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Constructing Roller Coasters: Making Marbles Move Math/Science event at Markham Middle School 10616 South Western Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90047 LAUSD LOCAL DISTRICT 7 CAROL M. TRUSCOTT SUPERINTENDENT DECEMBER 2006 Do you know how roller coasters work? Do you know that roller coaster cars don’t have engines in them, and that they rely solely on gravitational potential energy to move? If you had attended the Local District 7 Roller Coaster Event you would have learned all this and more! On Saturday, November 18, 2006 the Local District 7 K-12 Mathematics and Science Unit sponsored its first Math/Science event at Markham Middle School. Nearly 100 participants constructed paper roller coasters. Participants included students and teachers from various LD7 schools, including students from Markham’s Beyond the Bell program. At one point, an entire busload of students arrived from 96 th Street Elementary to eagerly join in the fun and learning. Students were assisted in their construction by parent and community volunteers, as well as math and science coaches from the schools. LAUSD Superintendent David Brewer, LD7 Superintendent Carol Truscott, and LAUSD Board member Mike Lansing tested some of the roller coaster models by rolling marbles down the roller coaster tracks. At the end of the day each family was able to take home the roller coaster they had constructed. Families who hadn’t finished their roller coasters by the close of the event took materials to finish at home. Participants also received a roller coaster brochure with standards-based, grade-level inquiries that students could do once they finished building the roller coaster. “My students had a wonderful time and can’t wait for the next event,” said Debbie Holland, math coach at 96 th Street ES. She is already planning the busses for the next math/science event. Irene Herrera-Stewart, Administrator of Instruction commented, “What an exceptional opportunity to see father, mother and siblings working together to construct their roller coaster. I think the parents were even more competitive than their children.” Students engaged in hands-on learning at the elementary and secondary math and science Roller Coaster Construction event Gompers MS Teacher Monica Alfaro guides students in constructing their roller coaster.

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Page 1: M. T S D 2006 Constructing Roller Coasters: Making Marbles Move · 2006-12-21 · Math/Science event at Markham Middle School 10616 South Western Avenue Los Angeles, ... Teachers

Constructing Roller Coasters: Making Marbles MoveMath/Science event at Markham Middle School

10616 South Western AvenueLos Angeles, CA 90047

LAUSD LOCAL DISTRICT 7 CAROL M. TRUSCOTT SUpeRInTenDenT DeCeMbeR 2006

Do you know how roller coasters work? Do you know that roller coaster cars don’t have engines in them, and that they rely solely on gravitational potential energy to move? If you had attended the Local District 7 Roller Coaster Event you would have learned all this and more!

On Saturday, November 18, 2006 the Local District 7 K-12 Mathematics and Science Unit sponsored its first Math/Science event at Markham Middle School. Nearly 100 participants constructed paper roller coasters. Participants included students and teachers from various LD7 schools, including students from Markham’s Beyond the Bell program. At one point, an entire busload of students arrived from 96th

Street Elementary to eagerly join in the fun and learning. Students were assisted in their construction by parent and community volunteers, as well as math and science coaches from the schools. LAUSD Superintendent David Brewer, LD7 Superintendent Carol Truscott, and LAUSD Board member Mike Lansing tested some of the roller coaster models by rolling marbles down the roller coaster tracks.

At the end of the day each family was able to take home the roller coaster they had constructed. Families who hadn’t finished their roller coasters by the close of the event took materials to finish at home. Participants also received a roller coaster brochure with standards-based, grade-level inquiries that students could do once they finished building the roller coaster. “My students had a wonderful time and can’t wait for the next event,” said Debbie Holland, math coach at 96th Street ES. She is already planning the busses for the next math/science event. Irene Herrera-Stewart, Administrator of Instruction commented, “What an exceptional opportunity to see father, mother and siblings working together to construct their roller coaster. I think the parents were even more competitive than their children.”

Students engaged in hands-on learning at the elementary and secondary math and science Roller Coaster Construction event

Gompers MS Teacher Monica Alfaro guides students in constructing their roller coaster.

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Complex I Verteane Bereal

Councilman Bernard Parks Applauds 8th District Student AchievementOn Friday, November 17, 2006, Councilman Bernard Parks, his wife Bobbie Parks, and staff acknowledged the academic achievement of elementary school (5th grade), middle school(8th grade) and senior high school(11th grade) students attending schools in the 8th council district of Los Angeles.

