Isabella sketching

The Museum of Ventura County’s Art Start program returns this summer and is now open for registration. The July 11-15, and July 18 – 22 sessions from 9:00 am to noon, are designed for students currently in 3rd to 5th grades, of all artistic abilities and interests. The Art Start program is designed to encourage students to discover and experiment with different art media and techniques. Local artists visit several days during each session to discuss their art and demonstrate, while the museum’s exhibitions and art collection provide inspiration.

T-shirt, snacks and all art materials are included in the registration fee, which is $85 for the general public, $70 for museum members. Scholarships are available. Registration forms may be downloaded under education resources at www.venturamuseum.org, or picked up in the Museum of Ventura County lobby, 100 East Main Street in Ventura, from 11 a.m. to 5 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. For further information contact education@venturamuseum.org or call (805) 653-0323 ext. 300.

The Museum of Ventura County is now accepting registration for Chumash Youth 2011. The two sessions are June 20-24, and June 27-July 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and open to students currently in 3rd or 4th grade. Sessions are limited to 15 students.

This junior anthropology program helps children learn about the traditional culture of the Chumash Indians, Ventura County’s indigenous Native Americans, through Chumash songs, stories, and games, as well as hands-on activities. Children make their own arrowhead, learn to make plant fiber string, a clapper stick instrument and other projects using traditional methods. During each session, Chumash elder Julie Tumamait-Stenslie visits to share legends and stories of her people.

T-shirt, snacks and all materials are included in the registration fee, which is $50 for the general public, $40 for museum members. Scholarships are available. Registration forms may be downloaded under education resources at www.venturamuseum.org, or picked up in the lobby of the Museum of Ventura County, 100 East Main Street in Ventura, from 11 a.m. to 5 pm, Tuesday through Sunday. For further information contact education@venturamuseum.org or call (805) 653-0323 ext. 300.

Hello All,
Hope you are enjoying the decent weather. I wanted to share a few helpful things I've recently learned about. First I wanted to make sure folks know that the FUSD School Board has a meeting tonight, April 5 at 6:30 at the District Office on Sespe. You can view the agenda here: http://www.fillmore.k12.ca.us/Archive.aspx?AMID=30

First bit of info:
Last week at the Bullying Prevention forum hosted by FUSD (see this weeks Gazette for my article on this important forum and issue) a woman from Interface Children and Family Services spoke about bullying and a parenting program they have that families can be referred to through their school. Interface is based in Camarillo, but has an office in Santa Paula and operates within FUSD as well. This looks like a wonderful organization creating programs for families who may in a serious situation, or just needing a bit of support and guidance. See their website for more info or contact your local school principal for a referral to "Triple P" (Positive Parenting Program) They even help parents learn to motivate their kids to do homework. Check it out: http://www.icfs.org/

Next bit of info:
DonorsChoose.org "An online charity connecting you to classrooms in need"
This is a fabulous idea that all teachers and schools should know about. A teacher or school can post a "need". This may be for anything the school or a classroom needs. For example, I happen to know that a teacher at Fillmore Middle School has "fetal pigs" on her wish list. This teacher could add this item on DonorsChoose and explain the lesson and why it's important. The site has a way to indicate if the school has a large population of low income, or English learner students. Then the public can search on the site for projects and causes that they want to donate to. I searched on it, and right now there are many schools and projects listed throughout Ventura County, but none from FUSD. This could be another tool for teachers, principals and even PTO's to get projects and events funded. ** Teachers, let me know when you've posted something there and I can direct folks to it... it takes a village
http://www.donorschoose.org/

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2011
5:30 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:30 P.M. - REGULAR 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.
5:30 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
B. ROLL CALL
C. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AND 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.
D. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet from 5:30 to 6:30 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 10-11-10 Labor/Negotiations (Government Code 54957.6)
o Update; Direction to District Negotiators (Jeff Sweeney, Mike Bush, Todd Schieferle, Margaret Chidester) for negotiations with the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA), the California School Employees Association (CSEA), Confidential Employees, and District Administration. Personnel Matters (Government Code 54957)
o Hiring, Evaluating, Discipline, Dismissal Public Employee Performance Evaluation: Superintendent (The Board and
Superintendent meet periodically to provide feedback to one another concerning
the achievement of goals.)
In compliance with CONTINUED »

March was recently named Bullying Prevention Month by a resolution passed by California state lawmakers. Nickelodeon has launched a anti bullying campaign. I hope that our communities can use all the tools we have to build every childs self esteem so that no child feels the need to bully and no child feels victimized when others behave badly.

