School Notebook

In case you're interested but have missed the previous two such special board meetings, Torrance Unified suits and trustees will convene again tonight, in just about 40 minutes actually (at 7 p.m.), at J.H. Hull @ Levy school, to review for attendees the bond measures as proposed and, ideally, to get residents' input and feedback.

The district is considering going for two bonds at once in November, hoping to at last get voters to greenlight a large enough influx of cash to fix the myriad, well-known problems (rusting pipes and rotting ceilings and broken-down heating systems et al) that existence in ever-larger numbers at nearly all its campuses.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 6:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, they're set to run around a track anyway!

The sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade members of Torrance Unified's running club for middle schoolers (middle schools here don't have track teams) on Tuesday night are having their annual fun run, giving them a taste of competition to help prepare them for the real thing come high-school time.

Starting at 5 p.m., the some 100 young runners will compete in various relays and other races, with the top three in each category to receive medals of recognition.

The public event costs just $1 dollar for admission, should you want to check it out. It's being held on the track at West High, 20401 Victor St., in Torrance.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 3:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Through a series of highly dramatic recent emails -- "for the first tme EVER in the
history of Mankind!" -- I've learned about an event tomorrow that I'll pass on to you.

It's the arrival at Long Beach Airport of the Wings of Freedom tour, a traveling display of six rare war planes (all from World War II era, three are bombers and three are fighter jets) that will settle in locally for five days and be available for up-close tours and, for a more than nominal fee, actual in-the-sky rides.

"This is an event of historical proportions," declares the nonprofit Collings Foundation, which sponsors the gig.

Starting tomorrow and through next Tuesday, visitors can check out the B-24 Liberator, B-25 Mitchell and B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombers, plus the P-38 Lightning and two P-51 Mustang fighter crafts.

It costs $6 for kids and $12 for adults to take an on-ground look. If you want to fly, however, fees are thus: $425 per person for the B-17 or B-24; $400 for the front fuselage and $325 for the waist gun section of the B-25. P-51 flights are $2,200 for a half hour and $3,200 for a full hour. For reservations and information on flight experiences call 800-568-8924.

"The WINGS OF FREEDOM tour is one of the most extraordinary and unique
interactive traveling historical displays of its kind."

Wahoo!

More info is here.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 1:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

California's "Superintendent of Instruction" Jack O'Connell will be in Long Beach tomorrow, making a rare public appearance.

I kid, I kid! That man makes more public appearances than you can shake a stick at; you wouldn't believe how many emails I get (sometimes several in one day) announcing his many speaking engagements.

Nonetheless, he will be in Long Beach on Thursday, when those of you participating in the annual state PTA convention will be treated to what are promised to be "brief remarks" from O'Connell.

If I had to wager on what topics he may tackle, I'd say the budget crisis and the achievement gap will rank right up there.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This very minute cheerleaders of Redondo Union High School are assembling outside school district headquarters on Inglewood Boulvard, planning to speak their mind during the 6:30 p.m. scheduled school board meeting.

Apparently their beloved coach, Cathy Horzen, was recently fired -- or forced into resigning, I'm still trying to determine details -- and the girls are not pleased. They plan to say so to school board members in hopes, I'm guessing, of somehow swaying this decision the other way.

Word is they were outside the administration building on campus early this morning, before school started, doing a similar thing, picketing with signs decrying their affection for Horzen and pleading that she be reinstated.

If you want to join in, or hear what they have to say, get down to RBUSD HQ post haste! The address is 1401 Inglewood, across from the Pacific Crest Cemetery. The board room is upstairs.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 6:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rock Around the Block, an annual fundraiser of the Wiseburn Education Foundation, the body that itself raises funds to help support programs of the Wiseburn School District, is ready to roll for tomorrow.

Being held this year at the brand-new Dana Middle School campus, at 5330 W. 135th St., in Hawthorne, the events offers a smorgasbord of family fun, from train rides and face painting and a live Nintendo Wii competition to live music, bingo and food.

The festivities start at 9 a.m. and run until 2 p.m. Enjoy!

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 3:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Awww... this is cute stuff.

The San Francisco Chronicle today has a copy block and some great wild art -- a few photos plus a video -- of local school kids there (well, at Edna Maguire Elementary in Mill Valley, to be exact) releasing 120,000 ladybugs into their campus garden. There's one great shot of a little boy smiling big, with the adorable red insects all over his sweatshirt and in his hair.

Just something sweet to look at over lunch on this lovely Friday (yay!).

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Al Adams, the beloved former band leader of Mira Costa High School -- he retired in 2003 to much fanfare in his honor, 15 years after first joining the Manhattan Beach Campus -- has died. He was 66.

