Click here for the academic calendar.
October 12-16: Fall Break – No School
Tag Archives: Lancaster charter school
iLEAD Antelope Valley Culture: Social-Emotional Learning
In our approach to education at iLEAD Antelope Valley, we emphasize methods that foster learners’ social-emotional learning. Social-emotional learning is the process through which learners understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, and establish and maintain positive relationships to make responsible decisions.
We believe it’s vital to help learners develop skills such as social awareness, self-management, regulation of emotions, and self-awareness so they can weave these abilities through every facet of their lives. When emotional intelligence is nurtured and developed, it can inspire creativity and increased engagement.
Over the coming weeks, we will explore nine pillars of social-emotional learning (SEL) at iLEAD Antelope Valley:
- Social intelligence
- Optimism
- Gratitude
- Purpose
- Growth mind-set
- Self-control
- Curiosity
- Zest
- Grit
But why is SEL so important?
To adapt to an increasingly globalized economy, education must emphasize more than rote knowledge. We believe learners should be empathetic, critical thinkers who thoughtfully engage with the world around them. Modern employers prize these skills in the workplace, and research suggests employees with more highly developed social-emotional strengths earn more and are more productive.
Additionally, focusing on non-cognitive skills may further improve reading, writing, and mathematics performance in kids, according to the nonpartisan think tank Economic Policy Institute.
We measure and report SEL progress as part of every project, individualized learning plan goal, and Report of Progress. We have also developed SEL and academic rigor rubrics that add a well-balanced approach to academics and reflective practice for facilitators, learners, families, and administrators. Other elements of our SEL implementation, practice, and assessment include our Learner-Led Conferences (LLCs), Presentations of Learning (POLs), Passion Projects, Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs), Advisory Program, Morning Meetings, learner-led ambassador groups, and restorative approaches to discipline.
PBL expert and iLEAD partner Thom Markham summed up why social-emotional learning is so vital. “Navigating a changing world demands a communicative, creative, and collaborative person with a flexible, empathetic, resilient, and persistent temperament,” he said. “It’s time to make a change to our mind-set and be far more intentional about teaching the dispositions and personality attributes that lead to better work ethic, more engagement, improved relationships, a greater sense of well-being — and better projects.”
At iLEAD Antelope Valley, our goal is nothing less.
Multipurpose Family Income Forms Due by December 1
If you haven’t had a chance yet, please read on. Thank you for your time!
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. The deadline has been extended to December 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, attached in Spanish) and drop it off at the front office, or — in our newest, completely digital way — you can complete it via the My Mealtime online platform. This new option ensures the confidentiality of your form and can be done from home. Please see the attached instructions (here and here) on how to access this option. Please email all forms (by December 1) and any questions to betty.lara@ileadav.org.
Some people have heard that it is necessary to fill out this form only 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 each 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 of 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 that 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.
Why is the payment system different?
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/mealtime-parent-directions for directions.
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!
Dawn Roberson
Director
Helpful Links
Online application for Free/Reduced Meals
Parent Guide to MealTime Apply Online
Fillable PDF Application for Free/Reduced Meals
Printable Application for Free/Reduced Meals (English)
Printable Application for Free/Reduced Meals (Spanish)
iLEAD Antelope Valley Meal Charge Policy
Letter to Households (English and Spanish)
Together Tuesdays: Share Your Photos and Stories!
Greetings, iLEAD community,
Last spring, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced our learning community to physically distance, we launched a weekly campaign with the goal to reunite our facilitators and families and lift their spirits. Every week, a new Together Tuesday video featured photos of families, learners, and staff throughout the iLEAD nation — a reminder that we’re all in this together.
Now, as we begin a new school year with distance learning, Together Tuesdays will be making a comeback, now twice monthly. We’d love to see your contributions.
To ensure your submissions are included, please click here to submit your photos. Photos received by the Friday before each Together Tuesday are eligible to be included.
We’re all in this together, and we can’t wait to see your photos!
If you have any questions, simply reply to stories@ileadschools.org.
Sincerely,
The iLEAD Team
*If you send us a photo or video, we will consider this approval for use on our school websites and social media accounts. Please do not include images of video conference screens showing learners.
iSUPPORT Dates to Add to Your Calendar
It really does take a village to raise our kids, and we are so happy to have our families in our tribe!
Join our family volunteer group: iSUPPORT!
Our school community and children need us, their families, volunteering. Our participation makes a huge impact. We are heroes to our children, and the staff members are grateful for the help.
Upcoming Meetings:
October 1
November 5
December 3
We will be meeting by video conference on Zoom. Please check your ParentSquare messages for the times, links, and meeting IDs! Looking forward to seeing you there!
Want to join us? Email info@ileadav.org to get connected!
Reminders: Fall 2020 Distance Learning Instructions
Below you will find information about tech tools necessary for this year: Student Email, PowerSchool, and Zoom. If you need any support, please submit a Tech Ticket.
