Check out the podcast I did with Yvonne and Sarah of MomsLA. We’re talkin’ our favorite subject….Magnets! Lots of great info and tips.
Make sure you stay for the “Don’t Be That Mom” section towards the end. LINK.
Tanya Contributes to LA Times Article on Magnets
.
.
.
.
.
Tanya Anton, creator of GoMamaGuide, contributes history, application process, and common misconceptions to Los Angeles Times reporter on the Magnet system in LAUSD.
Magnet schools: How to navigate one of L.A.’s most complex mazes
LA Times | Oct 9, 2015 | by Sonali Kohli
“The stakes are high for families across Los Angeles later this fall. Applications are being accepted for a spot in one of 210 magnet programs in L.A. public schools; the deadline is Nov. 13.
For some parents, getting in is the difference between staying in public schools and choosing a private or charter option.
“I just really want to know … the whole process, step by step,” said mother Latisha Lewis. She attended a recent magnet school fair at Baldwin Hills Elementary School with her 10-year-old daughter, Kyera Parker, who currently attends a charter.
Choosing and applying to magnet schools can be confusing. We spoke to experts and parents to find out about L.A. Unified’s magnet schools. They are listed at the bottom of this post.” Full Story HERE.
Upcoming Magnet Fairs
LAUSD will be hosting the following Magnet Fairs for parents to meet representatives from area Magnet schools and learn more about the Magnet process. FLYER
West EL:
Wednesday, October 7, 2015 5:30–7:15 pm @Baldwin Hills Elementary School
West MS:
Thurs, November 5, 2015 5-8p @LACES
West HS:
Thursday, October 8, 2015 6:00–8:00 pm @Crenshaw High School
Palm’s “*High School Night”:
Thurs, Oct 29, 2015 6:00-8:30p @Palms Middle School
North EL:
Wednesday, October 7, 2015 6:00–8:00 pm @Haskell Elementary School
North MS:
Weds, Sept 30, 2015 6:00-8:00 pm @Sepulveda Middle School
North HS: “*Meet The High Schools Night”:
Weds, Oct 7, 2015 5-8 pm @Walter Reed Middle School
FLYER
North HS: Millikan’s “*High School Night”:
Thurs, Nov 12, 2015 6 pm – 8:30pm @Millikan Middle School
FLYER
* Meet and hear about area public, private, magnet, charter, gifted and other specialized programs – all under one roof. Recommended.
It’s Official: Magnet Season Has Begun!
The 2016-17 Magnet/eChoices application period is officially open as of today, October 1, 2015 for next Fall.
Deadline to apply is Fri, November 13, 5p.
I’ll have much more info for you on Magnets in the coming week, but in the meantime, the site is now up and live:
More LAUSD Proposed Calendar Concepts: The 5/7 Tango
Another twist in the LAUSD Calendar Conundrum. Enter the 5/7 Tango.
Say what?
According to a recent article in LA School Report, “An advisory committee studying options for LA Unified’s academic calendar are considering six different plans, and one them is a radically different approach that would shorten the summer break to five weeks and increase the winter break to seven weeks.”
The idea being that they could create a 20-day intersession (think ‘summer school’ but during both the winter and summer breaks) for students who fall below basic and need extra remediation or credit recovery.
If passed, this would mean that students would break for 7 weeks during the winter holiday, and only 5 weeks in the summer.
Whaaaat?!
What do working parents do? I guess their kids can just hang out while parents go back to work, which is most public school parents these days. What about the kids who don’t qualify/don’t need the intersession, where does their retention go after a 7-week winter break as they head back to the second semester?
Um, down the (You)Tubes.
For those of you who followed my GoMamaGuide Facebook page, you saw as I covered the robocalls this past weekend that went out to current LAUSD parents, announcing with a 1-day notice there would be an upcoming telephone survey that would poll parents on 5 calendar-related questions. The calls came in over the weekend right when most of us had our hands full of kids and dinner, or for those with a life, date night and/or other weekend evening activities. There were 3 attempts to reach us and if we didn’t pick up the phone and take the phone survey right then and there during one of those 3 calls, that would be it.
