November 2000 News Archive
Thursday, November 30, 2000
125 Voices to Perform Vivaldi’s "Gloria in D Major"
The public is invited to attend the San Marcos High School Annual Winter Concert on Tuesday, December 12, 2000. The concert will take place from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, located at 305 E. Anapamu, Santa Barbara. Admission is $5.00. Children 12 and under are free.
The Annual Winter Concert, presented by the San Marcos High School Vocal Music Department, will feature performances by the school’s Madrigals, Concert Choir, Enchante’, Mixed Chorus, and Royal Knights.
The featured work, Vivaldi’s "Gloria in D Major," will incorporate the combined voices of 125 students. The program will also include a variety of holiday selections.
For further information on the San Marcos High School Annual Winter Concert, contact Carolyn Teraoka-Brady, San Marcos High School Vocal Department, 967-4581, extension 357.
Jaclyn Hagon to Participate in the Take a Teen to the Kennedy Space Center Program
Jaclyn Hagon, a San Marcos High School senior, has been selected to participate in the second annual Take a Teen to the Kennedy Space Center Program in Orlando, Florida. The selection was based on her one-page essay.
Jaclyn, known as "Jay," and Dos Pueblos High School’s Andy Lin [see News Release dated November 17, 2000] are two of the ten students from California who will participate in this unique opportunity. They were selected from more than 300 applicants. The students accompany Sharon Davis, California’s First Lady, to a dinner with an astronaut, meeting with space program experts, and participate in hands-on work with space simulators. The trip is tentatively set to take place during the period of Wednesday, January 24 through January 26, 2001.
The Take a Teen program was established in 1999 by Boeing and the Office of the Governor as a means to motivate students to learn about the U.S. space program and encourage them to pursue careers in math and science. The idea for the program arose during California First Lady Sharon Davis’ visit to the Boeing Company’s annual Educator Enrichment Day program. She and Boeing executives discussed how Boeing and the Governor’s Office could work together on educational issues. Mrs. Davis suggested sponsoring an essay competition. Boeing agreed to sponsor a three-day trip to Florida and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
State legislators nominate high school student participants from throughout California. Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson nominated local candidates. Student candidates must demonstrate a high level of academic success and interest in the areas of math and science. Last year, the first year of the program, a panel that included Mrs. Davis and members of the California Legislature selected eight winning students, based upon their essay submissions and their outstanding academic performance. At that time, San Marcos High School student, Paul Allyn, was one of the eight teens selected to participate. This year, the program was expanded to include ten students.
Jay Hagon has a sterling academic record at San Marcos High School. She is in the top one percent of her class. Beginning in 1998, Jay earned Golden State Exam Honors or High Honors in American history, chemistry, biology, algebra, Spanish, and reading and writing. She has taken political science, math, biology, and a College Search class at Santa Barbara City College. In 1998, Jay won Honorable Mention-Physical Science-Junior Division in the 43rd annual Santa Barbara County Science Fair for her entry, "What’s Your Angle," a project about light refraction and reflection. Then, in April 2000, she participated in the 45th annual Santa Barbara County Science Fair. She won Second Place-Physical Science-Senior Division for her project: "Vapor Emissions Through Concrete."
Throughout her years at San Marcos, Jay has been active in co-curricular activities, clubs, and sports. Her co-curricular activities include two years in the leadership class as well as two years in the video production class. She has served as the president of Amnesty International; chairwoman of Principal Serka’s Student Advisory Council; member of Junior Statesmen of America, Student Council, and Key Club; and past member of the Junior Honor Guard. Jay has been a member of the varsity waterpolo team for the past two years and is currently the captain of the team. Prior to waterpolo, she was a member of the school’s girls basketball team. She was recently selected as Goleta Teen of the Year Finalist for the year 2000. She is listed in Who’s Who Among America’s High School Students.
Jay has already accumulated over 200 hours of community service. She accrued her community service hours by volunteering at Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara Pregnancy Counseling Center, Life Chronicles, and Transition House.
Jay is currently applying to several colleges, including Georgetown, Stanford, Dartmouth, and UCLA. She plans to major in either biology or political science.
Andy Lin to Explore U.S. Space Program
Dos Pueblos High School’s Andy Lin, a senior, has been selected to participate in the second annual Take a Teen to the Kennedy Space Center Program in Orlando, Florida. The selection was based on his one-page essay, "The Importance of the United States Space Program." Andy is one of ten students from throughout the State who will participate. The students accompany Sharon Davis, California’s First Lady, to a dinner with an astronaut, meeting with space program experts, and participate in hands-on work with space simulators. The trip is tentatively set to take place during the period of Wednesday, January 24 through January 26, 2001.
