May 1999 News Archive
Monday, May 24, 1999
Graduation Ceremonies, Class of 1999
Santa Barbara High School District commencement ceremonies will take place as follows:
- Dos Pueblos High School: June 16, 4:00 pm, Football Stadium.
- La Cuesta Continuation High School: June 15, 5:30 pm, Las Positas Park.
- San Marcos High School: June 16, 5:00 pm, Greek Theater.
- Santa Barbara High School: June 16, 6:00 pm, Peabody Stadium.
- Goleta Valley Junior High School: June 16, 10:30 am.
- La Colina Junior High School: June 16, 10:30 am.
- La Cumbre Middle School: June 16, 11:15 am.
- Santa Barbara Junior High School: June 16, 11:00 am.
SBHS Jazz Band Set To Host Annual Jazz Festival
Jazz aficionados will be able to indulge in a day-long jazz festival at Santa Barbara High School on Saturday, June 5, 1999. The event, scheduled to begin at 9:00 am and end with an awards ceremony at 9:30 pm will be held in the Santa Barbara High School auditorium.
Performing at the 8th Annual Santa Barbara High School Jazz Festival will be student groups from: UCSB, high schools from the region (such as Rio Mesa, Nordhoff, Channel Islands, Royal, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Newbury Park, San Marcos), and junior high/middle schools (Isbell Middle School, Santa Barbara Junior High, and La Cumbre Middle School). The Dos Pueblos High School choir will also perform.
The public is invited. General admission will be $5.00. Seniors and students with an i.d. card will be admitted for $3.00. Food concessions run by the Band Boosters will be set up at the event.
Santa Barbara High School is located at 700 E. Anapamu Street.
Cara Gamberdella Steps Down as Athletic Director
Cara Gamberdella, athletic director at San Marcos High School, plans to step down from that position at the end of the 1998-99 school year. Ms. Gamberdella resigned for personal reasons. She stated, "I would like to thank the school, the coaches, and the community for the encouragement and support they have given me during the past year. However, my first priority is teaching and I’m looking forward to developing that part of my professional life."
Ms. Gamberdella received her undergraduate degree from USC, where she majored in journalism. She received her teaching credential from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Gamberdella student taught at San Marcos (September-November 1997), served as a part time, limited-term teacher (November 1997-April 1998) then as a substitute teacher/coach (spring 1998), before moving into her current assignment as a full time English teacher/athletic director.
Replacing Ms. Gamberdella will be Bob Archer, longtime teacher at San Marcos High School. Archer began his assignment with San Marcos High in the fall of 1968. He has served as head coach for girls basketball, track, wrestling, and football. He received a B.A. in Physical Education from UCSB (1968) and acquired his teaching credential there too.
SBHS Jazz Band Makes A Strong Showing At The Reno Jazz Festival
The 24-member Santa Barbara High School Jazz Band made their mark at the University of Nevada’s Reno Jazz Festival. The event was held April 23 and 24. The Jazz Band competed in the AAA division, comprised of 17 schools (with populations of 1,800-2,200 students) from throughout the western states. Santa Barbara High School took second place in this highly competitive event.
The set performed was: "Harlem Airshaft" by Duke Ellington, "Katy" by Sammy Nestico, and "Indian Riffs" by Matt Catingub. Members of the award-winning group are: (Saxophones) Brandon McCulley, Phillip Halseth, Tony Reicherter, Bhakti Ulery, Gabe Torres, Nathan Blanchard; (Trombones) Edwin Morales, Mitchell Yoshida, Nick Bartlett, Phillip Menchaca; (Trumpets) Kevin Cole, Tim Staton, Ben Kennedy, Ryan Myers, Morgan Trieger, Casey Hankey; (Rhythm Section) T.K. Broderick, Ian Carlson, Adam Stone, Ryan Blum, Emanuel Raygoza, Kristina Owen; (Clarinet) Meredith Kendall.