I have the story in today's Daily Breeze, replete with details about tonight's informal memorial on Manhattan Beach Pier, starting at 6:55 p.m. and running until 10 p.m. It's been prganized by former students, who ask those interested in attending to bring their memories, stories, even instruments, to pay tribute to the "proverbial music man" as a colleague described him.

From the many students and parents I talked to yesterday, it sounds like Adams was a really wonderful guy. Rest in peace.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

There's an e-waste collection event tomorrow in Hermosa Beach, which will benefit the city's schools.

Run by 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, any electronics you want to trash will be accepted -- from your old computers and TV sets to cell phones, printers and more.

The group will collect the goods from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or until it fills two trucks with said e-waste, on Saturday. You can find them in the parking lot at Valley School, 1645 Valley Drive in Hermosa.

Half of the net proceeds will be donated to the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation, which helps fund programs of the local district.

Just don't toss out your Commodore 64s. Those are collector's items now, people!

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

LAUSD is hosting an "international cultural fair" tomorrow, Saturday, in Gardena, inviting community members to a day full of music, food and family activities including face painting, arts and crafts and more, at 186th Street School.

A collaboration with the Harbor Gateway Task Force, the event will also highlight a student-made "peace mural" that will be unveiled during the festivities.

Set to run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the official ceremonies will begin at high noon.

186th Street School is located at 1581 186th St., Gardena, 90248.

Sounds look good family fun for your Saturday, oui?

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I received this press release today from Torrance's Riviera Elementary School, which has a number of activities ongoing related to Earth Day, upcoming on Tuesday, the 22nd. Such things include the decoration and distribution of paper grocery bags bearing eco-friendly messages.

Here you have it, from campus Earth Day coordinator and PTA member Karen Wheeler:

"This is to announce Riviera Elementary School’s participation in the fifteenth annual Earth Day Grocery Bag Project! The students have decorated paper grocery bags with environmental messages. On Earth Day, April 22, 2008, and continuing through the week, shoppers at Sprouts Farmers Market in Torrance can receive their groceries in the decorated bags.The people in our community will get a very clear and positive message that the students at our school care about their environment.

Other Earth Week activities at Riviera will include: a used book drive to support the struggling libraries of two public schools in Compton, plastic waste-free lunch days, and a walk-with-your-kid-to-school day. We invite you to contact us to find out more about the specific activities at our school and the commitment of our students to the issue of environmental education.

The Earth Day Grocery Bag Project is a grassroots, nonprofit, international educational effort coordinated on the Internet at www.earthdaybags.org. A report from our school will be added to the website, so others will know about our efforts. The project started in 1994, with 43 schools reporting the decoration and distribution of 13,000 Earth Day Grocery Bags. By 1999, the number of schools reporting in reached nearly 1,200, with students decorating almost 400,000 Earth Day Grocery Bags! Every report from all the previous years is on the website. There are also thousands of pictures of schools from around the world involved in this project."

Thanks for sharing, Karen!

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 6:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's one for your calendar, all you spoken-word, slam-poetry fans: Torrance High School next Thursday night -- that's one week from today, got it? -- is hosting its first ever poetry slam competition to which the public is invited.

There are 7 individual finalists and 3 team finalists, with the winners in each category set to receive $100, not to mention the title "2007 Slam Champion."

The event is the baby of English teacher Ilene Marshall, who informs me the festivities include a guest appearance by nationally renowned slam poet Shihan, a past U.S. champ and featured performer on the HBO series "Def Poetry."

Marshall says in an email that she's been "floored by the talent of these students" and suspects we all will be, too.

If you're intrigued, and free next Thursday, April 24, the competition kicks off at 7 p.m., in the Torrance High auditorium.

Word.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 5:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The city of Torrance just announced the names of local kids selected for participation in its annual "Students & Government Day," during which the students -- eighth graders, all -- shadow various city workers and officials, from the Mayor on down, then kick off the evening's City Council meeting by playing those parts and conducting a little business.

The event is set for Tuesday, May 6, with the council-meeting portion kicking off at 7 p.m.

Winning students were chosen based on essays that addressed the topic: "a new student involved project that could help the Torrance community and enable students to make a difference in their community."

