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Validated Stories

Spring Edition Newsletter

By #ValidatedPlan

June 8^th, 2022

What is Validated Stories?

Validated Stories is a newsletter devoted to keeping our promise of better serving Black students. In August 2022, the Validated Plan was put into practice. We tailored our schools and services to provide every Black student in Local District South with a detailed plan for success at each grade level, and monitored closely. The ultimate goal: raising the rate of Black graduates attending college.

Validated Stories Spring 2022

In this Issue:

Spotlight - Boys 2 Gentleman
Speaking My Truth - Creating a Sense of Community
Voices From the Village - Black Student Union Q&A & Teacher Village
Celebrations
In Case You Missed it

Superintendent Romero

My favorite day of the year brings us together as one community

My favorite day this year came earlier this month during an event we call, the STEAM Gala. Held at Stephen M. White Middle School in Carson, more than 1,000 of you showed up, for which I am grateful, not so much for me, but for our students. It makes Local District South, spread from Watts/Willowbrook to San Pedro, feel like one community. Indeed, a unified community.

STEAM, of course, stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students demonstrations showed important lessons they have learned in school. I spent that Saturday shuffling from booth to booth, watching the kids direct robots to pick up cubes; program model cars to run on hydrogen fuel, and launch rockets through plastic pipes, propelled by air pressure. I even saw classic board games made from recycled materials. At the stage, I found myself observing graceful dancers and young musicians.

I was drawn by the children's spirit, their creativity and yes, their genius. With more than half of our schools having STEAM programs, we have bet big that our students will find themselves in demand for colleges and careers. Given what I saw at the STEAM Gala, our children can believe in tomorrow. Their best days are yet to come.

Watch video

Michael Romero, Superintendent, Local District South

Preventing the Summer Slide

Greetings!

As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, we know that this is Mother Nature’s way of telling us that summer is on its way. However, with summer comes summer vacation for our students, so let’s talk about the “summer slide”.... and no, this is not a ride at the water park. The summer slide is the loss of academic skills over the summer vacation. Studies show that students lose an average of 17%- 34% of learning from the school year during the break. So how can you help your child combat the summer slide?

Sign your child up to attend Summer of Learning 2022 at a local Los Angeles Unified school from June 22nd to July 22nd. Students will participate in a world of exciting opportunities such as animation to filmmaking, reading, math, and language development to credit recovery in multiple academic areas.

Take your child to the LA Public or LA County Library to help them improve their reading ability and boost their reading comprehension. During the summer months, libraries have reading events, art workshops, and reading/writing contests that will keep your child interested and learning. Make sure to pick up a book for yourself and dedicate at least 30 minutes each day of DEAR (Drop Everything And Read) time for everyone in the home.

Be creative and have fun with your child by playing games like Monopoly, Boggle, and Scrabble or solving crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or jigsaw puzzles together. Not only will your child be learning academically, but you will be supporting your child’s socialization skills.

Take trips that are free or low-cost to local museums, national landmarks, state parks, hiking trails, beaches, and college campuses. Short or nearby trips allow you and your family to get out of the same environment and explore the city around you. Make it into an exciting adventure by becoming a detective and Googling the place before you get there to find out as many fun facts as you can about the place.

In Unity,

Sidra Dudley, Equity Director | Validated Plan

Real Talk: Turning Boys N2 Gentlemen

Accepting the challenge of leading young men and helping them grow

The morning after a gunman killed 21 people at an elementary school in Texas, Officer Keith Linton, rather than reviewing the stock market as a math lesson, scrapped his plans.

The fifth- and sixth graders, nearly 20 of them at 75th Street Elementary, had other ideas. They wanted to talk about the violence at a Texas school, and in their own neighborhoods.

In the past month alone, Officer Linton told them, 30 homicides and 155 shootings have been recorded in this part of South Los Angeles. The students were eager to talk, if not listen, as he led the conversation like a family.

“They want the discipline," he said later of the students, "but they want us to shut up, listen and let them have a voice.”

Officer Linton, the name he goes by, started Boys 2 Gentlemen seven years ago. Since then, he has served more than 12,000 Los Angeles Unified students.

His program an example of community partnerships Local District South uses to help provide students with mentoring.

In weekly discussions, he helps his young kings, as he calls them, release their pent-up emotions so they can stay calmer and stay focused in class.

"So today," he says, standing in front of the group, "we’re doing a listening session instead of talking about stocks and bonds.”

A weekly message of hope infuses his young kings with a sense of purpose

Growing up in the Brownsville section of New York City, Officer Linton came west and joined the Los Angeles Police Department. After 13 years, he retired to help boys struggling at school.

Infusing his young kings with purpose, Officer Linton teaches them core values. He covers self-pride, self-respect, self-motivation and other areas of self-improvement.

His goal for them is ambitious: to become what they once thought impossible. Taking a similar approach with females, Officer Linton has started a group he calls Girls 2 Young Ladies. Whether working with young queens or kings, his quest next year will expand.

He plans to help parents prioritize their children's testing for Los Angeles Unified’s gifted and talented program.