In 1999, the Boeing Reusable Space Systems, in conjunction with California Governor Gray Davis, began the Take a Teen to Kennedy Space Center program as a means to motivate students to learn about the U.S. space program and encourage them to pursue careers in math and science. The idea for the program arose during California First Lady Sharon Davis’ visit to the Boeing Company’s annual Educator Enrichment Day program. She and Boeing executives discussed how Boeing and the Governor’s Office could work together on educational issues. Mrs. Davis suggested sponsoring an essay competition. Boeing agreed to sponsor a three-day trip to Florida and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
At Mrs. Davis’ request, California legislators nominate high school student participants from throughout the State. The candidates are students from their district who demonstrate a high level of academic success and interest in the areas of math and science. During the first year of the program, a panel that included Mrs. Davis and members of the California Legislature selected eight winning students, based upon their essay submissions and their outstanding academic performance. At that time, San Marcos High School student, Paul Allyn, was one of the eight teens selected to participate. During this second year, the program has since been expanded to include ten students, one of them being Andy Lin.
Beginning in 1997, Andy garnered team and individual awards in the annual MC4 competition as well as the Westmont College Math Contest. In 1998 and 2000, he received Golden State Exam Honors or High Honors in the following subject areas: biology, geometry, chemistry, reading/literature, and writing. In 1997 and 1998, Andy participated in the County and State levels of the Science Fair. In fact, in 1997, he took first place in the Junior Fluid Mechanics/Aerodynamics/Thermophysics Division of the California State Science Fair. This year, he was identified as an Advanced Placement Scholar and is currently one of DP’s seven National Merit Semifinalists. His school activities include president of the Academic Decathlon, vice-president of MESA, 3-year participate on the Debate Team, and founder and president of the Investor’s Club. Andy is presently in negotiation with Microsoft regarding a patent application for a revolutionary computer innovation. Beyond inventions and academics, Andy has been on the varsity tennis team throughout his years at Dos Pueblos. He is currently the captain of the team. Additionally, he has participated in the Santa Barbara Youth Theater’s production of Lil’ Abner. Since 1998, Andy has accumulated approximately 150 community service hours with the American Heart Association, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital: Patient Care and Services, helping children read at the Goleta Public Library, and assisting senior with the computers at Vista del Monte Retirement Center.
Andy hopes to attend Stanford or M.I.T. He plans to major in engineering/computer science.
Melanie Jacobson Contributes to UCSB’s Professional Development Program for Teachers
Melanie Jacobson, social science teacher at San Marcos High School, was acknowledged by the University of California, Santa Barbara’s California History-Social Science Project (CH-SSP) for her contributions to the CH-SSP professional development program for K-12 central California teachers. UCSB’s theme for their year 2000 summer institute was "Tolerance: Persecution and Resistance in History."
Each year, for the past four years, Jacobson has been a program facilitator. The role is twofold, it requires a year-round commitment to the intensive 3-week summer institute and follow-up workshops during the academic year. As a member of the institute’s advisory committee, Jacobson attends numerous planning meetings, helps recruit potential candidates in the 6-county teaching service area, and evaluates applications for the program.
Another component of her work this year involved researching and demonstrating a model lesson. Her well-received lesson was titled, "From Gold Mountain to Angel Island: ‘The Chinese Must Go!’ An Examination of the 1882 Exclusion Act." According to Dr. Margaret Rose and Dr. Sears McGee, the co-directors of the UCSB/CH-SSP professional development program, "Teachers applauded Melanie for her clear connection to the Framework and application of the California History-Social Science Standards. In their written evaluations, her colleagues cited her thorough scholarship, imaginative strategies, high expectations for students, many opportunities for critical thinking, and multimedia approach." Specifically, other educators took note of her use of a wide variety of sources – such as poetry, political cartoons, and congressional hearings – in teachings. Many of the educators in attendance indicated that they would adopt Jacobson’s strategies in their own classrooms, certainly one of the most telling indicators of her successful approach to the curriculum.
Distribution of Flyers
For several months, the Board has discussed the Districts’ policy on the distribution of flyers. The impetus for these discussions was the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding the Boy Scouts. The Board is wrestling with the very difficult issue of whether to allow a group that discriminates to distribute flyers through the District.