I'm posting two "video" responses to bullying. At least that is my interpretation of these videos. The first is from the TV show "Glee" and the second is a music video by Pink. Pink's video has some strong images (and a strong word in the Title), but in my opinion it presents ideas that communities, schools, parents and kids need to talk about. When was the last time you told a child (boy or girl) that they were perfect to you?

Camarillo, CA. - CSU Channel Islands (CI) will host the 6th Annual Children’s Reading Celebration and the 35th Annual Young Authors’ Fair on Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at CI’s John Spoor Broome Library. The program is sponsored by the Library, the English Program, Ventura County Reading Association (VCRA), Target Foundation, and the Ventura County Office of Education.

The featured author this year is Kristine O’Connell George, author of the multi-award winning children’s book Old Elm Speaks. George is not only a writer and poet, she is a tadpole rancher who lives in the Santa Monica Mountains with her family. Children and their families will be able to meet the author and receive a free autographed book. This gift is funded by an early childhood literacy grant from the Target Foundation.

The day will feature hands-on participation in crafts and various activities. CI students in the English Program, as part of their service learning component, will be reading aloud to children. Children will also have a chance to read dozens of books written and illustrated for the Young Authors’ Fair by K-12 students in Ventura County. If a child’s school participates in the Ventura County Reading Association’s Young Authors’ Fair, then that child is eligible to write a book and have his or her teacher enter it to be displayed and read at the Celebration on April 9.

Kristin Storey, VCRA President, said, “Honoring all students’ voices is critical and the earlier the better! Words are power and events like the Young Authors’ Fair empower all of our children to share their stories, to speak out for a better world and to be inspired by the other young authors in their schools and communities.”

The event is free and open to the public. Free parking will be available on campus in specific lots. Once on campus, follow the directional signs to the designated parking lot. For additional information about VCRA’s Young Authors’ Fair please visit http://www.vcrareading.org/YA.shtml. For more information or to RSVP to the Celebration, visit http://library.csuci.edu/reading/index.php.

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.

A showcase of healthy and environmentally green fundraising ideas, activities and vendors is scheduled for Thursday, April 14, 2011 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at the Ventura County Office of Education Conference Center at 5100 Adolfo Road in Camarillo. This inaugural event is co-sponsored by the Advocates for a Lifestyle of Exercise and Nutrition in Ventura County (A LEAN VC) and the Ventura Unified School District Healthy Schools Project. Parent, teachers, students, administrators, coaches and the community at large are invited and welcome to attend this free event.

This showcase will model and demonstrate a variety of vendor products that are not only healthy and/or environmentally green, but are also popular products that will sell well and bring in much needed funds for parent groups, booster clubs and other youth-serving organizations. Many of our youth serving organizations are not only facing reduced revenues from fundraising, but also an increased focus on providing our youth with healthy and environmentally appropriate activities and products. Also highlighted will be examples of successful fundraiser activities that don’t involve selling a product that have been implemented by teachers, parent groups and coaches throughout Ventura County.

Several guest speakers will also present information at the Healthy & Green Fundraiser Showcase, including local Ventura County pro-surfer, Mary Osborne. There will be a balance of emphasis on both health and wellness and healthy environments – how to make money for your organization while helping the community stay healthy and clean! “The committee has worked hard to bring in local vendors and products to this event as we recognize the importance of local involvement in nutrition, wellness and the environment” said Anne Thille, Project Director of the Ventura Unified School District Healthy Schools Project.

“Visitors are welcome to come by anytime between 4:00 and 7:00 to visit vendor booths, hear our distinguished guest speakers and gather information about many of the available healthy and green fundraisers” said Nancy Maxson, the event coordinator. The first 100 visitors will receive a reusable bag to gather materials and information. In addition, each person will receive a ticket for a series of drawings that will be held throughout the event with prizes donated by participating vendors.

There is no charge to attend and everyone is welcome. For more information or to become a vendor, please contact Nancy Maxson at (805) 641-5000 ext. 1135. For more information on A LEAN VC, please contact www.healthyventuracounty.org

Sespe Elementary is hosting a Parent Involvement Night on "Bullying & Cyber Bullying" on Wed. March 30

FUSD seems to have an ongoing struggle to open it's arms to parents and the community at large. When parents come forward with concerns, or even with specific requests that the district do a better job at involving the community both the Board and District display little interest and effort in making any changes.
To be fair, individual schools seem to be making an effort by having parent involvement nights (Sespe), creating Parent and volunteer centers (Piru), and by sending in articles to the local paper about various events (San Cayetano), but this District needs improvement from the top and across all sites, a real change in the culture.
So what specifically would help? What does the public want the District to do in this regard?

