SFMS NEWS

Focus on Public School Choice

By Eduardo Solórzano
Principal
San Fernando Middle School

Dear Staff, Parents, and Community Members,

While San Fernando Middle School has made great strides overall, we need to maintain the steady growth from one year to the next. Last year we were not able to maintain that growth. As a result of the negative growth (-3) in the Academic Performance Index (API) for the 2008-2009 school-year, San Fernando Middle School has been identified as a focus school under Public School Choice.

Our reaction to this new challenge is critical to our long term success. We can choose to see it as a stigma or an opportunity. I believe that our school community will rise to the challenge and seize the moment to develop a comprehensive plan to raise student achievement for all students. Through our joint efforts we can create partnerships that will provide additional assistance and support for our students. I invite students, parents, teachers, staff and community members to collaboratively develop a plan that will help us overcome the challenges we are facing.

I would like to remind all of us that there is much to be proud of at San Fernando Middle School and I commend all of the students, parents, and staff for their hard work. I urge all of us to maintain a positive outlook based on our overall progress and embrace our new challenge to elevate the education of our students to new heights.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Parents Respond to Public School Choice

In October, San Fernando Middle School hosted a series of informational meetings to discuss and gather feedback about Public School Choice, being a “focus school” and what it means for our school.

During those meetings, and in mailings to the community, parents and members of the community shared their opinions on a variety of issues.

We have compiled parent survey responses, meeting comments, emails, voicemails, and letters into broad categories. To learn what parents and others are saying and writing about Public School Choice and San Fernando Middle School, we have posted the Public School Choice Parent Feedback.

We appreciate your ongoing input and feedback. Please contact us via email, web, phone, letter, or fax.