As the parents of students in the LACHSA Cinematic Arts department, we are concerned about the last-minute transition of leadership happening in the department. On June 10, Jon Artigo detailed his vision for the department in the year ahead, including requirements for students, accountability for teachers, and goals for parents. With Jon's departure, we - as parents - are concerned that we have not heard an equally detailed vision for the year ahead from the LACHSA administration. We, the undersigned, have the following questions for LACHSA and LACOE administrators:
1. What is the status of the search for a new Cinematic Arts/Visual Arts chairperson? Who will be running the Cinematic Arts department when school starts next month?
2. Does LACHSA have the additional Cinematic Arts teaching staff in place that it needs to move forward with the 2017-18 school year? If not, when will they be hired?
3. How will the Cinematic Arts department and LACHSA ensure that the curriculum laid out in the June 10 meeting is implemented and the accountability of the teacher is met in each class?
4. Who will be producing the student film festivals at LACHSA this year, and will that schedule go ahead as planned at the June 10 meeting?
5. Anticipating a loss of financial contributions by Cinematic Arts parents and friends to LACHSA due to the way that Mr. Artigo's employment was handled, what will the LACHSA administration do to rebuild a sense of trust and optimism for the department from community? Cinematic Arts parents contributed to the Arts High Foundation at a greater rate than parents in any other department last year, and parental contributions and festival income provided a significant influx of money to the school and department - income that the school cannot afford to lose.
6. What is the administration's plan to provide emotional support to students who will have to deal with the loss of a beloved teacher, leader and mentor? Will the school provide grief counseling to students who need it? How will students be told of its availability and their confidence protected should they choose use it?
7. Finally, what is the administration's plan to create greater transparency about the department's leadership and direction going forward, so that we never again encounter a situation such as this - where a department chairperson's position was eliminated and a replacement position created with no parents being informed before candidates have been solicited and interviews scheduled?
Updates
July 22, 2017
Seeing this kind of movement is honestly wild and just proves that our questions about the department really do need actual answers soon because the silence is getting loud. I am trying to keep up with the emails coming in but just know that seeing you all rally behind this makes me feel like we are finally being taken seriously by the people who have been ghosting us.
14 Comments
Concerned parent of a transferring student. We made this transfer based on the assurance from Mitzi that this school was stable and there would be no budget cuts of changes. It appears that with these changes there are not only budget cuts there is also an uncertainly in leadership and curriculum.
Shocked and dismayed by the handling of this situation. I am very concerned about my daughter's education and the future of the department. My daughter exclaimed that Jon Arigo was the main reason the school was worth it to her. As parents we tolerate an academic program that is less than ideal because we believe in the strength of the arts department. When we are left doubting the strength of the leaders in charge of our children's creative education, we must demand action be taken to protect our children and their department.
As a recent alum parent of Izzy '17, I have great concern for the legacy of the department we helped to built with Jon's leadership. I support the current parents in their insistence that these questions are answered so the CA department has a possibility to continue with the same regard, involvement, and support as in the past four years.
We deserve answers to these questions. We also should have an answer to how in the world we ended up in this position in the first place. What was the thought process and why wasn't it shared. We as parents could have been called upon if it was a financial issue. Very short sighted leadership on this action.
I'd love to add a #8: Why did this happen? Walk us through the "process." Why was Mr. Artigo strung along for weeks thinking he was going to get a salary and benefits for his family, but NOT told a) he was in fact interviewing for the position he currently held; and b) it was now open to interviews with other candidates? And wrote an entire syllabus and held a Dept meeting. This "process" was an egregious "lie by omission." Because this could happen to ANY teacher... we've already lost many due to Administration's oppressive and demoralizing treatment, or surreptitious mishandling of policy.
As a new incoming family to the CA community we strongly feel the uncertainty and wish that the CA department continues to meet or exceed the high standards implemented by Mr. Artigo.
Looking forward to receiving answers to these vital questions and concerns. Thank you.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
As the parents of students in the LACHSA Cinematic Arts department, we are concerned about the last-minute transition of leadership happening in the department. On June 10, Jon Artigo detailed his vision for the department in the year ahead, including requirements for students, accountability for teachers, and goals for parents. With Jon's departure, we - as parents - are concerned that we have not heard an equally detailed vision for the year ahead from the LACHSA administration. We, the undersigned, have the following questions for LACHSA and LACOE administrators:
1. What is the status of the search for a new Cinematic Arts/Visual Arts chairperson? Who will be running the Cinematic Arts department when school starts next month?
