Gotta Learn!

The goals for student academic development in Language Arts are the following:

Students will understand the connection between people's ideas, behaviors, values, and ideals with the ethical consequences of those beliefs. Students will master language arts skills in all subject areas and will use the reading, writing, and thinking strategies throughout their day. Students will develop writing fluency, and the ability to write for a variety of purposes, audiences, and topics. Students will develop critical listening skills and the ability to respond orally and in writing. Students will be able to use various reading resources (such as literary works, journals, charts, schedules, periodicals) to gather, organize, and interpret data and communicate ideas and information. Students will be able to use a wide range of critical thinking skills as they read, write about, and discuss the ideas and meanings they discover in literary works.

Gotta Learn!

The goals for student academic development in Science are the following:

Students will learn scientific methods for validating and evaluating knowledge. Students will learn fundamental concepts of science and how the applications of these concepts affect their daily lives. Students will participate in science activities such as experimenting, creating and developing graphs and charts, recording data, applying mathematical skills, and writing laboratory and research reports. Students will actively explore natural phenomena to apply science knowledge to current situations. Students will incorporate the investigative process as they satisfy their own sense of curiosity and wonder. Students will learn health literacy, including physical, psychological, and emotional health, according to the Health Framework.

Gotta Learn!

The goals for student academic development in Mathematics are the following:

Students will be able to use numbers of all kinds as a natural and necessary way to solve problems and interpret the world. Students will understand how to work through each stage of problem solving, including exploration, formulation, strategy development, solution activity, and interpretation of results. Students will be proficient in applying mathematical concepts and computational skills to other subject areas. Students will feel comfortable with, and recognize the benefits of, modern day technology, including computers and calculators. Students will be able to relate their knowledge of patterns, functions, statistics, probability, and geometry to their own personal experiences.

Organization To help make instruction in core academic areas more productive and rewarding for both teachers and students, the curriculum will combine teacher specialization with team teaching. Two of the four teachers in each family unit will specialize in language arts/social studies instruction, and two teachers in a family unit will specialize in math/science. (A family unit is a duster of four classrooms at similar grade levels, described more fully in later sections.) All four teachers will collaborate so that the instructional program flows as an integrated unit To provide continuity, teachers will generally teach the same core subject areas throughout the school year.

Schedule Students will spend the first half of the academic day with their home base teacher, who specializes in one set of core content areas (language arts/social studies or math/science). They will spend the second half of the day with one of the two teachers who specializes in the other set of core content areas. Students from different classes may be mixed together for the core curriculum to facilitate grouping for instruction.

Music, art, and physical education will be integrated throughout the day.

Overview: Township 2000 is intended to provide a forum within the school for students to learn and apply the concepts that support the theme of interdependence, particularly interdependence within the community. It will simulate the functions of societal institutions and community services. Township 2000 will transform the school into a working, living community. Teachers will select a community institution and will work with children from any family in the school to develop and operate it. Township activities will be carried out according to student interest, not family organization. This will give students opportunities to work with other students of many ages from different family units in the school.

Activities in Township 2000: Because the purpose of Township 2000 is to give students first-hand experience in creating and operating community institutions, possible activities might include creating a post office, bank, newspaper, health and recreation facility, restaurant, farm, art museum, theater for dance or drama productions, library, system of government, and social service department.

Organization: Township 2000 will be based on interest classes taught by teachers (with parents and professionals serving as additional resources). The subject matter and content of interest classes will be determined by teachers and the emerging needs of the township.

Schedule: Interest classes will be conducted approximately once a week during regular school hours and will last from one to two hours. The time that classes, are held will accommodate the schedule of kindergarten children, when they are ready to participate.

Products of Township 2000: When interest classes are ready, the school will build the township based on the activities carried out in each one.

Selection of Activity: Students will select the activities that interest them. At the beginning of the school year, they will submit three choices (signed by them and a parent). After a trial period of three weeks, students will be committed to an interest class.

Procedures for Changing Activities: Students may request to join a different Interest class within the first 3 weeks. Students who request a change will meet and confer with their teachers. After consultation, they may decide to fill out a Request for Change form (to be signed by the student teacher, and a parent).

Additional Resources and Activities: Interest classes may take field trips to gain first-hand experience of the real institution in the community. Members of the community may also visit the school to help students learn what happens in "real" society.

Westwood is one of nine schools in Los Angeles that have Charter School status. Being a Charter School gives us more independence in the areas of curriculum, staffing and governance. Staff has designed a curriculum which is meaningful, process oriented and uniquely child centered. A "hands-on" experiential approach focusing on critical thinking skills is at the core of each classroom program.

The instructional program has been designed to provide students with the type of education needed to be successful in the 21st century. Some highlights of our programs are:

The classes are organized using the model of the "Family." Children and teachers are grouped together for a variety of experiences designed to provide a nurturing environment for growth. The curriculum is presented in an integrated, thematic manner. Interdependence is the schoolwide theme--the interdependence of social, biological, ecological and cultural systems. The State Frameworks of Language Arts, History/Social Sciences, Math and Science that drive educational reform in the state of California guide the instructional program in each Westwood Charter School classroom. There is an emphasis on social and community values and ethics that foster self esteem, productive living and respect for diversity. "Township 2000" will be our community building component that simulates the institutions and services of a living, working community designed and implemented by students. The Service Learning program is designed to teach students civic responsibility and illustrate that their activities can make a difference to themselves and others. The Psycho-Motor Program provides a sequential developmentally appropriate approach to physical fitness. Animals: Our Pet Patio brings farm life to city children. Students learn to care for and love goats, rabbits, birds, chickens and roosters in a manner that is integrated directly into the curriculum.

