January 2009 Archives
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California in partnership with the McDonald's Operators' Association of Southern California, will award $304,000 in scholarships through four programs to eligible graduating high school seniors who reside and attend school in Southern California's five-county area and demonstrate academic achievement, leadership skills and community involvement.
The RMHC scholarship programs are awarding $304,000 in scholarships at $2,000 each to eligible students.
The money awarded may be applied toward tuition, fees, room and board and/or other approved expenses.
The application deadline is March 13 for all four scholarship programs.
Applications for Southern California's RMHC scholarships are available through high school counselor offices and career centers throughout Southern California. Additionally, students can download applications at www.mcdonaldssocal.com or request an application via e-mail at McDonalds@porternovelli.com.
Sacramento, CA - Attorneys with Pacific Justice Institute are urging parents with children in public schools to contact their schools this week to ensure students are not being targeted with either subtle or overt pro-homosexual messages. The PJI warning stems from the designation of Jan. 26-30 as "No Name Calling Week" in schools throughout the nation. While the name sounds innocuous, parents are not likely to be told that a key promoter of the event is the Gay, Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN). The NNCW website discloses that, in fact, the event was sparked by a book called The Misfits, which portrays an openly gay student as a role model. This week, GLSEN and its allies are encouraging teachers and students to read a number of gay-friendly books such as Geography Club, Holly's Secret, and Pinky and Rex and the Bully. Organizers also suggest that excerpts from the controversial Judy Blume book Blubber, which features a student calling her teacher a b---- and others egging a house, are appropriate for class discussion. Schools are also being encouraged to have students complete surveys about bullying, including questions related to sexual orientation. Federal law requires that parents be notified of such surveys ahead of time, but PJI attorneys have found that parental notification laws are not always followed. PJI President Brad Dacus commented, "We can all agree that bullying is wrong for any reason. It's unfortunate that groups like GLSEN can't resist turning an otherwise worthy goal into a platform for promoting homosexuality to students as young as first grade. We urge parents to proactively ask teachers and school administrators what they will be teaching this week, oppose efforts to foist sexuality on our youth, and assure their children that respect for others and traditional morality go hand-in-hand." If you are able to support PJI, please click here to contribute now
SACRAMENTO - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expanding a voluntary recall of peanut butter and peanut products that may be contaminated with the salmonella bacteria.
When the potential salmonella contamination was initially detected, Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) voluntarily recalled all peanuts and peanut products that it had sold since July 1, 2008 to institutional and industrial users for service in large institutions or for sale and further processing by other companies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that operates the National School Lunch, School Breakfast, Summer Food Service, and Child and Adult Care Food Programs, confirmed at that time that no USDA commodity products were affected by that recall. Now the FDA reports that the PCA is voluntarily expanding the recall as a precaution to products sold since January 1, 2007, including five deliveries of peanut butter to California for use in the USDA commodities program. As a result, the USDA has asked the California Department of Education to notify its agencies of the recall.
"I urge all food service personnel to refrain from serving any peanuts or commodity food that contains peanuts from the Peanut Corporation of America until a thorough investigation into the extent of the recall is completed," said O'Connell. "I am also asking all parents, volunteer groups, schools, and community agencies serving meals or snacks to check their cupboards and refrigerators to find and dispose of the peanut products involved in the recall."
The commodity peanut butter that was sent to California was delivered in January 2008. As a result, the California Department of Education is working with its distribution centers and recipient agencies to locate and hold the peanut products pending further investigation.
The following is a list of entities distributing the recently recalled peanut commodities:
· Pomona State Distribution Center
· Gold Star Foods
· ASR Foods
· Integrated
· 20th Century Foods
For a detailed list of which agencies received the recalled peanut products, please visit http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/fd/iapeanut.asp
PCA reports to the FDA that it is not aware of any complaints or reports of illness involving the expanded recall. The voluntary recall comes amid an FDA investigation into a nationwide salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 500 people nationwide beginning in September, with the largest number of illnesses reported in November.
California's leading public health physician, Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), warned consumers not to eat or handle peanuts or peanut commodity products listed in this and prior recalls. Dr. Horton emphasized that peanut butter sold in retail stores is not linked to the outbreak.
"The salmonella bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems," said Dr. Horton. "Anyone who has a recalled product should immediately throw it away. If you have product you are unsure of, set it aside, and wait for more information to become available."
Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, which may be bloody; nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Consumers with these symptoms should consult their physician.
