March 2009 Archives
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today urged schools to offer classroom activities and events so students may better understand why California annually commemorates the importance of Labor History Week and César E. Chávez Day.
Signed into California law in 2002, Labor History Week will be celebrated March 29 through April 4, 2009, during which falls the state holiday honoring César Chávez, the legendary civil rights leader and United Farm Workers co-founder who was born March 31, 1927 and died April 23, 1993.
The purpose of Labor History Week is to encourage schools to commemorate this week with appropriate educational exercises that make pupils aware of the role the labor movement has played in shaping California and the United States.
"Students should appreciate that the many protections and benefits enjoyed in the workplace today were brought about by the labor movement, such as the minimum wage, the eight-hour day, child labor laws, meal breaks, and safety laws - even the advent of the weekend," said O'Connell.
"These rights that now are considered fundamental in the American workplace were established only because of the sacrifices made by many courageous men and women. We should honor and celebrate their commitment and legacy. César Chávez was a labor leader and civil rights activist who remained fully committed to establishing, improving, and protecting farm workers through peaceful means and through education. He always will be an inspiration to me, and I hope his humanity and struggle to improve the lives of others will be recognized by students today and by generations to come."
The California Department of Education provides standards-based model curriculum on the life and work of César Chávez for schools. The model curriculum is provided for grades kindergarten through 12, with biographies, pictures, and other resources provided to help teachers prepare lessons for this state holiday. This site also lists many supplemental resources that are available for schools and the general public.
One of those resources is a new video that could be used to stimulate discussion and reflection about the legacy of César Chávez and the current status of members of our community who do the very hard work of harvesting the food consumed by Californians and people around the world. The video is titled, "California's Harvest of Shame," a short film showing the realities of life in the fields in 2008, and is introduced by actor Martin Sheen and narrated by former Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez.
Click HERE to access the video in English.
Click HERE to access the video in Spanish.
In all, more than 13,600 athletes--including Youth Days participants--will compete, representing the best youth, high school, university and elite competitors from various parts of the world, noted Relays Director and Mt. SAC Track & Field Director Doug Todd.
"The Mt. SAC Relays continues to attract the very best athletes, and it continues its longstanding legacy as the world's largest track and field competition," he said.
Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix will start her 2009 season at the Relays as will American hurdler Dominique Arnold. Felix won a gold medal at the 2008 Games in the women's 4x400 relay and is a two-time Olympic silver medalist at 200 meters. Arnold set the American record in the 110-meter hurdles (12.90) in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2006.
Other notable athletes competing include the 2008 Women's 400-meter hurdles Olympic silver medalist, Sheena Tosta, 2000 women's pole vault Olympic gold medalist Stacy Dragila, America's No. 1 and No. 2 men's discus throwers Ian Waltz and Jared Rome, 2007 world champion in the 100-meter hurdles, Michelle Perry, masters world record holder and former NFL star Willie Gault, and high school phenom Jordan Hasay, who finished fifth in the Olympic trials at 1,500 meters.
The 51st Relays begins with the Youth Days portion of the meet on April 3 and 4. Community colleges compete April 11, and the high school invitational is set for April 17-18. The distance carnival runs April 16 -17 with the Puma Collegiate Classic scheduled over three days, April 16-18. The event culminates with the International Day of Champions (featuring elite-class competition) on Saturday, April 18.
Tickets are $10 for April 11, $10 for April 16, $12 for April 17, and $15 for April 18. A four-day pass is $30.
For tickets, call the Performing Box Office at (909) 468-4050 or visit online at www.4tix.org.
Violence Policy will be the featured speaker at the countywide Gangs and
Drugs Task Force meeting on April 1.
The event will be held at the San Bernardino County Sheriff¹s
Department office at 655 E. Third St. in San Bernardino. The meeting will
begin at 7:30 a.m.
Paul Seave, the state¹s director of Office of Gang and Youth
Violence Policy, is a former federal prosecutor, who served as the U.S.
attorney in Sacramento from 1997-2001. He was appointed to his current
position by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in September 2007.
The San Bernardino Countywide Gangs and Drugs Task Force is
committed to a leadership role in advocating the prevention and suppression
of gang membership and drug use. The task force is a coordinated partnership
among education, law enforcement, criminal justice, elected officials,
private enterprise and community members.
For more information about the Gangs and Drugs Task Force
meeting, contact Sherra Clay at the San Bernardino County Superintendent of
Schools office at (909) 386-2902.
Prohoroff and Toprani, both students in Mt. SAC's Honors Program, received medallions and cash stipends during the Community College League of California's awards ceremony held at the Sacramento Convention Center on March 23. The academic team award is based on grades, leadership, and community service.
Prohoroff, 21, is currently an accounting/economics student at Mt. SAC and carries a 4.0 GPA. He was selected for the All-California Academic First Team. A Phillips Ranch resident, Prohoroff is active in Mt. SAC's PTK chapter, student government, and accounting club. He is also an English tutor through Mt. SAC's Learning Assistance Center. He plans to transfer to Claremont McKenna and go on to law school.
Toprani, 19, is a sociology major and carries a 3.48 GPA. She was named to the All-California Academic Third Team. A resident of Diamond Bar, Toprani is the service vice president for PTK at Mt. SAC and is active with the college's student government, Interclub Council, and accounting club. She works as a tutor at Mt. SAC's Writing Center. Toprani plans to transfer to UCLA and eventually become a lawyer.
The 25 first-team, 25 second-team, and 25 third-team winners represent some of the best of the 2.6 million students enrolled in California's community college system.
While most of the students at Cal Poly Pomona are on spring break, more than three dozen students and faculty members are participating in a unique collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI), the division of The Walt Disney Company in charge of design and development of Disney parks and resorts worldwide. The Inaugural Bobby Brooks Memorial Charette for Entertainment Design runs March 23 through April 2, with sessions at the university, at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif., and at the WDI headquarters in Glendale, Calif.
This charette (an intense period of design activity) is a unique multidisciplinary event involving Cal Poly Pomona upper-division and graduate students in the fields of architecture, art, landscape architecture and urban and regional planning. Divided into four groups of eight, the 32 students are charged with coming up with theoretical design concepts for the large esplanade between the Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure theme parks in Anaheim.
The teams are working daily throughout the week, aided by five faculty advisers. Walt Disney Imagineers also are working closely with the students, providing the framework and basic parameters for their designs, and explaining the context of the project.
