August 2003 News Archive
Thursday, August 28, 2003
Update: Teacher Layoffs in the Santa Barbara School Districts
Most teachers who were given layoff notices by March 15, 2003, as required by law, were notified prior to the end of the 2002-2003 school year that their layoff notice was dismissed and they would have a position in the 2003-2004 school year. The dismissal of layoff notices was the result of several factors: retirements within the Santa Barbara School Districts; the governor’s restoration of 20:1 class-size reduction in grades K-3 and grade 9 English and math for school year 2003-2004; and the Santa Barbara Board of Education’s approval of continued ninth- and tenth-grade 25:1 class-size reduction in reading.
At the elementary level (grades K-6), all 48 teachers; 24 of the 26 teachers in the child development program; and 36 of the 51 high school district teachers who received a layoff notice were informed that they would be returning. With the Board’s July 8, 2003, decision to maintain ninth-grade class size reduction in English and math, the balance of the noticed teachers will be returning.
Dos Pueblos High School Receives International Baccalaureate World School Status
Recently, Ian Hill, the International Baccalaureate Organization’s (IBO) deputy director general, contacted Principal David Cash, informing him that Dos Pueblos High School’s application to participate in the IB Diploma Programme had been accepted. Mr. Hill granted the school authorization to begin teaching the IB Diploma Programme in September 2003.
The path to IB status was rigorous. It took nearly three years of preparation, planning, and extensive teacher training. Dos Pueblos staff completed an exhaustive, two-year-long application and hosted a two-day school site visit by IB officials. In June 2003, the school’s efforts were chronicled in a report to the IBO World Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. In July, the school’s IB status was confirmed.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme provides highly motivated students with an opportunity to pursue a rigorous liberal arts curriculum. According to the IBO website, "The International Baccalaureate Organization’s Diploma Programme was created in 1968. It is a demanding pre-university course of study ... that is designed for highly motivated secondary school students aged 16 to 19." One advantage is that internationally mobile students can easily transfer from one IB school to another. Within country, the IB Diploma Programme represents a highly respected international curriculum that is accepted by major universities around the world.
The bulk of the IB Diploma Progamme course work is done during the junior and senior years with prerequisite classes completed during the freshmen and sophomore years. The IB Diploma is awarded to students who pass examinations in six academic areas; complete a course of study called The Theory of Knowledge; present an extended essay reflecting independent research and analysis; and complete at least 150 hours of creativity, action and service. The study program results in a dossier of work, which is the basis for the final IB score and awarding of the diploma. This dossier approach differs from the Advanced Placement course in that the final AP score is derived from a single exam session. Dos Pueblos is currently accepting juniors to the IB Diploma Programme. Students who successfully complete the requirements of the program will receive IB Diplomas in June 2005.
According to Dos Pueblos High School’s IB Coordinator, Karen Beckstead, "Although course credit or preferred admission to university can be obtained by completing the IB Diploma, these are not the purpose and goals of the Programme. The rigors of the Programme process a change in students. It doesn’t make A+ students. It makes A+ people."
For information regarding the IB Diploma Programme at Dos Pueblos High School, contact Principal David Cash or IB Coordinator Karen Beckstead.
Local Businesses Support Local Schools
Hearing of the state budget crisis and its impact on local schools, several local businesses have stepped forward to give generously to K-12 schools in the Santa Barbara Elementary and High School Districts:
1. The Paper Chase – Pitts and Bachman
During the past few weeks, local Pitts and Bachman offices have been working together to raise $50,000-$60,000 to meet
the districts’ copy paper needs for school year 2003-2004. As of this date, $14,000 has been raised. Two upcoming
events to support this fundraising goal are:
- August 17, 2003, Sandcastle Contest at Ledbetter Beach, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- August 23, 2003, Rummage Sale, Pitts & Bachman Office at 1436 State Street, 9:00-Noon
Anyone wishing to attend and/or participate in the Sandcastle contest or the rummage sale is encouraged to call Patty Tunnicliff (Pitts and Bachman) at 963-1391.
2. Health and School Supplies
Tenet Healthcare Employees and the Tenet Healthcare Foundation Local Tenet Healthcare employees, more than 140, are
conducting an August 1-13, 2003 Back-To-School supply drive. Their focus is on providing health care supplies (bandages,
alcohol, etc.) and K-12 classroom supplies.
Tenet Healthcare Foundation is supporting this employee drive by donating $5,000 to the Santa Barbara School Districts (to be used for health care supplies and classroom supplies).
3. Costco Backpack Donation
Costco has donated 450 backpacks, plus 12 different school supplies for each backpack (e.g., glue sticks, fruit snacks,
pens, pencils, binder paper, pencil pouches). These items are earmarked for Franklin Elementary School. A team of
volunteers will be filling the packs on August 21 and the backpacks will be distributed on the first day of school
(August 25, 2003).
Others wishing to contribute time or financial resources are encouraged to call Barbara Keyani, Special Projects and Communication, Santa Barbara School Districts, 963-4338, extension 206. Additionally, each school’s wish list is posted on this web site and is updated periodically.