The students were recognized for their achievement in two categories: Highest Grade Point Average and Most Improved.

Directors’ News from the Schools

A Message from Our Superintendent...“I have never been especially impressed by the heroics of people convinced they are about to change the world. I am more awed by . . . those who . . . struggle to make one small difference after another.” Ellen Goodman

The holiday season is a time to reflect on the past year, and to appreciate the blessings and people in our lives. As your Superintendent, I wish to express my deep appreciation for all the long, arduous hours you dedicate to improving the future of our children and our society. As educators, we face incredible obstacles in LD7, and often with insufficient support. Yet, daily you devote your professional lives to attempt to positively affect the lives of our students. Despite the difficult circumstances, you climb into your cars at early hours to drive long distances to your schools. You greet your students with a smile as you walk through the front door to face unexpected challenges that confront you daily. You constantly show your students that you care about both them and their education. You build relationships with teachers, and continue to work with them to build rigorous teaching and learning. I don’t know what the future holds for our District, or for public education. What I do know is that our students are fortunate to have you in their lives, and that we are fortunate to be in this struggle together. Together we must continue to grow as administrators and instructional leaders to improve public education for our children and our society.

I wish you all joy and peace during this holiday season. I also wish you a well-deserved rest. My hope is that together we dedicate ourselves to facing the coming year with renewed vigor and commitment.

The LD7 math and science unit is having their next standards-based learning event in March, and are hopeful that attendance will be even greater than it was for the Roller Coaster Event. Students will be building electric cars and jitterbugs! Don’t know what jitterbugs are? Then attend the March event and you’ll not only learn what they are, but also how they work. The exact date, time and place will be announced at the beginning of next semester so schools and families can calendar the event in plenty of time to attend.

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The following students from our Local District schools were honored:School Students

99th St. School Deja Robinson and Jesus Ismael Fuentes107th St. School Dulce Moralef and Zachariah WalkerBarrett Elementary Raven Litley and Rafael CuatleMiller Elementary Stefani Rodriquez and Dymon Davenport32nd St. Magnet Awais Khan, Dominiques Brown, Princeton Parker, Eun Young An, Ilan Martin Castaneda and Omair KhanBright Elementary Jonathan Cameros and Rosa Alvarado RiveraMack Elementary Edgar Garcia and Jasmine SantosVermont Avenue Elementary Luis Lainez and Oswaldo Hernandez

The students and their parents were treated to a tour of the African-American Museum where there was a special exhibit, “Intersections of South Central: People and Places in Historic and Contemporary Photographs”, delicious African- American cuisine, gifts and a beautiful Los Angeles City Council certificate.Complex II Francisco Gonzalez

During the week of October 23, Manchester Ave. School

held its annual College and Career Awareness week. LD7 Superintendent Truscott visted classrooms and shared her educational and job experiences with the students. Kudos to Mr. Hooker and his staff for fostering a school environment that promotes our LD7 theme -- Every Student College Ready. Complex IIIBarbara Francois

The students at Weigand Avenue ES are competing in an exciting reading program sponsored by the Clippers Basketball Team. They are tallying up the number of minutes that they have spent reading in the Morning Book Club which takes place every day. They are competing against other schools, and the school with the most minutes will win free tickets to a local amusement

park and a visit from the Clippers.

Weigand’s AEMP is out in full force. Our GSAT team recently sponsored a Heritage Museum. Staff members brought their own personal artifacts to share with students. Each piece was displayed along with a short summary of its history and use. Items came from various cultures –African-American, Latino, Korean, Jewish and Brazilian. The students were mesmerized by the beauty and cultural richness of the museum.

Complex IVFaye BantonMarkham Middle SchoolTo culminate college awareness month in October, over 200 students and family members attended the school’s College “Yard” Fest. Participants had a chance to research the colleges their teachers attended, make visors, play games and eat lots of good food. There were over 30 booths for students to visit. Included were 20 college booths, 5 extracurricular activity booths, tutoring sign ups, financial aid and high school requirements information, campus clubs, parent information and translation services for Spanish speakers. Teachers compared their self-created college and activity booths, as well as their college gear. Students asked questions

Superinendent Carol Truscott shares her educational & job experiences with Manchester students.

