The Latest on Catalyst Charter School

So what is going on with Catalyst Charter School?

In April the BUSD board voted against the school.  We strongly disagree with the decision they reached.   A number of statements were made during the vote that demonstrated there were still misperceptions the board held. Unfortunately there was not an opportunity given to us to dialogue or clear up those misperceptions in the public hearing or vote.

Catalyst Charter School believes we have a strong educational plan and a lot of support from local parents, community members and teachers.  We have appealed to the Los Angeles County Office of Education and will have a public hearing on Tuesday, August 17th at 3pm.

April 15th Vote

Tax Day!  Yes, and it is also the BUSD Board Meeting on Thursday, April 15th at 7:30.   The board will vote in open session for or against the charter school. 

Our support base has been amazing and I am thankful for all the parents, community members, teachers, business people, service providers and others who have come to voice and show their support for Catalyst Charter School.  This school is a community school at heart and you have shown that at each board meeting.

Please come and show BUSD board our collective call to offer another educational choice for students in Bellflower.

THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who came last week to the BUSD board meeting.  Blue represented well!

Again we were able to voice our compelling argument in support of Catalyst Charter School.  We believe our petition is strong and our academic proposal is an excellent choice for students in the Bellflower area.

The public hearing did not offer opportunity for dialogue or questions from the board like we hoped.  The board did not vote. They now have 30 days to respond to the petition.  We will keep you posted on the next steps for Catalyst Charter School.  Again thank you to all who came and those who supported us with encouraging words and thoughts.

Response to Charter School Misperceptions

To Whom it May Concern,

Catalyst Charter School is a proposed k-5 school in Bellflower with plans to expand through twelfth grade. Recently a letter regarding the charter school was brought to the attention of the charter school advisory team.  This document contains many false statements. To provide a clear understanding of the proposed school, we have provided a factual information sheet to clarify the misperceptions.  We welcome questions and dialogue concerning the proposed school. As a parent, and resident of Bellflower in the Ramona Elementary neighborhood, I am excited about the possibilities that Catalyst Charter School brings to our community. To learn more about the school, please read the information below, or visit www.catalystcharterschool.org.

Rachel VerWys, MSW

Founding Board President Catalyst Charter School

catalystcharterschool@gmail.com

CATALYST CHARTER SCHOOL’S UNIQUENESS

1. Small class size: Proposed student to teacher ratios do not exceed 22 to 1.

2. Community Led: This charter school is a dream and proposal of local Bellflower Unified families.

3. Language development: Beginning in first grade scholars will integrate Spanish into their academic life.

4. Service Learning: Students will participate in service opportunities in the local community so they are empowered to serve others.

5. Virtue Centered: These values include caring, equality and social justice, integrity, honesty, responsibility, and self-regulation.

6. Parental Volunteer Involvement: All parents/guardians will be required to volunteer.

7. Mentoring: Every scholar will have the opportunity to have a mentor and peer mentoring will take place between students.

8. Family Center: Resource center for families including an on-site licensed counselor through partnership with a local organization.

9. After-school Enrichment: Students will have a safe place to use their time constructively.

10. Innovative Education: Charter schools have flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods, which allows for creativity and academic excellence.

These following misperceptions were in a written document distributed to school leaders and community members. Please take the time to read the truth.

MYTH: “this proposal will cost us”

TRUTH: While per pupil monies will shift into the Catalyst Charter School budget, BUSD will receive administrative fees for each student, and Catalyst will bring additional funds into the district. Catalyst will increase the district’s eligibility to receive Race to the Top funds, therefore potentially bringing new revenue into the district.  Catalyst is a unique educational choice and will serve as an option for retaining students who may have otherwise opted to leave the district. Additionally, out of district, private schooled, and homeschooled students who choose to attend Catalyst will bring additional monies into the district.

MYTH: “we [BUSD] will have to provide all the support for them”

TRUTH: Catalyst’s budget is separate from the district and will not require payment from the district for support services (nutrition, transportation, etc.)

MYTH: Catalyst charter school will cause more teachers to lose their jobs

TRUTH: Catalyst will be providing 11 new jobs for teachers, potentially giving jobs back to the teachers who lost their jobs in budget cuts.

MYTH: “The superintendent of this school will make $90,000… and her husband $70,000”

TRUTH: No employees of the proposed school have been hired. Catalyst board members/family members will not be salaried employees of the charter school. Furthermore, no one has been paid for assisting in the preparation of the application.  The principal and staff will be paid similarly to district employees.

MYTH: “I don’t believe they (Charter School organizers) live in Bellflower”

TRUTH: Catalyst Charter School is a community-based initiative visioned and organized by local residents, parents, business owners, service providers and teachers.  Bellflower families created Catalyst School’s vision in order to contribute to academic excellence in our district.  BUSD students are at the heart of this school’s mission and it is with their academic and life achievement in mind that Catalyst Charter School was proposed. Close to 400 people have signed a petition in support of Catalyst Charter School. All organizers do live in Bellflower, although they have been assisted by non-residents who are volunteering to support the local effort.