A Public Hearing was held on November 1 on the Districts’ policy relating to the distribution of flyers. The committee, made up of Board members, the Superintendent, and a principal and parent from the elementary, junior high/middle school, and high school levels, heard and discussed public comments. The committee formulated several recommendations, which were reported to the Board of Education on November 8, 2000.
The first recommendation was to rescind the moratorium on flyers except for the Boy Scouts until the Board takes action on the Board policy relating to the distribution of flyers.
A second recommendation was to invite the Districts’ legal counsel to an upcoming Board meeting to discuss the legal issues and ramifications to the policy.
The committee’s third recommendation was to ask the Districts’ counsel to draft language for a Board policy that permits community-based, non-profit organizations to distribute information through the schools as long as the activity is in line with our mission statement and that the organization adheres to the Districts’ policies. This requirement would include that the organization have a non-discrimination policy and that a statement to that effect be included on the bottom of their flyer.
Plans for Improving Student Achievement
Elementary- and secondary-level principals have been working on their school’s Plans for Improving Student Achievement. The Elementary District principals presented their Plans to the Board of Education on Wednesday, November 8, 2000. High School District principals will make their presentations on Tuesday, November 21.
This will be the third year that schools have established school-wide goals to improve student achievement Each principal shares accomplishments during the previous year and strategies for improving the academic program during the current year.
Salary Settlement
Salary negotiations are concluded and a 10% settlement was reached (effective October 1, 2000). It was clear that Santa Barbara Teachers Association and District representatives had a common vision: provide the highest salary increase possible.
Eastin Visits Peabody Charter
State Superintendent Delaine Eastin recently visited Peabody Charter School. During a tour of several classrooms and the school’s gardens, she spoke about the positive changes California schools are making, attributing the success to strong teaching, comprehensive content standards, and a state-wide system of accountability.
Diversity Committee
Mission Statement: "The Santa Barbara School Districts, in partnership with parents and the community, will provide professional instruction and guidance so that students will: ...understand and respect diversity..."
The Districts’ Diversity Committee for school year 2000-2001 is meeting monthly. The goal of this school/community group is to review our diversity plan, engage in meaningful dialogue, identify areas for improvement, and provide recommendations to the Districts.
Japanese Study Team Visits the Santa Barbara School Districts
Periodically, the Japanese Ministry of Education sends teams of teachers and administrators to the U.S. to become familiar with the education process in this country. Study Team #553 from Japan will tour the Santa Barbara Elementary and High School Districts from Monday, November 13 through Thursday, November 16, 2000. Study Team #553 is made up of 18 elementary and secondary teachers as well as administrators. They are interested in learning more about American schools. Among their interests are: school management and administration, curriculum, teaching methodology, guidance and counseling, working conditions of teachers, afterschool programs, school facilities and equipment, and teacher unions.
The Study Team will visit Harding Elementary, La Cumbre Middle School, Goleta Valley Junior High, and Dos Pueblos High School. They plan to attend an evening PTSA meeting at La Colina Junior High School. The Study Team will visit the District Office, meeting with administrators, Board of Education members, and the president of the Santa Barbara Teachers Association.
Leon Lewandowski Wins National Award for Innovative Teaching
Leon Lewandowski, a fourth-grade teacher at Cleveland Elementary School, is the recipient of ReliaStar and Northern Life Insurance Company’s Education’s Unsung Heroes Award. The award, established five years ago, annually recognizes 100 outstanding educators for their innovative teaching methods, creative educational projects, and ability to positively influence the children they teach. It is awarded to outstanding K-12 teachers from across the nation.
Each spring, Lewandowski’s Improvement Week project identifies student achievement in six areas: homework, tardies/absences, reading comprehension, writing, spelling, and timed tests. Improvement Week is specifically done during the spring to rejuvenate learning and remind students that they can always improve. On Monday morning of Improvement Week, Lewandowski challenges each student with the following message, "Here’s where you are, you can do better than that." His objective is to work closely with students in improving their performance in each of these areas. Then, several days later, a classroom sign displayed throughout the school year takes on new meaning. The sign says: "Always give 100%. You never know when its going to pay off." In a surprise awards ceremony, Lewandowski’s fourth-graders are recognized for their progress with reward certificates and gifts donated by local sponsors such as Cliff and Company, Jack’s Famous Bagels, Joe’s Cafe, McDonalds, Scolaris, and Winchell’s Donuts.
