May 2023

A Greater LA Together

Dear Partners,

As we near the end of another academic year, we reflect on the milestones achieved in our schools. From academic and artistic achievements to sporting victories and community service initiatives, the collective accomplishments in LA County are a testament to the indomitable spirit that unites us. The Greater LA Education Foundation (GLA) is proud to celebrate these successes, express our gratitude to exceptional teachers and school staff, and wish all graduates the best as they embark on a new chapter with renewed enthusiasm. We also acknowledge that our work is not yet complete. There is still much to be done to ensure a brighter future for our children and family. Together, we shall continue to strive for excellence, promote inclusivity, and seek innovative solutions to the challenges that lie ahead.

Thank you for being an integral part of our vibrant community. On behalf of the GLA team, we wish you a joyful summer!

Sincerely,

Kerry Lynn Franco

President & Chief Deputy of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation

Celebrating a Greater LA

In March, GLA hosted its official launch event, "Celebrating A Greater LA" three years after its inception due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The event highlighted the Foundation's work since its inauguration in 2019 which includes:

$10 million in contributions to our school districts
$4 million in technology, basic needs relief and district investments to support pandemic recovery
$20 million to open after school teen Tech Centers
$3 million investment to support LACOE's Community Schools Initiative

This could not be possible without the tremendous support of our sponsors and partners.

The event also showcased GLA’s newest report, "Community, Culture, Voice: Supporting Social Emotional Learning for Multilingual Learners in Los Angeles County," and recognized the inspirational leadership of Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo who envisioned GLA to facilitate strategic partnerships and innovation to solve the region’s pressing educational equity challenges. In honor of Dr. Duardo’s impactful career and dedication to the students of LA County, GLA Board Chair, Dr. Monte Perez, announced a new scholarship fund in her honor.

If you would like to contribute to the Dr. Debra Duardo Scholarship Fund to support LA County students pursuing higher education, click here.

New Report on Supporting SEL for Multilingual Learners in Los Angeles County

Download Report

In partnership with LACOE’s Multilingual Academic Services Unit and Education First, GLA released the second in a series of research reports that explore critical issues affecting English Learners in Los Angeles County. “Community, Culture, Voice: Supporting Social Emotional Learning for Multilingual Learners in Los Angeles County” examines the research, systems, and practices that support education leaders in LA County to better understand, design, and implement effective approaches to social and emotional learning for multilingual learners.

The report offers original research, interviews with classroom educators, school and district administrators, and students, and recommendations that can serve as a starting point to supporting multilingual students in their social and emotional learning to thrive in school and life.

Join Us for a Presentation of Findings!

We invite you to join us on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 3:00 PM for a presentation of findings and a conversation with a panel of experts that will explore strategies to meet the social, emotional, and academic needs of multilingual learners in LA County.

Featured Speakers

Aline Matias, Consultant, Education First
Dr. Soomin Chao, Project Director, Multilingual Academic Support Unit, Los Angeles County Office of Education
Dr. Natalie Taylor, Director of Intervention and English Learner Programs, Claremont Unified School District
Gloria Corral, President and CEO of the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE)

Now Accepting Proposals for the LA Community Impact Hub!

GLA, Annenberg Foundation, and Best Buy Foundation are hosting a third RFP to select three additional CBO partners to host Teen Tech Centers and be part of the LA Community Impact Hub! We are looking for non-profit organizations who are currently serving teens after-school in El Monte, Compton, and Southeast Los Angeles.

The RFP opened on May 1, and we will be accepting proposals until Friday, June 23. Click here for more information or to access the application!

Want to learn more about the Community Impact Hub, the Teen Tech Center grant, or how to apply?

We will hold an informational webinar on Tuesday, May 23 at 11:00 am PST. Click below to register. We look forward to seeing you there!

Los Angeles County Dual Enrollment Convening

In March, GLA partnered with LACOE, Career Ladders Project, UNITE-LA, and the Foundation for Los Angeles Community Colleges to host a regional dual enrollment convening for high school counselors, district admin, and community college representatives to build a shared understanding of dual enrollment programs and policies, explore bright spots throughout the region, and share additional information on funding opportunities. Additionally, attendees learned about regional programs and structures available to support equitable dual enrollment programs, such as the Golden State Pathways and Dual Enrollment state grant opportunities and the Los Angeles Regional K-16 Collaborative.

