August 2010 Archives
The application period for the spring 2011 term will continue to remain open until September 27, the California State University announced today.
However, due to the uncertainty surrounding the state budget, the enrollment of new students for that term still remains contingent on a restoration of state funding.
After opening the application cycle on August 1, CSU campuses began the eligibility review process to admit qualified students in the event of a restored state budget or, alternatively, hold applications pending final passage of a late budget.
The CSU's traditional application cycle for admission in the spring term is August 1 through August 31.
Continue reading Spring application cycle to remain open.
Maritza Velazquez and Canan Tasci, Staff Writers
RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- The thought of enrolling in already overloaded classes, scouring parking lots for empty spaces and navigating packed campuses is enough to send a shiver down the spine of any recent high school graduate.
With the economy failing to pick up much steam, junior colleges are bracing for record enrollment while coping with small budgets.
"It's really making it difficult for our students to get the classes they need," said Paige Dorr, spokeswoman for the California Community College Chancellor's Office. "As long as the economy is what it is, we're seeing the perfect storm at California community colleges."
Mediha Fejzagic DiMartino Staff Photographer
Students wait in line Wednesday at the admission office at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga. The school offers programs to help its students afford textbooks.
Continue reading Competing for classes .
RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- The new Center for the Arts complex at Chaffey College is no mere brick and mortar building.
The three-story, 32,641- square-foot building has full-size outdoor retractable glass windows that open to an outdoor seating space for performances; a photography studio with a darkroom, studio and processing laboratory; a student artwork showcase in the lobby; and multiple fully furnished study alcoves.
"You can look outside the window that's in the elevator. That's pretty impressive," said Ivette Ramirez, a nursing student and Rancho Cucamonga resident.
Jennifer Cappuccio Maher Staff Photographer
A man climbs the staircase to the third floor at the new Center for the Arts on Tuesday at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga.
As evidence that the hard work of students, teachers, staff and administrators is paying off, test scores for the Bonita Unified School District once again show significant growth.
The state Department of Education reports standardized test scores to school districts each year.
In this year's report, BUSD showed growth on rates of proficiency in 19 of the 30 tested areas, with the largest areas of growth in Algebra II (+24%), 8th grade English/Language Arts (+10%), and 4th grade Mathematics (+9%).
Continue reading Bonita Unified School District test scores show growth .
RANCHO CUCAMONGA - The dirt clouds around Bear Gulch Elementary School may not be flattering, but they will soon be worth the trouble.
Thanks to a facility upgrade bond, the Central School District campus has been working on the $7 million plan since June.
The 15-month project will bring several improvements, including a two-story building that will have 14 classrooms, an elevator, stairs and a courtyard - highlighted by two bear paw marks on the ground.
"The site had 12 different temporary classrooms to house kids that weren't kept up in the way we wanted," said Bob Dalton, assistant to the superintendent for facility projects. "Some of these portables were sinking into the dirt."
The bond money will also pay for a building that will have restrooms and storage space, Bear Gulch Principal Susan Kohn said.
"And it will be right next to the playground, which is very convenient for the children," Kohn said.
Active construction areas will be fenced off from students.
"It's all about precautions and making sure the kids are safe," Dalton said.
Local taxpayers in 2008 approved the $31 million Measure A bond that will pay for work at Bear Gulch. The money has to be used to repair, replace and upgrade aging schools.
Elementary schools in the Central School District benefited from the money earlier this year when playgrounds were improved to meet safety standards.
"It was Christmas for our kids because they installed all new equipment over spring break, so when they came back, they were so excited," Kohn said.
Bear Gulch is at 8355 Bear Gulch Road.
Thanks to a facility upgrade bond, the Central School District campus has been working on the $7 million plan since June.
The 15-month project will bring several improvements, including a two-story building that will have 14 classrooms, an elevator, stairs and a courtyard - highlighted by two bear paw marks on the ground.
"The site had 12 different temporary classrooms to house kids that weren't kept up in the way we wanted," said Bob Dalton, assistant to the superintendent for facility projects. "Some of these portables were sinking into the dirt."
