Emerson Middle School Charter Proposal Becoming a Los

Emerson Middle School Charter Proposal Becoming a Los Angeles Unified AFFILIATED Charter

Today’s Agenda Welcome Introduction to the charter process Parent Perspectives – PACE Academic program overview Academy models and expectations Building project update Panel Discussion – Q&A Please write your questions on index cards. Our panel will answer questions at the end of the presentation.

Charters in LAUSD There are two types of charter schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) - Affiliated and Independent. Both must be approved by the school board. Emerson has chosen the AFFILIATED model to: Maintain Emerson as a neighborhood school Strengthen the current feeder pattern (Saturn, Nora Sterry, Warner, Fairburn, Brockton, Roscomare, Westwood Charter) Continue to serve the diverse population that is Emerson’s strength

Affiliated Charter Funded and function similarly to traditional district schools. (e. g. , Paul Revere, Westwood Charter) Adhere to District policy Define school’s philosophy, curriculum, personnel, assessment, and governance Purchase services from the district Teachers and staff continue to be members of the District’s collective bargaining units More site-based freedom over budgeting and educational programming, professional development, and site specific policies Receive free district facilities and the District continues to provide administrative support services

Independent Charter Operates outside LAUSD but within California Educational Code No organizational support from the District Must provide their own administrative functions, including human resources, employee benefits, finance, payroll, accounting, and facilities (e. g. , New L. A. , New West, City Charter, *Palisades) *Started as an affiliated charter in LAUSD.

LAUSD Affiliated Charter Review Process Six months minimum for approval Lots of reviews leading to possible revisions

Why a Charter at Emerson? Process for Emerson teachers and administration to do a self assessment and most effectively meet the academic and developmental needs of our students Engage broader group of stakeholders (parents, staff, students, and community) in supporting their neighborhood school Strengthen current feeder pattern of schools and give opportunities to other families through open enrollment Highlight the “public” in public education

Parent Perspective Maureen Feldman, PACE

Who is PACE? Partnership in Academics + Community at Emerson (PACE) Emerson parent organization Parents, teachers, students, administrators Involved in school governance & enrichment Fundraising Examples of programs supported by PACE Drama Music Speech & Debate Off-campus field trips Technology & supplies

PACE Involvement in Charter Process Active participation in development meetings with teachers and administration Positions on Charter governance council Advisory councils from each feeder school For more information go to www. thepacesite. com Updates on the Charter process will be given at upcoming PACE meetings Next PACE meeting, May 21, 6: 30 pm

Academic Model Terese Mc. Kinney, Assistant Principal

Academic Core Academic core consists of (as defined by LAUSD): Math Science Social Science English Elective Physical Education Curricular Focus Writing across ALL content areas Active Reading Academic Conversation

Charter Focus 21 st Century Skills and Common Core Standards Academies Theme-based personal learning environments (PLE) Communities of students that bond and share the same experiences Teachers work together to nurture and mentor students while monitoring their academic and social-emotional growth Students are exposed to unique experiences and challenged to think critically using the academy theme as a lens

Emerson Academies Academy themes Emerson Sports Academy (ESA) – established in 2009 Emerson Arts and Media Academy Emerson Math and Science Academy Students select academies 6 th graders will select after the first 10 weeks Academy advisory periods 40 -minute class period every day Citizenship and social skills development Study skills Academy projects Teacher mentorship

Emerson Sports Academy Promoting academic and athletic success for today’s student athlete Noriko Nakada, Teacher

ESA Our students balance a rigorous academic and athletic program through: Wooden’s Pyramid of Success Use of Cornell notes Accelerated Reader 2. 5 GPA Partnership with UCLA Emotional and mental development Nutrition education Strength and conditioning activities Student empowerment

ESA Activities Jog-a-thon UCLA adopt a classroom UCLA field trips Emerson Dodger game Bruin for a day Santa Barbara field trip CAA Partnership Team visits from high school and college athletes ESA athletic tournaments Intramural athletic tournaments Visits from professional athletes ESA achievement patches

ESA students maintain a portfolio, updated every five weeks that includes: Goal setting Analysis of physical and academic progress High school and college inquiry Community service

Parent Engagement Parents are encouraged to participate to the fullest extent possible Parents must attend one grade-level specific meeting during the school year Parents must attend one ESA activity through volunteerism or donation during the school year Parents are invited to attend workshops offered throughout the year

Arts and Media Academy Following your passion to an enriched future Kelly Graham, Teacher

Our Guiding Theme Cultivating an appreciation of artistic perspectives through a variety of experiences and media “Every artist was first an amateur. ” ---Ralph Waldo Emerson

Our Vision and Mission Nurture and develop talents Increase experiences Respect diversity of expression Aesthetic valuing Explore career opportunities “The world is but a canvass to our imagination. ” ---Thoreau

Media Related Projects �Play production �Speech and debate �Photography �Video production �Graphic arts �Music/dance �Script writing �Emerson news show

Parent Engagement Patrons of the arts Guest speakers Activity leaders Classroom support and campus events Professional experts Public relations/publicity Community partnerships Mentoring

Science and Technology Academy “Nature and Space Explorers” Amber Popp, Teacher

What is Science Academy? Extension and enhancement of the curriculum A journey to discover the unknown An adventure where the only equipment needed is your five senses A place to wonder, ask questions and seek the answers “ All life is an experience. The more experiments you make the better” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Science and Technology Academy What will kids do? Why are students doing this? Experiment, explore, build, play, create, deconstruct, imagine, analyze, innovate and invent To promote imagination, curiosity, and play Prepare students for the incredible trips to Yosemite National Park, the Channel Islands, and Physics trips to various Amusement Parks Projects: Robotics, Rocket Building, Science Fair, Chemical Reactions, Build Models Utilize Lessons from NASA Education Program

What Do We Need to Make It Happen? Parent involvement and support Student Commitment Fund Raising Events and donate supplies Organize Field Trips Guest Speakers/Presenters Assist in Creating Community Contacts Be willing to execute and construct experiments Passion for exploring the outdoors Work cooperatively UCLA Partnership

Science and Technology Academy

Campus Redevelopment Dimone Watson, Principal

Campus Redevelopment LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Facilities Services Division COMMUNITY MEETING – DESIGN UPDATE for the Emerson Middle School Redevelopment Project Overview and Status Update April 30, 2013

Project Milestones Emerson Middle School Redevelopment Project Overview Date PROJECT SCOPE - Anticipated Construction Start • Science Classroom Improvements – Complete • Repurposed Art and Computer Classrooms – In Progress • Reconfigured Staff Parking Lot – Summer, 2013 • New Gymnasium – Winter, 2014 • New Parent and Bus Drop-off – Summer, 2014 • New Synthetic Field – Spring, 2015 PROJECT MILESTONES • Design Complete: • Agency Approval: • Construction Start: • Project Complete: Fall, 2012 Winter, 2013 Summer, 2015

Panel Discussion Q&A