FALL 2018PUENTE todayCommunity Festival A Success! hank you to the hundreds of families (over 2,000 in attendance) who were part of our festival, as well as our volunteers, performers, food vendors, contributors – it was truly a community effort! The festival featured the Boyle Heights Historical Society, the Los Angeles Conservancy, the Boyle Heights Neighborhood Council, walking tours by “Barrio Boychik” Samuel Gonzalez, and a screening of the documentary “East LA Interchange” to highlight the rich culture and history of Boyle Heights. The Historical Society featured photographs, historical maps THANK YOU TO OUR MAIN SPONSORS3RD ANNUALT and documents showcasing how the “Ellis Island of the West Coast” became the early 20th century’s most ethnically diverse neighborhood. The Los Angeles Conservancy provided historically rich learning activities for children, teens, and adults centered on community mapping, Boyle Heights’ architectural features, and the 50th anniversary of the East Los Angeles Blowouts. News from PUENTE’s Board of DirectorsPUENTE is pleased to announce three new appointments to its Board of Directors: Daniel Arguello, a current adult student whose career has spanned the military, corporate banking, and government; Oscar Cabrales, a sales representative for American & Efird as well as the proud father of three children who are current or former students at PUENTE Charter School; and Yolanda Chavez, the Assistant City Administrative Officer for the City of Los Angeles. “Daniel, Oscar, and Yolanda are all terrific additions to PUENTE, and I am sure that the Board will benefit from their diverse experiences and their commitment to the community,” states Board Chair Albert Reyes.ANDREA BAZÁN CEO, PUENTEDear PUENTE Family: The time has come for me to step down from my leadership role at PUENTE, and pass the baton to the leader who will steward PUENTE in its next phase. I will be transitioning over the next few weeks to a new position with a national scope, based in Los Angeles. This is a bittersweet time for me, and many of us at PUENTE, as we have worked closely to move our organization forward. I am confident that we are on solid footing and that there are wonderful days ahead for PUENTE Learning Center and our community. Jerome Greening, Charter School Principal, a twenty-plus year staff member in the PUENTE family, and a dear friend, will be the Interim CEO over the next phase, and the organization could not be in better hands.The past three years have been a lot of work, as we retooled our model to engage the community once again, established new partnerships, expanded our adult classes, built a playground with the support of hundreds of volunteers, added classroom space and renovated our lobby, began a community festival and other events, built a library, and were authorized by LAUSD fo the expansion of our Charter School. This is a time of great excitement at PUENTE, and I invite you to come visit anytime. You’ll see our classrooms brimming with students of all ages, actively learning, nonprofit partners collaborating with us in vital initiatives to address critical concerns affecting our families, such as financial literacy, health and immigration, and much more – most importantly one can feel a strong sense of hope for a bright future. It is this palpable sense of community that is part of our PUENTE today that I am proud of most of all. My gratitude to each of you for the tremendous support you give to PUENTE, which I know will continue. I will miss working among one of the most committed and dedicated teams I have ever known. It has truly been an honor to serve in this role, and I remain a partner and supporter of our vision. Letter from the CEO Andrea BazánNew board member Oscar Cabrales with son Diego, a first grader at PUENTE22PUENTE Charter SchoolUPDATEExpansion ContinuesEach school year since 2002, the PUENTE Charter School staff and students have come together across grade levels to explore a school-wide theme with our extended school community. Launched each fall, the annual theme serves as a way to re-imagine and re-interpret longstanding curricular units. The theme is incorporated into curriculum through classroom projects, the arts, and instruction. Some examples of themes used in the past are “Passport to Success”, “A Sea of Possibilities”, and “Reach for the Stars” to name a few. The 2018-2019 school-wide theme is “Champions of Change” and carries a deeper meaning on many levels, but most significantly, our young students and families witnessing the ongoing change and expansion of their school. Over the last year, much work has been carried out to increase the size of the PUENTE Charter School by adding a pair of state-of-the-art classrooms we refer to as “the butter-fly wings”. The modern architecture features symmetrical, spacious classrooms to accommodate our founding first grade students. The modern design of the new build fits in seamlessly with the original design. The interior is just as impressive as the exterior, equipped with contemporary furniture, new classroom supplies, classroom libraries, textbooks, laptops, technological components, storage for the student’s personal belongings, and other upgrades that create a unique 21st century learning environment. We are most grateful to The Ahmanson Foundation for their support and grant to fund the first grade supplies, to Berliner Architects for the design, and Mata Construction for their skills and support. Expansion plans for the next construction phase are underway as we prepare to extend services for the upcoming second through fifth grades in the coming years. This fall we welcomed 114 students to the school.Students On the Go!The Charter School students began the year with three culturally enriching educational trips scheduled for the fall season. For