Jerry Mills, Northern Life Executive Vice President, said, "Educators today have a difficult job. It’s not enough to just teach anymore. An effective educator has to hold a child’s attention, spark his or her imagination, and show that child how to love learning." He continued, "It’s a privilege for Northern Life to honor such a wonderful project and such a remarkable educator as Leon Lewandowski."
The Education’s Unsung Heroes Award provides recipients with $2,000 to be used to further the project within the school or school system. Recipients are then considered for the program’s top awards of $25,000, $10,000, and $5,000. Lewandowski plans to use part of his award to support the Improvement Week program. He hopes to use the balance to begin a college scholarship fund for students who show the most gains during Improvement Week. Lewandowski’s program has caught on and this year, five classes at Cleveland are expected to participate.
Lewandowski has been a fourth-grade teacher at Cleveland since joining the District in 1998. Prior to that he was a third-grade teacher in Oxnard, where he first started Improvement Week.
Dedication of the Santa Barbara Community Academy
Students, staff, parents, and community members celebrated the new, permanent home of the Santa Barbara Community Academy at a dedication ceremony on Friday, October 27, 2000. In July, the two-year old school, formerly housed at Santa Barbara Junior High School, moved in to the new space at 215 E. Ortega Street. The dedication was planned for a later date, to allow for the completion of move-in activities and to accommodate the school’s year round calendar.
Dedication activities included a musical performance by third-grade students. The performance was followed by speakers and a ribbon cutting. In their dedication remarks, speakers Superintendent Deborah Flores, Board of Education member Dr. Robert Pohl, and parent Paul Jenka celebrated the parent and staff commitment to a school of choice. Following the remarks, Laura Perez (fourth grade), Dessire Sedano (third grade), Emily Dall (second grade), Aaron Dutton (first grade), and Daniel Maurer and Nora Nelson (kindergarten) clipped the ceremonial red ribbon.
The Santa Barbara Community Academy, currently serves students in grades K-4. Originally established in 1999 as a K-3 school, in school year 2000-2001, the Academy added one grade level, part of the long-term plan to add one grade each year until sixth grade is added in 2003-2004. As a school of choice, the Academy is open to students from throughout the Elementary District.
The Academy is designed to enhance student learning through curriculum that supports academic excellence (Core Knowledge, Saxon Math, second language acquisition, Open Court, and arts instruction), mandatory uniforms, high academic standards, after school program, parent involvement, and year-round, single-track instruction.
Veterans Day Ceremony at Santa Barbara High School
Veterans Day is Saturday, November 11, 2000, and Santa Barbara High School will conduct a Veterans Day ceremony on Thursday, November 9. The ceremony will take place near the school’s memorial stone, in front of the gymnasium. The ceremony will begin at 11:35 a.m. and will include a series of short talks by veterans from the SBHS faculty and staff. Approximately 400 students are expected to attend.
Dedicated in 1998, the names of the school’s veterans are inscribed on the memorial sandstone boulder. The memorial honors 111 men, and one woman, from Santa Barbara High School who lost their lives as the result of training accidents or combat casualties during World War I (6), World War II (84), Korean War (10), Vietnam War (11), and one non-wartime death.
Santa Barbara High School is located at 700 E. Anapamu Street.
Thursday, November 2, 2000 / 12:45 p.m.
Suspicious Device Removed from Dos Pueblos High School
In their investigation of a suspicious device found on the roof of the Dos Pueblos High School administration building, the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department determined that there was no threat from the unidentified device. In fact, as of 12:45 p.m., law enforcement officials removed the device and are completing their final check of school facilities.
Students and staff are not in danger. School is in session. Students and staff are safe. Phone service to/from campus will be operational once administrative staff are permitted inside the building.
Unidentified Suspicious Device Found at Dos Pueblos High School
At approximately 10:30 a.m. today, during the course of completing routine maintenance, workers found a small, unidentified suspicious device on the roof of the administration building at Dos Pueblos High School. School personnel immediately contacted the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department. The Sheriff’s Department immediately evacuated the administration building and called in their bomb squad to identify the device. All precautions are being taken to protect the students and staff. The students and staff are not in danger.
At this time, an investigation is underway. It is likely that the administration building will be closed for 2-3 hours. Currently, there is no phone service to/from the school.
Further information will be released as available.