August 2011 Archives

The only Blackboard sixth graders at Chaparral Middle School will be using this year is the digital one students will access with their new HP Netbooks.

The Walnut Valley school launched a new one-on-one laptop program with the beginning of the new school year. Along with textbooks, 200 kids received shiny new laptop computers at the Diamond Bar school.

"The new computers are part of the new technology core we're starting at our campus," explained Principal Ron Thibodeaux.

The laptops push the National Blue Ribbon School further into the digital age. Teachers will use the new computers to enhance their instructions.

Diamond Bar students enjoy a great place to study as the Teen Space got a new look this summer at the Diamond Bar Library. The uncomfortable chairs were replaced with fun, multicolored mitt chairs, which fit this space like a glove, if you'll pardon the pun.

"Teens will be happy to see a refreshed Teen Space in the library, which now offers funky and fun lounge chairs as well as cafe-style seating, perfect for after-school small group studying," said Library Manager Jesse Lanz.

The new tables and stools also give teens a perfect place to work on small class projects. A bold area rug defines the space and creates a comfortable atmosphere.

The new furniture doubles the number of teens that can use the Teen Space. It also gives them a number of ways to use their area.

A grand reopening party is planned for the start of the new school year.

The teen project was sponsored by the Diamond Bar Friends of the Library with a matching grant from the County Library Foundation.

Every year, the foundation gives library support groups the chance to apply for the grants, which are used for creative projects like the teen space.

"All of us at the Diamond Bar Library would like to thank both the Friends and the Library Foundation for funding this exciting project, which will greatly benefit the hundreds of teens that use the library each week," said Lanz.

See a photo of the new space at space.

The results of this year's batch of state high school exit exams are in, and first-time test takers showed small gains over last year.

The California High School Exit Examination is first given to students during their sophomore year of high school. Those who don't pass it the first time can take the test up to seven more times before graduation.

Walnut Valley Unified had the highest success rate, with 95 percent of sophomores passing the English portion and 97 percent passing in math.

Within Walnut Valley, Diamond Bar High School scored even higher, with 97 percent of it sophomores passing the English portion and 99 percent passing the math portion.
Principal Catherine Real wasn't surprised.

"Actually that's pretty typical for us," she said. "We have really great students here. We're kind of used it."

Real attributed the high success rate to motivated students, parents and teachers, as well as a practice exam offered to ninth-graders that lets them "get their feet wet."

Find all the districts' results in Exit.

The faculty at Mt. San Antonio College, the largest community college in the state, is slated to receive a 2 percent pay raise, according to documents filed by the college.

Other school administrators could receive raises of up to 11 percent.

Under a three-year contract agreement reached between the college and the Faculty Association, about 400 full-time faculty members and 1,000 part-timers would receive across-the-board raises this year, while pay raises are to be determined for 2012-14.

The contract - which would cost the school nearly $1 million a year - goes before the school's board of trustees tonight for approval.

The board also will consider raises for seven administrators.

Read all about the contract in Steve Scauzillo's story RAISE.

With students at nine school districts around the San Gabriel Valley beginning classes this week, state and local officials are stressing the importance of driving safe, planning ahead and arriving early.

The school year officially started Monday at six school districts: Baldwin Park Unified, Bassett Unified, Bonita Unified, Rowland Unified, Walnut Valley Unified and West Covina Unified.
Glendora Unified and Pomona Unified, which serves parts of Diamond Bar, begin classes today. Hacienda La Puente Unified begin classes Wednesday.

Officer Mike Harris, a California Highway Patrol spokesman, said the possibility of heavier traffic over the next few weeks means motorists need to give themselves "ample time" to get where they're going and to think about alternative routes to their destinations.

Gina Ward, spokeswoman for Rowland Unified, echoed his statement.
"We've always just encouraged 'the earlier the better' the first week," she said. "Motorists also need to slow down and be especially watchful for children when driving near schools."

"They'll see a lot more of our school police," she said. "And they will give tickets. (Drivers) have got to slow down."

Get some more tips in J.D. Velasco's story School.

They may have moved on from their Rowland Unified schools years ago, but sisters Ann Marie Smith and Monica Gonzales still keep close to their roots and the children growing up in the area.

The shoe designers on Friday hosted their third annual Aldabella Scarpa Giveback at Giano Intermediate School in West Covina, where they donated a new pair of shoes to 300 pre-selected girls from Giano Intermediate, Villacorta Elementary and Nogales High schools.

Read more and see a photo at Shoes.

The official start of autumn is still about a month away, but for many San Gabriel Valley students, summer ends next week.

Six school districts in the Valley begin classes on Monday. They are Baldwin Park Unified, Bassett Unified, Bonita Unified, Rowland Unified, Walnut Valley Unified and West Covina Unified. Three more begin later in the week.

Find the start dates at School

Henry David Thoreau would appreciate this learning experience. Sitting under a shady tree as you study.

Alas, there was no pond, but there was a lot of playground equipment, which the young students probably enjoyed more anyway.

