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November 2006 News Archive
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
San Marcos High School Health Academy Grads Continue Parallel Path in Nursing
Though both attended the same junior high and high school, it wasn’t until their paths crossed their senior year in San Marcos High School’s Health Careers Academy that Rachael Goodwin and Karen Garcia realized they shared a longtime dream of working in the health profession. Jokingly referring to themselves as twins, they became fast friends and have pursued near-identical paths in their pursuit of a career as a registered nurse. On Saturday, December 9, 2006, Rachael and Karen will move a step closer to their goal when they become the first graduates of Health Careers Academy 2001 to graduate from Santa Barbara City College’s Associate Degree in Nursing Program. The SBCC graduation ceremony will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the West Campus grassy knoll.
Prior to attending San Marcos High School’s health academy, Karen served as a junior volunteer in Cottage Hospital’s maternal newborn and labor and delivery units. Similarly, Rachael was a junior volunteer in the same units plus the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
In conjunction with their Health Careers Academy coursework, in school year 2001-02, both young women spent their zero and first periods at Santa Barbara City College, where they took courses to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA). As part of their CNA courses, Rachael and Karen trained in convalescent homes and the acute care unit of Cottage Hospital. Rachael reflected on academy’s role in her career path when she said, “The San Marcos Health Careers Academy helped prepare me for my nursing career by getting my feet wet in the medical field. It corroborated my pursuit in the nursing field. And I feel fortunate to be in the first graduating class.”
Since graduating from San Marcos in June 2002, the young women have been working toward an associate degree in nursing, which they will receive on December 9. Rachael and Karen are weeks away from another hurdle, passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). NCLEX is a standardized exam required for professional licensing in the field of nursing. Each state board of nursing uses NCLEX to determine if a candidate is ready for entry-level nursing practice.
On January 29, 2007, following successful completion of the NCLEX licensing exam, Rachael and Karen will work on the same floor at Cottage Hospital. Karen will work in the post-delivery Mother and Infant Unit while Rachael will work nearby in NICU. As for long-term plans, Rachael hopes to one day earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. And as one might expect, ditto for Karen.
Sue Dachenhaus, department chair of the academy, could not be more proud of her former students: “Rachael and Karen are examples of a dream come true. Never did I realize what an impact this program would have on the students and our community. Because of their perseverance and motivation, Rachael and Karen have accomplished the goal of receiving an associated nursing degree and accepted jobs as nurses at Cottage Hospital. This was the win, win formula I was looking for when the academy was formed. Now these young women will be able to stay in Santa Barbara and work at our local hospital. As we say, we are growing our own.” She continued, “A big thank you to Santa Barbara City College, Regional Occupation Program, and Cottage Hospital for making this dream come true.”
Open Alternative to Present “The Lorax” and “Tintin in New Orleans” on November 30
The public is invited to attend Open Alternative School’s production of two plays: “The Lorax,” based on the Dr. Seuss story, and “Tintin in New Orleans,” an original musical based on the Tintin stories that originated in 1929 in a Belgian comics magazine. The plays will be performed on Thursday, November 30, 2006, beginning at 6:00 p.m., in the La Colina Junior High School auditorium.
Brian Malcheski's second- and third-grade class will present “The Lorax,” which incorporates music, movement and an environmental message.
Vivian Stanton's fourth- and fifth-grade class will present “Tintin in New Orleans.”
Eric and Maureen Lehman, longtime Open Alternative School drama and music consultants, will direct both plays.
Open Alternative celebrates an intensive drama program where all children are involved in a production every year. Theater productions are tied to language arts skills that are part of the curriculum.
Open Alternative and La Colina Junior High School, site of the auditorium, are located at 4025 Foothill Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93110. For more information about the performance, call the Open Alternative School office, (805) 683-3127.
Leslie White Honored by ADL
On November 5, 2006, recently retired Monroe Elementary School teacher Leslie White was honored at the Anti-Defamation League annual dinner for her work in education and extensive community volunteerism. Ms. White played a leadership role in the school’s annual Martin Luther King Kindness and Justice Challenge, the Circle of Friends Program, and the Character Education Committee. Ms. White was a special education teacher for 24 of her 32 years in education.
