Our MIssion StatementOur mission is to provide a community oriented lifelong learning environment that reflects our social, cultural, and educational heritage and develops critical thinkers of good character, responsible citizenship, and high academic achievements:
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Our visionResponding to learner and community needs through the use of partnerships, innovation, outreach, and technology, our vision is to create a K-12 school that is highly regarded for its academic excellence in reaching 100% or greater of the NYS Core Curriculum benchmarks, graduates all of our senior class, and is actively serving and improving the community in which it operates.
At Legacy Charter School of Innovative Thinkers, we recognize the Trvium-Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric as the foundation where knowledge, understanding, and wisdom begin. Using these as the basis for all learning, we endeavor to build an ethical community of students prepared both academically and socially to meet the challenges of college/ career and compete on a global stage. WHO is our community?Rockland County is a suburban county located 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Manhattan and part of the New York City Metropolitan Area, it is the southernmost county in New York west of the Hudson River, and the smallest county by area in New York outside of New York City. The population, as of the 2010 census, was 311,687.The county comprises five towns and nineteen incorporated villages, with numerous unincorporated villages (16) and hamlets.
East Ramapo Central School District in Rockland County is a school district that serves areas of eastern Town of Ramapo, including Chestnut Ridge, New Hempstead, New Square, Spring Valley, and a portion of Airmont. The district also serves the hamlets of Hillcrest and Monsey, as well as the Village of Pomona which straddles the borders of Town of Ramapo and Town of Haverstraw in Rockland County. The population of East Ramapo is about 113,000. The general population is 64% white, but the public school population of about 8,300 is 90% non-white. There are about 18,000 students who attend yeshivas (Jewish Religious Private Schools). According to the Superintendent Dr. Joel Klien, the cost of services for the large non public school pupil growth is driving the drastic cuts in the public schools. These include the Reduction or Total Elimination of Arts/ Music Programming, Sports Programming, and possibly Kindergarten. The result is a failing school district, with a graduation rate of 72%, and only 51% for Hispanics and 51% for students with Disabilities. To learn more about the East Ramapo, visit the Rockland Journal News/ LOHUD Website, where the have done a special report on Rockland's East Ramapo school district called, TWO WORLDS, ONE DISTRICT. In the January 2013 issue of EDUCATION MATTERS- A newsletter from the East Ramapo Central School District for non-public school parents, he says, "As a result of the significant growth in student population, particularly in the non-public school sector, where there has been an increase of almost a thousand students a year, with the taxes being limited by a 2% tax cap, and with the State aid increases also being very limited, it has gotten to the point that there will not be enough funds available to maintain programs. Until now, the District has provided programs by using up its reserves (savings account) and making cuts in programs. The critical issue is that we are the only district with our unique set of circumstances. All of our students are being short-changed." It is time for OUR COMMUNITY- Parents, Students, Businesses, and Taxpayers/ Homeowners to envision improved schools and learning environments and act upon that vision. Education reform isn’t just about raising test scores; it’s about raising the success rate for the one in five U.S. students living in poverty who face learning disadvantages from the start. Public Education is the gateway to opportunity and all students have the human and civil right to a quality public education that develops their potential, independence, and character. That Education is vital to building respect for the worth, dignity, and equality of every individual in our diverse society. Utilizing partnerships with parents, families, communities, and other stakeholders are essential to quality public education and student success because individuals are strengthened when they work together for the common good. We can improve the quality of public education when we unite and advocate collectively. Because EVERY STUDENT in America, regardless of family income or place of residence, deserves a quality education. |
What does our community need?
When parents and students make the decision to seek a better education --which comes at no cost to them--they do so because they are dissatisfied with the status quo of the traditional public school education. Parents are seeking solutions. Charter schools may be one of those solutions.
WHAT IS A CHARTER SCHOOL?
Charter schools are public elementary and secondary schools that are newly created or adapted from existing schools by developers to pursue specific educational objectives and are exempt from significant state or local rules that inhibit flexible management. Charter schools are not exempt from federal laws that cover equal rights, access and discrimination. Students attend charter schools by choice of their parents or guardians rather than by assignment by a school district. As public schools, charter schools are not allowed to charge tuition. If applications to attend a charter school exceeds spaces available, enrollment is decided by lottery.
Charter schools--which are created and operated by parents, organizations, or community groups to fill an educational need not otherwise offered by traditional schools--can direct resources where the students need them most. Charters have more flexibility than conventional public schools in exchange for being held to additional standards to make sure they are meeting their student goals. It is for those reasons that public charter schools are part of the solution to a better education system; they offer an alternative to the monopoly that is leaving so many students behind.