Welcome to Educamp, a pilot program offered this summer at Carolyn Rosas Park in Rowland Heights - a place where kids 4 to 12 years old study math and language arts in the morning, then kick back for day camp fun in the afternoon.

"It's a great program for the kids. I like to take them outside to study under the trees," said teacher Kris Mendoza. "We want to make learning fun with different games and activities."

Read more about the program in Richard Irwin's story Educamp.

While a large majority of San Gabriel Valley school districts posted gains in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) results, four districts bucked the trend and experienced small declines in one or more categories. They were Charter Oak Unified, Valle Lindo, Bassett Unified and Rowland Unified.

Maria Ott, superintendent of Rowland Unified, disputed the accuracy of the state's online database, which indicated that her district declined half a percentage point in English proficiency and 1.9 points in math.

Ott said the numbers the district received directly from the state actually show small improvements in both areas.

"When you look at what's statistically significant, we've probably had one of those years where we've been climbing, and now we've been flat this year," Ott said.

Ott said she believes the reason for that is the closure last year of three schools due to budget cuts and declining enrollment

"In some ways we feel our baseline has changed," she said.

See how other school districts stacked up in J.D. Velasco's story STAR.

For the first time in almost three years, 18-year-old senior Bryan Romero will be able to play water polo games at Wilson High in Hacienda Heights.

That's because the Wildcats' pool, which has been out of commission for several years, has been completely refurbished and will be ready for their first game Sept. 6.

"It is going to be real nice to have our own pool," echoed teammate Justin Cruz, 16, during the team's inaugural practice in the like-new pool on Aug. 15. "Now we won't have to take the bus (to home games)."

The Wilson High pool deteriorated little by little, until it got so bad the county Department of Health ordered it closed down, said Mark Hansberger, director of facilities for the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District.

Both the boys and girls water polo teams were forced to play home games at Los Altos High School's old pool or at Workman High School.

Fifteen Walnut Valley Unified School District educators have been recognized by their schools as 2010-11 Teachers of the Year.
Congratulations to the representatives from the following elementary schools: Lori Stokes, fifth grade, Castle Rock; Betsy Hale, second grade, Collegewood; Diva Arellanez, fifth grade, C.J. Morris; Sandy Moritz, third grade, Evergreen; Sue Kanstul, third grade, Maple Hill; Norma Morales, first grade, Quail Summit; Kay Hoard, fourth grade, Vejar; Erin Ortiz, resource specialist, Walnut; Janet Murray, first grade, Westhoff.
Also honored were: Anna Landi, social studies, Chaparral Middle School; Shelly Yamashiro, science, South Pointe Middle School; Jonathan St. Amant, art, Suzanne Middle School; Deborah Clifford, English, Diamond Bar High School; Nicole Sevilla, English, History, science, Ron Hockwalt Academies; and Bill Bosanko, social science, Walnut High School.
They will be honored during the Salute to Teachers annual celebration of teaching scheduled for Oct. 19 at the Walnut High School Performing Arts Center.
Anna Landi has been named the 2010-11 District Teacher of the Year and is representing the district in the Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year program.
Landi teaches sixth and seventh grade social studies at Chaparral Middle School, her post for the past five years. She has taught in Walnut Valley Unified School District a total of 10 years and is excited about the opportunity to be a part of the new one-to-one technology core being offered to sixth grade students in the fall.
"Technology is advancing exponentially and the classroom must also evolve to prepare students for the challenges they will face in the global marketplace." Landi said.
"Each day I go to work I have the opportunity to motivate and inspire young adults to believe in themselves and their abilities," she said. "The greatest lesson I can teach my students is not found in the pages of textbook or on a work sheet; it is found in the way they will view the world and themselves."

For the first time, California has followed a group of students from the beginning of their freshman year through high school based on identification numbers assigned to each student.

Using data culled from the study, state education officials have calculated new dropout and graduation rates for the state, counties and school districts. Using the new data and a new formula, they say it's the most accurate information yet collected.

Statewide, the dropout rate for the 2009-10 school year came in at 18.2 percent, while the graduation rate was 74.4 percent. Data for the 2010-11 school year is not yet available.

In Los Angeles County, the dropout rate was about two points higher, coming in at 20.3 percent. The graduation rate was 71.3 percent.

Rates across the San Gabriel Valley proved to be better than both the county and state averages. Walnut Valley Unified stands out for having a 96.7 percent graduation rate, the highest in the San Gabriel Valley.

Nearby districts like Rowland Unified had a 82.3 percent graduation rate, while Hacienda La Puente Unified posted a 76.3 graduation rate.

Read about the rates in J.D. Velasco's story Dropout.

Telesis is the Greek concept of planning intelligently for a grand goal. It's a process of education, planning and action to fulfill a noble enterprise.

Rowland Unified is trying just that with its new Telesis Academy for Science and Math. It wants to revolutionize public education as we know it.

Construction crews are scrambling to renovate Rincon Intermediate into the new academy. Workmen were busy laying concrete sidewalks when we visited the new academy in West Covina.

