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 News from Alliance College-Ready Public SchoolsEvery student has the ability. We give them the opportunity.August 2009
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School is in for summer
A second session of Summer Bridge program starts this month. In this program, 6th- and 9th-graders new to Alliance schools get a jump on the school year. During this class time, students wear school uniforms, get used to their new campuses and hone their pre-algebra skills (9th grade) or math skills (6th grade) in the math Summer Bridge programs. "We build skills that will help them suceed in mathematics," said Chief Academic Officer David Linzey. Students also learn the Cornell note-taking method and engage in ice-breaker exercises to help them begin to bond with their classmates. Continuing students at several Alliance schools also have the opportunity to take math readiness classes.
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New schools, new principals
Students aren't the only ones tasked with achievement at Alliance schools. The Principal Internship Training Program, which began in 2008, places aspiring administrators in a rigorous program at existing schools to learn about charter school management, instructional leadership and the Alliance teaching model. While shadowing a mentor principal and meeting regularly with home office staff members, candidates also develop key leadership skills in areas such as budget and finance, math intervention, special education intervention and building a positive school culture.
Five new principals have completed the program and now join the leadership lineup as the Alliance prepares to open three new high schools--Environmental Science & Technology High in Glassell Park, Health Services Academy High in South L.A. and Media Arts & Entertainment Design High School in East L.A.--and two middle schools--College-Ready Middle Academy #4 in South L.A. and #5 in East L.A.--this fall.
 James Waller (left) has worked in inner-city education for the past 12 years. He was a bilingual history and ESL teacher for eight years and literacy coach for two years at the Foshay Learning Center. He now takes the helm at Gertz-Ressler High School as Principal Howard Lappin moves to Environmental Science & Technology High School in Glassell Park.
Alejandro Gomez (second from left) began his education career right out of high school as an instructional assistant for four years in elementary and middle-school settings. He previously has served in counseling and vice-principal positions in Alliance schools. He is the principal at College-Ready Middle Academy #4.
Principal Erik Elward (third from left), has been an urban educator for more than 12 years. During his seven-year tenure within urban charter high schools, he has served in leadership capacities as department chair, curriculum coach, new teacher mentor and assistant principal. He is the principal at Health Services Academy High School on the campus of Henry Clay Middle School.
Suzette Torres has been an administrator with the Alliance since 2006. Prior to that, she was Beyond the Bell coordinator for LAUSD, where she taught special education, history and was dean of discipline. She is principal at College-Ready Middle Academy #5.
John Fox (right), has 17 years of experience in education, both as a teacher and as a principal at middle and high schools. He passion for excellence along with a firm belief that all students can achieve proved successful, particularly in low-income areas. He is principal at Media Arts & Entertainment Design High School.
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Gertz-Ressler receives accreditation
 Gertz-Ressler High School received a six-year full accreditation from the Western Assn. of Schools and Colleges, one of six regional
accrediting associations in the United States. "Participating schools must meet rigorous, research-based standards that reflect
the essential elements of a quality and effective school, but again, must also
be able to demonstrate engagement in as well as capacity to provide continuous
school improvement," according to the organization. The accreditation means that grades and transcripts provided by Gertz-Ressler will be recognized by all colleges and universities.
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Why do parents like Alliance schools?
The Alliance values parents as partners--both for their commitment to their children's education as well as the volunteer hours they perform at our schools. In May, we asked more than 3,000 Alliance families to provide feedback on our performance. We found that parents strongly support the academic program, the college-bound culture and other key aspects of the organization's 11 middle and high schools.
In surveys at each school, parents also responded to the sentence that begins "One thing I like best about my child's school...":
"I am always informed of my child's performance."
"Teachers are 100% dedicated to their students, it is a responsible school and school rules are good."
"The encouragement that students get to prepare for college."
"The uniform, code of ethics and behavior, the principal's awareness of all students and the high standards of the school's overall education."
How could we do better? Parents pointed to better food at nutrition break and lunch, increased access to technology and more extra-curricular activities as areas to improve.
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Did you know...
Student turns teacher
 Teacher assistant Marvin Escobar at Gertz-Ressler High walks the classroom like a pro. Students softly call out his name for help with questions during a recent English class, and Marvin stops to encourage them to elaborate on their answers. "We start off with English to get their
brains working then we go to math," he
says of the curriculum he helps present to 20 newly minted ninth-graders. It wasn't so long ago that Marvin sat in those very seats; he's a 2009 Gertz grad who is set to attend Alfred University in upstate New York. Marvin admits he didn't come willingly to Gertz: his mom signed him up after his sister got into trouble at a large LAUSD high school. Now he'll spend the rest of the summer helping newcomers get to know the school he grew to love.
Thesis Projects at Stern MASS
The Annual Thesis Projects at Marc & Eva Stern Math and Science School use the school's math and science focus to drive the theme of end-of-the-year multimedia presentations on the topic "A Healthy Environment." In June, students tackled topics such as teen pregnancy, pollution, juveniles in adult prisons, global warming and more in 15-minute presentations to their peers and faculty members. As part of a team project, 11th-grader Ricky Uribe shot and edited a compelling video based on interviews with a relative who described the chaotic cycle of
crystal meth addiction that cost him his job and his family. "I just asked the questions," Uribe said of his video that presented an honest portrayal of one man's struggle.
Outside the classroom learning
 Two
eighth-grade teachers at Richard Merkin Middle School decided to bring
history to life in June by taking 21 students to Washington, DC.
"Eighth-grade history covers the colonial period until the rise of
industrialism, with emphasis on U.S. government," says history teacher
Crystal Menzies, who along with Brandon Bell shepherded students to the nation's capital. "I
thought it would be more enriching if the students could visit some of
these places." Funds were raised throughout the year, and students went to the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery
and more than a dozen other sites that figured prominently in their
studies.
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Alliance alum
Zaida Mejia, Gertz-Ressler Class of 2008
 Last year, Zaida was accepted to six
four-year colleges. She wanted to attend Mills College in Oakland, but the school's maximum scholarship was not enough to cover her costs.
She quietly resigned herself to attending community college and applied to Santa
Monica College. But when members of the Alliance board
heard of her plight, they banded together and contributed the funds necessary for her to attend
Mills--an act that transformed her educational
future and her life. Zaida has completed her first year at Mills College with a 3.7 GPA. A math major who plans to teach, Zaida took calculus
both semesters of her freshman year as well as computer science, critical reading and expository writing, and contemporary
Spanish theater, which she loved. Next year she starts off with linear
algebra, psychology, Spanish literature and introduction to music. She
feels the Northern California college is
the perfect segue from Gertz because class sizes are small and learning
is intimate. "I feel Gertz prepared me for college," she said. "I
watched other students struggling with the workload. But at Gertz, we
wrote a lot and got a lot of homework." Through the Alliance board's continuing
generosity, Zaida's tuition for sophomore year is covered. "I love it there and want to thank them so much for the experience I have had."
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"Where kids from L.A.'s lowest performing communities achieve
at the highest levels and go on to success in college"
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