Nothing would make him prouder than seeing his kings and queens pursue college degrees, live productive lives and, of course, own their castles.

“That’s the goal,” he said.

Contact Officer Keith Linton, who wrote the children's book, "Peanut Butter and Jealous," through the B2G website.

Being in B2G

Two students at 75th Street Elementary describe, in their own words, their experience in Boys2Gentleman.

Howjuan, sixth-grade

B2G has helped me physically and mentally like when I get mad and angry and feel a type of way, I let them know, and they calm me down. They can relate to everything I talk about in school and out of school. Every time something happens, like, if there's a gunshot or if we heard a car crash or something, we text each other and say, 'Get ready to tell this to B2G.' So I was really glad that I got picked for the group because now I finally have somebody I can open up to.

Wilmer, sixth-grade

It's like Wednesday is the best day ever. We love to come here to B2G. That motivates me to get up. I'm able to express myself, and I'm able to tell my peers, 'Oh, this has happened,' or say, 'Well, I didn't feel comfortable when this happened in my neighborhood,'. B2G helps me express myself more.

Photo (L-R): Howjuan and Wilmer of 75th Street Elementary School

Creating a Sense of Community

I started volunteering at Loren Miller Elementary in the year 2000 to keep an eye on my son, Daniel, who had just started kindergarten. During the first days of school, he would cry but soon he gained independence and detached from me.

I grew up in and still live in this community. Being a former student of Loren Miller, I noticed that there were no Black volunteers at the school like when I attended. Many of the Black kids were drawn to me. I was someone that the students could connect with who looked like them but was not staff.

There were several kids that I will never forget, one of these students was Jeremy. Jeremy was always getting into trouble and most kids would not play with him. He wanted to play with my son, Daniel, and the two of them developed a friendship. One day, Jeremy asked “Why do you love Daniel so much? So, I explained to him that my love was going to help Daniel grow into the best person he could be. Jeremy shared “I am not your baby, but you love me, Ms. Harris.” Jeremy’s statement let me know that through me he felt loved. Every morning from that day on, he would say “Good morning, Ms. Harris.” and give me a big hug.

At the school, I became a vocal volunteer. Whenever I saw a problem, I tried to address it every time by talking to the students or sharing the concern with a teacher or administrator. I see myself when I look at the students. As a volunteer, I am able to advocate for my children and other Black kids. Especially for the ones whose parents never show up to school events.

I want our Black kids to know that they matter, that they are part of something that will be great. Our babies will then be motivated to learn and recognize their potential and know the power that they have inside. To develop it and run with it to the destination they want for themselves. They deserve it.

LaTasha Harris - Community Rep. at Loren Miller

A Q&A with the president of the Black Student Union at San Pedro High

Please tell me about yourself and why you wanted to become President?

My name is Onyekachi Akubue, and I am Nigerian American. The main reason why I wanted to become president of the Black Student Union was that all my life I was told that I was whitewashed or not Black enough. By becoming president, I proved to my peers that being Black does not mean succumbing to the racial stereotypes that have been put on us, but being Black is different for everyone.

How many members are in the BSU?

There are at least 15, active members, in the Black Student Union, but there are many more general members within our African American community at school that support and attend our events.

What is the mission of the BSU at San Pedro HS?

Our mission for BSU is to provide a welcoming community to our Black/African American students and to educate members about issues concerning our race. This includes discussing racial stereotypes and how to address them when we are discriminated against. Also knowing that we shouldn't let that get to us and that we still deserve to enjoy life. #blackjoy!

What is one thing the BSU feels the school is getting right so far?

One thing I have noticed was that ever since our Black History Month demonstration and performances, the school has been more “woke” on the appropriation of Black cultures and slang, but most importantly there is a greater respect for the hardships that we have had to endure.

What’s the best advice BSU would give to an incoming freshman on how to become a successful student at San Pedro HS?

Well my best advice personally would be "do everything, be you, and laugh and enjoy. High school goes by so fast and never live with regrets of past mistakes but learn from them."

Peter Watts Jr. - Founder of Teacher Village and Watts of Power, CEO

Teacher Village - Paving the path for more Black male elementary teachers in L.A. schools

Peter Watts Jr. remembers looking into the eyes of nearly two dozen second-graders at Compton Avenue Elementary as a first-time teacher and feeling, in a word, overwhelmed.

Fortunately, his mentor guided him as his students progressed during the school year from sounding out words to reading fluently.

Twenty-five years later, Watts hopes to return the favor through the Teacher Village Residency Program. The two-year experience, which includes housing and guaranteed job placement, recruits Black college males who want to teach elementary school at Los Angeles Unified or in other local districts.

Black males make up only about 2 percent of the U.S. teacher workforce. Studies show when Black students have such a teacher between the third- and fifth grades, their dropout rate improves by 40 percent, and their college acceptance rate grows by nearly a third.

In Local District South, roughly 21 percent of teachers are Black. Efforts have expanded this year to recruit more classroom teachers and counselors from local universities.