For those interested, all event materials including presentation slides and additional resources can be found here.

Later this year, GLA will release a comprehensive collection of tools and resources, assembled by leaders throughout LA County, for school, district, and college practitioners and leaders to gain a better understanding of how to begin, maintain, and continuously improve high-quality and equitable dual enrollment partnerships and programs. Stay tuned for more information!

TOY Equitable Innovation Grantee Spotlight

Daniel Chua at Santana High School received a 2023 TOY Equitable Innovation Grant to provide golf as an after school activity. Santana High School is a continuation school for students that need extra support and flexibility, individualized help, or self-paced learning. The golf club allows Santana students to develop an excitement for a sport that might otherwise be inaccessible to them.

The club has been particularly exciting for the girls in the class. According to Daniel, one student was only willing “to watch at first. The next day she participated and hit some great shots, so her natural confidence and success was a highlight for everyone. That same student was more willing to work in class and get her math done...I’m really thankful for the ability to provide this for the following classes for years to come!” Learn more about this year's grantees here.

LACOE Updates

LACOE Podcast: Let Me Add to That

On the latest episode of LACOE's Podcast, Mental Health is Wealth, Dr. Debra Duardo, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools, and Dr. Emily Hernandez, Director of Employee Assistance Service for Education, discuss the various ways organizations can better support wellbeing among education staff. Both offer ideas leaders can use to create a healthier work environment for themselves and their teams.

Listen Here

Partnership Opportunities & Recaps

Expanded Learning Landscape Survey

GLA, the LA STEM Collective, ExpandLA, and Claremont Graduate University are conducting an important survey to better understand the needs of expanded learning and out of school time providers across LA County, as well as develop a county-wide provider directory to bridge the gap between providers and districts and schools seeking to expand their services for students.

If you are an expanded learning provider, please consider taking the survey here: Landscape of Expanded Learning Survey 2023.

Summer Job Fair and Pop-Ups

Together LAUSD, the City of LA, and ExpandLA are hosting a job fair for Summer Program Staff job opportunities. The fair will take place on Thursday, May 25th from 10 am to 2 pm at Los Angeles City College.

Additionally, ExpandLA will host several pop-ups at community colleges to further promote and raise awareness of summer job opportunities across Los Angeles. If your organization has open summer staff positions and is interested in tabling at the job fair, please contact Denise Becerra at Denisse.Becerra@expandla.org.

Summer Breakout

In March GLA, Partnership for Children and Youth, and LACOE ELTAU hosted a webinar for school districts in Los Angeles to get inspired for summer program planning.

The event highlighted programs that have utilized community partners to enhance student's summer experiences. GPSN and LA STEM shared their success from the past two summers. Working in partnership to bring high quality STEM programming throughout LAUSD summer program sites. Montebello USD Arts Coordinator, Ricardo Ramirez, shared their district’s success of bringing in new arts partnerships to serve students in the school day that also bridges to out of school time programming.

Share Your Feedback on STEAM Resources for K12 Classrooms!

The Education Department of the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles invites district instructional coordinators to join a one-hour interview to share their valuable feedback on STEAM Resources for K-12 classrooms. Interviews take place this May, virtually via Zoom. As a thank you, each participant will receive a $50 Amazon e-gift card.

If you are interested and/or have any questions about this opportunity, please contact Jordan Cruz at JMcruz@getty.edu.

In Case You Missed It

An Education: The Debra Duardo Story

GLA’s launch event featured the premiere of a video that shares Dr. Duardo’s incredible story. The video was created to share with Los Angeles County youth and families who may see themselves in her story and be inspired by her ability to move past many of the challenges she faced to become superintendent of the nation’s largest regional education agency.

Summer of Joy Website is now live!

The Summer of Joy website is now live at www.lasummerofjoy.org and provides families access to both LAUSD and the City of Los Angeles’ summer program registration websites. Look for Digital ads on GPSN’s social media platforms to help raise awareness and encourage families to enroll through LAUSD or city summer programs.

Support Student Scholarships

The LACOE Legacy Program at GLA is a collection of various scholarship funds and special initiatives. Legacy programs are tailored to meet diverse needs and provide direct support to students and educators across the 80 school districts in LA County. Donate today to support scholarships that will be awarded this spring. Your gift, in any amount, is appreciated.

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