Tag Archives: ilead antelope valley

Culture and Curriculum, Studio

iLEAD Antelope Valley Culture: Components of Social-Emotional Learning — Grit

What does it take to really succeed? Some might call it drive or determination. At iLEAD Antelope Valley, we like to call it grit, and it is a crucial component of social-emotional learning.

We define grit as “having courage and resolve, and strength of character.” Someone with grit works hard and passionately, sets goals, and follows through. Why is grit important? Because to truly accomplish goals and thrive, we need the ability to persevere. Without grit, talent may be nothing more than unmet potential. That is why we believe it is so valuable to instill an understanding of grit early on in kids.

But how does one assess “grittiness”? A simple way is to see if you identify with some of these statements:

  • I enjoy projects that take time to complete.
  • I am working toward a long-term goal.
  • What I do each day is connected to my deepest personal values.
  • There is at least one subject or activity I never get bored thinking about.
  • Setbacks don’t discourage me for long.
  • I am a hard worker.
  • I finish whatever I begin.
  • I never stop working to improve.

Our approach to SEL has been deeply influenced by Angela Lee Duckworth, who has done extensive research in the area of grit. She suggests that one way to think about grit is to consider what it isn’t.

Grit isn’t talent. Grit isn’t luck. Grit isn’t how intensely, for the moment, you want something.

Instead, grit is about having a goal you care about so much that it organizes and gives meaning to almost everything you do. Further, grit means holding fast to that goal, no matter what.

There are many practical ways to foster grit in learners:

  • Help them see how their efforts can contribute to the well-being of others.
  • Nurture a growth mindset; a belief that the ability to learn is not fixed.
  • Ask them to set their own long-term goals.
  • Focus discussions on effort, tenacity, and learning from failures.

We believe as part of a curriculum that’s rich in project-based and social-emotional learning, when kids learn to model grit in their academic pursuits, their mindset will positively affect every area of their lives.

Watch This: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

Studio

Introducing Brightspace: Your New Learning Management System

iLEAD AV is pleased to announce the launch of its new learning management system, Brightspace. Over the past year, a team of dedicated educators have researched, adopted and customized this platform. Brightspace is an award-winning leader in learning software and aligns with iLEAD’s core values. This platform replaces Echo, Powerschool and Google Classroom that you may have used last year. Our facilitators and staff are working together to make the transition and help support your learner in navigating the platform. Parents and families also receive a parent dashboard account for Brightspace, an easy way to have a virtual seat in your child’s classroom and stay up to date on important announcements, upcoming work, and samples of your child’s projects and beautiful work. 

Click HERE for a getting started guide to Brightspace, and reach out to your child’s facilitator if you have questions or need support. The Parent Dashboard login details are enclosed in the linked getting started guide.

Studio

Announcing FREE Breakfast & Lunch for All Learners + Multipurpose Family Income Form

USDA breakfastWe are thrilled to announce that we will be serving breakfast this year AND through the Summer Seamless Program, we will serve both breakfast and lunch for FREE to every iLEAD AV learner throughout the 2021-22 school year!

We also want to remind you to fill out the Multipurpose Income Form. Please read below to understand why we ask each family to do so.

Reminders: Multipurpose Family Income Form

The start of school means getting to know new friends, facilitators, and routines, adjusting to a new way of learning, and, of course, filling out lots of paperwork!

One form that is especially important for schools to receive from families is called the Multipurpose Family Income Form. This form needs to be filled out for every  learner and submitted each year by October 1. It can be submitted in a variety of ways. You can fill it out via a fillable PDF (attached) and email it to betty.lara@ileadav.org, fill out a paper form (attached in English and Spanish) and drop it off at the front office by appointment only, or — in our newest, completely digital way — you can complete it via the My MealTime online platform. This  option ensures the confidentiality of your form and can be done from home. Please email all forms (by October 1) and any questions to betty.lara@ileadav.org.

Some people have heard that it is only necessary to fill out this form if you want your child to qualify for free or reduced-price school breakfast and/or lunch. The truth is that it is important for EVERY family to fill out this form because doing so helps bring much-needed additional money and services directly to our school!

Our school receives funding from the state and federal governments to support the needs of low-income learners. For every learner who qualifies for free or reduced-price breakfast/lunch, our school receives thousands of additional dollars in funding.  Studies show that many eligible students, in particular middle school and high school students, do not complete this form each year, leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding for our school on the table. Even a small increase in eligible forms collected results in significantly more money to support our learners and school.

What is the Multipurpose Family Income Form?

This form collects basic information about your learner so our school can determine their eligibility for free or reduced-price breakfast/lunch, and also so that our school can qualify to receive extra money and programs. You may have heard this form referred to in the past as the School Meal Application Form or School Lunch Form. The name has changed because it is really about more than school breakfast/lunch.