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about different colleges, looked through pictures and catalogs, and played trivia games for prizes. The after school programs provided face painting, food and games. The school’s step team did a presentation, and the college month essay winner was announced. A presenter from USC provided students with information about the USC talent search. Markham’s faculty and staff made this event possible along with over fifty student hosts who worked to create signs, set up, and run booths. Four teachers coordinated this event: Ms. C. Sutton, Mr. O. Macaulay, Ms. G. Yun, and Ms. K. Jefferson.

Drew MS Some of the Drew students are fortunate to be involved in the Chaka Believes Program started with students at 92nd St. Elementary. The goal of the foundation is to encourage students to stay in school and increase their academic achievement to qualify for college. The initiative grew out of what was originally a partnership in 2005 between Chaka Khan Foundation, LAUSD and Families in Schools called “Going on to College.” In an effort

to continue working with those same students, CKF launched the Chaka Believes program in 2006. The program works with selected students through their middle school years providing workshops and tracking their progress in school. Recent workshops have included Making Fitness Fun with Billy Blanks, All About the Opera with Dr. Dee, a holiday visit to the Los Angeles Opera’s production of

Hansel & Gretel, community service days, and financial planning classes for parents.

Complex VMichael Smith

Edison MSWith the support of Coleen Kaiwi, Principal, and a vision from Counselor Beth Drohan, Edison Middle School sponsored a mural contest. The mural contest was developed in an effort to foster school pride and build a stronger bond between school and students. Teachers, staff, and students voted on the best candidates and selected the top three winners from the 175 entries that were received. 8th grader Maria Garcia won 1st place, 2nd place winner was 8th grader Karen Barraza, and 3rd place winner was Jason Mayorquin a 6th grader. All three murals will be painted on the walls of Edison Middle school. With the supervision of Saul Plasencia, Track C Counselor, the three winners planned and painted the mural pictured above. Three murals will be painted in the coming months.

Foshay K-12 Learning CenterOn December 11, Local District 7 employees had the good fortune to be entertained by the Foshay Jazz Trio during a holiday luncheon provided by Local Superintendent Carol Truscott and the LD7 Directors for the LD7 staff. The students are members of the larger school band ensemble directed by one of the school’s two music teachers, Vince Womack. The students who took time out from their school break to provide the entertainment were junior, Lucy Leon on flute who plans to attend USC, junior Edgar Hernandez on guitar who plans to attend Occidental College, and senior Hakim Muhammad on bass guitar. Hakim has not yet decided on a particular college, but hopes to attend culinary school.Muir MS State recognized art educator, Lorien Eck and her Advanced Art students persevered through many trials abating tagging and unwanted graffiti over the course of three months to complete their ambitious school-wide project of painting murals on the campus. Their talent and accomplishments deserve to be recognized.

32nd St. K-12 Performing Arts MagnetOn Tuesday, December 5, Principal Toyotome recognized students at the school who made the Honor Roll by holding two assemblies. One assembly was held for K-8 students and another for students 9-12. At

Ms. Chaka Khan with Drew Middle School students pose for a picture in a school bus.

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they walked across stage and they shook hands with the principal. Both assemblies were well-attended by students and families.

Complex VI

Adriana McNallyKing-Drew Medical Magnet High SchoolCongratulations to student Brandon Bell who was

LD7 Unit Updates

Intervention & Testing Programs K-12Grace Bishop, Coordinator(323) 242-1362 [email protected]

California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE)Testing Schedule:

Assessment Dates Three / Single Track Grades

February 6 – February 7

March 20 – March 21

Track CTrack B

Single TrackTrack ATrack C

10 Census; 11 & 12 Retest10 Census & 12 Retest

10 Census; 11 & 12 Retest10 Census; 11 & 12 Retest10 Make-up

May 8 – May 9 Single TrackTrack ATrack B

10 Make-up10 Make-up10 Make-up & 11 Retest

one of first eight students who participated in the Saban Institute’s Summer Research Program for Minority Students. The Saban Research Institute is at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. On August 15, 2006 students made a PowerPoint presentation detailing their experiences and research. Each student received a stipend of $1,350.00 and worked closely with a mentor, a member of the Saban Research Institute faculty. Brandon’s goal is to become a pediatrician and his idol is Benjamin Carson, MD, Director of the Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery at John Hopkins Hospital.

