Black Student Achievement Plan

Greetings,

As the year draws to a close, we reflect on the incredible achievements we've made together in supporting our students. This December edition of the BSAP newsletter is filled with reasons to celebrate!

Highlights from this year's progress:

• Reduced Chronic Absenteeism: Thanks to the collective effort of students, families, and staff, we have seen a significant reduction in chronic absenteeism. This means more students are in the classroom, engaged in learning, and on the path to success.

• 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project Launch: We are incredibly proud to have launched the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, with over 300 young men already inducted. This initiative provides mentorship, support, and guidance, empowering our students to reach their full potential.

We are excited to carry this momentum into the new year. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events, initiatives, and ways to get involved with BSAP.

The holidays are a time for togetherness and rejuvenation. We encourage everyone to cherish this time with loved ones, rest, and recharge for the exciting year ahead.

Thank you for being a part of the BSAP family. We wish you a joyous holiday season and a happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Travis D. Brandy, Ed.D.

Senior Director

Although the Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) had not been implemented during her time at GALA, Kahlila was among the organizers who advocated for its' passage. “We wanted a program dedicated to the holistic achievement of Black students,” she shares proudly. As a GALA student, Kahlila co-founded the Black Student Union, served in leadership as Vice President and Parliamentarian, and took on roles as a student ambassador and tour guide. Her dedication to leadership and representation set the stage for her future achievements. “One of my favorite teachers was Ms. Adrianne Warlick,” Kahlila recalls. Ms. Warlick, her AP English, Seminar, and Research teacher, supported her love for research from 9th through 12th grade.

Today, Kahlila returns to GALA to help advise students for AP Research exams, and Ms. Warlick continues to attend Kahlila’s speaking engagements. Kahlila chose UCLA after experiencing the “Coach to College” program as a high school student, which included a memorable overnight campus visit. “It really allowed me to fall in love with UCLA’s culture, dorm life, and community,” she shares. At UCLA, Kahlila has a double major in Sociology and African-American Studies with a minor in Community Engagement and Social Change. Looking ahead, she aims to pursue a Ph.D. in Education, focusing on educational equity in non-traditional spaces to support Black students in urban education.

Today, Kahlila is active in numerous organizations, including serving as the Hostess of the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a Bruin Guardian Scholars extern for the Black Bruin Resource Center, and Chairperson of the Afrikan Student Union. “The community I’ve built here has been incredible,” she says. “I’m surrounded by friends and staff who genuinely support me. It has made my UCLA experience unforgettable.” Kahlila’s journey exemplifies the power of advocacy, leadership, and community, from her days at GALA to her senior year at UCLA. We’re proud to spotlight her as an inspiring alumna making a meaningful impact!

Crenshaw STEM Magnet High School served as the proud host of an historic milestone: nearly 400 young men were officially inducted into the prestigious 5,000 Role Models of Excellence Project. This transformative initiative, founded by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, aims to empower young Black and Brown men to excel academically and contribute meaningfully to their communities. With this induction, Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) becomes the first school district in California to adopt this impactful program. In a moving ceremony, each student and mentor received the program's signature red tie, a powerful symbol of their commitment to this life-changing journey into manhood.

The red tie serves as a visual representation of their dedication to academic success, personal growth, and civic responsibility. The event was graced by an impressive roster of distinguished guests, including Congresswoman Frederica Wilson herself, alongside Mayor Karen Bass, LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, and Board Members Dr. George J. McKenna III, Dr. Rocio Rivas, Scott Mark Schmerelson, Nick Melvoin, Jackie Goldberg, Kelly Gonez, and Tanya Ortiz Franklin. This momentous occasion underscores LAUSD’s commitment to providing equitable opportunities and transformative programs for its' students. The 5,000 Role Models of Excellence Project is poised to inspire generations of young leaders who will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy in their communities and beyond.

The BSAP Family Day event provided essential support to over 1,500 families in the community for Regions West and South. This impactful day with the holiday theme of Winter Wonderland aimed to meet basic needs, offering vital resources such as food, diapers, vaccines, and eyeglasses. In addition, children received free toys that made their eyes sparkle with joy this holiday season. Families were able to access these services in a welcoming, community-centered environment. The event not only addressed immediate needs but also fostered a sense of connection and solidarity, strengthening the support network for families in the area. This collaboration exemplified the power of community partnerships in enhancing the well-being of families and supporting their ongoing health and stability.

