December 2011 Archives
The evaluation will be done in a session closed to the public, although the board is required to report on any actions taken during the closed meeting.
Diamond Bar City Hall will start the new year in its new location at 21810 Copley Drive. The relocation of files, furniture, and equipment is scheduled today and tomorrow.
Public counter services such as recreation class registrations, transit pass sales, and planning and building permit issuances will be temporarily transferred to the Diamond Bar Center, 1600 Grand Ave.
Additionally, because the city's servers and network infrastructure will be down starting at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday until 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3, staff will not have access to their email, and neither staff nor the public will be able to process online transactions via the city website.
Anyone wishing to register for a class, purchase a transit pass, or obtain a planning or building permit is encouraged to do so after Jan. 3.
A new state law SB1381, called the Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010, gradually changes the entry date for kindergarten students from December 2 to September 1.
Across the state of California, the kindergarten entry date will change over the next three years. To enroll in kindergarten, a child must be five by:
2012-13: November 1
2013-14: October 1
2014-15: September 1
Transitional Kindergarten is designed to meet the needs of students who will turn five between September 1 and December 2. For those students who have fall birthdays, districts will be offering one year of Transitional Kindergarten followed by one year of standard kindergarten.
California's children begin kindergarten at a younger age than students in almost any other state, often before they have the maturity, social, early literacy and pre-math skills needed to meet the challenges of their kindergarten year and beyond.
"Transitional Kindergarten will provide our young learners with 'the gift of time' by giving them the opportunity to learn and grow in an environment that is tailored to meet their developmental, emotional, academic and social needs," said Jackie Brown, Director of Educational Services.
"As educators we are pleased that we now can now give our youngest students a bridging year to grow developmentally as well as academically to be ready to meet the standards of kindergarten," she said.
Parent Information Nights for Walnut Valley's Transitional Kindergarten program will be held on the following dates and locations:
· Walnut Valley Unified District Office - Board Room on January 17 at 6:30 p.m.
· Castle Rock Elementary on January 18 at 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
· Vejar Elementary on January 19 at 9:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
For further information about the program please visit our website at www.wvusd.k12.ca.us. For additional questions, please contact Jackie Brown, Director of Educational Programs at 909 595 1261, extension 31215.
The Kiwanis Club counts on thousands of high school volunteers to help finish the floral floats for the Tournament of Roses parade on Jan. 2.
Dave Wallach, president of the Hacienda Heights club, has his hands full scheduling the volunteer workers. Wallach is also district chairman of the Kiwanis International Rose Float Committee.
"We'll be using 7,000 volunteers this year to work on the floats in Pasadena," Wallach said. "I've been working on the floats for 11 years and every year is a new challenge."
Tonight, hundreds of teen from local high schools, such as Wilson, Los Altos, Rowland and Diamond Bar will work on the floats.
"More than 90 percent of our volunteers are local high school and college students. The kids are fantastic; they really come through for us every year," the Kiwanis officer noted.
"More than 90 percent of our volunteers are local high school and college students. The kids are fantastic; they really come through for us every year," the Kiwanis officer noted.
Volunteers spend eight-hour shifts working on 14 floats in the Rosemont Pavilion in Pasadena. The Rose Parade entries were designed by Phoenix Decorating Company.
The students will be working full time this week.
"When we first learned that we had the opportunity to honor one of our students I immediately thought of Troy Lanning," said Principal Catherine Real. "He is such a great representative of what's important at Diamond Bar High."
Troy is is captain of the football team, leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and recently organized an event to feed the homeless with the football team. His wrestling coach Scott Usher describes Troy as having a quiet confidence that inspires his peers.
Students at the Baldwin Park Community Education Culinary Arts Academy assembled a 30-foot North Pole complete with reindeer, cottages and a river made of sugar.
The display at the Pacific Palms Hotel & Conference center was built by a dozen students from the academy, which meets at the closed Valencia Elementary School campus in Covina.
Students built the mock North Pole in one week, and they made everything from scratch.
William received the Exceptional Talent Award for scoring above 700 on the SAT in mathematics before the age of 13.
