None

Dr. Jennings welcomed Ms. Croft back to school.

 

No comments.

Ms. Croft spoke of the first month of school.  She commented that RISE High staff were attending the launch of the RISE High students' MeUndies project at the store in Santa Monica, therefore they were not able to attend the Board meeting.  The students designed socks for the stores after having worked with the MeUndies designers and staff to learn about design and production.  

August enrollment data.
Enrollment as of 9/10/19 stood at 171 students (75 students at the Hawthorne site, and 96 at the APCH site).  
22.2% of the students are current & former foster youth.
8% of the students identify as homeless/housing unstable.
8.8% are probationary youth.  Ms. Croft wants to begin tracking former probationary youths, as well.
17% students with IEPs (urban school averages are 12%; many students' IEPs need updating when they come to RISE High)
11% of the students are English language learners.
The remaining students are over-age, credit deficient youth or other classifications and do not fall into the above categories.
Brief discussion on special education ensued.

Other Data & Demographics
The new Enrollment & Attendance Coordinator has helped to increase the number of Free & Reduced Lunch applications (112, out of 171 students, a significant increase), of which 96% qualify.  RISE High is awaiting 59 applications; of those 59, 23 are foster or homeless youth.

Ms. Croft mentioned that in a very transient population (many in this demographic change schools three times a year), 62% of RISE High's foster youth and 90% of its homeless students returned to RISE High this year.  She credits RISE High's multiple sites, student transportation via Hop Skip Drive, and case management with this level of engagement and retention.

Mr. Mayotte commented that the first month's attendance rate was 95%.  Ms. Croft spoke of a culture shift in school as students who have been at the school longest now take it upon themselves to help acclimate the new students.

Ms. Croft spoke of the 1% suspension rate, and how 100% of the staff have now been trained in non-violent crisis intervention.  The single suspension was due to a fight that was over quickly, and the suspended student was immediately remorseful and asked for a conflict mediation session.  A full plan was put in place, and the two-day suspension allowed everyone to prepare for the restorative justice session.

In addition, a theft occurred at one of the sites, and the issue was resolved without suspension, but with a restorative justice circle including the students' families.

Ms. Croft also spoke of current partnerships and wraparound supports.  She commented on the Children's Bureau, which will provide general counseling services at the Hawthorne site free of charge.  At APCH, RISE students will take part in a dental clinic, and APCH reserves 20-25 spaces in its Adopt a Family program for RISE families for holiday support.

XQ Institute will sponsor a Knowledge Exchange between Washington Leadership Academy and RISE High. Washington Leadership Academy, another XQ Super School, is located in Washington, DC, and serves a population that is beginning to look more like that of RISE High, so they are looking to learn about restorative justice practices and trauma-informed care from RISE staff.

Brief discussion on the number of schools successfully launched through the XQ Super Schools.

Ms. Morgan asked about the age limit at RISE High.  If students have been enrolled before their 19th birthday, or continuously enrolled at another school, they may stay at RISE High until age 22.  Students who are 19 but have been out of school cannot enroll at RISE.

Preliminary SBAC scores were discussed.  Ms. Croft explained that the issue in math standardized testing with the RISE High population is determining whether or not students actually have the math knowledge for a specific grade level.  In response, academic coaches are now content-specific, to provide more in-depth, tailored instruction.  School-wide, literacy is being promoted and supported through daily literacy academic support sessions for every student.  MAP testing will be conducted three times a year for more granular data.

September Focus:
Student referrals & recruitment
MAP testing roll out
First cross-site student event
Collect & analyze first month's attendance data
Student internships
Student mental health intake

Ms. Montes-Rodriguez asked about enrollment numbers.  Ms. Croft spoke of the target being 225 students.  In the next week, Ms. Croft will be focusing on referrals from partners, to be as close to the target as possible by the end of the calendar year.

Dr. Ring spoke of seeking new relationships with referral partners.

Ms. Freiberg inquired about transiency.  Ms. Croft responded that the benefit of having two sites is that students can be recaptured if they change foster homes or come out of incarceration.  She said that the relationship with Hop Skip Drive is critical, in that it provides safe transportation for students wherever they are.

Brief discussion about RISE High alumni ensued.
 

Mr. Mayotte spoke of the month of July being very financially quiet.

Enrollment as of September 5 was 170.  PowerSchool shows 155.68 ADA, and budgeted ADA is 150.
Last year, RISE gained 30 students between the first day of school and April.

Sabrina Ayala, of Delta Financial will be handling management, reporting, and communication in the near future.  She had filled in for Mr. Mayotte during his paternity leave. 

Dr. Wunder spoke of the four separate LEAs at Da Vinci Schools, all very different, and two authorizers.  The complexity has made it very difficult on Mr. Mayotte.  Ms. Morgan thanked Mr. Mayotte.

Mr. Mayotte clarified that the account holds $175K.

Dr. Ring commented that Children's Bureau is a well-known mental health provider, and the MOU identifies the role and responsibility of the partner on the RISE High campus.  The partnership is the result of the work of cross-site RISE High Coordinator of Services and Partnerships, Cherokee Rogers.