Good Evening Taft Charter High School Families and Staff,
This is Principal Yu with this year’s Welcome Back Message! As the new principal, I’m excited to welcome both new and returning students as we begin another year of learning and growth at Taft. A new school year brings a fresh start—a chance for all of us to set meaningful goals and strive for success, both academically and personally. I look forward to working together to make this year our best yet.
Important Details for the First Day of School:
- Start and End Time: School begins on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 8:30 AM and ends at 3:33 PM.
- Entrances: We are happy to share that the new administration building is now open and will serve as the main entrance to the school. Students can enter from the main entrance or the Santa Rita gate entrance.
- Parking: The staff parking lot at the corner of Winnetka and Ventura is closed to students and families during drop-off and pick-up, but will be open to parents and visitors during the school day. When dropping off students, please pull all the way forward and ensure they exit the car quickly to keep traffic flowing. Please drive safely near the campus.
- Period 1 Class: On Thursday, zero period will not meet, and all students will report to their Period 1 class. Period 1 room numbers will be posted by last name at all entrances. Official schedules will be distributed during Period 1. Students must report to all scheduled classes at the location indicated on their schedules, including Pierce College classes on our campus, as well as students with off-campus period 1.
- Tuesday Schedule: Please note that every Tuesday, we have early dismissal at 2:33 PM.
- Parking Passes: For students who want to park in the student lot, they must apply for a parking pass and, if approved, will be assigned a space for the year. Applications are available on the Taft website. Students must provide proof of a driver’s license and car insurance to be approved.
- Lockers: Due to construction, lockers will not be available for students.
- Chromebooks: New students who did not attend pre-registration can pick up Chromebooks in room C108.
- Textbooks: Most textbooks are accessible online, and only some classes will issue physical textbooks.
Reminders for the 2025-2026 School Year:
- Food Delivery: A district policy prohibits food deliveries by delivery services. All students have access to food in the cafeteria or can bring their own lunch.
- Off-Campus Lunch Pass: Juniors and seniors can apply for an off-campus lunch pass. To qualify, students must be in good standing and apply by the deadline.
- Cell Phone Policy: We will start the school year with the “Off and Away” cell phone policy and will transition to the Yondr pouch policy this semester. I’m excited for us to focus on learning and connecting without the distraction of phones. We will continue to work with students, families, and staff to discuss our goals and expectations.
- Attendance Focus: Regular attendance is essential for participation in activities and events on campus. If students are absent from school, please bring a signed note stating the date and reason for the absence to the attendance office within 10 days, or it will be recorded as a truancy.
Additional Information:
- Zero Period: Zero period will not meet on Thursday.
- College Off-Period: Students with a college off-period during Period 1 must report to school at 8:30 AM to receive the required district forms for late arrival.
- LACCD Dual Enrollment Pierce College Courses: Students enrolled in any dual enrollment LACCD Pierce College course must report to the assigned class.
- LACCD Summer Course Transcripts: Students who completed classes at LACCD over the summer for high school credit need to submit an official transcript by the first day of school.
In the days and weeks ahead, we’ll share more about our expectations, requirements, and how to get involved at Taft. Please continue to monitor our social media @taftcharter and our website for updates. I’ll also be sending out weekly messages every Sunday at 7 PM.
Remember students - turn all cell phones off and put away the phones, earbuds and smart watches during the entire school day. 😊
We look forward to seeing you all on Thursday, August 14th.
Principal Yu