The creative concepts are due April 1, with official team presentations scheduled for April 2 at the WDI headquarters. Participants receive consideration for an internship at WDI with the winning team members splitting a cash prize.
One of the best aspects of the event from a student standpoint is the ability to go all out - to express their ideas with a large degree of creativity. Plus, the students will receive four units of course credit for the project.
From the WDI standpoint, the purpose of this creative exercise is to develop a stronger relationship with the students and creative talent at Cal Poly Pomona and to encourage students to pursue careers in areas relevant to WDI's core line of business, such as entertainment design.
"This program will honor our late colleague, Bobby Brooks, in the same creative, collaborative spirit he brought to Walt Disney Imagineering," said Craig Russell, chief design & delivery executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. "By interacting with these Cal Poly Pomona students, we gain insight into the next generation of potential Imagineers while providing them with real-world experience."
The event is named in honor of Cal Poly Pomona alumnus Bobby Brooks, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2008. Brooks worked at WDI, beginning there in 1990 as a facility design manager. He worked on projects such as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios, the Club Disney venues, and prototypes for several entertainment concepts, including ESPN Zone, Disney Store and Downtown Disney. Most recently, he was part of the Imagineering team working on a new urban entertainment concept.
This charette was created to honor his memory and his commitment to promoting design education.
Veterans Diploma Project has been extended until April 17.
The Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project, offered in a
partnership between the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and
the county¹s Department of Veterans Affairs, is accepting applications from
veterans or family members of those who are deceased to award a high school
diploma for those who meet the qualifications.
Veterans of San Bernardino County who missed graduating from
high school because of their military service in World War II, the Korean
War or the Vietnam War or those Japanese American citizens who were interned
in a relocation camp during World War II may be eligible to receive their
high school diploma.
The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. on April 17, and there is
no cost to apply. The only qualifications are that the individuals either
served in the U.S. military during World War II, the Korean War or the
Vietnam War and received an honorable discharge or were interned in a
Japanese American relocation camp during World War II. The individuals also
must reside in San Bernardino County or if they are deceased, a surviving
family member that applies on their behalf must reside in the county.
Those who successfully apply will receive a diploma at a
ceremony in the spring. Applicants will be notified regarding the date, time
and location of the ceremony.
Applications are available through the County Schools¹ office,
located at 601 N. E St. in San Bernardino or can be downloaded off the
County Schools¹ Web site at www.sbcss.k12.ca.us/vdp
or (909) 386-2412 or by E-mail to vdp@sbcss.k12.ca.us
The county Department of Veterans Affairs, located at 175 W.
Fifth St. in San Bernardino, also has applications.
The California Education Code authorizes the granting of
retroactive high school diplomas to eligible veterans, as well as those who
were interned by federal order during World War II.
Military service must have been during the following periods:
Dec. 7, 1941 through Dec. 31, 1946 for World War II; June 25, 1950 through
Jan. 31, 1955 during the Korean War; or Feb. 28, 1961 through May 7, 1975
during the Vietnam War.
Japanese American citizens need to show proof of internment
during the period of Dec. 7, 1941 through Dec. 31, 1946.
All applicants for the Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma
Project must have been enrolled in high school prior to their military
service or internment in a World War II relocation camp.
On Feb. 2, the County Board of Education passed a resolution in
support of Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project.
For assistance with verification of military service and/or
discharge papers, contact the county¹s Department of Veteran Affairs at
(866) 476-8387 or (909) 387-5516 or visit the department¹s Web site at
www.hss.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/VA/
the 20th annual History Day competition on March 21 at Summit High School.
Upland Unified had the most county group and individual
champions with 21, followed by Fontana Unified with 14. Upland High School
was the top school in the county with the most individual and group
champions with 21.
The individual and group champions advance to the California
History Day competition in Sacramento from April 30 to May 3.
The county History Day event had as its theme, "The Individual
in History: Actions and Legacies." There were three divisions with both
individual and group competitions: Elementary (Grades 4-5), Junior (Grades
6-8) and Senior (Grades 9-12). All totaled, 200 students, representing 10
school districts and a private school, competed.
History Day gives students a chance to compete in a variety of
categories on a historical theme. The Elementary Division only has one
category of competition, posters. The Junior and Senior divisions compete in
exhibit, documentary, performance, Web site and research paper categories.
The event is sponsored by the San Bernardino County
Superintendent of Schools, Cal State San Bernardino and Summit High School
in the Fontana Unified School District.
San Bernardino County 2009 History Day Champions
Elementary Division
Posters
Individuals
Max Martinez, Holy Rosary Academy
Nicholas Pinsak, Oleander Elementary
Groups
Jaileene Jimenez and Susana Lopez, Palmetto Elementary
Gabriela Palomares and Taylor Skillern, Palmetto Elementary
Junior Division
Research Papers
Nathan Blasingame, Sitting Bull Middle School
Yessenia Rosales, Sequoia Middle School
Documentaries
Individuals
Donovan Shelton, Vanguard Prep
Groups
Markeese Armstrong, Willie Omari, Tucker Stefan, Truman Middle School
Alfredo Gomez, Kevin Ortiz, Tyler Pope, Daniel Velazquez, Truman Middle
Performances
Groups
Chrystal Angeles, Olga Mondragon, Bianca Valdes-Corral and Gabriel Vargas,
Sequoia Middle School
Kylee Ernst, Delayne Lauder and Neena Mohan, Vanguard Prep
Web Sites
Individuals
Vanesa Martin, Southridge Middle School
Groups
Andrew Martinez, Ana Moreno, Gerardo Murillo and Ejere Okorie, Truman Middle
School
Melody Murillo and Alejandra Sanchez, Truman Middle School
Exhibits
Individuals
Brissa Ojeda-Gomez, Sequoia Middle School
Bernice Robles, Sequoia Middle School
Groups
Beverly Diaz, Priscilla Lozano, Anita Molina, Judith Moreno and Cristina
Salgado, Sequoia Middle School
Senior Division
Research Papers
Rohaine Hsu, Montclair High School
Christina James, Upland High School
Nicholas Liusuwan, Upland High School
Documentaries
Individuals
Madison Shearer, Upland High School
Groups
Teresa Barajas, Patricia Flores, Cynthia Ortiz, Ana Ramirez, Montclair High
School
Brendan Bubion, Jarrett Catlin and Ian Lundberg, Upland High School
Kaila Corrington and Diana Zhang, Upland High School
Performances
Individuals
Sophie Franco, Upland High School
Julia Pinto, Home Choice/Washington Alternative
Elisabeth Wroth, Upland High School
Groups
Elise Boretz and Suzanne Boretz, Upland High School
Dakota Chavez, Kirsten Easton and Lindsey Vaniman, Upland High School
Natalie Davidson and Ariana Gobaud, Upland High School
Web Sites
Individuals
Daniel Azizi, Upland High School
Daniel Krimmer, Upland High School
Hong Lam, Upland High School
Groups
Johnathan Le and Leonard Ko, Upland High School
Melissa Pedroza and Celena Tang, Upland High School
Breanna Peterson, Monica Rani and Sahithi Rani, Upland High School
Exhibits
Individuals
Molly Morales, Upland High School
David Nicholson, Upland High School
Ully Povoa, Upland High School
Groups
Leanne Garcia, Eric Hester and Moriah Schnose, Summit High School
Jenna Mohl and Stephanie Mohl, Upland High School
Stephanie Tan and Lucy Zhang, Upland High School
In the struggle for civil and labor rights for all in
Huerta was invited to the school by students in the PHS chapter of MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán) and the Chicana/o Latina/o Studies Program. She will also be promoting the Cesar Chavez Pilgrimage Walk in
"Cesar Chavez spoke at Pomona High in the early 1990s," explained Spanish and Chicana/o Latina/o Studies teacher Cati De Los Rios, "but Dolores has never been here. And to think that our students will have the opportunity to meet such a powerful woman in history is thrilling. What a tremendous learning experience for our students."
