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In Memory of Patricia Foley Karl (1943-2018) |
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Patricia Foley Karl, founder of Lawrence Family Development Charter School and Lawrence Family Development, Inc., passed away on November 28.
Patricia Karl grew up in Lawrence in a family of eight children. Her parents believed in the liberating power of education, which they instilled in Patricia. Following the completion of high school and college, Patricia spent a year as a volunteer teacher in South Phoenix, Arizona as part of the Regis Lay Apostolate with six other women teaching Mexican-American and migrant children in the Golden Gate Barrio. She later returned to Massachusetts to teach in Andover and Lawrence public schools. In 1990 she was hired to be the Executive Director of the Lawrence Youth Commission (now represented by Lawrence Family Develoopment, Inc., as its Alternative Youth Programs) and then founded parent programs for ESL and Citizenship (now represented by Lawrence Family Development, Inc., as the Maria del Pilar Quintana Family Center). Of tremendous note is that her talent and energy working with parents, community leaders and visionaries created the Lawrence Family Development Charter School in 1995, well known for its accomplished history as one of the first of fourteen Massachusetts public charter schools. Patricia Foley Karl’s vision as founder was rooted in the mission of “Strengthening families and building community.” This work is represented in the charter school’s key design elements which prioritize: Parent Engagement, Dual-Language Instruction (Spanish/English), Effective Teaching, Partnerships and School Governance with a parent majority vote.
Patricia Karl impacted generations of students of all ages in Lawrence and will be greatly missed, while her work carries forward.
At an event in early 2019, we look forward to honoring Patricia’s life and her impact on Lawrence Family Development, Inc. and Lawrence Family Development Charter School with "A Celebration of a Legacy."
Contributions can be made online at https://tinyurl.com/pfkendowment; see the section “Apply my gift to” and scroll down and click on the Patricia Foley Karl (PFK) Scholarship Fund or checks can be made out to the Patricia Foley Karl (PFK) Scholarship Fund and mailed to Essex County Community Foundation, 175 Andover Street, Danvers, MA 01923.
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LFDCS' Community Build Playground |
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Mr. Carerro and Mr. Nigaglioni, together with a crew of parents, teachers, maintenance staff, Yulissa and trained playground professionals were part of a Community Build for the Academy’s new playground at the end of the last school year. They spent the day in unseasonably cold, rainy weather outside putting together a climbing wall, an enormous, colorful play structure with giant jacks and a web to climb, a tri totter, a see saw for standing, and a chunky trekker for balancing. Mr. Hodgkins, Sixta, and Sylvana provided pizza and lemonade for lunch, and teachers brought in cookies and desserts for the workers. Over the weekend, mulch was added and a beautiful new black fence. Our students were thrilled to be able to use for summer school and for this school year! We are so appreciative of all the people who came and volunteered to do this for our students.
SUMMER ACADEMY 2018
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Our program includes a dual-language model with students learning in both Spanish and English. The goal is to enable students to attain advanced levels of functional proficiency in two languages and to promote understanding of and appreciation for the cultures represented by the languages studied. The primary objective is to teach students language and literacy skills that will allow them to function effectively in both their personal and professional lives. We feel the development of literacy will foster a love of learning to read, and then the competency of reading to learn.
We believe there is a strong link between school success and effective and consistent leadership. As a result, our Board of Trustees, is composed of parents, alumni and community leaders and provides valuable oversight and focuses on creating and upholding policies that support our students and their families. Our administrative structure consists of a Principal and three Heads of School who manage daily operations and discipline. Leadership from the ranks of the teaching staff is also highly evident, as teachers improve curriculum and serve as mentors to novice educators.
Our goal is to work with many individuals and organizations in order to provide the resources necessary to enhance and enrich the lives of our students, both during the day and in our extended day and extended year programs. The quality and breadth of our community partnership program is unique. We work with an extensive array of local private schools, parent and community volunteers and organizations providing on-site programs.
We believe that when parents are actively involved in their children’s education, students have a better chance of succeeding academically. At LFDCS parents are required to be active participants in the education of their children. Parents serve on our Board of Trustees, participate in training programs designed to help them work with their children at home, volunteer in the classroom and on field trips and assist with fundraising initiatives. All parents sign a contract that places high expectations on their participation both at school and at home. |
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School is Open
Made by the Academy Leader in Me Subcommittee Teachers: Ms. Fuller, Ms. Orlando & Ms. St. Jean
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