He is among the select group chosen from more than 14,000 seventh- and eighth-graders around the world. William qualified for the prestigious award last year when he was in the seventh grade and is among the select group lauded for exceptional performance on the SAT or ACT -- the same tests taken by college-bound high school students.
"Awards aren't everything, but the will to achieve them is everything," he said.
Since 1979, the center has sought the most academically able elementary and middle school students, and encouraged their enrollment in its annual talent search. In 2010-11, more than 50,000 students from 50 states, the District of Columbia, and some 120 countries including China, South Korea and Canada participated.
The 17-year-old signed a national letter of intent to attend the college next year with her proud family and coaches at her side.
The senior is captain of the Brahma team. She practices two hours every other day, when she isn't playing matches four days a week during the season.
She entered the Brahma program as a freshman, shooting close to 100, but has developed into a scratch golfer in three years.
Southlands Christian School is reaching out to the community this Christmas in Rowland Heights. The students have been collecting gifts for needy families in the area as well as Mexico.
On Friday, the school presented checks for $1,000 to the Kiwanis Club of Hacienda Heights. The money will be used to purchase shoes for students in Rowland and Hacienda La Puente schools, as well as the Delhaven Center.
Read more in Rich Irwin's story Christian.
Collegewood Elementary first-graders joined The Great Bedtime Story pajama drive held in partnership with the Scholastic Book Club and nonprofit Pajama Program.
For every new pair of pajamas donated, Scholastic will add a new book. Collegewood collected 102 pairs of pajamas during the two-week fundraiser.
"This is a wonderful way for our first-graders to join in the spirit of the season, and it shows the caring and dedication of our first-grade teachers Jane Smith, Liz Dickerson, Laura O'Donnell and Lisa Welch," said Principal Carolyn Wills.
The holiday gift of a good night's sleep and a sweet bedtime story will be now be delivered to 102 children living in group homes, shelters, foster care and orphanages.
-- Walnut Valley Unified
Principal Steve Carr introduced the fifth grade honoree and acknowledged his parents and Vejar teachers at the meeting for their support. He also thanked Superintendent Dr. Dean Conklin for the opportunity to celebrate our outstanding students.
Carr said he had talked to Kanon's teachers and they had complimentary things to say about him. He was described as a diligent, hard-working student with a sense of humor and outstanding work ethic.
"He has a great attitude and he shines brightly in the classroom," said fifth grade teacher Glenda Baker.
Mrs Nadine Adnoff said Kanon is truly the most dedicated student she has ever known.
"His dedication is shown through his amazing academic growth, amazing work ethic, and desire to do well touches teachers' hearts," she said.
"Kanon exhibits the seven essential virtues of Moral Intelligence - empathy,conscience, self-control, respect, tolerance, kindness, and open mindedness. He is a student to be admired!" she said.
Fifth grade teacher Mrs. Karen Montgomery said Kanon is a diligent hard-working student with a great sense of humor.
Mrs. Sandra Harutunian, Canon's second and fourth grade teacher, described him as well behaved, organized, responsible, and puts forth his best effort. He is alsolearning Japanese on the weekends!
C.J. Morris Elementary in Walnut held its annual Family Night of Giving last night to spread "holiday cheer" to families in need.
Toys and sporting goods were collected for the Spark of Love toy drive. They also gathered children's pajamas for the Orangewood Children's Center, and towels and blankets for the Inland Valley Humane Center.
Families also took time to make holiday ornaments - one to take home and one that will be donated to a local nursing home. The children also crafted cards for troops away from home during the holiday season.
The holiday presentation of "Hairy Potter - Beware of Missing Hair!" featured hairy Hogwarts, evil Lord Vodemort and his sidekick Bellatrix.
Their mission: steal the hair from every student at Hogwarts. And only the heroic trio of Harry, Ron& Hermione can save them.
The elementary students got to see some of their favorite characters from movies and cartoons such as Shrek, Tron, Despicable Me, the Disney Princesses and more.
