to go after this problem. Now, I can’t create enough all-boys academies across the system to cover this problem, so what we’re looking at now, is boys academies within the middle schools and high schools. Two schools have already done it. Jordan High School and King-Drew Magnet High School. … I have this philosophy: Think big, start small, scale fast. Thought big: boys academies. We started small, a few pilots. Once we validate and refine, then we’re going to scale fast, and we’re going to see if this paradigm works, then you’re going to see these types of models at other schools. … But keep in mind, that it still boils down to high-quality instruction.

A 2005 UCLA-Harvard study estimated LAUSD’s dropout rate at 45 percent. Is that accurate? What kind of progress is being made in terms of cutting that rate?

I doubt if that’s accurate. No one has really been able to document that properly. We think it’s about 27 percent. If anything, this is a classic example: I was at an elementary school recently where there were 20 students in a class in the first semester. After Christmas, there were 17 students in the class. So everyone scrambled to find out what happened to these three kids. The school went into the neighborhoods to find out what happened and they found out that the three families all went back to their home countries. You don’t know if a student has moved, or a family has left, or if a family just moved to a neighboring school district. So you don’t know. So it is extremely difficult sometimes to figure out who is a dropout or who has just transitioned out of the area.

Now that Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s allies are a majority on the school board, has that necessitated a closer working relationship with him?

The mayor and I had been collaborating long before. People have to understand that. The mayor and I collaborated very quickly to get the crosswalk from two blocks away from Santee High to right in front of Santee because of a safety issue. And so we collaborated very quickly in response to a request from students at Santee. We were collaborating already. … By creating the Innovative Division, take for instance Loyola Marymount is working with Westchester, to create a family of school concept we’re going to partner with them on. UCLA is going to do something very similar. So within that concept, the mayor will become a part of that overall collaboration and partnership initiative that we have. In a week or two, we’re going to announce a statement of intent with the mayor to form a partnership. … We’re leaning forward on the collaboration side and the mayor will certainly be part of the overall partnership concept.

Have you found that you like your new job, and that you won’t abandon ship considering the massive amount of work that needs to be done to keep the district and its students moving forward?

I have to put it out there that I love my job. I have learned that in L.A., politics is a contact sport. … If we set aside politics, then I think you can find that I’ll be around for quite a while. But the bottom line, we have to get politics out of education. In other words, we need to focus on children, not adults. We need children issues, not adult issues. … So we just have to get the politics out of that. Once we get the politics out of it and we can get down to the business of educating our children, then I think we’ll get by.

Growing up and given your military experience, did you ever dream of being captain of a ship this big?

No, I never envisioned myself as being the superintendent. Initially, as I’ve said previously, over time I would say back in the ’90s, it became quite evident that school districts were looking toward military officers to find superintendents of schools. I had one personal friend, as well as one who became a superintendent, that was John H. Stanford up in Seattle. That was back in the ’90s when I became an admiral, and then there was [Lt. Gen.] Julius W. Becton Jr. who became superintendent of schools in Washington, D.C. Of course, that was a very highly publicized situation. … But clearly, having been focused on education most of my life, it was not necessarily beyond the realm of possibility that I could have become a superintendent. That has always been an option, but not something I had seriously considered.

You are big on creating leaders for our children in our parents, in our teachers and school administrators. Who were your biggest influences as a child?

First my parents. David and Mildred Brewer had the biggest impact on me, education wise, because both of them were educators. Education was a daily routine in my household. When you have parents like that, it has to be. My father was very good in math and science, even though he was in the culinary arts, he had to take chemistry and all of that and so that kind of engendered my interest in math and science. And my mother was an elementary school teacher, she kept me on task. She had a strong interest in music and so I took music through the 12th grade, as well as did very well in math and science in terms of my academic performance. That leaves me to the best teacher I had, that was Mrs. Lessie Brayboy Weaver, who was my music teacher. She not only taught us music, she taught us about life, she taught us about current events. I remember she sat in front of the class one day and finished a New York Times crossword puzzle in less than an hour. She actually sat there and did it. It was her way of telling us that we had to exercise our minds. It was amazing. That is a defining moment from my school years. That’s not to say I didn’t have other great teachers, there were others. There was Mrs. Audrey Williams and there was Mrs. Butts, I don’t remember her first name.

