Principal's Message
Welcome to the Los Angeles High School of the Arts!
The Los Angeles High School of the Arts represents a strong learning community focused on the arts and preparing students for college and career. I have been the principal of LAHSA for seven years and am proud of our students, staff, and families. I believe that an arts-based education helps students develop the skills needed in today’s world—collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and citizenship. As a Linked Learning certified school, our students benefit from working with arts professionals and have many opportunities to participate in field trips, competitions, internships, and community service. Our students perform in the beautiful Cocoanut Grove Theatre and are involved in every aspect of our productions, designing our lights, sounds, sets, costumes and props using our in-house shops under the direction of working theatrical design professionals.
LAHSA is a STEAM program that includes:
- Strong theatre program—both acting and technical theater (costumes, set design and construction, lighting and sound), including a new pathway in Video Production
- Science courses: AP Biology, Chemistry, Physiology, Environmental Science
- Technology: Computer Science, computers available for student use in every class (one-to-one technology)
- Engineering: Computer-aided Drafting, Vectorworks
- Mathematics: Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, Transitional College Math (Statistics)
All of our teachers and other staff are dedicated to the growth of each student. With two counselors and other support staff, we are able to provide personalization. We have many opportunities for families to be involved in our school and value the contributions of parents and other family members.
To all of our new and returning students I wish you a successful new year! If you are interested in LAHSA, please come and visit. I would love to see you at one of our productions!
-- Susan Canjura
Principal's COVID-19 Update 4 - Virtual Grad Schedule, Textbook/Technology Return and Class Finals
Principal's COVID-19 Update 3 - Grading, Internet Access and Online Meetings
Good Afternoon, LAHSA Community!
I hope you are all staying healthy and safe during this time. I know we all miss seeing each other in person, but I am happy that we are continuing to be a strong community of learners and are supporting each other.
Today we received hot spots to distribute to families who need the internet. If you need a hot spot, please call our school office at (213) 480-4600. Your call will be forwarded to our SAA, Griselda Chavez. You can also let your teacher, counselor, or Ms. Kwan know if you need a hot spot or a computer.
Students, thank you for continuing to work on your assignments and to meet with your teachers. I want you to keep learning during this time. I know it may be difficult to stay focused on your work when you are afraid of what is happening in our world and your families may be experiencing difficulties. Please remember that we are here to listen and support you—all of your teachers, Ms. Lopez, your counselors, and other staff members.
The district grading policy for grades this semester is posted on our website and will also be posted on Schoology. The next grading period ends on May 13th. Please work to improve your grades if you can.
Summer school will be online this year. At this time we do not know when our physical school will
reopen.
Parents, thank you for all of your support and your attendance at our meetings. We are having zoom parent meetings on Wed. at 5:00 pm and Fridays at 10:00 am. It is a time to ask questions and to get updates about the school. The zoom information is sent by text and phone call every Sunday evening.
To our class of 2020—I want you to know we are looking for ways to celebrate you and your accomplishments. Ms. Esteem is working with her students on a special yearbook, which will be free for seniors. We will also have a panoramic picture and t-shirt for all seniors.
If you are a student who wishes to enroll for next year, please call our school. We are looking forward to meeting all of our new 9th graders.
Please stay safe and healthy!
Principal's COVID-19 Update 2 - Extended Closure and Seniors
I hope you are all doing well at this time. I know when we left school on March 13 th that we thought we would be back in a couple of weeks. We didn’t know that we would not see each other for the rest of the school year. I miss seeing you every day, and I know you miss seeing your friends and teachers. And it is very sad not to be here to do the things you have enjoyed—rehearsing for the play, playing sports, talking to your friends, planning activities, and much more. While we are not here physically, school is still going on. We have 8 more weeks of learning and of working towards receiving credit for your classes. I know it is a challenge to do your work online. We are working to make sure each student has a computer and internet access. You may have several families trying to work online, the internet may be slow, it’s hard to know what is expected of you from each of your teachers. There may be other problems your family is facing, with loss of a job, and you may have to help your brothers and sisters with their learning. I know it isn’t easy, but I don’t want you to give up. Please do what you can, and I along with your teachers are here to support you. You can email Ms. Lopez, Ms. Goodwin, Ms. Ruiz, or any of your teachers if you need more support.
All of your teachers are working hard to plan lessons for you and to make sure you keep on learning. Please check Schoology each day to see what your assignments are and participate in Zoom meetings, Google Classroom, or other platforms your teachers are using. School staff members will be calling you to check on how you are doing. We are doing this because we care about you, the problems you are facing, to see how we can help. We also want you to be prepared to graduate from high school.
Please take care of your health by practicing social distancing, frequently washing your hands, and wearing a mask when in public.
My next update to you will include information about grading for this semester.
Principal's COVID-19 Update 1 - Spring Break
I hope you are doing well, staying healthy and safe during this time. I know it is a difficult time for everyone and that you are facing many challenges. I want you to know that I am still here, along with your teachers, counselors, and other staff to help you continue with your education. Now that the school is closed, I wanted to take the opportunity to talk with you about how we are continuing learning in this time. This is not a vacation from school! It is important that you know that we are not in our school building but students should continue to make progress towards completing classes, so they can graduate from High School. To do this each student needs access to technology either with a computer, cell phone, or iPad.
Each teacher is posting assignments on Schoology and having meetings with their classes online. Students should be checking Schoology to see what their assignments are and complete them. We will be following the schedule that we have on late start days. This schedule will be posted on Schoology and our website. Teachers will schedule meetings during the period that you have their class, so there will not be any conflicts with other classes. Parents, please make sure your child attends online sessions and completes assignments. We want all students to receive credit for this semester and stay on track to graduating.
Seniors, please complete all of your work so you can graduate in June. School will not be extended.
Spring break will be take place as previously scheduling, April 3rd through April 10th . Assignments will not be given during this time, but it can be used to catch up on missing assignments.
Our school’s number will be texted to you and posted on the website. We are here to support you and answer any questions you may have during this time. Please take care of your health and your family. I know it may be difficult for students to complete work during this time, but I am asking all students to do their best. We hope to return to school on May 4th . We will send more information about that when it gets closer to that date.
