|
FROM THE DIRECTOR/SUPERINTENDENT
As Director/Superintendent, I hope you will find our website informative and a useful tool to gather information regarding Lawrence Family Development Charter School.
Founded in 1995 by the Board of Lawrence Family Development & Education Fund, Inc. and a group of Latino parents, Lawrence Family Development Charter School provides a choice of an independent public education that specifically focuses on the participation of parents at all levels including governance, teaching, volunteer support and advocating high academic achievement for their children. Performance doesn't occur unless you can measure it in order to improve it!. It also requires strong parental involvement in the education of their children along with a highly-qualified teaching staff which are vital components to our success. Now in its sixteenth year LFDCS is providing a strong academic program to 600 students from Early Kindergarten (four year olds) through Grade 8. Graduating classes of 50-55 students apply and are accepted to admissions schools with more than 80% attending selective private and parochial schools.
The school is governed by a 13-member School Board, 7 of which are parent representatives and 6 of which are Lawrence Family Development and Education Fund, Inc. Trustees, which meet bi-monthly throughout the year. The School Site Council also meets bi-monthly to provide solid support for parents and staff. Check out our School Calendar for upcoming meeting dates.
There are many ways for you to communicate with us. Our address, phone numbers, and email address are listed here on the website. We look forward to hearing from you regarding your suggestions that can help us continue to thrive as an excellent independent public charter school.
Ralph L. Carrero
Cornerstones for Success
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, composed of parents and community leaders, provides valuable oversight and focuses on creating and upholding policies that support our students and their families. We also have initiated a new administrative structure with a principal and heads of upper and lower schools, who manage daily operations and discipline. Leadership from the ranks of the teaching staff is also highly evident, as teachers improve curriculum, serve as mentors to novice educators and work to attain National Board Certification.
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.
|