The bond money will also pay for a building that will have restrooms and storage space, Bear Gulch Principal Susan Kohn said.
"And it will be right next to the playground, which is very convenient for the children," Kohn said.
Active construction areas will be fenced off from students.
"It's all about precautions and making sure the kids are safe," Dalton said.
Local taxpayers in 2008 approved the $31 million Measure A bond that will pay for work at Bear Gulch. The money has to be used to repair, replace and upgrade aging schools.
Elementary schools in the Central School District benefited from the money earlier this year when playgrounds were improved to meet safety standards.
"It was Christmas for our kids because they installed all new equipment over spring break, so when they came back, they were so excited," Kohn said.
Bear Gulch is at 8355 Bear Gulch Road.
High school students in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties continue to make steady progress in the California High School Exit Examination.
In numbers released Tuesday, during the 2009-10 school year, 76 percent of sophomores in San Bernardino County passed the math portion of the test, up one percentage point from the previous year. In the English-language arts portion, 78 percent passed, up two percentage points from 2008-09.
In Los Angeles County, 78 percent of 10th graders passed the math and English-language arts portions of the exam, up from 77 percent in both areas in 2009.
In numbers released Tuesday, during the 2009-10 school year, 76 percent of sophomores in San Bernardino County passed the math portion of the test, up one percentage point from the previous year. In the English-language arts portion, 78 percent passed, up two percentage points from 2008-09.
In Los Angeles County, 78 percent of 10th graders passed the math and English-language arts portions of the exam, up from 77 percent in both areas in 2009.
Continue reading Area students ace state exit exam.
The state Department of Education announced Tuesday California was not selected as a winner for Phase 2 funding of the federal Race to the Top competition.
In July 2009, President Barack Obama and U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced the requirements for states to compete for $4.35 billion in federal funds, the single largest pool of discretionary funding for education reform in U.S. history.
California could have secured up to $700 million in funding for the state's schools if they were one of the states that won.
The 10 winning Phase 2 states: the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, and Rhode Island.
SACRAMENTO - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today issued the following statement after learning California was not selected as a winner for Phase 2 funding of the federal Race to the Top (RTT) competition.
"I am deeply disappointed that our application was not chosen as a winner in the Race to the Top competition. However, the loss of the funding may slow, but not defeat, our efforts to improve student achievement in California," O'Connell said. "We remain fully committed to continue seeking the strategies and resources demanded to accelerate our efforts to close the achievement gap among different groups of students by creating fundamental and far-reaching reforms.
Continue reading State Superintendent disappointed by California's loss to RTTT.
Five schools in the Inland Valley will receive local grants based on their participation in the 2010 Governor's Challenge.
San Bernardino County 2nd District Supervisor Paul Biane and 5th District Supervisor Josie Gonzales requested $24,000 from the Board of Supervisors Priority Policy Needs budget in October to provide grants to schools in their districts based on the schools' participation in the Governor's Challenge.
Students participated by exercising 30 to 60 minutes three times a week for a month.
Children logged their fitness activities into the Governor's Challenge website. More than a million students across the state participated in this year's competition.
The following is a list of 2nd District winning schools and grant amounts:
Etiwanda Grapeland Elementary School -- $5,000
Etiwanda Intermediate School -- $3,000
Rancho Cucamonga High School -- $2,000
Fontana Kathy Binks Elementary School -- $1,000
Fontana Harry S. Truman Middle School -- $1,000
The schools can use the grants to purchase physical education equipment or to support physical education programs. This is the third year in a row that the supervisors have offered local awards for the Governor's Challenge.
Continue reading Local schools given grants for keeping fit .
California was awarded nearly $51.8 million in federal Charter Schools Program grant funding through the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Innovation and Improvement.
California was announced as a grant recipient in July. However, the U.S. Department of Education recently announced $136 million would be divided among 12 state education agencies, including the California Department of Education.
