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Hi! Welcome to my first official Board Member newsletter. I’ll be sending these every few weeks to update you on what’s happening in our schools and district and how we are making strides to become a district that puts kids first.

Wednesday, September 6, 2017
A Pledge to Disavow Hate and Defend Dreamers in Our Schools

There is no way around it: the past months have been a difficult time for those of us who celebrate our country's diversity and treasure tolerance as a beacon of society. From the president's travel ban, to his waffling in denouncing the domestic terrorist acts that took place in Charlottesville, to the most recent decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, civic leaders at the local level have a duty to loudly and unequivocally denounce hate and bigotry in any and all forms. I want to reassure all families that L.A. Unified is committed to protecting children from any threats that arise inside and around our schools' walls. I want to reinforce the Board’s and my commitment to maintaining schools as safe spaces where no person should feel fear or trepidation because of their immigration status, race, ethnicity, religion, or gender identity.

Please take a look at the resources below for more information on how L.A. Unified is taking measures for student, family, and community safety and to learn more about your rights and how to protect yourself.

We Are One L.A. Unified | Empowering Young People in the Aftermath of Hate |
DACA Update | Know Your Rights
First Week of School: 21 Schools in 4 Days
I spent my first week of school as the Board Member of District 4 with a packed schedule of school visits. From the opening of a new school designed to serve children living in extreme poverty to a seven-district back-to-school tour to three full days of BD4 visits, I know we started off the school year strong! I listened to 4th graders pair and share in whispered Mandarin in a language-immersion classroom at Broadway Elementary School. 
I met some chickens, goats, and a tortoise at Paul Revere Middle School, joined in second grade story time at Mar Vista Elementary School. I sampled some fresh produce grown at Mark Twain Middle School's Seeds to Plate Garden, practiced my moves with Superintendent King and the extraordinary dance team at Marina del Rey Middle School, and took a quick shopping break at the student-run atelier at Taft High School.  
I observed the great work that LACER does to expand accessibility to after-school programs, and later that day, joined State Superintendent Tom Torlakson at Robert F. Kennedy Community High School to protest the White House’s proposed cuts to after-school program funding. 
And so much more...I am more excited than ever to continue this momentum and look forward to visiting each and every school in Board District 4! 
Board Meeting Highlights:
First Meeting of the School Year & Board Retreat
August 22, 2017: 
I took a stand against divisive politics and proxy wars by voting no on a resolution that would divert the resources of our Office of Government Affairs from securing more funding for our schools ● I voted to replicate two schools in the district in an effort to provide more kids with the chance to attend high-performing schools and earn a quality education ● I invited City Attorney Mike Feuer to join us to talk about our collective response to the violent acts in Charlottesville, VA ● Our new Student Board member, Ben Holtzman from Hamilton High School, was sworn in  
August 29, 2017: 
After I campaigned on the need to rein in costs and spend more money in classrooms, the Board held its first step back on health benefits at our first Board Retreat of the year ● We focused on the ways we can work together to improve public education in L.A. Unified ● We agreed to the following core values to guide us toward this goal: Meaningful Collaboration, Urgency, Diversity Is Our Strength, Equity, Courage, Accountability, & Everyone Works for the Success of Each and Every Child
School Spotlight:
Co-location Collaboration for College Readiness
On the first day of school, I was so excited to celebrate the successful products of the collaboration happening at Helen Bernstein High School, STEM Academy of Hollywood, and the APEX Academy charter school. These school leaders work together to the benefit of their students. This collaboration provides opportunities for all students that no single school could offer alone, and the results speak for themselves. Last year, the schools achieved a 95% graduation rate – next stop, 100%! Click here to read my joint op-ed with these school leaders and Supt. King, showcasing this collaboration.
Stay in the Know:
L.A. Unified Updates
As part of our Kids First Resolution, the "Kids First Help Desk" debuted to make it easier on students, parents, and other stakeholders to get the answers they need without a long wait. For more information, e-mail our office.
Our hearts break for the thousands of victims of Hurricane Harvey. Click here to find out how you can join L.A. Unified in helping those injured or displaced by the flooding. 
On Sunday, Gov. Jerry Brown issued a state of emergency for the ongoing La Tuna Fire. LAUSD will continue to monitor air quality conditions to ensure safety in outdoor activities. Click here for updates and more information on how to keep your family safe. 
L.A. Unified's 9th Annual Student Recovery Day is Thursday, September 14th. To kick off "Student Attendance Month," this day allows volunteers to help keep kids in school and engaged in learning.  Click here for more information and volunteer opportunities.

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