Muir students standing in front of “Freedom of Expression” mural inspired by the artist Diego

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Title I Myra Dickerson, Categorical Programs Coordinator323-242-1417 [email protected]

Budget Adjustment FormsSpecially Funded Programs is requesting that Budget Adjustment Requests be complete and computer generated or typed. In the area titled Reason for budget adjustment do not write, “To clear a negative balance.” For the correct terminology please, use the Program and Budget Handbook. All Budget Adjustment Requests must have:

v Principal’s Signaturesv Justification Page for the new item or

servicev Single Plan Page that describes the need

for this item purchased.v If multifunded, please indicate the other

funding sources.v Check if your school is TAS or SWPv School Site Council Chairperson’s

Signature and datev The Date this item was presented to: the:

• CEAC for S046, E046, 0A56, S539

• ELAC for S536 and S176

Annual Title I Parent MeetingAll Title I schools have an Annual Title I Parent Meeting to present the Title I Overview (CD provided by Specially Funded Programs) to parents, a time to review the Parent Involvement Policy and the Parent Compact. We will be collecting a copy of the flyer, agenda and sign-in sheet for that Annual Title I Parent meeting at your school. Please fax a copy of the flyer, agenda and sign in sheet to Myra Dickerson at fax # (323)-242-1393.

Program Improvement Year I Schools• 0A56 Budget Adjustment Form is available.• The final draft of the Program Improvement

Update is due to Myra Dickerson, Categorical Coordinator Local District 7 by December 18, 2006 4:00 p.m.

• The Peer Feedback meetings with each school will be held from January 8, 2007 through January 31, 2007.

Title I Coordinator Meeting The next regularly scheduled Title I meeting will be Friday, January 12, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Watts Senior Rose Garden Center.

SB IX

California Standards Test (CST)Assessment Dates Four Track Grades

March 19 – March 30 Track D Grades 2–5/6; Grades 6–8

May 21 – June 4 Track ATrack BTrack C

Grades 2–5/6; Grades 6–8Grades 2–5/6; Grades 6-8Grades 2–5/6; Grades 6-8

California Standards Test (CST) Assessment Dates Three / Single Track Grades

March 12 – March 23

May 7 – May 18

May 14 – May 25

Track C

Single Track

Track ATrack B

Grades 2–5/6; Grades 6–8

Grades 2–5/6; Grades 6–8

Grades 2–5/6; Grades 6–8Grades 2–5/6; Grades 6–8

March 26 – April 6

May 21 – June 4

May 17 – May 25

Track C

Track ATrack B

Single Track

Grades 9, 10, 11

Grades 9, 10, 11Grades 9, 10, 11

Grades 9, 10, 11

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Thank you for the End of the Year Reports. They have been submitted to Beaudry and to the California Department of Education.

Elementary Literacy Pam Gray, Coordinator (323) 242-1350 [email protected]

I would like to acknowledge and thank the administrators from our non-Reading First Schools who have been attending the District Reading Action Seminar without compensation: Bright, M.L. King, Jr, Norwood, Vermont and Weemes.

A very special thank you to our schools who have agreed to participate in the Alliance Schools Project. Our Alliance Schools are 52nd Street, 93rd Street, 112th Street, Normandie and Weemes.

The District Reading Program has been piloting a Special Education Training thisfall. Thank you to 52nd Street, 122nd Street and Manchester for your teams participation at the five day training. Save the date! Thursday, January 25, 2007 is the Principal/Coach Summit at the Long Beach Convention Center from 8:00 a.m. -4:00p.m. All Reading First Principals and Literacy Coaches are invited to attend. Advance registration is required. Please be sure to register.

BTSA/Delta Induction ProgramDonna Simien, Specialist(323) 242-1338 [email protected] Flora Obie, Delta Induction Specialist(323) 242-1342 [email protected] SUPPORT PROVIDERS On December 11, 2006, LD7 BTSA will have a Mid-Program Review at the Torrance Holiday Inn located at 19800 S. Vermont Avenue, Torrance CA. All BTSA teachers and their support providers are requested to attend and participate. The meeting will be held from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. Reminder: Please remember to turn in the Support Provider Match-up forms to Peggy Presley at the Harbor Bldg, Room 335.

Secondary LiteracySonia Leffall, Coordinator (323)242-1385

[email protected] Meetings Dates

• Secondary Literacy will host our monthly Literacy Coaches meeting on Monday, December 11th from 1:00-4:00.

• Secondary Literacy will host our monthly Content Lead meeting on Wednesday, December 13th from 4:00-7:00. Please contact

the Secondary Literacy unit if you have any questios regarding the selection of Content Leads.