Then I started seeing reports from many folks who did answer and attempt to take the phone survey, only to have the calls glitch and unceremoniously disconnect them after the first question. So much for parent participation.
In another robocall Monday evening, LAUSD Supt. Cortines acknowledged that there were indeed glitches in the telephone survey and offered an apology to parents, explaining they would reach out to those who experienced problems.
Ok, but how? When? Who would be reached? And how would they know who did and who didn’t complete the survey? They offered no number, no email or website to contact them back if you received one of the glitched calls.
Supt. Cortines also mentioned on the call that there were 58,000 “successful” responses. Um. Cool.
Looking at the “fingertip facts” on LAUSD’s own website, this figure represents just over 10% of the 542,433 students currently enrolled in LAUSD. (Remember, independent charters get to set their own calendars so they are immune from this decision.)
So, a success? Or is it a fail.
We’ll see what happens next. They’ll be making a decision this spring that will impact the next three years. Regardless of what happens, you can bet I’ll be staying on top of this topic on behalf of all of us!
If you feel motivated, share your opinion by emailing Supt. Cortines and your board members directly:
superintentdent@lausd.net
george.mckenna@lausd.net
monica.garcia@lausd.net
scott.schmerelson@lausd.net
steve.zimmer@lausd.net
ref.rodriguez@lausd.net
monica.ratliff@lausd.net
richard.vladovic@lausd.net
For a deeper dive into the number crunching and test results the joint advisory committee considered collected from the offices of School Operations, Curriculum, Instruction and School Support, Data and Accountability, and Budget Services, click HERE.
Caution: Enter data dive at your own risk. Quick perusal doesn’t show enough significant test gains to substantiate maintaining Early Start in my opinion, but I know that many High
Schoolers love it.
LAUSD Parents Surveyed On School Calendar Changes
Lucky us! LAUSD Supt. Ray Cortines robo-called LAUSD parents today announcing we will be receiving a “telephonic survey” consisting of 5 questions, as the District begins planning the instructional calendars for the next 3 years. (Um, is telephonic a word? nvm.)
Hello folks!
This is our chance to return the start of the school year back to September and out of the heat!
Just say NO to Early Start!
I also propose we lose the whole week at Thanksgiving and make the holiday breaks more evenly distributed, but priorities! Return the after-Labor Day school start date. So parents, answer those survey calls and make your voice loud and clear!
#AugustIsForSummerVacation #FixTheAC #NoMoreEarlyStart!
UPDATE: They’re calling from 213.241.4544 – so look out for that number and answer it when they call you. It only took me 2 mins. 5 questions.
Courtesy of Angel Zobel-Rodriguez, MagnetAngel, here is the list of LAUSD survey questions:
First Question: School should start in Early August, Mid August, Late August, Early September.
Next questions use a five-point scale, Strongly agree, somewhat agree, neither agree or disagree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree.
Second Question: Winter Break should be 2 weeks,
Third Question: Elementary and Middle/High school students should be on the same calendar, (isn’t this a no-brainer?)
Fourth Question: Create a longer winter break with an “intersession*” (apparently a 5 day/wk – 5 wk intervention for those students needing remediation) and another one during the 7-wk summer. *think mandatory summer school during both the winter and summer breaks for kids below basic. And everyone else can just hang out for another few weeks while their parents go to work. Oh that’s gonna be popular! Not.
Last Question: First semester should end before Winter Break. (clue: that’s why we have the August start date to begin with.)
Be prepared. They will only make 3 attempts to call you, and once answered they will not call back. Good luck! (Thanks for sharing the questions Angel.)
And, If you want to add more weight to your voice, sign the Change.org petition here:
LA Kids Deserve Summertime – Start School After Labor Day
Also, email Supt. Cortines and your board members directly here:
superintentdent@lausd.net
george.mckenna@lausd.net
monica.garcia@lausd.net
scott.schmerelson@lausd.net
steve.zimmer@lausd.net
ref.rodriguez@lausd.net
monica.ratliff@lausd.net
richard.vladovic@lausd.net
Countdown to Back To School! Checklist Included
We’re in the final decent to the start of the 2015-16 school year in Los Angeles…let the scramble begin!