Have you visited all 900 schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District?

No, if I visited a school a week, it would take me almost three years to see all of them. Just to put that in perspective, you’re talking about, essentially 920 schools. I will get to as many as I possibly can. But that’s not even the point. It’s my job to empower our local district superintendents. That’s their job, and I will get to as many of our schools as I can. But it’s them, who we’ve pulled more resources for and given them more responsibilities to them. … And even then, the local supes will be challenged. … But rest assured I will be very much involved with student achievement and in the schools, depends on how long I’m here, I should get to all of them over time.

Was there an increase in LAUSD’s graduating classes last year?

Yes, but we will know for sure when we get the results of the California High School Exit Exam later this year. My biggest concern, right now, is that we have 68,000 ninth graders and I graduated about 28,000 seniors. A lot of that is driven by economic migration out of L.A. and some of it is driven by dropouts. But I believe we’re going to have to come up with x-goal. We’re going to start with an x-number of ninth graders, then we want to see a y-number of graduates. And so we know that 28,000 is low. I don’t know if the right number should be 40,000 or 45,000. I’m not sure. We still have to figure that out. But I can tell you that we do not graduate more seniors than we have ninth graders. We usually graduate less. We’re going to change that.

What is the No. 1 hindrance to students’ success in the LAUSD, in your opinion, the lack of quality teachers, gang influence, lack of parental involvement?

The number one priority is to make sure that we have quality instruction taking place in the classrooms. In the final analysis, along with everything else that we do, if we don’t have high-quality instruction in these classrooms, and we are not facilitating learning in these classrooms, nothing else happens. The number one priority is always going to be high quality instruction. Teaching and learning. They are what we call eternal principles. They are principles that span the generations and when it comes to education, there’s two principles that are eternal. That is teaching and learning. Socrates, centuries ago said it, that as long as there is a teacher with something to teach, and a child with the will to learn, education will occur. That is the bottom line. That relationship between the teacher and the student, that’s what’s going to drive education. The parent’s job is to motivate that child to learn. You have to have a child that is motivated to learn and a teacher who wants to teach. When you have that combination, you have learning. Parents, and community, have to create a learning environment in the home for the children. I say community, too, because the community plays a major role as well. Children are tangible. You can stand up all you want and talk about being a successful doctor, or person, but a child is not going to believe you until he or she sees it. I just had four students shadow me for a day. I wanted them to see what … I’m not trying to brag here, but to see what a successful person does on a daily basis. They had to get up with me at 6 a.m. and go work out with me. I explained to them why I do this everyday. I said, if you are not physically fit, then you are not going to be mentally fit. You’re not going to be able to deal with the stress of a job. … I wanted to get kids to ask themselves “can this be my reality, I don’t see this in my environment, but can this be my reality?” My point is I want to encourage the community to engage our children at that level, let them shadow you. But more importantly, let them see, not only what you do at your job, but who you are and what you did to be who you are.

Students told me, and the others who were there, that they really didn’t think that adults cared about them until that day. What they saw that day, showed them that [adults] really cared about them. “We are so inspired by what we saw,” they said. It wasn’t a show or anything like that. It was just interaction. We showed them how hard we worked for them. We went with Supervisor Yvonne Burke to a children planning council meeting and we were talking about disadvantaged youth and foster care kids. [School Board member] Yolie Flores Aguilar was there, too. And so I went to that meeting, to talk to them about some of things we’re doing for those kids. The kids shadowing me, got to see what we as adults were thinking about, and how much passion we had for this and how we were struggling with the tougher issues and how we were forthright and determined to find solutions. So they saw that. In fact, one of them got up at the end and told us, that she didn’t know how much “you all cared about us” until she sat through that meeting.

