Principal of Sandra Cisneros Academy Takes Parents' Questions

On Tuesday,, the new--and   Those questions came from Echo Park Patch.

Here's Part Two of our email conversation. It's made up of the questions you suggested on our Facebook page.  Enjoy.  And be sure to "Like"  "Echo Park Patch" on Facebook if you haven't already so you can chime in next time.

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Q: Will there be a waiting list for enrollment? Do you have to live in a certain area to be able enroll your child there?

Shannon Leonard: We have had open enrollment for families living within the attendance boundary (you can view the attendance boundary at www.caminonuevo.org) on June 24, on June 27. There is one more on July 15th from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Camino Nuevo High School. There will be a public lottery for the remaining openings in mid-July

Q: What will be the dress code?

Shannon Leonard: The dress code will be:

• Grades K-5: a yellow polo shirt and button down and forest green pants, shorts or skorts.
• Grades 6-8: a forest green polo shirt or button down and khaki pants, shorts or skorts.

Q: Will there be non-teaching jobs available ?

Shannon Leonard: Non-teaching jobs will be posted on the Camino Nuevo website (www.caminonuevo.org).

Q: Will the English-only track be augmented with electives that truly ensure a bilingual education parallel to the Spanish-English track that most students at Sandra Cisneros will follow?

Shannon Leonard: We will not know what electives we’ll be able to offer until closer to the start of school. It will depend on enrollment and budget issues, but we would love to be able to offer such an elective.

Q: What would your advice be to parents who want to get involved with the school and have their voices heard?

Shannon Leonard: Attend all of our family events at the school, get in contact with our family coordinator once he or she is hired, and find me at the school. I’m tall and have brown hair and green eyes.

Q: What does your family say about taking on this job?

Shannon Leonard: My family is very happy for me! They know that education is my life work and that leading a brand-new school is a dream come true. They think I’m going to do a great job, but they’re supposed to think that, they’re my family!

Q: What do you think Sandra Cisneros will be known for in five years?

Shannon Leonard: Many things, I hope, but I REALLY hope it will be known as a school that has really great teachers with high expectations for their students, and that it’s a school that truly cares about each and every child and each and every family. My secret hope is that it’s also known for teaching science really well, but that’s a personal thing.

Q: What would you like to see it named? 

Shannon Leonard: I would love to see it named after someone who represents the power of education to allow one to carve their own path in this world, because that’s what we’re trying to teach the students from day one. I know there are a lot of great individuals throughout the world who represent this, so I’d be happy with the school being named after any one of them.