Parents were provided with resources to best support students with academic and social-emotional needs as they prepare for middle school. Guest speakers included CCEIS Advisers, Magnet Coordinator, and Marina Del Rey and Audubon Middle School Counselors to walk parents through the LAUSD Choices application and answer any questions about what to expect with the shift from elementary to middle school. Parents learned how to sign up on on Schoology and were given school supplies and backpacks.

The LAUSD Parent Portal is an essential tool that connects families with up-to-date information on student grades, attendance, and key school updates. By signing up and staying engaged, parents become active partners in their students’ academic journey, paving the way for success. In November, Manual Arts High School launched an exciting parent portal challenge, sponsored by the BSAP team with support from Ms. Harge, Community Representative and Ms. Garcia, Region South Parent Education Support Assistant. The challenge aimed to recognize advisory classes that achieved an incredible 100% Parent Portal enrollment. Winning classes were honored with a well-deserved pizza party and a certificate of recognition for their outstanding teamwork and commitment.

This initiative underscored the power of strong school-home communication and celebrated the collective dedication of our students, parents, and advisors. School-wide BSAP Parent Portal registration is at 95%. Together, Manual Arts High School is fostering an engaged and informed school community, one connection at a time.

118th Street Elementary School celebrated their parents by providing breakfast and Bingo entertainment. Many parents were in attendance and enjoyed the great food cooked by the staff. Parents were provided with information about the importance of school attendance and encouraged to promote attendance with other parents by sharing the information provided. The parents thoroughly enjoyed this event!

On November 14, 1960, Ruby Bridges bravely walked to school and was the first Black student to integrate the formerly all-White school, William Franz Elementary in New Orleans, Louisiana. Sixty-four years later, teachers, students, and families at 99th Street Elementary commemorated Ruby Bridges Day by walking to school and holding an assembly. Students at 99th Street Elementary were reminded that it is always important to stand up for what is right and they can be part of the change we’d like to see in the world, even at their young age!

Thank you Ms. Paige for your instrumental work with Black Student Achievement!

Ms. Harvey, the special education teacher in Room 18 facilitated a book study on "Crown". The book study lasted from November 13 to November 21, 2024. Ms. Harvey selected this book to celebrate Black joy, and to provide representation for her male students. In English Language Arts, many stories feature female main characters, so she intentionally focused on the male scholars during this book study.

The BSAP Teams, under the leadership of BSAP Coordinators, Dr. Higuchi and Dr. Sklarsh, engaged in a dynamic and motivational professional development (PD) session focused on reflection and community building to support the core Tenets of the Black Student Achievement Plan around the theme of Gholdy Muhammad’s fifth pursuit, “joy”. This enriching experience brought together School Climate Advocates, Community Representatives, Restorative Justice Teachers, Counselors, Psychiatric Social Workers and Administrators, many of whom have been dedicated members of the team since Year one and continue to contribute their expertise through Year four. These long-standing members, along with newer participants, came together to reflect, build community, and explore how joy can support the core Tenets of the Black Student Achievement Plan.

Through interactive activities and thoughtful discussions, the team explored how joy can be a powerful force in fostering an inclusive and restorative school culture. As a symbol of this theme, participants received personalized keychains representing the idea of "Unearthing Joy" and their vital roles as mentors to students. The engaging activities and reflective discussions helped cultivate a shared vision, reinforcing the teams' collective commitment to creating a supportive, positive and inclusive school environment.

The myC.R.E.W. team at Fremont hosted a youth homelessness awareness campaign that highlighted the risk and protective factors associated with youth homelessness. Participants had the chance to spin the "Wheel of Youth Homelessness," answer trivia questions, and earn prizes for their involvement. Additionally, students took part in an interactive station featuring themed activities that raised awareness about youth homelessness. A special thank you to Fremont High School Principal, Ms. Esquivel, for taking time out of her busy schedule to support the initiative. Many thanks also go to the myC.R.E.W. student leaders and staff co-leader, Ms. Sardin, for organizing such a well-executed and impactful campaign.

At Century Park Elementary School, we are proud to celebrate Black student achievement as our talented students explore a variety of art mediums to express their creativity and unique perspectives. These activities are more than just fun—they play a vital role in supporting our school’s multi-tiered systems of support by providing students with meaningful outlets for self-expression. Through art, we nurture their social-emotional well-being, help them build confidence, strengthen connections, and develop the skills they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. We are very proud of their growth and accomplishments!