WHEN: Thurs., March 26, 10:10-11:00 a.m.
WHERE:
CONTACT: Cati De Los Rios, 909-397-4498
But they're not enough.
By the time the 2009-10 budget takes effect July 1, the district must make cuts equaling more than $11million unless more money is forthcoming from the state, Don Bertucci, the district's business administrator, said at Tuesday evening's school board meeting.
The district's original deficit, based on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's January budget proposals, was set at $13.65 million.
The district has monitored budget discussions taking place at the state level and has created a budget committee, composed of district management members, parents, former board members and union members.
The committee's responsibility is to make recommendations to the board of trustees.
At the committee's most recent meeting Monday a recommendation of $2.5million in program cuts was proposed in addition to $1.7 million in other reductions already enacted.
The committee's proposals include cuts to the GATE program, elimination of Arts and Music Block Grants, School and Library Improvement Block Grant, freeze on band uniform replacement, cancellation of internal auditor contract, less use of insect control and a freeze on choral musical allocation.
The previous $1.7 million cuts were made in maintenance, equipment purchases and salaries.
Fifty-one preliminary layoff notes for 2009-10 went out earlier this month to teachers and other staff members.
In addition, Bertucci said, pay cuts to all district employes have not been brought up as yet because they would have to be negotiated with the union.
While the district has made cuts and continues to make more, there are still several unknown details that will impact the budget, Bertucci said.
"We still don't know how the May 19 statewide special election will impact us, the potential of additional cuts to the schools because of the $8 billion hole announced last weekend, and how the federal stimulus package will impact us," he said.
The state recently announced the deficit originally dealt with in the governor's budget revision has turned out to be $8 billion greater than originally believed.
During Tuesday's meeting Bertucci also went over the three ballot measures that will appear in the May 19 election - Proposition 1A, the Rainy Day Budget Stabilization Fund; Proposition 1B, Education Funding Payment Plan; and Proposition 1C, Lottery Modernization Act.
During board comments, board member Charles Uhalley called Proposition 1A ridiculous.
"It doesn't make sense to go to the citizens of California and say we need a rainy day fund when the rain is pouring through the house - it's just irresponsible," he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The coveted award recognizes exemplary teachers and schools for creativity, innovation, and excellence in arts education.
She is celebrating her 30th year in education and ninth-year at Walnut High.
The 27th annual awards gala held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on March 10 was hosted by acclaimed producer/director Garry Marshall.
Karr received the award in the Theater Arts Specialist category.
She received a beautiful BRAVO sculpture and $2000 cash prize to benefit the school's drama program.
"The arts help people give meaning to their lives, and all students need them," Karr said.
Ninety eight teachers and schools from across
Senior Matthew Guest credits his drama teacher for turning him into the actor he is today.
He is currently appearing as messenger boy Rolf Gruber in the musical running through March 21.
More than 20 "Joanne supporters" including several alumni students and parents attended the awards ceremony stood and cheered when her name was announced as a BRAVO recipient.
"My students, colleagues and friends, especially those that are here tonight, are the ones who make me a great teacher," Karr said in her acceptance speech.
"Sophocles said, 'Whoever neglects the arts when he is young has lost the past and is dead to the future.' As BRAVO teachers we represent all those who ensure that will not happen!" added Karr.
Diamond Bar High School Performing Arts programs are among the best in the State, earning countless awards, and breaking records for honor group participation.
This week, the Grammy Foundation announced that Diamond Bar High has been named a 2009
This is a national honor reserved for schools that make an outstanding commitment to music education during the academic school year. GRAMMY Signature Schools is presented by the Gibson Foundation with support from the Ford Motor Company Fund.
Only 14 schools nationwide earned this year's prestigious honor.
Diamond Bar High will receive a custom award and $1,000 grant to benefit its music program.
Steve Acciani, Director of the Performing Arts Academy said the award is based on excellence in all aspects of musical performance in the school's Orchestra, Band, Choir,
The selection process for GRAMMY Signature Schools begins each year in September as 20,000 public high schools from around the country receive notification and a request for information about their school's music program.
The applications are submitted online in October and scored.
Finalists are asked to submit additional documentation, including recordings of school concerts and event programs, which are then reviewed by an independent screening committee comprised of top music educators and professionals.
Congratulations to
while they are still learning at the Union Apprenticeship and Training Forum
on May 16 at the National Orange Show.
The free event, which is open to students, parents, counselors
and teachers, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Damus Room at the
National Orange Show, which is located at 689 S. E St. in San Bernardino.
Participants should enter the fairgrounds at Gate 7 on Arrowhead Avenue.
Examples of some of the trades participating are electricians,
operating engineers, plumbing, pipe-fitting, surveying and roofing. Students
will have the opportunity to experience hands-on demonstrations, and
apprenticeship coordinators will relate their trades to real world
applications. San Bernardino County Superintendent Gary Thomas will welcome
students to the event.
