Results tagged “Chino Valley Unified School District” from Chino Valley Now
By Neil Nisperos
Staff Writer
After months of planning, supporters of a new charter school in the Chino Valley asked the school board to approve the new academy at the now-closed Los Serranos Elementary School site in Chino Hills.
Purple-shirted supporters implored Chino Valley Unified district board members during a public hearing Thursday to support the charter proposal. They hope to open the tuition-free K-8 Oxford Preparatory Academy for about 650 students by September 2010.
The board is expected to vote on the matter at its Dec. 10 meeting.
Among those calling for district support is Sue Roche, the principal of Rhodes Elementary School in Chino, the school with the district's highest API score. She said many of the founding members of the charter school have children at Rhodes.
"This is a wonderful idea for the area," Roche said. "First, it offers our parents a choice, and it gives parents the opportunity to consider a revolutionary education and endeavoring and embarking upon a new concept new for this area and to make a difference in the lives of children free from the bureaucracy in school districts."
Roche was joined in the public hearing by former Rhodes Assistant Principal Jason Watts, now assistant principal at Chaparral Elementary School. Both said the new school would have more autonomy to implement needs and resources desired by the school community, normally slowed and hindered by red tape.
"Let's say we have students that have specific needs or exhibiting symptoms that can be diagnosed as autism," said Watts, who hopes to administer the new school with Roche.
"We want to buy resources to address these students' needs in the classroom and instead of taking months, we can just buy it and have those students' needs addressed immediately. When we feel we need to meet the needs of students, we don't feel there should be a time delay."
Roche agreed.
"This frees us up from the bureaucracy to really focus on what schools should be about -- the education of children," she said. "Every aspect of the educational program is centered on the students."
Education at the new school would also be based on the theory of multiple intelligences, which Roche said she had success with in top-scoring district schools like Country Springs and Rhodes elementary schools.
The theory, created by Harvard psychologist Howard Gardner and furthered by educators, suggests students learn better when their education is focused using the student's preferred way of learning new things, whether it be musically, physically, verbally or visually, among others.
"Multiple intelligences is a way to teach students using their strengths," Watts said. "Maybe students have a great talent in music, so we present lessons and instruction to students based on the way they learn."
Roche said she expects to hire "top gun" teachers with the best credentials and these teachers would expect better pay and better job security than district teachers who face the danger of layoffs from state education cuts.
"They must be fully credentialed and held to the same standards in a public school system, but they also need to fully buy into our program and learn what it takes for our multiple intelligence format," she said.
Supporters proposed Oxford Preparatory Academy to open at Los Serranos, which was closed in June with two other district schools as part of budget cuts.
Boardmember Michael Calta said Friday he was inclined to support the charter school because its petition answers many of the contractual issues an earlier petition failed to address, though he said he thinks the closed El Rancho Elementary School in Chino would be a better location.
"It's more centrally located and an opportunity for El Rancho students because of the closure to have access to a neighborhood school," Calta said.neil.nisperos@inlandnewspapers.com
(909) 483-9356
CHINO -- Edmond Heatley has withdrawn from his candidacy for a school district Superintendent position in Nevada and is considering a similar position in Georgia.
Heatley has been superintendent of the Chino Valley Unified School District since 2005.
Barbara Clark, board president of the Reno-based Washoe County School District, said Heatley notified her of his decision.
Clark could not confirm where Heatley would be working.
Heatley did not return calls for comment though school board member Michael Calta said he spoke to Heatley on Wednesday regarding the news.
"He confirmed he had been offered a superintendent position in Georgia, but he has not confirmed he's acepted the position yet," Calta said. "He didn't tell me what district. He will first notify the board before he make his decision public."
Heatley was apparently a top finalist for the superintendent position in Washoe County School District, which is the second largest school district in Nevada.
Washoe County school officials had been planning to visit the Chino Unified School District this the week.
Clark, who is helping lead the Washoe County district's superintendent search, said her district is disappointed in the change of plan.