most of our young students, it was their first experience riding on a school bus and for many it was their first time visiting a museum or theatrical production. Children visited the Getty Villa, The Autry Museum of the American West, and the Broad Stage. At the Getty Villa, students learned how to view a piece of artwork through close observations. At the Autry Museum, first graders learned about early Californian History. The Broad Stage Student Matinee featuring The Pacifico Dance Company Mexico, de Tierra a Mar provided an interactive performance where children were encouraged to dance and sing. Teachers attended professional development workshops to prepare the children for their trips. NEW Staff Members and Positions PUENTE Charter School would like to extend a warm welcome to its new teachers and educators joining the staff as well as announce existing staff that have taken on new roles for the 2018-19 school year! We welcome new Charter School teachers, Shivani Modi and Noelle Walker to our teaching staff. Ms. Modi has experience as a first grade teacher and has taught in class-rooms in Connecticut and Los Angeles. She will teach one of the first grade classes. Mrs. Walker, a graduate from Loyola Marymount, will teach the TK/Kindergarten class. PUENTE Charter School teacher Bobby Yu will move from teaching kindergarten to teach first grade. Transitioning from PUENTE’s After School program to the core day classroom is Maria Gomez, who is working as a paraprofessional in the kindergarten class with Mrs. Walker. The Charter School has added two new Dean positions this year. We welcome new staff member Dr. Norma Moreno, a former Principal at Clemente Charter School as well as a Spanish Specialist at Walden School. Dr. Moreno serves as our new Dean of Curriculum and Instruction. She will analyze assessment data, provide teacher professional development opportunities, mentor teachers, as well as share her many years of expertise and experience with the staff. PUENTE Charter School educator, Diana Juarez, will transition to be the Dean of Engagement, working with students and families in her new role.Expansion, Field Trips and Warm Welcomes!3We are thrilled to share that PUENTE has received a grant from the California Department of Education Expanded Learning Division to fund the Charter School’s after-school program. PUENTE has partnered with Think Together, a renowned educational nonprofit with programs in over 400 schools statewide, to provide this program which began this Fall. The after-school program provides meaningful academic enrichment activities to over 60 PUENTE Charter School students and is a multi-year partnership. Afterschool programs keep kids safe, provide them with homework support and dynamic learning time, while helping working families. The afterschool program is one way that PUENTE is closing the achievement gap.TFunding NewsWe are most grateful to the following for their philanthropic support of our work:William H. Hannon Foundation, Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, UnidosUS, Sidney Stern Memorial Trust, Lon V. Smith Foundation, BCM Foundation, Bank of America, The Ahmanson Foundation, Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation, Captain Planet Foundation, Union Pacific Foundation, MUFG Union Bank Foundation, Davidow Charitable Fund, California Department of Education, Walton Family Foundation, Great Public Schools NowPUENTE 14th Golf Tournament hank you to our generous sponsors for supporting PUENTE’s largest annual fundraiser, as well as to the hard working committee: Raul Amezcua (Stifel), Brian Ramsay (WE O’Neil,) Allis King (volunteer,) Cody Press (Bank of America Merrill Lynch,) John Naber (ACE Beverage,) Richelle Huizar (volunteer,) Jeff McConnell (EKA,) and Albert Reyes (Board Chair.) MULTI-YEAR AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM PARTNERSHIP4$5,000 SPONSORSStifel • Englander, Knabe & Allen • A.J. Kirkwood & Associates Californians for Energy Independence • Accuride International Bergen Family Trust • Cody and Stacy Press Raul and Lisa Amezcua • Clear Channel Outdoor$10,000 SPONSOR$15,000 SPONSORLongtime PUENTE Staff Step into New Leadership RolesThere are many new faces around the hallways this year as we welcome instructors and administrators from our partners, yet the history and the culture of PUENTE remains embedded in staff who stepped up and into new leadership roles to be the “puentes,” bridging the old and the new. Michele Wolfe, who started teaching English as a Second Language at PUENTE 25 years ago, is now Senior Director of Education leading the teams of staff that run all adult and youth programs. Antonio Gomez, who has been at PUENTE 16 years, continues to teach computer classes while adding his support as Programs Associate. The college access programs are being led by Guillermo Rincon and Norma Perez.New Collaborations Secured for the Adult Student Community The fundamental principles of adult classes at PUENTE have always been the diversity and camaraderie of our students, knowledgeable and dedicated instructors and technology-driven instruction. This Fall, as we welcomed over 450 adult students, we are excited to announce a significant partnership with LAUSD Adult Education, as well as an expanded collaboration with the Los Angeles City Colleges and East Los Angeles Occupational Center. Both of these are bringing new offerings to the PUENTE community, including GED/HiSET high school equivalency exam classes, an array of ESL vocational courses and ESL Citizenship classes, and more. PUENTE’s digital courses continue to be a popular offering as well. Support staff members from our partner sites are key to making each day run smoothly. PUENTE continues to be “the best school to meet our needs,” states Griselda Zelaya, ESL graduate and current High