March 2009 Archives

Wilson High School in Hacienda Heights will hold a Pre-Festival Band Concert at 7 p.m. tonight in the gym.

The Choir at Workman High will perform at a "Cabaret Night," tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. the Little Theater.

Valinda Middle School will hold a talent show at 6 p.m. Thursday in the cafeteria.

And Workman High will perform a "Band Concert Under the Stars," on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the amphiheatre, 6-9:00 p.m.

Walnut High School's choirs will present their spring concert at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, in the Performing Arts Center at 400 N. Pierre Road.

Choir director Lisa Lopez said that all four choirs will be featured: Chamber Singers, Rhapsody in Blue, Treble Choir and Mustang Singers.

The Suzanne Middle School Choir will also perform under the direction of John Lewis. They will sing two of their own pieces.

The Suzanne singersn will then join with the four high school choirs for two songs -- "You Raise Me Up" and "Turn the World Around."

Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for seniors and students. Tickets can be obtained from any choir member or by emailing Lopez at llopez@walnutvalley.k12.ca.us.

Orange Grove Middle School in Hacienda Heights will hold its third annual Relay for Life on the lower field from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. today.

Meanwhile, Grazide Elementary is holding is Jump for Heart on the playground. It was Hawaiian dress day at the Hacienda Heights.

Cedarlane school had an "Advanced Reading" Ice Cream Social in the cafeteria at 1:30 p.m.

Del Valle Elementary School in La Puente will offer the Migrant Education Even Start program from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.

The California MEES Project is a statewide home and school based family education model which assists migratory parents to increase their literacy and parenting skills, so that they in turn can prepare their children (birth to 7 years of age) to become successful learners.

What Services Does the MEES Program Provide?

The major thrust of services is that of providing literacy, parenting and English as a Second Language skills to migratory parents; early childhood development and kindergarten readiness skills to their children (birth to 7 years of age).

A major emphasis is given to providing interactive literacy activities between parents and their children. However, recognizing that migrant families have older siblings who also need services, participating regions provide tutorial and other support assistance to these students within the framework of their MEES Programs.

All services provided to migratory families in the California MEES Project are coordinated with local school districts, adult education programs, community colleges and other agencies.

Furthermore, the California MEES Project is committed to providing all services at times and locations selected by migratory parents, thus enabling them to actively participate in project activities.

How Do Families Qualify for Migrant Education Even Start Services?

Participating families must be classified as "migratory" under Migrant Education guidelines.  Participating children must be between 0 and 7 years of age.  Parents and children must participate together in project activities.

It may not be pennies from heaven, but it is definitely money from some little angels.
 
   For the third year in a row, the students at Palm Elementary School have doubled their contribution to the Pennies For Patients campaign.
 
   This year the Hacienda Heights school raised more than $1,700 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
 
   "With the economy the way it is, I wasn't sure we would meet our goal of $1,400 this year. But the kids went way over it," said Principal Edna Moore.
 
   Of course, Moore was probably hoping the kids would fall a little short this year. She promised to spend a day on the roof of the school if the students met their goal.
 
   And so it was that Moore found herself perched on the roof of the school on Friday the 13th. A superstitious person might have shied away from any ladders on this unlucky day.

Read the whole story in today's edition of the Hacienda Heights Highlander. 

The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District will hold a "Stairsteps to Success" Scholarship Dinner from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1.

The gala event will take place at the Industry Expo Center, 16200 Temple Ave.

The district awarded $8,000 in scholarships to 11 students last year. Each school also received a $500 grant, bringing the total to $25,000.

The dinner gives the community, including area businessmen as well as parents and staff to celebrate student success. The event includes silent and live auctions, dinner, entertainment and scholarship awards.

The community can support "Stairsteps to Success" by becoming a sponsor, donating auction items and advertising in the evening's program.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call Linda Bravata at (626) 933-3801.

The Walnut High School Drama Department will present the "Sound of Music" on March 13-21. Performances are 7 p.m. on March 13-14 and March 20-21, with matinee performances at 2 p.m. on both Saturdays. The cost is $10 for students and seniors, and $14 for adults.
 
This popular musical is directed by Joanna Karr, the award-winning Walnut High School drama teacher. She is assisted by conductor Buddy Clements, vocal director Sharon Frazier, accompanist Margaret Frazier and choreographer Karlie Harstad. Renee Hernandez oversees costumes.