Training Dates • During the month of January, Secondary

Literacy will host training for 7th grade English Language Arts teachers on the Response to Literature Designed Unit. These trainings are mandated by the Central office. January 11th will be the training date for the following:

o D-track teachers at 4 track schoolso C-track teachers at 3 track schoolso teachers at traditional calendar

schoolsPlease encourage any 7th grade teacher who has not been trained on this unit to attend the training. Substitute coverage will be provided by the central office for teachers who are on track.

Assessments Dates • The testing window for the Research/

Exposition Periodic Assessment for traditional calendar middle schools begins Monday, January 8th. All tests must be submitted for scoring no later than Tuesday, January 23.

• The testing window for the second DRWC

Summative Assessment for tracks C and D at 4 -track middle schools begins Tuesday, January 16th. All tests must be submitted for scoring no later than Monday, February 12th.

Season’s Greetings from the Secondary Literacy Team at Local District 7. We look forward to serving you in 2007.

Elementary MathematicsCecilia Duenas, Ed. D. Coordinator (323) 24 –1412 [email protected] A. Williams, Advisor (323) 242 – 1405 [email protected]

Quarter 2 Concept Lesson Training for 4/5 grade teachersEach 4th and 5th grade teacher is required to attend the concept lesson training. Registration forms have been sent to the schools. Remaining dates for the training: January 23, 24, 25, 27

Math Coach MeetingsCitywide Coach Training: January 11, 12, 2007Monthly meeting: January 26, 2007

Professional Development Opportunities

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Your elementary math coaches have professional development models on the following topics. Please contact them for further information:

• Asking Questions to Advance and Assess• Using the Task Analysis Guide• Using the TTLP• Weekly Planning Using the MIG

Secondary MathGary Scott, Ed.D. Coordinator (323) 242-1356. [email protected]

There are no secondary math trainings during December. Enjoy your holidays!

Periodic Assessment windowsMiddle Schools:

Traditional calendar No math periodic assessment this month

Three track A and B track 12-11 to 12-22 Unit 2

Four track A, B, and C 12/4 to 12/15 Unit 2

High Schools:

Traditional calendar No math periodic assessment this month

Three track A and B track 12-11 to 12-22 Unit 2 Elementary ScienceWill Downing, Expert (323)242-1413 [email protected] Lead Teacher (SLT) Homework: Between the months of October-November SLTs attended one day of professional development and actively participated in two different inquiry-based science lessons covering Earth Science standards for grades four (erosion) and five (evaporation). SLTs are now expected to teach their grade-level lesson in their classroom (or a similar type lesson if they’ve already covered Earth Science prior to our meeting) and they are to collect evidence of student learning that they’ll bring to our follow-up meeting in January. This student work should demonstrate that students are using features one through three of the Inquiry Cycle and administrators observing science lessons should see the following teacher practices that support these three features:

1. Students are engaged in scientifically oriented questions; these may be provided by the teacher or posed by learners. These questions lend themselves to empirical investigation and lead to gathering and using data to develop evidence-based explanation.2. Students are giving priority to evidence in responding to questions. They may obtain evidence from multiple sources including direct observations of

phenomena, recorded data, their teacher, or the Web—anything that fuels their inquiries.3. Students are formulating explanations from their evidence. Although similar to feature two, this aspect of inquiry emphasizes the path from evidence to explanation rather than the criteria for and characteristics of the evidence.

The 2005-06 SLT meetings focused on the first

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and we are now moving into features two and three in 2006-2007. If you need more information on the Five Essential Features of Inquiry, ask your SLTs to share their Science Notebooks with you as they have a copy of them pasted in the inside cover.

Fourth Grade Immersion Unit Professional Development: The fourth grade life science immersion unit is titled Rot It Right: The Cycling of Matter and the Transfer of Energy and focuses on ecosystems, energy transfer/matter cycling, and decomposition. Teachers who are off-track or on winter break may attend the following two-day training and receive the District-approved training rate of $25.00/hour; substitute coverage is not available.