"Yes, we are certainly disappointed in this news and I think it speaks to the quality of Dr. Heatley's candidacy that obviously he was a skilled and knowledgable candidate that is going to be pursued by other school districts," Clark said. "I think all the top candidates for superintendent positions are probably being courted by more than one school district."
Last week, Heatley visited Reno for an interview, during which he addressed concerns from the public and school officials.
"Heatley was at the forefront," Clark said.
Teacher and employee layoffs would be unavoidable in dealing with a projected school district budget deficit, according to a new district report.
According to a budget analysis presented by the Chino Valley Unified School District, officials must find ways to cut its budget within the next three fiscal years or face a $50 million shortfall.
Among the preliminary ideas is to lay off employees.
"There is no way to reduce $50 million without impacting staffing," according to a report by George Landon, district Assistant Superintendent for Business Services. "How many is still to be determined."
Other budget tightening measures being considered include "likely" cuts to district office positions, and the elimination of class size reductions, according to the report.
The proposed deficit this year, district officials said, would be about $36 million. Next year, without cuts, the deficit would amount to about $20 million, and cumulatively, $50 million in the 2010-2011 school year, according to the report.
Notification of any cuts to teaching staff must be made by March 15, said district Board member Michael Calta.
"In an effort to be compassionate and empathetic, the District will notify impacted employees as soon as we have direction on the preliminary reduction plan," according to Landon's report.
Calta also said an approved budget would also be sent to the County by the end of March.
The County certification of a budget with shortfall, or a negative certification, could mean the possible appointment of a fiscal advisor, who would have veto power on Council decisions, Calta said.
Board members said they would do all they could to avoid that.
"My plan is not to have a negative certification," said district Board member Fred Youngblood.
Calta said he is "doing his homework right now" in order to find ways to avoid layoffs.
"We will look under every single rock to be able to avoid layoffs and, the reason is, every employee adds value to our children's education," Calta said. "I can't disagree with (Landon) right now, because I haven't finished doing my homework. It's now the board's turn to study the issue out and hear from the public and consider every possible way. Then by March, we're gonna have to make some decisions."
Officials said the projected district shortfall stems from a state budget shortfall estimated at $40 billion. The latest budget proposal from the governor calls for a nearly $6 billion cut to education over the next 18 months.
"Obviously there will be some pain felt on all levels," Youngblood said. "Our goal should be to maintain a high level of quality education for our children."
The district invites parents to two presentations on the budget. The first will be held in the multipurpose room at Magnolia Junior High School, 13150 Mountain Avenue, at 5 p.m. tonight. The next is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Chino Hills High School multipurpose room on Monday, Feb. 23.
Chino Valley Unified School District will hold its first golf tournament on March 23 to raise funds for student scholarships. The scholarships will be awarded to students from Ayala, Buena Vista, Chino, Chino Hills and Don Lugo High Schools.
Criteria for selecting the students will be based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership throughout the school and community and the students' need for financial assistance.
"The focus of the District over the past few years has been increased academic rigor," said Julie Gobin, District Spokeswoman. "The students, the staff and the teachers have embraced the challenge and now it's time for our community to show their support to our students who have achieved outstanding results."
The tournament will be hosted at Los Serranos Golf and Country Club and begins with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Breakfast and registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Golfers will be able to enjoy a buffet luncheon and raffle after they finish the course's 18 holes.
A variety of sponsorship opportunities are available. The District is hoping for 145 golfers on the day of the event.
"The economy does not appear to be on our side at this time as many tournaments are being canceled or postponed, however, we believe that there is unconditional support for the educational program at the District and the successes that have been achieved in recent years," Mrs. Gobin said. "The tournament is a great way to show support for our students while having fun and meeting others who share the vision."
To register, sponsor or obtain more information, visit the District's web site at www.chino.k12.ca.us or contact the Communications Office at (909) 628.1201 Ext. Chino Valley Unified School District serves 33,330 students in Chino, Chino Hills and
Ontario. There are 36 schools in the District including 22 elementary (K-6), 2 fundamental (K-6 & K-8), 5 junior highs and 4 high schools and 3 alternative schools.