For a more detailed list of all the recalled peanut and peanut products, please visit http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/salmonellatyph.html. For more information on the health aspects of the recall, please contact Al Lundeen or Ken August of the CDPH at 916-440-7259. Further guidance to schools and management bulletins will be posted at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/nu/sn/mgmb.asp when they become available
SACRAMENTO - State Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Gloria Romero, D-East Los Angeles, released the following statement last week in response to the Education Coalition's teleconference regarding Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed education budget cuts, which could result in ongoing reductions in education funding:
"It is unacceptable to solve the current budget crisis in a way that shortchanges our public schools for years to come. The governor should propose a solution that guarantees funding for education at a level that the people of California expect and that our children deserve," Romero said.
During the month of February visitors to Bass Pro Shops at 7777 Victoria Gardens Lane in Rancho Cucamonga, will have the opportunity to send their children's favorite teacher back-to-school.
All they have to do is stop by one of the store's checkout counters and pick up a $2 donation card and fill out the nomination form on the back of the card.
A minimum of $1,800 must be raised to send a teacher and any funds collected over that amount will also be donated to the SCI/AWLS school.
One teacher from this area will be selected to attend a special Bass Pro Shops/Safari Club International Foundation's "American Wilderness Leadership School" to be held July 15 - 22 at BridgerTeton National Forest near Jackson, Wyoming.
This accredited educational school provides educators with a positive, useful, hands-on experience that they can use in their local classroom to teach our students so they will grow up realizing the importance of the natural world around them.
The course also makes the teacher eligible for continuing education credit or advanced degree credit.
About Safari Club International Foundation
"The mission of Safari Club International, also known as SCI First for Hunters, is to be the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting conservation worldwide. Safari Club International, a 501(c) 4 hunter advocacy organization, and Safari Club International Foundation, a 501(c) charitable organization. SCI has spent nearly $300 million on hunter advocacy and wildlife conservation since 1979. With recent expenditures exceeding $5 million annually, SCI Foundation has continued to promote science-based conservation through wildlife research, capacity building in governments, youth and teacher education, and humanitarian programs which show the importance of the hunting community in society.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009 (H.R. 1)
Summary of Proposed Funding for Education
(California is expected to receive 10-12 percent of funding)
1/27/09
Education and Human Resources: $100 million
$60 million for Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program which encourages talented science, technology, engineering, and math majors and professionals to become K-12 math and science teachers
$40 million for Math and Science Partnerships which is a research and development effort that supports innovative partnerships to improve K-12 student achievement in math and science
After-School Feeding Program for At-Risk Children: $726 million
$726 million to provide free dinners to at-risk children and to increase snack reimbursement rates
Child Care Development Block Grant: $2 billion
$2 billion to supplement state general revenue funds for child care assistance for low-income families. These funds could be used to provide full-time child care services to an additional 11,600 children in California.
Head Start/Early Head Start: $2.1 billion
$1 billion for Head Start, a comprehensive education, health, and nutrition and social/emotional development services for low-income children
$1.1 billion to expand Early Head Start programs which provide services for low-income infants and toddlers
The U.S. Health and Human Services Department estimates that these funds will provide services to an additional 110,000 children annually, with an emphasis on early intervention services to infants and toddlers under Early Head Start
Title I Grants: $13 billion over two years
$11 billion in additional funding for basic grants to local educational agencies (LEAs) eligible for Title I funds
The additional funding could be used to provide additional academic support to children from low income families who are failing or at risk of failing core subjects such reading, writing and math.
LEAs could use the funding for after-school and summer programs to extend and reinforce the regular school curriculum.
This funding could also be used to hire additional teachers or tutors to help those children who are most in need.
$2 billion for school improvement grants
This funding could be used to further identify and address the needs of schools in program improvement, corrective action, and restructuring in order to improve student achievement.
Impact Aid Construction: $100 million
$100 million to support school construction in LEAs with high percentages of children living on Indian land or children with military parents.
K-12 Repair and Modernization: $14 billion
$14 billion can be used for health and safety repairs, facility modifications to provide access for disabled students, and educational technology, infrastructure upgrades, as well as projects to improve energy efficiency
Funding will be allocated to states based on their FY 2008 allocation under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Act, after a 1% reservation of funds for outlying areas and Bureau of Indian Affairs schools. States must allocate funds using the same methodology within 30 days of receipt of the funds. There are provisions for redistributing the funding. Current language notes that this funding will be used to supplement, not supplant, state funding for school construction.
Education Technology: $1 billion over two years
$1 billion provided through the existing Education Technology program for technology hardware, software applications, professional development and related instructional technology staff and services
Statewide Data Systems: $250 million
$250 million to design and develop data systems that analyze individual student data to find ways to improve student achievement
These funds may be available to start implementation of recommendations in the McKinsey report on how to improve and expand California's education data system.