MYTH: “Catalyst Charter School is a Franchise type deal…”

TRUTH: Catalyst Charter School is not a franchise; it is a new start up charter school, proposed by Bellflower District community members, to be located in Bellflower.  It is a non-profit organization, therefore not a business that generates profit.  The founding board will likely hire an experienced agency to assist with day-to-day operations.  Any selection of an agency will be handled through due process and competitive bidding.

MYTH: “ 5 year performance goals BELOW the state and federal requirements”

TRUTH: Catalyst will meet or exceed at the end of the 5-year charter the yearly Academic Performance Index (API) including NCLB AYP as established by the California Department of Education.  Catalyst has numerous goals for improving learning and measuring improvement that are not below state or federal requirements.

MYTH: “will this (special needs) be another portion of the community they leave out”

TRUTH: Catalyst’s Petition specifically addresses a special education plan over numerous pages.  Catalyst will follow the legal specifics of Special Education/IDEA legislation in its delivery of services: an equal opportunity for all scholars that may not be denied on the basis of disability.  The school budget proposes to hire a special education teacher/coordinator and will hire special education teachers as needed.

MYTH: “The site of this school is at a church which lends me to believe parochialism is at play”

TRUTH: Catalyst is a public school, and thus non-sectarian. Charter schools can be located in a variety of facility types, including churches. By utilizing an already existing space of classrooms, overall costs are kept low. There will be no religious instruction at Catalyst, the same as any other district school.

MYTH: “this type of school in our district is just not right. We don’t need this.”

TRUTH: A charter school allows the district to have a school with more flexibility, and offers the chance at different and innovative teaching that will benefit all of the neighboring schools. We want BUSD to embrace Catalyst as an educational partner, so that all success will be mutually shared. We recognize the hard work of the board, teachers, and support staff in Bellflower, and hope to support their work by offering a way to bring improved learning and expanded choices.

Catalyst Charter School is a Different Educational Choice

What is different about Catalyst Charter School? Why support the school at the BUSD board public hearing next week Thursday, March 11th at 7:30pm?  What makes Catalyst Charter School unique is its k-16 model emphasizing a classical curriculum pared with a strategy to cultivate the 40 external and internal positive factors of its scholar’s.  Our commitment to small class size is another key component to our uniqueness.  As well as introduction to Spanish langauge beginning in first grade.

Catalyst Charter School will support each scholar in building their external assets through five initiatives:

 After School Enrichment: Provision of activities, programs, clubs, fine arts, and sports after school hours on the school campus and through community partnerships will ensure constructive use of scholar’s time.  These activities will also provide a safe place for students to grow and develop.

Service Learning: Scholars will be empowered to serve others through grade level appropriate service opportunities with the local community and organizations.  The school will also serve the community through a community garden growing fresh produce to provide scholars and neighbors with healthy local food.

Parental Volunteer Hours: Parental involvement in the school and the education of each scholar is crucial to their achievement.  Parents and/or guardians of all scholars will be required to volunteer a set number of hours each academic semester.

Mentoring: A mentoring program will be built offering every scholar a mentor in a supportive adult role model.  The school’s location next to a retirement community provides access to many adult role models. Also a school culture of welcoming relationships will be built through peer mentoring in teacher facilitated inter-grade “family” groups to which all scholars will belong.

Family Center: Catalyst Charter School will have a Family Center on site to offer development opportunities and resources for scholars, families and community members.  All scholars’ parents/guardians will participate in family building workshops.  Relationships will be fostered and enriched through the Center with school staff, teachers, parents, scholars, partner organizations, and neighbors.  Professional counseling will be available in the Family Center as a resource to grow positive school and family culture.

Catalyst Charter School will support each scholar in building their internal assets through four integrated components:

Commitment to Learning: The classical educational model engages scholars in learning how to think, not just what to think.  This language-focused instruction in the early educational stage teaches a habit of thought requiring each scholar’s mind to actively work and grow.  Reading will be a key component to academic learning and will be instilled as a leisure pleasure for each scholar. Catalyst Charter School teachers will have flexibility to teach in a small classroom setting and present all subjects in creative, innovative, and experiential ways to foster scholars’ lifelong commitment to learning.  The school’s structure of accountability ensures quality and conveys the expectation that learning requires dedication.

Virtues: Catalyst Charter School’s classical curriculum is grounded in virtues and reflects a commitment to instilling positive values and morals in each scholar.  These values include caring, equality and social justice, integrity, honesty, responsibility, and self-regulation.  Aristotle defined virtue “as the ability to act in accordance to what one knows to be right.”  Having a moral foundation will enable scholars to understand their habits, make healthy choices, and be participative community members.

Scenario Planning: Growth in social competencies is crucial for scholars to become responsible citizens. Interpersonal skills, respectful behavior and appropriate decision-making skills will be developed through scholar’s participation in scenario planning. This planning will ask: Who am I? Where am I going? How do I get there?  This dialogue from an early age will inspire students to vision their achievement and become socially competent.

