Billy Mitchell students, teachers showcase dual immersion and makerspace as district reports modest midyear gains

Billy Mitchell Elementary students and staff presented a district spotlight at the Lawndale Elementary School District board meeting on Feb. 5, with a fifth-grade student leading the pledge and several teachers describing classroom practices the district says are improving achievement.

Dr. Dahlia Coronel, principal of Billy Mitchell Elementary, told the board the school’s work is “driven by the dedication of our teachers, the support of our families, the enthusiasm of our students, and the strength of our community.” Fifth grader Jasmine Carr described her role on the student leadership council and said student leaders “help make our school a positive and welcoming place for everyone.”

Teachers highlighted instructional strategies the district is promoting. Fourth-grade teacher Kristen McDonald described partner teaching—two credentialed teachers planning and delivering lessons together—and said it allowed teachers to extend and remediate instruction in real time. “We were able to extend the learning when we needed to. We were able to remediate when we needed to because we’re both in the classroom teaching at the same time,” McDonald said.

School staff also described specialized programs: the Pathways program supporting about 77 TK–5 students with academic and adaptive skills, and a TREK-makerspace where students learn coding and robotics. Makerspace lead Amaris Lorenzini invited the board to visit, saying students “strengthen 21st-century learning skills while addressing computer science and NGSS standards.”

Assistant Superintendent Tracy Pamelli delivered the district’s midyear Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) update, saying the district is in year two of a three-year plan and reporting measurable growth in assessments. Pamelli said matched I-Ready math results show increases in students at early, mid or above grade level; district figures place Lawndale roughly on par with statewide numbers (Pamelli cited about 26% of Lawndale students on track versus approximately 28% statewide for one metric).

Pamelli said reading results showed similar growth, and highlighted subgroup improvements, including a reported 14-point gain for English learners on paired fall-to-winter data. “We are very pleased to see the targeted efforts that we have made with our English learners,” she said.

The report also addressed attendance and budgets. Pamelli said the district’s goal is a 96% average daily attendance; the current rate is 94.32%, and staff said they are using incentives and targeted contacts to improve attendance. On budgets, Pamelli presented a snapshot showing a total budget of $16,611,678 and noted that supplemental and concentration funds comprised about 16% in the adopted budget and are projected nearer to 15% in the first interim (a roughly 1% reduction).

Board members praised the student presentations and asked follow-up questions about implementation and outreach. Trustee Evie Morales said she was “really excited to see a lot of great things going on at the school,” while Clerk Anne Phillips commented on student belonging and the growth of the Pathways program.

The board did not take formal action related to the school spotlight; the presentation concluded with questions and thanks from trustees and administration.