Tag Archives: Lancaster charter school

iLEAD Antelope Valley iSUPPORT Meeting/Elections: September 11

iLEAD AV Studio thrives thanks to our incredible family volunteers, and we’d love for you to be a part of it!

Please join us for our iSUPPORT meeting and leadership election on Thursday, September 11, at 5:00 PM via Zoom. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn how you can get involved, whether it’s volunteering in the classroom, chaperoning field trips, or helping to plan special events.

Throughout the school year, iSUPPORT will meet on the first Thursday of each month. These meetings are a great way to stay updated on campus happenings and connect with other families.

We truly value our volunteers and can’t wait to see you there!

iLEAD AV Exploration K-2 Amira Benchmark Assessments: September 15-19

This year, iLEAD AV Exploration has partnered with Amira Learning in support of our readers. Amira is a digital reading tool that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to assess learners’ reading mastery and coach them through new reading skills. Here is an overview of Amira for families like ours who are using the platform at home.

During the week of September 15, our school will administer Benchmark Assessments through Amira to grades K-2 so that we can:

  • Assess learners’ reading proficiency levels
  • Screen learners for potential risk of dyslexia
  • Identify individual learner’s areas of need or additional support

In addition to taking the Benchmark Assessment, learners will also use Amira’s “Practice” mode to strengthen their reading skills. They will read out loud, receive interventions and support, and talk about the story they’ve read to build their comprehension skills.

Amira is a program committed to AI safety for learners. Amira uses AI to select from a predetermined set of interventions and responses. Amira does not pull from the internet and cannot respond to learners outside of the curated options vetted by humans. All learner data is protected and owned by the district. Our team has been thoroughly impressed with their efficacy data and work with education researchers to develop the best product for learners.

Based on the information from Amira’s assessment and practice components, it’s possible we will contact you about additional support and resources for your learner. We appreciate your partnership as we help our learners become stronger readers!

Please do not hesitate to reach out to your EF with questions.

El Dorado SELPA Webinar: “Autism: Homework Strategies for Parents”: September 16

You’re invited to El Dorado SELPA’s informational presentation designed to help parents/caregivers of learners with autism navigate the challenges of homework completion. This one-hour webinar will provide you with practical tools and strategies to help your child succeed.

  • Date: Tuesday, September 16, 2025
  • Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Learn more and register here.

iLEAD Antelope Valley Glider on Campus Day: September 18

At iLEAD Antelope Valley, all grades (TK-8) are participating in our school-wide Soaring Aeronautics Project! Through this project, learners discover the engineering design process and learn about aerodynamics. The history of flight, anatomy of birds, current experimental gliders, and meteorology are woven in to extend and enhance knowledge, giving meaning to research and writing.

On Thursday, September 18, all iLEAD AV learners will have a chance to interact with a full-scale glider on our campus and learn from glider pilots about flight controls. Families are welcome! See the flyer below for more information:

iLEAD AV Studio Glider on Campus

In addition, on Saturday, October 4, our 8th graders will have the opportunity to fly a real glider!

Finally, on Thursday, October 9, we will host a school-wide Presentation of Learning Day. Mark your calendar and get ready to learn so much about aeronautics from our learners that day!

Special thanks to iLEAD Student Aerospace Projects for their guidance with this exciting project!

 

About iLEAD AV Studio:

iLEAD AV Studio is a free public TK-8 school in Lancaster, CA, that fosters personalized education through project-based learning, social-emotional development, independent critical thinking. Our approach integrates technology and the arts, encourages entrepreneurship and collaboration, and values family participation. Our unique hands-on projects, including aerospace and glider-flight opportunities, prepare learners for success in high-demand careers. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook and find us at www.ileadav.org.

Join our exciting school today!

iLEAD AV Exploration Family Meetup at California Science Center: September 25

iLEAD AV Exploration families, we are thrilled to kick off another year of fantastic family meetups with you! We’re starting with an exciting one! Meet us at the California Science Center for a day of scientific exploration and fun with friends. Parking is $20, but admission is free! We’ll see you there on September 25 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Families, Access Grocery Benefits through SUN Bucks (Summer EBT)

Dear Families,

We are excited to share information about a new program called SUN Bucks (Summer EBT), which provides grocery benefits to help families purchase healthy food during the summer months when school meals are not available. This program is part of California’s ongoing effort to support students and reduce food insecurity.

What Is SUN Bucks?

SUN Bucks provides eligible families with an allocation per child to buy groceries during the summer. These benefits are provided through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, similar to a debit card, and can be used at most grocery stores and farmers’ markets.

Who Is Eligible?