There are talented student actors in the many key roles. They include Leti Hirabayashi as Maria; Michael Lacanilao, Captain von Trapp; Aubrey Davis, Liesl; Arvin Almacin, Friedrich; Christina Dobson, Louisa; Aaron Ngor, Kurt; Ali Hernandez, Brigitta; Kermeka Desai, Marta; and Emily Frazier and Leah Richard, Gretl.

The additional actors include Swaim Guetling, Max; Riffany Cheng, Elsa; Mariann Papadopoulos, Mother Abbess; Elizabeth Horn, Sister Margaretta; Laura Karraker, Sister Berthe; Megan Freeman, Sister Sophia; Matt Guest, Rolf; Ben Praster, Franz; and Noelia Ortiz, Frau Schmidt.

Call (909) 594-1333 for tickets and information.

Students and staff at Mount San Antonio College are carefully folding tiny sheets of paper into beautiful origami cranes.
They hope to finish 1,000 of the graceful birds as tokens of peace to send to the Children's Peace Museum in Hiroshima.
An old Japanese saying claims that anyone who folds 1,000 cranes will be granted a wish. The Mt. SAC students were praying for peace as part of the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibit in the campus library.
While the 30 poster-sized photos visualized the hell visited on the two Japanese cities at the end of World War II, it took two survivors to capture the spirit of the atomic bomb attacks.
Tommy Morimoto and Kikuko Otake survived the first use of atomic weapons. The Los Angeles residents talked to the students yesterday about the horrors they experience that day.
Read about their experiences in an upcoming story in the Walnut Highlander.

Last night, the Rowland Unified School Board took action to call for a local parcel tax election to be conducted by mail ballot in June.

If voters approve the measure to establish a local, temporary and secure funding source for our local schools that could not be taken away by the State, these funds will be used to support specific Rowland Unified educational programs.

All money will stay in our community to benefit Rowland schools. Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters June 1. ALL COMPLETED BALLOTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JUNE 30, 2009.

THE JUNE PARCEL TAX MAIL BALLOT QUESTION READS:
"To prevent deep cuts in local educational programs, including: maintaining college preparation classes, high school counselors, student health/safety/security services, adequate instructional supplies and classroom technology; keeping school libraries open; protecting small class sizes and music/art programs; and retaining qualified teachers; shall Rowland Unified School District levy an annual $120 tax per parcel, for 5 years only, with independent oversight, an exemption for seniors, no money for administrator salaries, and all funds benefiting Rowland Unified schools?"

Questions & Answers About RUSD Parcel Tax Measure On Back

Why has the School District placed this measure on the ballot?
Rowland Unified is currently facing a staggering $9 million reduction in state funding because of the budget crisis in Sacramento, which is SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTING funding for critical educational priorities in our community. To protect local schools from devastating cuts, the district has called for a local parcel tax election to be conducted by mail ballot in June. All completed ballots must be received by June 30, 2009.

What will the Measure fund?
* Maintain college preparation classes and high school counselors
* Preserve student health/safety/security services
* Provide adequate instructional materials and classroom technology
* Keep school libraries open
* Protect small class sizes
* Maintain music and art programs
* Retain qualified, experienced teachers

The parcel tax would help raise an estimated $2.5 million annually for five years, however, the District will still need to make cuts to its operating budget.

Can't the District find the resources it needs by cutting administration and waste?
The school district has already cut administration to the minimum required to keep students safe, deliver a basic education, and operate the District in an efficient manner. The District continues to absorb cuts from the state in school funding. Since 2001, Rowland Unified has endured over $12.7 million in cuts. The 2008-09 budget included $5 million in reductions, and now the state is reducing the 2008-09 budget by another $5 million. The state budget for 2009-10 includes even deeper cuts to education. State law mandates that a parcel tax is the only way for schools to raise consistent, significant funds to be used for local educational programs.

What about other sources of funding -- like the Lottery?
By law, Lottery funds must go directly into classroom instruction - and we appreciate this supplemental funding - however, Lottery funds comprise only 1.5% of our school district revenue.

How much will the parcel tax cost-and for how long?
If voters approve the measure, it will cost property owners $10 per month, for a total of $120 per year. Property owners age 65 and over can apply to be exempt from the tax for their primary residence. The parcel tax will be in place for 5 years only. It cannot be extended or changed without a vote of the people.

