Also visit http://westsideboost.com to learn more about what is happening at Westside Leadership Magnet.

David N and I have done a thorough analysis on our Outdoor Summer Cinema concept, including talking to screen vendors, film distributors, event management firms and LAUSD reps.

We came to the conclusion that this could be a great program and a significant fund-raiser if executed properly. And we’re very enthusiastic about organizing next summer’s film series — and yes, you will be helping too!

But the extensive HVAC work currently underway at Westside (see Laura’s last post) in combination with what would have been a very short lead time gave us some pause.

We don’t want to rush into something that might not produce a return on the investment of our Boost Budget for school improvements unless we are very sure we are doing things correctly. By starting our campaign for next summer as early as possible (i.e. next week) we will be able to work to secure advertising commitments and sponsorship underwriting that will greatly minimize our investment risk.

And the schoolyard/screening site won’t be a major construction site which was going to be a real issue for the Fire Marshall.

Onward we go!

Understandably this pushes our kindergarten and first grade classroom beautification start time to mid-August. Westside Boost has not been and will not be idle during this wait!  We are hard at work planning, preparing, and researching. Pauline & I met with Miguel from Woolly Pockets to begin our campus greening plan. Miguel had several creative and cost effective suggestions to help us get more plants on campus. There is a painting crew at the school now touching up the areas that need it. I have made sure that the first grade classroom is at the top of that repair list. We are working on replacing the flooring in the kindergarten & first grade classrooms. Our Magnet Coordinator, Thomas Bangert, and I are working on a Community Beautification Grant application. Lastly, Dave & Sarah H are finalizing the paperwork for our 501(c)(3) non-profit corporate status. Once this paperwork has been filed we will open our bank account and hit the ground running in our fundraising campaign.

I know it will take more than one summer to transform the campus into the beautiful learning academy that we all envision. It is comforting to know that we are moving closer to our goals and that in September when the children come to class it will be that much better.

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On Labor Day, Sept. 7, 2009, people in communities all over the country will sit down to share a meal with their neighbors and kids. This National Eat-In will send a clear message to Congress: It’s time to provide America’s children with real food at school.

Getting Congress’ attention is a big job, and we need your help. Sign up to organize an Eat-In on Sept. 7.

You don’t have to have done anything like this before – you’re just gathering a group of people for a potluck. We’ve created an Organizer Toolkit to guide you through the process. And you can always contact us with questions.

With your help, Sept. 7, 2009 will mark the day this country comes together to take the first step towards a future where no child is denied his or her right to be healthy and where every child enjoys real food.

The Time for Lunch Campaign is a project of Slow Food USA, an educational non-profit with the goal of creating a world in which everyone can enjoy food that is good, clean and fair.

This year, we’re asking parents, teachers and every responsible citizen to speak up and tell our nation’s leaders that change can’t wait: It’s time to provide our children with REAL FOOD at school.

About the Child Nutrition Act

The Child Nutrition Act is a federal law that comes up for reauthorization in Congress every four to five years. It governs the National School Lunch Program, which sets the standard for the food that more than 30 million children eat every school day.

In the last few decades, as school budgets have been cut, our nation’s schools have struggled to serve children the real food they need.

The deadline for reauthorizing the current Child Nutrition Act is September 2009. Unless we speak up this summer, “business as usual” on Capitol Hill will let Congress pass a Child Nutrition Act that continues to fail our children.

Read our platform to learn about the actions Congress needs to take to get real food in schools. You can also learn more about school food and the Child Nutrition Act on these web sites:

• Better School Food
• The Center for Ecoliteracy
• Chef Ann
• The National Farm to School Network
• Slow Food In Schools
• School Lunch Talk

Westside Leadership has published a summer reading list for all grades. Enjoy!

This could be a great solution for our school garden.  What do you think?

Size matters.

From the standpoint of someone with a significant background in education, the single most important factor in my decision to send Lulu (and eventually Tom) to WLM has been the size of the school. Everyone knows that class size matters. But I also think the size of the entire school matters. There are huge benefits to smallness. Everything is easier.

It is easier to create community. It is easier to effect change. And it’s just easier to get to know everyone.

I totally spaced on Lulu’s registration appointment. Thirty minutes after I was supposed to be at the school with my paperwork, I realized my mistake. I called the main number and began to explain myself.

The voice on the other end of the line, said, “Harden? It’s Baird. What’s up?”

The Principal himself answered the phone. Someone I have come to think of as a friend told me it was no problem. They handle registration on Saturday for the parents who have trouble getting to the school on week days. He said come on Monday, or after next week when the students are gone for summer and everything is quiet.

How good is that?