Even though the event is free, participants must register for
the Apprenticeship Forum prior to May 8. To register online for the event,
go to www.oms.sbcss.k12.ca.us
The event is sponsored by the Central Labor Council AFL/CIO of
San Bernardino and Riverside counties and the San Bernardino County
Superintendent of Schools¹ Alliance for Education program. Partners include
Regional Occupational Programs, Operating Engineers Training Trust and the
Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and Journey Training Program.
In addition, there will be a student drawing for a laptop
computer, a personal donation by Malcolm and Helene Driggs.
For more information, contact Crystal Lopez at the County
Schools office at (909) 386-2636.
Vernon Middle School is pleased to recognize thirty Perfect Panthers for second trimester. The following students earned straight As and Outstanding citizenship marks in all six classes, were never tardy, and had perfect attendance for the entire trimester!
Juan Aguayo, Christiana Giang, Kennie Nguyen
Karla Armendariz, Heidy Gonzalez, Gilbert Orta-Portilla
Sabrina Avalos, Mariana Hernandez, Noah Osornio
Kassandra Barcenas-Tapia, Josue Javalera, Angelina Pandiangan
Jesus Cardenas, Edgar Luna, Lupita R. Dubon
Mario Diaz, Krystopher Mandujano, Yahayra Rodriguez-Garcia
Phi Do, Stephanie Marrujo, Christina Roldan
Fernando Fernandez, Cynthina Mandoza, Sandra Silva-Aguilar
Alexes Flores, Elizabeth Mendoza, Horacio Villanueva
Christina Garcia, Kennie Montoya, Osvaldo Villanueva
Such superior performance is the result of students, parents, teachers and staff working together to bring out the best in every child. The power of this partnership can literally change lives - and brighten the future for our entire community.
These Perfect Panthers will be receiving extra raffle tickets for our upcoming "Big Event II" at Vernon, where more than $2,000 in gifts and prizes will be awarded to over 250 of our highest achievers in grades, citizenship and attendance. Please join us in honoring these exemplary Ontario-Montclair School District students!
- Information courtesy of Brian Bettger, principal of Vernon Middle School
Mission Elementary students have been working hard to improve Reading Comprehension skills. They have embraced Thinking Maps and UNRAAVEL, both strong Reading Comprehension strategies.
The halls of the Ontario-based school have the student work on display.
Students across the grade levels are applying these skills across all curricular areas.
Teachers have seen growth in students' comprehension skills and noticed they enjoy using the strategies and are more engaged in class.
UNRAAVEL is process that students complete as they answer comprehension questions on a reading passage. It is an acronym that stands for: U-Underline the title N-Now predict the passage R-Run through and number the paragraphs A-Are you reading the questions A-Are the keywords circled? V-Venture (read) through the passage E-Eliminate the obvious wrong answers L-Let the questions be answered and write the paragraph number where you found the answers next to the question
Bernardino counties will be honored at the 10th annual RIMS Advancement Via
Individual Determination Write-Off Ceremony on March 19 at the University of
Redlands Chapel.
Students in grades 6-12 from AVID programs in San Bernardino,
Riverside, Inyo, and Mono counties are participating in this year¹s
Write-Off, a timed-essay writing contest that is modeled after the
University of California¹s Analytical Writing Exam.
entries).
The following students will be recognized as regional winners:
12th-grader: Tiphanie Gardner of Murrieta Valley High School in
Murrieta Valley;
11th-grader: Miguel Ramirez of West Valley High School in Hemet;
10th-grade: Sahil Bawa of Nova Meridian Academy in Colton;
Ninth-grader: Jennifer Capp of Kaiser High School in Fontana;
Eighth-grader: Rachael Justis of Terrace Hills Middle School in
Grand Terrace;
Seventh-grader: Mason Figge of Shivela Middle in Murrieta
Valley;
Sixth-grader: Kristen Adams of Apple Valley Middle in Apple
Valley.
The featured speaker at the Write-Off ceremony will be history
teacher Todd Anton of Heritage School of Phelan in the Snowline Joint
Unified School District.
history of World War II veterans, which he included in his book, "No Greater
Love." He wrote a second book, titled, "When Baseball Went to War."
- Central School District Board of Trustees will meet at 7 p.m. March 19 at Bear Gulch Elementary School, 8355 Bear Gulch Place, Rancho Cucamonga. Information: (909) 989-8541.
- The Claremont Unified School District is scheduled to hold a board of education meeting at 7 p.m. ThursdayMarch19 at Richard S. Kirkendall Education Center, 170 W. San Jose Ave., Claremont. Information: (909) 398-0609, ext. 70102.
- Ontario-Montclair School District Board of Trustees will meet at 7 p.m. ThursdayMarch 19 at Central Elementary School auditorium, 415 East G St., Ontario. Information: (909) 459-2500.
nominated for the 18th annual San Bernardino County Education Medal of Honor
in recognition of their contributions to public education in school
districts throughout San Bernardino County.
Recipients of the Education Medal of Honor and Distinguished
Service Award will be announced and recognized at a banquet on April 27 at
the University of Redlands.
Nominations for the Education Medal of Honor were made in six
categories: Volunteer in Action/Community Volunteer; Volunteer in
Action/Service Group; Partners in Education/Small Business or Franchise;
Partners in Education/Corporation; Excellence in Education/Education
Professional; and Excellence in Education/Student Alumni.
The Education Medal of Honor program is sponsored by the San
Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS), the San Bernardino
County School Boards Association and the County Communicators Network.
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Frick, Frick & Jette Architects, Inc. in
Victorville and J&M Trophies in Redlands are sponsors. School public
relations specialists in Riverside County served as judges for this year¹s
entries.
For more information, contact the SBCSS Communications
Department at (909) 386-2413.