The magical event filled
with mystery and adventure was written and directed by the drama students
Yasmine Shahbaz and Linn Chang.
A former Mt. San Antonio College fire chief accused of stealing nearly $1 million from students and the college pleaded no contest Tuesday to 16 felony charges, Los Angeles County prosecutors said.
Jerry Dewayne Austin, 57, of Norco, was released from custody after pleading no contest to two felony counts of identity theft, two felony counts of forgery and 12 felony counts of grand theft at his jury trial hearing at Pomona Superior Court, Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney James Belna said.
Austin, who was arrested in January, could be sentenced to two to five years in prison with time served, officials said.
"We were basically prepared for trial and we would have gone to trial if we couldn't settle it. We felt this was the best option under all the circumstances," Austin's attorney Early Hawkins said.
"We felt that at the end of the day we'd possibly be in the same place," Hawkins said. "I don't think he's a thief and I will continue to say that, and given everything that's happened I think we're satisfied with today and we'll continue to march on."
A sentencing hearing and restitution hearing to determine how much money Austin will have to pay back to students and Mt. SAC once he's released from prison is scheduled for Feb. 24.
"We're pleased the case is coming to some resolution, but we
will await the judge's final decision regarding the sentencing," Mt. SAC
spokeswoman Jill Dolan said. "We remain committed to obtaining restitution to the college and the students."
Westhoff Elementary School hosted its 19th annual Spark of Love toy drive and holiday program on Friday. Los Angeles County Fire Department Captain Robert Harmon, Engineer Dave Bohon, Firefighters Tim Robertson, and Craig Sredhick from Walnut Station #146 accepted the donations of toys and sporting goods from students.
Twenty-five huge boxes were filled with hundreds of gifts for needy children.Captain Harmon thanked the students and parents for their ongoing support of the Spark of Love Toy Drive.
"We are thankful to be a part of this event and every year it keeps getting better! Because of your generosity many children across Los Angeles County will experience joy on Christmas morning because they will have a gift to open," he said.
The holiday program that followed featured choreographed songs, an oral presentation, and band performance. Each grade performed on the stage decorated with glittery ornaments, snowflakes and snowcapped Christmas trees.
Kindergarteners performed "Feliz Navidad" wearing holiday hats, scarves, and sombreros. They played a variety of instruments and select students held up letters that spelling out Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad. The Band played "Jolly Old St. Nick" and "Good King Wenseslas". First graders performed "Christmas on the Beach in Waikiki" wearing colorful leis, sunglasses and played kazoos.
Second graders sang "Go Go Christmas" and third graders recited "Twas the Night Before Christmas" wearing colorful cozy pajamas. Fourth graders sang a hip-hop version of "Jingle Bells" with Santa hats, neon sunglasses, and dance solos.
Fifth graders performed the high energy "The Greatest Time of Year" with yo-yo twirling, cartwheels, guitar playing, razor scooters, and hip-hop dancing.The staff's two-stepping finale "All I Want for Christmas is You" featured a very special appearance by Santa and his elves!
"This is one of my favorite events at Westhoff because it ties in with our character program. We talk about kindness, empathy, respect, tolerance perseverance, and goal setting in our daily morning announcements, in the classrooms, and our monthly assemblies. Thank you for giving these all of these wonderful toys for other children," said Principal Denise Rendon.
Locally, students and faculty at Cal Poly Pomona and Mt. San Antonio College are responding to the commander-in-chief's call and are ready to enlist in Obama's cyber army. In addition to learning how to combat cyber-terrorists, students are also being trained to jump into one of the few growing job markets of today - the field of information assurance.
These two schools, along with Cal State Dominguez Hills, Cal State San Bernardino and Whatcom Community College in Washington, will share a $3 million grant awarded by the National Science Foundation last month. The grant will fund computers and other supplies to help the schools build cyber security curricula and outreach programs aimed at attracting high school and college students to careers in cyber security.
Mt. SAC was chosen as the nexus of a new cyber-security center expected to be up and running on the Walnut campus in six months. The center, which will be the first of its kind on the West Coast, will be host to cyber security events, programs and teacher training, officials said.