Read all about the innovative new school in Rich Irwin's story at Telesis.

The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District has announced its policy for providing free and reduced price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program.

Each school and the central office have copies of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

The household size and income criteria will be used to determine eligibility for free, reduced-price or full-price meal benefits. A full explanation of income eligibility criteria is available at local schools and the district office.

Mt. San Antonio College student Bruno Hernandez was sworn in as the new student trustee for the 2011-12 academic year during the Mt. SAC Board of Trustees meeting on July 25. As student trustee, the 22-year-old Hernandez will offer the student perspective on policy issues before Mt. SAC's governing board. He will have only an advisory vote.

A resident of La Puente, Martinez is a biology major. He has been part of the college's Honor Program and has been active with Mt. SAC's student government and the Accounting Club for the past year-and-a-half.

Martinez helped establish the college's chapter of Rotaract, the Rotary International youth program. After he graduates from Mt. SAC, he plans to transfer to UCLA as a biology major and eventually go to medical school.

The Rowland Unified School District is offering free Tdap shots to its students from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 8-11 at the Children's Health Clinic, 17800 E. Renault St.

Due to a new state law, all students entering or advancing to seventh- to 12th-grades must have a Tdap (whooping cough) shot before they start school.

Parents must bring their child's immunization record to get the shot, then provide written proof of the Tdap shot to their child's school.

For more information, call the clinic at 626-964-4798.</p>

School started today for some students in Los Angeles as well as the Inland Valley. Others are already dreading the end of summer vacation. Sprite wants to help students swing back into the school year with new recreation areas.

The Sprite Spark Parks Project for Schools program gives schools across the country a chance to liven up areas on their campuses where students can play all year long.

Sprite is making a multi-year commitment to build and restore places where teens, families and communities can be active. Sprite will put more than $2 million into building or revamping a minimum of 150 outdoor spaces throughout the country in 2011. These spaces include neighborhood parks, basketball courts, playgrounds and athletic fields.

Parents and community members can give their favorite school a chance to win one of 25 grants worth $25,000 by entering My Coke Rewards codes found on specially-marked Sprite packaging.

Codes can be submitted at www.mycokerewards.com/sprite through Sept. 30, giving people across the U.S. the opportunity to play a major role in ensuring that their schools have fun, clean and safe places to play. 

 "The Sprite Spark Parks Project for Schools supports local communities and breathes new life into the recreation spaces that are so important to teens," said Michael Mathews, Vice President, Sparkling Non-Colas, Coca-Cola North America. "We saw an ongoing need for outdoor spaces at schools. Sprite is adding a spark back into school playgrounds and athletic fields by building places where youth can get active and stay refreshed with their friends."

 During last year's program, three schools each won a $25,000 playground renovation from Sprite after parents and community members rallied to donate points. Another 20 schools were awarded $5,000 to be used towards athletic equipment for each school.

 Sprite kicks-off the national sweepstakes this month by revamping seven K-12 schools across America in need of an outdoor play space with a $25,000 playground or athletic field donation. 

 About My Coke Rewards for Schools

Accredited K-12 schools (public and private) located within the 50 United States and the District of Columbia are eligible to take part in the My Coke Rewards for Schools program. A full list of eligible schools can be found at mycokerewards.com/schools. Schools must be registered in the program to redeem points for rewards.

Community members are urged to contact their local school's principal or a faculty staff member if their school is not registered. Members of the community are encouraged to register for My Coke Rewards and donate their points to their local schools to enable schools to get new equipment without tapping into their own budgets.

 About My Coke Rewards

With more than 14 million registered members, www.mycokerewards.com is one of the top consumer packaged goods loyalty website and the number one beverage Web site in the U.S.

The Walnut Valley Unified School District hosted 27 fifth- and sixth-grade students from Shanghai, China, in July.

The children spent three days learning American culture and English with Lily Chang, a teacher at Evergreen Elementary School in Diamond Bar. The classes were held at the District Education Center.

The group and their chaperones are in the United States for 16 days visiting New York, Washington D.C., Boston, Philadelphia and the Grand Canyon.

The Rowland Unified Children's Health Clinic will open for an extended time to provide free Tdap shots to Rowland Unified School students only on Monday, August 8, through Thursday, August 11. The clinic hours will be from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. The office will be closed for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Children's Clinic is located next door to Northam Elementary at 17800 E. Renault Street in La Puente. The number is (626)964-4798. Under the new law, all students entering the seventh to twelfth grades must have a Tdap (whooping cough) shot before they start school.

Parents must bring their child's immunization record to get the shot, then provide written proof of the Tdap shot to their child's school.

Rowland Unified parents may send proof of the Tdap shot the following ways throughout the summer: by e-mail to tdap@rowland.k12.ca.us; or drop off, mail or fax to: Pupil Services at 1928 S. Nogales St., Rowland Heights CA 91748.

The fax # is (626) 964-6450. Pupil Services phone number is (626)935-8203. More information about the Tdap shot can be found at ShotsForSchool.org or at Rowland Unified's website Tdap page .