Summer School Students, Grades 11 and 12 will take the CAHSEE Exam on July 28, & 29, 2009
The CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) will be administered at Fillmore High School to Juniors and Seniors currently enrolled in Summer School who have NOT passed one or both English-Language Arts or Math sections. Testing for these students will begin at 8 a.m. SHARP and will end at 4 p.m. on both days in Rm. #49. The California State Department of Education will release the test results in eight weeks following testing.
This Summer School testing is a new attempt at intense instruction with (almost) immediate CAHSEE testing following the end of Summer School and it is believed that this will help those students who are equally giving their best concentrated effort to be successful in passing these important exams. Students in Grade 12 who do not pass both CAHSEE exams by June 2010 will receive a Certificate of Completion, but not a Fillmore High School Diploma. CONTINUED »

Superintendent Jack-O'Connell
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction

SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell announced today that McKinney-Vento funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) are now available to assist homeless students.

“In addition to the devastating cuts we’ve seen in state education funding, families are suffering from job loss, service cuts, and home repossessions,” said O’Connell. “These budget cuts and economic hardships affect all students, but have the greatest impact on our homeless children, a student population that is unfortunately growing.”

The McKinney-Vento funds are provided to assist schools in addressing the educational and related needs of homeless students. Schools can use the funds for programs for pre-school-aged homeless children; before- and after-school programs, mentoring, and summer programs with educational activities. The funds also can be used to cover costs associated with tracking, obtaining, and transferring records of homeless children as well as other services. CONTINUED »

Camarillo, Calif., June 25, 2009 - Two California State University Channel Islands Psychology majors are among 70 students who have been named California State University (CSU) Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholars. Jacob Jones and Bianca Villalobos, both starting their senior year this fall, will work closely with their faculty mentor, Dr. Kimmy-Kee Rose, Associate Professor of Psychology, to prepare for their future graduate studies.

The California Pre-Doctoral Program is designed to increase the pool of potential faculty by supporting the doctoral aspirations of CSU students who have experienced economic and educational disadvantages. The program places a special emphasis on increasing the number of CSU students who enter doctoral programs at one of the University of California (UC) institutions.

CSU Channel Islands seeks to involve undergraduates in research experiences with faculty and the Pre-Doctoral Program funds such activities for a select group interested in doctoral work. CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2009
11:00 a.m. – SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
11:00 a.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
II. ROLL CALL
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the school board. State law prohibits the board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings.
IV. CLARIFICATION OF AGENDA AND TIME ALLOCATIONS FOR DISCUSSION ITEMS
V. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet at 11:00 a.m. to consider matters appropriate for Closed Session in accordance with Government Code Sections 3549.1, 54956.7 through 54957.7 and Education Code Section 35146. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE (Government Code Section 54957)
VI. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION Any Action From Closed Session
VII. FUTURE MEETINGS
August 4 5:15 p.m. Closed Session – Board Room
6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting – Board Room
August 18 5:15 p.m. Closed Session – Board Room
6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting – Board Room
VIII. BOARD CLOSING COMMENTS AND AGENDA BUILDING
IX. ADJOURNMENT

Valedictorian Austin Toole (Tujunga) at work.
Enlarge Photo

Ventura, CA. - Fourteen students completed the rigorous Ventura College School of Prehospital and Emergency Medicine Paramedic Studies program, participating in the certificate presentation ceremony on Friday, June 22 at the Ventura College Theatre. This is the tenth graduating class from the program.
Michael Douglass Ellison received the Tommy Anthony Scholarship and Kyle A. Bauerlein was awarded the Benjamin Tanner Scholarship. Austin Toole is the class Valedictorian.
The Ventura College School of Prehospital and Emergency Medicine is the only fully accredited paramedic training program in the county– training Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics (highest level of EMT certification), who provide urgent care in any location or while transporting patients in ambulances or helicopters. As first responders in the delivery of emergency services, these men and women apply life-saving medical techniques to the injured.
For information on the program, visit: http://academic.venturacollege.edu/smelton/healthsci/
Program Director Meredith Mundell, Instructor Stephen Frank, VCCCD Trustee Stephen P. Blum, Esq., Dean of Career and Technical Education Robert Taylor, and Executive Vice President Ramiro Sanchez presented the certificates to the following, ten of whom earned Associate of Science degrees in Emergency Medical Services:

Ventura College – Paramedic Studies 2008 – 2009 Graduating Class

Camarillo: Hadi Jorabchi, A.S., Timothy E. Maxwell, A.S., Andrew J. Medina,
Moorpark: Evan Gonzalez, A.S.
Ojai: Michael Douglass Ellison, A.S.
Oxnard: Joe Luis Perez
Simi Valley: Matthew Arnold, A.S., Christopher M. Crosby, Steven W. Van Keulen II, A.S.
Thousand Oaks: Adam E. Nunez, A.S.
Tujunga: Austin Toole
Valencia: Amanda Lynn May, A.S.
Ventura: Kyle A. Bauerlein, A.S., James Richard Rosolek, A.S.

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, JUNE 23, 2009

BOARD MEMBER GARNICA WILL ATTEND THIS MEETING VIA TELEPHONE FROM 30 Hoopalua Dr. Kihei, Maui, HI
5:15 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:00 p.m. – SPECIAL MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
The public may review or request a copy of support materials provided to the Board Members where the word materials appears.
5:15 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
II. ROLL CALL
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS CONTINUED »

Enlarge Photo

San Cayetano School held their annual celebration of Earth Day with the traditional Recycle Olympics and Earth Day awareness projects. This year Mr. Miech and Mrs. Overton collaborated with the Flashes Go Green club from Fillmore High School. With the help of club advisor, Kirk Richter, 20 students from the high school came to San Cayetano and helped run the different Olympic activities. Elementary students really look up to the high school kids and they had a ball getting the chance to hang out and play with them. They also had the opportunity to work with our students with special needs, helping them participate in the various activities. A good time was had by all! Many of the high school students (former San Cayetano students) remembered the Earth Day Olympics from their years at this school. San Cayetano students also collected plastic bottles and cans raising $160.00. This money was donated to the Arredondo Family from Piru, who tragically lost their daughter a few weeks ago.

We wanted to give a special thanks to Alfonso Martinez and Martha Hope who took all of the bottles and cans to the recycle center. Also, we want to once again give a special thanks to Otto and Sons Nursery and the Klittich family for donating two trees to our playground. They have donated close to 20 trees to San Cayetano over the past several years. These trees give us beauty and shade and the kids love to play marbles around the base of the trunks!

Featuring fun activities for the whole family (food, games and contests) and performances by Men on the Moon and Dennis Johnson. Gates open at 5 p.m., Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Please no pets, glass or alcohol. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs and jacket. There are many food vendors or attendees can bring their own picnics.
Presale tickets are available only at Ventura-area Vons Markets and McDonalds Restaurants and will go on sale June 24. Presale Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children ages 3 through 12, and family 6 packs of tickets are $25. Ticket prices at the gate will be $8 for adults, $6 for children, and $35 for a family 6 pack. Children under 3 are free.

Event sponsors include Hilford Moving and Storage, Affinity Bank, Gold Coast Broadcasting, Kipp Financial Group, Vons, McDonalds and the Ventura County Star.

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2009
6:00 p.m. – SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
6:00 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
II. ROLL CALL
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the school board. State law prohibits the board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings.
IV. CLARIFICATION OF AGENDA AND TIME ALLOCATIONS FOR DISCUSSION ITEMS
V. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet from 6:00-8:00 p.m. to consider matters appropriate for Closed Session in accordance with Government Code Sections 3549.1, 54956.7 through 54957.7 and Education Code Section 35146. PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE (Government Code Section 54957)
VI. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION Any Action From Closed Session
VII. FUTURE MEETINGS
June 23 6:00 p.m. Special Meeting – Budget Adoption
June 30 6:30 p.m. Joint Board/City Council Meeting- City Hall
VIII. CLOSING COMMENTS AND AGENDA BUILDING
IX. ADJOURNMENT

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2009
5:15 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:00 P.M. - REGULAR MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
5:15 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
II. ROLL CALL
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the Board. State law prohibits the Board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings.
IV. CLOSED SESSION CONTINUED »

WASHINGTON – Helping middle school students with their homework may not be the best way to get them on the honor roll. But telling them how important academic performance is to their future job prospects and providing specific strategies to study and learn might clinch the grades, according to a research review.