Gifted Identity:  Each scholar at Catalyst Charter School will be recognized as gifted. The school culture will instill a sense of purpose in each scholar and a growing sense of curiosity about the world.  Each scholar will be recognized as a valuable asset to the school and the community.

Public Hearing Rescheduled for March 11 @ 7:30pm

Due to a small legal technicality Catalyst Charter School is resubmitting our petition and the public hearing has been rescheduled for March 11.  There is not public hearing tonight so spread the word to those who may not have heard.  Thank you!

Public Hearing Thursday, Feb. 4th @ 6 pm at BUSD office

This Thursday evening will be the public hearing for Catalyst Charter School at the Bellflower Unified School District Office – the meeting will begin at 6 pm. The office is on the corner of Clark Ave and Flower Street.

Come support Catalyst Charter School by being present at the meeting and wear BLUE so everyone knows you support Catalyst.  We look forward to sharing why Catalyst Charter School is an excellent proposed school and an educational choice the community wants for Bellflower students. 

If you have questions email Rachel at catalystcharterschool@gmail.com

Save the Dates

Thursday January 28th @ 7pm

Catalyst Charter School Informational Meeting

Casa de Luna  9835 Belmont Street, Bellflower 90706

We would like to invite parents and community members to come to learn more about Catalyst Charter School. We hope to answer questions and hear from you about how Catalyst Charter School can best serve students and our community.

Thursday, February 4th

Public Hearing for Catalyst Charter School with Bellflower Unified School District Board

BUSD office on the corner of Clark and Flower

Come Show your Support for Catalyst Charter School

It wasn’t a public hearing but our voice was heard

This past Thursday we learned that Catalyst Charter School’s proposal was not on the agenda for the BUSD board meeting like we had understood.  Instead the district has scheduled a Public Hearing for Feb. 4th in a Board Special Meeting.

Although we weren’t on the agenda Catalyst supporters were still able to comment on the proposed Charter School and share their hearts and desire for the choice of a charter school in Bellflower.   It is was a powerful testimony from the community; people invested in Bellflower and want excellence for Bellflower.  Teachers, parents, business owners, nonprofit leaders, community volunteers and others shared a vision for an innovative and exciting educational choice, Catalyst Charter School.  It was inspirational to witness the number of people who came to the board meeting to support the school and be a voice for opportunity.

Thank you to all who spoke and to those who sat in the room. Our presence communicated to BUSD adminstration and the board that there is a movement towards an exciting new chapter in Bellflower’s educational choices; Catalyst Charter School.  We look forward to Feb. 4th where there will be further dialogue with the BUSD board and community about approving the proposed charter school petition.

Catalyst’s Public Hearing – Come Show Your Support

This Thursday the 14th, Bellflower Unified School District will be holding a public hearing to discuss and possibly vote on the approval of Catalyst Charter School’s opening a k-5 campus.  COME SUPPORT CATALYST CHARTER SCHOOL : 7:30 pm at the BUSD office at the corner of Clark Avenue and Flower Street – enter from parking lot off Flower

Catalyst Charter School is a proposed locally organized K-16 educational model in Bellflower, California, committed to academic excellence and cultivating the internal and external developmental assets of the scholars who attend. The graduates of the Catalyst Charter School will be self- disciplined, compassionate, articulate, critical thinkers, who are well-equipped global leaders.

What makes Catalyst Charter School unique is its emphasis on a classical curriculum paired with a strategy to cultivate 40 developmental assets of its scholars.

Classical Curriculum

The classical curriculum has been used by the highly successful charter school in Winchester, California (Temecula Preparatory School http://www.temeculaprep.com/).  The core of classical education is a three stage-teaching model that tailors the curriculum subject matter to a child’s cognitive development. In Grades K-4, this approach emphasizes concrete thinking and memorization of the facts of the subjects. Multiple languages are introduced at this stage as well as reading since languages and reading are building blocks for all subjects.  In Grades 5-8, analytical thinking and understanding of the subjects is emphasized.  In High School scholars engage in abstract thinking and articulation of the subjects.

Catalyst Charter School believes that learning occurs most effectively when knowledge is built systematically upon all that has come before. The teaching staff will instill in the scholars a passion for learning and inquisitiveness toward things beyond present knowledge.

40 Developmental Assets

The Developmental Assets (http://www.search-institute.org/40-developmental-assets-children) are 40 common sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible adults. Examples of these assets include parent involvement in school, service to others and reading for pleasure.  Because of its basis in youth development, resiliency, and prevention research and its proven effectiveness, the Developmental Assets framework has become the single most widely used approach to positive youth development in the United States.  Grounded in extensive research in youth development, resiliency, and prevention, the Developmental Assets represent the relationships, opportunities, and personal qualities that young people need to avoid risks and to thrive.

Studies of more than 2.2 million young people in the United States consistently show that the more assets young people have, the less likely they are to engage in a wide range of high-risk behaviors and the more likely they are to thrive. Assets have power for all young people, regardless of their gender, economic status, family, or race/ethnicity. Furthermore, levels of assets are better predictors of high-risk involvement and thriving than poverty or being from a single-parent family.  (http://www.search-institute.org/research-and-publications)