What are your thoughts on the explosion of charter schools in and around the LAUSD?

Well, it goes back to a theory in physics. If you create a vacuum, something is going to fill it. And so, the bottom line is that the vacuum is some of our lowest performing secondary schools and so if you have a significant number of low performing secondary schools, in essence, someone is going to come around and fill it. It goes back to 2001, when it was said that if the district wasn’t going to change, then the district would be surrounded with charter schools. And so, at that time, we had a lot of low performing schools. We have much fewer low performing schools now because we’ve had this tremendous increase in performance at the elementary school level. Our elementary schools are doing extremely well. They’re not quite up to state average, but their progress has been significant. But we’re still having problems at the secondary level, the middle schools and the high schools and that’s where you see the explosion of charter schools. My job is to see that the charter schools are here. What we need to do is partner with them. But let me clarify, that the best schools in the school district are not charter schools. The best schools in the district are still some of our traditional schools. … The problems is that we have 65 secondary schools which are not doing well. So we are going to focus on those 65 schools and create what we call, an Innovation Division, to try new paradigms and models of school governance structure as well as instructional practices inside of those schools. More importantly, we’re going to take all 65 of those schools and put them into a Transformation Zone and basically restructure them. Part of that is going to require us to partner with some charter. We’re already talking to [Green Dot founder] Steve Barr. You’ve heard about the Locke controversy. The Locke controversy was not so much of a controversy, because I’m the one who basically introduced the idea to Steve. Why not come in and partner with us, instead of sitting outside, why not come inside so we can basically benchmark and replicate what you do across the system. That is the problem in education. We have some of the best students in the nation here in L.A. Unified. It’s been well documented. … We’ve won National Academic Decathlon 10 times out of the last 19 years. You don’t do that unless you have some of the best students in the nation. So how do you benchmark this across the system. This is the challenge, this is why we’ve created the Innovation Division, so we can start looking at some of these paradigms and models. … If it works there, why can’t it work here. Absolutely.

What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve encountered so far?

It’s been something that wasn’t anticipated. But the biggest challenge has been changing the culture to a culture of performance and results. More importantly, changing the culture to teach the culture how to change. In my previous [career] in the Navy, we found ourselves in a crisis, in terms of retaining sailors. That’s when we realized that we hadn’t changed our culture. … Once we learned how to change, then you go on to do those things that will help you to change to a much higher performing organization.

Book Distribution Preparation -- This Week

2007-08-13T10:23:00.000-07:00

The actual distribution will occur next week. Stay tuned for more details on when and what time...

Additionally, POWWOW Parents will be on the campuses of OWM and WHS August 20, 21, 22, 25 and 24th from 8:30 am to 12 noon - to assist our schools with registration and to register parents for POWWOW!!

We Need 30 Parents to assist the week of the 20th - even if it is for just 1 hour. Call or email today to let us know what date and time you will be able to assist.

Thank you!

Westchester/Del Rey Little League Jr. team advances to WORLD SERIES!

2007-08-11T15:16:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to report that the Westchester/Del Rey Little League Junior All Star softball team worked hard to represent their hometown, and Southern California, at the Western Regional Tournament this past week in Tucson, Arizona.

The team of 13-14 year old girls battled Alaska 12-2, Arizona 5-3, Idaho 13-3, and Oregon 7-0 to earn a place in the Western Regional Little League finals. They then had to win 2 out of 3 games against Arizona. They beat Arizona in the first game 13-1, then lost 7-8, then came back in the final game to win 9-4.

The players on the team are:

Sandy Aguila
Megan Baquet
Nia Bolton
Monica Cartwright
Gilly Childs
Danielle Cullen
Brittany Evans
Kamyle Glover
Sammy Jo LaPlante
Rachael Lee
Haleigh Pellecer
Sabrina Stewart
Halie Times
Jessica Times

The team is managed by Darryl Stewart and coaches are Darryl Lee and Brent Times.

