As a community schools coordinator, I know that Community Schools are not just a racial-justice based solution to some of the most deep-seated challenges that our schools continue to face, but they are also a strategy for transforming our communities. Community Schools can assure SCHOOLS CAN PROVIDE VITAL SERVICES TO STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES through collaborative leadership, and racial-just culturally relevant curriculum and pedagogy.
As a mom of a young person in High School, I know INVESTMENT IN MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS AND TRAINING FOR STAFF are critical to creating an environment in our schools where everyone can thrive. Our counselors, psychologists, PSWs, and others who work with our young people continue to have higher caseloads than what is recommended. They are overwhelmed by the amount of crises at the school site on a daily basis and need more support.
As a school board member, I will SUPPORT PARENT-Community ORGANIZING EFFORTS AND MAKE SURE THAT COMMUNITY IS ENGAGED AND PRIORITIZED IN DECISION- MAKING. Historically, LAUSD has not done a good job in including the voices of our most-marginalized community members when making decisions about our young people. I understand that getting people to feel empowered takes a commitment to organizing and building trusting relationships. I am committed to staying connected to members of our community.
We made big strides in the area of special education after the last educator strike. LAUSD needs to continue to take action in order to INVEST IN FULLY in STAFFING AND RESOURCES FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE student POPULATIONS. LAUSD needs to be a key advocate in demanding more resources from the federal government for special education. We must support our special educators to implement the most innovative and transformative teaching practices for our students.
We must continue to protect our public schools from private interests that continue to try to control our schools. Los Angeles is the epicenter of privatization and gentrification. That is not a coincidence. Public schools in L.A. are the frontline for ensuring the inhabitants of our city include those that helped to build it-poor and working class Black and people of color. We must fight the displacement of our communities as well as privatization.
Students fought and won a major victory by pushing the district to INVEST IN AND SUPPORT THE BLACK STUDENTS in LAUSD instead of continuing to criminalize them. They argue that real safety means mental health support, culturally relevant curriculum, more college counselors, restorative justice, among other things. It is important that we continue to invest in the resources that truly help our Black students and their teachers. BSAP is a historic achievement that we must protect.
Research shows that students feel safe when they trust the adults on their campus and when they feel seen and welcomed by the school staff. Safety is also created when students see themselves in the curriculum and when they are supported in moments of mental health crisis or when their families find themselves in difficult situations. Safe Passage programs that are run by people in our communities have also proven to help students feel safe when they are walking to and from school.
Now more than ever our students need to feel seen and protected in our schools. There are those who are trying to destroy our LGBTQ students’ humanity and sense of belonging for their own political gain. ALL of our students deserve to feel safe to be their whole selves’ every time they step onto our campuses. We must continue to fight for our students’ rights and support others to see this as their fight as well.
INVEST IN CAMPUS COOLING AND HEATING, ELECTRIC BUSES, SOLAR PANELS, SHADE TREES AND COVERS, DEPAVING SCHOOLS, LEAD-FREE PIPES, CLEAN DRINKING WATER AND FLEXIBLE EXTREME-WEATHER ATTENDANCE POLICIES
PREPARE TO FIGHT PRIVATIZATION SCHEMES LIKE VOUCHERS AND STUDENT-CENTERED FUNDING. INCREASE TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC INPUT AROUND EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY, LIMIT OVER-TESTING (ESPECIALLY FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS AND STUDENTS WITH IEPs)
EXPAND INFANT AND EARLY EDUCATION CENTERS FOR EMPLOYEES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS
Paid for by Karla Griego for LAUSD School Board 2024, ID# 1468231
c/o 728 W. Edna Place, Covina, CA 91722
Additional information is available at Ethics.lacity.org
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