Dear friends and partners, 
 

This week marked the joyous 100th day of school in LAUSD. And while our school communities worked hard to commemorate this milestone, they also grappled in classrooms to respond to tragic events near and far. In response to our nation’s epidemic of gun violence, the Board just passed my resolution to explore new strategies, such as advocacy and divestment, to curtail this unrelenting horror and its impact on our kids. 

At the same time, our work continues to accelerate academic progress, with high-dosage tutoring and more targeted instruction. We also know that kids need more socio-emotional support and enrichment to foster their wellbeing—which is why the District has launched new initiatives to provide students with mentorship opportunities and expand access to local arts and culture experiences. 

Finally, the Board commemorated Black History Month this week, with a renewed commitment to center the historical figures, events, and contributions of Black Americans in our curricula, and to center the lived experience of our Black students and families in our policy decisions—not just in February, but year round. 

Onward,