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Charter School
News
Hello LFDCS Families,
COVID-19 test kits are being sent home today. Students and employees are receiving the i-Health rapid, at-home tests that give results in about 15 minutes. The expiration date printed on the box has been extended until January 2023. Each test kit contains two tests; you can use them at your discretion.
We are providing this test kit to you as a convenience, not a requirement. However, we strongly urge you to administer the test if your child has symptoms. Anyone who tests positive with the at-home test should obtain a PCR test to confirm. If confirmed, then they need to quarantine for 5 days. Note, quarantine-related absences will not be excused unless a PCR-positive result is submitted to the school within 2 days of return. Those who test PCR-positive should contact the school nurse for their date of return.
Thank you very much.
LFDCS Administration
11/22/22
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Hola familias de LFDCS,
Hoy los kits de prueba de COVID-19 se enviarán a casa. Los estudiantes y empleados están recibiendo las pruebas rápidas en el hogar de i-Health que dan resultados en aproximadamente 15 minutos. La fecha de vencimiento impresa en la caja se ha extendido hasta enero de 2023. Cada kit de prueba contiene dos pruebas; pueden usarlos a su discreción.
Le proporcionamos este kit de prueba como una conveniencia, no como un requisito. Sin embargo, le recomendamos encarecidamente que administre la prueba si su hijo tiene síntomas. Cualquiera que dé positivo con la prueba casera debe hacerse una prueba de PCR para confirmar. Si se confirma, deben permanecer en cuarentena durante 5 días. Tenga en cuenta que las ausencias relacionadas con la cuarentena no serán justificadas a menos que se envíe un resultado positivo de PCR a la escuela dentro de los 2 días posteriores al regreso. Aquellos que den positivo en la prueba de PCR deben comunicarse con la enfermera de la escuela para conocer la fecha de regreso.
Muchísimas gracias.
Administración LFDCS
11/22/22
It is my great pleasure to announce that after a long process of an extensive search, which began in early May of 2022, and an interview process comprised of staff, district leadership and a member of the Board of Trustees, Ms. Hali Castleman has been appointed as Principal of LFDCS. She will assume this role starting January 3, 2023 upon her return from family leave. There will be a transition period during November-December to facilitate a seamless change over in January.
Ms. Castleman began her career at LFDCS twelve years ago as an ESL teacher. She also served as the Response to Intervention (RTI)[1] Coordinator/English Language Learner (ELL)[2] Coordinator for grades K1-8. Through her efforts, she identified at-risk students and designed personalized interventions and supports for students. For the past four years, she led the Lower School as its Head of School/ELL Coordinator. She has a strong grasp of blended learning and technology integration to support planning, instruction and professional development.
Ms. Castleman is certified as a Principal and has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, a Master's degree in Curriculum and Teaching and is also fluent in Spanish. Her work has been recognized throughout the country by presenting at school conferences in Massachusetts, Georgia and the National Charter School Conference in Washington, DC. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recently asked her to conduct a statewide professional development program on best practices to make hands-on learning more effective for ELL students.
Ms. Castleman's vision for extending learning opportunities through an interdisciplinary approach and using blended learning and project-based methodology further solidifies that she is the right leader to advance the great work of teachers and staff at LFDCS. Her commitment to parent engagement exemplifies the mission of LFDCS and her commitment to the school is driven by her belief that all children are entitled to an excellent education regardless of where they live.
Please join me in congratulating Ms. Castleman as she assumes the responsibility of our next Principal of LFDCS. We wish Ms. Castleman the very best and look forward to her leadership.
[1] RTI is a methodology for making sure students who are behind grade level receive proper interventions
Ralph L. Carrero, Superintendent
Free COVID-19 vaccination clinics for everyone 6 months of age and older are available around the state. See the flyer for more information.
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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 composed of parents, alumni 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 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.
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, 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.
Principal's Message
Hali Castleman
Contact Us
ACADEMY FOR EARLY ACADEMIC PREPARATION (K-1, K2 & Grade 1-2)
10 Railroad Street, Lawrence, MA 01841
(P) 978 258-6210
LOWER SCHOOL (Grades 3-4)
34 West Street, Lawrence MA 01841
(P) 978 689-9863 (F) 978 689-8133
UPPER SCHOOL (Grades 5-8)
400 Haverhill Street, Lawrence, MA 01841
(P) 978 738-0609 (F) 978 651-2207