1. Student Email
If you are a returning learner, your school email and password from last year has not changed, and you can log into your email at https://mail.google.com/.
If you are a new learner, your facilitator will be able to provide you with your new email address, or you may submit a Tech Ticket and our technology team can assist you.
An email is not required to log into Zoom.
2. PowerSchool Account Instructions
Click HERE for PowerSchool learner and family training.
You should now have access to your courses. Your facilitator will contact you through PowerSchool with a welcome announcement and instructions on how to get started.
- Your courses are located here: ilead online.learning.powerschool.com.
- Please bookmark this page on your child’s browser. You can access PowerSchool Learning on a desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone. To download the learning app for Apple, click HERE.
- Please log into your new account and bookmark this domain to access your courses.
Your username: Firstname.Lastname or firstname.lastname
Your temporary password: changeme (for new learners only)
Note: if you are a returning learner, your password has not changed.
If you need any assistance logging in, please submit a Tech Ticket.
Do not use the Google log-in option. Scroll down to see the example below.
. 
3. Zoom
Zoom Cheat-Sheet for Parents and Caregivers
Zoom Camera Tips for Learners
Please click HERE to visit our Knowledge Base of tips and tutorials.
Please click HERE for technical support.
Free Breakfast and Lunch for All Children
We are excited to provide free meals through the Summer Seamless Program. We are providing meals for all children up to 18 years of age at no charge. You do not need to be an enrolled learner in order to receive free meals. Each child will receive one grab-and-go breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday except on school holidays. Good news! Starting Friday, October 2, each Friday we will serve free grab-and-go meals to take home for Saturday and Sunday as well. Children need not be present to pick up.
While our site is closed, school meals are grab-and-go with minimal contact and may not be consumed on-site. Breakfast and lunch are served together at the front gate (2110 W. Avenue K, Lancaster, CA) Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 11:00 AM. For your protection and ours, please wear a cloth face covering when picking up meals.
Please make sure to continue to fill out the Multipurpose Income Form, as this will help to establish your eligibility for when this program stops, and will also help our school in many other ways. This form needs to be filled out for every learner and submitted each year. The deadline has been extended to December 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, attached in Spanish) and drop it off at the front office, or — in our newest, completely digital way — you can complete it via the My Mealtime online platform. This new option ensures the confidentiality of your form and can be done from home. Please see the attached instructions (here and here) on how to access this option. Please email all forms (by December 1) and any questions to betty.lara@ileadav.org.
iLEAD Antelope Valley Culture: Real-World Experiences
iLEAD Antelope Valley emphasizes 21st-century skills and preparing learners for the work world, and tangible experiences help elevate the learning process.
Examples include our DreamUp to Space challenges, where teams of learners come up with scientific research projects that launch to the International Space Station for testing; or living history programs, where learners re-create scenes from history.
Real-world experience is at the heart of what can make project-based learning (PBL) truly exciting, challenging, and rewarding for learners. When PBL is infused with real-world experiences, learners develop crucial skills while they’re still in school. Additionally, these experiences can provide learners with deeper insights into career areas they may want to pursue. Furthermore, kids find that their success isn’t defined merely by a grade but by the experience they gain through the process.
Finally, learning that incorporates real-world experience helps learners become familiar with professional environments. Besides learning the subject content, learners develop skills crucial in the work world, including clear and timely communication, thinking critically, problem-solving, and time management.
As part of a well-rounded PBL curriculum, real-world experiences are essential to iLEAD Antelope Valley’s mission to help kids be free to think and inspired to lead.
Together Tuesdays: Share Your Photos and Stories!
Greetings, iLEAD community,
Last spring, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced our learning community to physically distance, we launched a weekly campaign with the goal to reunite our facilitators and families and lift their spirits. Every week, a new Together Tuesday video featured photos of families, learners, and staff throughout the iLEAD nation — a reminder that we’re all in this together.
Now, as we begin a new school year with distance learning, Together Tuesdays will be making a comeback, now twice monthly. We’d love to see your contributions.
To ensure your submissions are included, please click here to submit your photos. Photos received by the Friday before each Together Tuesday are eligible to be included.
We’re all in this together, and we can’t wait to see your photos!
If you have any questions, simply reply to stories@ileadschools.org.
Sincerely,
The iLEAD Team
*If you send us a photo or video, we will consider this approval for use on our school websites and social media accounts. Please do not include images of video conference screens showing learners.
iSUPPORT Dates to Add to Your Calendar
It really does take a village to raise our kids, and we are so happy to have our families in our tribe!
Join our parent volunteer group: iSUPPORT!
Our school community and children need us, their families, volunteering. Our participation makes a huge impact. We are heroes to our children, and the staff members are grateful for the help.
Upcoming Meetings:
October 1
November 5
December 3
We will be meeting by video conference on Zoom. Please check your ParentSquare messages for the times, links, and meeting IDs! Looking forward to seeing you there!
Want to join us? Email info@ileadav.org to get connected!
