August 2026

To all our district families, thank you for coming to 2026-27 back-to-school events, including the Back to School Nights. Thank you for volunteering. Thank you for participating in the LASD Education Partners fundraising efforts by donating to LAEF and joining the PTA. You, as parents, make this partnership successful, and together we are already making this an amazing school year!  

The first two weeks of school have been nothing short of incredible, classrooms are buzzing with energy, friendships old and new are blossoming, and our students have jumped into the year with curiosity and enthusiasm. From the first-day smiles to the moments of discovery already unfolding, it's clear this is going to be a special year.

Keep an eye out in upcoming principal newsletters for updates about the impact YOU made during Rally Week 2026!

Now in its second year, the LASD Practitioner Program brings experienced educators together in a year-long community of practice focused on one important goal: creating more student-centered classrooms and advancing deeper learning every day across LASD. This excellent program is facilitated by Sarah Gerlinger, Coordinator of Curriculum and Instruction.

This year, the program includes a Teaching Strand, where educators refine their classroom practice, and a new Coaching Strand, where experienced teachers develop the skills to support their colleagues' growth. For students, the impact happens where it matters most - in the classroom. Practitioner teachers explore ways to increase student agency, facilitate complex thinking, and create more opportunities for students to engage in meaningful, authentic work.

As these educators learn, experiment, reflect, and share their practice with others, their learning extends beyond a single classroom - helping us strengthen our culture of deeper learning every day for students throughout LASD.

Our schools thrive because families and community members give their time in classrooms, libraries, on field trips, and beyond, and we want to keep it that way. Beginning this school year, LASD is bringing all volunteer screening into one consistent, districtwide process to stay compliant with new state laws while preserving the welcoming volunteer culture we love.

New requirements now include TB screening for all volunteers, fingerprint clearance, and mandated reporter training for volunteers who may work with students without direct staff supervision. To make participation easy at every comfort level, volunteer roles are organized into three tiers:

We've built a new volunteer webpage with all the forms and step-by-step guidance to make the process as smooth as possible, and we're working to bring LiveScan fingerprinting directly to school sites.

A big thank-you to the volunteers who have already started the process, we appreciate you jumping in early! As a reminder, parents and community volunteers have until December 30, 2026, to complete their authorization.

Because there's a grace period, you can keep volunteering while you complete your steps.

Questions? Visit our volunteer webpage.