Up to $5 million may be used for state data coordinators and for awards to public or private organizations or agencies to improve data coordination
Education for Homeless Children and Youth: $66 million over two years
$66 million provided through the existing program to provide services to homeless children including meals and transportation when high unemployment and home foreclosures have created an influx of homeless children.
This funding could also be used to provide tutoring and other educational services to help homeless children reach state content and performance standards.
This funding could be used to purchase school supplies to students at shelters, temporary housing facilities, and other locations as appropriate.
Other uses could be for before- and after-school programs, mentoring, and summer programs for homeless children and youth.
Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities: $25 million
$25 million to assist charter schools obtain financing for infrastructure projects.
Teacher Incentive Fund: $200 million
$200 million in increased funding for existing competitive grants to school districts and states to develop and implement innovative strategies that provide financial incentives for teachers and principals who raise student achievement and close the achievement gap in high-need schools
Funding would enable school districts to develop and implement systems to attract and retain highly qualified teachers and principals, and to align their pay with student performance
Teacher Quality Enhancement, State Grants: $100 million
$100 million increased funding for existing competitive grants to states for reforming teacher licensing and certification requirements, providing alternative methods of teacher preparation, and providing alternative routes to state certification
These funds are administered by higher education
IDEA, Part B State Grants: $13 billion over two years (based on existing formula)
$13 billion to increase the federal share of special education costs and prevent these mandatory costs from forcing states to cut other areas of education
Additional funding will assist school districts with paying for the rising cost of special education for students with disabilities. Although the number of students enrolled in special education has remained steady over the last 5 years, the severity of disabilities has intensified, including autism, which requires a greater investment of resources to ensure an adequate education is provided.
The additional funds will assist school districts from further reducing funding for general educational operations during the current state budget crisis.
IDEA Infants and Families: $600 million over two years (based on existing formula)
$600 million to help states serve children with disabilities age 2 and younger
These funds are administered by the Department of Developmental Services
State Fiscal Stabilization Fund: $79 billion over two years
$79 billion to provide fiscal relief to states to prevent cutbacks in critical education and other high priority services
$25 million is reserved for the Secretary of Education for administration and oversight, including program evaluation
$15 billion is reserved for State Incentive Grants
The remaining funding (approximately $64 billion) is allocated by the federal Secretary of Education to the states, of which 61% is allocated based on school-aged population and 39% is allocated based on total population
States shall use at least 61% of the funds they receive to support elementary, secondary, and higher education. These funds must first be used by states to restore state aid to school districts under the primary state K-12 education funding formula and to institutions of higher education to FY 2008 levels, to the extent feasible given available funds. Any remaining funds shall be allocated to school districts based on the formula under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. For each fiscal year, the Governor may use up to 39 percent of the funds for public safety and other government services, which may include assistance for elementary and secondary education and public institutions of higher education.
To obtain funds, the governor of a state must submit an application including assurances pertaining to maintenance of effort of state support for education, achieving equity in teacher distribution and quality, establishing a longitudinal data system, and enhancing the quality of academic assessments for English language learners and students with disabilities. The maintenance of effort level is based on 2006 expenditures.
Funds must be used for services authorized by ESEA, IDEA, and Perkins.
$650 million (of the $15 billion reserved for State Incentive Grants) can be used for an Innovation Fund to support awards by the Secretary of Education to recognize states, local educational agencies, or schools that have made significant gains in closing achievement gaps
Dear Education Now readers,
In the article that ran Jan. 26 on A4 about 'Chaffey Joint Union HIgh School District director award' has a correction. Stephanie Bruce is a former CJUHSD employee, she is now an Ontario-Montclair School District employee.
Grace Yokley Middle School will host the dinner and silent auction "Feast Festival" to help promote the beauty of music.
The BYS band, which is part of the Mountain View School District, will perform during the event.
Feast Festival begins at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. Jan. 30 at 2947 S. Turner Ave., Ontario.
The money eared through the event will directly impact students through the purchase of instruments, music, sound equipment and financial assistance to those who otherwise could not participate in band.
The event is open to the public.
Cost: Pre-tickets are $10 or $13 at the door.
Information: (909) 947-6674.
Applications are available for those interested in serving on the Central School District Measure A Bonds Citizens Oversight Committee.
The purpose of the committee is to inform the public about the spending of bond money. To do that, the committee is expected to review and report on the proper expenditure of taxpayers' money for school construction projects. Service on the committee is for two years and is unpaid. It is anticipated that the committee will meet four times per year.
