A Call to Action, Partnership andCommunity Empowerment

A Call to Action, Partnership andCommunity Empowerment

Parent and community collaborative effortshave been vital to students’ success and are the

key to overcoming challenges.

The Long Beach Unified School District is recognizedas one of the top school systems nationally andinternationally. While we can all take pride in ourmeasurable gains in student achievement, and inthe success of initiatives such as The Long BeachCollege Promise, our school district continues to focusintently on closing any remaining achievement gaps.

Parent and community collaborative efforts have beenvital to students’ success and are the key to overcom-ing challenges, both great and small, as we strive foracademic excellence together. But it’s not enough tosimply identify or discuss the challenges. We mustalso commit to action.

This “It Takes a Village” document is more than aresource guide. It is also a call to action, partnershipand community empowerment that strengthensacademics by:

• Highlighting key academic programs and opportunities

• Providing academic resources to enhance and fortify skills

• Listing community resources that align and support the district’s core curriculum and assessments

This guide is divided into three sections:

School Programs

Family Resources

Community Resources

We hope that you find this guide to be a valuableresource as we work together to prepare morestudents for success in college, careers and life.

A Call to Action, Partnership and Community Empowerment

Alignment of the LBUSD Strategic Plan and Local Control and Accountability Plan

STRATEGIC PLAN

Ensure Equitable Opportunities for Every Student

Provide a Safe, Respectful and Rigorous LearningEnvironment for Every Member of the School Community

Promote Academic Growth for Every Student

Establish College and Career Readiness for Every Student

Support Effective Communication throughout the District

LCAP

Students will receive basic services that arefundamental to academic success.

Schools will be safe, inviting, engaging and supportive places for students, parents and staff.

Students will make academic progress on the Common Core State Standards.

Students will succeed in Algebra to ensure high schoolgraduation and expand college and career opportunities.

Students will participate and excel in rigorous coursework, including Advanced Placement.

Students will be actively engaged in their learning.

Students will demonstrate readiness for college and careers.

It takes action, partnership and community empowerment to accomplish the strategic plan

ElementaryEarly Learning InitiativesLBUSD’s Early Learning Systems expand schoolreadiness and provide young children with a solidfoundation for immediate and long-term academicsuccess. Programs include Head Start, Child Development Centers, Transitional Kindergarten,Early Transitional Kindergarten and Educare.

Literacy ClassesLiteracy classroom teachers provide intensive andextended reading and writing instruction to a smallclass of struggling learners. The lessons addressthe specific needs of students and help them attaingrade-level standards.

Middle / K-8Long Beach ScholarsLong Beach Scholars is a middle school elective program that helps students to prepare for both college and careers. It includes collaborative studygroups and covers five major themes: AcademicDiscipline, Critical Thinking, Growth Mindset,Relationship Building and Future Possibilities.

Science, Technology, Engineering andMath (STEM) CampIn the California State University, Long Beach’sSTEM at the Beach summer program, studentspartake in hands-on, real-world learning experiencesdesigned to spur their career interest in the science,technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

School Programs to support academic achievement

High SchoolLinked Learning and Pathway ProgramsLBUSD’s Linked Learning Initiative providesrigorous academics, career-based learning, work-based learning and personalized support so thatstudents can prepare for college, career and lifesuccess. High schools provide more than 40 path-ways focused on specific careers and industries.Students have access to inspiring work-basedlearning opportunities in growing and emergingcareer sectors (complementing what they learn inclass) so that they gain the skills and knowledgeneeded to be successful members of our localeconomy. Activities include career surveys, careerfairs and internships, among many others.

Dual and Concurrent EnrollmentLBUSD offers tuition-free dual and concurrentenrollment opportunities with higher educationinstitutions, allowing students to earn collegecredits while still in high school. One notableprogram features California State University,Long Beach’s entry-level Ethnic Studies class(US Diversity and Ethnic Experience).

K- I2Long Beach College PromiseThe Promise is a guarantee to provide all LongBeach Unified students with the opportunity to goto college. Our partners work together to supportand guide students from pre-K to college. ThePromise includes elementary student visits toLong Beach City College and California StateUniversity, Long Beach, a free first year of coursesat LBCC, and guaranteed admission to CSULB forqualifying students.

Technology EnhancementsThe school district now provides WiFi access at allcampuses and has purchased more than 50,000computer tablets to help provide 21st Centurylearning experiences for students.

All In Campaign All In is a year-long citywide effort to improveattendance and reduce chronic truancy and chronicabsenteeism rates in all K-12 schools in the LongBeach Unified School District. While the All In cam-paign focuses on attendance rates at all schools,it has been initially aimed at schools located in themost vulnerable areas of the city. A large part ofthe success of All In relies on the support and par-ticipation of all key stakeholders, including localbusinesses, parents and residents.

Safe and Civil SchoolsThe Safe and Civil Schools Initiative promotespositive interactions among adults and students atschools. This initiative helps improve attendance,reduce tardiness, lower suspension rates, improvestudent behaviors, and foster a safe, welcoming,respectful and rigorous learning environment.

Male and Female Leadership AcademiesMale and Female Leadership Academies seekto empower young men and women by providingthem with the academic, cultural and social-emotional support that leads to graduation andpostsecondary success. The Academies use arigorous curriculum tailored to the needs of the participating students.