Without further ado, then, the selected students:

*Alex Baumgartner, St. James School
*Will Bingmann, Richardson Middle School
*Jasmine Galvan, St. Catherine Laboure School
*Maurick Gaunt, Madrona Middle School
*Amanda Goodwin, Magruder Middle School
*Aubree Graham, Bert Lynn Middle School
*Richard Herrada, Calle Mayor Middle School
*Gina Hong, Madrona Middle School
*Grace Huang, Madrona Middle School
*Hunter Johnson, First Lutheran School
*Jonathan MacNeil, Bert Lynn Middle School
*Makeena Martin, Calle Mayor Middle School
*Rebecca Miller, First Lutheran School
*Nicholas Mata, St. Catherine Laboure School
*Amie Morales, Casimir Middle School
*Leila Northington, Hull Middle School
*Caitlyn Pacina, Jefferson Middle School
*Ashley Poh, Casimir Middle School
*Cassida Ruggeri, Calle Mayor Middle School
*Chad Simon, Calle Mayor Middle School
*Michiko Sugimoto, Bert Lynn Middle School
*Lara Windisch, St. James School

Congrats to all.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For 90 minutes Wednesday night and again Thursday, refreshments will be served as the faculty and staff Port of Los Angeles High School answer questions and offer information during the San Pedro-based charter campus's "enrollment open house."

Parents and guardians of current eighth-grade students -- from any district; the free, public charter is open to anyone -- are invited to the 250 West 5th Street site, from 6 - 7:30 p.m., to learn more about the school that offers elective coursework in maritime studies and international trade and boast the motto, "The world is our classroom."

Enrollment applications and admissions information may also be obtained by calling (310) 832-9201 ext. 272 or via the school's website.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 6:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For those of you who haven't heard yet -- although these kids have done such a great promoting job you likely have absolutely already learned of this -- the green-themed "Cooldown" club of Redondo Union High School tomorrow night is hosting its inaugural "Project Cooldown" benefit concert, hoping to amass some cash on behalf of efforts to stem teh spread of global warming.

Daily Breeze reporter Kristin Agostoni profiled the kids and previewed the concert in today's paper.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Handed down from the communications office at LA Unified today, heads up of next week's scheduled earthquake drills at schools districtwide.

Is this where we get under our desks, or do the stop-drop-and roll? Oh wait, earthquakes, that's where we stand in doorways, right? As a native and lifelong Californian, who lived seven years in San Francisco in between forays to SoCal, you'd think I'd have this one down.

But enough about me. Here are the deets:

"LAUSD students will participate in the annual spring 2008 earthquake exercise drill designed to familiarize all students and staff with the safe school emergency response plan at their school. Earthquake drills will be conducted from April 7-11 and will include an inspection and testing of all district radio equipment.

This year students at three selected schools will be videotaped during the simulation drill. District administrators at the Office of Emergency Services plan to use the video to train staff and inform parents about what happens at a school during an emergency.

“We want to assure parents that schools are the safest place for their children,” said Superintendent David L. Brewer III. “Emergency drills are very important and a great way for the district to put safety plans in motion and affirm their effectiveness.”

Each district school has an emergency supply container located in a safe place on campus. These safety bins are stocked with water, first aid supplies and search and rescue equipment. Containers hold half a gallon of water a day for each person sheltered on campus for a three day period. In addition, school cafeterias store a three day supply of canned food. School site emergency supplies, fire alarms and sprinkler systems are also inspected regularly.

“Our office is dedicated to making sure that school staff, students and families are aware of the safety plans in place at their school,” said Bob Spears, Assistant Director of Emergency Services. “We cannot prevent an earthquake from happening, but we can make sure that our schools are well-equipped to serve our students and staff.”

'Nuff said.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Who doesn't love a little Chaka? Am I right?

Even the California Science Center loves them some Chaka Khan, trumpeting as they did today her expected visit there tomorrow with a group of schoolkids from Watts and Compton to help celebrate the one-millionth visitor to the "Body Worlds" exhibit (you know, that fascinating show that features some 200 actual human bodies and body parts?).

The event is a good fit for the "I Feel For You" singer (she also originated "I'm Every Woman" in a version that totally predates Whitney Houston's, FYI), who has an eponymous foundation dedicated to assisting at-risk women and children with a particular focus on education and autism.

Chaka Believes, a program of the Chaka Khan foundation, works with middle school students in LAUSD's Local District 7 in the Watts and Compton area. Targeting kids in at-risk communities, Chaka Believes aims to help them raise their achievement levels in school and go on to college by providing scholarships and workshops for students and parents alike.

You go, Chaka.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 2:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Anyone planning to attend the Milken National Education Conference being held Sunday at the Westin Bonaventure downtown?

The goal of the event is being billed as: "to increase the nation's focus on high-quality teachers for every classroom in America."

The U.S. Department of Education is promoting the appearance of so-described "Bush education official" Kerri Briggs, who will participate in a panel discussion entitled "Measuring Teacher Effectiveness: Understanding and Implementing Teacher Assessments.” The talk will focus on "successful policies and programs that measure teacher effectiveness, including skills, knowledge and responsibilities, and their impact on improving the learning environment," a department press release says.

