Camarillo, Calif., Nov. 26, 2013 – Four art students from CSU Channel Islands (CI) earned top awards for their interactive media and video work at the statewide CSU Media Arts Festival this month. The annual festival, held Nov. 9 at Cal State Fullerton, recognizes the best in film, video and interactive media work by students from all 23 CSU campuses. The CI student victories continue an impressive 11-year winning streak for the youngest campus in the CSU system.

CI students dominated the Interactive Media category – earning all three top spots. Eamon Stewart took home first place and a $500 Rosebud Award for his personal website, http://www.eamonstewart.com, which showcases his portfolio of work in film, animation and motion graphics. The Ventura native graduated last spring from the Art Program. He works at a branding company, is completing an animated short film, and is co-creator of “Waffle Party,” a weekly Web comic that he produces with friend, collaborator and fellow CI alumnus Erik Scoggan, at http://www.wafflepartycomic.com.

“Being an art major CONTINUED »

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) announced a $100,000 sponsorship by Union Bank representing a significant corporate sponsorship to the University. The contribution will be allocated to support student scholarships and to advance some of CI’s most urgent priorities.

“We are thankful to Union Bank for its generous support,” said CI President Richard R. Rush. “This sponsorship comes at a critical time for our campus and it will help us immeasurably in serving our students.”

Over the last four years, state funding for the CSU system has decreased by 33 percent. As a result, private and public partnerships and individual and corporate donations are essential in meeting the needs of CI’s growing student population. Union Bank’s contribution will be recognized throughout the year at various University events and initiatives.

“We are committed to CONTINUED »

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - California Lutheran University will observe World AIDS Day 2013 with a panel discussion and candlelight vigil on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

CLU’s Center for Equality and Justice will host an HIV-positive speakers panel from 2:15 to 3:55 p.m. in Room 101 of the Swenson Center for the Social and Behavioral Sciences. A candlelight vigil will be held from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. on the Swenson Center patio.

World AIDS Day, which officially falls on Dec. 1, was first observed in 1988. It started with a call by health ministers from around the world for social tolerance and greater awareness of HIV/AIDS on an international scale.

The theme for this year’s observance is “Getting to zero ¬– HIV and adolescents.” To highlight the fact that people 10 to 24 years old continue to be vulnerable to HIV infection, the World Health Organization is launching new guidelines and a policy brief on HIV testing, counseling, treatment and care for adolescents living with HIV.

The Swenson Center is located at 141 Faculty St. on the Thousand Oaks campus.

CLU’s Center for Equality and Justice (CEJ), Wellness Programs and Office of Campus Ministry and the HIV/AIDS Coalition of Ventura County are sponsoring the free public events. For more information, contact the CEJ at 805-493-3694 or cej@callutheran.edu.

The Evelyn and Howard Boroughs Library at Ventura College will host a free scholar-led reading and discussion of the book, In the Country of Men, by Hisham Matar on November 13, 2013, at 5:30 p.m., as part of the “Let’s Talk About It: Muslim Journeys” series. Throughout the series, participants will explore the histories, faith, and cultures of Muslims around the world and within the United States through informed conversations facilitated by a local scholar. The November 13 discussion is open to the community and will be led by Dr. Kathleen M. Moore, Chair of the Religious Studies Department, University of California Santa Barbara. The reading and discussion will take place in The Evelyn and Howard Boroughs Library, Learning Resources Center Building, Second Floor, Reading Room, Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura, 93003.

“Let’s Talk About It: Muslim Journeys” is a project of National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) conducted in cooperation with the American Library Association (ALA), with support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Additional support for the arts and media components was provided by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Arts. The Evelyn and Howard Boroughs Library at Ventura College is one of 125 libraries and state humanities councils nationwide to receive funding to host this five-part series that seeks to engage readers in some new and diverse perspectives on Muslim lives and cultures through selected texts and dynamic discussion. For additional information, please visit http://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/student_services/library or contact Ayanna Gaines, Associate Librarian, Ventura College, at tel. 805.289-6188 or by email at againes@vcccd.edu.

The Moorpark College Theatre Arts Department announces auditions for its upcoming spring 2014 production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance.” Preliminary dance auditions will be held on Monday, November 25, 2013, from 6-10 p.m. and preliminary musical auditions on November 26, from 6-10 p.m., with callbacks on November 27 from 6-10 p.m. Auditions will be held on the Moorpark College campus on the main stage of the Performing Arts Center. Anyone interested in auditioning should wear comfortable clothing, bring 32 bars of sheet music or a karaoke CD to sing, and be prepared to read from script. An accompanist will be present for the audition.