A charter school is a public school that usually is created or organized by a group of teachers or community members, and may be sponsored by a local educational agency.
Continue reading California awarded charter school funding.
Chaffey Joint Union High School District awarded students with $600 scholarships at last week's board meeting.
Montclair High School graduate Maytte Tiscareno, who will be attending the University of La Verne, and Colony High graduate Jorge Cervantes, who will attend Chaffey College, were recognized at the Aug. 17 board meeting and received their checks.
The students were also recognized by their schools and board president Charles Uhalley.
Also at the board meeting, two schools will participate in the Mark Christopher Chevrolet Auto Center's "It's Cool to Stay in School" program -- Alta Loma and Ontario high schools.
Students in grades nine through 12 with perfect attendance during the 2009-10 school year from the two Chaffey Joint Union District schools are eligible to win a new car.
Last year, Colony High freshman Amylee Martin won a 2010 Chevy Cobalt, valued at $18,900, for having perfect attendance.
The only exceptions to missing school are school-sponsored field trips and activities.
This will be the third year the Ontario-based Chevrolet dealership has participated in a car giveaway for local schools.
Continue reading Chaffey Joint Union awards scholarships.
Chaffey College will host a dedication ceremony for their new Center for the Arts complex on Tuesday.
The ceremony is from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at 5885 Haven Ave., Rancho Cucamonga.
The three-story 32,641-square-feet building includes a dance studio, a lobby and alcoves, a student artist showcase, post-production laboratory and a photography studio.
Community members are invited to dedication ceremony which will include a reception guided tours and student demonstrations of each of the four buildings.
MONTCLAIR - Monte Vista Elementary School's new library and computer room is going to be Mona Romero's new home away from home.
Thanks to a program sponsored by Target and the Heart of America Foundation, the school's library at 4900 Orchard St. was picked for a makeover from three finalists in the Ontario-Montclair School District.
"We don't have a computer, and with kids now, technology is part of their homework," said Romero, who has two children attending the school.
Thanks to a program sponsored by Target and the Heart of America Foundation, the school's library at 4900 Orchard St. was picked for a makeover from three finalists in the Ontario-Montclair School District.
"We don't have a computer, and with kids now, technology is part of their homework," said Romero, who has two children attending the school.
Continue reading Monte Vista Elementary School's new library books new look .
Author: Wendy Leung , Staff Writer
High school didn't go very well for the Ontario resident. Her temper got her in the middle of a lot of fights. In her senior year, Lopez dropped out.
But now Lopez, 20, is a single mom, and she knows she'll need a high school degree if she wants to provide for her 10-month-old son.
"I need to do it for him," Lopez said.
Continue reading New Hope charter to work with once 'at-risk' young adults .
Author: Sandra Emerson , Staff Writer
In order to address the Upland Unified School District's $15 million budget shortfall, officials have decided to negotiate a seven-day work year cut with all district employees.
The superintendent and assistant superintendents agreed to the cuts in July.
Continue reading Upland Unified aims to save funds with 7-day cut .
Author: Wes Woods II, Staff Writer
The Claremont Unified school board on Thursday evening gave its approval to the agreement with the Claremont Faculty Association, which approved several cost-cutting concessions that enabled the layoffs to be rescinded, officials said.
The vote was met with applause from those in attendance, which included teachers and union and school officials.
Continue reading 30 teacher layoffs rescinded .
Author: Neil Nisperos , Staff Writer
CHINO HILLS - The school formerly known as Los Serranos Elementary will soon open as Chino Valley Unified's first online school.
Author: Neil Nisperos , Staff Writer
Enrollment began Thursday for the district's new Alternative Education Center which opens Aug. 30 as a way to better serve students who may succeed academically outside of a traditional high school environment.
It's also a way for the district to eventually recapture lost state attendance funds as a result of a loss of students who have been moved to similar schools outside the district.
Continue reading Virtual school set to open .
On the surface, it may be perceived that Chaffey Joint Union High School District students performed poorly on the 2010 Standardized Testing and Reporting program.
