Lynwood – The Lynwood Unified School District Board of Education has committed to better prepare students for higher education through college partnerships, improve community engagement by establishing a parent center at each school and increase access to technology for the 2018-19 school year.

Board members defined their priorities as part of Lynwood’s Promise 2020 Vision during a retreat that kicked off the school year.

“Our Board came together to identify the most critical areas that can help our students achieve success, and that helped to inform our decision-making regarding new programs and initiatives,” Lynwood Unified Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite said. “Our students will have so many more opportunities for advancement this year, and that comes from our District developing a vision for success.”

Lynwood Unified’s focus on college access has led to partnerships with Compton College, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, California State University Dominguez Hills and the University of La Verne. The partnerships provide graduates with priority registration, guaranteed admission, financial aid assistance and programs to help with college readiness.

The District is set to boost available technology for students this fall when it launches science, technology, engineering, arts and technology (STEAM) tinker labs at its 18 schools. The new labs will allow students to explore inventions and think creatively through robotics, video production, coding and other hands-on curriculum to challenge students to think critically.

The LUSD Ready to Learn Initiative is dedicated to ensuring students have basic necessities, such as food, clothing, and school supplies, and is another Board priority. The District provides free breakfast and lunch to all students to eliminate financial barriers to achievement.

The District will also put increased emphasis on reading proficiency and has adopted the Journeys Reading and Literacy Common Core curriculum. The comprehensive K-6 English language arts program will help students develop mastery of speaking, listening and writing.

Promise 2020 priorities also include increasing the number of English learner students who are redesignated as English proficient and continuing to support personal development of teachers and staff.

“We will continually pursue ways to create the best possible learning environment at Lynwood Unified,” LUSD Board of Education President Alfonso Morales said. “I’m grateful to work with a collection of educators, staff and community members who are dedicated to raising the bar of success for our children in Lynwood.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

100518_LUSD_BOARDPRIORITIES1: The Lynwood Unified Board of Education has prioritized preparing students for college as part of its Lynwood Promise 2020 Vision.

100518_LUSD_BOARDPRIORITIES2: Lynwood Unified will increase access to technology this school year by launching new science, technology, engineering, arts and technology (STEAM) labs at each school site.