Enrollment: Students entering school in September must be at least five years old on, or before, December 2nd of the same year.

Westwood Charter School is open to all residents of Los Angeles, and welcomes all students.

In the 1998 school year, Westwood Charter School has over 700 students.

The majority of our Kindergarten children are from the local neighborhood.

Many of our children in grades 1-5 are from the local neighborhood, and some come by carpool from outlying neighborhoods.

Westwood Charter School is committed to enrolling a student population reflective of the ethnic and cultural diversity of the Los Angeles Unified School District.

A child care program (STAR) and after-school playground supervision is available.

Teachers, Specialists, Volunteers: Westwood Charter School has 37 credentialed teachers.

Each classroom has 1 full-time teacher and 1 part-time teacher's assistant. Specialists at Westwood include: school nurse, psychologist, speech therapist, adaptive PE instructor, psychomotor team, resource specialist, bilingual coordinator, G.A.T.E. coordinator, computer teacher, music teacher and school improvement coordinator.

Westwood is proud of its parent, grandparent, and community volunteers who provide invaluable assistance in the classrooms and at school functions.

Parents, students, and special topic volunteers provide tutoring for our children as needed.

Facilities: Westwood Charter School has a variety of child-centered facilities including:

• 33 classrooms, with 4 computers and a laser printer in each room
• Well maintained playground for grades 1-5
• Separate Kindergarten play yard
• Cafeteria with indoor eating area
• Covered outdoor eating area
• Auditorium with stage
• Library-fully staffed by volunteers
• Technology Center

Bus Transportation: If you have any questions or concerns regarding transportation of your child, please call our Area Bus Supervisor, Mr. Michael Todd, at 310-391-3015.

The Volunteer Programs of Westwood Charter School

Volunteers are an essential part of Westwood's comprehensive educational and enrichment programs. Together, the staff and parents of Westwood Charter School work hard to inspire our children with a love of learning and to provide them with the environment and tools to learn successfully. Without volunteers to lead activities and fundraise many essential programs would not exist.

Maintaining Westwood's tradition of academic excellence requires a commitment FROM EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. Whether the amount of time and resources you have to share is small or large, there is valuable contribution that you can make. Volunteering is a wonderful way to participate in your child's education and show him or her that you think school is important.

Westwood Charter School is extremely proud of its dedicated, active and involved parent support groups including:

PTA - A nationally recognized organization providing invaluable child welfare services.

The Westwood Charter School PTA is an opportunity for parents to affirm their belief in the importance of their children's school activities and to make a real contribution to the quality of their education. Westwood Charter School's dynamic PTA organization is involved in a variety of programs and projects that enhance and support the school community and the welfare of all children. They range from ecology, earthquake preparedness and book fairs to our fun-filled Halloween Hoot Carnival, Student Art Show, and Multi-Cultural Faire. Volunteers also staff the library, teach in the unique Great Books program, and tutor youngsters needing additional help. The PTA is an integral part of the Westwood Charter School "family," and provides some of those "extras" that make our school so special.

All interested parents and community members are invited to join in this very important effort.

Westwood Booster Club - A non-profit organization which raises funds to help support and maintain important school programs.

The Westwood Charter School Booster Club was created to enrich the academic and cultural environment of Westwood Charter School and provide the necessary supplies for earthquake preparedness. Enrichment programs include: mathematics, science, computers, art, music, and literature.

The Booster Club is the primary fundraising vehicle for the school and generates revenue by sponsoring both fund-raising activities and implementing direct solicitation campaigns. Fund-raising activities include: magazine drives; auctions; carnivals, raffles, and the sale of supermarket scrip. Since there are no paid employees of the Booster Club, 100% of the money raised is available to the school. The Booster Club currently pays for the computer specialist, choral music specialist, teacher assistants, technology program and psycho-motor program.

School Based Management - A governing body composed of parents and teachers, School Based Management governs the policy, operational and management decisions of Westwood Charter School.

Parents and teachers are also involved with our Bilingual Council, an integral element of our overall program.

The wrapping paper drive will begin on September 25. Volunteers are needed to distribute materials and help process orders. Contact Joyce Christensen at 475-1553 or Bonnie Frank at 470-0556 for more information or if you can lend a hand since these volunteer forms may not all be processed in time.

Halloween Hoot
On Sunday, October 19, the yard will be transformed for Westwood's annual Halloween Hoot. It is a festival complete with rides, games, crafts, concessions, food, and entertainment. Volunteers are needed in many areas including, but not limited to the following: games, tickets, prizes, Haunted House, bake sale, food, arts and crafts, operations, signs, publicity, decorations, set-up, decoration and organizing the volunteers. Call Susan Bartholomew at 475-8808 or Nancy Marks at 475-8359 for details.

Book Fairs
Our library benefits from two fundraising book fairs a year. Volunteers spend one or two hours selling books during the school week. The first book fair is December 8-12 and the second will begin on May 11. Please call Debra Marlin at 475-O647 for information.

Magazine Drive
This year's Magazine Drive runs from January 21 through February 7. This is an easy event, requiring minimal effort. Help is needed to distribute materials, collect and tally money and hand out prize chips.

Live and Silent Auction
Our major spring fundraising event is an entertaining adults only evening which includes great company, great food and the best auction in town. There are many opportunities to become involved. These include: chairing a committee, soliciting donations, seeking sponsors, designing invitations, writing the catalog, signage, creating decorations, party planning, overseeing set-up and working the evening of the event to name a few. Please call Connie Rosenthal at 310-475-7549 with questions and offers of help.