They will now fly to the Junior Softball Little League WORLD SERIES, to be held in Kirkland Washington, Sunday August 12- Saturday August 18, 2007.

The team will be issued purple uniforms and now be referred to as “WEST”, for they will represent the 11 western United States (AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV, OR, UT, WA, and WY) in this international tournament.

To follow the team’s progress, go to the Junior Softball Little League World Series website: www.jrsoftballworldseries.com.

ESPNU will televise the final game between the top U.S. team and the top international teams live at 4pm on Saturday August 18, 2007.

Westchester Del Rey Little League is accepting tax deductible donations to off set the great costs of expenses incurred during their two weeks on the road. This can be sent to:

WDRLL
PO BOX 881419
Los Angeles, CA 90009

Go WEST!

FINAL LMU MEETING -- DON'T MISS OUT

2007-08-08T12:05:00.000-07:00

Please DO NOT miss out on the FINAL LMU FoS MEETING ON AUTONOMY on...

Saturday, August 11th
9-11am

University Hall -- ECC 1862 (1st floor)
1 LMU Drive
Los Angeles, CA90045-2659

For directions to University Hall, please visit www.lmu.edu/maps.
http://www.lmu.edu/AssetFactory.aspx?did=7234

The details on autonomy schemes vary quite significantly. These meetings were designed to determine what scheme fits the needs of students, parents and other stakeholders in the Westchester area.

Do you have an innovative idea? Do you want to learn more? Be sure to join us on Saturday.

=======================

Drew Furedi's email dated August 7th...

Hi Everyone:

This is a quick reminder about our third working group meeting set for this Saturday (8/11) from 9 to 11 am. The meeting will be held in ECC 1862, which is on the first floor of University Hall here at LMU (that's the same building as the previous meetings). For directions to University Hall, please visit www.lmu.edu/maps. University Hall is the first building on LMU Drive, when entering campus from Lincoln.

Coming off the elevators, you will be headed to the right, and there will be signs directing you to the meeting location.

In terms of an agenda for the morning, we will be hearing short reports from each Research Team, we'll look at some of the data collected together, and we'll spend time discussing the "Definitions of Excellence" worksheet. We will also have a discussion about next steps.

I have received some, but not all, of the worksheets from working group members. Thank you to those who have sent them back in. If you have not yet returned your definitions of excellence worksheet, please email it as soon as possible so we capture your thoughts now -- and that way have a better foundation to start our discussion about this at the meeting. I have attached a copy of the template for those who might need it.

Thank you again for your commitment to the ongoing conversation and all your work this summer so far!

Drew

=======================

WHS Cheer Squad Car Wash

2007-08-08T11:30:00.000-07:00

After attending the LMU meeting, please support the Westchester Cheer Squad Car Wash on Saturday, August 11th.

The car wash begins at the same time our Working Group session at LMU convenes, but it doesn't end until 2pm. So go out and support the Cheer Squad by swinging by after the LMU meeting adjourns at 11!

Westchester High School
Cheer Squad Car Wash
Saturday, August 11, 2007
9am -- 2pm

Westchester High School Student Parking Lot
7400 W. Manchester Avenue (enter on Park Hill Drive)

Cars $6 * SUV’s & Trucks $8

Sure hope you're hungry...there will be finger-lickin' BBQ, Sno Cones and Drinks available for purchase while you wait.

All proceeds benefit the WHS Cheer Squad.

Definition of Excellence Worksheet -- Complete and return!

2007-08-08T11:28:00.001-07:00

Here is the Definition of Excellence Worksheet...i.e, Performance Indicator Survey the working group has come up with to "Define Educational Excellence."

Recall, this worksheet was discussed during last evening's meeting.

Please print this form and return your reply (by email) to Drew Furedi, LMU, Executive Director of FoS (Family of Schools) @ dfuredi@lmu.edu. The due date on the form has passed, but Drew has agreed to continue to accept your replies. But only for a limited time so hurry, hurry, hurry!

