The Weekly Newspaper of Inglewood
Herald Publications - El Segundo, Hawthorne, Lawndale & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 68, No. 49 - December 5, 2019
More Turkeys from Snoop Dogg
Over the last six years Snoop Dogg (pictured here with City officials) has demonstrated his commitment to the City of Inglewood with the annual Turkey Giveaway. Families throughout the community were welcome to a free turkey and trimmings for their holiday
celebrations. The event took place at Faithful Central Bible Church. Photo: City of Inglewood
Inglewood Unified from front page
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hood. We are preparing students for success
and teaching them to thrive in a challenging,
ever-changing world.
The results of Inglewood’s new approach are
impressive. And the progress can be demonstrated
by data. Student-centered improvements
in Inglewood Unified are reflected in graduation
rates that rose by more than 5 percent in 2017-
18 and reached 86.2 percent for the district.
This momentum of change was reinforced
by the recent appointment of Dr. Erika Torres
as the new County Administrator. Dr. Torres
is not new to Inglewood Unified. Since mid-
2018, she has worked on behalf of LACOE to
support former state administrator Dr. Thelma
Meléndez de Santa Ana, who retired in October.
Dr. Torres has the background and skills
needed to build on the work of Dr. Meléndez
and her team to continue the momentum of
change. Despite Inglewood’s demonstration
of improvement, much remains to be done
surrounding facilities, fiscal processes and
long-term solvency, special education services
and a continuous improvement model for the
K12 instructional model. Dr. Torres is the right
person at the right time to support this work.
Today, Inglewood schools focus on the whole
child. Each student’s academic, socio-emotional
development and wellness are supported and
reinforced by robust instructional programs,
behavioral support teams and intervention strategies.
The environment of support is epitomized
by the Community Schools Initiative. Under
the Community Schools program, LACOE
works with Inglewood Unified and multiple
L.A. County agencies and community-based
organizations. Together, they leverage resources
that ensure students graduate ready for college
and careers as engaged community members.
New and innovative programs designed
to engage students throughout the learning
day are underway across Inglewood. Some
innovations involve redesigning how the
school district uses its physical space to serve
students. For example, we’ve added two new
K-8 options and have rebuilt classrooms to
accommodate growth at Beulah Payne and
Woodworth-Monroe. As Inglewood schools
undergo renovations, children thrive in dynamic
learning environments.
For our youngest students, Inglewood has
expanded early education opportunities through
its Child Development Center, with new classes
opening throughout the community. Diverse
grade span offerings, such as preschool through
Grade 8, allow students to learn, grow and
develop friendships that will last a lifetime.
Inglewood Unified is focused at the elementary
school level on programs that promote strong
basic reading and mathematics skills.
Additionally, the district has many enrichment
opportunities, including academies that focus
on science, technology, engineering, arts and
mathematics (STEAM) and leadership. With a
renewed focus on preparing students for college
and beyond, our high schools have expanded
Advanced Placement (AP) course offerings and
created vibrant new career technical education
opportunities that prepare students for college
and the workforce.
Please join Dr. Torres, the Inglewood Unified
School District and the Los Angeles County
Office of Education as we continue to create a
unique California success story in Inglewood.
You can learn more about the school district
and its bright future at inglewoodusd.com.
Thank you for your support of the students,
staff and families of the Inglewood Unified
School District.
– Debra Duardo, M.S.W., Ed.D.
LA County Superintendent of Schools
Area 5
– D’Artagnan Scorza, Ph.D.
Board President, Trustee