June 2001 News Archive
Monday, June 25, 2001
Kathleen Abney to Lead La Cuesta Continuation High School
Effective July 1, 2001, Kathleen Abney, assistant principal at La Colina Junior High School, will fill the position of principal of La Cuesta Continuation High School. She will replace Dr. Kristine Robertson, who will begin a new assignment as Goleta Valley Junior High School’s principal. Kathleen Abney will earn $95,918 during her 225-day contract period.
According to Superintendent Deborah Flores, "Kathy brings a number of exceptional qualities to the La Cuesta community. She has strong administrative experience, recognized leadership skills, and is familiar with the operations of the District. In addition to her years of service in our school community, she spent eight years as the head teacher of Carpinteria’s Rincon Continuation High School. Kathy is a consummate professional who is looking forward to building a strong relationship with La Cuesta’s staff, students, and parents."
Since 1998, Kathleen Abney has served as an assistant principal at La Colina Junior High; assistant principal, Santa Barbara High School (1995-1998); part-time counselor, La Cuesta Continuation High School (1995); head teacher, Rincon High School (Continuation School) (1987-1995); and she has extensive teaching experience (1974-1987).
Mrs. Abney received a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (1970) and a master’s degree in educational administration from California Lutheran University (1994). Her teaching credential was secured from California State University, Fresno (1974) and her administrative credential was earned at California Lutheran University (1994).
La Cuesta High School serves the needs of continuation and independent study students. The La Cuesta alternative education programs provide a structured environment offering the academic skills designed to enable students to obtain a high school diploma, prepare for high school equivalency tests, and/or return to a comprehensive high school. In order to accomplish these goals, there is a focus on individual needs and the building of self-esteem. Classes are kept small to allow interaction and an exchange of ideas between students and teachers and between students themselves. As well as cooperative and collaborative classroom activities, each student’s individual educational needs are recognized and incorporated into the structured school day. La Cuesta has both continuation and independent study programs located at several different satellite sites throughout Santa Barbara and Goleta. La Cuesta’s Dos Pueblos Continuation, San Marcos Continuation, and Santa Barbara Continuation are situated on the three traditional high school campuses. Community Day School and Las Alturas are La Cuesta Continuation sites on the La Colina Junior High School campus. La Cuesta Continuation High School has expanded to include a Middle College Program at Santa Barbara Community College.
The La Cuesta High School office is located at 905 Nopal Street, Santa Barbara.
Administrative Changes for School Year 2001-2002
The following administrative changes are slated to take place in the Santa Barbara School Districts. Unless otherwise specified, all assignments begin July 1, 2001:
On July 16, 2001, Dr. Brian Sarvis will begin his employment as the director of the Santa Barbara School Districts’ Research and Technology Department. He fills an existing position that has been vacant since July 31, 2000, when Lisle Staley joined the Santa Monica-Malibu School District and became their director of standards and assessment. During the summer, the Districts’ research and technology offices will move from their current location at 720 Santa Barbara Street to their new home on the Santa Barbara Junior High School campus. The move is required in order to provide space for a Santa Barbara Community Academy classroom expansion. [For additional information on Brian Sarvis, refer to the news release of May 24, 2001.]
Dr. Martha Surbida will assume her post as principal of the Santa Barbara Community Academy. Dr. Surbida replaces Interim Principal Nancy Maynez. Maynez, former principal of Harding and Franklin Elementary Schools, generously agreed to emerge from retirement for one year while the District looked for a principal for the Academy.
The Santa Barbara Community Academy, located at 215 E. Ortega Street, is a year-round, single-track school. Originally established as a K-3 school, the enrollment is expanding at the rate of one grade level per year, as originally planned. In school year 2001-2002, the school will serve students in grades K-5. [For additional information on Dr. Surbida, refer to the news release of April 26, 2001.]
Carole Cowan has been named principal of Franklin Elementary School. She is replacing Constantine "Zan" Colazas, who will be returning to an administrative position with the Los Angeles Unified School District.
