PALMDALE – The Palmdale Aerospace Academy (TPAA) will host its first community forum at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, at The AERO Institute, located at 38256 Sierra Highway in Palmdale.
The forum will be the first of many for parents, guardians and interested community members to hear about and contribute to the academy. Items to be addressed at the community forum include courses which will be offered at the academy, the philosophy, mission, and vision of the academy and a tentative timeline of events for parents and possible students to consider.
Academy leadership is also hoping to hear from community members about what elements they would like to see their children have access to in the school.
“We all have an idea about what we want this school to look like,” said Matthew Winheim, district liaison for STEM education at the academy. “The point of the event is not in looking at this from our own interests, rather what will be in the best interests of our students.
The community is invited to attend the event, which will start with a brief presentation and then be followed by a question and answer session. Community members also will be asked to contribute their ideas, suggestions, and unanswered questions to TPAA leadership.
“The school is truly a reflection of the community and community participation is highly valued,” said Dr. Les Uhazy, Antelope Valley College Dean of Mathematics and Science.
Community members who are unable to attend are encouraged to contribute their ideas and suggestions in the on-line surveys available at www.palmdalesd.org/TPAA .
“Parents and community members need to have opportunities to let us know what is important to them,” said Winheim. “We welcome their input.”
The Palmdale Aerospace Academy, a partnership between the City of Palmdale, the AERO Institute, and The Palmdale School District, is slated to open in August of 2012.
(Information via press release from The Palmdale Aerospace Academy.)
