In This Issue
Valor Academy Approved!
Where is Valor?
We Need Your Help!
Valor Academy has been approved! The new charter middle school for the San Fernando Valley will open in August 2009 with a class of 5th graders, thanks to the unanimous vote by the Los Angeles Unified School District board on April 14. Congratulations to school founder Hrag Hamalian and the entire Valor team for their hard work, expertise and passion for bringing a college-preparatory focus to middle school students in the Arleta-Panorama City-North Hollywood area. "All children in the community deserve a high quality public education that positions them for success in high schools and beyond," says Valor Academy Founder Hrag Hamalian.  With the charter approved, plans will quickly move forward to sign up families for next year’s first-ever class of students. We are opening next fall for 5th graders only, and will grow one grade each year after that until we fully expand to become a 5th-8th grade middle school. Parents may now sign up their child to enter Valor for next school year’s 5th grade class. Like all public schools, Valor Academy will be free; parents of any child who is a California resident may sign up. If more than 120 children sign up to begin school next fall, we will hold a lottery at the end of the sign up period to determine admission. All a family has to do for now is fill out an application available at our website.
Valor is a charter school, which means that it is a tuition-free public school that the LAUSD permits to operate with more freedom to use innovative curriculum and teaching methods. Valor’s mission is to provide middle school students in Arleta, Panorama City and North Hollywood with a rigorous education that will prepare them for top-flight high schools and colleges. To accomplish this, we have designed a longer school day, a sharp focus on math and reading, individualized instruction and free tutoring and after-school programs.
You can keep track of the dates of the Board's meetings and view key documents and meeting agendas by visiting Valor's Board site.
 Valor was one of the first charter schools approved this year, and the school board’s approval is a vote of confidence forValor’s belief that ALL students deserve an exciting, quality education. The approval caps 18 months of work by Hamalian, Valor board chair William Ryan and the entireValor Board. We’d also like to thank the Los Angeles Unified School District and the charter school division. We’re grateful for the support of numerous organizations, and appreciate the website design work of Neolynx, the legal counsel of Sullivan & Cromwell, and the graphic design work from The Center for Visual Communication at Cal State Northridge." I would like to express my deep gratitude on behalf of the entire Valor Academy Board of Directors to all those individuals and organizations who have been so supportive," says Ryan. "As a result of their incredibly generous work, we have reached this first milestone in our mission of academic excellence and are poised to open our doors in a few short months."
The Board is working closely with Panorama Baptist Church to secure a wonderful location forValor Academy: a well-built school facility on Woodman Avenue, north of Roscoe Boulevard. The well-kept campus boasts sizable classrooms, a playground, green courtyard and cafeteria. Unlike many charter schools that start life in makeshift facilities, the site was built as a school for the church, which operated a faith-based elementary school with up to 240 students until a few years ago.
 Currently, a Valor team led by Board member Brad Wilson is negotiating with church leadership for a multi-year lease at the school site. We’d like to thank Rev. John Polite III, and the board of deacons at Panorama Baptist for their generosity and their shared vision of community service.
We’re working hard to meet with community leaders in the area. Hrag and Board member Steve McAvoy recently met with the Panorama City Neighborhood Council. Hrag and board member Andy Murr had a productive session with staff members of Councilman Richard Alarcón, in whose district the Panorama site is located. They also met with staffers of Councilman Tony Cárdenas from the adjoining district.  Now that Valor has a charter, we’re launching out with ambitious plans and we need your help. Opening a successful charter school designed to producing the strongest academic outcomes is an all-encompassing effort that cannot be realized by a small team. It takes the dedication of many like-minded people bound by a commitment to improving the lives of our children.
If you are interested in making this school a reality or know someone else who may, here's how you can help! MAKE A DONATION
Valor Academy is a free public school, but we need contributions to augment the public funding, particularly in the months before school opens. Valor Academy was recently approved as a 501c (3) charitable non-profit by the IRS, thanks to hard work from Board Chair William Ryan and generous pro bono time of attorneys at Sullivan & Cromwell. Thus, all contributions may be fully tax-deductible on 2009 federal taxes to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Valor Academy will also need donations of books, furniture and sports equipment. Visit our website for a complete list of possible in-kind donations. BE A VOLUNTEER
As a volunteer or advisor you can share your expertise and skills by completing many smaller tasks critical to the success of the school. In the coming weeks, we’ll need help signing up families for Valor, attending fairs, passing out flyers and spreading the word in the community. BECOME A COMMUNITY PARTNER
We are looking for community partners who’d like to help with a range of needed services such as printing, uniforms and after-school programs. JOIN OUR STAFF
We are looking for talented teachers and staff members. Please visit our website to learn more! INVITE US TO AN EVENT
If you are having an event where there might be interested parents or students please let us know!
Thanks to everyone who is helping to make Valor Academy a reality!
VALOR ACADEMY WEBSITE
 The official Valor Academy Charter School website, with links containing information regarding our school program, information for parents, and ways to get involved.
www.valoracademy.org | 
