Schools Los Angeles Students Deserve (SLASD) General Assembly
Thursday, November 6, 2014
4:20-6:45PM
St. Marks Lutheran Church
3651 South Vermont Ave,
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(2 blocks north of the Expo line's Vermont station)
The 2014-2015 school year is our time to take concrete action together and change the educational system and bigger systems that shape it.
Our key focal areas are:
- Criminalization, punishment culture and push out in schools
- Lack of Nurses/health services for youth through schools
- Limited College Counselors for students
- Narrow curriculum because of an over-emphasis on standardized testing - lack of electives (arts music, ethnic studies, etc.)
- School destabilizations like reconstitutions that force an end to critical programs or push out veteran staff, especially African-American staff
Please join us as we move forward with exciting new steps and actions!
Rosa Jimenez's notes from previous General Assembly:
At SLASD's most recent General Assembly (October 2), participants forged ahead with a new student campaign, parent organizing, and coordination of teacher actions at 14 schools across LA.
The meeting was largely facilitated by students, and students led their own student-only discussion to develop their plan of action.
This week, students in at least 6 different schools across LA are kicking off a postcard petition drive to demand changes in their schools. Students from several different high schools collaborated to develop the postcards, which postcards will be delivered to the School Board in a creative action that highlights students' voices.
Parent and community organizers are in the process of reaching out to neighborhood councils & parent advisory councils, and plan to participate in UTLA parent / community forums, as well as build townhall meetings to represent the power of parents and community.
Teachers plan to support student and parent/community organizing, as well as organize co-workers at their schools sites around an understanding of the importance of building connections with parent and student communities.
Schools Present:
- STEM Academy of Hollywood
- Maya Angelou Community High School
- Santa Monica College
- UCLA Community School - Robert F. Kennedy Campus
- New Open World Academy - Robert F. Kennedy Campus
- Manual Arts High School
- Dorsey High School
- Charles White Elementary School
- Los Angeles High School
- Loreto Elementary School
- Palms Middle School
- Hamilton High School
- Alta Loma Middle School
- North Hollywood Highly Gifted Magnet High School
Movement Snapshot:
The Blowouts in East LA - focus on role of base-building and organizing in making the Blowouts possible
Discussion & Vote on Our Strategy & Demands for the Upcoming Period:
Approved Strategy:
- Student-Led Tactics Including Post Cards for the Board of Education & Escalating Actions
- Big Parent Meetings
- Small Amounts of Focused Energy to Meet with Friendly Board Members
- Building with Other Schools
- Build with Other Organizations
- Strengthen Communication Between Schools & Across Sectors (students with students, for example)
Approved Demands:
- College Counselors, Nurses, and Librarians at our schools
- More Elective & Art Classes and Ethnic Studies as a Graduation Requirement for All LA Schools
- Fewer Students Per Class
- Resources for School Improvement, Not IPADs for Testing
- Stop Reconstitution in All its Names
