CONTACT: Alexandria Castellanos
[email protected] / (213) 608-5897
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 22, 2023
Los Angeles Unified Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin Chairs Board’s School Safety and Climate Committee
LOS ANGELES, CA (SEPT. 22, 2023) — Demonstrating a commitment to foster a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students, Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin was appointed to chair the LA Unified School Board’s School Safety and Climate Committee. Board Member Ortiz Franklin set the vision for this committee to examine District data, policies, and experiences to understand the current state of and identify opportunities to improve school climate and safety for the entire school community. Topics for the year may include discussion and policy recommendations to address safe passages, drug prevention, suicidal ideation, and violent incidents on and around campus.
The committee held its first meeting on September 21 with a presentation on various district-wide data including: feelings of safety on and around campus for students, families and staff; incidents on campus such as fights, threats and suicidal ideation; crimes off campus such as robbery, battery and criminal threats. Dorsey High School also presented its approach to school climate with supervision, safe passages, restorative practices and more.
The committee includes Board Members Dr. George McKenna and Dr. Rocio Rivas as well as parent and student representatives from the remaining four board offices and the LA Unified Chief of School Operations.
“I am honored to Chair this Committee to better understand and improve what students, staff and families are experiencing when it comes to school safety and climate,” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin said. “With the diverse perspectives of our Board Members, Committee Members, presenters and public, we can work together to elevate best practices, strengthen policies, enhance support, and ultimately increase student achievement as a result of healthier, safer, and happier campuses.”
“I am honored to be part of this important committee. As an LAUSD parent as well as a Board Member, this issue of school safety and climate really touches my heart,” Board Member Dr. Rocio Rivas said, “We must do all we can to ensure that LAUSD schools are welcoming, healing spaces that nurture the whole person so our teachers can teach, and our students can learn.”
In June 2023, the Board approved Board Member Ortiz Franklin’s resolution, Community-Based Safety Analysis and Expansion to reaffirm the Board’s commitment to a holistic vision of school safety – including physical, emotional and intellectual safety – that focuses on creating safe, welcoming, culturally- and racially-responsive school climates, centers the experiences and voices of students, and responds to on-campus incidents in constructive, non-criminalizing ways. The establishment of this committee is a critical step towards realizing this vision and ensuring a safe school climate for all students.
“It’s a pleasure and privilege to serve on this important committee and hear diverse voices and viewpoints around student and campus safety,” Chief of Operations, Andres Chait said. “It’s only when we engage our entire community in this work that we can create the most engaging and welcoming environments for learning.”
“Students learn best when school is more than just a set of brick walls and studying for tests,” North Hollywood High School Student, Michael Isayan said. “To thrive both academically and socially, we need to build community, and the safety and climate issues at the core of this committee's work are all about doing just that.”
"The School Safety and Climate Committee is important to me because I feel that having an opinion on how to change the environment at school would help me become a better person and help my peers feel more safe and comfortable at school,” Panorama High School Student, Nataly Mendez said. “I look forward to incorporating my leadership skills in more than one place."
“As a parent of an LAUSD student and a teacher-librarian in LAUSD who cares deeply about ALL of our kids, I believe it is important to find ways to support the emotional and social health of our students, their families, the teachers and staff in any way possible,” Dorris Place Elementary School Parent, Vanya Hollis said. “This means that we need to hear from our stakeholders about their experiences and take action to improve the learning environment of not only our schools, but also the communities in which they live. I am looking forward to working with the committee this year.”
The School Safety and Climate Committee’s efforts will play a pivotal role in advancing the commitment of Los Angeles Unified School District to provide a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where all students can excel academically and emotionally. The next Committee meeting is scheduled to be on November 16 at 4:00 p.m.
Board Member Ortiz Franklin is a member of the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education representing Board District 7, where she was previously a student, teacher, teacher-educator and advocate. She is committed to ensuring all students graduate fully prepared to thrive in the college, career and life of their choice. Los Angeles Unified Board District 7 includes the diverse communities of South Los Angeles, Watts, Gardena, Carson, Lomita, Harbor City, Wilmington and San Pedro.
For more information about Board District 7, visit us at achieve.lausd.net/bd7 or follow us on social media: Instagram (@lausdbd7), Facebook (@lausdbd7), Twitter (@lausdbd7).