Please read the following Update.

Thank you everyone for your support.

Our request is to
1)      Stop/Remove/Make Integrated Science 3 optional for everyone.
2)      Remove/Make Integrated Science 1 and 2 optional for everyone.
3)      Provide access on campus at Northwood High School to take basic Biology, Physics and Chemistry classes in 9th and 10th grade like the rest of IUSD (Follow Uni/Irvine/Portola as an example)
4)      Allocate funds for advance level Science classes from 9th grade for those that qualify and wish to do so (same like other IUSD schools).
5)      Remove restrictions on advanced classes so students can get the necessary G.P.A to at least make the minimum to get into UC Schools that have a competitive science department. (For example, UCLA engineering average entrant has a 4.59 weighted G.P.A. This is very hard to achieve at Northwood because of the restrictions placed on classes).
6)      Stop forcing science students to take AP humanities classes when they want to take AP Science classes. Sorry, our students don’t want to take AP World Geography when they’d rather learn AP Biology. It’s not the same.

We are not asking for something new, different or extra than any other school in IUSD. We are asking the right to be given the same science classes like other IUSD schools (Uni High, Irvine, Portola), the right to take class of choice, and the right for parents to be involved in decision making related to science curriculum, open and transparent financial disclosure, and parent and student involvement in funding of science classes.

We also want Principle Roach and her supporters to stop harassing the impacted science community by asking them to move to a different IUSD schools, or explore other educational options like IVC, blended learning, or private school. Every Northwood student has the right to attend their homeschool and take the same science classes in the security of their neighborhood.

The safety of our teenager’s is compromised when they have to take basic science classes in an Adult environment like IVC. The mental health of our teenagers is affected when they have to watch YouTube science videos, or attend private classes in the evenings or weekends just to learn basic science instead of spending time with their family and friends, or play sports. Asking science students to learn on their own under the guise of “Independence” is like asking Brain Surgeons to learn Surgery on their own.  The list goes on and on.

Please feel free to start additional petitions that fit your needs, or have the proper legal language and title, or revive the student petition that got shut down. The more petitions the better! There are many parents and students with impact statements that highlight various issues related to G.P.A, inadequate experienced science teachers, boosting Humanities at the expense of Science, and much more at Northwood High.

This petition was started to highlight Principle Leslie Roach’s bigotry and bias when it comes to Science education at Northwood High. The issue is much more than just mandatory integrated science curriculum. It’s the systemic discrimination of the Northwood science community for several years, the marginalization of science students who want to pursue a high level of knowledge, and the lack of equal opportunity and access to classes of student choice. We want to remove the smoke and mirrors that Principal Leslie Roach has been leading us to believe with issues with funding. District has said that there is ample funding to serve the needs of the Northwood Science community. District has also said that they are there to advise, but not dictate what each school does. It’s up to the Principal who should take input from the community. We are taking a hard stance so that the issue doesn’t get kicked down the road for subsequent parents to deal with. Principal Leslie Roach is the captain of this ship and we hold her accountable for the dismal state of the science curriculum at Northwood High School and the negative impact it has had on our children.

Action:

Attend IUSD Board Meeting at 6:30 pm in the District Administration Center at 5050 Barranca Parkway, Irvine on May 28th 2019 (Tuesday - 5/28/19). We encourage Elementary and Middle School parents to attend as well because it’s hard to explain all the intricacies in writing.

Please read up on Education Equity on ACLU(American Civil Liberties Union) website. Also, educate yourself on science class offerings at other IUSD schools.

ACLU says “You should demand the type of education you need to realize your dreams”. According to ACLU, Many studies show, that the standards school officials use in deciding on track placements are often based on racial and class prejudices and stereotypes instead of on real ability and learning potential.

Thank you