School Diploma student. In addition, we are happy to continue our work with partners such as White Memorial Hospital, SCE Credit Union, and others in offering financial literacy and health services to the community.Last year, we saw an 49% increase in enrollment from the previous year, and this year’s enrollment is following that trend. PUENTE Adult LearningUPDATE5Congratulations Michele on your promotion!Andrea has been great to work with. Our Department relies on community leaders like her as we partner together to make our communities safe and healthy. She’s a good friend to many of us at LAPD and Hollenbeck. Thank you, amiga!Andrea elevated PUENTE’s service and impact to the community through her deep commitment to serving others, her inspiring leadership, and her innovative practice. Her imprint is alive in the expanded and re-imagined use of our facility, our strong collaborations and partnerships, and our vibrant relationship with the community. She skillfully aligned the operations to the mission, and has positioned the organization well to continue providing relevant and meaningful programs. PUENTE has benefitted immensely from Andrea’s time and talents, and her legacy will be a part of the lasting history of the organization.”Jerome Greening, Charter School Principal, here with Andrea and Diana Juarez, Dean of Student and Parent Engagement.Jerome will serve as Interim CEO of PUENTE Learning Center as Andrea steps down.Thank you Andrea for what you’ve done for PUENTE’s growth as a charter, for your outreach to the community through the Annual Community Festival, and for your support of our local Girl Scout troop 8615. May the relationships that you have fostered and supported in your time at PUENTE continue to flourish.Korina Arvizu - Charter parent and Girl Scout troop leader, here with daughter MalenaGracias por su tiempo y dedicación. Deseándole lo mejor en sus futuros proyectos, se le extrañará.Montse Orozco RegistrarAndrea has put together a solid team and I admire the work done to move the school towards a profitable position, maintain and enoble our reputation as an honest and worthwhile nonprofit, and to secure our role as a premiere place for the community. Thank you, Andrea, for all the help you’ve given me and for all the meritorious things you’ve accomplished.Antonio Gomez Computer Class Instructor Programs AssociateFarewellHow we will always remember AndreaPlayground ribbon cuttingNational High-Five dayAll dressed up for Christmas Showcase6Andrea, what can I say that hasn’t been said about her already, it has been such a pleasure to know her for over 10 years. In that time, she has proven to be a person who is passionate, honest and someone who I look up to. She is a woman who cares for anything and everything she loves, a person who I came out of retirement to work with and for. Very few people in my life have made the impression that she has made on me and my family. Clearly I am very proud to know her, but even more proud to call her a friend. Whatever she touches makes lives more full and rewarding. She will always have my prayers, love and friendship.Blas Laino, recently retired VP of Finance and AdministrationI’ll miss you. I know many in both the school and Boyle Heights communities will miss you too. You can return and see your legacy of children playing on a playground created on your watch and learning in classrooms which weren’t there when you arrived. Those classrooms now have charter programs you emphasized, and have expanded in grades during your years with Puente. New partnerships have blossomed and new hours for instruction have been added. The annual community fair was only one of the ways your vision reached out to new segments of the community. Thanks for letting me be a part of your initial strategic planning sessions.Vaya con Dios.Andy Lippman, Former Board member, Volunteer and donorThank you for you dynamic leadership, your sense of purpose, focus, and commitment to provide neighborhood families with needed services. Your willingness to not only listen but also act is what pushed our half-day charter kindergarten to a full school expansion movement. Thanks to you, our charter school will now offer grades K-5. You started a breakfast and lunch program, an extended after school program, a summer camp, wrap around services for families, created a warm school culture, organized families and community helpers to build a large playground, began a construction phase adding additional children’s classrooms, a community mural, updated our PUENTE logo, invited community organizations into PUENTE, started a family festival ...It would be impossible to count all the ways that you have helped so many families. Thank you so much, Andrea, for all that you have done. Your positive impact will continue to make a real difference in people’s lives for years to come.Diana JuarezThank you Andrea for your amazing leadership! We wish you the best!Hector Espinoza Computer Class Instructor/IT Network AdministratorAndrea!Andrea’s door always open to her special visitorsAll hands on deck! Andrea working with the PUENTE staff and volunteers to build a community playground.Our dynamic CEO on Kaboom build dayWE’LL MISS YOU BIG TIME!7Upcoming Dates501 S. BOYLE AVENUE, LOS ANGELES, CA 90033(323) 780 8900www.puente.orgPeople United to Enrich the Neighborhood Through EducationPRESCHOOL • CHARTER SCHOOL • AFTER SCHOOL • ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE ADULT HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA • ADULT LITERACY • SUMMER PROGRAMS • COLLEGE ACCESS • DIGITAL TRAINING October 31 - Haunted HallwayNovember 13-14 - Scarecrow ContestDecember 11 - Winter Wonderland Charter School ShowcaseDecember 12 - Winter Wonderland PreK ShowcaseDecember 13 - Christmas Under the Stars Community Dinner and Toy Give-awayNext >