Well I have been seeing what other Districts in our area are doing, here are just a few examples, none of these Districts operate in a perfect way, but these small efforts would be a great step for FUSD:

-Ojai Unified: Holds District office organized Parent Forum nights every month with posted topics including "bullying", homework, etc. The topics were picked based on what parents wanted. These forums are free and open to the public.

-Santa Paula Elementary District: They are looking for a new superintendent, and they held a Public Forum early in the process to hear what the community wanted in it's new superintendent, they posted this information online here: http://www.spesd.org/apps/news/show_news.jsp?REC_ID=175165&id=0
Here is what their request for input says: "The Santa Paula Elementary Board of Trustees is seeking your thoughts on the personal qualities, professional skills, knowledge and experience desired of the new superintendent of schools for our district. The board would appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to reduce your thoughts to writing. The board will consider this information when making its decision on whom to employ. Please see attachment below. "
They even post the recruitment brochure online for all to see and learn about the process involved in hiring for this position.

-Santa Paula Elementary District: Board member profiles online. During the recent campaign for FUSD school board I was surprised that many people 1. did not know that they voted for their local school board members and 2. They did not know who was on the Board or that you didn't need to be a teacher (in fact some folks don't think that teachers make good school board members because they are too "entrenched" in the current status quo but that's another story). At the link below, SPED posts profiles and photos of each Board member, this is a small step in reaching out to the public, letting them know who their elected trustees are, and making a small connection: http://www.spesd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?userGroupREC_ID=30461&uREC_ID=...

-Santa Paula High District: Superintendent background, profile, goals etc. Posted online. This goes a long way to connect the public to the Superintendent. If the District wants the community to recognize that the schools are a vital part of the community then the person in the leadership role for the district needs to be "out in the community" a good way to start that is for the background information and specific goals of that person to be public. The public shouldn't have to search and search for this information. It should be easily accessible. An example: http://www.spuhsd.k12.ca.us/Default.aspx?tabid=135

-Providing Choices & Options: Ventura Unified School District: VUSD has many options for parents. They have homeschooling programs (K-8), open classrooms (K-8), dual immersion programs (K-12 avail), charter schools, magnet schools. Having options and choices shows a willingness from the top (school board) to serve the needs of ALL students within it's boundaries. Of course VUSD is a larger district, BUT FUSD is getting ready to build a new school, might it make sense to find out from the community what options/choices could be provided that are not currently available?

-Budget available online: Many area Districts have their most recent complete (usually from previous school year) budget posted online. Demonstrates a true desire to engage the public, provide transparency (as required by law) and just a general feeling of not wanting (or needing) to hide anything.

-Community Budget Forums: Several Districts have had community forums on this topic. While FUSD has held "Board Study Sessions" which is a good effort for the Board to get educated about the issues it is facing, the tone and structure of these sessions has done little to get the community in on the conversation. The subject of these study sessions is not even included in the public agenda. Other Districts are having "Community Forums". Events specifically designed for the community to take part in the discussion, to hear from all affected. Some Districts directly ask community members what ideas they have about ways to help. Here's a link to OUSD Budget page of their site, http://www.ojai.k12.ca.us/DistrictBudget.aspx it asks "How can you help?

There are a number of ways that community members can help in this situation. You can:

1. Write to your legislators and let them know your feelings regarding state funding for our schools.
2. Work with your local PTA/PTO or the Ojai Educational Foundation to help generate funding for the district.
3. Make a direct contribution to the OUSD.
4. Help generate additional ideas and solutions for the district’s financial problems.

***Did you know that Fillmore Middle School does NOT have a PTO? Community members can even form their own (separate from the district) organization to raise money and fund school needs (that is what the OJai Education Foundation does, a non profit org, not under the control of any school, it raises money and gives based on it's own mandates as determined by it's board.... is this something Fillmore area residents/parents are interested in? )

And those are just a few examples that I could find quickly online. What are some specific (remember we need low cost options) things that YOU think FUSD should do to reach out to the community/parents to get them more involved?
People are assets. IN this time of declining financial resources we MUST demand that our schools use all the resources available to them, people are a valuable resource, perhaps the MOST valuable.