For LAUSD students, school starts this Tuesday, August 18th. For Santa Monica-Malibu it’s Thursday, Aug 20th, and for Culver City you get ’til Monday, Aug 24th. And for some lucky indie charter students, you still have a week or two to go, but for others school started a few days ago on the 11th! Wah.
In any case, there are Back to School sales going on everywhere, even at your local drugstores, so now is the time to make sure you have everything you need to start the year off right. Here’s a quick basic checklist but check your actual school for particulars:
.
backpack
backpack
lunchbox
food storage containers/ziplocks
water bottle
thermos
new sneakers and socks
other closed toe shoes
PE uniform (middle/high schoolers)
notebooks and binders
folders
filler paper
pencils and pens
erasers
school planner
sunscreen stick
lip balm
.
And of course your stylish new school wardrobe…unless by that we mean the regulation khakis or navies and school logo’d polo shirts you’re required to wear.
.
It’s also time to consider a haircut and perhaps a deep conditioner from so many sun-stripped summer days at the beach.
.
Some lucky secondary (middle/high) schoolers will actually get the opportunity to deck out a locker, which opens up a plethora of over-priced fashion accessories like plastic chandeliers, stylish wallpapers, shelves, rugs, magnetic organizers, mirrors and cup holders. You can Google “Locker Makeover” for some fun ideas both retail and DIY. .
Depending on the school, your student might need to cram in any required summer reading if they didn’t get to it already – check your school’s website or enrollment/welcome packet. This is typically for secondary students, but you’d be surprised how many kids forget this one. Let’s just say there may be a last-minute trip to your local library or bookstore (or Amazon Prime!) in your future and some late-night reading in order to get your student up to speed for the first day of school.
.
Also, make sure your child’s shots are up-to-date. There’s a host of required immunizations and corresponding paperwork needed in order to enter Kinder, and incoming 7th graders must also have proof of their Tdap shot or they will not be allowed into classes. (I’ve literally seen schools keep un-reported or un-immunized students in the auditorium until their immunization paperwork arrives.) Can’t get in to see your doctor? No worries. Shots can be had without an appointment at many local pharmacies, like CVS or Rite Aid. Note: With the recent passing of SB277, this is the last year for Personal Belief Exemptions until January 2016, when the new law goes into effect.
.
Heads up, I’m still getting emails daily announcing school openings (I’m posting them on my FB wall as they come in*), so be prepared for the unexpected offer off a waitlist to literally fall out of the sky in the next few days or even weeks. Remember, Magnet programs have until Sept 14th to fill any vacant seats, many under-enrolled schools or expanding new charters are calling for students, which combined creates a corresponding ripple effect down all the related waitlists. It really does happen to many families this late in the game, so don’t be surprised if it happens to you.
.
If your student has been having lazy summer sleep schedules, staying up late and sleeping until noon, you might want to roll back that schedule now, start setting their alarm for their typical school-day schedule, and practice getting up early in order to acclimate back, otherwise it will be a rude awakening the first day that alarm goes off at the crack of 6a!
.
Finally, do your best to RELAX and enjoy the final days of summer and get those end-of-summer pool parties, beach outings and BBQs booked. School will be here soon enough, and then we’re all off to the races once again..
Cheers to my families for being ready for back to school!
LAUSD Rolls Out Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Expansion for 2015
(article updated on Oct 1, 2015 with K-TK-ETK breakdown and additional links added at the bottom.)
LAUSD will be expanding its Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Program to assist children impacted by the shuttering of its current SRLDP preschool program, by creating an Extended Transitional Kindergarten program, now acronymed as ETK. 117 school sites will offer the program beginning in August 2015, with the remaining 173 sites opening in the 2016-17 school year.
There will now be 3 distinctions of the entry-level programs. Kindergarteners who meet the 5 by Sept 1st age cut-off will enter Kindergarten (K). Students whose birthday falls between Sept 2 and Dec 2 have the opportunity to enroll in the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program, and those children whose birthday is after Dec 2 and who quality will be placed in the Extended Transitional Kindergarten (ETK) program. All of these programs are a tuition-free, full 6-hour day following the same schedule as other elementary school classrooms, with Breakfast In the Classroom (BIC) provided. Class size will be limited to 24 students per class.