But Chaffey Joint Union is leading the way when its scores are compared to California school districts that just include high schools.
The STAR results, released Monday by the state Department of Education, showed that on average 48 percent of Chaffey Joint Union students were proficient in English. In math, 28 percent of the district's students were proficient. Both scores were up 3 percentage points from 2009.
However, when measured up to six comparable high school districts in the state, Chaffey Joint Union made the largest gains in both subjects.
Continue reading Chaffey district is measuring up.
From Department of Education:
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced California's kindergarten through grade twelve public schools will receive $213 million in State Fiscal Stabilization Fund (SFSF) Phase II federal stimulus funding from the U.S. Department of Education. This is the last portion of SFSF funds California was eligible to receive.
"I applaud President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for getting critically needed funds to states in order to help schools in these dire economic times," said O'Connell.
"School districts are struggling against massive state budget cuts, teacher layoffs, and program cutbacks. This funding comes at a critical time, and I have directed California Department of Education staff to disburse the funds to schools as quickly as possible."
Continue reading State school to receive $213 million in federal funding.
Author: Neil Nisperos , Staff Writer
Six of nine candidates vying for two school board seats in the Nov. 2 election attended an introductory meeting put on by Superintendent Wayne Joseph.
Questions were raised about the impact of the district losing about 1,200 students in the 2010-11 school year. Just over half of those students are expected to attend the soon-to-open Oxford Preparatory Academy charter school in Chino, officials said.
Continue reading Chino Valley school board candidates hear about district issues .
Author: Neil Nisperos , Staff Writer
So each year, Chino Valley Unified contracts with the professional development firm Action Learning Systems to provide district teachers a nearly week-long workshop on standards-based math instruction to meet academic achievement and proficiency goals set by the state.
Teachers said planning for the school year that begins Aug. 30 would be a challenge without annual coaching help from the Pasadena-based company.
Continue reading Chino Valley teachers train for new school year .
Inland Valley schools showed slight improvement in the 2010 Standardized Testing and Reporting results released Monday.
The STAR program, which began in 2003, tests students each spring in grades 2 through 11 in English, math, history and science.
The results -- released by the state Department of Education -- show that 48 percent of students in San Bernardino County are proficient in English, which is up 3 percentage points from the previous year.
In math, 43 percent of students are proficient, up 2 percentage points.
However, the gains in this year are less than the gains made in 2009, when scores were up by 5 percentage points in English and 4 in math.
Continue reading Inland Valley schools show slight gains in state testing.
DD's Discounts will host the second annual in-store donation drive in support of youth literacy efforts during the back-to-school season.
DD's Discounts is partnering with the award-winning nonprofit organization First Book to place brand-new books into the hands of children who need them most.
Through Sept. 7, DD's Discounts customers can make a donation at 57 store locations in California, Texas, Florida, Nevada and Arizona.
A $2 donation, which can be made at store registers, will provide a brand-new book to a child in the local community. DD's Discounts will match donations, up to $25,000.
All funds raised will directly support youth literacy efforts in the surrounding areas of DD's Discounts stores.
First Book's relationships with youth education programs throughout the U.S. help ensure that the funds raised in each store support the local community and provide wonderful new books to children in need.
Local DD's Discounts stores:
- 5537 Philadelphia St, Suite A, Chino. Information: 909-364-9126
- 670 E. Arrow Highway, Pomona. Information: 909-621-4125
- 714 N. Main St,. Corona. Information: 951-737-1355
Continue reading Donation drive set to support youth literacy.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that 15 school districts in California are among 124 districts nationwide to receive grants to improve the quality of teaching American history in our nation's schools.
A total of $115.3 million is being awarded.
Local school district recip:
- The office of Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles, $1,9 million.
- The office of San Bernardino County Schools will receive $1.9 million.
Continue reading Districts win grants to improve history lessons .
The Ontario-Montclair School District and Montclair's 2010-11 After-School Program began last week and is being held at 12 school sites throughout the city.
