As every Fillmore citizen knows, Homecoming Week is a big deal for not only FHS but the community as well. The preparations for this - one of the school’s most momentous events- were well underway by Monday the 19th when the festivities began with a dress up day on campus and the float building kickoff party after school. There, at around 8o’clock the Homecoming Court was announced and Homecoming truly began.

Every day was a different dress up day, and every day after school the trucks in the bus garages ceased to be trucks and evolved into the “Fables” themed floats. On Friday, the floats were all (more or less) completed and the homecoming rally began after sixth period at FHS. Homecoming Court was presented and the Queen was revealed: Jaynessa Lopez, an academically and athletically gifted senior was crowned with Robert Bonilla, the Flashes football quarterback as Homecoming King. Our Grand Marshal was Nada Vaughn, and toward the end of the rally the court was dismissed to prepare for the Homecoming Parade, which showcased not only court, but also Miss and Miss Teen Fillmore, Flashes varsity cheerleaders and football players, the Floats, and the FHS band- among other participants.

All this fanfare and celebration- preparation for what? The football game of course! It wasn’t looking good for the boys as halftime approached and the Flashes held the lead by only one point, not to mention lightning that lit up the sky before the game even started, delaying it a full fifteen minutes before it was sanctioned to continue. Things only got stranger when, as the Homecoming court lined up in all their finery to walk down the field, the heavens decided to open up at that exact moment and, though their presentation continued, it made for some very waterlogged memories.

Despite all these unusual and almost discouraging events, the lightning strikes earlier in the night plus the rain must have been good luck, because the Flashes came back after halftime and soundly defeated the Frazier Mountain Falcons with a final score of 59-30.

On Saturday the 24th the Homecoming dance brought the festivities to a close- the turnout and reception of the dance was more positive than it has been in a long time. Hopefully it will encourage equal enthusiasm in school events for the rest of this term!

With the last song, Homecoming ended and FHS has since returned to the less intense business of normality, though the fond memories of this week’s events will surely last much longer.

Harvest Festival/Carnival at San Cayeatno Thursday October 27, 2011
Wells Fargo Foundation will once again sponsor this event.
Games, Food and Fun! 5-8PM More Details Later.

Camarillo, CA - A $6 million federal grant will be used to help inspire and educate the next generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates at CSU Channel Islands (CI) and nearby community colleges.

The grant, awarded to CI by the U.S. Department of Education, will be disbursed over five years in installments of $1.2 million. It targets Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) with the goal of enhancing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) opportunities for Hispanic and low-income students.

The grant was secured through the efforts of CI Professor of Chemistry Phil Hampton and his colleagues: Sadiq Shah, Associate Vice President for Research & Sponsored Programs; Cindy Wyels, Professor of Mathematics; and Don Rodriguez, Associate Professor of Environmental Science & Resource Management.

“It’s important that we prepare the next generation of graduates to tackle the changing world environment and make scientific and technological advances,” said Hampton, the grant’s principal investigator. “With the tight economic times and challenges of growing as an institution, this grant gives us the resources to reach out to students, increase their knowledge of science and fulfill our mission of being student centered.”

The grant will enable CI to partner with Oxnard College, Ventura College, Moorpark College and Santa Barbara City College, as well as with Ventura County K-12 schools, to inspire Hispanic and low-income students to pursue STEM disciplines and support them with services to transfer, graduate and succeed. Though the grant targets underrepresented minorities, the activities and services it funds will encourage interest and success in STEM disciplines among all students of all ethnicities.

“This grant will benefit many students throughout Ventura County and enable CSU Channel Islands to continue to provide an outstanding education to students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in STEM disciplines,” said CI President Richard R. Rush. “Moreover, the additional funds will strengthen our partnerships with community colleges to help students transfer to CI and be successful in STEM majors.”

