November 2010 Archives
The county five new charter schools, for a total of 36. Statewide, the number of charter schools stands at 912, all offering parents choice and local control, according to the California Charter Schools Association.
"Charter schools are a significant part of the future of education reform," said Steven Holguin, regional director for the association. "With a focus on a strong academic culture, they can thrive."
Ontario-Montclair staff received a request from the Inland Empire Utility Agency to allow the Chaffey district to use land on the Arroyo Elementary School site to install pipelines that will provide recycled water to the Dorothy Gibson and Valley View high school sites.
"The recycled main service point of connection for the two (schools) is in a cul-de-sac on Corona Avenue so there is no way of making that connection unless they pass through the Arroyo school property," said Craig Misso, OMSD's director of facilities planning and operations.
The plaintiff, given the pseud onym "John Roe 79," filed a law suit in August against the district for damages based on negligence, negligent hiring, sexual battery and sexual harassment as well as other issues.
Attorneys for the school district argued that the complaint should be tossed out because it was not presented within six months after the alleged abuse, as required by law.
To ensure she and other area students get there, Jorge Antunez and other parents involved with Inland Congregations United for Change have embarked on an effort to improve graduation rates in the San Bernardino City Unified School District.
"Little by little the dropout rate in the district is decreasing, but there are still a lot of dropouts, so I want to make sure my daughter graduates and gets a career," he said.
The city and the college have agreed to allow Chaffey students in the gerontology program to fulfill their internship requirements at the Senior Center. As part of their studies, students will be able to interact with seniors during programs and activities.
"The one thing students have is their energy level, and that they're showing interest in the aging population," said Ester Vargas Pipersky, Montclair's senior program specialist.
The San Bernardino City Unified School District board has initiated a process that could lead to Casa Ramona losing its charter if campus leaders are unable to demonstrate students there are receiving a quality education.
Tillman and his colleagues are waiting for district Superintendent Arturo Delgado to present Casa Ramona's exact "cure and correct" plan and deadline for solving reported problems there.
The Upland Unified School District board was able to restore four previously cut school days to students and teachers.
Five days were restored to the schedules of all other employees.
The district was able to identify the $1.9 million needed to restore the days after reviewing the state's budget, which was approved 100 days after its June 30 deadline.
Ronquillo, and Barb Sisneros, an employee of the school employee credit union Schools First, visited Rhodes Elementary School in Chino last week to serve as honorary school administrators.
"The success of a school is based on what a principal does," Ronquillo said. "He confronts various situations throughout the whole day. Facing those decisions and how he handles them is going to reflect on the credibility of the school."
The district on Aug. 6 returned the claim from the alleged victim without action because it was not presented in a timely manner under law, according to a letter sent to the plaintiff and the Zalkin Law Firm, a San Diego-based firm that represents sexual abuse victims.
"The claim which you presented to the Chino Valley Unified School District, on July 9, 2010, is being returned because it was not presented within six months after the event or occurrences as required by law," according to the letter from district risk management director Daniel Mellon.
Author: Maritza Velazquez , Staff Writer
Caltrans' Safe Routes to School program aims to increase safety and will facilitate the construction of more signs, speed feedback, and crosswalk improvements on streets surrounding seven Baldwin Park Unified schools. Caltrans allocated more than $24 million statewide.
"It's insane in front of a school with traffic and some of the maneuvers people make and kids running between cars and it's a tragedy waiting to happen," said Baldwin Park Unified Superintendent Mark Skvarna. "If we can negate something like that, then we will."
Author: Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Honeycutt and Cox are named in a special grand jury indictment from September 2007, which includes more than 100 felony counts of misappropriation of public funds and grand theft.
The case has already undergone delays because of the immense amount of discovery - more than 52,000 pages of documents and reports. Three judges have also recused themselves.
The agreement - proposed by Ontario officials - is between the school district as well as the cities of Ontario and Montclair, and would provide an adult crossing guard at the active intersections of Benson Avenue and San Bernardino/Fourth streets.
"I've never seen a partnership like this before, but I like it, and I would like to see these types of partnerships in the future," said Steve Garcia, OMSD school board president.
