LAUSD Board Member Steve Zimmer Interview

Board member Zimmer discusses Westchester situation with Argonaut reporter Gary Walker.

Change "last hired/first fired?"

Interesting developments on this controversial issue. Read more here.

iDesign schools in Westchester

Intersting update on school reform in Westchester. Kudos to Gary Walker of The Arognaut for another well-written education article.

Schools in Del Rey

Great breakdown from LA Times website here.

Site returns soon

Been quiet for awhile, but updates on Del Rey education news and events coming soon.

-Eric

Sci-Fi

Spent the evening judging science fair projects at Westside Neighborhood School, a great private school option in Del Rey. Didn't understand half of the complicated science these middle schools were mentioning, but still lots of fun.

Attention Kinder Parents

Check out one of Del Rey's great schools, Playa Elementary, this Friday at their annual welcome tea party. More information here.

Short Avenue Literacy Night, March 1st

Great opportunity to support Short Avenue's new Wonder of Reading library. More information here.

Thoughts on curriculum from an active parent

I wanted to pass along this New York Times Op-Ed that really backs up my belief (and the belief of sooo many of the parents who are leaving LAUSD in droves for charters and other alternatives) that Open Court is not a good way to teach!!! And "teaching to the test" - as many teachers at neighborhood schools that I've visited are required to do- does not build critical, intuitive, curious learners! We should be giving our teachers time to develop critical thinking skills and spending long chunks of the day telling interactive stories with children, not wasting all our time blending and doing worksheets. UGH.

I hope this New York Times op-ed and is meaningful to you as we move forward and make serious changes to curriculum and create an early education program that is developmentally appropriate for all children.

Thanks again for your time.

Sincerely,
Erika Ross, Friends of Short Avenue
"The Arts are not elective!"

More photos from Educational Forum

Pictures from Educational Forum

Educational Forum a Huge Success

What a fantastic evening in Del Rey. Over 100 parents, students, teachers, and community members attended the second educational forum. Thanks to our sponsor Marina Del Rey Middle School Booster Club and our fabulous panelists. More soon.

The Argonaut promotes Educational Forum

Nice article from last week's Arognaut about the Jan. 20th Educational Forum.

Ed. Forum Panelists Confirmed

Come hear these three great speakers at the Jan. 20th Educational Forum at Stoner Elementary.

Erika Higgins Ross is the mother of a kindergarten student at Short Avenue Elementary School, where she serves as Outreach Coordinator for Friends of Short Avenue. She recently started a committee called “The Arts Are Not Elective,” which is part of a movement focusing on including creative arts in every part of the public school curriculum. Ms. Ross teaches a class entitled “Focusing through Breathing and Movement” to Short Avenue Kindergarteners, organizes an afterschool art club, and is working with the local district to create a “Magical Reading Garden.” In addition to being an involved parent, Ms. Ross has a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology and works full time as an in-home counselor for underserved families at a non-profit family preservation agency in the Pico Union area of L.A.

Sommer Jones is a 5th generation Californian who graduated from Cal State Dominguez Hills with a BA in Liberal Studies. She then attended UCLA to earn a Teaching Credential and a Masters in Education. Sommer began her teaching career at Compton Avenue Elementary School in Watts, where she taught for 4 years. Sommer decided to join ICEF Public Schools and started teaching at their flagship school, View Park Prep Elementary School. At View Park she taught 2nd grade, kindergarten, and worked as the Dean of Academic Affairs. In 2003, Sommer earned a National Board Credential in the area of Middle Childhood Specialist. Currently Sommer is still working at ICEF Public Schools as the Bridge Coordinator and comes to you with over 12 years of experience in education.

Elizabeth Zamora is the statewide Foundations Director for the American Cancer Society. Her work aims to improve the quality of life of cancer patients, and to provide access to health care to disparate populations. Elizabeth also has extensive experience working in the education and nonprofit sectors to improve academic achievement in Los Angeles public schools. She sits on the board of Bright Star Schools, a network of charter schools in south Los Angeles and the board of HOPE Political Action Committee, the state’s only political network that raises campaign contributions specifically to assist Latinas running for public office. Elizabeth is the President of the Del Rey Homeowners & Neighbors Association. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Elizabeth received her Bachelor's degree from Middlebury College in Vermont and her MBA from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

More school supplies for Jan. 20th Ed. Forum