What if my child doesn’t want to eat school breakfast/lunch? Why should I fill out the form?

Even if your child chooses to bring their own breakfast/lunch or snack or if they eat lunch at home, filling out the form is very important! It ensures that our school gets all the funding and benefits available to support facilitators and learners.

How does filling out the Multipurpose Family Income Form help our school?

Schools get more money in their budgets to support learners. Our school qualifies to receive more money per learner from the state and federal government, which they can pass on to our school.

Help! The form is confusing!

Income information: Some parents have asked whether they need to provide this information if they know they are not eligible for free or reduced-price meals. The form does require that families enter income. This information is not shared and is required for those seeking free or reduced-price meal eligibility. However, a family that does not wish to be considered for eligibility may fill out a form, complete learner information in step 1, write “do not qualify” in the first box in step 3, and then complete the name, signature, and date lines in step 4.

Last 4 digits of Social Security Number: If you don’t have a Social Security Number or don’t want to submit the last 4 digits of your social, you can check the box that says “don’t have one” and still be eligible for free or reduced-price breakfast/lunch.

Is the Information I submit confidential?

The information you submit on the Multipurpose Family Income Form cannot be shared by our school.

Personal information submitted on the form is not shared with the state or federal government; only the number of learners who qualify for free or reduced breakfast/lunch is shared.

Facilitators are not told which learners qualify for free or reduced breakfast/lunch benefits.

Our school does not share information with other organizations that provide benefits. But if your child does qualify for free or reduced-price breakfast/lunch, you may use the eligibility form provided by our school to qualify for other benefits through providers.

If your child qualifies and chooses to eat breakfast/lunch at school, the process is the same as it is for a learner who is paying full price.

How do I access the payment/application system?

Our school allows families to deposit funds and fill out applications online via My MealTime. If you don’t already have an account, please visit https://ileadav.org/school-lunch-program for directions, or see attached for instructions to set up your My MealTime account today.

What if I still have questions?

If you run into any problems, you can always contact the staff at our school for individual assistance. You can reach them by calling (661) 494-7442 or emailing betty.lara@ileadav.org.

We thank you for your continued support of iLEAD Antelope Valley!

Please Read:
Letter to Households – English
Letter to Households – Spanish
Printable Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application – English
Printable Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application – Spanish
Fillable Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application – English
My MealTime Online Application Instructions

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.  

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 

  1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; 
  2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or 
  3. email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

iLEAD Aerospace Projects, STEAM, Studio

Applications Open For DreamUp To Space Launch Team

Can you imagine being part of a team that sends an experiment to Space?

Apply to Join a DreamUp to Space Launch Team!

All 4th-12th grade learners are invited to join one of two DreamUp to Space Launch Teams, featuring experiments designed by learners from the DreamUp to Space Mission 2021.

Selected team members will run trials in preparation for the actual experiments that will launch to space to be run by astronauts on the International Space Station with a target date of April 2022.

Team members will collaborate with facilitators and mentors at each stage. They’ll also be involved in promoting their mission – including creating videos and writing blogs. They’ll fundraise for experiment-related expenses, as well as the chance to travel with their families to Kennedy Space Center where they could present their experiment and watch it blast to space!

Watch our DreamUp to Space Launch Teams’ videos to understand more about the experiments:

What is the Effect of Microgravity on Yucca Glauca

What is the Effect of Microgravity on Zostera Marina?

Join us for an informational meeting to receive more information by Clicking Here.

Questions? Please contact the Director of STEAM Initiatives Kathleen Fredette at kathleen.fredette@ileadschools.org.

To learn more about iLEAD Student Aerospace Projects, visit iLEADAeroSpace.org.

Studio

Stay Connected

iLEAD AV Hybrid and Exploration families, here’s how you can stay connected with us throughout the school year.

iSUPPORT

We have an amazing community of family volunteers who support our school in many ways. We hope you will attend our iSUPPORT meetings. You will gain valuable information regarding how you can get involved, whether you volunteer in the classroom, assist on field trips, or join special event committees. iSUPPORT also helps keep families updated on what’s happening on campus, and it’s a great way to connect with each other. We value our volunteers! For the latest information on events and activities, follow the iLEAD AV iSUPPORT team on Instagram at @isupportileadav.

ParentSquare

Please be sure you have signed up for ParentSquare. Important reminders and information regarding school emergencies and events will be relayed through this system. ParentSquare sends notifications via email and text if you download the app at parentsquare.com.

Monday Message and School Website

The Monday Message is sent out each week to all our families with articles, upcoming events, pictures of learners, updates and other pertinent information regarding school activities. You can also find all our Monday Messages and other important information archived on our website at ileadav.org.