2009 San Bernardino County Education Medal of Honor Nominees
Central School District
Thomas Nalbach, teacher, Cucamonga Middle School, Excellence in
Education/Education Professional
Colton Joint Unified School District
Kimberly Fischer, teacher, Cooley Ranch Elementary, Excellence
in Education/Education Professional
Roger Kowalski, administrator (retired), Excellence in
Education/Student Alumni
Dioselina McCombs, parent volunteer, Reche Canyon Elementary,
Volunteer in Action/Community Volunteer
Dan Morse, teacher, Bloomington Middle School, Excellence in
Education/Education Professional
Colton-Redlands-Yucaipa Regional Occupational Program
Ruth Chafin, president of Interior Network, Partners in
Education/Small Business or Franchise
Eileeen Gallardo, human resources manager, Gottschalks, Partners
in Education/Corporation
Carol Okugawa, program director, First Steps Child Development
Center, Partners in Education/Small Business or Franchise
Lisa Smith, site manager, Beaver Medical Group Inc., Partners in
Education/Corporation
Randi Zamudio, assistant store manager, Anchor Blue, Partners in
Education/Small Business or Franchise
Fontana Unified School District
Kathleen Binks, board member, Excellence in Education/Education
Professional
Linda Young, teacher, Excellence in Education/Student Alumni
Redlands Unified School District
Jim Bueermann, Redlands police chief, Excellence in
Education/Student Alumni
Christina Christopherson, principal, Mariposa Elementary,
Excellence in Education/Education Professional
Barbara "Bobbi" Cummings, Reflections chair, Redlands Council
PTA, Volunteer in Action/Community Volunteer
Jack Kohlmeier, president, Optimist Club of Redlands, Volunteer
in Action/Service Group
Chuck Wilburn, owner, Shakey's Pizza, Partners in Education/Small
Business or Franchise
Rim of the World Unified School District
Lake Arrowhead Women's Club, Volunteer in Action/Service Group
Tim Miskell, PGA professional, Lake Arrowhead Country Club,
Volunteer in Action/Community Volunteer
Dave Stuart, executive director, Rebuilding Mountain Hearts and
Lives, Volunteer in Action/Service Group
San Bernardino City Unified School District
Delta Rho Chapter of the National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa
Inc., Volunteer in Action/Service Group
Julie Chesney, teacher, Anderson School, Excellence in
Education/Education Professional
San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
Herbert Fischer, superintendent (retired), Excellence in
Education/Student Alumni
Tom Rubio, fire engineer, San Bernardino City Professional
Firefighters, Volunteer in Action/Community Volunteer
Irene Thomsen, president, Soroptimist International San
Bernardino, Volunteer in Action/Service Group
San Bernardino Valley College
Juliann Martin, department chair, Child Development Grants,
Excellence in Education/Education Professional
Silver Valley Unified School District
Janide Mahusay, teacher, Excellence in Education/Education
Professional
Victor Elementary School District
Ralph Baker, superintendent, Excellence in Education/Education
Professional
Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District
Joyella Beuler, teacher, Excellence in Education/Education
Professional
Linda Cowan, president, Yucaipa Valley Kiwanis Club, Volunteer
in Action/Service Group
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today congratulated Fred Aguiar on his appointment as Secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency.
"Governor Schwarzenegger made a great choice when he selected Fred Aguiar to again serve as the head of the State and Consumer Services Agency," O'Connell said.
"Fred has the integrity, the intellect, and the experience to do a great job in this position. I enjoyed working with Fred when I served with him in the California State Legislature, and I look forward to working with him again on issues to benefit students and consumers in our state."
Who knows what treasure might be hidden inside a time capsule recently discovered at
The time capsule, which dates back to 1958, was discovered by the school's intrepid principal, Miguel Hurtado, who found one at Westmont Elementary under similar circumstances several years ago behind a bronze plaque.
***
More information: Tim McGillivray, Comm. Officer, 909-397-4800, ext. 4800
California Business for Education Excellence (CBEE) applauds the Governor's appointment of Mr. Jorge Lopez to serve on the State Board of Education.
Mr. Lopez currently serves as the Executive Director of the Oakland Charter Academy Middle and High Schools.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today congratulated Jorge Lopez on his appointment to the State Board of Education.
"Jorge Lopez is a dedicated educator whom I know and respect. He has focused on helping some of our most underserved student populations and has been successful in closing the achievement gap at the Oakland Charter Academy," O'Connell said.
"Under his leadership, Oakland Charter Academy was named a 2008 No Child Left Behind (NCLB)--Blue Ribbon School in recognition of its academic achievement at the highest levels and also earned the Title I Academic Achievement Award that same year.
"I welcome the perspective that Jorge will bring to the State Board of Education, and look forward to working with him on initiatives to improve student achievement and close the achievement gap.
County will participate in the History Day competition at Summit High School.
The event on March 21, which will begin with registration at 7:30 a.m., has three divisions: Elementary, grades fourth through fifth, Junior, grades sixth through eighth, and Senior, grades ninth through twelfth.
There are 126 entries in all the divisions, representing 10 county school districts and one private school.
History Day gives students a chance to compete in a variety of categories on a historical theme. The students' work is judged by historians, educators and other professionals in related fields. This year¹s theme is "The Individual In History."
The Elementary Division only has one category of competition, posters. In addition to the poster category, the Junior and Senior divisions also have exhibit, documentary, performance, Web site and research paper categories. The awards ceremony for the county competition is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. on March 21.
The event is sponsored by the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. Summit High School is located at 15551 Summit Ave., Fontana.
The Frontier Project Foundation hosted a Girl Scout harvesting day at the Cucamonga Valley Water District (CVWD) Environmental Learning Center Garden on Saturday, March 14. Girl Scouts harvested vegetables and planted a
Basically, you can forget about being a teenager.
"There is just not enough hours of the day to do anything and a person who can do that has more hours than the rest of us," said Wil Jacobsen, a decathlon team member and a junior at Chaffey.
Before he joined the high school's academic decathlon team, Jacobsen said he enjoyed hanging out with family and friends as well as playing ice hockey.
"Now, I just have weekends, if that," Wil said. "I can't even begin to imagine counting the number of hours I've missed, hanging out with my father to study for the AcaDec."
AcaDec is brainiac shorthand for academic decathlon.
But, the long hours and hard work are all worth it.
"We do this because we want to. It's worth it because of the prestige - it's glory and knowledge," Wil said. "Everyone who is a part of academic decathlon knows what's going to happen. They have no illusion of it."
After finishing as runner-up to Redlands High School in four previous San Bernardino County Academic Decathlon competitions, Chaffey High students in February not only came in first place, but posted the highest county score in the event's 26 years.
They are also ranked ranked third in the state.
Chaffey High was recognized at an awards ceremony Feb. 12 at the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino.
Chaffey High defeated 28 other high schools from the county and advanced to this weekend's statewide competitions in Sacramento.
Head coach for Chaffey's team, Steven Mercado, attributes the students' success to the "insane amount of hours they studied."
"These group of kids are ultra competitive and they want to be the best and generally speaking they have a thirst for knowledge," he said.
"Even though they are taking a number of advance placement classes, losing sleep and sacrificing a lot - in a warp and twisted way they enjoy it."
