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Dear friends and partners,
It’s hard to believe the holiday season is just around the corner—but that might be because today’s high in Los Angeles is nearly 90 degrees. As I continue visiting schools this semester, it’s easy to know what I’m thankful for this year. I’m thankful that our kids are able to be safely back on school campuses, and I’m grateful to the parents, teachers, and school staff that continue to make this possible everyday.
I’m also thankful for how far we’ve come since this time last year. COVID cases in LA County remain under control, and more than 80% of residents have received at least one dose of the vaccine. We now have a vaccine available for all children ages 5 and up, and for the first time, I’m hearing from parents that many of their kids are actually excited to get a shot.
While the end of this awful pandemic seems closer everyday, our work continues to navigate the path to recovery in our school communities. We are working to hire more teachers, support staff, nurses, and counselors to help our kids heal and learn after the crisis they’ve endured. And we soon begin the interview process for our most important hiring position: LAUSD Superintendent. I will continue to advocate for an innovative leader who will make student-centered decisions to set our families and school communities on a post-pandemic path to success. I have seen the great things this District is capable of, and look forward to building a future where every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Onward,
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We are so glad our wonderful Policy Director, and new mom, Dr. Avery Seretan, back with us from maternity leave! She and her husband, David, welcomed their first child, Henry, into the world this July. Avery first joined us in January 2020 from First 5 LA, where she managed relationships with school districts across Los Angeles County to ensure that a common tool for childhood wellbeing was adopted. She has always been a fierce advocate for creating more high-quality early education options across Los Angeles, and now as a new parent, looks forward to continuing the policy work to expand the educational opportunities for all our youngest learners. Welcome back, Avery!