During the 2000-2001 school year, Cowan served as Franklin’s assistant principal. She has been with the Santa Barbara School Districts since November 1996. She served as the Districts’ Coordinator of Special Projects. Prior to that assignment, she was the Coordinator of the Academic Volunteer and Mentor Program. Before joining the Districts, she taught at Glenwood Elementary School in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
In her new post, Cowan will earn $82,484. Her contract period is 215 days.
Franklin Elementary School is located at 1111 East Mason Street. It serves more than 800 students.
Dr. Kristine Robertson, principal of La Cuesta Continuation School, was named principal of Goleta Valley Junior High School. Dr. Robertson replaces Nan Madson. Madson, Goleta Valley Junior High’s principal since August 1999, has requested a reassignment.
Dr. Robertson has served as La Cuesta’s principal since August 1999. Her previous administrative experience includes: principal, Juvenile Court Schools, Ventura County Superintendent of School’s Office (1996-1999); principal, Perris High School, Perris Union High School District (1994-1996); assistant principal, San Marcos High School, San Marcos Unified School District (1990-1994); assistant principal, Paso Robles High School, Paso Robles Public Schools (1987-1990). Prior to her role as an administrator, she served as a counselor at the following California schools: Cuesta Community College, San Luis Obispo (1988-1990); Grossmont Community College, La Mesa (1986-1987); Mt. Carmel High School, Poway (1985-1987); Palomar Community College, San Marcos (1981-1987); Meadowbrook Middle School, Poway (1981-1985).
Dr. Robertson completed her doctorate in educational administration at United States International University in San Diego (1983). She received a master’s degree in counseling from San Diego State University (1980).
As the principal of Goleta Valley Junior High School, Dr. Robertson will earn $101,225 per year. Her contract period is 225 days.
Goleta Valley Junior High School is located at 6100 Stow Canyon Road. The school was established in 1964. The student body, comprised of more than 900 seventh and eighth grade students, largely originates from six Goleta Union School District elementary schools (Brandon, Ellwood, El Rancho, Isla Vista, Kellogg, La Patera, and Mountain View).
District Students Ace Math Superbowl
On Wednesday, May 16, 2001, 337 students from 31 different elementary schools competed in the 21st annual Math Superbowl. It was conducted at the Earl Warren Showgrounds. There was a 23-point spread between the First Place and Fifth Place teams: Montecito Union Elementary School’s team took first place with 463 points, Cold Spring Elementary School took second with 457 points, Washington Elementary School took third with 456 points, a fourth place team earned 443 points, and Peabody Charter Elementary School took fifth place with 440 points. Again this year, students from the Santa Barbara Elementary School District had an exceptionally strong showing.
Washington Elementary School:
Fourth grade team members:
- Jeffrey Churchman
- Ian Gamble
- Elliot Lanphar
- Will Stark (Will was also the First Place winner in the 4th Grade Individual Category)
The fourth-grade coaches: Liz Boscacchi and Tom Bortalazzo, both are Washington parents.
Fifth grade team members:
- Erik Bickle
- Will James (Will was also the Third Place winner in the 5th Grade Individual Category)
- Cole Patterson
- Landon Ranck (Landon was also the Sixth Place winner in the 5th Grade Individual Category)
The fifth-grade coach: Darlene James, a Washington parent.
Sixth grade team members:
- Amy Crawford (Amy was also the Sixth Place winner in the 6th Grade Individual Category)
- Gray Clevenger
- Sage Peterson (Sage was also tied for Third Place in the 6th Grade Individual Category)
- Trevor Vierra
The sixth-grade coach: Bob Peterson, a Washington parent.
Peabody Charter Elementary School:
Fourth grade team members:
- Alex Anderson
- Luke Smith
- Carli Ruskauff
- Shawn Hampton
The fourth-grade coach: Catherine Gill, a 4th grade teacher at Peabody.
Fifth grade team members:
- Tim Egan (Tim also tied for Fifth Place in the 5th Grade Individual Category)
- Annie Jacobs
- Jessica Maglione-Fulco (Jessica also tied for Third Place in the 5th Grade Individual Category)
- Iddo Toledano (Iddo also tied for Sixth Place in the 5th Grade Individual Category)
The fifth-grade coach: Joanne Thompson, a 5th grade teacher at Peabody.
