Black Student Achievement Plan

Each month, the San Pedro Rotary Club honors exceptional students who demonstrate academic excellence and personal growth. For the month of September, BSAP student Isaiah was selected for this prestigious recognition. Isaiah’s success story is a testament to the power of support and resources in fostering student achievement. Last year, Isaiah faced a number of personal and academic challenges, which temporarily hindered his progress. However, thanks to the unwavering support from the BSAP staff, Isaiah has made significant strides, overcoming obstacles and reclaiming his path to success. Isaiah discussed his future aspirations, saying, "I’ve always been passionate about helping others, which is why I want to pursue a career in the medical field and become a doctor.

My favorite subject is math because it challenges me to think critically, and I know those skills will be important in medicine. After high school, I’m aiming to attend either UCLA or USC, where I can further my education and take the steps needed to reach my goal of becoming a doctor." BSAP Counselor Michael Fleming glorified Isaiah with the following words, "Isaiah's growth over the past year has been nothing short of remarkable," said BSAP Counselor Michael Fleming. "He has shown incredible perseverance, adapting to challenges with maturity and focus. Isaiah’s commitment to improving himself, both academically and personally, exemplifies the kind of character we aim to cultivate in all our students.

His journey is an inspiration to everyone in our community." BSAP Restorative Justice teacher Ezeh Chinedu praised Isaiah’s transformation, stating, "Isaiah’s journey demonstrates the profound impact of resilience when coupled with the right guidance. He has taken ownership of his challenges and turned them into opportunities for growth. Today, he stands as a model student, inspiring his peers through his commitment and hard work. We are immensely proud of his progress and look forward to seeing him continue to excel both in and out of the classroom."

Lei'ah Brown, a freshman at Clark Atlanta University, is currently pursuing a major in Business with a concentration in Sports and Entertainment Management, and a minor in Real Estate. Her journey to this prestigious Historically Black College and University (HBCU) began at Narbonne High School, where she actively participated in the Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP). Lei'ah’s high school experience was shaped by her involvement with BSAP, a program that provided her with guidance, support, and opportunities to explore her post-secondary options. One of her fondest memories from Narbonne was working as a TA in the BSAP office, which she described as a "comfort space." It was a place where she could connect with friends and staff who cared about her success. Narbonne’s academic workload was challenging yet manageable, but it was the exposure to college life through BSAP that truly prepared her for the next steps. Leiah credits BSAP with helping her navigate important paperwork and introducing her to college tours, which played a critical role in shaping her future.

She attended both the junior and senior BSAP college tours, and it was on these trips that her passion for HBCUs was solidified. While she always knew she wanted to attend an HBCU, it wasn’t until she set foot on the Clark Atlanta University campus that she knew it was the right fit. She immediately fell in love with the school and its vibrant community, solidifying her decision to enroll. Now in her first year at Clark Atlanta, Leiah reflects on how incredible the experience has been. She’s met students from across the country, and her time there has lived up to every expectation she had. While the three-hour time difference between Los Angeles and Atlanta has been a minor adjustment, Leiah embraces the challenge and is thriving in her new environment. One major difference she noted between high school and college is the strong sense of community among her peers in Atlanta—being surrounded by "her people" in a way that she hadn't fully experienced back home. The transition to college life has been smooth, thanks in large part to the support of Clark Atlanta’s administration, which has been present from the beginning to ensure students have a seamless transition.

Lei'ah remains deeply grateful for the support she received from Narbonne's BSAP, which she believes is the reason she is at Clark Atlanta today. Leiah has a message for the Narbonne High School class of 2025: “Get your college applications in as soon as possible. College isn’t scary, even though it can be a little difficult. Do something that makes you happy. Don’t be afraid to move away for college and experience life in another state. College is a once-in-a-lifetime experience—take advantage of it!” Lei'ah Brown’s journey is a testament to the power of BSAP and the importance of creating spaces and opportunities that help students reach their full potential. With her drive, passion, and the support she’s received, Leiah is well on her way to making her mark at Clark Atlanta University and beyond.