At 59th Street Elementary School, students were celebrated with a festive Winter Wonderland-themed event. During lunch, students enjoyed engaging in activities that brought fun and excitement to their day. They were also encouraged to complete an attendance challenge for a chance to win gift cards for Roblox or Fortnite. Students with perfect attendance throughout the 75th day milestone received an attendance certificate and a voucher to Golf N' Stuff. These creative incentives, paired with consistent efforts such as mentoring to promote the importance of regular attendance, have contributed to significant improvements in attendance rates over time.

As a result of the effective strategies that have been implemented at 59th Street Elementary School, the chronic absenteeism rate is 15%, a decrease of 35%! This percentage rate marks the lowest absenteeism rate at 59th Street EL School in years! This is due to the excellent leadership by Dr. Thompson, the BSAP PSA Counselor, Ms. Yessica Carpio and the BSAP Team who are actively involved in monitoring attendance. Way to go!!!

Paseo Del Rey Elementary Stingray Scholars celebrated the 75th Day of School with a school-wide, attendance-themed Joy & Wellness Campaign, continuing the momentum in support of one of the key tenets of the LAUSD Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP): Multi-Tiered Individual Student Support (MTSS). On this milestone day, the BSAP PSA Mrs. White, BSAP PSW Ms. Joseph, Magnet Coordinator Mrs. Diaz, Restorative Justice Teacher Ms. Pride, Parent & Community Representative Mrs. McCreary, and SOSA Mrs. Washington-Denny teamed up to design and host a two-day celebration that recognized all scholars' accomplishments. The event included interactive activities aimed at fostering positive behavior, encouraging consistent attendance, and cultivating a culture of overall positive school climate and connectedness.

Students participated in a variety of collaborative, enriching activities, including:

• 75th Day Crossword Puzzles that promoted literacy and cognitive engagement
• Spin-the-Wheel Challenge, which encouraged kindness and physical wellness through fun, active participation
• 75th Day of School Coloring Pages, combining creativity with a sense of achievement
• Coping Tools Stations, where students used engaging tools such as Pop-Its, Rubik’s Cubes, and Bop-Its to practice focus, self-regulation, and stress management

Aligned with the BSAP tenet of Multi-Tiered Individual Student Support, these activities encouraged students to come to school while celebrating their achievements. In addition, the event further promoted positive behavior, consistent attendance, and supported high academic achievement, strong social-emotional awareness, and management—while reinforcing the development of positive cultural identities. At the end of each activity, students were rewarded with colorful, positive affirmation sensory tools, which reinforced social-emotional wellness and fostered resilience, in alignment with LAUSD's six social and emotional learning competencies: self-awareness, self-efficacy, growth mindset, self-management, responsible decision-making, and social awareness.

This year’s 75th Day celebration highlighted the importance of meeting school-wide expectations at Paseo Del Rey Elementary, including being safe, respectful, responsible, kind, and appreciative of differences. Shout-out to the mighty Stingray Scholars for their dedication to positive behavior, learning, and good attendance—keep up the great work! A big thank you also goes to the BSAP team for their unwavering commitment to supporting all scholars through positive behavior, restorative justice, mental health, and community interventions. This is what joy and wellness in learning is all about! Go BSAP!

BSAP PSA Counselor Lawrence Sanders coordinated and facilitated a musical performance for the students at Ambler Ave. EL School to celebrate the 75th day of instruction. The students danced and enjoyed the young rap artists' act. The artist on this amazing school tour brings entertainment to the schools and uses the music to speak to students about the importance of learning as well as encourage students to come to school and stay in school.

Manhattan Place Elementary School celebrated the 75th day of school in the most festive way possible with a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus! The holiday cheer was in full swing as students had the chance to meet the beloved duo, share their wish lists, sing holiday songs and enjoy the magic of the season. It was a memorable day filled with joy, laughter, and holiday spirit, making the 75th day of school extra special for all!

Here are a few highlights from the fun-filled celebration of 75 Days of School "Ugly Christmas Sweater event at West Athens Elementary School! It was a fantastic day filled with festive spirit, laughter, and excitement as students and staff dress in their most creative ugly sweaters. The event also featured a special giveaway of Petersen Museum tickets, bringing joy and celebration to our school community. Take a peek at these fun moments from a day filled with holiday cheer and community spirit!

Coliseum Street Elementary School hosted its 1st annual BSAP 75th day "Paint & Sip" event. All students with 95% attendance participated in this creative and wonderful event. Kudos to Susannah Yorke-Washington, Principal, Cristopher Sanco, PSA Counselor and Kafayat Tijani CIS for creating lasting memories for students.