DATES TIME LOCATIONJanuary 3 & 4 8:00 a.m. – 3:00

p.m.San Gabriel MST

Center

Periodic Assessments: Our Science Lead Teachers have done an outstanding job helping LD 7 navigate the course with our new PA provider, Princeton Review. If your SLTs have questions, they can contact the vendor’s helpdesk at (888)745-7737 or e-mail them at [email protected]. If Princeton Review cannot address your school’s concerns (missing booklets, non-deliveries; etc.), please have them contact Will Downing for support. The upcoming PA windows are as follows:

School Calendar Track Assessment

WindowsSingle Track N/A November 20-28

90/30 B, C, & D

January 22-26

Concept 6 A & B November 6-13

Secondary ScienceTina Marie PerrySecondary Science Expert (323)242-1403 [email protected]

Calling all 7th Grade Science Teachers -Invitation to Earth and Life History (Geology) Series Workshop Jon Kovach - Muir Middle school teacher - will be conducting a 3-day workshop covering the 7th grade

standards on Earth history and fossils. All 7th grade middle school science teachers are encouraged to attend. Teacher participants will be paid the training rate and receive all of the lessons and materials. The workshop will be held at 66th Street Delta Center from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on January 16th, 23rd, and 30th. Participation for all three days is required to receive materials. Contact Tina Perry to confirm attendance. Science Leadership (Cadre) Meeting All science lead teachers, content leads, and science coordinators meet from 4:00 to 6:30 pm November 29th - 30th and January 24th - 25th. Only one meeting per month is required. There will not be a meeting in December. Meetings will be held at the 66th Street Delta Center. Contact Tina Perry to confirm attendance.

History/Social Science k-12Steven Steinberg, Ed.D., social science advisor(323)242-1388 [email protected]

The emphasis in H/SS continues to be the use of the Curriculum Map, implementation of the new textbook program (History Alive), use of primary source documents and document based questions (DBQs), and piloting 8th grade Concept Lessons for the Constitution (8.2) and the Development of Political Parties (8.3.4)

Dec. 6 Content Leads MeetingReview Concept Lessons; Use of Primary Source Resources for M.S. and H.S.

Weds. 4-7 p.m.

Dec. 7 Central Focus Group MeetingEvaluation of Concept Lesson 8.2

Thurs. 4-6 p.m.

The Elementary Text Book Orientation on Nov. 14th was completed on a trainer of trainers model. The representatives from your school site will need professional development time (1 hr.) to instruct their colleagues on the use of the Scott Foresman textbook at their grade level . All representatives were given a script for this purpose.

The middle school History Alive training continues both at school sites and at the professional development centers. On Nov. 16-17th 25 teachers

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participated in the latest TCI/History Alive training. Thank you for sending your 6th and 7th grade staff to this important workshop. Further trainings are taking place at the school site in the form of model lessons during December and January. Please call to arrange model lessons for your department.

Flora ObieDELTA Induction Specialist(323)[email protected]

AVID NewsThank you to all of our AVID schools for submitting their Data Entry forms onlineand, for committing funding for AVID tutors. Our next AVID site coordinators meeting will be held on Wednesday January 24, 2006 at 3:30 p.m. at Local District 7. More information on the meeting will be sent to the AVID coordinators.

Early Childhood Education Iadrana (Roni) Williams, ECE Director (213) 481-33731

Congratulations!Gloria Jernigan is the new Administrator of 112th Street and Compton Early Childhood Education Centers. She comes with a wealth of early education experience, and we are happy to have her.

The District 7 Early Education (DLM) Curriculum Study Group for teachers will begin in January 2007. Our focus will continue to be early literacy and early math.

Educational ResearchNeal Lalwani, Ph. D.(323)242-1343 [email protected]

Educational Research Activities That Schools are Doing This Fall

• Analyzing 2002 to 2006 performance for adequate yearly progress (AYP) groups

• Computing how many at least proficient students are needed to meet current or upcoming AYP targets and designing strategies to meet these goals

• Analyzing 2006 percentages of items answered correctly on the CST strands in ELA, math, science and social science by grade and classroom

• Using 2006 CST strands data to place basic, below basic, and far below basic students in tailored interventions

• Analyzing 2006 CAT6 percentiles in reading,

vocabulary, word analysis, mathematics, and math computation

• Calculating potential APIs based on student scores and anticipated change

• Developing data strategy teams that establish teachers as being at the heart of educational research programs

If you need help conducting any of these or other research activities, just let me know via telephone or email.

AEMPBrigitte Scott, Specialist(323)242-1410 [email protected] Velma Taylor, Specialist(323) 242-1411 [email protected]

The 16th Annual AEMP Weekend Professional Development Conference has been rescheduled for April 27-28, 2007 at the Radisson LA Airport Hotel. The invited keynote presenters are Dr. Pedro Nogura and Dr. Asa Hilliard. The theme this year is “Building a College Going Culture In the Home and School: Empowering Students to Participate in a Competitive Workforce.”

