First in a series
(Click here for the Free Summer Lunch 2014 Event Calendar.)
[img]2627|right|||no_popup[/img]A whopper on Opening Day.
The School District’s free and expansive Summer Lunch and Learning program at LaBallona Elementary today served a record 157 meals, more than any day last summer.
Immediately, the turnout of at least 157 hungry mouths validated Supt. Dave LaRose’s ambition to meet three hefty objectives in this year’s design, expanded from five weeks to seven:
• Feed more students, up to age 18.
• Involve more parents, who will not be mere passive observers but deeply committed participants.
• Brace up the learning portion of the 11:30 to 1 outing with imaginative, pragmatic and appealing programming.
The Difference-maker
Funding for the second-year program arrived in March this time, months earlier than last year. This afforded District officials, especially Mr. LaRose, the master visionary, sufficient room to plan more thoroughly than a year ago. Funding arrived just before launching last spring, barely allowing them to paste together a meaningful daily program of substantive activities.
A familiar face around Culver City campuses, Drew Sotelo, now director of pupil services, and Julie Garcia, in charge of food services, are the new co-directors of the Summer Lunch program. LaShon Conroy returns as Summer Lunch coordinator.
Ms. Conroy and Mr. Sotelo were asked what they learned from last year’s rush-rush experience that they are applying to this summer?
The accent this season is on parents, and Ms. Conroy said that with increased mom-and-dad involvement, more workshops are adult-themed.
“We have more shared (parent/child) activities this summer,” she said.
Ms. Conroy said that even though many parents in the District are working class, an impressive number has volunteered for the 90-miute daily exercise.
Mr. Sotelo said that because the grant underwriting the two-month adventure was approved much earlier, “we were able to engage a lot more partners in the community. Last year’s partners returned, and many more joined this time as you can see from the busy daily schedule.”
In explaining the role and duties of a partner, Mr. Sotelo cited the Sandy Segal Youth Health Center. “Starting on June 30, the Heath Center’s staff will offer a parent chat every Monday on topics of interest,” he said.
Another sample:
“Our House will offer grief counseling in Spanish to parents who have lost a significant person in their lives.”
Still another, by Mr. Sotelo:
“Two Loyola Marymount faculty members from the School of Education will host a parent workshop.”
(To be continued)