“The LAUSD Transitional Kindergarten Expansion Plan is intended to provide an alternate program in schools with closed School Readiness Language Development Program (SRLDP) classrooms.” —LAUSD website
Priority enrollment for ETK will be offered to low income high needs children who have missed the 5 by Sept 1st Kindergarten age cut-off and have also missed TK’s current 5 by Sept 2-Dec 2 cut-off. This is a preschool program that focuses on school readiness and language acquisition with the intention of preparing children for Kindergarten.
Only those students who legitimately qualify for the Free/Reduced Lunch Meal Plan (FRLP) will be eligible for ETK and then those applicants will be taken in order of birthdate beginning in Dec and continuing through March 31 and possibly into April, May or June if space is available. Families residing in the school attendance area will also be a priority. Schools may offer a 1-year non-renewable TK/ETK transfer to non-residents after satisfying all other priorities first.
See enrollment priority list below:
List of Expansion Sites for 2015: HERE
Comparison chart of TK and ETK curriculum, framework, assessment, funding: HERE
More Detailed Info – including overview, goals, curriculum, enrollment requirements: HERE
LAUSD TK/ETK splash page to more links: HERE
Parent Courtesy Reminder – Don’t Be a Two-Timer!
Hey Guys,
Even though it’s June and most schools are out for summer, school offices are still open and working on their fall enrollment. I’ve been getting several calls and emails from you folks who have unexpectedly gotten acceptances at 2 or even 3 different schools for fall. Lucky you!!
Just a reminder that many other families are still anxiously holding out hope, waiting to hear if a spot opens up at their coveted school.
So if you do happen to get into 2 or more schools, especially if you have already filled out paperwork, as soon as you make your decision, please, PLEASE make sure you get back to the other school, thank them, and let them know you will not be attending. Keep it brief, keep it polite, you can email or phone them, but either way let them know so they can move down the list and offer the space to another lucky student.
.
Here’s a simple email example. Feel free to use it:
“Thanks so much for offering our child (child’s name) a spot in (grade level) this fall. We have decided to go in another direction so we will be declining, but wish you the best in the upcoming school year.”
Sincerely,
(your name).
.
See? That wasn’t so hard, was it. And notice you didn’t have to give any explanation. Or even talk to anyone. Just simple, clean, polite. But more importantly, it lets them know. So they can move on. Breakups are hard. Give them closure.
So don’t be a two-timer. Don’t “squat” on multiple offers. Do other families a favor and let the other school know as soon as you finalize your decision. You’ve moved on, so let them move on too. It’s just good manners. And the right thing to do!
Also, the closer we get to the start of the school year, the less time schools will give you to make your decision, usually about 24 hours before they go on to the next person on the list. (It’s true. Prepare yourselves.)
.
And just in case you think you are being crafty, magnet schools take the attitude that no response means a “no,” so don’t NOT answer your phone or NOT answer that email hoping to avoid them and hold on to those waitlist points. For magnets, no response is considered a no. And turning down a magnet option (whether directly or indirectly) results in losing ALL your accumulated waitlist points.
.
Ok, that’s it for my courtesy reminder. Remember to play nice in the sandbox.
.
August Is The New Fall: Back to School 2015
Congratulations all you graduates. We wish you the best in your future endeavors! And to all the rest of you students, parents and educators, we hope everyone enjoys a restful, relaxing, wonder-filled summer.
To those of you already eyeing the calendar wondering how will we ever get through summer with no childcare I mean when will school start back up again, here are the start and end dates. Plan accordingly.
2015 School Calendars
(Click district link in blue to view full calendar.)
LAUSD: Tues, Aug 18, 2015 thru Fri, June 10, 2016
SMMUSD: Thurs, Aug 20 thru Thurs, June 9, 2016
CCUSD: Mon, Aug 24 thru Fri, June 10, 2016
Note: The LAUSD calendar impacts all neighborhood schools, magnet schools, dual-language immersion programs, SAS programs and affiliated converted charter schools. Independent charters, however, get to set their own calendars and may opt for different start dates. To be sure, check their website or call the school directly.
GoMamaGuide 