We, the teachers, parents, students and staff of Paseo Del Rey Elementary School, have recently been informed that WISH Charter School has been offered, by LAUSD, space on our campus so they can expand their co-location next school year. We are extremely worried and concerned about the negative impacts it will have on our school community. The impact it will have mainly on our students is unprecedented. The Paseo Elementary School Community, on behalf of our students, demand WISH Charter School to stop its expansion into our school. 

Paseo del Rey Natural Science Magnet first opened its doors in 1962. Over the past 50 years, it has grown into a Science Magnet with a diverse student population from throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Teachers, parents, students and alumni, as well as the local residents and business community, have enthusiastically supported Paseo. This support has provided our children with opportunities for greater academic excellence and cultural diversity, without losing the personal caring, nurturing, safety, and intimacy of a neighborhood school.

Paseo is expanding its academic program by creating a Dual Language Program. This program requires adequate space to grow. Co-location at our school will impact our many programs designed to give our students an enriched school experience. 

If this co-location happens, Paseo Del Rey Elementary is in danger of losing full and adequate access of our:

o   Playground

o   Computer Lab

o   Rooms for tutoring

o   Rooms for Star Education

o   Valet Drop Off

o   Ready Set-Go Room

o   Beyond the Bell Space

o   Intervention Rooms

o   Garden

o   Bathrooms

o   Library

o   Auditorium

o   Parent Center and representative

o   Space for services provided by our Psychologist, Speech Therapist, RSP, PSW, BSAP Coordinator, SSS Student Counselor

o   Cafeteria space and staff

In addition to all of the above, if WISH Charter School co-locates at our school:

o   Having a clean learning environment will be seriously affected because there will be more students and staff and NO additional custodians.

o   Having more student means, car traffic will increase during drop-off and pick-up time. Therefore, the safety of our students will be compromised.

o   Having two schools with different behavior and discipline policies will create confusion on which policy to follow. This will bring about more behavior and emotional challenges to our students. 

Paseo Del Rey Elementary School welcomes all types of learners. Our caring and dedicated staff embraces families with diverse backgrounds. Everyday we work hard to prepare our students to be college and career ready. If WISH Charter School comes and takes away the essentials that we need to give our students a fair and equitable education, their future will be seriously compromised. 

Our students deserve more resources, NOT less. Students at Paseo Del Rey Elementary have already faced educational injustices.

WISH Charter School, respect our school community and do not co-locate at our school.