Caltrans' Safe Routes to School program aims to increase safety and will facilitate the construction of more signs, speed feedback, and crosswalk improvements on streets surrounding seven Baldwin Park Unified schools. Caltrans allocated more than $24 million statewide.
"It's insane in front of a school with traffic and some of the maneuvers people make and kids running between cars and it's a tragedy waiting to happen," said Baldwin Park Unified Superintendent Mark Skvarna. "If we can negate something like that, then we will."
"It might slow down the process of the application, but it's not necessarily held against you," said CSU spokesman Mike Uhlenkamp last week.
California high school students are required to take a minimum of 15 courses in English, mathematics, science and other subjects to be eligible for freshman admission to CSU or University of California campuses.
Author: Neil Nisperos , Staff Writer
An open-government watchdog is now satisfied by the school district's response correcting Brown Act violations after he threatened litigation last week.
Margaret Chidester, an attorney for Chino Valley Unified School District, told Richard McKee, Californians Aware's vice president of open-government compliance, in a letter Thursday that the district would comply with all legal requirements.
"I am very pleased with the district's response to our request for documents, which are required to be publicly available to authorize closed sessions for anticipated litigation," McKee said in a statement Friday. "This experience should demonstrate to the public the strong commitment to openness shown here by Superintendent Wayne Joseph and the district's legal counsel Margaret Chidester."
"It might slow down the process of the application, but it's not necessarily held against you," said CSU spokesman Mike Uhlenkamp last week.
California high school students are required to take a minimum of 15 courses in English, mathematics, science and other subjects to be eligible for freshman admission to CSU or University of California campuses.
As part of International Education Week, university and international students spent a few days this week celebrating their cultures' language, food, fashion, film and music using the theme "Explore Your World."
"International students enrich our educational experiences and bring in other perspectives and ideas," Cal Poly Provost Martin den Boer said.
Author: Maritza Velazquez , Staff Writer
GLENDORA - Citrus College last month closed its pool for five months in an effort to save money, but some are upset because they say the pool is an important tool in their efforts to cope with disabilities.
For Michael Peterson, a paraplegic who suffered a spinal cord injury more than 20 years ago, the pool has become central to his exercise regimen.
"It's good to get out of the chair," said the Azusa resident, who pays a monthly fee to use the pool, which has a handicap-accessible ramp. "I actually go in there and swim laps. It's good cardio and good for your skin because you're out of the chair. When you exercise, it's good for the brain."
Author: Andrew Edwards , Staff Writer
One result: Casa Ramona senior Claudia Sanchez is now left wondering if she will be able to fulfill her aspirations of attending UC Riverside and becoming a doctor.
"I was led to believe that I was eligible to go to this school," she said during a Wednesday evening community forum before pausing to gain control of her emotions.
"Because of this, I might not be able to become what I want," she continued.
For Michael Peterson, a paraplegic who suffered a spinal cord injury more than 20 years ago, the pool has become central to his exercise regimen.
"It's good to get out of the chair," said the Azusa resident, who pays a monthly fee to use the pool, which has a handicap-accessible ramp. "I actually go in there and swim laps. It's good cardio and good for your skin because you're out of the chair. When you exercise, it's good for the brain."
The pool is slated to reopen in April.
The school and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department are teaming up again this year to cite students who don't show up for school.
Late last month, authorities issued citations to 25 students.
Author: Neil Nisperos , Staff Writer
CHINO - A government watchdog said the Chino Valley Unified School District has yet to comply with state Brown Act requirements over the disclosure of facts and circumstances of anticipated litigation.
After a district action to remedy the situation at its Nov. 4 school board meeting, Richard McKee, vice president of Open Government Compliance, has again threatened litigation because he says the district has not gone far enough to correct its violations of the state open-meeting rules.
He said the school district still did not properly follow Brown Act rules to disclose facts and circumstances of anticipated litigation regarding the unpaid wages of an employee, a tort claim and a demand letter.
During an assembly, he told his story of the steps he took to become a major league player while providing inspiring words.
"In everything you do, you have to be confident in yourself, and you have to believe in yourself," Thomas said. "It is easy to quit ... anything you set up to accomplish, complete it."