One elementary school operates on a year-round basis. The District employs about 3,160 persons, making it one of the largest employers in San Bernardino County. The District's annual budget is approximately $249 million. The District's Motto is: Student
Achievement, Safe Schools and Positive School Climate.
The Chino Valley Unified School District will offer supplemental summer instruction for students interested in making up core academic credits or wanting to improve academic skills. The District will begin accepting Summer School registration applications for incoming 10-12th grade students beginning Feb. 16; and, incoming 7-9th grade students beginning April 20. Elementary students' parents will receive written notice if their child is recommended for supplemental summer instruction.
Applications will be available at school sites where students are currently enrolled on the first day of registration, Feb. 16th for current 9-12th grade; and, April 20th for current 6-8th grade. Applications must be returned to the student's school site and will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis by date and time received. However, priority will be given to: 1) seniors who need course credit to graduate; 2) students who have failed a course; or, 3) students who have less than a 2.0 GPA.
If space is still available after all students currently enrolled in CVUSD schools have registered, the remaining openings shall be offered to private school students residing within district boundaries.
The Chino Valley Unified School District Science Fair will be held Feb. 23 to the 25 at Liberty Elementary School, 2730 S. Bon View Ave., Ontario.
School site competitions will have been held to determine which projects will advance to the district event. This year, eighteen schools are expected to send representatives from grades 4-12 to compete.
Volunteers are needed to judge the projects, no science background or experience is needed. Judges will interview the children about their projects using predetermined criteria.
For more information or to sign up to judge student projects, contact John Lynde at (909) 628-1201, ext 1590.
Kindergarten registration for the 2009-2010 school year will begin the first week of March, 2009, for students in the Chino Valley school district.
Parents are advised to check with their child's school for exact date and time of registration.
The date for sibling registration may vary from the open registration date. Parent/guardian must bring immunization records, birth certificate, and proof of residency.
The Rancho del Chino Rotary club will be packaging food and gifts on Friday, Dec. 19, and then deliver the baskets on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, to needy Chino families.
The Club asked students at schools in Chino to hold food drives to fill the baskets. Under the direction of Rotary member Rod Federwisch, 10 schools that feed into Chino High School donated enough food to fill 100 baskets. The Club purchases a ham for each basket as well as toys for the children.
The basket assembly will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday at the Carolyn Owens Center, 13201 Central Avenue, Chino. Members will meet again on Saturday at 8 a.m. at the center to pick up the baskets and deliver them.
"This is one of the many charitable events that we hold throughout the year and very much a favorite among the club," said Club President Jamie Harwood. "Oftentimes, this is the only celebration that some of these families will have. But it also is a reminder to us as to how fortunate we are and that just around the corner from many of us, there is a family in need."
The Chino Valley Unified School District was honored in the 29th Annual Golden Bell Awards program hosted by the California School Boards Association.
The award was won in the Instruction category for Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence approach under the direction of Tracy MacArthur, Principal at Country Springs Elementary. Mike Harrell was the former principal of Country Springs.
Country Springs Elementary School has implemented Howard Gardner's "Theory of Multiple Intelligences" into its instructional practices by working with Dr. Sue Teele from the education department at the University of California, Riverside. The approach has helped the students master curricular content at each grade level in a mode most conducive to their preferred learning style.
The highly respected Golden Bell Awards were presented at a special ceremony during CSBA's Awards Luncheon at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego Hotel, on Saturday, Dec. 6. The event was held in conjunction with the California School Boards Association's Annual Education Conference.
The CSBA Golden Bell Awards program promotes excellence in education in recognizing outstanding programs in school districts and county offices of education throughout California. The Golden Bell Awards reflect the depth and breadth of the education programs necessary to address students' changing needs. The goal of this awards program is to contribute to the development and evaluation of curriculum, instruction and support services.
The Chino Police Department on Friday will distribute bicycles that have been refurbished by inmates at the Chino Institute for Women to students in need through the District's C.A.R.E. program. The distribution will take place at the District's Warehouse, behind the employee parking lot.