*** Take the School Matters Survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G3MZ3CL ***

A story of a principal taking things into her own hands... or feet :) A smile for your friday:
Here's the link to the full story story at CBS: http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2011/03/24/local-principal-sells-shoe-col...

Local Principal Sells Shoe Collection To Save Jobs

March 24, 2011 5:09 PM

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Worried about possible layoffs, school principal Michele Miller spotted a potential solution in her own home.

The principal of Jackson Elementary in El Dorado Hills, a suburb east of Sacramento, decided to part with most of a shoe collection gathered over the past 15 years.....

*** Take the School Matters Survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G3MZ3CL ****

THOUSAND OAKS, CA. - A Title IX forum at California Lutheran University will feature a panel discussion and the presentation of research on Conejo Valley high schools’ compliance with the law.

Know the Score: Title IX Community Forum will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, in Overton Hall on the Thousand Oaks campus.

Olympic softball medalist Jessica Mendoza, who attended Camarillo High School, and UCLA/Wimbledon tennis great Barbara Gerken Kuhl are two of the panelists who will discuss the 1972 federal law prohibiting sex discrimination in educational institutions. CLU volleyball standout Casy McWhirk, Thousand Oaks High School Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Mary Ziegler and Newbury Park High School Varsity Basketball Coach Darren Burge will also participate.

Attorney Elizabeth Kristen, who specializes in Title IX compliance issues for California high school athletes, will moderate the discussion on the impact of Title IX on education and in providing opportunities for students. Kristen is director of the Gender Equity Program and the Title IX K-12 Equality Project at the Legal Aid Society - Employment Law Center in San Francisco. An active member of the Hayward-Castro Valley branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), she has been working with the organization to implement Know the Score, a program to improve Title IX compliance in communities.

The Thousand Oaks branch of AAUW will present its findings from a six-month Title IX compliance study of the three CVUSD high schools at the forum.

The forum is open to the public, and students in seventh grade through college and their parents are encouraged to attend. Door prizes will be awarded.

CLU’s Center for Equality and Justice and the Thousand Oaks branch of AAUW are sponsoring the free forum.

Overton Hall is located south of Memorial Parkway near Regent Avenue.

For more information, contact Greg Freeland at freeland@callutheran.edu or Sally Hibbitts at sjhibbitts@aol.com or (805) 750-3119.

A free seminar called Independent Travel Study for Educators at CLU (California Lutheran University) on five Mondays from April 4, from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. The seminar addresses how educators can obtain professional development or salary advancement units through independent travel study by taking actual or virtual trips using the computer.

Discussions include Education Code requirements and tax deductions under the current law H.R. 3838. Presented by Dr. Lynnette Shifman, a teacher with over 40 years in the field of education.

Those not able to attend the seminar can obtain seminar information by emailing Dr. Lynnette Shifman: teacher_continue_ed@yahoo.com

For additional information, contact the CLU web site: http://www.callutheran.edu/education/programs/cpe or email: tiki@callutheran.edu

San Cayetano Family Science Night returns once again with an outstanding free program for all elementary students and their parents in Fillmore and Piru. This annual event is the brainchild of San Cayetano’s NASA Explorer School Team as San Cayetano’s outreach into the local community. This fun packed hands-on evening will feature many outstanding local agencies such as the Ojai Raptor Center, Mobile Marine Lab, Santa Barbara Natural History Museum, Two Trees Alpacas, Associates Insectary, Channel islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary, Robotics and much, much more. Pizza will be available for purchase. Come join the fun! It is free!!!!

PARENT INVOLVEMENT NIGHT
PLEASE JOIN US

Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sespe Elementary School Cafeteria
6:15 - 7:30 p.m.
English/Spanish presentation will be available

Subject & Guest Speakers
Bullying & Cyber Bullying
Lynn Ruffino & Associates, Rhonda Reyes Deutsch, Deputy Leo Vazquez, Principals

Child care will be provided as well as refreshments and a raffle.

NOCHE DE PADRES INVOLUCRADOS
REUNASE CON NOSOTROS
Miércoles, 30 de marzo, 2011
Cafetería de la escuela Sespe
6:15 - 7:30 p.m.
Presentaciones en Inglés y en español

Temas & Oradores Invitados
Intimidación e Intimidación Cibernética
Lynn Ruffino & Associates, Rhonda Reyes Deutsch, Deputy Leo Vazquez, Directores

Cuidado de niños será disponible como también refrescos y una rifa.