The purpose of the academic decathlon is to develop and provide academic competitions, curriculum and assessment to promote learning and academic excellence though teamwork among students at all achievement levels.
Academic decathlon teams are composed of nine students.
The students begin their day at 6:30 a.m. for a study session. They go to class from 7:47 a.m. to 2:38 p.m. and all have a decent amount of homework. Some students participate in drama or sports and then are back to the grind for AcaDec studying for three to four hours - Monday through Friday.
The weekends are a different story.
"I do one fun thing every couple weeks," junior Camille Brown said. "I eat, sleep, breath academic decathlon. Honestly, I'm lucky if I get a break."
Camille - who will play the lead in the school upcoming production of "Fiddler On The Roof" and who is on the school's varsity swim team - said there are times when she questions her choice of being on academic decathlon.
"Man, I wish I was the average Joe. Every single day," she said.
"It's hard to go to school and see my closest friends who aren't as involved in as many things, and I start to feel 'Why am I doing this?' But then I start thinking about my teammates and what I'm learning and how it's going to give me an advantage in the future. Honestly that is a benefit that outweighs any free time I would ever have."
Michael Andreas, a first-year member on the team, said being a part of the decathlon has been a life-changing experience.
The senior came to the United States in 2006 from Indonesia.
"I knew how to say 'Good morning,' 'Hello,' 'Good-bye' and 'My name is Michael,"' he said.
"For the first few months here, I didn't communicate with people, instead I would just stare at them."
He is fluent in English and in the top of his class with a 4.1 grade point average. He is also taking five advanced placement classes and a Spanish class.
This week, students have been putting the pedal to the metal, pulling all-nighters and working with Mercado as well as the team's two assistant coaches, Patty Gulino and Tom James.
Students will be expected to be experts in economics, music theory, math, science, art, language/literature and social science.
They will be also be asked to give impromptu speeches, interview and give prepared speeches.
Camille said while it will be scary and stressful it is important to remain focused.
"Anyone at the academic decathlon is intimidating to look at," she said. "People are sizing you up all the time but you have to mentally prepare yourself for that and ignore the atmosphere."
Camille, Wil and Michael will be joined in Sacramento by teammates Jesus Albarran, Joseph Escobar, Josh Escobar, Andrew Haney, Andrea McNellis and Michael Rollins.
"No one is going to remember a single 'B' on my transcript, but everyone is going to remember if I'm a part of winning the state competition," said Michael Andreas. "The work is really hard and time consuming, but the minute you get that medal it's awesome."
Instead of holding a special election to fill the vacancy, the board voted to appoint a new member.
Caryn Payzant said it was the best option because a special election would "cost the board thousands of dollars."
Superintendent Rebecca Lawrence said the board has always chosen in the past to fill a vacant position by appointment.
"We just wanted to stay consistent with what we've done in the past," she said.
Those who are interested in the position can fill out an application at the district's Web site - www.alsd.k12.ca.us
Just weeks before Peterson was re-elected for the fourth time Nov. 4, he accepted a job as director of planning facilities with the Conejo Valley Unified School District in Thousand Oaks.
Peterson said earlier he had intended to remain on the board long enough for the transition of the new superintendent, Lawrence said.
But at the meeting Peterson said his home is in escrow and it plans to close at the end of the month.
Peterson's resignation is effective March 31.
At the Wednesday meeting the board also:
• Accepted more than $1,900 in donations to schools.
• Approved the district's 2008-09 second interim financial report, which said the district will be able to meet its financial obligations for the current and subsequent two fiscal years.
• Approved a contract with Advanced Environmental Landscape for $36,612 for the acquisition and installation of irrigation controllers.
"This is grant money that we have actually received," said Jim Ashton, assistant superintendent of administrative services.
• Appointed Heather Sloan as the new director of child nutrition, effective Monday.
• Designated the weeks of May 11-15 as Teacher Appreciation Week; May 13 as California Day of the Teacher; and May 18-22 as Classified School Employee's week.
Finally the board adopted a resolution authorizing expenditures up to $200 for the district's Employee Appreciation Program, which is in May.
POMONA - The concerns of a group of Village Academy High School students' related to their futures and those of their families reached President Barack Obama.
The President referred to the students' video today when he delivered a speech focusing on education to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C.
Students put together the video, "Is Anybody Listening?" in which they talk about their families' struggles in the current economic environment.
They spoke of their own fears they may not be able to pursue a college education due to the economic crisis.
Today the president said their concerns are being heard.
"I am listening. We are listening. America is listening," the president said.
The project started out as a writing assignment for a group of literature and composition students but the results were so powerful that their teacher suggested the teens record their stories.
The students' video can be seen on the school's Web site at www.pusd.org/villageacademy.
In January, Pomona Unified School District Superintendent Thelma Melendez de Santa Ana traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the inauguration of President Obama. She took copies of the recording with her and delivered them to Linda Darling-Hammond, an education policy advisor to President Obama during the presidential campaign. Darling-Hammond also headed the transition team concentrating on education.
The recording was also provided to Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Santa Fe Springs, and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California.
The following are President Obama's remarks related to the students' video.
"I want children like Yvonne Bojorquez to have that chance. Yvonne is a student at Village Academy High School in California. Now, Village Academy is a 21st century school where cutting edge technologies are used in the classroom, where college prep and career training are offered to all who seek it, and where the motto is 'respect, responsibility, and results.'
"Now, a couple of months ago, Yvonne and her class made a video talking about the impact that our struggling economy was having on their lives. And some of them spoke about their parents being laid off, or their homes facing foreclosure, or their inability to focus on school with everything that was happening at home. And when it was her turn to speak, Yvonne said: 'We've all been affected by this economic crisis. \[We\] are all college bound students; we're all businessmen, and doctors and lawyers and all this great stuff. And we have all this potential -- but the way things are going, we're not going to be able to \[fulfill it\].'
"It was heartbreaking that a girl so full of promise was so full of worry that she and her class titled their video, "Is anybody listening?" So, today, there's something I want to say to Yvonne and her class at Village Academy: I am listening. We are listening. America is listening. And we will not rest until your parents can keep your jobs -- we will not rest until your parents can keep their jobs and your families can keep their homes, and you can focus on what you should be focusing on -- your own education; until you can become the businessmen, doctors, and lawyers of tomorrow, until you can reach out and grasp your dreams for the future.