Additionally, the group’s traditional combo took fourth place in the AA division. Combo members are Bhakti Ulery, saxophone; Kevin Cole, trumpet; Adam Stone, piano; and Ryan Blum, bass. The sax quartet took fifth place in the AA division. Quartet members are Brandon McCulley, Gabe Torres, Bhakti Ulery and, from Dos Pueblos High School, Peter Mustacich.
Upcoming Changes in the Santa Barbara Elementary School District
Effective school year 1999-2000, Roosevelt Principal Bonnie Switack will begin a new assignment as an assistant principal in the Secondary District. Her specific assignment will be finalized during the summer months, along with other secondary personnel assignments. Summer is traditionally the time when shifts in staff assignments take place.
Ms. Switack has served as Roosevelt’s principal since she joined the District in August 1995. "This change represents a new professional experience and I am looking forward to the challenge," stated Principal Switack. "Roosevelt is making wonderful strides in helping children fulfill their academic promise. I know that the continued commitment of a dedicated team of teachers, staff, and parents will mean success in reaching this goal." Prior to her service at Roosevelt, her administrative experience included working as the principal of Juanamaria Elementary School in the Ventura Unified School District (1993-95); principal of Special Schools, also the Ventura Unified School Districts (1990-1993); principal of Glen City School in the Santa Paula School District; and bilingual resource coordinator in the Lennox School District (1981-83). Her teaching experience includes serving as a bilingual classroom teacher in the Carpinteria Unified School District (1983-87) and English as a Second Language teacher in the Lennox School District (1973-76) and the Centinela Valley High School District (1976).
Roosevelt serves approximately 560 students in grades K-6. The school is located at 1990 Laguna Street.
Roosevelt’s new principal, beginning with the 1999-2000 school year, will be Sally Kingston. Ms. Kingston currently serves as the principal of Franklin Primary School, a post she accepted for the 1998-99 school year.
Before accepting the principalship of Franklin Primary, Ms. Kingston served as the assistant principal at La Colina Junior High School for one year. Prior to her assistant principal position at La Colina Junior High, her teaching and administrative experience included: Title VII support teacher (Project Crossroads), Santa Barbara County Education Office; Title VII coordinator, La Cumbre Middle School; English as a Second Language (ESL) Department chairperson, La Cumbre Middle School; intern principal, Peabody Charter School, summer session; bilingual second grade teacher, Peabody; ESL instructor, Rancho Santiago Community College in Santa Ana, CA; bilingual kindergarten and first grade teacher, Santa Ana Unified School District.
Ms. Kingston completed her Master of Arts in Education at U.C. Santa Barbara in 1994. Prior to her studies at U.C.S.B., she received a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Bilingual Certificate from U.C. Irvine (1990) and a B.A. degree in Spanish from Keene State College in Keene, New Hampshire.
Ms. Kingston said, "I am looking forward to working with the Roosevelt community and helping them achieve their vision. Leaving Franklin Primary isn’t going to be easy because I’ve had the opportunity to work with an outstanding group of children, families, and a truly exceptional staff. Donna Madrigal, the previous principal, built an incredible team of educators who are the heart and soul of this school. Franklin Primary is in very capable hands and I will continue to watch this school’s accomplishments with tremendous pride."
An interim principal will meet the needs of Franklin Primary’s children, parents, and staff. Viola Garcia, a highly respected, longtime second-grade teacher-leader at Franklin Primary, will serve as the interim principal for the 1999-2000 school year.
Franklin Primary School serves approximately 518 students in grades K-3. The school is located at 1111 East Mason Street.
Crystal Apple Award Winners and Impact II Grant Winners
Three recipients of the the Venoco, Inc. Crystal Apple Awards in education are:
- Elementary Teacher. Ron Liberatore, third grade, Franklin Primary School.
- Secondary Teacher. Audie Love, art, Dos Pueblos High School.
- Administrator: Gerrie Fausett, principal, Santa Barbara Junior High School.
Forty-five teachers won a total of $18,000 in Impact II grants. Santa Barbara High School District recipients of the 1999 Impact II Disseminator Grants (and their business partners) are:
- Melanie Jacobson, San Marcos High School (Hendry Telephone Products).
