BD7 Newsletter
February 2024
A Message from Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin
Dear Board District 7 (BD7) community,
February was filled with love and unity as we recognized the incredible dedication of our school staff, the unwavering advocacy of our students, and the invaluable support of our voters. Together, we are investing in creating enriching environments for all our students.
We honored Black History Month across LA Unified, commemorating the profound contributions of our Black students, families, ancestors and community. Additionally, we marked the second anniversary of the unanimous passing of my resolution, “Black Student Excellence through Educator Diversity, Preparation, and Retention!”
On a personal note, I also celebrated my 40th birthday this month, and I am extremely excited to create more memories during this new decade of my life. I invite you to read below to see my 40 best memories in BD7!
** Seniors, a friendly reminder to submit your FAFSA application if you haven’t done so!
#WeAreBd7
With gratitude,
Tanya
40 and Fabulous: Celebrating Tanya’s 40 Best Memories!
Check out the 40 best memories of Tanya with our BD7 team, students, families, and community.
BD7 UPDATES
College Signing Day is 2 months away!
All students and families from all school levels are invited to attend our fourth College Signing Day event on Saturday,
April 27th at California State University Dominguez Hills from
10 a.m. - 1 p.m. We can’t wait to see you all there!
To register go here.
Ritter Elementary School Homecoming
On February 23rd, Ritter Elementary School hosted their 2nd annual homecoming, to celebrate academic excellence, college-completion culture, and honor the achievements that define Black history. Our families, staff, and community saw the amazing student performances, heard from guest speakers, and engaged in activities to deepen our scholars' and community's understanding.
Bandini ES celebrates 100th Year!
Congratulations to Bandini Elementary School for their 100th anniversary! We celebrated a century of excellence in education, shaping bright minds and creating lasting memories at Bandini. May we celebrate another 100 years of success and growth for our current and future scholars.
Normont EEC Groundbreaking
On February 26th, Normont Early Education Center had its Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom. Thank you, voters! Your bond dollars are turning into an exciting investment for our schools. We're creating new outdoor classrooms to boost whole-child development. From music and nature art to climbing activities and gardening, this space will offer diverse learning experiences.
Carson HS Students Inspire Board Member to Visit
Students at Carson High School took the initiative to advocate for their voices to be heard by sharing their experiences and concerns with Board Member Ortiz Franklin via post mail. They discussed topics ranging from safety to food to health to college preparation. After receiving dozens of letters, Tanya visited their class to get deeper into the issues and to elevate their solutions. Thank you, Ms. Rios, for supporting your students. Your voices matter!
BD7 HIGHLIGHTS
BD7 Student Advisory Council
We want to highlight our amazing BD7 Student Advisory Council (SAC), who have been working tirelessly on developing an advocacy campaign. Last year, SAC developed campaigns to advocate for better access to LAUSD’s mental health services and improvements to the Dress Code policy. This year they are tackling college and career readiness and school safety. Their dedication and efforts are truly commendable, we look forward to seeing the impact of their ongoing work throughout the year. Thank you for being inspiring leaders!
Interested in joining the Student Advisory Council?
Are you a student leader who is ready to take your advocacy to the next level? If you or you know a scholar who would like to be a part of our 2024-2025 Student Advisory Council and make an impact in Board District 7, they can apply by visiting bit.ly/SAC2425. Please contact our BD7 Family & Community Engagement Manager at marilyn.alvarez@lausd.net. Download the flyer here.
LAUSD UPDATES
Become the next Student Board Member
Tutoring Program Sessions
Click here to learn more about the different tutoring programs for students.
2023-2024 School Experience Survey is LIVE!
Your voice matters. Let us know what you think! Teachers, Staff and Families can take the survey by going to lausd.org/TakeTheSES. The last day to submit the survey is Friday, March 22nd, 2024.
Office of Government Relations Updates
2024 Federal Advocacy Priorities
2024 State Advocacy Priorities
BOARD UPDATES
On Tuesday, February 12th, the Board of Education held their general meeting at 1:00 pm.
See below for updates.
Students from Hamilton High School performed at the beginning of the Board Meeting to celebrate Black History Month.
Board Approved the following Resolutions:
LCAP Mid-Year Annual Update to the 23-24 LAUSD Local Control and Accountability
Click here for the full presentation and highlights.
Board Approves
UPCOMING LA UNIFIED BOARD MEETINGS
Check out these upcoming board meetings:
Special Education Committee | Wednesday, March, 06, 2024 | 5PM
Regular Board Meeting | Tuesday, March, 12, 2024 | 1PM
Charter Committee | Thursday, March, 14, 2024 | 1PM
Curriculum and Instruction Committee | Thursday, March 14, 2024 | 3:30PM
Committee of the Whole| Tuesday, March 19, 2024 | 9AM
Greening Schools and Climate Resilience Committee | Wednesday, March 20, 2024 | 4PM
To view the meeting agenda (available on 3/12/24). You can also watch the meeting broadcasted live on KLCS (television channel 58) or YouTube
Here are a few ways to share your thoughts & feedback with the board about items on the agendas:
Sign up for public comment: boardmeeting.lausd.net/speakers (the website will be open 24 hours before the meeting)
Email: boardmembers@lausd.net
Call to leave a message: (213) 443-4472
COMMUNITY EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Address: 333 S Beaudry Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017, USA
Email: bd7@lausd.net | Phone: (213) 241-6385