Wednesday, February 27, 2008

"WE TOO HAVE A DREAM" PARENTS CONFERENCE SAT. APRIL 19, 2008

SAVE THE DATE: SAT. APRIL 19, 2008

The Los Angeles Parents Union Presents...

"WE TOO HAVE A DREAM"

PARENTS CONFERENCE 2008

Los Angeles Convention Center



Dear Los Angeles Parents Union Supporter, 
  
The Los Angeles Parents Union (LAPU) is pleased to extend an invitation to you for the First Annual "We Too Have A Dream" Parents Conference happening Saturday, April 19th, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  With an estimated 2,500 parents from throughout Los Angeles coming together to discuss ways parents can participate in improving public education, this is sure to be a historic event in Los Angeles. 


The "We Too Have a Dream" Parent Conference will expand the Parents Union's successful Parent University program by engaging parents throughout LA in dialogue about the state of public education in Los Angeles, understanding key data about their neighborhood schools, navigating college preparatory curriculum as well as community resources available for families.  LAPU will also host a Parent Union Resource Fair where our community partners can provide information about their respective organizations and meet the conference participants. 


We will also:
  • Provide parent and community friendly workshops about school performance and graduation/college preparatory indicators 

  • Understanding  Academic Performance Index (API) and Program Improvement (PI) in Los Angeles Schools

  • Informing parents about The California State High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) and resources for students

  • How to access AP, Honors and College and Life Preparatory Curriculum for students


Provide classes geared toward preparing parents and students for success

  • Parents' Rights

  • How to understand the Education System

  • Community Resources for Parents

  • 2-year and 4-year  College Information

  • Parenting Courses



We look foward to your attendance.  If you are a parents union member the Conference is free!  Please register for the conference at www.parentsunion.org to learn even more about LAPU. If you have any questions, feel free to call 213-621-3052.



We and look forward to your support and participation.
  
      

Ryan J. Smith

Executive Director

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Updates re. neighborhood schools

Hello all,

I was talking to Jory last night and he suggested I post this info here as it is good news not all of you may be aware of...

First, how many of you know that Glenfeliz was awarded the same arts prototype grant Ivanhoe got a few years ago. The grant pays for professionals from MOCA and LACMA to instruct the teachers on how to incorporate the arts into the curriculum - dance, drama, painting, etc. So that is great news for all interested parties.

Also, Glenfeliz has received a distinction for two years in a row for being in the top 15% of state schools that have the greatest AYP. As opposed to just the API score, the AYP measures the improvement percentage a school makes in the API testing year to year. So the school is improving at a pretty rapid rate. I feel more parent involvement will definitely make it comparable to Ivanhoe in a short amount of time.

Finally, the Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts is planning on moving to the New Hope Church location (behind Best Buy & Costco). At this point it is controversial because it is really close to the old Franciscan pottery toxic location. The school is going through all the proper channels though and getting all the required tests needed to determine if the location is safe for kids. The school administrators kids go to the school, so they will not go there if there is any question about safety left unanswered. Jory is familiar with the school and probably can answer questions about the school better than I, but it sounds like it would be an excellent alternative school option for our neighborhood if it is safe. We will be discussing the school at the next AVNC meeting on Feb 14 (yes unfortunately Valentines Day)at 7pm at the New Hope Church. I can also send you the draft of the minutes from my committee meeting where we first discussed it if you want. Email me at twarner@atwatervillage.org

Thanks.