Read more in Steve Scauzillo's story Cyber.On Thursday, Dec. 8, the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District school board voted 4-1 to begin school three weeks earlier. It is the first district in the San Gabriel Valley to implement the early school year calendar.
School will start Aug. 7, 2012 and end May 21, 2013.
The early start means a shorter summer vacation for this year. There will still be 180 teaching days.
The board said the alignment with college semesters means no homework will be carried over from Christmas break. Also, teachers in May will be able to focus more on helping high school students prepare for AP (college entrace) exams. Now, they were given near the same time as statewide aptitude tests.
Rudy Chavarria voted against the proposal.
Westhoff students and staff donated hundreds of new toys, games, and sporting equipment for needy families.
The Walnut school presented a festive program this morning featuring holiday music performed by kindergarten through fifth grade students.
They not only learned about the cultures, they were treated to some exotic food from that destination. Parents and teachers sang and danced in their native languages for the kids.
Read more in an upcoming story in the Highlanders.
Students will be caroling inside the Multi-Purpose Room. And younger siblings will be invited to come on stage and join the singing!
Gourmet food trucks including Tapa Boy, Slummin' Gourmet, The Yummy One, and Maui Wow, parked in front of the school. They will offer delicious entries including: Kobe Sliders, Walnut Shrimp Tacos, CurryFries, Rice Wraps, Beef Tapa Bowls, Tocino Bowls with Garlic Rice, Turon, Fresh Fruit Smoothies, Hawaiian Coffees, and much more!
Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the school. Please bring lawn chairs or blankets. No outside food or drink, alcohol, smoking, or pets permitted.
Phillip Chen, elected to the Walnut Valley Unified School District board in November, officially took his seat Monday.
Chen, a health deputy for Supervisor Mike Antonovich and a reserve sheriff's officer, was sworn into office along with veteran board member Larry Redinger, who was re-elected to a sixth term.
In the election on Nov. 8, Chen came in first, taking the seat vacated by incumbent Carolyn Elfelt, who moved out of the district and was not eligible to run. Redinger kept his seat on the board.
"Quite frankly, it feels rather humbling," said Chen on Tuesday. He was impressed with a Walnut Valley parent who spoke about bettering communications between parents and the district.
"It is helpful to know parents who have issues will come to the school board meetings to resolve them," he said.
Chen said he hopes to learn the ropes from veteran board members Redinger, Cindy Ruiz, Nancy Lyons and Helen Hall.
Walnut Mayor Pro Tem Mary Su administered the oath of office to Chen. Mt. SAC board Trustee David Hall swore in Redinger, who was named board president.
-steve scauzillo
The board then moves into a closed session for the evaluation of the Associate Superintendent, Secondary Schools. They will also discuss the appointments for Director, Adult Academics and Community Education; Director, Adult Career and Technology; Program Administrator, Adult Programs (Workforce Development); and Counselor, Adult Education. Public Employee Discipline, Dismissal, Release is also on the agenda.
But the most controversial subject will be the motion to approve the district's 2012-13 and 2013-14 school calendars. The beginning and end dates for K-12 students are as follows:
- K -12: August 7, 2012 through May 21, 2013
- K -12: August 8, 2013 through May 22, 2014
Castle Rock Elementary School Community Club will present a Holiday Caroling and Food Truck Festival on December 8 from 5:30p.m. - 8:30p.m.
Students will be caroling inside the Multi-Purpose Room. And younger siblings will be invited to come on stage and join the singing!
Gourmet food trucks including Tapa Boy, Slummin' Gourmet, The Yummy One, and Maui Wow, parked in front of the school.
They will offer delicious entries including: Kobe Sliders, Walnut Shrimp Tacos, CurryFries, Rice Wraps, Beef Tapa Bowls, Tocino Bowls with Garlic Rice, Turon, Fresh Fruit Smoothies, Hawaiian Coffees, and much more!
Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the school.
Please bring lawn chairs or blankets.
*No outside food or drink, alcohol, smoking, or pets permitted.