Problems???? Contact us at powwow4life@aol.com.

Thanks and be sure to get your survey in asap!

POWWOW Meeting: Tuesday, August 7th @ 6.30pm

2007-08-06T11:43:00.000-07:00

Orville Wright Middle School -- Library
6550 W. 80th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90045

Calling All Parents...

2007-08-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

TODAY: PARENT MEETING AT 6PM

2007-08-01T12:18:00.001-07:00

Don't miss the POWWOW Parent Meeting today at 6pm -- Westchester High School Library!

Wednesday (TODAY), August 1, 2007 at 6:00 pm
WHS Library

Topics to be discussed will include:

Registration
Book distribution
4X4 schedule
Small Learning Communities (SLC's)
Autonomy
Adult School moving onto WHS campus
Parent Center
Campus Safety and Campus Supervision

POWWOW Meeting Tomorrow

2007-07-31T16:24:00.000-07:00

POWWOW Parent meeting

Wednesday (TOMORROW), August 1, 2007 at 6:00 pm
WHS Library

Topics to be discussed will include:
Registration
Book distribution
4X4 schedule
Small Learning Communities (SLC's)
Autonomy
Adult School moving onto WHS campus
Parent Center
Campus Safety and Campus Supervision

Parent Survey

2007-07-31T16:11:00.000-07:00

If you haven't done so already, please complete the Parent Survey below. Click on the document, print, complete and return the form by email to powwow4life@aol.com . Thank you.

Bright Star Charter School Headed to OWMS Campus

2007-07-31T16:00:00.000-07:00

Bright Star Charter School is moving to the campus of OWMS.

Mr. Rochelle (OW Principal) took our founder, Crissina Johnson, on a brief tour of the area where Bright Star Charter will be housed. Several classrooms, including a computer lab, will need to be moved in order to accommodate Bright Star. From what she observed, not much has be done to prepare for this transition. We are hopeful the necessary fencing and classroom changes are done before school begins.

Matters That Need Your Attention

2007-07-30T16:45:00.000-07:00

The Westchester Public Library and KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) have reached out to the school to assist in the number of OWM and WHS students who congregate in these locations either during lunch and/or after school.

There have been some incidents of violence. In an effort to resolve this matter, School Administrators, School Police, Healthy Start and POWWOW parents are partnering to insure our students are orderly and safe on and off campus.

Please encourage your child(ren) to avoid these areas.

Adult/Continuation School Headed to WHS Campus

2007-07-27T16:49:00.000-07:00

An Adult/Continuation School is moving to the campus of Westchester High School this Fall. The school will occupy the east area of Westchester High School (the "S" bungalows and classrooms adjacent to the student parking lot). This area will be fenced and gated with separate entrance and exit gates.

MEETING REMINDERS & UPDATES

2007-07-23T12:53:00.000-07:00

1) POWWOW Weekly Meeting: Tuesday, July 24th @ 7pm -- CANCELLED

**********

2) Neighborhood Council (NCWPDR) Education Committee Meeting -- Tuesday, July 24th @ 6.30pm -- Westchester Municipal Building (7166 Manchester Avenue) Community Room

This meeting is open to all registered stakeholders/parents of Westchester. Please note: Registered Stakeholders must live, work or own real property within the boundaries of NCWPDR.

See our previous posting below for information on becoming a registered stakeholder.

http://powwow4life.blogspot.com/2007/06/ncwpdr-education-committee-meeting-june.html

NCWPDR's 7/24/07 Agenda includes:

Welcome and Introductions
Minutes of June 26, 2007 Meeting
LMU Family of Schools Working Group Report
LAUSD Innovation Division Developments
Westchester High School Developments
Orville Wright Middle School Developments
Public Comment

If you're a registered stakeholder, please MAKE CERTAIN YOU PARTICIPATE!