A favorite among both opera and Broadway lovers, “The Pirates of Penzance” (Pirates) is one of the best known and loved of the prolific repertory by Gilbert and Sullivan. Last seen on Broadway in 1981, Pirates ran for 787 performances and won both the Tony Award for Best Revival and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical. The reverence for "character," "duty," and "will" appealed to all, and the tongue-twisting "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General" is suited to the quick oral delivery of the General, who attempts to display a refinement of manners and morals suited to his day.

“I love working with the Music and Dance programs for our big spring musicals,” said John Loprieno, Director and Theatre Arts Department Chair. “Our Choreographer, Beth Megill, and our Musical Director, Marilyn Anderson, are both accomplished professionals in their own right,” said Loprieno. “The students at Moorpark College are really in for a treat this spring!” Individuals who are cast in this play must register for the three-unit Theatre Production: Performance class.

“The Pirates of Penzance” will run March 13-30, 2014, with performances Thursdays–Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. in the main stage of Moorpark College located at 7075 Campus Road in Moorpark, CA 93021. Tickets may be purchased through the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center Box Office at (805) 378-1485 or online at www.moorparkcollege.edu/pac. For additional information regarding Moorpark College Theatre Arts Music and Dance programs, please contact John Loprieno at (805) 553-4692 or at jloprieno@vcccd.edu.

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) invites the public to “Together We Can Help Our Students,” a free presentation offered as part of the University’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Diversity Series. The presentation, which examines ways educators, parents, students and communities can promote STEM success among English language learners and underrepresented groups, will take place Thursday, Nov. 14, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Malibu Hall 100 on the CI campus. Please visit http://go.csuci.edu/stem to register. A Q&A session will follow the presentation.

The event’s featured speaker is Catherine Martinez Berryhill, Ph.D., a native northern New Mexican educator with 32 years of experience teaching and managing all educational levels from preschool to doctoral studies. Berryhill has a lifelong interest in the math and science success of English language learners and students who are often underrepresented in post-secondary institutions. She has influenced math and science education across the region by working with college instructors, pre-K-12 teachers, and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Berryhill earned a B.S. in Secondary Education from New Mexico State University, an M.A. in Integrating Technology into Schools from University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction/Technology from New Mexico State University.

In addition to the public presentation on the 14th, the STEM Diversity Series also includes workshops for CI faculty and students – both aimed at fostering diversity and student achievement in the STEM disciplines. The series is sponsored by Project ACCESO, a Department of Education Hispanic-Serving Institutions STEM (HSI-STEM) grant that seeks to increase CI’s ability to support students enrolled in STEM majors. The grant provides funding for tutoring, peer mentoring, and other student success services; summer and academic year paid research experiences for students; research and instructional infrastructure; and STEM outreach to the community. It also seeks to facilitate the transfer of STEM students from each of CI's regional community college partners. For more information, visit www.csuci.edu/projectacceso/.

Limited parking is available on campus with the purchase of a $6 daily permit; follow signs to the parking permit dispensers. Free parking is available at the Camarillo Metrolink Station/Lewis Road parking lot in Camarillo with bus service to and from the campus. Riders should board the CI Vista bus to the campus; the cash-only fare is $1.25 each way. Buses arrive and depart from the Camarillo Metrolink Station every 30 minutes, Monday through Friday. For exact times, check the schedule at www.goventura.org.

For more information, contact Dr. Lorna Profant, CI Biology Lecturer, at 805-437-8837 or lorna.profant@csuci.edu.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more about CI by visiting CI’s Social Media.

The Oxnard College Latino Thought Makers Series is pleased to present “An Evening With Alisa Valdes” on Saturday, November 16, 2013, at 7 p.m. in the Oxnard College Performing Arts Center Auditorium (OCPA) located at 4000 S. Rose Avenue in Oxnard, CA. Valdes, an author, film producer, and Emmy Award winning journalist, known for her bestselling novel, The Dirty Girls Social Club, will discuss her career and literary works with host Rick Najera, Director, Screenwriter, Actor, and Comedian. The evening begins with a reception in front of the OCPA at 5:30 p.m., followed by the main event at 7 p.m.

Sponsored by the Oxnard College Institute for Latino Performing Arts, this event will be the first in a series spotlighting influential Latinos in the fields of Performing Arts, Politics, and Social Issues. “Oxnard College is very excited about the premier event in the Latino Thought Makers Series and looks forward to bringing many more talented artists like Alisa Valdes to the Oxnard Community,” commented Ken Sherwood, Dean of Liberal Studies.

