Scott McVarish
Scott McVarish
District: Culver City USD
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member
Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.
In high school I had the great pleasure of being part of the performing arts troupe. I was in both the play and the musical. But the real special event was the improv team that I took part of. We competed in competitions throughout L.A. and much to my shock I actually received a little bit of an award at one of them. To this day it’s probably my favorite memory from high school. Now I am so happy to see my daughter wanting to get involved in the middle school improv group. I swear I didn’t push her. (-:
Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?
We know that arts programs are instrumental in closing the achievement gap. As a former English as a Second Language instructor, I found that pairing my students with native English speakers perhaps gave them the greatest motive to learn English. I would propose that English learners be given a native English buddy to assist them in their learning path. We also need to build in English-language components into programs tied to those students’ cultural backgrounds & life experiences. This would include music and dance and visual art from their native countries.
Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?
It’s a matter of prioritizing the budget To provide greater options for our students– even when this means smaller class sizes in some subject areas– and tying that in with the Local Control Accountability Plan. Likewise, we must reach out to the artists in our community who have ties to the vibrant and diverse community art groups in Los Angeles. Our local artists can help bring These organizations into the schools and provide inside and outside of school learning experiences for our students.
Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?
Parents will come to campus and engage with staff whenever their children are performing. In this way performing arts brings our diverse parent community together. Likewise as our district is about to embark upon $106 million of renovations we have the opportunity to focus on creating classrooms designed with the best science of learning. Pupil outcomes will also be improved as we are able to engage parents in their own language based on their cultural norms. Finally student outcomes are better when students are happy. Arts make students happy.
Anne Allaire Burke
Anne Allaire Burke
District: Culver City USD
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member
Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.
As a little girl and a young woman I always loved music. I am the oldest of 9 children and I participated in all of the FREE music opportunities through my church. When I was 11 I begged my father for piano lessons and I took piano lessons for 2 years. Unfortunately after 2 years of lessons my father told me that we couldn’t afford to continue the lessons. I’ve never given up on music; today, I sing with the Angel City Chorale. But, the idea of a child not affording art/music instruction is not OK with me.
Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?
Establish *Career Path Academies* in the areas of building trades, science/technology, & leadership/public service. Success looks differently for every individual. We need to emphasize this in our schools and our students. I believe that we have forgotten about the art of mentorship/apprenticeship in our schools. The Career Path Academies wants to bring back mentorship and apprenticeship opportunities for students. Parent engagement is important; but studies show that when there are adults who demonstrate a real investment/relationship in our students (even just 1!) then the student builds confidence and resilience. Confidence & resilience are key to any successful student outcome.
Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?
School board member 1) oversee the development of and adopts policies & 2) set the direction for and adopts the curriculum in the district. An effective school board member approaches this from a WIDE LENS that looks at ALL types of curriculum and instruction. Math, science, and language arts are essential but I know it is critical to supplement with other areas of creativity & learning. I strongly believe we educate the creativity OUT of students. Creativity and education should not be mutually exclusive. There are ways to meet our growing list of standards with non-traditional curriculum and project-based learning.
Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?
The 8 priorities can be summarized in 3 general categories: conditions of learning, pupil outcomes, and engagement. We have a $106million Bond that I helped to pass in Culver City. I will ensure that we update our facilities to create a physical space that meets the demands of 21st century (and beyond!) learning. I will work to create spaces that not only fix the core safety/health essentials but also promote thinking and discussion. If we want out-of-the-box thinking then we need out-of-the-box infrastructure – such as open “think box” areas on campus for students not just traditional classrooms.
Henry Lo
Henry Lo
District: Garvey
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member
Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.
I remember the meaningful impact music education had on me when I was in elementary school. It was fun and useful in learning self expression.
Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?
Promotion of art and music is very helpful to students in developing their proficiency in other subjects, such as math. By being well rounded in all subjects a student will be better prepared to enter college and also be successful in life.
Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?
Boardmembers need to be advocates on befalf of students and the community to ensure that all policies and resources are focused on the classroom.
Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?
Restore programs in music and arts that were scaled back before and focus resources in these subjects. It is importance to give the arts the primacy they deserve as we do with other subjects.
Terry L. Ragins
Terry L. Ragins
District: Torrance Unified
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member
Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.
Always loved art and choral singing throughout school…was singled out for solos and trio work with elementary school choir I could sing Received a guitar for a gift from my parents and taught myself to play a little but mostly to accompany my own singing of my favorite songs Pursued drama in high school musicals mostly with Aunt Eller in Oklahoma being my penultimate role I have since been enthralled with musical stage productions introducing my own two sons to the wonders of live stage…performance AND audience appreciation on Broadway and London West End are always on tap when visiting
Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?
Creative endeavors are an avenue for students to develop a sense of self confidence affirm their own power to create beauty and be recognized for it Especially drama with many nonverbal aspects is a great place for ELD students to jump in and then progress to integrate MEANINGFUL language and dialogue in performance We have preserved a Fine Arts requirement for High School graduation that I support and will try to preserve this Taught Adventures in Art in Middle Schools that promotes knowledge of artists and gives students the opportunity to explore various artistic techniques and media and experiences
Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?