The partnership between Black Student Achievement, the Umoja Program, and the Los Angeles Community College District has opened up limitless opportunities for our students. This event was a day filled with learning, collaboration, and networking, laying the groundwork for a pathway to success and academic achievement!

BSAP’s HBCU and College Experience Committee partnered with UCLA’s Simone Rahotep, PhD, Director, Strategic Partnerships & Community Engagement. We collaboratively planned a phenomenal day for our students to experience speakers from the admissions office, a student panel of current UCLA students who were formerly LAUSD students, guided tours, lunch, and giveaways.

BSAP invited 200 students from 10 BSAP 1 and 2 schools to participate in an amazing day's experience at UCLA. The high schools who attended were Cleveland, Crenshaw, Dymally, GALA, Hamilton, J.F. Kennedy, North Hollywood, and Santee. Students and staff had an awesome experience and expressed their gratitude. Crenshaw High student, Ja’nyah R. joyfully expressed, “I enjoyed attending UCLA Access Day. I found it to be informative and useful. I was able to speak with the Director over admissions regarding my major and he provided helpful tips. I was able to take a tour of the campus and see the UCLA dancers and a fraternity step.”

Ms. Loniece Wright, BSAP Counselor at Crenshaw High, stated, “this was a phenomenal experience for our students to be exposed to UCLA’s campus and hear from actual UCLA students.” BSAP Counselor at Hamilton High, Jade Campbell, stated, “The UCLA College Access Day was such a great experience for my students. I have several underclassmen that now have their eyes set on applying to UCLA!” This is just the beginning of a fruitful relationship with Dr. Rahotep’s team.

BSAP "We are Family / Data Chat Day", workshops were held to discuss critical data with parents including i-Ready Math & Reading "BOY" Assessment Results, Attendance Data, A-G Data, Wellness Programs and much more. After sharing data, Fremont Staff provided a BBQ Lunch and prizes for our Black parents and students who attended.

During the meeting, students had the unique opportunity to ask questions about their attendance, the rewards they can earn for being consistent, and the significance of showing up to school every day. We also discussed the different attendance bands, goals, and incentives designated to support each of our students in reaching their full potential.

To help students stay on track, every student was given an attendance tracker for the month of October. This tracker will help them monitor their progress and encourage them to meet their goals. Having Mr. Johnson and our principal in attendance gave the students extra motivation to do their best. It was a wonderful experience for our students to interact with our guest principal from the Rams, who is an example of commitment both on and off the field.

The Barak Obama Global Preparation Academy's BSAP team recently hosted its first “Pop and Paint” event. The goal was to strengthen school-community relationships and promote mental wellness among BSAP families, and it turned out to be a huge success. Set in an art studio-like environment, families were welcomed with jazz music, soda pop and an array of canvases. They selected scenic images like flowers and beaches, receiving tips on painting techniques such as highlighting and shadowing to create their own works of art.

During the event, the BSAP team introduced themselves and explained how they support both students and families. A highlight of the evening was a history lesson that outlined the importance and benefits of the Black Student Achievement Plan. Families expressed gratitude for the event, sharing how it gave them a rare moment of relaxation. Some even discovered painting as a new hobby to enjoy with their children. The success of "Pop and Paint" has generated excitement for future events, with many already asking when the next one will take place.

**Go Team Obama!**

Taft High School hosted its First Black Student Achievement Plan (BSAP) ENGAGE Conference, welcoming students from grades 9 through 12 for a day dedicated to empowerment and growth. In partnership with The Village Nation, the event featured workshops focused on key topics to help prepare students for future success.

Conference Highlights

• College Readiness: Workshops covered college applications, scholarships, and building a strong academic profile.
• Black Health and Wellness: Students learned strategies for mental and physical well-being, addressing challenges unique to the Black community.
• Financial Literacy: Experts guided students through budgeting, saving, and investing, equipping them with essential money-management skills.
• Goal Setting & Life Skills: Sessions focused on time management, accountability, and personal goal setting, providing students with actionable plans for their future.
• Taft Backstage Pass: Students explored leadership and extracurricular opportunities at Taft, encouraging active involvement on campus.