Save A Life Trainings
In September 2006, the Santa Barbara Elementary School District kicked off plans to work with city firefighters in Save A Life Foundation training for students in grades four and give. On November 14, 2006, fire department officials indicated that Adams Elementary School’s training went well and the children were very involved. The Santa Barbara Community Academy also underwent training during the same week. Other schools within the district are signing up for Save A Life trainings this academic year.
Children’s Author Reels in Young Readers and Future Naturalists at the Santa Barbara Community Academy, in Exchange for a Pie
Michigan author and fisherman Timothy Smith will bring Buck Wilder to life when he reads to Santa Barbara Community Academy students in exchange for a pie. Smith is the author of the Buck Wilder series: The Small Fry Fishing Guide, The Small Twig Hiking and Camping Guide, and Little Skipper Boating Guide. Smith’s motivational and entertaining presentation is intended to inspire students to read, write, use their imagination, and be creative. On Wednesday, November 15, 2006, Mr. Smith will speak to grades K-3 at the Academy’s downtown site at 9:00 a.m., and at 1:30 p.m., he will speak to Academy students in grades 4-6, located on the La Cumbre Junior High campus.
A graduate of Michigan State University, where he received a degree in microbiology, in 1995, Mr. Smith took time off from his stained glass and furniture business to write a children’s book on fishing. Thus began the first of the Buck Wilder books, The Small Fry Fishing Guide. The books incorporate doodles around the corners and colorfully illustrated characters, including Fuzzy the caterpillar, hidden on the pages. In The Small Twig Hiking and Camping Guide, Smith includes information on how to pick a campsite, pitch a tent, avoid getting lost, make a hiking stick, identify animal tracks, and build a campfire.
The Santa Barbara Community Academy, 215 East Ortega Street, serves students in grades K-3. Grades 4-6 are located on the La Cumbre Junior High School campus, 2255 Modoc Road, Santa Barbara, CA.
Franklin Elementary School to Celebrate New Facilities with the Completion of $5.6 Million Bond Project
New Classroom and Library-Media Center Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on November 14
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2006, at Franklin Elementary School to celebrate the construction of 12 new classrooms and a library-media center. This $5.6 million project was made possible because of the community’s passage of Measure I-98, a general obligation bond. The November 14 celebration will include performances by students, a ribbon cutting, a tour of the new facilities, and refreshments. The public is invited to attend.
On June 14, 2005, ground was broken on this three-building project. At the center of the site is the library-media center; two wings of classrooms are located near the library-media center. Following is a list of features in the new facilities:
- 12 new classrooms in two wings;
- ADA-compliant drinking fountain and sink in each classroom;
- teaching walls and storage are highlights in the classroom;
- seven computer stations in each classroom;
- new library-media center;
- the library has a reading room with a storytelling area
- computer lab with 38 computer stations;
- five new restrooms (two for boys, two for girls, and one for staff);
- staff workroom;
- special education classroom.
Move in will begin on November 17.
The general contractor on this project is Viola Constructors. Subcontractors include Benkat & Sons Steel Company, Ventura; California Floor Design, Canoga Park; Casework Installations, Inc., La Puente; Edrow Construction, Newbury Park, Lindero Masonry, Inc., Newbury Park; G.T. Alderman, Inc., Ventura; Hollywood Tile, Inc., Santa Barbara; Inland Acoustics, Inc., San Bernardino; IPS Plumbing, Oxnard; Letner Roofing, Orange; Merit Metal Products, Inc., Oxnard; M & T Concrete, Oxnard; Pacific interiors Enterprises, Ventura; Polyvision, Corona; Santa Barbara Glass Company, Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara Insulation, Santa Barbara; Schwan Bros. Excavating Contractors, Inc., Santa Barbara; Scott & Sons Electric, Ventura; Vanguard Painting, Inc., Oxnard; and West Coast Mechanical, Santa Barbara.