Thomas R. Cordova/Staff Photographer
"My goal is to get into medical school and if I don't get in, I'll go into another profession in the medical field," said the Cal Poly Pomona biology major.
On Tuesday Lopez, 23, was sifting through opportunities to expand his undergraduate degree for a masters in public health at the Career Center's Graduate and Profession School Fair.
After years of budget cuts, layoffs and slashed programs, the Baldwin Park Unified educator said there is still a lot of good left in the system.
Her selection as one of five 2011 California Teachers of the Year has given her a voice to do just that, she said.
"So much in the media is about things that aren't good and things that have to be improved," the 53-year-old Upland resident said.
The school district, which has schools in Walnut and Diamond Bar, is conducting its own search to save money, Interim Superintendent Charles McCully said.
It conducted the last of about dozen meetings last week when administrators met with the district's Personnel Commission, he said.
Forty students and seven teachers at the school completed a two-day Safe School Ambassador training program this week that teaches students skills to stop bullying and violence.
"A lot of kids here can be bullied about being smart," sixth-grader Cassandra Zapata said. "It's a problem when some kids are not getting good grades, so they feel they need to take their anger out on another student."
Thomas R. Cordova/Staff Photographer
The shorter school year means pay cuts for district employees, but it's also a reduction in instruction for students and a hardship for some parents who have to make childcare arrangements.
"(The instructional year) used to be 180 days and that has been the standard for a really long time," said Susan Hume, Covina-Valley Unified assistant superintendent of business services. "They said you can cut five days. We are not at all happy about that. It's not good for kids or instruction, but revenue-wise, we've been cut 10 percent since 2007-08."
Press Release from the state Department of Education
SACRAMENTO - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced that the 2009-10 student enrollment data collected for the first time using the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System (CALPADS).
The information is available http://dq.cde.ca.gov/
"California districts are successfully using CALPADS to submit information that is vital in helping us develop effective policies and programs that serve the needs of our students," said O'Connell.
"The student-level enrollment data in CALPADS will help districts keep track of students who otherwise might have fallen through the cracks and dropped out. Using CALPADS will also ensure that students in our highly mobile state will get access to courses and services they need when they change schools or districts."
District residents had asked that a crossing guard be stationed at Buena Vista Arts-integrated Magnet School on the southwest corner of San Bernardino Street and Benson Avenue in Montclair.
"I've had numerous requests with issues of safety and number of cars going through the intersection at the same time kids are crossing," Montclair City Engineer Mike Hudson said.
Sanchez - who once split his time being a student at Imperial Valley College and being in the U.S. Marines - left California at 23 years old to serve his country in the Iraq War in 2003.
"When I first went to Iraq during the invasion, I remember hearing rounds of artillery coming toward me, and that was a slap to the face and a realization I was in a war zone," Sanchez said.
"You experience a lot of stuff you wouldn't experience in real life. It wasn't a bad experience, it was just different."
Press Release from University of La Verne
As the holidays draw near, many of the upcoming celebrations feature food as part of the festivities.
It is during this joyous season the suffering of those without enough to eat is felt the most. This year the University of La Verne Writing Program is asking community members to join together and help the hungry, believing such kindness nourishes those who receive as well as those who give.
On Saturday, Nov. 13, La Verne's Prism Review literary magazine, in cooperation with Inland Valley Hope Partners, is hosting Writers Harvest 2010.
This evening of great writing and great intention begins at 6 p.m. in the Ludwick Conference Center on the third floor of the university's Campus Center.
press release from state Department of Education
SACRAMENTO - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today issued the following statement regarding Governor-Elect Jerry Brown's plan to eliminate the position of Secretary for Education.
"I applaud Jerry Brown's decision to work closely with the California Department of Education and the State Board of Education, and eliminate the position of secretary for education. For too long, governance of education policy in California has been buffeted by too many competing forces. While I have admired and worked collaboratively with many appointed secretaries of education, the position itself is redundant and unnecessary. Eliminating unneeded government positions makes all the sense in the world, particularly in this era of extreme financial crisis.
"Governor-elect Brown is passionate about improving California. He and I agree that there is no greater investment in California's future than our students. The California Department of Education stands ready to work with the Brown administration to help improve public education, close the achievement gap, and help all students reach their full potential."
