Schools Los Angeles Students Deserve (SLASD) November General Assembly

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:

1. Criminalization, punishment culture and push out in schools
2. Lack of Nurses/health services for youth through schools
3. Limited College Counselors for students
4. Narrow curriculum because of an over-emphasis on standardized testing - lack of electives (arts music, ethnic studies, etc.)
5. 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:

1. Student-Led Tactics Including Post Cards for the Board of Education & Escalating Actions
2. Big Parent Meetings
3. Small Amounts of Focused Energy to Meet with Friendly Board Members
4. Building with Other Schools
5. Build with Other Organizations
6. Strengthen Communication Between Schools & Across Sectors (students with students, for example)

Approved Demands:

1. College Counselors, Nurses, and Librarians at our schools
2. More Elective & Art Classes and Ethnic Studies as a Graduation Requirement for All LA Schools
3. Fewer Students Per Class
4. Resources for School Improvement, Not IPADs for Testing
5. Stop Reconstitution in All its Names