**********

3) Healthy Start/Village Policing Combined Collaborative Meeting: Wednesday, July 25th @ 1.30pm -- Westchester High School Library

This is a meeting of agencies and law enforcement entities that work with students on the Westchester High School campus. They include School Police, LAPD, Airport Marina Counseling Service, Loyola Marymount University, Metro bus company, representatives from the mayor's office, the city council, and LAUSD together with administration, faculty, parents and students.

**********

4) LMU FoS MEETING ON AUTONOMY: Wednesday, July 25th from 4pm to 6pm -- Loyola Marymount University

CRITICAL and PIVOTAL MEETING! GET INVOLVED! BE THERE!

This is the SECOND OF ONLY THREE CRITICAL MEETINGS that will be held this summer (and that's it!!!) to address the following questions:

Do any or all of the schools within LMU FoS want to submit a proposal to the Innovation Division of the LAUSD seeking greater school or cluster autonomy?

What are the ways in which to articulate the role of the many stakeholders within the structure of a Family of Schools?

LOCATION CHANGE: LMU -- AHMANSON 1000 AUDITORIUM IN UNIVERSITY HALL

We have changed the location for this week’s meeting and it will now be held in the Ahmanson 1000 Auditorium in University Hall at LMU. For those of you who were able to join us for the first meeting, this is on the opposite end of the first floor of University Hall (it is the same room we used for the Town Hall meetings in June). For directions to University Hall, please visit www.lmu.edu/maps.

VIEW THE LMU MAP HERE: http://www.lmu.edu/AssetFactory.aspx?did=7234

1 LMU Drive
Los Angeles, CA
90045-2659

Our Guest Speakers

2007-07-20T16:32:00.000-07:00

Many, many thanks to all of our amazing guest for their participation and encouragement of POWWOW. We enjoyed "getting to know you" while each of you were "getting to know us!"

Our founder, Crissina Johnson and all of our POWWOW parents look forward to an even bigger/grander "Parent Reception" in the fall.

We leave you with pictures of our guest speakers presented in the order of appearance.

Enjoy...

Douglas Waybright, Local District 3 (LD3)--School Services, Director, High School
Marvin Cooper, Healthy Start, Coordinator, Westchester High School
Susan Allen, Local District 3 (LD3)--School Services, Director, High School

Lainey Rogers, Local District 3 (LD3)--School Operations, Administrator
Jess Womack, LAUSD, Deputy General Counsel
Stephen Rochelle, LAUSD, Principal, Orville Wright Middle School

Drew Furedi, Loyola Marymount University (LMU), Executive Director, FoS
Suzanne Steptoe, PTA President, Westchester High School
Audrey Kitayama, PTA President

Mylah Wessels, PTA President
Ingrid Lamoureux, PTA President, Orville Wright Middle School
Kelly Kane, Westchester Playa Educational Foundation (WPEF), President

A.J. Duffy, Union Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), President
Terry Marcellus, Neighborhood Council (NCWPDR), Education Committee Chair; Westchester High School, Academic Booster Club
Rebecca Berverl, Assembly Member Curren Price's office

Coach Avery Delton, LAUSD, Westchester High School Athletics Department
Ron Mito, Past PTA President

Join and Support POWWOW Today

2007-07-19T12:28:00.000-07:00

Become a POWWOW Parent Today!

Membership is free of charge, but not free of participation!

Email us at powwow4life@aol.com.

Parent Reception: A Huge Success!

2007-07-18T07:29:00.000-07:00

More comprehensive details and pictures of our event to follow. Approximately 120 in attendance -- WOW!!!

So many diligent and dedicated parent volunteers donated their time to make calls, disseminate fliers, register new POWWOW parents, prepare/purchase food, contribute monetary gifts and provide design & technical expertise to create and develop: programs, brochures, fliers, other memorabilia, and this very blog (website) as a communication portal to ensure POWWOW's increased visibility.

Thank you, POWWOW Parents!