The Milken conference is being held in conjunction with the 8th annual National Teacher Advancement Program Conference.

If anyone goes, let me know next week what you learned.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 3:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fourth graders at Silver Spur Elementary School in Rancho Palos Verdes had a day full of hands-on activities designed to enhance their knowledge of Golden State history.

The campus's inaugural "Old California Day," which has just concluded, featured guest speakers on subjects including Native American beading, native plants and California's cowboys.

The 100-ish participating fourth graders also got to get their hands dirty -- literally -- panning for gold in a makeshift vat of water, silt and sand; crafting adobe bricks; painting tiles; and making candles.

Inspired by required curriculum, the event was the brainchild of teacher Gail Warner.

For complete and colorful details on the day, see the School Notebook page in Monday's Daily Breeze.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 3:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In celebration of Women's History Month, the Torrance-adjacent El Camino College on Thursday hosts a luncheon to honor past recipients of its "Women of Distinction" award.

Guests at the 12:30 to 2 p.m. event, being held in the school's east dining area, will honor South Bay women who have made a difference in their communities and pre-celebrate Cesar Chavez Day.
Featured speaker Ann Lopez, author of "The Farmworker's Journey," will discuss the struggles of women migrant farm workers as well as her personal journey “from Nature Lover to professor.”

The “Women of Distinction" award recognizes outstanding women from the El Camino College area and honors them for their contributions to the community. Honorees are selected based on their contributions in one or more of the following areas: professional accomplishments; leadership and/or mentorship; and social,
educational, or health services.

Those nominated must also live or work in the communities within the college district: El Segundo, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Lawndale, Lennox, Inglewood, Hawthorne and Torrance.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 5:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you're looking for an outside-the-box way to spend your Saturday evening, consider this:

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, currently the President's Marymount Institute Professor in Residence at Loyola Marymount University, will direct a performance piece based on his poem "Samarkand.”

Actual performances start at 8:30 p.m., but the makeshift marketplace serving as the set opens at 6 p.m.

The flackage says this:

"The interactive performance will capture the market imagery from Soyinka's book of poems, "Samarkand and Other Markets I Have Known.” The market will be complete with international merchants, performances of all kinds and staged readings by accomplished international actors including Danny Glover, CCH Pounder and Michael Learned.

Could be cool. I'm just sayin.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 3:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Teachers and directors of high-school and middle-school theater and arts programs are invited to apply for the 2008 Broadway Teachers Workshop being held this summer in New York City. The three-day intensive series of workshops and seminars will be conducted by renowned theater educators and several Broadway professionals.

Two sessions are being offered -- from July 14-16 and from July 17-19 -- featuring classes on everything from production resources and creating choreography for non-dancers, to stage combat, casting a Broadway show and makeup techniques.

There will also be two master classes: one with "Wicked" composer Stephen Schwartz and one with Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Marsha Norman, who wrote the books for "The Secret Garden" and "The Color Purple," as well as "Night, Mother."

Cost of the workshop is $549 before April 1; and $599 thereafter. Tuition includes eight workshop sessions and a ticket to four shows. Five percent of ticket proceeds are donated to a non-profit organization or charity selected by the group.

For more information and applications, click here.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 10:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Los Angeles School Board member Richard Vladovic will talk about how the state budget will affect local schools at 6:30p.m. Monday at a meeting of the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council.

Vladovic also will talk about other issues of concern to San Pedro.

The council meets at Peck Park Auditorium, 560 N. Western Ave., San Pedro. Other agenda items include the city's budget, a discussion of trees on North Gaffey Street and lending possible support for an after-school program at Dana Middle School.

Posted by Toni Sciacqua at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The private Vistamar School in El Segundo hosts a community meeting tonight aimed at offering parents better understanding of their teens' needs and how best to help them launch into college life and beyond.

Described as an interactive panel discussion, "Ready to Launch: Coming of Age in the South Bay" will explore the challenges teens face from three perspectives: personal health, family dynamics, plus school and community interaction.

Featured speakers include pediatrician Rosette Manio, M.D., former Head of Pediatrics for Talbert Medical Group in Long Beach, on the health and wellness concerns of adolescents; adolescent psychiatrist Jim Perkins, M.D., an associate clinical professor at UCLA with a private practice, on family dynamics that may come into play as teens move toward adulthood; and Dan Golden, Vistamar's own Director of Life Planning and Experiential Learning, on how high schools, colleges and communities can best support teens as they grow into adults.

The event is free and open to the public. It's being held from 7-9 p.m. tonight (Tuesday, March 4) at Vistamar School, 737 Hawaii Street, in El Segundo. For more information, call 643-7377.

Posted by Shelly Leachman at 1:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)