The conference also offered students valuable time to network and reflect. Its success was amplified by the partnership with The Village Nation, which ensured culturally relevant and empowering programming. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the 2024 BSAP ENGAGE Conference an inspiring and impactful event! We look forward to building on this success next year.

The Million Father Family March has been part of the Cimarron Avenue Elementary School community since 2016. It is a special event held annually where fathers & father-figures walk their children to school. This year the fathers gathered on the main yard with their children where they were greeted by principal Rivers and Mr. McCloud, BSAP PSW. Fathers, uncles, cousins, grandparents were honored by two beautiful student speeches from 5th graders, Korie Hammons & Santara Edwards. The encouragement they shared made you teary-eyed.

A Cimarron father, Tyson Toob, shared his experience with uplifting words that captivated the audience. Two community organizations, The Love We Don't See and Grandparents As Parents were on hand to provide resources. The event concluded with a solidarity march around the inside perimeter of the school yard and a Parent Workshop with breakfast and refreshments in the auditorium.

The Parent Workshop featured a presentation from “Project Fatherhood,” on ways to empower dads to build strong relationships with their children. It was great to see so many fathers & families celebrate the power of being present in their children’s lives.

October is recognized as Anti-Bullying Month in an effort to bring awareness to children and families about the topic. Mr. Perkins, the BSAP Pupil Service & Attendance Counselor and Ms. Brown, BSAP Psychiatric Social Worker teamed up at Seventy-Fourth Street Elementary to bring students relevant strategies they can use to recognize when bullying is occurring, and strategies that will help them be more proactive.

In the lesson, scholars received bonus tickets as they engaged in the lesson. Scholars identified the different types of bullying and solutions to stand up against bullying. They learned key vocabulary such as bullying, bystanders, upstanders, cyber bullying, social bullying and much more.

Mrs. Batiste, RJ Teacher at 74th Street Elementary School engages students in a restorative justice circle addressing different points of views. She meets with classes weekly to ensure students learn about strategies that will help them with peer conflicts. In this lesson, she had two students standing in front of a number. She asked them what number they saw. Depending on the direction the student was standing, one said 6 and the other a 9. She followed up with questions asking them why they saw different numbers. This led to the discussion about having different perspectives and understanding that it is okay to agree to disagree.

Last year, Ms. Smith worked with a new teacher to address some negative behaviors that were happening in one of her classes. She met weekly for community-building circles. She started off light by playing games that required group participation. Once the students got used to her, she delved into deeper topics that helped them build meaningful relationships with each other and their teacher, such as creating academic and social-emotional S.M.A.R.T Goals. After six weeks the teacher had a decrease in discipline referrals, a decrease in using support staff to deal with students’ negative behaviors, and the teacher began using restorative practices regularly with their students.

Ms. Smith is most proud of the work she did in 2023. She created and planned, with the help of the BSAP team, Narbonne’s first community event: It Takes a Village. She had never planned a big event, but with the encouragement and support of her former assistant principal, Dr. Lavon Flowers, they created an experience for their community with food trucks, local vendors, community organizations, a DJ, and performances. Principal, Dr. Heather Karuza participated and taught participants how to line dance!

With a beaming smile, Ms. Smith proudly stated, “It felt good to see an idea I had come to fruition in such a successful way.” She believes in being authentic and fully approaches her work with honesty, compassion, and meaningful conversations with students. Ms. Smith proclaims, “I’m here to support them on their journey to adulthood and sometimes that requires tough love. I think students understand and appreciate that tough love. I provide a listening ear and I make sure they have the support they need. I also have an open-door policy and make my office a comfortable and welcoming space. “

Ayana R., an active BSAP student stated, “Mrs. Smith has helped me in numerous ways, but what stands out is how she helps me process my emotions. She is my trusted adult on campus. One day I was having a really bad morning and when I got to school I knew I wanted to talk to Mrs. Smith. She knew exactly how to talk to me and exactly what to say. She was comforting and what she said to me was exactly what I needed in that moment.” A’milyon W. defends, “I was having a rough morning. I came into the BSAP office and I just wanted to cry. The first person I thought about going to was Mrs. Smith. I vented to her and she was a good ear. She listened to me and gave me good advice. It honestly made me want to cry even more. I was like, dang Mrs. Smith, you really get me. She has really helped me and is someone I can lean on. She’s a very sweet soul.”