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2011
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
BOARD STUDY SESSION
8:30 A.M.
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.

8:30 a.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
B. ROLL CALL
C. CLARIFICATION OF AGENDA AND TIME ALLOCATIONS FOR DISCUSSION ITEMS
D. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NONAGENDA AND AGENDA ITEMS
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.
E. BOARD STUDY SESSION
F. FUTURE MEETINGS
March 29 5:30 p.m. Closed Session (Tentative) – Board Room
6:30 p.m. Special Meeting (Tentative) – Board Room
 April 5 5:30 p.m. Closed Session – Board Room
6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting – Board Room
 April 19 5:30 p.m. Closed Session – Board Room
6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting – Board Room
G . BOARD CLOSING COMMENTS AND AGENDA BUILDING
1:00 p.m.
H. ADJOURNMENT

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).]

San Cayetano is having its annual Science Fair and Family Science Night on Thursday, April 14th, 2001. All of our fourth and fifth grade students will be doing science fair projects. We are inviting everyone to come and judge this event. There is no prerequisite. You do not need to be a science teacher. Please think about donating your time, even if you can only judge 2 or 3 projects. When our students see other teachers and community members judging and taking an interest in their work, it helps them to have more pride in their projects.

We will begin the judging at 12:35 and end around 3:00. Again, you do not need to commit to the entire time.

Please let us know if you are willing and able to join in our event.
Thanks so much,
Brandi Walker
San Cayetano School

California Department of Education (CDE)

SACRAMENTO, CA. — The California Department of Education (CDE) today issues this week’s Education Roundup featuring education-related announcements of public interest.

California School Bullying Prevention Awareness Month
Assembly Concurrent Resolution 22 introduced by Assembly Member Ben Hueso (D-Chula Vista) is proposing that March be California School Bullying Prevention Awareness Month. Almost 35 percent of youth in the nation are involved in bullying each year, either as a perpetrator or victim. About 8 percent of pupils in kindergarten through grade 12 miss at least one day of school every month due to a fear of being bullied. Bullying may take many forms, including verbal, physical, and psychological abuse, and can happen in many places on and off school grounds, as well as through electronic means. Students with special needs are especially vulnerable and are at greater risk of experiencing bullying on a daily basis.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Torlakson urges everyone to recognize that, “Bullying is not acceptable behavior, and schools must strive every day to make the environment safe and secure for all students.”

The CDE adopted in 2001 a policy on bullying prevention designed to help students, parents, and school staff develop a coordinated, systemic approach to bullying prevention. For more information on bullying prevention, go to http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/se/bullyingprev.asp.

CollegeWeekLive Event Returns
High school students, parents, and guidance counselors are invited to attend the free online college fair called CollegeWeekLive SPRING that features more than 300 colleges and universities from across the country and world. People can take virtual tours of campuses, see live video presentations from admissions experts, and hear about college life from current students. The event on March 23-24, 2011, also has presentations from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Financial Aid, CollegeBoard, The Common Application, ACT, Inc., and The Princeton Review. Families can learn about financial aid and scholarships, get admissions advice from experts, and how to write a college application essay. For more information, please visit http://www.collegeweeklive.com/.

The California Department of Education (CDE) is a state agency led by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. For more information, please visit http://www.cde.ca.gov or by mobile device at http://m.cde.ca.gov/. You may also follow Superintendent Torlakson on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/TorlaksonSSPI.

Camarillo, CA. - CSU Channel Islands (CI) has received approval from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) to launch two new degrees in its two Santa Barbara locations – a bachelor of science in business and a master’s in business administration offered through the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics. The business and MBA programs will both be offered in fall 2011.

William P. Cordeiro, Director of the MVS School of Business & Economics, said, “Now that we have received WASC approvals, we look forward to offering Santa Barbara students these educational opportunities to advance their careers.”

CI’s business degree completion program will be offered at Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) and the MBA program will be offered at the Goleta facility sponsored by Cottage Health Systems.

Additionally, a bachelor of science degree in Nursing will also be offered at the Goleta site in spring 2012.

The WASC approval comes as a result of years of planning by CI to fulfill their mandate of serving their entire region including the Santa Barbara community, and embodies the kind of partnership between community colleges and the California State University that is intended at the state-wide level. SBCC students will for the first time be able to continue their studies in business right on their own campus.

For further information about the business programs visit http://business.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.