March 2018 
 
 
 
 

Dear District 6 Families and Community,

  Hope you are ready for a well deserved Spring Break!  I’ve now visited over 105 schools and continue to be impressed by learning in our classrooms across the East Valley.

  These past couple of weeks, I have been truly inspired by our LAUSD community. Despite the challenges we face, I have seen the resiliency, strength and power of our community’s voice. At our February Board meeting, I co-sponsored a resolution declaring March as Immigrant Student, Family, and District Staff Month. We are committed to advocating for all of our immigrant community and protect their right to public education.

 Last week on National Walkout Day, I was proud to attend Polytechnic High School’s student-led demonstration as they took a stand on school safety. I joined their advocacy in co-writing a Safe Schools Resolution that called on our federal and state lawmakers to pass gun reforms and to expand mental health supports. I had the privilege to represent L.A. Unified in Sacramento and Washington D.C. to advocate for increased education funding and a solution for our undocumented community, including those who qualify for Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals.

  As you may know, the Board is currently selecting a permanent Superintendent to be begin prior to the start of the next year school. I’ve held a series of input sessions for Board District 6 stakeholders to hear directly from parents, teachers, principals, staff and community members. Your meaningful input will guide me to best advocate for District 6 during this important process. If you weren’t able to attend my sessions, I encourage you share your input via our online survey here before April 1st.

 Sincerely,

Kelly Gonez

 
 
 
 
 

Our Priorities 


 
 
 

Expanding College and Career Readiness

 
 
 
 
 

BD6 Student Voices at Board Meeting

I was proud to have students from three District schools at our February’s Board Meeting .  Students from ArTes Magnet, Polytechnic HS and Reseda HS share their schools’ work towards college and career readiness. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Marlene Nava, CCLA-SJHA

 
 
 
 
 
 

Angel Simon, Poly HS

 
 
 
 
 
 

Rose Griesgraber, Reseda HS

 
 
 
 

   Improving School Climate

 
 
 
 

Resolution Declaring March as Immigrant Student, Family, and District Staff Month

Many of our students, families, and staff, have felt anxious and uncertain about the future due to the current national discourse around immigrants in this country.  This climate affects all of us - our students, our teachers and staff, and our entire community. To ensure we’re doing everything in our power to protect our community I co-sponsored, Declaring March as Immigrant Student, Family, and District Staff Month Resolution. Read more here.

Safe Schools Resolution

I was proud to co-sponsor the Safe Schools Resolution which calls on our federal and state lawmakers for common sense gun reform.  This resolution also reaffirms our commitment to keeping our students safe by allowing us to seek expert input to identify ways we can strengthen our effort to keeping our school communities safe from violence. Read more here.

 
 
 
 
 

 Engaging Parent and Families 

 
 
 
 

Superintendent Search Parent Input Sessions

We had over 60 families join us for our two Superintendent Search Parent Input meetings.  Parents and I engaged in an intimate conversation about what they want to see in our next L.A. Unified leader. Thank you District 6 families for your valuable input!  

 
 
 
 

 “We are One” District 6 Event

On Wednesday April 4, 208 Fulton College Prep will host a “We Are One” Immigrants’ Rights Session open to all Board District 6 families. Join us! 

 
 
 
 
 
 

District 6 Highlights 


 
 
 
 
 
 

ArTES Annual ArtRiot! 

ArTes Magnet hosted their annual arts festival, ArtRiot! ArtRiot featured a huge pop-up gallery of student art and graphic design, plus drama, dance, and music performances. Proud of our talented students!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Panorama High School New Fitness Center 

Thanks to a partnership with UCLA Health, students at Panorama High School have access to a brand new fitness center on campus. Go Pythons!!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Haddon Early Children's Center visits The Children’s Center at CalTech 

Haddon ECC currently has a STEAM infused curriculum. Principal Araujo and her teachers toured The Children’s Center at CalTech to learned about their STEM based program.   Go Principal Araujo! 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Board President Garcia Visits District 6 

L.A. Unified Board President Monica Garcia visited Vista Del Valle Elementary, San Fernando High School and Panorama City Elementary. Our schools shared all the phenomenal learning taking place in District 6.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Brainard Elementary 

V-day! 

Our wonderful Brained Ave Elementary students shared some Valentine’s Day love with the residents of County Manor Healthcare Retirement Home. Read full story here.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LDNE STEAM Fest 

Congratulations LDNE for hosting an amazing event!  LDNE STEAM Fest was an exceptional day full of hands-on learning.  It was a testament of all the magnificent STEAM Education happening in District 6. Read more here.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

San Fernando High Wins LA Rams Academic Challenge

Congratulations to our San Fernando High School Mighty Tigers football team for winning the 2017 Los Angeles Rams High School Football Academic Challenge! Go Tigers! Read full story here

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Jazz Magic at Glenwood Elementary 

Thank you Los Angeles Jazz Society for providing Glenwood Elementary students the opportunity to experience the magic of Jazz in honor of Black History Month.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Schools in the Spotlight 


 
 
 
 
 
 

 Student-Led Demonstration at John H. Francis Polytechnic High School 

Students at John H. Francis Polytechnic High School organized a #NeverAgain event to commemorate Parkland shooting victims and in support of safe schools.  Students linked arms on the football field and had a moment of silence for the Parkland victims. Read full story here.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Van Nuys High captured second place in the Los Angeles County Science Olympiad

This is the fifth year that Van Nuys High has competed in the Olympiad. The Olympiad is an LA County competition that encourages student interest and achievement in science. A team competes in events that focus on different aspects of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics and technology. Go Wolves! Read full story here.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Poet leads Verdugo Hills HS students in creating responses to Big Read LA

The Verdugo Hills High School Library & Research Center held a special poetry writing workshop in partnership with the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs’ Big Read LA program. Dr. Ashaki M. Jackson, poet and social psychologist, led a poetry workshop to further explore the Big Read LA’s selection for this year, “CITIZEN An American Lyric: by Claudia Rankine. Read full story here.



 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 Panorama HS 

¡En español! Check out local channel Univision 34 , segment about all the great things happening at Panorama High School! Watch full segment here.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Sylmar Biotech Health Academy Students are Helping Their Community Take on Homelessness

Three engineering students developed a centralized tracking system for information about the homeless and services. Read full story

here.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 

North Valley Educational Center Recognized at February’s Committee of the Whole 

I had the pleasure to honor North Valley Occupational Center at this month’s Committee of the Whole where we heard from students in both the EMT and Aviation Mechanic program. The programs offered by the Division of Adult & Career Education not only benefit our adult students, but also benefit their entire family by providing them more economic opportunities in the future and in turn provide more stability for their families. 

Thank you Principal Baker for your leadership! 

 
 
 
 
 
 

SAVE THE DATE

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Website 
 
Facebook 
 
Instagram 
 
Twitter
 
 
 
  
 
 
Direct Mail for Mac This email is powered by Direct Mail for Mac. Learn MoreReport Spam