Show your support of Benton Middle School Visual and Performing Arts Academy!
Benton Middle school went from the smallest low performing middle school in the Norwalk-La Mirada School District (NLMUSD) to the most admired La Mirada middle school in a short three years.
The district is planning to reduce staff and remove teachers that are key to programs at the school based on this explanation from Board President Mr. Ed Hengler “Additional staffing has been provided for the past three years as a temporary support to develop the VAPA program.”
There is no documentation supporting the temporary nature of the VAPA program. It was never intended to be temporary.
The school met all NCLB AYP metrics in 2012. The staff and administration has the highest conversion rate in the district for English Language Learners. The school had the highest 2012 API point growth in the district. The enrollment is up over 40% in three years, including many out of district permit students.
The school is a success story but the district seems to have a different agenda that does not support the needs or interests of the students.
By signing this petition, you are stating that you support the followig 5 critical features of Benton as they exist today and you want Benton to offer the programs that meet the needs and interests of the students:
- Modified Block Schedule that enables more instructional minutes for all students
- Modified Block Schedule that enables more electives for all students which provide the diversity in the student and developing the whole child
- Requisite teachers to support the Modified Block Schedule and Visual and Performing Arts Electives during the curricular day
- Requisite teachers teaching in their specialties of Theatre Arts, Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Dance, Media Arts, Photography, World Percussion, Piano, Guitar, Band, Orchestra and Vocal Music
- Requisite teachers in critical CORE classes of English, reading/language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics/government, economics, ARTS, history, and geography
Thank you for your support in this matter.