Academic AchievementKindergarten Festivals, Education Celebrationand High School Choice SummitLBUSD provides highly popular Saturday events toassist with transitioning to each level of the schoolsystem. Transitioning students and their familiesenjoy workshops and learn about school programs.

ParentVUEParentVUE is a website that allows parents to viewtheir child’s current and historical information,including daily attendance, grades, report cards, testscores, discipline, graduation status, college prepa-ration, and more. It is also a one-stop location forlinks to other parent services including School Loopand MySchoolBucks (school meal accounts). Withone simple activation, parents can view informationon all of their children, from elementary school tohigh school.

School LoopSchool Loop makes it easy for you to use your homecomputer or mobile device to stay informed aboutwhat’s going on in your child’s classroom andthroughout the school district. School Loop letsteachers post homework assignments, classroomnews and reminders. Middle school and high schoolparents can check their child’s grades, assignmentsand class schedule. You’ll also receive the latestschool district news.

Family Resourcesto support academic achievement

Homework HelplineThe Long Beach Unified School District provideshomework help to students who are striving for excel-lence and achievement. Homework Helpline consistsof teachers who guide students through homeworkassignments via the telephone. The service is free toall Long Beach Unified students. Homework Helplineis a unique service furnishing on-demand, personaltutoring. Students can call the Homework Helpline at(562) 437-2859 Monday through Thursday between4 and 6:30 p.m.

SAT Prep / Advanced PlacementTo reduce financial barriers to college and careerreadiness, LBUSD covers most of the cost ofAdvanced Placement exam fees. While each AP testtypically costs $93, the district pays $88 so thatstudents pay only $5. The PSAT is offered for free toall 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th graders, and the SAT forfree to all 11th graders (as well as to select 12thgraders who need an extra opportunity). A free 38-hour SAT preparatory program is also available toeleventh grade students.

Customized College Readiness GuidesHigh school students and their parents receivecustomized College Readiness Guides, which providean overview of readiness for various California publiccolleges and universities. These reports also providesuggested next steps, which might include taking theSAT, using online Khan Academy SAT prep tutorials,attending college fairs, revisiting college planningand learning more about financial aid. Counselors,college advisors and other school staff are availableto discuss the reports in detail.

Community Resourcesto support academic achievement

Long Beach Public LibraryLearningExpressWith your Long Beach Public Library card you canget all the practice you need. LearningExpressLibrary offers practice sets for:

Elementary:• Math, from numbers to measurement and data• Language Arts, from reading to writing and language• Learning plans to strengthen your skills

Middle School:• Subjects from Algebra to Geography and History• High school entrance exams like SSAT• Writing and language tutorials

High School:• Subjects from Biology to U.S. History• ACT, SAT and AP exams• College placement exams

To access LearningExpress online:Go to www.lbpl.orgClick on Databases (on the left)Scroll down and click on LearningExpress LibraryRegister and/or Login

BrainfuseElementary:• Live online tutoring• Create interactive quizzes and flashcards• Practice tests for Math, Reading & Writing, from grades 3 to 5

Middle School:• Live online tutoring (including Algebra)• 24-hour writing lab• Create interactive quizzes and flashcards• Practice tests for English, Math, Science, and Social Studies

High School:• Live online tutoring• 24-hour writing lab• Create interactive quizzes and flashcards• SAT, ACT, and AP exam practice

To access Brainfuse online:Go to www.lbpl.orgClick on Databases (on the left)Scroll down and click on Brainfuse Help NowEnter your library card number

Technology: Free ResourcesKhan AcademyLBUSD encourages students to link their CollegeBoard and Khan Academy accounts so that theycan have access to the Official SAT Practice on KhanAcademy. This free, personalized resource includesvideo lessons, interactive practice questions, full-length exams and test-taking tips and strategies.

ST MathST Math is an online instructional program thatuses a visual approach with games to build a deepconceptual understanding of math and strengthenproblem-solving skills. This technology allows a morediverse range of students to achieve success.

Type to LearnType to Learn is a computer program that helps studentslearn proper keyboarding techniques. By developingthese skills, students can better navigate the SmarterBalanced computer adaptive online assessments.

Additional Online Resourcesand Useful LinksThe following resources are available on theDistrict Website, www.lbschools.net. To access theresources below, click on the Menu, and A-Z index.

Academic Resources• Click on E then English/Language Arts, then cl ick, Family Resources.• Click on M then Mathematics, then click, Family Resources.• Click on T then Test Schedules

Family Resources• Begin at the District Home Page and click Parents for access to ParentVUE log in, Parent University, School Calendars, Parent Guidelines, Meal Menus and more.• Begin at the District Home Page and click Students for access to StudentVUE log in, Homework Help, Transcripts and more.

Community Resources• Click on C then Community Resource Guide, for community agencies and organizations.• Click on P then Parent University, click on Dept. Menu and plus sign and then click, Online Resources and Useful Links.

www.lbschools.net

1515 Hughes Way • Long Beach, CA 90810

We hope that you found this guide to be a valuableresource as we work together to prepare morestudents for success in college, careers and life.

For more information, contact Parent University at562-997-8322