More than 900 Montclair children are enrolled in the After-School Program which operates after school and ends at 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Program components include academic assistance, enrichment programs, and recreational activities.
Continue reading After-school program at 12 school sites.
Author: Neil Nisperos , Staff Writer
The action will save $71,000 annually and could signal similar administrative budget reductions in the coming months as officials deal with a severe fiscal challenge, said district spokeswoman Julie Gobin, who is losing her clerical technician in the move.
"The last couple of years were spent finding the areas with the least amount of impact to the classroom experience, and, this year, with the $30 million deficit over the next two years, we'll be working on ways to continually improve the delivery of education to our students, but with fewer services and unfortunately fewer people," she said.
Continue reading Chino Valley schools likely to keep jobs open .
Author: Wes Woods II, Staff Writer
The list of more than 600 undergraduate institutions is based on the quality of the education they provide, the experiences of the students and how much they achieve.
Academics and career development weighed heavily in the ranking, said Claremont McKenna spokeswoman Dorothy Buchanan.
Continue reading Claremont McKenna College makes Top 10 .
Alta Loma School District board of trustees passed a resolution recognizing the possibility for needing additional budget reductions.
Board members approved the memorandum at their Aug. 11 meeting that reads, "this resolutions makes public the board's acknowledgment that further ongoing reductions to the budget will be necessary if the cost-of-living adjustments are not funded as anticipated in the district's multiyear projections.
"The specifics will need to be addressed in the district's first interim financial report" that is released in at the beginning of the year.
"This is procedural since we included the COLA for the 2011-12 and 2012-13 school years in our 2010-11 budget," said Jim Ashton, Alta Loma's associate superintendent of administrative services.
Due to the uncertainty of the state's financial position, the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools requires districts to designate a portion of the unrestricted fund balance reserves or develop a fiscal action plan to recognize potential budget reduction in the amount of the cost-of-living adjustment in the event that it does materialize as anticipated.
Author: Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Christopher Agrella wants to serve in public office. And through a strange set of circumstances, he's doubling his chances of doing it.
The 56-year-old Montclair resident is slated to appear on the Nov. 2 ballot as a candidate for both the Montclair City Council and the Ontario-Montclair school board. It's a rare situation that has raised the eyebrows of political experts, county officials and Agrella's opponents.
But perhaps no one was more surprised than Agrella.
Continue reading Candidate runs for Montclair council and school board .
ONTARIO --School bells will be ringing this week across the Inland Valley as seven local school districts begin their new years.
For the second year, the first day of school comes weeks earlier than in the past for students in the Chaffey Joint, Alta Loma, Central, Cucamonga, Etiwanda, Fontana Unified and Ontario-Montclair school districts, which cover the cities of Ontario, Montclair, Rancho Cucamonga and part of Fontana.
"We're very excited," said Rhonda Cleeland, principal at Euclid Elementary School in Ontario.
Continue reading Students at six school district start school.
MONTCLAIR - A courtyard, computer lab, two Disney murals and 2,000 new books will all be a part of Monte Vista Elementary School's library makeover.
Thanks to a program sponsored by Target and the Heart of America Foundation, the school at 4900 Orchard St. was picked for the makeover from three finalists in the Ontario-Montclair School District.
Renovations to the library will include light construction, new eco-friendly design elements, furniture, shelves, flooring and fresh paint.
Thanks to a program sponsored by Target and the Heart of America Foundation, the school at 4900 Orchard St. was picked for the makeover from three finalists in the Ontario-Montclair School District.
Renovations to the library will include light construction, new eco-friendly design elements, furniture, shelves, flooring and fresh paint.
Author: Neil Nisperos , Staff Writer
CHINO - An elective course on the Bible as history and literature will be offered at two Chino Valley high schools starting later this month.
The Board of Education on Thursday approved the textbook for the class amid applause from members of the congregation from Calvary Chapel Chino Hills who attended the meeting.
Calvary Chapel members have pledged to pay for all of the textbooks for the course and already collected donations amounting to $15,000 to be turned over to the district, Calvary Chapel Pastor Jack Hibbs said.