Admission is free for students, faculty, staff, and the community. Parking is $2.00. For more information, contact Connie Campos at tel. 805-986-5804 or by email at ccampos@vcccd.edu.

Fillmore Women’s Service Club made their presentation of their “Teacher Recognition Award” at the High School Faculty meeting Tuesday October 22, 2013 at Fillmore High School. This presentation was made by Jeanne Klittich, President; Mimi Burns, 1st Vice President; and Susan Banks, Youth Chairman, with pictures taken by member Sandy Butts. The presentation was made to all the high school teachers in recognition and appreciation for their outstanding dedication to education. With this award was a check to each of the teachers individually for $50. to be used for purchasing additional materials to enhance their curriculum.

This teacher recognition is only one of the many educational awards that the Fillmore Women’s Service Club does with the money they raise at their Fireworks Booth – Thanks to community support and the hard work of our members. This past year we were able to give 19 educational scholarships, plus 2 community scholarships for our graduating seniors, then an additional 3 adult scholarships for women returning to school.

The club meets at the Fillmore Senior Center on the second Wednesday of the month at 7pm. Please come join our fun group, or check out our web page or become a friend on Facebook.

Ido Kedar

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - A high school junior will share his experiences with severe nonverbal autism at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at California Lutheran University.

Ido Kedar, author of the 2012 book “Ido in Autismland: Climbing Out of Autism’s Silent Prison,” and Adrienne Johnson, an inclusion facilitator with Los Angeles Unified School District, will give a presentation on Kedar’s educational journey and his aspirations for higher education. The event will be held in Room 101 of the Swenson Center for the Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Kedar, who now communicates with an iPad speech-generating app, spent many years locked in silence and trapped in a remedial educational system because he couldn’t show the world how much he understood. First with a letter board and then with an iPad, he eventually found a way to communicate despite his impaired motor control. He is now an honors student in general education classes, a blogger and a frequent guest lecturer at universities and autism conferences.

In his book, Kedar chronicles his struggles to overcome his limitations and he challenges misconceptions that affect autism treatment. He advocates for the development of new theories and methods that will enable others with severe autism to show their true capacity for understanding and learning.

More people than ever before are being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Center for Disease Control estimates about one in 88 children has been identified with an ASD. It is unclear how much of the increase is due to a broader definition of ASD and better efforts in diagnosis.

People with autistic disorder, also called classic autism, usually have significant language delays, social and communication challenges, and unusual behaviors and interests.

Kedar’s book will be available for purchase and he will sign copies after the presentation.

The Swenson Center is located at 141 Faculty St. on the Thousand Oaks campus.

CLU and the Autism Society of Ventura County are sponsoring the free event. Limited care for children with disabilities and siblings will be available if requested in advance. RSVP by Nov. 15 to epena@callutheran.edu.

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - California Lutheran University will highlight its increasing number of international students during International Education Week activities from Nov. 11 to 15 on its Thousand Oaks campus.

CLU’s observance of the week, which is a joint initiative of the U.S. Departments of State and Education, will include a World Fair and International Chapel Service.

The fair will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, in University Plaza. Held in conjunction with the English Language School on campus, the celebration will focus on the uniqueness of each culture represented at CLU.

The worship service will be held at 11:25 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, in Samuelson Chapel.

CLU has more international students than ever this year. The number of foreign nationals taking classes this fall is 505, more than 9 percent higher than last year and nearly 10 times the level of 10 years ago. One in eight CLU students today is a citizen of another country.

The Thousand Oaks university’s foreign students come from 45 countries, an increase from last year. The largest sending countries this year are China, Saudi Arabia, Norway, Taiwan, Austria, Thailand, Sweden, India and Japan.

The week also highlights study abroad experiences offered by CLU. There are program options in more than 80 countries around the world. Each year, nearly 200 students participate in semester, summer and yearlong programs and faculty-led seminars. Twenty-eight percent of the 2013 graduating class studied abroad during their time at CLU.

University Plaza is located outside Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center at 130 Overton Court. Samuelson Chapel is located at 165 Chapel Lane. Soiland Humanities Center is located at 120 Memorial Parkway.

All activities are free and open to the public. CLU’s Office of Multicultural Programs and International Student Services and United Students of the World are sponsoring the events. For more information, call Linda Boberg at 805-493-3323.

