Lawndale board hears results from expanded-day RAP/Wrap programs; district reports nearly 2,900 students served

Dennis Howard, the district's director of expanded learning, told the Lawndale Elementary School District board on June 25 that the district's RAP (Realizing Amazing Potential) before- and after-school program served roughly 2,902 students this year — about 452 in the morning program and about 2,450 in after-school offerings — representing approximately 69% of students who accessed the program at some point this year. "These are our dedicated staff and students and families," Howard said, describing the program's alignment with district goals.

The presentation emphasized partnerships and measurable academic supports. Program manager Maggie Guillen highlighted a year-long tutoring partnership with HeyTutor, saying the district engaged about 21 bilingual tutors and that roughly 109 students attended HeyTutor sessions through the year. "Some of our students in math were able to increase a band," Guillen said, summarizing assessment-based gains and noting that the tutoring vendor tailored curriculum to individual student needs.

Guillen also described a small esports pilot in middle schools that included two tournament events, and Janenna Ellison summarized the RISE program's fifth year of operation, reporting services to 95 students across eight campuses and 29 weekly sessions culminating in a community event.

Howard outlined a new logic model developed with parents, teachers, principals and partners to identify gaps and guide a three-year program plan, and he highlighted staffing: roughly 111 part-time activity specialists and program leaders who serve as mentors, coaches and supervisors. He called the program "human-centered" and credited part-time staff with much of the daily work.

Trustees asked about how themes are chosen for summer programming and whether students have input; Guillen said staff send end-of-summer surveys to solicit student preferences and use those responses to refine future themes. The board also heard that the summer Wrap program (theme "Dream, Dare, Do") is a full-day offering from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. serving approximately 1,119 students and includes assemblies, field trips, social-emotional learning and academic strands.

The presentation closed with trustees praising staff stability and community partnerships. Clerk Anne Phillips asked that field-trip preauthorizations be shared with PTAs; staff agreed to follow up.

The district will continue using the logic model and a stakeholder RAP PAC group to evaluate and refine programming over the coming three years.