California Safe and Supportive Schools

A District Blueprint for Holistic Wellness (LAUSD)

Audiocast

A District Blueprint for Holistic Wellness (LAUSD)

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District- and school- based health and wellness programs are an essential strategy for educational equity, as research shows a clear link between health impacts and academic achievements and outcomes. District wellness policies are essential in shaping the health and wellness environments of educational institutions. Wellness policies that support collaboration, implementation, and evaluation lay the foundation for healthy school environments.

The LAUSD Board of Education adopted the Blueprint for Wellness Policy, which guides the district’s implementation of a comprehensive health and wellness plan for students, families, and staff.

Featured Speakers:

  • William Celestine, Director of Wellness Programs
  • Sandra Vaca-Roman, Healthy Start Program Coordinator
  • Maggie Yu-Dipasquale, Wellness Policy Organization Facilitator
  • Maritsa Adkins, Student and Family Resources Navigator

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Creating a Collaborative Classroom Culture (ICEF View Park, Ross Middle School, James Logan High School)

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Studies continue to prove the importance of collaborative learning environments, classrooms have shifted away from emphasizing traditional knowledge transmission principles and toward student-centered learning. Instead of prioritizing lecture-style knowledge dissemination, student- centered classrooms are designed so that students construct skills and understanding through discourse and inquiry. Before students can feel ready to collaborate with and learn from each other in the classroom, teachers must establish a trusting environment and cultivate strong relationships among students that are characterized by mutual respect, openness, and care.

In Part 3 of our educator audiocast series, we spoke to three teachers about creating a collaborative classroom culture:

  • Lavita Jones, Inner City Education Foundation (ICEF) View Park
  • Jim Keating, Ross Middle School
  • Abby Noche, James Logan High School

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The Power of Culturally Responsive, Student-Centered Learning Environments (TRACE Alternative School, Pasadena High School & Marston Middle School)

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Culturally responsive and sustaining education is a pedagogical approach that centers students’ knowledge, experiences, and cultures to promote their engagement and learning. Educators who bring a culturally responsive and sustaining lens to their instruction build on students’ backgrounds as key assets in the classroom to encourage intellectual risk-taking and emotional connection to academic content. A key part of being a culturally responsive and sustaining educator is practicing critical self-awareness.

In Part 2 of our educator audiocast series, we spoke to three teachers about their commitment to culturally responsive and sustaining education:
– Francia Pinillos, TRACE Alternative School
– David Flores, Pasadena High School
– Renee Thomas, Marston Middle School

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Making Space: Educator Listening Circles (Castle Park Middle School)

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With a growing evidence base attesting to increased stress and burnout among school-based staff, many schools are launching efforts to support educator well-being. Castle Park Middle School enlisted the support of the National Conflict Resolution Center to facilitate confidential listening circles for educators, helping staff gain a shared sense of understanding, connection, and collaboration.

Featured Speakers:

  • Melissa Rains, Science Teacher
  • Roberto Barraza, Curriculum Specialist & World Cultures Teacher
  • Luis Ruan, Restorative Justice Specialist, NCRC
  • Bill Walsh, Principal

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Growing a District Rooted in Anti-Bias, Anti-Racist Action (Hayward Unified School District)

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Hayward Unified School District passed an anti-racism, anti-bias policy in 2020 to support practices ranging from resource allocation and instruction to professional development that promotes the well-being of students and staff throughout the district. In this audiocast, you’ll hear some examples of classroom strategies that have emerged from this commitment to equity and anti-racism.

Featured Speakers:

  • Candace Cofield, AOSA for Equity
  • Michelle Root, AOSA for Professional Development
  • Myldret, Student

View the transcript from this audiocast

Download the brief