During the 2022-23 school year, I chaired the Board of Education’s Family & Community Engagement Committee. The committee discussed strategies to strengthen communication with LAUSD families, shape stakeholder engagement practices, examine emerging needs among families, and address opportunities for adult learning.
2022-2023 Meeting Dates
October 12, 2022
December 14, 2022
February 1, 2023
April 12, 2023
June 7, 2023
2022-23 Committee Members
Committee Members
Scott M. Schmerelson, Chairperson
Nick Melvoin, Board Member
Tanya Ortiz Franklin, Board Member
District Members
Antonio Plascencia, Director, Office of Parent & Community Services
Pia Escudero, Executive Director, Student Health & Human Services
My T. Huynh, Chief Administrative and Education Counsel
Other Partners
Anvi Kevany, Parent, President of Highlands Council of PTA's
Cathie Chenoweth, School Liason, Los Angeles Public Library Engagement and Learning
Jenna Schwartz, Parent, Teacher, Co-founder Parents Supporting Teachers
Yolanda McCoy, Project Specialist, Los Angeles Neighborhood Initiative
Abigail Lee, Senior, Van Nuys High School
Lisa Salazar, General Manager, Youth Development Department, City of Los Angeles
Jessica T. Boro, Parent/Former LAUSD Educator
Everil Nelson, Parent in BD7, Family Advisory Council, and BSAP Family Advisory
Topics Discussed
October 12, 2022
- LAUSD Compensatory Education Plan being presented at CAC, PAC, and DELAC meetings.
- Strategy and Innovation presentation on the LCAP and how parents can see their child’s school’s progress. There will also be an opportunity for feedback from the community.
- The Division of Student Health and Human Services provided a roadmap for Wellness, Social Emotional Learning, and Student Achievement.
- Committee members provided insight into what they would like to see in coming meetings.
December 14, 2022
- LAUSD Facilities Services Division talks about ongoing and planned construction/maintenance for buildings focusing on schools most in need.
- Office of Health Emergency Response & Support on covid safety protocols, fentanyl awareness.
February 1, 2023
- Financial literacy for students and families through the California Credit Union.
- School planning & Budget development and teaching families how to get more involved in this process.
April 12, 2023
- Support welcoming school environments where students, parents, teachers, and administrators help students thrive.
- School safety is being reinforced through technology and new training.
June 7, 2023
- Division of Adult and Career Education on the growth of career technical training, programs offered, and future expansion plans.
- Students coming from foreign countries are enrolling in LAUSD and the Multilingual Multicultural Education Department helps them transition into this new space, helping them be successful at school and post-graduation.
Major Highlights
- 10/12/22 – Members of the public can now submit feedback through an online survey for the LCAP update.
- 10/12/22 – Roadmap for Wellness, Social Emotional Learning, and Student Achievement allows parents/caregivers tools to support their children through safety and self-efficacy.
- 12/14/22 - $6 billion of works underway by this point in the year, with $4 billion of construction.
- 12/14/22 – At least one bottle filling station in each school; 77% already done.
- 2/1/22 – California Credit Union offering financial literacy tools to students and families, wants to expand its partnership with LAUSD.
- The School Site Council approves funds through School Plans for Student Achievement. Families can view the process by visiting the website.
- 4/12/23 – The Student and Family Wellness Hotline received over 13,000 calls yearly.
- 4/12/23 – Board and District have set aside $6.7 million in one-time funds for all schools.
- Los Angeles Schools Anonymous Reporting (LASAR) is active and has assisted in safety threats and narcotics.
- 6/7/23 – 26% increase in Career Technical Education (CTE) students from the previous year.
- 6/7/23 – International Academies in Belmont High School, Bernstein High School, Van Nuys High School, and Monroe High School joining next year; 119 students in the Refugee Education Support Program.
Committee Recommendations
- Request the district make a document with parent-specific positions with the school's name and region, making it easier for families to find resources and get more involved.
- A one-page guide on how to get more involved with the district and volunteering opportunities has been developed. Guide to Volunteering: Virtual and On-Campus
- The committee has inquired about how many schools currently have financial literacy programs or options.
- A recommendation is that the committee establishes a relationship with a credit union to expand these programs to more LAUSD students.
- The committee has inquired about further mental health resources for students and staff. This would include a one-page document with key phone numbers for parents and staff to call.
- Designated School Officials (DSO) anticipate this resource to be available by August or September.
- The committee recommends updates from every LAUSD school regarding emergency drills, planning, and execution.
- The committee recommends promoting the LASAR system with the city.
- The committee has inquired about the completion rate for adult education.
Acknowledgements
- Ms. Silvia Martinez, Board District 3 Chief of Staff
- Mr. Zimri Padilla, Board District 3 Policy Assistant
- Dr. Andrew Thomas, Director of the Independent Analysis Unit
- Ms. Megan Besecker, Senior Analyst of the Independent Analysis Unit
- Ms. Pia V. Escudero, Director of Student Health and Human Services
- Mr. Antonio Plascencia, Director of Parent and Community Engagement
- Mr. My T. Huynh, Chief Administrative & Education Counsel