WHAT IS A CHARTER SCHOOL?
Charter schools are public elementary and secondary schools that are newly created or adapted from existing schools by developers to pursue specific educational objectives and are exempt from significant state or local rules that inhibit flexible management. Charter schools are not exempt from federal laws that cover equal rights, access and discrimination. Students attend charter schools by choice of their parents or guardians rather than by assignment by a school district. As public schools, charter schools are not allowed to charge tuition. If applications to attend a charter school exceeds spaces available, enrollment is decided by lottery.
Charter schools--which are created and operated by parents, organizations, or community groups to fill an educational need not otherwise offered by traditional schools--can direct resources where the students need them most. Charters have more flexibility than conventional public schools in exchange for being held to additional standards to make sure they are meeting their student goals. It is for those reasons that public charter schools are part of the solution to a better education system; they offer an alternative to the monopoly that is leaving so many students behind.
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what does our community say?
IS THE CHARTER SCHOOL OPTION RIGHT FOR EAST RAMAPO?
In February 2013, we embarked upon a journey to survey the East Ramapo Community to see what people were feeling about a Charter School as an educational option for Our Community. All along we knew that our focus may need to change based upon the results of the surveys. As of May 2013, with more than 125 surveys in hand, our results tell us that many in our community would embrace a charter school that allowed students to be academically challenged and developed, while others see it as an unnecessary distraction. Throughout this process, it has been our goal to set an academic standard of excellence and to emulate what good education looks like despite budget constraints. That focus has not changed. While we have needed to refocus our vision, our mission is consistent. With the input of Our Community, we will explore refocusing our efforts as a S.T.E.M. focused Charter School with language offerings rather than a Dual Language Program.
Our Curriculum Taskforce has begun to develop academic standards and offerings consistent with NYS Common Core that also allows for the enrichment of our students. We continue to seek feedback and assistance from any community members or experts in these area- Curriculum or STEM. THIS IS OUR COMMUNITY'S SCHOOL! WE ARE NOT A DISTRACTION, WE ARE AN OPTION!
In February 2013, we embarked upon a journey to survey the East Ramapo Community to see what people were feeling about a Charter School as an educational option for Our Community. All along we knew that our focus may need to change based upon the results of the surveys. As of May 2013, with more than 125 surveys in hand, our results tell us that many in our community would embrace a charter school that allowed students to be academically challenged and developed, while others see it as an unnecessary distraction. Throughout this process, it has been our goal to set an academic standard of excellence and to emulate what good education looks like despite budget constraints. That focus has not changed. While we have needed to refocus our vision, our mission is consistent. With the input of Our Community, we will explore refocusing our efforts as a S.T.E.M. focused Charter School with language offerings rather than a Dual Language Program.
Our Curriculum Taskforce has begun to develop academic standards and offerings consistent with NYS Common Core that also allows for the enrichment of our students. We continue to seek feedback and assistance from any community members or experts in these area- Curriculum or STEM. THIS IS OUR COMMUNITY'S SCHOOL! WE ARE NOT A DISTRACTION, WE ARE AN OPTION!
10 quick facts about charter schools in new york state
·Charter schools are public schools;
·They cannot teach religion;
·They cannot charge tuition;
·They cannot base admissions decisions on ability;
·Charter schools are non-profit organizations;
·They are governed by their own board of trustees;
·Charter schools must comply with laws regarding
health, safety, civil rights and Special education (the Open
Meetings Law and the Freedom of Information Act specifically apply to charter
schools);
·They must comply with the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act;
·They must administer all the same state tests as district schools;
and
·They must meet all the state’s performance requirements.
·They cannot teach religion;
·They cannot charge tuition;
·They cannot base admissions decisions on ability;
·Charter schools are non-profit organizations;
·They are governed by their own board of trustees;
·Charter schools must comply with laws regarding
health, safety, civil rights and Special education (the Open
Meetings Law and the Freedom of Information Act specifically apply to charter
schools);
·They must comply with the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act;
·They must administer all the same state tests as district schools;
and
·They must meet all the state’s performance requirements.
JOIN THis grassroots DISCUSSION
WHAT IS A CHARTER SCHOOL?
HOW WILL IT HELP MY CHILD & FAMILY?
HOW CAN I HELP CREATE A LEGACY OF
EDUCATION FOR MY CHILD?
Come and listen to a Presentation on this new and innovative solution- A Charter School in Rockland County then ASK QUESTIONS!
GIVE ME A CALL...845-200-0038