How can we be sure that school parcel tax funds will be spent properly?
An independent Community Oversight Committee will be appointed by the school board to make sure that school parcel tax funds are properly spent on the programs voters intended. No funds can be spent on administrative salaries. All funds must be used to improve school PROGRAMS.

What will happen if the measure does not pass?
The programs listed above will be in danger of losing their funding. Parcel tax revenue will be a stable, locally-controlled resource for these programs.

Who is eligible to vote on the parcel tax and when is the election?
All registered voters who live within Rowland Unified School District boundaries are eligible to vote on this measure. Voting will take place by mail ballot during the month of June. Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters June 1. ALL COMPLETED BALLOTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JUNE 30, 2009. To pass, the RUSD parcel tax measure must receive at least 66.7% support from those who vote on the measure.

For more information, visit www.RowlandSchools.org or contact the RUSD Communications Office at (626) 854-8352.

The Rowland Heights Community Coordinating Council will meet 7 p.m. tonight at the Pathfinder Park Community Center, located on the corner of Pathfinder and Fullerton roads.

The guest speaker will Rowland Superintendent Maria Ott. She will discuss the state budget and its effects on our school system. On Tuesday, the school board issued layoff notices for 88 teachers to offset some of the deficit.

There will also be reports from elected officials' representatives and law enforcement. The council is Rowland Heights' liaison with elected officials regarding matters of concern to the area. For information, visit www.rhccc.netfirms.com.

Fear of War/Courage to Hope While Dancing

Drawings, Paintings, and Sculpture by Rita Blitt

Fear of War/Courage to Hope While Dancing is a cross-disciplinary exhibit that showcases the artwork of Rita Blitt and the performing art of the David Parson's Dance Company. Blitt's work is a unique combination of drawing, painting, and sculpture based on gesture and movement. Her artwork has been incorporated into the Mt. SAC campus and is on permanent display near the College's Dance Studio.

March 12 through April 9, 2009

Special performance by the David Parson's Dance Company Friday, March 20, 2009, 8 p.m., Clarke Theater

Artist Reception:

Thursday, March 19, 2009, 4 to 6 p.m.

Gallery Hours:

Tuesday - Thursday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday Evenings 5 to 7:30 p.m. Closed Friday through Monday

Rowland Adult and Community Education (RACE) will hold an open house from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, on its main campus at 2100 Lerona Ave., Rowland Heights.

Guests can visit a wide range of classes and talk to students as well as instructors. The adult school has served the community for 36 years.

Light refreshments will be served. For information, call (626) 965-5975 or visit http://race.rowland.k12.ca.us .

Collegewood Elementary School in Walnut will present its annual "Night of the Stars" from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday. The $6 admission includes entertainment and a spaghetti dinner.

The program includes not only talented students, but also Robert Chang and the Cougarettes! Collegewood staff members Gaby Manganiello, Lorraine Gomez, Barbara Chin, Donna Mann, Carol Burnett, Steve Gastelum, Sharon Altman, Adela Romero and Debbie Laule will perform "Dancing Queens."

Community Club member Lenora Lee coordinates the event. For information, call (909) 598-5308.

On Thursday, more than 100 third grade students and 25 parents from Hurley Elementary will visit Cal State Fullerton in the "I'm Going to College!" program.

Students and parents will enjoy a special Cultural Dance presentation in the Titan Theater performed by Cal State Fullerton students.

The college program began in the spring of 1990, but ran out of funds in 1999.  Hurley is thrilled to bring back the program this year.

Donations were made by Cal State's Book Store, Associated Student Group, and Mesa Cooperativa, an active Student group on campus.

The Chicano/Chicana Studies Department donated funds for the Science Adventure Standard Based Presentation that the students will be involved in.

The college program's goal is early intervention and to plant the seed early -- the idea of college to both students and parents while in elementary grades.

Students from Cal State Fullerton will guide the campus tour of the library, Performing Arts Center, and The Greenhouse, health center, and the new Business Building.  

Parents will meet with the Financial Aid Department to give them information on how to pay for college.

 

The Association of Rowland Educators will hold a candlelight vigil before tonight's meeting of the school board. They will be protesting outside the administration building of Rowland Unified School District.

The association expects the board of education to vote on a proposal to layoff 88 teachers because of the budget deficit.

All school districts need to present budgets to the county office of education by March 15. Many are planning to hand out hundreds of layoff notices. Azusa Unified plans to hand out 116 pink slips, while Covina Valley expects to lay off 88 instructors.