The Board of Education on Thursday approved the textbook for the class amid applause from members of the congregation from Calvary Chapel Chino Hills who attended the meeting.
Calvary Chapel members have pledged to pay for all of the textbooks for the course and already collected donations amounting to $15,000 to be turned over to the district, Calvary Chapel Pastor Jack Hibbs said.
Neil Nisperos/ Staff
There is a correction in the Daily Bulletin's front page story about area schools beginning today.
While there are some schools that do begin today, the Chaffey Joint Union High School District begins Tuesday.
Many teacher's will be on campus preparing for the new school year, but students will not being their new year until tomorrow.
The district includes Ontario, Montclair, Rancho Cucamonga, and portions of Fontana, Upland, Chino and Mt. Baldy.
Chaffey Joint Unified operates eight comprehensive high schools, one continuation high school, one community day school and one adult school.
There are also some area schools who will be using today as pep-time.
San Bernardino County board of education member David Stine will not seek re-election.
He has served the county for two decades.
"I have failed retirement three times and I feel after 21 years on the board it was time for me to give someone else the opportunity to serve the West End," said Stine, whose Area B seat serves the Alta Loma, Central, Etiwanda, Mt. Baldy Joint, Ontario-Montclair, and Upland Unified school districts.
"I have valued my time on the board and I hope I've made a contribution."
He has served the county for two decades.
"I have failed retirement three times and I feel after 21 years on the board it was time for me to give someone else the opportunity to serve the West End," said Stine, whose Area B seat serves the Alta Loma, Central, Etiwanda, Mt. Baldy Joint, Ontario-Montclair, and Upland Unified school districts.
"I have valued my time on the board and I hope I've made a contribution."
Continue reading Candidates file nomination papers for school board seats .
San Bernardino County board of education member David Stine will not seek re- election .
He has served the county for two decades.
"I have failed retirement three times and I feel after 21 years on the board it was time for me to give someone else the opportunity to serve the West End," said Stine, whose Area B seat serves the Alta Loma, Central, Etiwanda, Mt. Baldy Joint, Ontario-Montclair, and Upland Unified school districts.
Continue reading Candidates file nomination papers for school board seats .
Author: Monica Rodriguez , Staff Writer
Pomona Unified School District administrators have proposed placing the tax before voters in the district, which includes Pomona and parts of Diamond Bar.
The tax - if approved - would generate about $4 million a year for four years, according to the district.
Continue reading PUSD board to vote on putting tax on ballot .
MONTCLAIR - Jay Cyrus didn't know how much of a difference he could make in a person's life just by handing the person a pair of shoes.
The Montclair High School senior and 13 of his classmates on Wednesday volunteered at Kidcare International - a nonprofit that helps disadvantaged children - to assist people as they shopped for clothes.
The students' volunteerism was motivated by The Brotherhood Academy. The new club on the Montclair High campus promotes academics, civic responsibility, leadership and personal growth.
"Man, I've played football my whole life, and I never thought I had a soft side," said Jay, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound football player. "But helping these kids out today who can't afford clothes or shoes - it's just a good thing, a good thing."
"When I took this boy shoes - he was so happy, it was really nice to see the smile on his face."
Thomas R. Cordova/ Staff Photographer
Continue reading Montclair High club promotes civic responsibility .
Author: Sandra Emerson , Staff Writer
UPLAND - Brian and Marie Oliver's interest was peaked when they heard an online charter school was opening in the city.
The Olivers' daughter, Jenna, 11, recently graduated from Sycamore Elementary School in Upland and has shown interest in attending junior high classes at Mercury Academy, a charter school that combines online learning with local on-site classrooms.
"I think since it's something new it's kind of hard to compare it," said Brian Oliver, a resident of Upland. "It sounds kind of exciting, because it sounds like there's a lot of room for acceleration and doing well. You don't have those options a lot of time in elementary, or even in junior high."
