Letters to the Editor: Closure of popular Echo Park charter school would be ‘a tragedy’
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- Gabriella Charter School’s closure would affect students and families at the Echo Park institution serving underserved children through rigorous, dance-integrated education.
- All students take daily dance classes from professional dancers, with kindergartners learning the alphabet through movement and advanced students performing citywide in troupes.
- Founded after a tragic death, the school creates a joyous environment where students feel safe, loved, and connected to excited teachers and administrators.
To the editor: To close Gabriella Charter School would be a tragedy for students and their families, teachers and supporters (“A popular charter faces closure to make more room for an LAUSD school,” Oct. 16).
Gabriella, whose origins have root in making a tragic death count for L.A.’s underserved children, is a great school: rigorous, disciplined and joyous. Students know they are safe and loved by teachers and administrators who are excited by their hard work and connection with them.
The reality of the school “specializing in dance instruction” is that boys and girls of all sizes, in all grades, take a dance class taught by a professional dancer every day. Some excel and become members of a dance troupe that performs around the city. Others overcome their embarrassment to exercise and perform for their proud parents. Dance is part of their curriculum. The kindergartners dance the alphabet as they learn.
The school board should spare the community this tragedy, compounded as it would be with so many others.
Louise Schwartz, Los Angeles
This writer is a community volunteer at Gabriella Charter School.