The effort, dubbed “Project ACCESO” (Achieving a Cooperative College Education through STEM Opportunities), will provide tutoring, peer mentoring, research and employment opportunities, STEM equipment and facilities, outreach into local schools, analysis of STEM curriculum and student performance, and collaborative efforts on all campuses to engage, retain and graduate STEM students. Outreach programs will include hands-on science demonstrations in local classrooms and “Science Nights” where students and parents will learn about STEM career paths. A STEM center for students is scheduled to open on the CI campus in January and a campus greenhouse is also planned.

To obtain the grant, Hampton and his colleagues spent a year planning and honing a 93-page proposal for Project ACCESO. CI was one of approximately 100 institutions nationwide to receive the highly competitive award. As a Hispanic Serving Institution, CI’s full-time, undergraduate student enrollment is more than 25 percent Hispanic. The HSI designation, obtained in 2010, allows the University to compete for U.S. Department of Education Title V funding as well as other financial support available with the HSI status.

“We’re excited that this grant will help encourage and educate the next generation of innovators, scientists and mathematicians right here in Ventura County,” said Hampton.

For additional information, contact Professor Phil Hampton at 805-437-8869 or 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.

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2011
5:00 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.
5:00 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. Upon recognition by the President of the Board, please come forward and identify yourself before speaking. The Board of Education reserves the right to limit speaking time to three (3) minutes or less per individual.
D. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet from 5:00 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 Consideration of Recommendation for Readmission of Student Who Has Completed Term of Expulsion Labor/Negotiations (Government Code 54957.6)
o Update; Direction to District Negotiators (Dr. Alan Nishino, Dr. Michael 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 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).]
Ag 100411 page 2
6:30 p.m.
E. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION Any Action From Closed Session
F. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
G. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS AND 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. Upon recognition by the President of the Board, please come forward and identify yourself before speaking. The Board of Education reserves the right to limit speaking time to three (3) minutes or less per individual.
6:45 p.m.
H. COMMUNICATIONS Student Representative’s Report Superintendent’s Report
7:00 p.m.
I. CONSENT ITEMS (Materials: Corresponding to numbers 1-5)
Items on the Consent Agenda are considered routine and will be enacted by a single motion. None of the items will be discussed unless a Board Member or member of the audience requests discussion.
1. Approve Minutes: Regular Board Meeting Held September 20, 2011
2. Approve Personnel Order 11-12-4
3. Donations
4. Obsolete Items
5. Contracts
J. ACTION
6. Approve Request for Overnight Field Trip From Kimberly Tafoya for High School Cross Country Teams to Attend Clovis Invitational in Fresno, CA on October 7-8, 2011. (Materials)
7. Approve Board Policy and Administrative Regulation Updates (Materials previously provided) BP 5142.2 Safe Routes to School Program AR 5142.2 Safe Routes to School Program
7:30 p.m.
K. INFORMATION/DISCUSSION
8. Essential Standards Committee: Pacing Guide Task Force (Open Court)
Ag 100411 page 3
9. Board Policy and Administrative Regulation Updates (1st Reading) (Materials) BP 5022 Student and Family Privacy Rights AR 5022 Student and Family Privacy Rights BP 5131.62 Tobacco AR 5141.32 Health Screening for School Entry BP 5141.33 Head Lice BP 5141.52 Suicide Prevention AR 5141.52 Suicide Prevention AR 5143 Insurance BP 5144 Discipline AR 5144 Discipline E 5145.6 Parental Notifications BP 5148.2 Before/After School Programs
8:15 p.m.
L. FUTURE MEETINGS
October 18 5:30 p.m. Closed Session – Board Room
6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting – Board Room
November 1 5:30 p.m. Closed Session – Board Room
6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting – Board Room
November 15 5:30 p.m. Closed Session – Board Room
6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting – Board Room
M. BOARD CLOSING COMMENTS AND AGENDA BUILDING
8:30 p.m.
N. ADJOURNMENT

For the past few decades, the federal government has continuously increased its power over local schools, through funding with strings attached, with depressing results. Since the 1970′s federal spending on education has nearly tripled, yet student achievement has remained flat and graduation rates have not improved. However, that increased spending has had a major impact on the amount of red tape, paperwork and administrative costs imposed on local schools and teachers, taking valuable time away from their core mission – educating children.

