May 2010 Archives
from Huff's office:
Senator Bob Huff (R - Diamond Bar) announced today that Senate Bill 1051, a bill to help students suffering from a seizure while at school, was blocked by Democrats under pressure from public employee unions, despite the fact the bill has no costs to the state. SB 1051 failed to earn votes in Senate Appropriations, a committee tasked with analyzing fiscal aspects of legislation.
SB 1051 would have allowed volunteer school employees to be trained to provide emergency medical assistance to students suffering from a seizure. Volunteers would use FDA approved, Diastat, a pre-dosed preparation of diazepam gel. Diastat is a proven safe and effective treatment, specifically designed to be administered by people without medical training.
The tests are given to determine students' language-proficient skills as well as for placement purposes.
Alta Loma: 44 tested / 10 advanced
Apple Valley Unified 1,255 tested / 61 advanced
Baker Valley Unified 48 tested / 1 advanced
Barstow Unified 843 tested / 115 advanced
The California English Language Development Test results released by the state Department of Education on Friday show there was no percentage gain in testing at schools in the two counties from 2008-09 to 2009-10.
The test annually assesses listening and speaking skills for English learners in kindergarten and first grade as well as listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in grades 2-12.
"I think of these kids as 2,100 of my own," DeFabiis said. "I'm like their guardian - I'm able to interact with them, talk about how their day is going, keep them safe and see them grow during their time at the high school."
DeFabiis' relationship with students on the Ontario campus is not uncommon among classified employees - which include bus drivers, food service workers and secretaries.
While teacher layoffs have grabbed the most attention in recent months, the loss of a classified employee has a sizeable impact on a school's day-to-day operations.
This school in the Mountain View School District received the honor for its academic excellence as well as active parental involvement and use of technology in classrooms.
"Parent involvement is critical - parents are our first teachers and our most important teachers," O'Connell said. "That's one of the signature practices that made this school a distinguished school."
"I am so excited," Amylee said.
The Colony High School sophomore on Thursday won a 2010 Chevy Cobalt valued at $18,900 for having perfect attendance as part of Mark Christopher Chevrolet Auto Center's "It's Cool to Stay in School" program.
Amylee, 16, was one of five finalists who each received a key from the dealership. Amylee's key was the only one to start the car. The other four finalists won a $100 Visa gift card.
Students in grades nine through 12 with perfect attendance during the 2009-10 school year from the two Chaffey Joint Union High School District schools were eligible to win the new car.
The only exceptions to missing school were school-sponsored field trips and activities.
Amylee went into a drawing with 266 other students.
Perfect attendance can added up to $1 million in revenues for the district that has schools in Ontario, Montclair and Rancho Cucamonga.
The 35-miles-per-gallon, fuel-efficient black car includes perks, such as a rear spoiler and a one-year plan for OnStar, an auto safety and security system.
If that's not enough - the dealership will also pay for the Cobalt's tax and license and the winner will receive $1,000 in gas cards donated by Alpine Collision Center.
This is the second time the Ontario-based Chevrolet dealership has participated in a car give-away for the local schools.
Other students who had perfect attendance were at the giveaway. They received raffle tickets and some won donated prizes, including an iPad, iPod, flat-screen televisions, gift cards and more.
Unfortunatley, Amylee doesn't have a driver's license or even a permit.
While school boards scrambled to save as many jobs as possible, the current economic climate has forced many districts to lay off teachers and increase class sizes.
Across the Inland Valley, the total number of final layoff notices is at least 686 teachers, counselors, nurses and other certificated personnel.
The Governor continues to propose cuts to education, children's programs and critical social services that are intolerable and unconscionable. The first responsibility of our elected officials is to meet the fundamental needs of all of our children, including a quality education.
The Governor stated that a budget should be a reflection of what we value most. Yet, his proposal does not at all support what Californians care about most: our children.
The Governor also spoke about the need to create jobs and stimulate our economy. Healthy, well educated students are critical for a strong economy.
"I applaud Gov. Schwarzenegger for understanding the critical role community colleges play in revitalizing California's economy. By investing in students, he is aiding our fiscal recovery efforts. This is the worst economic situation I have ever seen and there are no easy options left for addressing California's massive budget crisis. I do believe that by investing in the community colleges, the governor and Legislature will get Californians back to work quickly, which will infuse money into our economy and increase our tax revenue base.
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation. It is composed of 72 districts and 112 colleges serving 2.9 million students per year. Community colleges supply workforce training, a basic skills education and prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The Chancellor's Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges.
press release from CSU:
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's May Revision of the state budget continues to include the proposed restoration of $305 million to the California State University's 2010-11 budget, as well as an additional $60.6 million to support enrollment growth across the CSU's 23 campuses.
"Governor Schwarzenegger has made supporting higher education a priority and we appreciate the continued commitment of his administration," said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. "The return of these funds will allow us to restore and preserve student access at campuses across the state. By reinvesting in California's public universities, we will all ultimately benefit from the creation of jobs which is vital to the state's economic recovery and prosperity."