- Laura Ishikawa, Dos Pueblos High School (Tenet Healthcare Corporation).
- Martha Levy, Dos Pueblos High School (Taco Bell of Buellton, Goleta, Lompoc, Santa Barbara & Solvang).
- Ron Pembleton, La Colina Junior High School (Computer-Using Educators of Santa Barbara County).
- Diane Reuter, La Colina Junior High School (Santa Barbara Bank & Trust).
- Kurt Bergthold, La Colina Junior High School (Exxon).
- Janet Goode, La Colina Junior High School (Exxon).
- Jose Marquez, La Colina Junior High School (Exxon).
- Sarah Carr, Goleta Valley Junior High School (ABC-CLIO).
Impact II – The Teachers Network is sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Education Office.
McKinley’s Anita Linn is Serving as the Regional Representative to the Library of California
Anita Linn, library media teacher at McKinley Elementary School, was appointed as regional representative to the Library of California. She represents Region 7, which includes Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo Counties. The group is developing a State plan to link together all public libraries (and private collections that choose to participate).
Direct Relief’s Preparedness Response and Emergency Program
Direct Relief has worked closely with the Santa Barbara School Districts in preparing and planning for readiness in the event of an emergency.
Santa Barbara County has a high risk for wildfires, earthquakes, floods and severe weather. This county has been declared a disaster county by FEMA and, in 1998, was included in a federal program called Project Impact. Project Impact recognizes counties within the nation that are potentially in need of disaster mitigation.
The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services states that in emergency situations it may be 72 hours before help can arrive. Direct Relief’s
Preparedness Response and Emergency Program (PREP) is a collaborative effort aimed at helping to ensure safety in the first days of a disaster, of both school-aged children and local community members.
In 1994, comprehensive on-site evaluations took place in 40 public schools in Santa Barbara County. The assessments revealed that local schools had inadequate disaster response capabilities. In response, Direct Relief developed PREP to address two principal goals:
- To provide each school with supplies of appropriate emergency first aid and relief items such as arm splints, instant cold packs and trauma dressings and, if necessary, a weather and fire resistant container to house them in (8’x16’ or 8’x24’).
- To train school personnel in the use of these supplies.
The medical supplies provided by Direct Relief have been donated by or purchased from a number of U.S. manufacturers and distributors. The wholesale value of the supplies is several thousand dollars. Additionally, Direct Relief works with volunteer physicians and nurses who serve as project advisors and visit the schools on a regular basis to make certain that the supplies remain in good condition. The provision of these supplies and training is especially important because in the last 10 years, at least 10 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.5 or greater have hit California.
PREP is designed in two phases. Phase I involves 10 schools in south Santa Barbara County and Phase II encompass all the remaining public schools in the area. Seven of the 10 Phase I schools are in our Districts and include: McKinley Elementary, San Marcos High, La Colina Junior High, Cleveland Elementary, Harding Elementary, Santa Barbara High, and Franklin Elementary. Phase I was funded by support from the Santa Barbara Foundation, the Alice Tweed Tuohy Foundation, and the Herbert and Gertrude Latkin Charitable Foundation. The Santa Barbara Contractors Association assisted in the design, development and construction of the disaster containers.
Direct Relief is now working on Phase II, involving many of the remaining schools in Santa Barbara County. They are launching an "adopt-a-school" program so that individuals, corporations, and community organizations will be able to sponsor specific schools. The total cost associated with fully preparing a school is approximately $8,300. Some schools are partially prepared and will not require both container and supplies. In such instances, Direct Relief will work closely with the school in closing the gaps that still remain.
On May 12, 1999, the Santa Barbara School Districts’ Board of Education publicly thanked Direct Relief for their role in helping to protect and prepare our school children and neighborhoods in case of an unforeseen disaster.