Press release from The Collins College of Hospitality Management
The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation has awarded $2 million to The Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona to support the college's academic building expansion. In recognition of this gift, a classroom building within the proposed facility will be named after the Marriott family.
The $2 million gift will be matched by the college's namesakes and longtime supporters Carol and Jim Collins, effectively making this a $4 million gift to the college. In 2008, Carol and Jim Collins pledged to match up to $5 million to build a $10 million educational complex. This recent gift raises the amount pledged to $7 million or 70 percent of what's needed for the project.
"This donation is pivotal as The Collins College embarks on a $10 million expansion plan," said Dean Andy Feinstein. "In giving us this gift, the Marriott Foundation is making an investment in hospitality management education, thus they are investing in the future of the hospitality industry. I am grateful for their support."
The college has benefitted from the generosity of the foundation and Marriott's corporate divisions for many years through the active recruitment of students and alumni, and other financial contributions that have bolstered student services. The college also benefits significantly by having the expertise of Marriott executives on its Board of Advisors, Feinstein said.
press release from CCSA
SACRAMENTO--The California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) today announced the largest one-year growth of new charter schools in the nation, as 115 new schools opened their doors at the beginning of the 2010-11 school year.
The total number of charter schools in California now stands at 912, the highest number of any state in the country. This is the most significant growth registered since the Charter Schools Act passed in 1992 in California, though the number of charter schools has accelerated its growth in the past decade.
All 13 high-performing schools within the Bonita Unified School District, located in the cities of San Dimas and La Verne, continue to accept enrollment applications for the current 2010-2011 school year.
Bonita welcomes students with inter-district permits. For information regarding permits and enrollment steps call the Educational Services at 909.971.8200 ext. 5320. Enrollment procedures for the 2011-2012 school year will begin in January 2012.
Marijuana use has increased by 6 percentage points among 11th graders since 2005 and 26 percent of freshman have used the drug in their lifetime, up 7 percentage points.
The survey also showed 66 percent of 11th graders in 2009 and 47 percent of freshman have consumed alcohol. Both figures are up 1 percentage point from 2005.
Author: Monica Rodriguez , Staff Writer
Nearly 150 people turned out for The People's Economic Summit organized by the Inland Empire Sponsoring Committee, an outgrowth of the Pomona Valley cluster of One LA, at First Christian Church of Pomona.
The Pomona Valley cluster of One LA is a grass-roots group focusing on issues critical to families such as education, public safety, housing and employment.
At the summit, Sponsoring Committee leaders announced they will enter into an agreement with the Career & Technical Education Center, or CTEC, at Fairplex.
Author: Wes Woods II, Staff Writer
Measure CL, a $95 million bond to upgrade Claremont Unified School District buildings and equipment, received only 39.5 percent support in last week's vote. Claremont property owners would have paid about $45 per $100,000 of assessed value for 30 years.
Michael Seder, co-chairman of the pro-bond Measure CL committee, said the measure failed, in part, because people didn't want to pay additional funds.
Author: Neil Nisperos , Staff Writer
With his dark trench coat, baggy pants and dark sunglasses, the man made a formidable figure on Monday before a large group of seventh- and eighth-grade students.
As the tough street figure delivered a motivational speech about his experiences, the students discovered underneath the artificial veneer is the reality of a former gang member turned Harvard University graduate, Richard Santana.
Author: Monica Rodriguez , Staff Writer
Had Measure SS passed, it would have generated about $4million a year for four years for academic programs, technology upgrades, visual and performing arts and the teachers to run them.
The measure received support from voters but not enough to reach the two-thirds threshold needed for approval.
Now Pomona Unified administrators will begin looking for ways to lower costs and prepare for what is expected to be $15million in cuts for the 2010-2011 school year, said Superintendent Richard Martinez.
Author: Neil Nisperos , Staff Writer
The couple has been grieving for months over the loss of their only son, Jason. The 20-year-old suffered an apparent psychological break from reality in the five days leading up to his death on Sept. 25.
The incident came less than a week after Jason began to exhibit behaviors not consistent with his personality, his parents said.