"For in the end, Yvonne's dream is a dream shared by all Americans. It's the founding promise of our nation: That we can make of our lives what we will; that all things are possible for all people; and that here in America, our best days lie ahead. I believe that. I truly believe if I do my part, and you, the American people, do yours, then we will emerge from this crisis a stronger nation, and pass the dream of our founding on to posterity, ever safer than before."
The president's complete speech can be seen by going to http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29612995/
The portion of the speech where President Obama refers to Village Academy is at end of the speech.
-monica.rodriguez@inlandnewspapers.com
POMONA - Teachers and other certificated personnel from more than half a dozen school districts in the Inland and San Gabriel valleys will rally in front of the Pomona Unified School District administrative offices Friday afternoon to protest the state's cuts to education.
As of Wednesday, 14 rallies have been planned in Southern California from Santa Maria to Huntington Beach but "Pomona's is probably going to be the biggest," said Frank Wells, spokesman for the California Teachers Association.
Aside from the rallies other smaller events are being planned, he said.
IF YOU GO -
Teachers and other certificated personnel will begin gathering at 3 p.m. Friday in front of the Pomona Unified School District Education Center for a rally calling attention to state funding cuts to education.
The Education Center, which houses the district's administrative offices, is at 800 S. Garey Ave., Pomona.
Speakers will begin addressing the expected crowd at 4 p.m.
Pomona's rally is expected to draw teachers and other certificated personnel from more than half a dozen districts, some as far west as El Monte in addition to neighboring districts, said Associated Pomona Teachers President Morgan Brown on Wednesday.
Wells said other groups are organizing rallies as part of Pink Friday, which refers to "pink slips" issued by Friday.
March 13 is the cut-off day for school districts to send out preliminary layoff notices informing teachers, counselors, nurses and other certificated personnel they may not have a job at the end of the current school year. Without the notices employees can't be released from their jobs.
Although there are concerns about districts sending out preliminary layoff notices, there is a broader issue to address, Wells said.
Had the state provided adequate funding for education, districts wouldn't be noticing their employees, he said.
So far about 25,000 California Teachers Association members across the state have been noticed, Wells said.
California has gone through difficult times in the past and has made cuts to education before but never to this degree, Brown said.
In those times "teachers have made up the difference by reaching into their pockets and using their own money" for supplies and teaching materials, Brown said.
Few people know teachers have made such investments allowing people to believe all is well, he said.
"We've really sheltered the public," Brown said.
This time it's different.
"The cuts are (too) deep this time for teachers to be able to make up the difference," Brown said.
Students should be spared from being affected by cuts, and that's not what's happening, he said.
"Budgets reflect a set of values," Brown said, adding that the funding available for education is not enough to meet the existing needs.
"That speaks volumes about our values as a state, and I'm ashamed," he said.
Rev. Mike Fronk, pastor of First Christian Church of Pomona, will participate in Friday's rally as a representative of the Pomona-Inland Cluster of OneLA, a grassroots organization focusing on matters critical to families including education, schools, housing and public safety.
"California is the sixth greatest economy in the world and we're spending like it's our last priority. I think that's criminal," he said.
Access to educational opportunities is needed if people are to improve their condition in life, Fronk said.
High school graduates aren't all going to go to college. Those who won't be attending college shouldn't have as their only option to enlist in the military, he said.
Young people need to have access to educational programs that will prepare them to enter to work-force and secure well-paying jobs, Fronk said.
An uneducated work-force hurts the economy because employers don't have access to people to fill openings, he said.
Pomona resident Gerty Marquez, a mother of two in district schools who plans to be at Friday's rally, said she's worried about the impact cuts will have on students.
"What's going to happen to our kids? What's going to happen to our schools?" she asked.
-monica.rodriguez@inlandnewspapers.com
SAN JOSE - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today joined teachers, administrators, parents and students at a news conference to acknowledge the growing the tally of teachers receiving pink slips or potential layoff notices. More than 26,000 teachers and other school staff have received the pink slips as of March 13, which is the last business day before the annual March 15 statutory deadline for districts to issue layoff notices for the coming school year.
Districts are handing out the notices of potential layoff to teachers and other staff in response to the state budget crisis. The recently enacted state budget included $11.6 billion in cuts to public education budget over the next 15 months.
"School districts up and down this state are sending out pink slips to tens of thousands of hard-working, dedicated teachers, administrators, and school staff," O'Connell said. "Cuts of this magnitude will have devastating effects in our classrooms across the state."
The recently enacted budget cuts come on top of several years of reduced support in the state budget for public education. Last year, roughly 10,000 teachers received pink slips and an estimated 5,000 ultimately lost their jobs.
"Before the current cuts were enacted, California already ranked 47th in the nation in per-pupil spending," O'Connell said. "These current cuts are sure to push us further down the scale. Our future depends on our ability to prepare the next generation for success in the hyper-competitive global economy. The budget crisis and the teacher layoffs we are now witnessing makes that challenge much, much harder. In order to deliver the quality education our students need we must get off this budget roller coaster and find a stable, long-term solution to education funding. Our future depends on it."
LOS ANGELES COUNTY - Describing school-based health centers as a cost effective means to provide a wide range of quality health care services to children, adolescents and at-risk youth, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas was joined by Supervisor Gloria Molina in calling for a plan to develop at least five such integrated projects within the county.
"These proposed projects would enable the integration of behavioral health services with county-funded primary care services at school based health center sites," Supervisors Ridley-Thomas and Molina stated in their joint proposal. They argued that school-based health centers will prevent worsened chronic conditions, inappropriate emergency room visits and avoidable hospitalizations in the county.
Supervisors Ridley-Thomas and Molina cited examples of other counties that have demonstrated how mental health outcomes have improved the performance of school-aged children when they received the appropriate integrated health and mental health services at school based health centers. "School-based health centers are a proven cost effective means to prevent worsened chronic conditions, inappropriate emergency room use and avoidable hospitalizations," Supervisors Ridley-Thomas and Molina wrote.
Supervisors Ridley-Thomas and Molina said that various public and private funds could be leveraged to support school based health centers that provide integrated behavioral and medical services. For example, they said, "Mental Health Services Act dollars are available to fund programs that, among other things, reduce school failure or dropouts that may result from untreated mental illness."
The Supervisors directed the County's Chief Executive Officer, the Director of the Department of Mental Health and the Interim Director of the Department of Health Services to report back with a plan, including a timeline for developing the five potential school-based health centers within the county.