2. Does LACHSA have the additional Cinematic Arts teaching staff in place that it needs to move forward with the 2017-18 school year? If not, when will they be hired?
3. How will the Cinematic Arts department and LACHSA ensure that the curriculum laid out in the June 10 meeting is implemented and the accountability of the teacher is met in each class?
4. Who will be producing the student film festivals at LACHSA this year, and will that schedule go ahead as planned at the June 10 meeting?
5. Anticipating a loss of financial contributions by Cinematic Arts parents and friends to LACHSA due to the way that Mr. Artigo's employment was handled, what will the LACHSA administration do to rebuild a sense of trust and optimism for the department from community? Cinematic Arts parents contributed to the Arts High Foundation at a greater rate than parents in any other department last year, and parental contributions and festival income provided a significant influx of money to the school and department - income that the school cannot afford to lose.
6. What is the administration's plan to provide emotional support to students who will have to deal with the loss of a beloved teacher, leader and mentor? Will the school provide grief counseling to students who need it? How will students be told of its availability and their confidence protected should they choose use it?
7. Finally, what is the administration's plan to create greater transparency about the department's leadership and direction going forward, so that we never again encounter a situation such as this - where a department chairperson's position was eliminated and a replacement position created with no parents being informed before candidates have been solicited and interviews scheduled?
Updates
July 22, 2017
Seeing this kind of movement is honestly wild and just proves that our questions about the department really do need actual answers soon because the silence is getting loud. I am trying to keep up with the emails coming in but just know that seeing you all rally behind this makes me feel like we are finally being taken seriously by the people who have been ghosting us.
14 Comments
We see no logical reasoning behind the decision Principal Mitzi Lizarraga has taken and agree with every sentiment all LACHSA CA parents have shared. To impede the growth of the CA Department that Jon Artigo and his loyal staff have worked so tirelessly to build, is a shame. Combining the Visual Arts and Cinematic Arts Departments is impossible to understand. One person overseeing both departments? It will bad for Cinematic Arts AND Visual Arts. You might as well call it the Multimedia Elective. That is available at every other school trying to offer "Arts".
Concerned parent of a transferring student. We made this transfer based on the assurance from Mitzi that this school was stable and there would be no budget cuts of changes. It appears that with these changes there are not only budget cuts there is also an uncertainly in leadership and curriculum.
Shocked and dismayed by the handling of this situation. I am very concerned about my daughter's education and the future of the department. My daughter exclaimed that Jon Arigo was the main reason the school was worth it to her. As parents we tolerate an academic program that is less than ideal because we believe in the strength of the arts department. When we are left doubting the strength of the leaders in charge of our children's creative education, we must demand action be taken to protect our children and their department.
As a recent alum parent of Izzy '17, I have great concern for the legacy of the department we helped to built with Jon's leadership. I support the current parents in their insistence that these questions are answered so the CA department has a possibility to continue with the same regard, involvement, and support as in the past four years.
We deserve answers to these questions. We also should have an answer to how in the world we ended up in this position in the first place. What was the thought process and why wasn't it shared. We as parents could have been called upon if it was a financial issue. Very short sighted leadership on this action.
I'd love to add a #8: Why did this happen? Walk us through the "process." Why was Mr. Artigo strung along for weeks thinking he was going to get a salary and benefits for his family, but NOT told a) he was in fact interviewing for the position he currently held; and b) it was now open to interviews with other candidates? And wrote an entire syllabus and held a Dept meeting. This "process" was an egregious "lie by omission." Because this could happen to ANY teacher... we've already lost many due to Administration's oppressive and demoralizing treatment, or surreptitious mishandling of policy.
As a new incoming family to the CA community we strongly feel the uncertainty and wish that the CA department continues to meet or exceed the high standards implemented by Mr. Artigo.
Looking forward to receiving answers to these vital questions and concerns. Thank you.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 100 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept our Terms and Privacy Policy and agree to occasional emails about petitions. Unsubscribe anytime.
Share this petition
Share this petition to help it reach more people.
Your share link
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
We see no logical reasoning behind the decision Principal Mitzi Lizarraga has taken and agree with every sentiment all LACHSA CA parents have shared. To impede the growth of the CA Department that Jon Artigo and his loyal staff have worked so tirelessly to build, is a shame. Combining the Visual Arts and Cinematic Arts Departments is impossible to understand. One person overseeing both departments? It will bad for Cinematic Arts AND Visual Arts. You might as well call it the Multimedia Elective. That is available at every other school trying to offer "Arts".