The Chino Valley Unified School District recently held its annual Reflections competition.
Awards were given in the fine arts categories including photography, visual arts, literature, film, dance and music. The students represented Butterfield Ranch, Hidden Trails, Newman, Oak Ridge and Rolling Ridge Elementary schools; Canyon Hills Junior High School and Chino Hills High School.
The Chino Valley Unified School District's Children's Academic Recovery Education (or CARE program), helped 230 homeless students with Christmas gifts. Donations poured in from employees, businesses, community members and organizations, including firefighters who donated $3,000. These were shared with the students as they are invited to "shop" in the Santa Claus Store in the school district board room on Friday Dec. 12.
Christmas came early for 80 of Chino Valley Unified students through the Make A Child Smile program.
The students on Dec. 9 were treated to a shopping opportunity at Wal-Mart provided by Chino Valley Independent Fire District firefighters.
Through the generous donations of our community, the firefighters raised enough money to give each child a gift card of $130 to use that morning.
Chino Valley Unified School District Superintendent Edmond Heatley is among 10 prominent leaders nationwide who have graduated from the 2008 Broad Superintendents Academy, The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems.
Superintendent Heatley, a retired Master Sgt. with the U.S. Marine Corps, has graduated from The Broad Superintendents Academy, a 10-month executive management training program run by The Broad Center to prepare working CEOs and other top executives from education, military, business, nonprofit and government sectors to lead urban public school systems.
"Although every parent clearly wants a quality teacher in their child's classroom, they also need the assurance that the most important decisions about their child's education are being made by the best leaders in the country," said Eli Broad, philanthropist and founder of The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, which funds The Broad Center.
Heatley's class marks the seventh to graduate since The Broad Superintendents Academy was founded in 2002. The Broad Superintendents Academy has trained more working superintendents in large urban school districts than any other training program. Graduates of the program currently work as superintendents in 37 cities across 23 states.
The Broad Superintendents Academy is the only program in the country that recruits and trains non-traditional superintendent candidates as well as stand-out career educators. To date, graduates of the program have filled 53 superintendent positions and 70 senior school district executive positions.
The School District has determined that due to the poor air quality in the Chino Valley, all Chino Valley Unified School District schools, offices and departments will be closed on Monday, Nov. 17. It is anticipated that air quality will improve for classes to resume on Tuesday. Updates are available at www.chino.k12.ca.us or (909) 548-6080.
A major regional developer has threatened to sue the school district over its decision to open the new school in the Preserve for students from throughout the district.
The threat of legal action by the Chino Development Corp., a member of the Lewis Group of Cos., comes after the school board on Nov. 6 voted to relocate the K-8 Briggs Fundamental School to the new school in the Preserve, where it will retain the name Briggs.
"We are deeply disappointed to have to take this action. However, after months of meetings with the school board members and district staff it has become apparent that the district has chosen to disregard our contract with them to open the school as a `home school' for residents of The Preserve at Chino," said Randall Lewis, executive vice president of Lewis Operating Co.
"While we continue to be hopeful that we can reach a resolution, we are rigorously pursuing our contractual rights."
The school district responded Nov. 7.
"It is disappointing that Lewis Operating Corp. and Chino Development Corp. have gone forward with legal action," said district spokeswoman Julie Gobin. "The goal of the discussions between Chino Valley Unified School District and the developer over the past months has been one and the same - to open the school."
At issue is maintaining priority enrollment status for Preserve residents, Lewis company officials said.
After the latest school board decision, Preserve area residents will have some measure of enrollment priority for one year, though after a year, the new Briggs school will revert to an open-enrollment districtwide school of choice, with enrollment by lottery.
It's been more than a year since the Rasmussens of Chino Hills began a mission to help support the educational needs of autistic children in the area.
Since then, Nicole and Ryan Rasmussen, with the help of friends and donors, have raised about $28,000 toward educational tools and teacher training for autistic children in the Chino Valley school district.