The Supervisors also encouraged the county to use the non-profit Integrated Behavioral Health Project as a resource for potential model approaches that have successfully integrated behavioral and medical services statewide and nationwide. They also encouraged collaboration with the appropriate school district officials to identify opportunities to leverage joint dollars.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell Tuesday praised President Barack Obama's plan to improve public education.
"This morning I was in a meeting with President Obama where he outlined his vision for better preparing students for success in the competitive global economy, a blueprint he also shared with the nation today at a speech before the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
"I applaud the President for calling for high standards, more time in school, increased investment in high-quality early childhood education, preparation for college and career training, more comprehensive education data, supporting the recruitment, retention, and rewarding of effective teachers, and encouraging the development of high-quality charter schools as an option within our public school system.
"I also appreciate that President Obama called for a focus on closing the achievement gap that leaves too many Latino and African American students lagging behind their fellow students who are white or Asian. It is a moral and economic imperative for our state and for our nation that we close this gap and prepare all students for success.
"As a state with nationally recognized high standards, California is leading the way on some of the elements of the President's plan; in other aspects, we are on the right track but still have a long way to go. With the partnership of the federal government and the hard work of students, parents, and teachers, administrators, school board members, paraeducators, and others who care about our schools, I know we can make the changes that will make our schools the envy of the world.
"But, as the President said, and as I noted in my State of Education address last month, this won't be easy. We need increased investment and must embrace reform to make our system stronger and better equipped to provide the education that will give our students the skills to compete here in California, across the nation, and around the world."
- Montclair High implemented the college-preparatory program in 2000 with two sections and 60 students.Now, it has 13 sections, and 400 of the school's 3,100 students are in the program.
- Of the schools current AVID senior class 46 of the 51 seniors in the AVID program have been accepted at a four-year college.
- Montclair High's population students are about 78 percent Latino. More than half of the school's population is on free and reduced-price lunch programs.
- In 2007-08, Montclair High had the second-highest increase in its Academic Performance Index in San Bernardino County. It's API is 691 - which was a 45 point increase from the school's 2006-07 score. This was noteworthy since the school was targeted as a low-ranking school school and was placed on program improvement in 2002.
- In 2004, Montclair High was removed from being on program improvement with the help of a $200,000 grant, which allowed it to invest in additional tutoring and support groups to help reach the state standards.
- There is a dedicated and committed AVID team, under the leadership of the coordinator, Tina Barhorst, that has been the driving force in the development, implementation, and expansion of this highly effective program that is focused on student achievement and college readiness.
- There is a strong evidence of administrative support at both the site and district levels. The principal, Mike Hook, and the administrative team demonstrate their commitment to the program by making AVID a priority, especially when building the master schedule, accommodating AVID expansion, and determining budget allocations.
- It is evident that there is a strong commitment to professional development. At least one third of the teachers have attended regional Write Path Training or Summer Institute. In addition, six teachers are certified trainers in English, Science and AVID.
- There is a large cadre of AVID trained-college tutors, many of them AVID graduates, who facilitate effective tutorials where students are focused and engaged in academic learning.
- Montclair High School has experienced a significant growth in the number of advance placement and honors course offerings available to students, and there is evidence that students in these classes receive academic support through tutorials, teachers utilizing WICR -Writing Inquiry Collaboration, Reading - strategies schoolwide, and the availability of '"after school office hours."
- We commend the site and district administration for continuing to support the AVID program especially these difficult and challenging budget times.
- Continue excellent district support to keep AVID as a priority even in tough economic times.
- Expand the visible college-going culture found in the classrooms to other public areas such as hallways and reception areas for parents, students, community and visitors.
- Continue developing a plan to recruit and retain young men to the AVID program. We suggest using AVID students as a key component of the planning group.
- Continue efforts with feeder pattern articulation between high school and middle school districts.
the Inland Empire schools selected to participate in the California State
Student Technology Showcase on March 7 at Palm Springs Convention Center.
The event promotes excellence in education by showcasing
exemplary student projects using technology. Students will present their
projects at the Showcase from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Showcase is open to the public and will feature students
from across the state presenting exemplary projects that connect technology
with standards-based curriculum. Each project has a display area and will
demonstrate students¹ works in the areas of web, video, multimedia, graphic
art, sensor/probe data and analysis, animation, and other
curriculum-enriching applications.
The Palm Springs Convention Center is located at 277 N. Avenida
Caballeros.
Schools from the Etiwanda, Fontana and Redlands school districts
will participate in the Showcase. The following schools will have students
participating from San Bernardino County:
Etiwanda Intermediate, Perdew Elementary, Solorio Elementary from
Etiwanda School District;
Summit High School from Fontana Unified School District;
McKinley Elementary from Redlands Unified School District.
Desert Sands, Palm Springs, Temecula Valley and Val Verde
districts in Riverside County also will have students participating in the
Showcase.
The event is sponsored by the California Technology Assistance
Project, the California Department of Education and Computer Using
Educators.
For more information about the Showcase, contact Molly Large of
the Riverside, Inyo, Mono and San Bernardino (RIMS) California Technology
Assistance Project at (909) 386-2686 or mlarge@ctap10.org.
voted to name a new school site the Live Oak County Early Education Center
during its monthly meeting on Monday.
The facility, which is scheduled to open in June, is located at
2547 E. Riverside Drive in Ontario and is located in the Mountain View
School District.
The County Board received 13 suggested names for the new site.
It selected the name that was endorsed by the staff of the Maple Street
Early Education Center, which will comprise the staff of the new facility.
"There were many outstanding names nominated for the new site,
many of which are prominent community members who have made outstanding
contributions to public education in our county," said David Stine,
president of the County Board. "I think the Board of Education felt that it
was appropriate to honor the wishes of the staff who will work at the site
in selecting the name of Live Oak County Early Education Center."
Live Oak will serve early education students with special needs
in the West End of San Bernardino County.
will be the site for the tenth annual Career Information Day on March 7.
The event will feature exhibits and presentations for
workability students. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at the
CRY-ROP office at 1214 Indiana Court in Redlands.
The event is co-sponsored by the East Valley Special Education
Local Plan Area (SELPA) Transition Partnership Project and the California
Department of Rehabilitation and Workability.
The event is open only to graduating students in the
participating programs.
Some 37 local participating employers have committed to attend
the event. They represent occupations from automotive to retail, as well as
business/clerical, medical/child care and hospitality/entertainment.
There will be a performance by comedian Pete McLeod, as well as
a raffle and student/employer lunch.
For more information on the event, contact Helen Junker at the
East Valley SELPA Transition Partnership Project at (909) 777-0838.
