PAGE TWO
Letter from the Incoming Board Chair
by, Angie Platt
In the 10 years since I have been with Los Encinos, I have seen us go from a school that struggled to fill its classrooms and meet its operating costs, to a place with an abundance of applicants, full classrooms, and a strong financial outlook.
This change began when Ilene and the board got really clear about who we were and what kind of school we would be – embracing the power of a small school, the transformational value of our teaching, and the unrivaled warmth of our families. There is no place like Los Encinos.
A decade later, we are renewing our commitment and purpose to serving the children of our community. Demographics are changing. Enrollment trends for private elementary schools are not in our favor. There is an opportunity for Los Encinos School to double down on its strengths and continue to thrive and grow. Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion is no longer optional. It’s the truest expression of who we are as school, and research proves over and over it improves learning, cognition and innovation.
In addition, Social and Emotional Learning is a mandatory element of modern education. This theme speaks to our Virtues and Values program, but it requires our constant commitment. Social and Emotional skills are to this generation what coding and computer science were 50 years ago.
Look how far we have come. We are celebrating our 40th year as a school, and we are well positioned to commit to our future. We’ve got 6 years running at 100% participation in the annual fund. Our community supports our school. Our faculty’s commitment to professional development among private schools is unheard of. They just keep getting better and better. We have the opportunity with Ilene, one of the most tenured heads of school in Los Angeles, to ensure we are giving our kids the necessary emerging skill set of the 21st century. All of that greatness requires increased financial stability, enabling our investment in tuition assistance to compete in this changing landscape.
Lastly, I’d like to thank our dedicated Board of Trustees for their ongoing support and incredible vision, helping to “steer the ship.”
It takes time, effort, and sacrifice to make all of this happen. I know you’ll face the future with as much optimism and determination as I do. We’ve already shown we can do anything, as long as we do it together.
All my best,
Angie Platt
Incoming Board Chair
Parent Association Update