The Rasmussens named their support group Cameron's Cause, in honor of their son, Cameron, 6, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2. The Rasmussen's say children like Cameron need the additional support.
Children with autism often have difficulty with communication and social skills. Rasmussen said autistic students are very visual and many of the items purchased through fund-raising are visual learning aids.
"Since autism has increased in the last five years, students need help above and beyond their regular education School Districts have had to implement a special education autism program. They're doing as much as they can, but because of the budget and a lack of funds, the teachers get a bare minimum of curriculum and they need other resources for curriculum to aid what they're doing."
Cameron's Cause has provided the district with teaching aids that range from visual books, rubber stamps and Play-Doh to digital cameras and photo printers.
Money raised through donations also goes toward teacher training. This past September, Cameron's Cause paid for autism education training for four teachers from Country Springs, Rolling Ridge and Eagle Canyon Elementary school.
"It's really important that the teachers do the best they can," Rasmussen said. "The teachers do an amazing job and the program is very important. They work really hard to support the students and they continue to do their job and get these kids ready to go into the real world."
Denise Gonzales is Cameron's teacher at Country Springs Elementary School.
"It's great that we have a parent that goes out of their way to take their time to put together such a great organization," she said. "It raises money not only for my class but other autism programs in the district."
There are currently 245 students in the Chino School District diagnosed with autism, said district spokeswoman Julie Gobin.
"The District is appreciative of the generous support that Cameron's Cause gives to our students," she said.
Last year, the annual Cameron's Cause fund-raising dinner netted $25,000. Tonight, the group celebrates its second annual fund-raising dinner at the Los Serranos Country Club from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. For information on how to donate, visit www.cameronscause.com.
All schools in the Chino Valley school district took part in the Great Southern California ShakeOut drill on Thursday.
The ShakeOut drill centers on the ShakeOut Earthquake Scenario, a realistic portrayal of what could happen in a hypothetical 7.8 magnitude eartquake on the San Andreas Fault, which would potentially devastate the region.
At 10 a.m. on Thursday, teachers, students and staff were instructed to Drop, Cover and Hold on. The drill is a quake-safe action, designed to protect lives and prevent injuries from falling furniture and flying objects that can become projectiles during ground shaking.
Students, teachers and staff then evacuated the building according to the school's disaster plan.
Randall Lewis, executive vice president of Lewis Operating Corp., announced Wednesday that Chino Development Corporation, a member of the Lewis Group of Companies and developer for The Preserve community in Chino, has commenced legal action against the Chino Valley Unified School District regarding the opening of the Lewis-developed school in The Preserve at Chino master planned community.
The decision to take legal action was in response to the recent decision by the Board of Education of the Chino Valley Unified School District on Nov. 6, 2008, to relocate the Briggs Fundamental School to the new school at The Preserve at Chino and to make the facility a district-wide "school of choice."
"We are deeply disappointed to have to take this action, however, after months of meetings with the school board members and district staff it has become apparent that the District has chosen to disregard our contract with them to open the school as a "home school" for residents of The Preserve at Chino" Lewis said. "While we continue to be hopeful that we can reach a resolution, we are rigorously pursuing our contractual rights".
One of the key points of contention is maintaining priority enrollment status for residents of The Preserve, Lewis officials said.
Lewis spent over $35 million to develop the school in good faith based on their agreement with the District, which guaranteed the school would be a "home school" until at least 2014, according to Paula Dempsey, a spokeswoman for Lewis Operating Co.
In addition to an order overturning the CVUSD Board's Nov 6 action, Lewis seeks to recover substantial damages if the District fails to open the school as a "home school" for all residents of The Preserve whose children wish to attend The Preserve school for the 2009-2010 school year and future years, according to a statement from the developer.
The District Science Fair will be held Feb. 23 - 25 in the multipurpose room at Liberty Elementary School. Judging will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 26th, beginning at 4 p.m.
There will be a brief orientation beforehand. The district needs individuals who will serve as judges. A background in or extensive knowledge of science is not required.
For more information or to sign up, please contact John Lynde at 628-1201, ext 1590.
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