Summer School Set to Begin in the Santa Barbara High School District
Summer school will take place June 28-August 6, 1999, in the Santa Barbara High School District. Students in grades 9-12 may enroll in classes at Dos Pueblos High School, Santa Barbara High, San Marcos High, or La Cuesta Continuation High School. Students in grades 7 and 8 are eligible to take enrichment classes at the high school level. The summer school bulletins and course offerings will be available on May 10th. That information can be obtained at each school’s counseling office. Registration will be conducted at the high school counseling offices during the period May 10-21, 1999.
Junior high/middle school students with credit deficiencies can take English, math, science, and social studies classes as part of the 1999 summer session. Classes will be offered at Goleta Valley Junior High, La Cumbre Middle, and Santa Barbara Junior High. La Colina Junior High School students will attend summer school at Goleta Valley Junior High. The summer school bulletins and course offers will be available on May 10th. That information can be obtained at each school’s counseling office. Registration will be conducted at the junior high/middle school counseling offices during the period May 10-21, 1999.
For more information, call the summer school hotline at (805) 963-4331.
Michelle Lee’s Painting Travels to Washington, D.C.
Michelle Lee, a junior at Dos Pueblos High School, created the winning entry in the annual "An Artistic Discovery" Congressional High School Art Competition. Michelle’s acrylic painting, entitled "500 Yards North of Stevens Park, Santa Barbara," will be prominently displayed in the Cannon Tunnel leading to the U.S. Capitol. All winning entries are display for a period of one year.
For the 18th year, members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor this contest, designed to feature paintings, drawings, and prints created by American high school students. On Tuesday, June 22, 1999, there will be an awards ceremony in the nation’s capital celebrating the contributions of winning students from across the nation.
Michelle completed the painting as part of a landscape project in Audie’s Love’s painting class at Dos Pueblos High School. This was her first landscape painting.
U.S. Congresswoman Lois Capps recently met with Michelle to congratulate her on her winning entry.
Megan Lanz to Perform in the 1999 Sousa National High School Honors Band
On Saturday, May 8, 1999, Megan Lanz, a senior at San Marcos High School, will perform as a member of the 1999 Sousa National High School Honors Band in Washington, DC. Based on a taped audition, Megan was one of 100 students (representing most states) selected to participate by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. The Honor Band, conducted by Col. John Bourgeois (USMC, retired director of the United States Marine Band), will perform in George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium. The United States Marine Band will also perform at the concert.
Megan, a flute player, began music studies in the 8th grade. Currently, she is part of the San Marcos High School marching band and a member of the concert band. She also studies with Jill Felber, an instructor with the UCSB College of Music. For the past three years, Megan has performed with the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony.
76 Trombones Will Welcome The Music Man
Not 74, or 75, but 76 trombones will usher in San Marcos High School’s (SMHS) production of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man. On Thursday, May 6, 1999, at 7:30 p.m., trombone players from throughout the community will be positioned on the steps in front of the SMHS auditorium to inaugurate a performance that would rival any undertaken by Professor Harold Hill.
According to Performing Arts Director David Holmes, when the idea of inviting 76 trombonists was put forth, locals met the challenge, "Our Santa Barbara community comes through yet again, all we had to do was ask." Trombone players of all ages and abilities from local schools, private teachers, and area bands were invited to participate and, as hoped, 76 stepped forward. First-year elementary school musicians will be joined by seasoned professionals from symphony orchestras in this once in a lifetime opportunity.
In keeping with its long standing tradition of student involvement, San Marcos’ production of The Music Man has a cast of 64 students, an orchestra of 25 student musicians, a crew of 23 students, a student stage manager, and 10 students responsible for the tickets, programs, and lobby display.
Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors. Tickets for The Music Man may be purchased in advance at the San Marcos High School business office between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, or at the box office, after 7:00 p.m., on the night of the performance. The production runs May 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 at 8:00 p.m. in the San Marcos High School auditorium. San Marcos High School is located at 4750 Hollister Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA.
For specific information on The Music Man, please contact the San Marcos High School Performing Arts Department at (805) 967-4581, x255.