Ms. Amber Smith’s recognition as Narbonne High School BSAP Employee of the Month is a testament to the incredible impact she has on the school community. Her unwavering commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and affirming space for students reflects her deep passion for restorative practices and social-emotional learning. Whether through leading community-building circles, organizing the school's first "It Takes a Village" event, or providing individual support to students like Ayana R. and A’milyon W., Ms. Smith's dedication shines brightly. Her ability to blend compassion, honesty, and tough love helps her students navigate their emotional and academic journeys, leaving an indelible mark on those she serves. Narbonne is fortunate to have a leader like Ms. Smith, whose work continues to transform the lives of students every day.

Baldwin Hills Elementary School hosted a DIBELS Workshop. Families gathered in a shared space to engage in early foundational reading skills and received resources to support their students. Families learned about letter sounds and how to articulate the sounds correctly to promote proficiency for encoding and decoding. They were encouraged to use free literacy platforms offered by LAUSD to promote their students' literacy success. Ms. Allen-Matora, BSAP Designee, will host data chats via Zoom so families can dive deeper in understanding their student’s mClass Family Connect Letters. Slide Deck from the presentation DIBELS Workshop: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19nqUDYe5wagiuEZb6O-3n0OCStXEmK8EdWi7E8YyD2g/edit?usp=sharing

The myC.R.E.W. team at Fremont hosted a suicide awareness lunch and learn. The Lunch and Learn focused on suicide intervention and prevention; and culturally responsive protective factors impacting Black students. Through written expression, students shared their beliefs and understanding about the definition of mental health.

Students also spun the "Wheel of Mental Health", answered questions related to suicide risk and mental health, and were awarded a prize. In the end, the students increased their awareness of the importance of self-expression and reaching out for support in the event they feel triggered. Kudos to BSAP PSW, Mr. Michael Watts, school-based PSW Mr. Payes, and myC.R.E.W. co-leader Ms. Sardin, for their awesome leadership during the event.

Attendance is on the rise at Manhattan Place Elementary and La Salle Ave. Elementary. Both schools have made incredible progress in addressing chronic absenteeism!

• Manhattan Place ES is one of the few schools where chronic absenteeism for Black Scholars is 2% lower than the school’s overall chronic absenteeism.
• La Salle Ave. ES has made significant strides, with school-wide chronic absenteeism and BSAP chronic attendance.

As always, thank you for your dedication to weekly home visits and your efforts in improving attendance for our Black scholars.

In collaboration, Ms. Benitez, School-Based PSA Counselor and Ms. Malikin, BSAP PSA Counselor, La Salle Avenue Elementary celebrated the 25th day of school with a Bubble Party. Every student received a bubble. Students and staff were also able to sign the Attendance pledge to attend school every day and on time.

The school also held an Attendance Pop Up party in October to encourage students to attend school the day after our unassigned school day on October 3rd. All students present were able to spin the wheel and win a prize.

The amazing PSA Counselors, Ms. Moss & Ms. Morales at Manhattan Place Elementary School celebrated attendance during lunch after completing their first week of school! Students who participated in writing their "goal" for this school year picked a prize from the treasure box. In addition, music, coloring pages, and bubbles filled the day for students to enjoy during their Fun Friday 🙂. The school also celebrated attendance milestones by walking the red carpet in style! Students dressed to impress in their favorite outfit for spirit day and engaged in a celebration during lunch. Students played musical chairs, created their own star of fame, and received sunglasses!

Abel Haslem, 2nd Grader (pictured above) won the attendance raffle for being at school the day after our 4 day Labor Day weekend. He is a star attendance student at Manhattan Place with 96.08% attendance rate 🙂

Tom Bradley Global Awareness Magnet celebrated the 50th Day of school with treats from Southern Girl Deserts, located in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall. The theme for the day was 50’s theme dress attire and during lunch our students participated in a Pixar Theme Scavenger Hunt. After completing the Scavenger Hunt, our students received an additional treat.