Social Media

iLEAD AV’s Facebook page is updated frequently with pictures of our learners and descriptions of the learning process. Please check it out!

Campus, Studio

The Valet Process

In an effort to keep learners and staff safe, please remember to follow these valet procedures:

  • Learners must be dropped off in the valet line in the back parking lot. They may not be dropped off in the front parking lot.
  • Pull up your vehicle as far forward as possible in the valet line.
  • Drop off at cones only and wait for a staff member to assist.
  • Learners should exit vehicles from the right side of the vehicle.
  • Drivers must remain in the vehicle.
  • Be patient and courteous.
  • Drive slowly and with caution.

Thank you for helping create a safe drop-off and pick-up experience for our learning community!

Studio

Introducing Brightspace: Your New Learning Management System

iLEAD AV is pleased to announce the launch of its new learning management system, Brightspace. Over the past year, a team of dedicated educators have researched, adopted and customized this platform. Brightspace is an award-winning leader in learning software and aligns with iLEAD’s core values. This platform replaces Echo, Powerschool and Google Classroom that you may have used last year. Our facilitators and staff are working together to make the transition and help support your learner in navigating the platform. Parents and families also receive a parent dashboard account for Brightspace, an easy way to have a virtual seat in your child’s classroom and stay up to date on important announcements, upcoming work, and samples of your child’s projects and beautiful work. 

Click HERE for a getting started guide to Brightspace, and reach out to your child’s facilitator if you have questions or need support. The Parent Dashboard login details are enclosed in the linked getting started guide.

Culture and Curriculum, Studio

iLEAD Antelope Valley Culture: Components of Social-Emotional Learning — Zest

“Enthusiasm is the electricity of life.” —Gordon Parks

Central to the iLEAD Antelope Valley approach to project-based learning is a belief that education works best when it’s energetic. Rather than being stale and rote, it’s filled with excitement. That excitement, which we call zest, is a core element of social-emotional learning.

Individuals who approach life with zest tend to have the following characteristics:

  • They refuse to do things halfway or halfheartedly.
  • They are energetic.
  • They approach life as an adventure.

In the context of classroom learning, zest coupled with curiosity can help drive kids’ motivation to learn and press on even when things get difficult. Zest is enthusiasm in the face of challenges. It can help learners overcome challenges to find amazing rewards.

So what does developing zest look like in the learning process? Facilitators can leverage kids’ innate ability to learn by creating and maintaining environments that encourage their zest and curiosity and support their feelings of autonomy. We believe in framing mistakes as opportunities for learning and discussion, and we celebrate questions to drive learning. We also believe in kids taking ownership of the direction their learning takes.

Incorporating zest into learning means funneling energy into dynamic, project-based learning that brings concepts to life. Whether it’s conducting scientific experiments, engaging in historical research and reenactments, or enjoying play-based learning, our learners engage in vibrant methods of exploring, creating, and understanding.

For a facilitator — and families, too — it’s important to bear in mind that some children are not as naturally “zestful” as others. With these learners especially, keep in mind that enthusiasm isn’t taught as much as it is modeled and encouraged. Enthusiasm is infectious. If kids see your zest for learning, they can be inspired too. The goal is to help kids move along the spectrum of enthusiasm toward a more zestful attitude.

When the seeds of enthusiasm are planted early and take root in the soil of learners’ minds, they are empowered to approach challenges as opportunities to grow and succeed.

Embrace the Near-Win

Studio

Introducing Brightspace: Your New Learning Management System

iLEAD AV is pleased to announce the launch of its new learning management system, Brightspace. Over the past year, a team of dedicated educators have researched, adopted and customized this platform. Brightspace is an award-winning leader in learning software and aligns with iLEAD’s core values. This platform replaces Echo, Powerschool and Google Classroom that you may have used last year. Our facilitators and staff are working together to make the transition and help support your learner in navigating the platform. Parents and families also receive a parent dashboard account for Brightspace, an easy way to have a virtual seat in your child’s classroom and stay up to date on important announcements, upcoming work, and samples of your child’s projects and beautiful work. 

Click HERE for a getting started guide to Brightspace, and reach out to your child’s facilitator if you have questions or need support. The Parent Dashboard login details are enclosed in the linked getting started guide.

Campus, Studio

The Valet Process

In an effort to keep learners and staff safe, please remember to follow these valet procedures:

  • Learners must be dropped off in the valet line in the back parking lot. They may not be dropped off in the front parking lot.
  • Pull up your vehicle as far forward as possible in the valet line.
  • Drop off at cones only and wait for a staff member to assist.
  • Learners should exit vehicles from the right side of the vehicle.
  • Drivers must remain in the vehicle.
  • Be patient and courteous.
  • Drive slowly and with caution.

Thank you for helping create a safe drop-off and pick-up experience for our learning community!