Early Edge Joins Fall Meetings for the LAUSD Board Committee on Children and Families in Early Education
Early Edge California’s Director of Policy, Carolyne Crolotte, joined the fall 2024 meetings for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Board Committee on Children and Families in Early Education as an external member of the committee.
September 19th Meeting
Early Edge’s Director of Policy, Carolyne Crolotte, joined the Committee’s first meeting for the 2024-25 school year on September 19th. The meeting began with opening remarks from Chairperson Kelly Gonez followed by updates on 2023-2024 Committee recommendations given by Pia Sadaqatal (Chief of Transitional Programs), Dean Tagawa (Executive Director, Early Childhood Education Division), and Alix O’ Brien (Deputy Chief Facilities Executive). Carolyne praised the presenters for all of the work and progress they have made thus far on the recommendations and suggested the committee have the opportunity to discuss the status and progress of the recommendations throughout the year. The Committee then heard a presentation on the “Joy in Learning in LAUSD” presented by Ranae J. Amezquita (Director, Early Childhood Education Division), Ernestina Lara (Principal, Escalante Early Education Center), Sandy Guillermo (Itinerant Teacher & Instructional Coach), and Diane Corral (Itinerant Teacher & Instructional Coach). Carolyne commended the presenters for their strong play-based programs as well as the outdoor classroom opportunities and encouraged the expansion of such programs for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) classrooms as well.
Access the meeting materials and watch a recording of the September 19th meeting here.
October 17th Meeting
Our Director of Policy, Carolyne Crolotte, also joined the Committee’s October 17th meeting, which began with opening remarks from Chairperson Kelly Gonez followed by three presentations from LAUSD staff. The first presentation was on “Promoting Early Literacy” presented by Dr. Dean Tagawa (Executive Director, Early Childhood Education Division) and Ranae Amezquita (Director, Early Childhood Education Division). Carolyne praised their work in early literacy and partnerships with families. She encouraged them to explore partnerships with local libraries to help families access books in languages other than English and also encouraged families to support the development of their child’s home language. The second presentation was a facilities update on the “Major Facilities Needs for Early Education Programs” presented by Krisztina Tokes (Chief Facilities Executive) and Alix O’Brien (Deputy Chief Facilities Executive). The final presentation focused on an overview of family engagement programs by Antonio Plascencia (Senior Director of Engagement and Partnerships Division of Communication, Engagement, and Collaboration). The meeting concluded with an opportunity for public comment.
Access the meeting materials and watch a recording of the October 17th meeting here.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 10 am – 12 pm (PT).