Members may serve for no more than two consecutive terms and may not include vendors, consultants, contractors, employees, or officials of the school district.
The committee must include a taxpayers organization representative, senior citizens organization representative, parent or guardian of a school district student, parent or guardian of a school district student who is active in a parent-teacher organization, and a business community representative who is active in a business organization. The remaining appointees may be members at large.
Applicants should complete the application form and submit it either in person or by fax, (909) 941-1732 or mail, 10601 Church St., Suite 112, Rancho Cucamonga 91730.
Applications must be received at the office by 4:30 p.m.Jan. 26. The Board of Trustees has 60 days to appoint a committee.
Information and applications are available at the office or from Donna Rogers, administrative assistant, Business Services at (909) 989-8541, or by E-mail at drogers@csd.k12.ca.us
SACRAMENTO -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has appointed a Sacramento consultant as education secretary, the fifth person to hold the post in as many years.
Glen Thomas, a consultant to philanthropic and education groups, was executive director of the California County Superintendents Education Services Association from 1998 to 2006.
He also has been a strong advocate of preschool education and worked on a failed 2006 ballot initiative that would have provided universal preschool for 4-year-olds. Schwarzenegger opposed the preschool initiative.
Thomas was named to the position Wednesday. He succeeds David Long, who resigned last September after 18 months on the job.
The education secretary is the governor's chief liaison to the state Board of Education. The elected superintendent of public instruction has control of the state Department of Education.
By Juliet Williams of the Associated Press.
Rancho Cucamonga High School's sports programs will host fundraisers next week.
The girls basketball team will host a dinning to donate at Applebee's from 1 to 11 p.m. Jan. 26 at 10709 Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga.
The boys baseball program will hold a fundraiser at Claim Jumper Restaurant from 5 to 10 p.m. Jan.30 at 12499 Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga.
Twenty percent of the evenings fundraiser will go back to each programs.
Etiwanda High School students will host two shows to display their talents
The first show will include students reciting poetry at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 27. Cost: $3.
The second show called "EPIC" is an comedy improv show which begins at 7 p.m. Jan. 29. Cost: $5.
Both shows will be held on campus at 13500 Victoria St., Rancho Cucamonga.
Information: (909) 899-2531.
Two Los Osos High School seniors received awards for best actor and best supporting actress at the California Educational Theater Association Festival.
Los Osos student Zach Green won best actor and Lindsey Carlson won for best supporting actress in their performance of "Leading Ladies" at the festival which was held Jan. 17 at Fontana High School.
Los Osos High School will perform two -1 act play's called "The Office Plays."
The drama play will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29, 30 and 31 at the school's theater, 6001 Milliken Ave., Rancho Cucamonga.
Seating is limited and is first come first serve.
The play is not suitable for small children because of elements of surprise.
Tickets are $5 for students with ASB cards or $6 without.
Information: (909) 477-6900.
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Chaffey High School's Associated Student Body will host their first "Chaffey's Got Talent" show to display student and teacher ability.
The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Jan.22 at the school's Gardiner Spring Auditorium, 1245 N. Euclid Ave., Ontario.
The show will include 11 students and two teachers singing, dancing and beat boxing.
Cost is $3 with ASB card and for children younger than 12 or $5 without.
Information: (909) 988-5560.
Los Osos High School's school administration will host a diversity focus group to improve campus communication between students, parents and administrators.
The focus group will meet at 7 p.m. Jan.22 at the school's library, 6001 Milliken Ave., Rancho Cucamonga.
The goal of the focus group is to increase student safety, celebrate diversity, increase tolerance and equality, improve student achievement and close the achievement gap among students.
Principal Chris Hollister will lead the group with topics related to issues at the school and then will open the topic up for discussion.
The focus group is free and open to the public.
The diversity focus groups are held monthly at Los Osos high.
Information: (909) 477-6900.
Vineyard Junior high students will host their annual winter band concert.
The event begins at 7 p.m. Jan. 22 in the multi-purpose room at 6440 Mayberry Ave., Rancho Cucamonga.
The event is free and open to the public.
Information: (909) 484-5120.
Welcome Education Now reader!
At Education Now, you'll get the latest news about what's happening in with education that doesn't always make it into the newspaper edition of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
You'll see information on this blog about your local school districts, their students, teachers as well as what is happening with and in education nation wide.
Plus you'll have the opportunity to share your comments as events unfold in real time.
Enjoy and welcome to Education Now!
