December 2001 News Archive

Friday, December 21, 2001

Santa Barbara Community Academy Workshops

Prospective parents are encouraged to attend one of the following January 15, 2002 workshops to learn more about the Santa Barbara Community Academy, a Core Knowledge school of choice within the Santa Barbara Elementary School District:

• Public Information Workshops
• Santa Barbara Community Academy
• Tuesday, January 15, 2002, at 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
• Board Room, Santa Barbara School Districts
• 720 Santa Barbara Street
• Santa Barbara, CA
• (805) 884-5902

Tours of the school are available every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. by calling 884-5902.

Friday, December 14, 2001

SBHS Santa Visits Children’s Centers in December

For the sixth year in row, Santa Barbara High School (SBHS) teacher Bill Oliphant and his government class have been conducting their annual penny drive and other events to raise money to purchase gifts for Santa Barbara Elementary School District youngsters. This year, 140 young children enrolled in the District’s three children’s centers and the Cal-SAFE program will be recipients. The high school students will select, purchase, and wrap each of the 140 gifts. The toys will be purchased from Tom’s Toy World, a local business that provides a generous discount to help support this program. Funds for this program are also secured from parent committees at Parma Children’s Center, Santa Barbara High School’s Children’s Center (Early Years program), and Franklin Elementary School’s Children’s Center.

At approximately 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 18, Bill Oliphant, dressed as Santa, and accompanied by about thirty SBHS "elves," will begin his appointed rounds as follows:

• 9:00 a.m., Franklin Children’s Center, where he will visit with 60 youngsters;
• 10:00 a.m., Parma Children’s Center, where he will visit with 56 children;
• 11:00 a.m., SBHS Children’s Center (Early Years program), where he will visit with 24 children;
• 11:30 a.m., SBHS Cal-SAFE program (formerly known as the PACE program).

At each stop, Santa will distribute gifts and talk with each of the children. The youngsters in the three children’s centers are ages 2-3. Cal-SAFE serves infants to 2-year-olds.

In many of the children’s center classrooms, the youngsters have planned entertainment and refreshments for Santa and his "elves." According to Child Development Coordinator Susan Ashlock, "The tradition began at Franklin and by last year all three centers had been adopted by Mr. Oliphant and his Santa Barbara High School students. This community partnership brings such a special experience to our children and staff." Ashlock continued, "Our three centers provide service to families who are working or going to school and are income qualified. This special visit from Mr. Oliphant and his students means a lot to these children and their families. While we also provide referrals to Council of Christmas Cheer and other agencies, this particular sharing is tremendously personal, heart felt, and joyous."

Franklin Children’s Center is located at 1030 East Yanonali Street, Parma Children’s Center is at 915 East Montecito Street, the Children’s Center (Early Years program) and the Cal-SAFE program are both located at Santa Barbara High School, 700 East Anapamu Street.

December 13, 2001

John Boettner and Alice TarBush Recognized by the Board of Education

On December 12, John Boettner and Alice TarBush were honored by the Board for their continued service to the Districts. Though both retired several years ago, they continue to serve. Mr. Boettner reached the 50-year mark and Mrs. TarBush reached the 53-year service mark. Both attended Harding, La Cumbre, and Santa Barbara High.

December 12, 2001

Change In Board of Education Leadership

As part of their regularly scheduled annual organizational meeting, the Board of Education elected new officers. Fred Rifkin was elected president. Nancy Harter was elected vice president.

The Board must select one of its members to serve as District Representative for the purpose of electing members(s) (as required) to the County Committee on School District Organization. Claire VanBlaricum was elected. Robert Noël was elected as alternate to the County Committee on School District Organization.

It was the consensus of the Board to designate Superintendent Deborah A. Flores as Secretary Clerk to the Board of Education and Director of Fiscal Services Lori Parrish as Assistant Secretary to the Board.

The Board designated the second and fourth Wednesday of each calendar month, at 7:00 p.m., as the regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Education. The exceptions are as follows: June (the first meeting will be moved to Tuesday, June 11, 2002), August (one meeting only, August 28, 2002), and December (one meeting only, December 11, 2002).

Board members were appointed to a number of committees:

• Bond Oversight Committee = Nancy Harter
• City of Santa Barbara/School District Mutual Interests Committee = Fred Rifkin/Robert Noël
• Diversity Committee = Claire VanBlaricum
• Elementary (Parent) Advisory Committee = Ruth Green
• Secondary (Parent) Advisory Committee = Nancy Harter
• Gevirtz Center Liaison = Robert Noël
• Santa Barbara City College/School District Liaison Committee = Robert Noël
• Santa Barbara Public Education Foundation = Nancy Harter