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students. A special thanks goes to Sara Lasnover, Magnet Specialist and Dr. Gloria Ginger Cole, Compliance Coordinator for LAUSD.

Health Education ProgramsVictoria Roberts, HEP Advisor323.242.1416 [email protected]

WELL, WELL, WELL…Are you aware of the LAUSD Wellness Policy? It’s time for you, your staff, your students and their families to become familiar. This is a comprehensive approach to addressing the wellness needs of students, families and staff at your school.The key components are:

• Health Education• Physical Education• Nutrition Services• Health Services• Counseling/Psychological Services• Safe Environment• Staff Wellness

Parent and other community members are especially encouraged to be involved.If you would like more information, please contact Cheri Thomas, Coordinated School Health Facilitator at (213) 241-2684 or email her at [email protected].

I remain available to come to your school and work with your staff to develop fidelity of usage and raise their comfort level with Second Step, Too Good For Drugs, Developmental Assets and Anti-Bullying , all of which help create a safe school environment and lower suspensions and most importantly, raise student achievement.

Small Learning Communities (SLC)Lynn Snyder(323) [email protected]

The following school sites will need to contact the AEMP Central Office or Local District 7 AEMP SEL/GAP Specialists to receive packet information that was distributed at the November 9, 2006 facilitators’ workshop: 61st Street ES, 66th Street ES, 95th Street ES, 96th Street ES, 122nd Street ES, Compton ES, and Figueroa ES. Included in the packet was the AEMP Teacher Sign-Up Sheets for the AEMP Weekend Conference that are due to the AEMP Central Office by fax at (213) 241-8495 on or before December 14, 2006.

The next AEMP Facilitators’ Meeting is December 14, 2006 at 3:30-7:30 pm. The location is the Four Points Sheraton Hotel (LAX).

AEMP Parent Community Representative workshop will be held on December 14, 2006 from 8:00-12:30 pm at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel (LAX).

Parent Facilitator UnitBillie Thomas,Ombudsperson(323)242-1333 [email protected]

The CHOICES Informational Faire, sponsored by Specially Funded Programs Division, was held Saturday, December 8, 2006 at CSULA. It was a beautiful day, and there was a tremendous turnout from families throughout Los Angeles Unified School District. This CHOICES FAIRE was designed to inform parents of the many school choices available throughout the district. Even though the majority of our parents prefer to keep their children close to home in the neighborhood school, the district is obligated under NCLB to offer opportunities for parents to be informed of other school choices. Most parents have received the newly designed CHOICES Brochure and were able to interface with school personnel and in some cases students from the many Magnet school programs in the district. Parents lined up to participate in informational discussions centered around school choices. Sharon Curry, Assistant Superintendent of Student Integration Services said she was very pleased with the parent response and will begin working on next years CHOICES FAIRE right away. Thanks to all of you for helping to get the word out to all of our Local District 7 parents and

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ARCHITECTS OF ACHIEVEMENT BEGIN WALKTHROUGHS

The Architects of Achievement Team spent the day at Fremont High School on Thursday, November 16, 2006 walking the campus with teacher leaders, administrators, parents, students, and District personnel. Together they examined the school’s facilities, peeking into nooks and crannies and identifying underutilized spaces, in order to identify space for the future SLC upgrade and redesign work. The project will include establishing satellite administrative offices, creating contiguous space, and developing visual identity for each SLC. The actual work is scheduled to begin in July 2007.

Architects of Achievement will visit Manual Arts High School on December 5, 2006 and Locke High School on December 8, 2006. Jordan High School has already completed this part of the process and will be meeting with Architects of Achievement on January 16, 2007 to see a presentation of their Board approved plans.

FORUM ON HIGH SCHOOL REFORMThe Forum on High School Reform will be held February 8-10, 2007 at the Hyatt Regency, in Orange County. The forum will feature the work of schools, teachers, and administrators in SLCs and other high school reform models. Sessions will cover the range of SLC issues from implementation to sustainability.

To receive a registration kit, call (831) 425-0299 or go on-line to www.edualliance.org. The registration fee is $285.00 and must accompany your registration form and be received no later than January 9, 2007.

If you plan to attend, complete a Request for Conference Form, and submit it to Lynn Snyder, Coordinator of SLCs at Local District 7.

South Park ES says no to drugs and yes to giggles.