But, we must applaud and thank our visionary, our leader and our founder, Crissina Johnson, for our existence. She has led us to where we are today. Her unselfishness, persistence and dedication made our 1st Semi-Annual Parent reception a huge success!

THANK YOU, Crissina!

There are several others on our extremely long list to thank -- including recognition of our business sponsors that donated in the form of monetary contributions and professional services -- administrators, community leaders, LAUSD representatives, PTA presidents and many others, and we will acknowledge everyone over the next few days. Stay tuned...

In the interim, a big THANK YOU to each and everyone of you that made POWWOW'S 1st Semi-Annual Parent Reception a huge success!

Parent Recption TONIGHT from 6.45-8pm

2007-07-17T16:30:00.000-07:00

PLEASE JOIN US TONIGHT!
6.45-8PM
WESTCHESTER HIGH SCHOOL

Free Tutoring offered by SAJ Tutoring

2007-07-16T18:38:00.000-07:00

Free tutoring will be held every Monday through the end of Summer School from 12.30-2.30pm.

Location: Westchester High School -- Library

Subjects: Math and Science

Parents should register children by emailing us at powwow4life@aol.com.

First of Three Critical Meetings: Tomorrow (Saturday), July 14 @ 9am

2007-07-13T10:12:00.001-07:00

QUICK, YET IMPORTANT, REMINDER!!

Please plan to participate in Tomorrow's Meeting from 9-11am!!!!

Saturday, July 14th

This is the FIRST OF ONLY THREE CRITICAL MEETINGS that will be held this summer (and that's it!!!) to address the following questions:

Do any or all of the schools within LMU FoS want to submit a proposal to the Innovation Division of the LAUSD seeking greater school or cluster autonomy?
What are the ways in which to articulate the role of the many stakeholders within the structure of a Family of Schools?

LOCATION: LMU -- UNIVERSITY HALL -- ROSKI CAFETERIA

VIEW THE LMU MAP HERE: http://www.lmu.edu/AssetFactory.aspx?did=7234

1 LMU Drive
Los Angeles, CA
90045-2659

It Takes a Village

2007-07-11T12:03:00.000-07:00

Our Meeting last evening was a very nice success!

We had over 30 parents in attendance last night!

POWWOW Parents: We are making great strides. Be sure to check your email for telephone scripts as we continue our quest to reach one, teach one and inform many!

POWWOW Meeting: Tuesday, July 10 @ 7pm

2007-07-10T09:00:00.000-07:00

You're Cordially Invited To Attend...

2007-07-09T17:41:00.000-07:00

We still need food and beverage contributions and volunteers to serve on the set-up committee and hostesses. Please contact us today at 213.741.3230 or powwow4life@aol.com and let us know what you are able to bring and/or what capacity you can serve in during the event.

We look forward to your participation and a very successful event!

THANK YOU!

WPEF: Community Meeting

2007-07-05T12:59:00.001-07:00

Open to all Stakeholders -- that's you!

Attend tonight!!!!!

Visit WPEF Foundation website by clicking on link here ---> http://www.wpef.org/

Happy Independence Day

2007-07-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Parent Reception: Save the Date

2007-07-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

As we prepare for our upcoming Parent Reception and post this Save the Date, there are two important words that are befitting for us to explore at this juncture.

Enjoy!

Interdependence and Synergy...

in·ter·de·pend·ent (adjective)
mutually dependent; depending on each other.

(Excerpt from Stephen Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.)

Interdependence: Rather than being dependent upon other people, or trying to be totally independent, we learn how to be more effective by effectively working with others.

------------------------------------------------

syn·er·gy (noun) 1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.

2. Cooperative interaction among groups, especially among the acquired subsidiaries or merged parts of a corporation, that creates an enhanced combined effect.

Covey writes: "What is synergy? Simply defined, it means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts."

To be successful you should learn to leverage the strengths of others.

We can do this! The WASC report dictates that we must become involved to ensure our schools remain accredited!