WEEKLY MESSAGE | 9.12.20
Hi all,
It was wonderful to see so many of you – even at a distance – for Back to School Night. I continue to be in awe of the wonderful work our teachers and leaders are doing to keep the spark of learning and the connection of community alive even from afar.
Writing with a few important updates and requests:
Diagnostic Assessments/NWEA MAP beginning
Advocacy Needed
Kindness
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The Annual Giving Drive, Larchmont’s biggest fundraiser is kicking off. This year we’re going ALL IN, as this will be our primary fundraiser. Schools everywhere are facing real budgetary challenges as repeated and prolonged shutdowns will likely mean less tax revenue and slashed budgets. We know some are really struggling so we ask everyone to do what they can and if you’re doing ok, consider stretching to help cover someone who’s not. You can donate at https://www.larchmontcharter.org/give and check out Larchmont’s gorgeous new website while there. Thank you for your generous support.
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For 3 critical reasons, we are administering NWEA MAP online assessments in math and ELA to all students in grades 3-11 remotely this fall.
This assessment is to get a sense of where all students are currently achieving to help teachers target instruction and support.
We need externally valid academic data in the absence of state testing – this is especially true when dealing with LAUSD for oversight and renewal.
All schools are receiving significant one-time learning loss mitigation funds and it will be critical to be able to show pre and post-assessment data to demonstrate that the funds were targeted effectively.
We know this will be challenging to administer remotely so we thank you for your patience and partnership. This is not high stakes and not part of your student’s grade. It is important, however, for them to do their best so we have an accurate sense of their academic needs. We’re tentatively planning to administer it on Wednesdays later this month proctored over Zoom.
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The November election is pivotal - both nationally and locally. Please be sure you’re registered and vote! Please get informed about LAUSD school board elections and the candidates' positions on charters as these will impact our school for years to come.
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Lastly, just a plea to be kind to ourselves and each other. There is a heavy weight on all of us living in these times. Thank you for being kind and for all you do.
Warmly,
Amy