"He would curl up on the couch, and he would be sobbing, and he would say, 'Mom and Dad, what's going on?"' Linda Tennies said.
Author: Neil Nisperos , Staff Writer
Their 20-year-old son Jason was hit by a car in the early morning hours of Sept. 25 while standing in the middle of Eucalyptus Avenue near Crossroads Park. His death was preceded by five days of strange behavior that his parents now believe to have been the sudden onset of schizophrenia.
While Jason may not have had the time needed for proper care, the Tennies said it's now their goal to educate and help others about mental illness.
For teachers, it's a time to focus their attention on students who most need assistance.
For the students, the program known as Team Time gives them an opportunity to work on a subject they may be struggling with.
Author: Neil Nisperos , Staff Writer
CHINO - The school board unanimously voted Thursday to correct open meeting violations for not properly disclosing facts related to anticipated litigation.
A government watchdog reported the district did not publicly disclose information about lawsuits through agendas and announcements in the past year, despite Brown Act requirements and a previous court order.
The Chino Valley Unified school board corrected the issue by disclosing facts and circumstances about anticipated litigation.
Author: Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell, Staff Writer
For teachers, it's a time to focus their attention on students who most need assistance.
For the students, the program known as Team Time gives them an opportunity to work on a subject they may be struggling with.
Author: Monica Rodriguez , Staff Writer
"She didn't want to try to please others. She wrote to please herself," said Danette Cook Adamson, special collections librarian and archivist at the Cal Poly Pomona Library.
It wasn't until she was well into retirement that Adair and her poetry gained notoriety.
This afternoon (Friday Nov. 5) a program and exhibit celebrating the work of the Claremont poet who was Cal Poly Pomona's first woman faculty member will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Special Collections room of the Cal Poly Pomona Library, 3801 W. Temple Ave.
Author: Neil Nisperos , Staff Writer
Board members Sylvia Orozco and Charles Dickie on Tuesday easily fended off seven challengers.
"I think it says something of the two of them and the directions of the board," school board president Fred Youngblood said.
From State Supe's desk
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today thanked California voters for approving the majority of local school bond measures on the November ballot.
"Voters have great passion for improving their local school districts," said O'Connell.
"This passion is evident in the fact that even in these tough economic times voters approved nearly 70 percent of the school bond measures on yesterday's ballot. Californians voted to invest in their schools and their children's futures.
Unfortunately, only 11 percent of the parcel tax measures up for vote yesterday passed. If the vote threshold for approving parcel taxes were changed to align with the approval threshold for school bonds, 11 of the 16 parcel tax proposals that were unsuccessful yesterday would have passed."
SACRAMENTO - Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today issued the following statement regarding the election of Jerry Brown as California's next Governor and Tom Torlakson as the next State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
"I congratulate Attorney General Jerry Brown on his election as California's next Governor and Assembly member Tom Torlakson on being elected as the next State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Both of these talented and dedicated public servants are longtime friends. I know that both of them will continue to be passionate champions for students of California in their new roles.
"I look forward to working with both Governor-elect Brown and Superintendent-elect Torlakson during the next few months of transition. I also remain committed to helping each of them in coming years as they work to better California's future by improving achievement for all students and closing the achievement gap."
Central, Chaffey Joint Union High, Cucamonga, Etiwanda, Fontana and Ontario-Montclair school districts ousted a total of eight board members.
students to become more active in and to vote in the 2010 California Midterm election.
Author: Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell, Staff Writer
The creation of the altar - or ofrenda - at the Central City Lutheran Mission is one of many ways people in the San Bernardino area are celebrating Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
"It is very important in this neighborhood which is about 92 percent Latino to stick to these traditions and build unity and values in the community," said Socorro Quinones, program director of La Plaza Comunitaria, the nonprofit which created the altar.
Richard McKee, the vice president for Open Government Compliance, said the district was not disclosing facts and circumstances regarding anticipated litigation, either through its board agenda or by public announcement, despite a Brown Act requirement and a 2005 court order to do so.
The issue is expected to be addressed and corrected by the Board of Education at its meeting on Thursday, district spokeswoman Julie Gobin said.