An updated economic impact study that was released earlier this week by the CSU reported that CSU-related expenditures support over 150,000 jobs and create over $17 billion in economic activity annually. Additionally, every $1 that the state invests in the CSU has a return on investment of $5.43.
In addition, median API Base scores countywide advanced for the 11th consecutive year. The median API base of 767 for 2009 was 16 points higher than last year.
press release from the office of Tom Torlakson:
Assembly member Tom Torlakson's AB 1876 has passed off the Assembly Floor and is headed to the Senate. The bill has two purposes: to allow existing grants from the state-funded After School Education and Safety (ASES) program to be used for weekend program-related activities; and provides a preferential re-application process for successful after-school programs funded by the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers program.
Currently, the Department of Education permits publicly-funded after-school providers to use base grants to pay for weekday program-related activities after school has been let out; AB 1876 would allow base grants to include weekend activities.
"Both of our awardees have accomplished so much, despite the challenges they have had to overcome," said Mt. SAC Student Services Vice President Audrey Yamagata-Noji. "Isaac and Carmen no longer need to worry about how they will get to the next step of their educational journey. The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has built the bridge to the future for these two, very deserving students."
press release from PUSD:
It's north, to Alaska, for teachers and students at Pomona's Garey High School, thanks to the initiative of teachers there who won a $30,000 UCLA grant.
Teacher Debbie LeAnce explains:
"We will be engaging in a two-year-long series of professional development aimed at preparing our team of teachers to engage our largely low-income, urban students, expand their worldview, help them discover the relevance of science and mathematics to the real world, challenge them with increased use of technology in classroom, and allow them to participate with their teachers in a journey to Alaska -either by web-casting or via the students we hope to take with us on the trip itself.
Garey High School teachers Ana Rodriguez-Lopez, Debbie LeAnce, and Ramona Dinger, won a competitive $30,000 UCLA grant to help expand students' horizons beyond their Pomona neighborhoods with mathematics, science, and possibly a trip to Alaska.
Congress and the Obama administration should use the upcoming reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 to promote more consistent and rigorous academic standards across states, as well as more consistent and relevant teacher qualification requirements, according to a new RAND Corporation report.
The report finds that the flexibility provided for in the Elementary and Secondary Act - which originated in 1965 and was reauthorized as No Child Left Behind in 2001 - has expanded the patchwork of accountability systems across states. The result is 52 separate systems, each with different academic standards, levels of student proficiency and requirements for teacher certification.
The RAND recommendations follow several years of study and evaluation conducted by RAND and others for the U.S. Department of Education. The nonprofit research institution has examined the impacts of the No Child Left Behind law on teachers, schools, school districts and at the state level.
Twelve of San Bernardino County's were granted admission to the California State Summer School for the Arts.
Upon graduation from the program the summer school program, students will be named California Arts Scholars. CSSSA has granted the students of San Bernardino County with more than $11,000 in scholarship funds.
Celebrating its 24th year, the California State Summer School for the Art' mission is to nurture the next generation of artists and arts professionals in animation, creative writing, dance, film & video, music, theatre, and visual arts.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today urged all schools to honor nurses serving California students during National School Nurse Day on Wednesday, May 12.
"Can you imagine one adult taking care of 2,155 children?" asked O'Connell.
"That's what we ask of our 2,901 school nurses in California who serve the state's 6.3 million students, some of whom have debilitating physical conditions that demand specialized health care. These health care professionals are often students' first line of defense against illness. That's why I ask you to join me in honoring school nurses for all the great work they do to help keep our children healthy in school and ready to learn."
On May 4 the Sierra La Verne Country Club the Chamber hosted the annual Teachers of the Year awards ceremony for the teachers in all the La Verne schools including in the Bonita Unified School District. The teachers being honored are: Irene Wolschon Bonita High School Paula Brandt Calvary Baptist Rose Awuchi Afflerbaugh-Paige H.S. Susan Francis Damien High School Kim Jeter Grace Miller Elementary Debbie Marshall Holy Name of Mary John Pusztai Joan Macy School Silvana Fadel LeRoy Haynes Jamie Consigholahti Lutheran High School Patti Baughman Oak Mesa Elementary Elana Webb Ramona Middle School Elizabeth Lee Roynon Elementary
After its fourth Senate hearing, Senator Bob Huff (R - Diamond Bar) announced today that Senate Bill 1051, a bill to help students suffering from a seizure while at school, passed the Senate Health Committee in the face of heavy union opposition.
"This bill has received far more scrutiny than nearly any bill in the legislature this year," saidSenator Huff. "But the issue is very simple: should we help kids in need or not?"
SB 1051 will permit volunteer school employees to be trained to provide emergency medical assistance to students suffering from seizures. Some children with epilepsy are susceptible to prolonged seizures and require access to a life-saving emergency medication. FDA approved, Diastat Acudial, a pre-dosed preparation of diazepam gel, is the standard out-of-hospital treatment for prolonged seizures. Diastat is a safe and effective treatment, specifically designed to be administered by people without medical training.