"Instilling the value of education and linking school work to future goals is what this age group needs to excel in school, more than parents' helping with homework or showing up at school," said lead researcher Nancy E. Hill, PhD, of Harvard University. She examined 50 studies with more than 50,000 students over a 26-year period looking at what kinds of parent involvement helped children's academic achievement.

These findings are reported in the May issue of Developmental Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association.

"Middle school is the time when grades and interest in school decline," said Hill. "Entering puberty, hanging out with friends, wanting distance from parents and longing to make one's own decisions win over listening to parents and studying." CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2009
5:15 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:00 p.m. – SPECIAL MEETING

BUDGET STUDY SESSION
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
5:15 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
II. ROLL CALL
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the school board. State law prohibits the board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings.
IV. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet from 5:15 to 6:00 p.m. to consider matters appropriate for Closed Session in accordance with Government Code Sections 3549.1, 54956.7 through 54957.7 and Education Code Section 35146. If the Board does not complete Closed Session discussions at this time, the Board may adjourn to Closed Session at the end of the regular meeting. DISCLOSURE OF ITEM(S) TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION School District Pupils (Education Code 35146)
o Expulsion Case Number 08-09-15
o Expulsion Case Number 08-09-16 Labor/Negotiations (Government Code 54957.6)
o Update; Direction to District Negotiators (Jeff Sweeney, Evalene Townend, Mike Bush) for negotiations with the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA), the California School Employees Association (CSEA), Confidential Employees, and District Administration. Personnel Matters
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Superintendent's Office at (805) 524-6038. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the district to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [In accordance with Government Code 54961 and Board Bylaw 9320(a).]

6:00 p.m.
V. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION Any Action From Closed Session
VI. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
VII. CLARIFICATION OF AGENDA AND TIME ALLOCATIONS FOR DISCUSSION ITEMS
VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the school board. State law prohibits the board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings.
IX. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION
a. Budget Discussion
X. FUTURE MEETINGS
June 16 5:15 p.m. Closed Session – Board Room
6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting – Board Room
June 23 6:00 p.m. Special Meeting – Budget Adoption
June 30 6:30 p.m. Joint Board/City Council Meeting- City Hall
XI. CLOSING COMMENTS AND AGENDA BUILDING
XII. ADJOURNMENT

This past week, a group of students and counselors went to a Peer Mediation Jamboree to prepare our students to run Peer Mediations for our next school year. This program was sponsored by the Ventura Center for Dispute Settlement and the Ventura County Bar Association.
Peer Mediations helps students solve their own problems, handle “issues” in a positive way, and show students new ways to work out their anger.
Peer Mediations promotes: solutions that last; independence in the process; problem solving; effective communication; negotiation strategies; understanding; empathy; and healthy relationships.
To be a Peer Mediator at Fillmore Middle School, the student must maintain good grades and good conduct in school. The four basic concepts of Peer Mediation is 1. Know the Problem, 2. Communicate, 3. Brainstorm Solutions, and 4. Make an Agreement.
Peer Mediations is when students get together to solve their problems in a peaceful way.
Way to go Fillmore Middle School!

A record number of scholarships were awarded to local students at the Ventura County Community Foundation Scholarship Awards Reception at the Ventura County Office of Education on June 4.

Nearly 380 awards, totaling more than $1.35 million, will be handed out at the event. A total of 490 scholarships will be given to 383 individuals.

Despite the downturn in the economy this year, the Community Foundation will award at least $290,000 more than it did in 2008.