Oxnard College will hold a groundbreaking ceremony on October 30 at 11:30 a.m. for its new Dental Hygiene building to be located on campus at 4000 South Rose Avenue in Oxnard. Upon completion, the Dental Hygiene building will provide students and instructors with instructional lab space, a classroom, clinic, and office space. Facility construction is being provided through Measure S Bond funding with an anticipated project budget of $3.5 million. Occupancy is tentatively scheduled for spring 2015. The Oxnard College Dental Hygiene Program prepares students to become licensed dental professionals. Experience is gained through a combination of experiences at an on‐campus dental hygiene clinic and at off-campus rotations. The groundbreaking ceremony will include the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees, Chancellor, Oxnard College President, employees, and students. The ceremony is open to the public. Light refreshments and free parking will be available.

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) invites students from kindergarten through eighth grade and their families to a fun-filled, free evening of hands-on science experiments in a Halloween carnival-like atmosphere.

The 2013 Science Carnival will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School, located at 2900 Thurgood Marshall Drive in Oxnard.

Children can observe and participate in more than 70 activities – including launching marshmallows, concocting glow-in-the-dark goo, freezing candy bars in liquid nitrogen, digging for fossils, blowing up pumpkins and making their own lotion – all while learning about the science behind them.

This is the fifth annual event organized by Professor of Chemistry Phil Hampton as part of a broader CI effort to expose more students to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education and careers. Last year's Science Carnival drew more than 1,500 participants.

“By introducing them to the thrills of scientific experimentation in a fun atmosphere, we hope to inspire future generations of scientists and innovators,” Hampton said. “Kids will even be able to take some of their ‘creations’ home.”

The event has a signature Halloween theme, offering children the chance to wear their Halloween costumes and enjoy a variety of “spooky” refreshments and activities. Families are invited to bring a picnic dinner or enjoy food that will be available for sale.

The Science Carnival is funded with the help of CI’s Project ACCESO, a Department of Education Hispanic-Serving Institution grant that promotes STEM learning.

CI students, faculty, staff, the Free Radicals chemistry club, and dozens of members of the local business, education and scientific communities are volunteering their time to lead experiments and help with the event.

For more information, visit www.csuci.edu/sciencecarnival; contact Sandra Birmingham, STEM Outreach/Pipeline Coordinator, Project ACCESO, 805-437-3597, Sandra.Birmingham@csuci.edu; or Phil Hampton, Professor of Chemistry, Director of Project ACCESO, 805-437-8869, Philip.Hampton@csuci.edu.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more about CI by visiting CI’s Social Media.

Rio Vista will be holding their first annual Holiday Boutique/Craft Faire on November 23rd at Rio Vista Elementary School from 10:00 to 3:00. This is a fundraising event to help support school events. This is a great opportunity to enjoy shopping for unique one of kind items handmade by local folks at the same time help support a great cause.

Dear Parents and Guardians,
Fillmore High School is forming the English Language Advisory Committee, (ELAC). The purpose of ELAC is to advise the principal and school staff on programs and services for English learners. In addition, the committee advises and assists the school principal, staff, and School Site Council as follows:
1. The school’s program for English learners.
2. The development of the School Plan for Student Achievement.
3. The school’s needs assessment.
4. The school’s annual language census.
5. Efforts to make parents aware of the importance of regular school attendance.

This is a great opportunity for parents and guardians to participate actively in the education of your student.

Please come and join us on Wednesday, October 23, 2013 at 6:30 pm in the FHS conference room.
Refreshments will be served.

Looking forward to seeing you,
Russom Mesfun
Principal

Estimados padres y tutores,
La escuela secundaria de Fillmore está formando el comité consejero del desarrollo de ingles como segundo idioma (ELAC).
El propósito de ELAC es para aconsejar el director y el personal escolar de programas y servicios para estudiantes aprendices de ingles. Además, el comité aconseja y asiste el director, personal escolar y el concilio escolar de la siguiente manera:
1. El programa escolar de aprendices de ingles.
2. El desarrollo del plan escolar para los logros estudiantiles.
3. Los exámenes de las necesidades escolares.
4. El censas anual de lenguaje escolar.
5. Esfuerzo para alertar a los padres de la importancia de asistencia en la escuela regular.
Esta es una gran oportunidad para padres y tutores para participar activamente en la educación de su estudiante.
Por favor venga y reúnase el miércoles, 23 de octubre a las 6:30p en el salón de conferencias en la secundaria de Fillmore. Se servirán refrescos.
Esperamos verlos,
Russom Mesfun

