Charlotte Castagnola, Facilitator, Parent Activities
Row 1: Laura Gonzalez, Charlotte Castagnola (NNPS Key Contact), Beatriz Gutierrez, and Juan Gonzalez. Row 2: Susana Martinez, Richard Alonzo (Cluster Administrator), Phyllis Gudoski, and Alvaro Cortes.
The Polytechnic/North Hollywood Cluster is one of many “mini-districts” in the Los Angeles Unified School District. This is a “family” of 26 schools (19 elementary, 3 middle, and 4 high schools) all of which have been members of the National Network of Partnership Schools for two years. Their work is supported by a grant made possible by the Annenberg Challenge (LAAMP) and the generosity of the Weingart Foundation. The cluster/district is recognized for assisting all schools to form Action Teams with educators, parents, and community partners, and to progress in implementing programs of partnerships with diverse students and families, many of whom speak Spanish at home.
The cluster/district has demonstrated how the Facilitator for School, Family, and Community Partnerships can be integrated into the district’s leadership structure, including as a member of the Superintendent's Instructional Cabinet. The Superintendent actively supports the Facilitator’s work with principals, Action Teams, teachers, and parents at every school.
The cluster’s emphasis on improving students' reading skills means that district leaders help schools focus family involvement on reading. Activities include a parent library with children's books in English and Spanish, audio tapes, videos, and other resources. An innovative activity is for individual schools to put books on a cart at the front gate or curb of the school, so that parents who are not comfortable about coming inside begin to see that their school is reaching out to them. Parents are given other information about school meetings and services with the books they select.
Our membership in the National Network provided us with an initial organizational structure and so much more. I appreciate the opportunity to network with people involved in similar work from all across the country.
--Charlotte Castagnola, Polytechnic/North Hollywood Cluster, Los Angels Unified School District (Now Local School District B)