“At this time of economic distress for so many families, these scholarships may well decide whether students continue their education and keep their dreams alive,” said Pierre Y. Tada, chair of the VCCF board.
This year, donors and contributors extended VCCF’s awards by $135,500 in new scholarships including awards for young artists, students who are the first in their families to attend college, children of agricultural workers as well as students majoring in agriculture, women resuming her education after being in the workforce, future science teachers and students studying medicine.

Here are the Fillmore/Piru scholarship winners:

Fillmore
Gabriele Alviz, William A. & Cynthia D. Fairburn Memorial, $2,200; Angelica Amezcua, James C. Basile Scholarship, $20,000; Destino Scholarship Fund, $2,500; Elizabeth Amezcua, James C. Basile Scholarship, $20,000; Mayra Amezcua, Orfalea Migrant Education Scholarship, $2,310; Alani Barajas, William A. & Cynthia D. Fairburn Memorial, $2,200; Alicia Figueroa, Orfalea Migrant Education Scholarship, $2,310; Luz Figueroa, Orfalea Migrant Education Scholarship, $2,310; Alexandra Garcia, Destino Scholarship Fund, $2,500; Natalie Garnica, William A. & Cynthia D. Fairburn Memorial, $2,200; Ashley Grande, Orfalea Scholarship Fund, $2,500; Rebeca Herrera, VCCF Scholarship Grants Fund, $600; Danny Klittich, Milton McKevett Teague Scholarship Fund, $2,500; Susie I. Lopez, TEACH Fund, $750; Maricarmen Magana, Orfalea Migrant Scholarship Fund, $2,310; Laura Orozco, Orfalea Health Field Scholarship, $2,500; Orfalea Scholarship Fund, $2,500; Carlos Tarango, James C. Basile Scholarship, $20,000; Antoinette Tarango, Orfalea Forgivable Loan for Nurses, $1,524; Ventura County Medical Education Fund, $4,000; Iris & Roger (Spike) Wilkins Scholarship, $1,100; Juan Carlos Toledo, William A. & Cynthia D. Fairburn Memorial Scholarship, $2,200; Jillian Wilber, James C. Basile Scholarship, $20,000.

Piru
Taylor Atkins, Finch Family Scholarship, $3,400; Orfalea Scholarship Fund, $2,500; Jonathan Escamilla, Orfalea Scholarship Fund, $2,500.

The Mother – Daughter banquet was held on Thursday, May 21st at the Memorial Bldg. The following students were acknowledged for being admitted to a university:
Aguirre Noah
Alonso Miguel
Alvary Jazmyne
Amezcua Elizabeth
Arreola Maria
Atkins Taylor
Avila Jessica
Bahena Christina
Barajas Alani
Bolanos Stephanie
Chavez Eron
Chessani Karli CONTINUED »

at San Cayetano Elementary School
June 9 – July 2, 2009
Breakfast 7:30 am -8:00 am
Lunch 11:45 am – 12:15 pm

Superintendent Jack-O'Connell
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction

SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today announced the California Department of Education received $4.3 million in federal Advanced Placement Test Fee Program grants to help low-income students pay fees to take Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) tests.

“Students need more rigorous instruction to prepare for today’s hypercompetitive economy,” O’Connell said. “That’s why I am pleased the overall number of California students enrolling in AP and IB programs has increased dramatically in the past decade. These grants will help ensure that cost will not be a barrier for students to take these courses and as well as the tests. These grants are particularly welcome in our current economic environment. And, as an added benefit, by taking and passing these tests, students may receive college credit that can offset some of the cost of higher education.”

In the past decade from 1997-98 to 2007-08, the total number of students enrolled in AP and IB courses grew 112.6 percent from 228,019 to 484,694 students. AP and IB classes are typically taken in high school-level courses. But two middle schools in San Diego County, Lemon Grove Middle School and Palm Middle School both in the Lemon Grove School District, are offering middle school students Spanish language AP courses. CONTINUED »