“Black teachers are a critical piece to the future of our children and communities, and there are not enough of them,” said Watts Jr., who is recruiting those looking to change career paths no matter their area of study. “We want to help remove any barriers to change that narrative.”

Developed with his wife, Didi, a lifelong educator, residents receive professional support, peer connections and soft skills for relationship building with families and communities.

Villagers will work on their teaching credential while serving as a classroom assistant. After a second year, their training school will hire them as a certified teacher.

“We want to give pre-service teachers two years of experience in a classroom setting so that when they get their credential and become the teacher of record, they're not like a brand-new teacher in the classroom," he said.

Watts felt fortunate to have his mentor, Jackie Johnson. “She shared with me the real meaning of educating kids, loving your community and staying in the profession for the long haul,” he said.

By paying forward the lessons he learned, Watts hopes to influence a new generation of Black male teachers.

Learn more about Teacher Village and Peter Watts, Jr..

“Black teachers are a critical piece to the future of our children and communities, and there are not enough of them. We want to help remove any barriers to change that narrative.

Superintendent Carvalho visits Black Student Union at Narbonne High

Shortly after putting his 100-day plan into action, Superintendent Alberto M. Carvahal visited at school sites across Los Angeles Unified, including the Black Student Union at Narbonne High School. He spent more than an hour listening to students and detailing his plans for improving the nation's second-largest school district. Afterward, Bree and Ryley described their thoughts.

College Signing Day celebrates seniors and commitment to higher education

Board of Education member Tanya Ortiz Franklin knows how to celebrate. Her annual College Signing Day, held last month at California State University at Dominguez Hills, drew the new superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho, Dominguez Hills' president, Thomas A. Parham, and well over a thousand others. They all came to cheer on seniors announcing where they will attend college.

College Signing Day

STEAM Gala: Culmination of Success

The STEAM Gala, held earlier this month, was a chance for students across Local District South to feature their school projects in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. The children, whether conducting an experiment or performing onstage, were amazing. Watch the video and see for yourself.

Purche Avenue ES teacher recognized for providing students a virtual field trip experience

Students in Dr. Chanel King’s classroom at Purche Avenue Elementary & STEAM Magnet have “traveled” to state parks across California without leaving their classroom. For this reason, Zoom Video Communications honored her in May during “Teacher Appreciation Week."

Dr. King uses PORTS, a distance learning program by Zoom and California State Parks, which nominated her after students visited a gold rush town, a restored trading post, and a place where Monarch butterflies migrate. In all, they visited nearly a dozen state parks online they would have been unable to travel to see as a class because of cost and time.

“In fourth grade, we study California history,” she told Zoom’s blog. “These opportunities through PORTS allowed my students to experience California history beyond the textbook.” Along with virtual trips, she still takes her students in-person to local attractions whenever possible, helping them learn in different ways.

West Point cadets help students build model bridges, and learn ethics

Students at Steven M. White Middle School, Monroe High School and 186th Street Elementary School spent a day with cadets from West Point. The Leadership, Ethics and Diversity in STEM Conference did not disappoint. Marking its sixth year in Local District South, students built model bridges and learned ethical decision making.

Kente stoles presented to Black graduates as ceremonies set to begin

History of Graduation Kente Stole The Kente stole is a beautiful accessory for students and teachers who want to celebrate their commencement as well as their pride in African culture. Adapted from Ghana tradition, this woven scarf-like garment is draped over the shoulders and was once only worn by royalty.

Each color in the stole has a specific meaning, for example, black is maturity/passing rites, gold is prosperity, green is growth/renewal and maroon is healing. Stoles are a popular addition to honor students at graduation ceremonies for their achievements.

#ICYMI Did the news slip past you the first time? You will want to know this.

1. Spectrum News reported on a new program that provides all first-graders in Los Angeles Unified with a savings account for college. Best of all, it already contains a $50 gift, providing a head start on paying tuition. 2. The Guardian newspaper exposes the problems pollution causes on Jordan High School's campus in Watts with a recycling firm next door.

Superintendent Carvalho and Narbonne High students attend popular Tupac exhibit in L.A.

Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho joined students from Narbonne High School on a tour in April of the “Tupac Shakur: Wake Me When I’m Free” exhibit at L.A. Live. The immersive showcase debuted in January, and explores the late rapper's life. The exhibit shows some of his main influences, including poems he wrote, books he read, and outfits he wore. His recording career lasted only for five years, but his influence remains strong. The powerful lyrics echo for a new generation.

Social posts that are must reads

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Thanks for reading the Validated Stories newsletter...!

We appreciate your support. Enjoy the summer, and our next issue will be available in September.

Footnotes

Credits: "Speaking My Truth," by Sharon Williams, Local District South. Classroom photo by Dr. Chanel King and graphic from Zoom. "College Day Signing" photos from District 7 staff.

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FootNotes

Credits: "Speaking My Truth," by Sharon Williams, Local District South. Classroom photo by Dr. Chanel King and graphic from Zoom. "College Day Signing" photos from District 7 staff.

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