Sixth grade team members:
- Joshua Hahn
- Nick Hill
- Emilio Maglione-Fulco (Emilio also tied for Second Place in the 6th Grade Individual Category)
- Tristan Roberts (Tristan also tied for Fourth Place in the 6th Grade Individual Category)
The sixth-grade coach: Roger Earls, a 6th grade teacher at Peabody.
Individual Winners
- Other individual winners from the District:
- J.R. Riggs of Monroe Elementary School. J.R. was the First Place winner in the fifth-grade level of individual competition.
- Rochelle Brittain of Santa Barbara Charter School. Rochelle was the First Place winner in the sixth-grade level of individual competition.
- Kassandra Brittain of Santa Barbara Charter School. Kassandra was the Second Place winner in the fourth-grade level of individual competition.
The Board of Education will recognize the District’s team/individual winners at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2001 (Board Room, District Administration Office, 720 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara).
District Students to Participate in UCLA Leadership Institute
Three District students have been selected to attend the State Student Leadership Institute at UCLA from June 24 to July 21, 2001. The students are: Mariangel Luna, a sophomore at Dos Pueblos High School; Karla Cornelio, a sophomore at Santa Barbara High School; and Shanty Cornelio, a junior at Santa Barbara High School These students were selected to participate in this special leadership program because of their hard work and dedication.
The two primary goals of the UCLA Leadership Institute are: (1) to prepare migrant students for leadership roles at local, state, and national levels and (2) to persuade migrant students to apply to the University of California system and other highly selective universities.
SBCA Summer Olympics
"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing
in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."
Baron Pierre de Courbetin, founder of the Modern Olympic Games
The Santa Barbara Community Academy will conduct their second annual SBCA Olympics tomorrow, Tuesday, June 12, 2001. The SBCA Olympics will take place at East Beach. The schedule is as follows:
- 9:00 a.m. = Opening Ceremonies, complete with torch runners and class flags.
- 9:30 a.m. = Kindergarten Fun Run
- 9:45 a.m. = Grades 1 and 2 Fun Run
- 10:00 a.m. = Grades 3 and 4 One-Mile Run
- 10:30 a.m. = Sand Castle Competition
- 11:15 a.m. = Awards and Raffle Prizes
- 11:30 a.m. = Lunch and Face Painting
- 12:15 p.m. = Parent/Child Games: Boogie Boarding, Sack Races, Soccer, Baseball, Sand Play and Snacks
- 2:00 p.m. = Final Awards and Raffle Prizes
Adrienne Wollitzer Awarded Discover Card’s Tribute Award Scholarship
Student Adrienne Wollitzer, a junior at Dos Pueblos High School, is a scholarship winner in the state level of Discover Card’s 10th annual Tribute Award Scholarship program. The scholarship amount is $2,500. The award is given in cooperation with the American Association of School Administrators. It recognizes the high level of academic excellence of outstanding high school juniors. The award categories are Trade & Technical Studies; Arts & Humanities Studies; or Science, Business and Technology Studies. "Gold I, II, and III" winners are identified in each of the award categories. Adrienne was selected as a Gold I winner in the Science, Business & Technology Studies category. Her application will be forwarded to the program’s national level of competition. In June, three $25,000 scholarships per category (per Gold I, II, or III designation) will be awarded at the national level.
Applicants must be strong candidates in three of the four following areas: leadership, obstacles overcome, special talents, and community service. They must also maintain at least a 2.75 grade point average. According to Shirley Kennedy Keller, program director, almost 10,000 applications were received this year from juniors in public and private schools from across the nation.
Discover Card established this recognition program in 1991. This year, the company increased the annual level of scholarship funding from almost $1 million to nearly $1.5 million.
Adrienne has been a member of the Dos Pueblos tennis and basketball teams for the past three years. Her high school community service activities include one summer as a volunteer counselor at Zoo Camp and, most recently, weekly volunteer work at the Santa Barbara County Animal Shelter.
Adrienne hopes to attend college on the East Coast, and is just beginning the process of identifying colleges and universities of interest to her. She is hoping to major in either pre-veterinarian studies, history, or American government.