Lawrence Family Development Charter School (continued) extensive partnerships in the sciences (NECC, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Museum of Science) and outdoor environmental exploration (Quarrybrook Learning Center). Its partnership with Converse allowed eighth graders to work with engineers designing possible prototypes of new sneaker designs for Converse’s consideration. Lawrence Family Development Charter School also launched new efforts in engineering with the Boston Society of Civil Engineers, the Metro North Regional Employment Board and the Merrimack Valley Workforce Investment Board. Lastly, its excellent engineering and science efforts were affirmed this year when the LFDCS Head of Science, Ms. Stephanie Cross, was awarded the national Discover-E Award for the engineering partnerships and rigor which add to LFDCS’ high standards. Effective district systems for school support and intervention and Family/School engagement Areas of School and Family Engagement continue as most significant to Lawrence Family Development Charter School’s mission and accomplishments this year. LFDCS added to the current program “Right from the Start” (parent involvement which begins in the early grades) new efforts such as Raised Bed Gardens, “Cooking without Heat” in Summer School, a Summer “Food Fiesta,” Family Movie Night, a play at a local high school, an animated “Food Play” nutrition presentation and Family Math Nights. Many of LFDCS’ eighth graders transitioned to impressive private high schools with supplementary program support from the Cummings Foundation ($100,000 awarded over four years) and the Liberty Mutual Foundation grant ($40,000 awarded over two years) as well as through a record-breaking amount of scholarship dollars raised this year through fundraising from individual donors. LFDCS’ “friend-making” included Good News Breakfasts and Luncheons and After Hours Socials. The Charter School District showcased its best practices at a Legislative Breakfast, did Lawrence Public Schools’ Professional Development events and hosted a day-long conference held for members of the Massachusetts Charter School Association. As LFDCS closed FY’2013-14, it is with great pride that its maintains its direct impact on its own students as it has for nineteen years as a Commonwealth public charter school and now moves into an additional aspect of its work which is dissemination. Lawrence Family Development Charter School’s past and present efforts show that it not only sustains but also grows its successes. Mission and Key Design Elements LFDCS, in its 19 years of existence, has maintained the philosophy of its founders through the Key Design elements through which it operates its charter and sets its accountability goals. The mission of Lawrence Family Development Charter School from its founding is: strong families, working in partnership with the school as advocates for academic achievement, will create an environment where every child has the opportunity to acquire the foundation skills and habits of mind that foster life-long learning, citizenship participation and personal fulfillment. The governance structure exemplifies the mission of the school by ensuring that the board make-up consistently has parents involved at every level of the school including its governance structure. 18
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