Many school employee and nurses' unions, including the California Teachers Association (CTA) and the California Nurses Association (CNA), believe only school nurses should administer Diastat. However, proponents of the bill say it is vital to have trained employees, even if a school has a nurse, because a nurse may not be in the proximity of a child who is suffering a seizure.
More than 100 students packed into the campus Bronco Student Center on Thursday firing questions, comments and concerns at Provost Martin denBoer about his suggestion.
"We're not trying to personally attack (the provost), nor are we directly mad at him, but we are very emotional and in the long run this was his recommendation," said Alex Brown, a fourth-year fine arts major.
"We're just hoping to open his eyes and let him know we have a quality program and that we matter."
The event is part of the nationally recognized Provider Appreciation Day, which was established to recognize child care providers, teachers and other educators of young children. The banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m.; attendance is for child care providers by invitation only. The top providers were nominated by parents and community members.
KidsNCare offers resources for parents, child care providers, and the community on behalf of children. Programs include childcare Resource & Referral, the Centralized Eligibility List, subsidized childcare and a Child Care Food Program.
Programs are funded through the Child Development Division of the California Department of Education. The County Schools office administers the programs. KidsNCare has offices in San Bernardino, Victorville and Rancho Cucamonga.
For more information on the Provider Appreciation banquet, contact KidsNCare in San Bernardino at (909) 890-0011.
The annual show is a juried event and features the best original work by Mt. SAC art, photography, and animation students. A special opening reception with entertainment and refreshments will be held Thursday, May 13, from 4 to 6 p.m.
Gallery hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Evening hours are held on Tuesdays from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
For more information, call the Art Gallery at (909) 594-5611, ext. 4328.
The event will be held from 7:30-11:45 a.m. on May 13 at Pacific, which is located at 1020 Pacific St. in San Bernardino.
The classroom demonstration is called "Fighting Fires with Algebra." Tom Rubio of the San Bernardino City Fire Department will demonstrate how California's seventh-grade algebra and Functions Standard 1.2 is used in firefighting.
The activity involves using math to find the correct engine pressure to compensate for friction loss from different fire hose lengths, composition, nozzles and outlets.
The program is coordinated through the San Bernardino City Fire Department, the City Professional Firefighters and the County Superintendent of Schools' Alliance for Education program.
The Alliance for Education is a partnership with business/labor/community leaders to develop and demonstrate authentic applications of math found in the workplace to students in the classroom or at the business/industry sites.
For more information on the demonstration, contact Kim Terry with the Alliance for Education at (909) 386-2636.
The recommendation to terminate the services of certificated employees - primarily teachers and counselors - was proposed based on hearings conducted by an administrative law judge.
Hearings determine whether the district has properly followed the Education Code procedure and accurately notified employees. The hearings are standard and procedural.
"These last couple years is not a journey I've ever wanted to take, it's been torturous and difficult for everybody," said Jan Thornhill, president of Associated Chaffey Teachers.
All offer comprehensive child development programs and holds classes three hours per weekday in the morning and afternoon. To get on an eligibility list, contact KidsNCare's Centralized Eligibility List at (800) 722-1091.
Eligibility for the programs is based on income that will be determined on a sliding scale. A family of three with a monthly gross income of $3,769 or less would meet the eligibility requirements, as would a family of six with a gross income of $5,528. Those enrolling their children do not have to be employed.
Morning and afternoon classes have lunches provided. Students need to be 4 years old by Dec. 2 of the school year to receive first priority. Students need to be 3 years old by Dec. 2 of the school year to receive second priority. Parents with children attending preschool will be encouraged to volunteer in the classroom. For more information, contact the County Schools' State Preschool program at (909) 777-0776.
Fom state supt's desk:
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced the California Department of Education (CDE) received the IT (Information Technology) Innovators Award from the WhyITNow.org initiative based out of Folsom, California.
"California has long been on the cutting edge of innovation thanks to the high tech industry that has made the state a world economic powerhouse," said O'Connell.
"That's why the California Department of Education places such a high emphasis on IT not only for our staff, but also in the classroom to prepare our students for our hypercompetitive, global economy. I am proud to accept the IT Innovators Award on behalf of the California Department of Education."
The students - all enrolled in an elective course called TEAM, which stands for Teacher Education Academy at Miller - received a five-hour tour Wednesday at Chaffey College.
"I want to go to college, but I never knew where to go, but now, Chaffey looks pretty good," Miller sophomore Terah Bautista said.
DenBoer told the department of art on Wednesday.
"It's no secret that these are unprecedented fiscal times," denBoer said.
"We must be responsible to the communities we serve and invest the university's diminished resources in programs that meet the highest standards of academic quality. After a comprehensive review, we believe it is in the best interests of the department and college to close the program."
Board members on Thursday voted 4-0 to suspend all busing services affecting about 2,800 students beginning the 2010-11 school year except for special education students and students who are receiving busing services through the Individualized Education Program.
"The message is that parents are going to be responsible to get their child to school safely and the school's responsibility will be to educate them," board president Brynna Cadman said.