Your child may qualify for SUN Bucks if your household meets any of the following:

  • You participate in CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal.
  • You meet income eligibility guidelines for the program.

Do You Need to Apply?

Learners are not automatically eligible for SUN Bucks just because they attend a provision school. To receive SUN Bucks benefits, families must submit a Universal Benefits Application for this school year. Eligibility is determined through this application, and families who do not apply will not be considered for SUN Bucks.

If your learner is in foster care, migrant, homeless, or already qualifies for programs like CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal (within income limits), they may be directly certified and do not need to submit an application. However, the application may ask you to provide their associated case number to confirm eligibility.

Please note: SUN Bucks eligibility CANNOT be determined using the Household Data Collection Form (HDC) that was completed during school registration. You must submit a current meal application to qualify.

You can apply for free/reduced-price meals online at: https://mealtimeapps.com

  • Please select California
  • Search for iLEAD Schools as the district
  • Complete the application 
  • Within 2 weeks, you will be notified via email if your application qualifies for benefits

Benefits

The eligibility period for 2025 SUN Bucks is through September 2, 2025. The eligibility period for 2026 SUN Bucks is July 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026. Applications submitted between July 1, 2025, and September 2, 2025, will make students eligible for both 2025 and 2026 SUN Bucks.

Please also be aware that 2025 SUN Bucks cards will not be mailed out until late summer/fall 2025. Families who submit applications and who become eligible later, may receive their benefits in late summer or fall. 2026 SUN Bucks cards will not be mailed out until June/July of 2026. 

Questions?

For more information about the SUN Bucks Program, you can visit https://ca.p-ebt.org/sunbucks.

Thank you for your attention to this important opportunity. We want to ensure all our learners have access to the resources they need, even when school is out for the summer.

Stay Connected to iLEAD AV Studio with ParentSquare

iLEAD Antelope Valley Studio uses ParentSquare for school-to-home communications. Here’s what you can do with ParentSquare:

  • Receive messages from the school via email, text, or app notification. (Download the iOS App or Android App.)
  • Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6 PM.
  • Communicate in your preferred language.
  • Direct message facilitators and staff.
  • Sign forms and permission slips, sign up for events or to volunteer, and more all from your desktop or mobile device.

If you haven’t yet done so, please see below for instructions to activate your account.

Stay Connected to iLEAD AV Exploration with ParentSquare

iLEAD Antelope Valley Exploration uses ParentSquare for school-to-home communications. Here’s what you can do with ParentSquare:

  • Receive messages from the school via email, text, or app notification. (Download the iOS App or Android App.)
  • Choose to receive information as it comes or all at once with a daily digest at 6 PM.
  • Communicate in your preferred language.
  • Direct message facilitators and staff.
  • Sign forms and permission slips, sign up for events or to volunteer, and more all from your desktop or mobile device.

If you haven’t yet done so, please see below for instructions to activate your account.

Upcoming Events

iLEAD AV Studio

  • Mon.-Tue., 9/8-9: Vision & Hearing Screenings
  • Thur.-Fri., 9/11-12: TK-8 Assessments
  • Thur., 9/11: Minimum Day – All Grades
  • Thur., 9/11: iSUPPORT Meeting/Elections, at 5:00 PM via Zoom
  • Thur., 9/18: Glider on Campus Day
  • Thur., 9/25: Minimum Day – All Grades
  • Thur.-Fri., 9/25-26: Individualized Learning Plans
  • Sat., 10/4: 8th Grade First Glider Flights
  • Thur., 10/9: School-Wide Soaring Aeronautics Project Presentation of Learning

Click here for the school year calendar.

iLEAD AV Exploration (Home Study)

  • Mon.-Fri., 9/8-12: LP 1 Meeting Week
  • Fri., 9/12: End of LP 1 – Work Samples Due & Activity Logs Signed by 3:00 PM
  • Mon., 9/15: Amira Testing, K-2nd
  • Tue., 9/16: In-Person Art & Enrichment Workshops Begin
  • Wed., 9/17: Vision & Hearing Screening for K, 2nd, 5th and 8th grades

Click here for the school year calendar.

iLEAD AV Exploration (Home Study) Family Guidebook

We’re happy to share our annual Family Guidebook and notifications with you. This resource is designed to help you understand your rights as part of the iLEAD Antelope Valley Exploration community and outlines our expectations, policies, and procedures for the school year.

You can view the guidebook online at https://ileadav.org/ilead-antelope-valley-exploration-family-guidebook. Please reach out to the school office if you would like a printed copy or if you have any questions.

We look forward to a great school year!