School Board’s job IS to set policy and direction for the school district. Access to a broad range of study has been an emphasis of mine…we have preserved our band and choral music offerings as we also increased AP course offerings, and our drastically bumped up STEM offerings. Several schools now offer engineering pathways through grant funded Project Lead The Way. I also serve as a Board member for Southern California Regional Occupational Center a resource for Career and Technical Educational classes and experiences in an amazingly broad range…including career preparation and certification in building and health related/personal care trades.
Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?
WE are in a process of rebuilding student programs after our staffing and financial resources were decimated in the Great Depression Rather than wholesale resumption of all previous programs we are starting from scratch Each individual program is being evaluated for its efficacy and efficiency as we consider the costs and best mechanisms for providing services to our students that apply to all areas This is a highly collaborative process involving students staff administration and community members WE are currently seeking input from our community about priority expenditures to utilize our one-time mandate reimbursement that came to schools this year.
Lupe Valerio
Lupe Valerio
District: Duarte USD
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member
Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.
One of the most meaningful and memorable experiences with art occurred when I was in grade school. I recall being taught how to country line dance. Keep in mind that I attended LA Unified and the only other form of dance instruction I received in school was in preparation for the 5 de mayo celebration. Learning about a different culture through dance was an experience that opened my eyes to the world around me.
Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?
I am a firm believer in reading as a young child I recall spending hours in the library. I would walk to the library every Saturday morning with a friend, watch their free short movie, explore the new books and check books out for at-home reading. I’d like to see more of our kids visiting our libraries. I believe a simple thing like reading develops language and prepares students for college and career because it allows for exploration of the world around us through books. I would like to see greater partnerships between schools and libraries.
Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?
School Board members must be adaptable and must know their students, parents and community. The governing board must be able to change with technology, environment and culture. Having a broad range of study available for students of all abilities is imperative for the future success of the child.
Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?
1. High quality teachers, passionate teachers equipped with necessary materials including well established safety and emergency plans. 2. Administrator accountability; ensuring that all academic standards are met. 3. Various avenues available for parent input and volunteerism. 4. Early college introduction at grade school level and parent encouragement. 5. Student attendance is addressed in positive manners, whether frequently absent or always present. 6. Assuring that arts and physical education are enjoyable to all students.
Angela Rios
Angela Rios
District: Garvey
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member
Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.
In elementary school, Ms. Alexander would come into our class with her guitar, and teach us tunes that I can still sing to this day. Unfortunately, my parents were not able to provide my siblings and me with any outside activities, so choir became my haven. I loved being in a group that shared the same common goals and interests. Ms. Alexander displayed a love of the art of music that impacted me in such a way that I will carry it with me forever. I can unequivocally say that choir is the reason I graduated from High School.
Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?
One creative idea would be known as, “Parent Chasers”. Every parent has real reasons why they can’t be involved. What if there was a person, a “Parent chaser”, whose job was to help parents get involved. Once the parent is at the meeting, we can give them real tangible information, educate them, and make it fun at the same time, so they want to comeback. As a parent, I understand that these are true needs and desires of our community. I want to help our parents help our children. I believe in the equation: student + teacher+ parent = success.
Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?
I believe that it is the school board member’s job to ensure that students are getting access to a broad range of study. Surveying the students and visiting the schools to find out if the curriculum is nurturing the whole student are initial ways to do this. In addition, board members should collaborate with the feeder schools to assure that transition as seamless as possible.
Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?
A creative idea I have is to partner with our community. Listening, helping, and educating parents and other community members will foster the success of our students. I currently serve on the executive board of Cuerva Urban Folklorico, as well as several other art committees. One way to partner with the community is to include our local cultural artists such as the ones I work with. They would be from all ethnic backgrounds, including the predominant Asian and Latino community. Our students gain new experiences through new cultures, and the artists would gain by giving back to their community.
Dominique Ballante
Dominique Ballante
District: Keppel Union
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member
Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.
As I was growing up, my teachers had our class presenting a dance or a song at the yearly School festival. I have been a choir singer, a Mexican dancer, a ballerina, or part of a pageantry display, etc. It was such a great production (and fundraiser) and we all felt so proud to show our skills to our parents. I enjoyed being on stage and performing. I had good rhythm and my teachers always would put me in the front. Music was my thing, I loved to sing and still do.
Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?
I believe in music as a great mean of support for developing English Language and math skills. Music appeals to all children and the words of a song stick to them. I teach many concepts on well-known tunes and it helps my students memorize them. Also music helps with focus and logic it organizes the brain.
I believe also that drawing and painting can support creativity. Children enjoy describing something they have drawn with many details supports the development of descriptive writing.
Music can lead to many good careers from composing to performing and all the industry around it.
Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?
The School Board has the capability to influence the curriculum development. It can request the development of an art or a music program at the school. It can have the Superintendent have the teachers insure that the children are exposed to art through field trips, guest speakers or performers and in the daily classroom life in addition to the regular curriculum.
Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?
1Support the purchase of curriculum including art
2 Having all staff teaching every facette of the curriculum adding art through museum visits concert attendance Goal 3:Suggest festival/fundraisers to have parents support and cooperation in the development of a performing art curriculum
4 Have performances guest musicians or artists to visit the school
5 Motivate children to come to school through art/music or an artistic endeavor they succeed in
6 Include parents teachers and the community in celebrating special anniversary through arts
7 Have an art center opened and staffed by volunteers artists
8 Suggest drama to be included in PE
Gregory Tepe
Gregory Tepe
District: Lancaster School Trustee Area 3
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member
Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.
I loved drawing as a kid, especially animals and nature. Art was something I was good at and it helped me to observe the world around me in detail. I loved being outdoors and drawing the animals I saw. As I got older I won a drawing contest for Ranger Rick Magazine and a TShirt design contest for the City of Lancaster. This gave me inspiration and confidence that has carried over to other areas in my life. I now teach art to my own kids and the students in my classroom.
Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?
Art , Music, and Performing Arts need to be implemented back into the curriculum. These areas are critical for expanding creative and critical thinking in our students.
Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?
Insisting that extra curricular activities and the arts are included in our district plan and are goals for our district at each level of planning and implementation.
Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?
Including a discussion of the Arts in our planning and development and making it a high priority.
Lizette Lucha Arévalo
Lizette Lucha Arévalo
District: Compton USD
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member
Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.
I come from a family of artist. In college I learned that my family are considered rasquache artist– we are people who make something, out of nothing. When you enter my parents home you won’t see a wall untouched with murals, my mothers flowers growing out of anything you can imagine, sculptures made from my father’s hands, paintings done by my sisters, and finally my degrees on their walls. Being surrounded by a house full of life, color, and creativity made me into who I am, someone able to imagine alternative possibilities for myself and my community.
Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?
We must pave new pathways for students to enter during and after high school. Pathways that explore different languages, arts, and science could be an entry way for students to learn that there are various type of careers. Every student should graduate high school prepared for a college education, but more importantly, every student should graduate high school with a sense of knowledge about where their interest are, what skills they want to develop, and what fuels their passion for learning. We need to make learning fun again and bringing creativity back into the classroom is how to do it.
Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?
School Board members should not only be advocates for diversity, they should also be role models that demonstrate what that looks like in their community. If elected I will be that for my community. I have been part of a larger movement in Southern California to bring forth Ethnic Studies courses as a high school requirement. School Board members should not only advocate for social justice, representation, and diversity to be taught in the classroom– they should be involved in local efforts for justice in their community. Ensuring that students have a diverse curriculum is a starting point.
Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?
The best way to achieve goals in each of the eight priority areas is to create an independent oversight committee of parents, educators, students, and concerned residents. This oversight committee will be there to propose new strategies and to make amendments when needed. The committee will serve as a bridge between the community and the board. The committee and board will collectively bring the community together in town hall meetings for discussions. We cannot reach the goals each area without consulting the stakeholders in each step along the way.
Teresa Merino Ph.D.
Teresa Merino Ph.D.
District: El Rancho USD*
Position Seeking: Governing Board Member
Question 1: Please share a meaningful experience you had with art (visual, dance, drama, music, media arts) while growing up.
While growing up in a small, dusty town in Mexico, where public libraries were non existent, I learn to appreciate music, song and dance. As a young child I have recollections of cool, summer evenings sitting outside in the patio listening to friends and relatives play the guitar and sing a variety of songs while we sang or danced along to the tunes and ballads.
These rich experiences helped developed not only my vocabulary but also my love of music and dance and set the stage for what I enjoy today, from the classical to the contemporary.
Question 2: What kind of creative solutions would you suggest to support student outcomes such as English language development, closing the achievement gap, and preparation for college and/or meaningful careers?
The performing arts, music, dance, drama, media, and art key play a key role in the in the development of language overall. Children have many learning modalities and from persona; experience I can say that art contributes to a child’s creativity and expression. Learning to read through the arts is a strategy that I em[ployed frequently while working as as a teacher in elementary grades. When children master the ability of expression they also master the ability to listen, read and write.
Question 3: What do you think should be the role of the School Board in ensuring that students have access to a broad range of study?
School Boards have a responsibility to provide a variety of academic experiences to all students in all disciplines. First and foremost is following the mandated guidelines from the Common Core Standards and at the same time provide enrichment classes and opportunities to unlock students’ creativity and analytical skills.
Question 4: In light of the Local Control Funding Formula and development of district Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs), what are your creative solutions for achieving goals in the eight priority areas?
To meet the mandates of LCAP school districts must involve all stakeholders, the school board, the administration, staff, parents, the bargaining unions and students to provide input and set priorities to develop a strategic plan that is well understood and that it provides direction that aligns to current student needs. With the LCAP school districts develop and set the budget and seek opportunities to apply for grants and funding that will support the arts.