The Olivers' daughter, Jenna, 11, recently graduated from Sycamore Elementary School in Upland and has shown interest in attending junior high classes at Mercury Academy, a charter school that combines online learning with local on-site classrooms.
"I think since it's something new it's kind of hard to compare it," said Brian Oliver, a resident of Upland. "It sounds kind of exciting, because it sounds like there's a lot of room for acceleration and doing well. You don't have those options a lot of time in elementary, or even in junior high."
Continue reading Online school logs on .
Author: Monica Rodriguez, Staff Writer
the main item on the agenda of Thursday's meeting of the Pomona
Unified School District Board of Education.
The board will meet in open session at 7:30 p.m. in the board room of
the district's headquarters, 800 S. Garey Ave.
Board members will hold a public hearing before voting on the matter.
Continue reading Pomona Unified to make decision on parcel tax ballot measure.
Author: Neil Nisperos , Staff Writer
The former San Bernardino County public school teachers are among dozens of teachers recently hired at Oxford Prep. The charter school is set to open Sept. 7 at the site of the former El Rancho Elementary School.
"We're getting the freedom to create our own programs, which is going to allow us to be more positive and excited and promote that excitement and energy in the students," Jackson said.
"I'm coming from a school that was very boxed in by the district and the administration. Now, I don't have to follow the same curriculum as everybody else. I can do my own thing."
Music teachers Bill Fritz, left, and Chris Jackson, center, discuss plans with Oxford Preparatory Academy's educational services director, Jason Watts, at the new charter school set to open in Chino in September.
Continue reading Educators are energized .
ONTARIO - Ontario-Montclair School District teachers for the past two weeks learned how to make math more relevant to their students.
Thanks to an $8 million grant from the National Science Foundation, 50 elementary and middle school teachers were trained by experts on algebra concepts and ideas designed to improve student achievement.
"I've been taught so much in the past two weeks," said Robin Carr, a fourth-grade teacher at Lehigh Elementary School.
"Now I have better knowledge of why I'm doing math, and that helps my kids with knowing why it needs to be done."
Thanks to an $8 million grant from the National Science Foundation, 50 elementary and middle school teachers were trained by experts on algebra concepts and ideas designed to improve student achievement.
"I've been taught so much in the past two weeks," said Robin Carr, a fourth-grade teacher at Lehigh Elementary School.
"Now I have better knowledge of why I'm doing math, and that helps my kids with knowing why it needs to be done."
Continue reading OMSD teachers learn math instruction tips .
ONTARIO - Ontario-Montclair School District Superintendent James Hammond is not just excited about the new school year, but also about getting to know his new staff.
For three days last week Hammond - who joined the district on July 1 - rallied members of his administration to share his vision for the work in the coming years while focusing on building on a solid foundation of shared commitment to student achievement.
"If you are staff - and that's everyone from administration, principals, teachers, custodians, food services - then you have a scope of influence and leadership to making this district better," Hammond said.
For three days last week Hammond - who joined the district on July 1 - rallied members of his administration to share his vision for the work in the coming years while focusing on building on a solid foundation of shared commitment to student achievement.
"If you are staff - and that's everyone from administration, principals, teachers, custodians, food services - then you have a scope of influence and leadership to making this district better," Hammond said.
Continue reading New OMSD superintendent shares vision for schools .
California become the latest state to adopt a set of national benchmarks in math and English, despite objections from some educators about new algebra standards.
The state Board of Education vote on Monday to approve Common Core State Standards makes California one of 34 states to adopt initiatives for K-12 public education.
The standards are expected to be implemented state-wide in four years.
"Despite our progress, the achievement gap persists and leaves far too many students of color and poverty behind their peers," said Jack O'Connell, state superintendent of public instruction.
The state Board of Education vote on Monday to approve Common Core State Standards makes California one of 34 states to adopt initiatives for K-12 public education.
The standards are expected to be implemented state-wide in four years.
"Despite our progress, the achievement gap persists and leaves far too many students of color and poverty behind their peers," said Jack O'Connell, state superintendent of public instruction.
Continue reading California adopts new academic standards .