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Mountain Vista students have set an ambitious goal to read 75,000,000 words this year. The school is using the Accelerated Reading Program and other methods to calculate the total. Since the program was rolled out on September 18th, the students have read 5,333,517 words. A giant thermometer is being used to record the word count progress. Each grade level has also set a classroom goal. When classroom goals are met teachers will have classroom level celebrations. When a student reaches one million words, balloons will be taken to the classroom, a photo taken of the student and the picture will be displayed in the office “Reading Wall of Fame”. Reading certificates will be given at the end of the year for the number of words read by the students. A school-wide celebration will be organized when we reach our goal such as a Hawaiian Day. Teachers have reported that their students are very motivated to read this year. So far Ms. Gray’s second grade class has already surpassed their goal of 250,000 words and Ms. Butts’ and Ms. Graves’ 5th grade classes have recently passed the 1,000,000 word mark.

Mountain Vista students have also benefitted from a recent book giveaway sponsored by Paula Phillips of the Right Road Kids organization. On Friday, October 4th, Paula and her staff, with the help of Mountain Vista parents, let each Mountain Vista student select two books to take home to keep. This really excited the students. There were smiles everywhere!

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) is now accepting applications for the fall 2014 term. The priority application period opened Oct. 1 and ends at midnight on Nov. 30. High school seniors, community college transfer students and others intending to apply must visit www.csumentor.edu to complete the online application as early as possible. CSUMentor also offers detailed information about the CSU system and campuses, admission requirements and financial aid.

CI has a current enrollment of 5,100 – an increase of approximately 600 students from this past spring. Last year, 11,000 new freshmen and transfer students applied and over 7,200 were admitted. Enrollment is expected to continue to grow, dependent on the availability of additional funding from the state.

For the past several years, the CSU has had to turn away between 20,000-25,000 fully eligible new students each year due to massive cuts in state funding. With the state’s reinvestment in higher education in the 2013-14 budget, CSU’s enrollment will increase by about 6,000 students over the course of the year. This still leaves nearly 20,000 students who may be turned away because of inadequate funding. At their recent September meeting, the CSU Board of Trustees reviewed an initial budget proposal for 2014-15 that includes a request of additional funding to increase enrollment.

The 23rd and newest campus in the CSU system, CI offers 24 undergraduate degree programs, six graduate degrees, and a wide variety of teaching and service credential programs. For more information, visit www.csuci.edu or contact the CI Admissions & Recruitment office at admissions@csuci.edu or 805-437-8520.

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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more about CI by visiting CI’s Social Media.

The public is invited to attend the Moorpark College Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) Complex building dedication on Wednesday, October 23, 3:00 p.m., at 7075 Campus Road in Moorpark. EATM is a two-story, 12,400 square foot building with classrooms, offices, and an auditorium facility used mainly by EATM program students. The Complex has been designed to deviate somewhat from standard campus buildings because of the nature of its use, not only for students, but also for public access to the Zoo. The facility houses two classrooms, one vet lab, a 145-seat auditorium, and faculty/staff offices. A bus unloading area has been installed to permit a drop-off area for local school children who visit the facility. Funding for this project was provided through Measure S Bond funds. The event will include the Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees, Chancellor, Moorpark College Interim President, employees, and students. Free parking will be available.

On October 2nd 24 Fillmore FFA members competed in the Opening and Closing Ceremony, 11 of whom also took the Best Informed Greenhand Test. The event was held at Ventura High School and the participants were judged on their dress, memorization, and overall presentation of their part in the opening and closing of each FFA meeting. Fillmore took home the trophy by getting 1st Officer Team, 1st Open Team, 1st Novice Team, and 1st Best Informed Greenhand Team. Also, in individual awards for the Opening and Closing Ceremony, Jaylene Ortiz received Outstanding Secretary and Jessica Manginelli received Outstanding Reporter in the Officer Section, Macie Wokal received Outstanding President and Hanah Saviers-Wishart received Outstanding Reporter in the Open Section, and Calvin Oubinarath received Outstanding Sentinel in the Novice Section. For individual awards in the Best Informed Greenhand Test, Jose Perez got 4th, Jane Ramos got 2nd, and Sarah Vollmert got 1st. As you can see Fillmore worked very hard to do well and we succeeded by taking every 1st place available. Fillmore FFA would like to thank our teachers who spent time with us at lunch, every day a week and a half in advance, and helped us do excellent!

Jessica Manginelli
Fillmore FFA Reporter