Wright Middle School celebrated the 75th Day of School in various ways to keep students motivated. The theme of the week was Seventies Spirit-Wear which included many holiday activities such as gingerbread cookie decorating, the Winter Concert, and Wright's Annual Spelling Bee.

Over 300 seniors from Los Angeles Unified School District attended the highly anticipated HBCU Summit at the Carson Civic Center. This impactful event provided students with the invaluable opportunity to connect with representatives from over 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Throughout the day, students engaged in meaningful conversations with admissions counselors, gaining insights into college life and the application process. They also participated in dynamic workshops focused on financial literacy, college preparedness, and crafting compelling college applications.

The event’s success was highlighted by the distribution of over 100 acceptance letters and the awarding of more than $1 million in scholarships—an extraordinary testament to the promise and potential of our students. We extend our deepest gratitude to Carson City Councilman Jawane Hilton and Stepping in the Right Direction for their leadership and dedication in organizing such a successful and life-changing event. Their efforts continue to pave the way for our students to achieve academic excellence and create a bright future.

The Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) HBCU and College Experience Committee, in partnership with USC Rossier School of Education and Dr. John Pascarella III, organized an unforgettable day for students to explore the opportunities available at the University of Southern California. The event featured engaging speakers from USC’s admissions office, an insightful student panel of current USC scholars, guided campus tours, a delicious lunch, and exciting giveaways. BSAP invited 200 students from 10 BSAP Group 1 and Group 2 schools to participate in this enriching experience. The high schools in attendance included Carson, Dorsey, Foshay, Fremont, Grant, Jordan, Los Angeles, Narbonne, Manual Arts, Rancho Dominguez, University, Venice, Taft, and Westchester.

The impact of the day was deeply felt by both students and staff. Ms. Angelique Douglas, BSAP Counselor at Narbonne High School, reflected, “It was a great experience for the students. Many want to go to USC, and this was the perfect opportunity for them to experience it.” Grace C., a student from Narbonne, shared her excitement, “I am very thankful BSAP gave us this opportunity to hear from students and staff about what they can offer my future. I can see myself here at USC!”

Ms. Jennifer Cooke from Grant High School provided a powerful testimonial, stating, “As an educator who did not graduate from high school and has a GED, being accepted into USC and completing my Master's in Teaching was life-changing. To bring my students to the campus was such an amazing and emotional experience.” One of her students, Martel S., expressed his aspirations, “USC is my dream school, and I will be applying. I am so glad we were able to see the campus!” This collaborative effort between BSAP and USC left a lasting impression, inspiring students to dream big and empowering them to see themselves as future college scholars. The event demonstrated the transformative power of partnerships in fostering academic achievement and aspirations among our students.

Under the visionary leadership of Principal Jeremy McDavid, the Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) team at 42nd St. Dual Language Elementary School is making a profound impact on the lives of their young scholars. Known for their unwavering commitment to student success, this dedicated team goes above and beyond to ensure every child receives the personalized support and resources they need to thrive academically and socially. At the heart of their mission is a deep commitment to knowing each student and their unique story. This individualized approach allows the team to provide tailored resources that meet the specific needs of their students and families. Guided by K-12 BSAP Coordinator Dai Shalon Jordan, the team employs a data-driven approach to elevate student learning outcomes, focusing on both quantitative and qualitative metrics through their Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles.

One hallmark of the BSAP team’s dedication is their proactive home visit initiative. Unlike traditional home visits that focus solely on attendance, the team extends their efforts to academic support. Every student who performed at the "basic" level on state assessments received a personal home visit to discuss how the school and team can collaboratively support the family in driving academic growth. This innovative strategy underscores their motto: "Whatever it takes, going above and beyond to accomplish the task!"

Principal McDavid has set high standards and expectations for his team, who work tirelessly to improve student achievement. Their team meetings are rich with discussions on culturally responsive pedagogy, assessments, and targeted interventions, ensuring their work remains anchored in what is best for students. Principal McDavid praises the team’s synergy, stating, "The BSAP team works well together, communicates effectively, and knows all their students individually." The students at 42nd St. Dual Language Elementary School respond positively to the BSAP team’s hands-on approach, knowing they are cared for and supported by a team that is fully invested in their success. Through their collaborative efforts, high standards, and unwavering dedication, the BSAP team at 42nd St. is not just achieving success—they are transforming lives and shaping brighter futures for their scholars.