Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Darshan Thakkar
Principal
Hali Castleman
School Sparks
During the week of May 6, 2024, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tailored Focused Monitoring Review of Lawrence Family Development Charter School. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child's special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson(s) of the district's Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.
Parents and other individuals may call Joan Brinckerhoff, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (781) 338-3715 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.
Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the district with a report with information about areas in which the district meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the district requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.
Press Release for Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Office of Language Acquisition Re: 2023-2024 ELE Tiered Focused Monitoring
April 8, 2024
On May 8, 2024 the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE's) Office of Language Acquisition (OLA) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of the Lawrence Family Development Charter School's English Language Education department. The Office of Language Acquisition reviews each district's and charter school's ELE program every six years to monitor compliance with federal and state English learner education laws and regulations. Areas of review will include English learners' student assessments, identification of English learners; what programs English learners are placed in, parent and community involvement, curriculum and instruction, student support services, licensure requirements for faculty, staff and administration, program plans, and evaluation and recordkeeping.
In addition to the virtual visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The district will send a survey to the parents of students whose records the review team examines. The survey focuses on key areas of their child's English learner education program. Survey results will be reviewed by OLA and they will contribute to the monitoring report.
Parents and other individuals may call Samantha Kodak, M/Ed., Office of Language Acquisition Review Chairperson, at (781) 338- 3561 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, DESE will make the necessary arrangements.
Within approximately 60 business days of the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the Lawrence Family Development Charter School with a report with information about areas in which the Lawrence Family Charter School meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the Lawrence Family Development Charter School requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The report will be available to the public at https://www.doe.mass.edu/ele/cpr/.
Congratulations to Brianna Espinola, winner of the LFD/LFDCS TV Raffle Fundraiser.
Georgia Guzman in Grade 1 from Ms. Zinke's class sold the winning ticket.
Students, Yahir Almonte and Shayla Bano, from Ms. Hidalgo's grade 3 class helped us in choosing the winner today!
Thanks to all who contributed in raising $4,481 for LFDCS graduates' scholarships!
Attention all alumni who receive LFDCS Scholarships!
SY'2024-2025 LFDCS Scholarship Renewal Applications are now available and due to the Opening Doors department no later than June 1, 2024 in order to renew scholarships for next school year.
If you have any questions, please contact openingdoors@lfdcs.org .
MCAS graduation requirement is not punitive, it's a lifeline for highest-need students.
School Buildings
ACADEMY FOR EARLY ACADEMIC PREPARATION (K-1, K-2 & Grs. 1-2)
7 May Street/10 Railroad Street Lawrence, MA
(P) 978 258-6210/978 237-0628
Head of School
Megan Noonan(K-1/K-2)
Head of School
Andreina Croes(1-2)
LOWER SCHOOL (Grades 3-4)
34 West Street, Lawrence MA
(P) 978 689-9863
Head of School
Chloe Parcell
UPPER SCHOOL (Grades 5-8)
400 Haverhill Street, Lawrence, MA
(P) 978 738-0609
Head of School
Nicole Arpin
Cornerstones for Success
Academic Program
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.
Leadership
We believe there is a strong link between school success and effective and consistent leadership. As a result, our Board of Trustees is comprised of parents and community stakeholders who provide valuable oversight and focus on creating and upholding policies that support our students and their families. Our administrative structure consists of a Principal and four 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.
Community Partnerships
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.
Parent Partners
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, our School Site Council and our ELL/Special Education Parent Advisory Committee. They also 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.