The Cheer Squad at 74th Street Elementary School led by Ms. Jacobo, School Climate Advocate greeted students in front of the school on the morning of the 50th Day of School. Their cheerful chants brought smiles and happiness to the scholars.

Woodcrest Elementary recognized their Black scholars and families. Students and families were pinned for showing proficiency and/or growth in attendance, the Smarter Balanced Assessment, DIBELS, and iReady. Parents received a BSAP VIP pin and our Black scholars received an academic excellence pin.

The Black Student Union (BSU) at Drew Middle School came together during lunch to collaborate on a special Breast Cancer Awareness project. The initiative aimed to highlight the importance of breast cancer awareness and its impact on Black communities. Students worked in groups to research breast cancer, focusing on its effects and the disparities it presents in Black communities. Using their research, they created informational posters to raise awareness, which will be displayed across the campus throughout October as part of the national Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign. This student-led project not only educated participants on a critical health issue but also helped foster a sense of community and responsibility, inspiring others to take action and raise awareness.

The BSAP team at Cleveland High School hosted Nobel MS 8th grade students for an on-site introduction to high school campus life. BSAP High School Campus Connect (BSAP HSCC) is an extension of the "BSAP HS Connect" sessions started last year. The sessions are for matriculating 8th grader students at Group 2 Middle Schools in Region North. The objectives are to introduce students to academic pathways (i.e. honors, magnet, STEM, performing arts, etc.), affinity groups i.e. Black Student Union (BSU) available at their LAUSD feeder school(s). Students meet the BSAP teams awaiting their arrival to support and encourage students on their high school graduation journey.

BSAP HS Campus connect is an on-campus experience to further support and encourage enrollment at LAUSD feeder schools. Students met the High School BSAP team in person, connected with former classmates, met other high school students, received in-person information about academic pathways, meet other support staff, students, toured the campus and participated in a Black Student Union meeting.

George Washington Carver Middle School community came together for an inspiring celebration at the Black Excellence Family Cookout. Organized by the dedicated Family Engagement Team, this event attracted over 60 parents, students, community members, and staff, fostering an atmosphere of joy and connection.

The cookout ran from 12 to 3 p.m., featuring delicious food, lively music, and fun games. It was a wonderful opportunity for families to gather, strengthen their community ties, and enjoy an afternoon with activities to celebrate our students and their achievements.

One of the standout features of the event was the impressive display of student excellence organized by Assistant Principal Carolina Laureano and her team of certificated and classified staff. They created posters showcasing the Black scholars at Carver, each adorned with statements reflecting what makes these students excellent. This initiative highlighted individual accomplishments and instilled a sense of pride and belonging among all students, encouraging them to embrace their unique strengths.

The cookout also included engaging activities that invited everyone to participate. Parents and staff joined students in games, fostering a spirit of unity and teamwork. Additionally, creative art projects allowed families to collaborate and express their artistic talents, further deepening the connections among participants.

Partnership LA’s involvement significantly contributed to the event’s success, with their team reinforcing the importance of family engagement and community support. The collaborative spirit of the cookout perfectly embodied the BSAP tenet of Black Excellence, which emphasizes recognizing and celebrating our students’ unique gifts and talents.

A special thank you goes to our dynamic Principal Estela Lopez. Her leadership and vision inspire the Carver community, and her unwavering support for family engagement initiatives ensures that students have the resources and encouragement they need to thrive.

Reflecting on this joyous gathering, we are reminded of the power of community and the essential role families play in our students’ education. The Black Excellence Family Cookout was not merely a celebration but an opportunity to reinforce our shared values of excellence, resilience, and unity.

As we look ahead, we encourage all families to remain engaged in our school community. Your participation is vital in creating an environment where our students can succeed and feel valued. Let’s continue to celebrate our scholars and their achievements together!

Stay tuned for future events, and thank you for your continued support of the Black Student Achievement Plan and the George Washington Carver Middle School community.

The BSAP Falcons Drill Team at 156th Street Elementary creates school spirit, pride, and loyalty through performances at school activities, and local events. Student participants learn responsibility, build self-respect, and develop strong character. The team encourages honest effort, while striving for excellence, enhancing physical fitness development, and displaying teamwork.