While federal policymakers are busy spending billions to make matters worse for public schools, they’re also busy preventing students from having better choices, at the behest of powerful teachers unions. While charter, parochial and private schools offer better results and graduation results, President Obama and his allies are trying to prevent children from enrolling in them through cost-effective aid for school choice that measurably puts them on a path of success.

In many cases, Washington... http://blog.heritage.org/2011/09/26/morning-bell-obama-circumvents-congr...

Camarillo, CA - Three CSU Channel Islands (CI) School of Education faculty members who were awarded fellowships and a grant from Google are developing a program to help teachers use technology more effectively in the classroom.

CI Professors Dr. Jeanne Grier, Associate Professor Dr. Jill Leafstedt and Adjunct Lecturer Catharine Reznicek of the Ventura County Office of Education earned fellowships to take part in Google’s first-ever Faculty Institute, held over the summer at its Mountain View headquarters. The three-day institute explored ways of using new technologies to enhance student learning. It brought together Google staff with 39 faculty members from 19 CSUs, Stanford and UC Berkeley, along with innovative teachers from across California, for expert advice, hands-on workshops, case studies and brainstorming.

Google focused on CSU because CSU programs credential 60 percent of California’s teachers – or 10 percent of all U.S. K-12 teachers.

"There is so much technology available to educators today, but unless they learn how to use it effectively, it does little to change what is happening in our classrooms,” said Google Education Research Engineering Manager Nina Kim Schultz. “Without the right training and inspiration, interactive displays become merely expensive projection screens, and laptops simply replace paper rather than shifting the way teachers teach and students learn. There’s an essential challenge to help teachers develop the dispositions and confidence to be lifelong evaluators, learners and teachers of technology, instead of continuing to rely on traditional skill sets that will soon be outdated."

While at the Institute, Grier, Leafstedt and Reznicek developed the idea for UDTech, an online program that helps teachers create lesson plans using technology to engage all different types of learners in the classroom. The concept is based on applying the principles of universal design, which are rooted in engineering and architecture, to technology in education.

"Teachers often make their lesson plans and then adapt them for different learners and use technology as an 'add-on,'" said Grier. “Our hope is that UDTech will help teachers build a game plan for using new, interactive technologies so that their subject matter is more accessible and engaging to everyone in the classroom.”

Google funded the proposal with a $20,000 grant and has asked the three faculty members to return in May to present their project. Grier, Leafstedt and Reznicek plan to pilot the program with teaching credential candidates at CI and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, in the spring. Ultimately, they hope to make UDTech available to the entire CSU system and the broader education community.

“Our experience with Google really opened our eyes about how technology, employed purposefully, can provide a much more profound learning experience,” said Leafstedt. “As educators, it’s our responsibility to adapt to changing technologies. We can’t afford to miss opportunities to connect with students and engage them on their terms.”

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.

Jack Scott

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - The chancellor of the California Community Colleges will speak at California Lutheran University on Thursday, Oct. 13.

Jack Scott will present “Preparing 21st-Century Learners Through the California P-20 Pipeline” in Lundring Events Center as part of the Silver Anniversary Distinguished Speaker Series celebrating the formation of CLU’s Graduate School of Education and School of Management. The event begins with networking at 6 p.m.

Scott will discuss high-impact education practices in California’s P-20 pipeline of preschools, K-12 schools, community colleges and universities, also referred to as cradle-to-college. As chancellor of the nation’s largest system of higher education, he oversees 112 campuses, nearly 90,000 employees and 2.76 million students. Since taking office in 2009, he has worked with legislators on a historic law to simplify the transfer pathway for community college students to state universities, guaranteeing them junior standing when they earn an associate degree in certain majors. He also created a Student Success Task Force of academic, research and business leaders that is developing a plan to increase student retention and degree completion rates.

As a California state senator and assemblyman from 1996 to 2008, Scott authored 146 bills that were signed into law, including landmark measures that increased community college financing, eased the nursing shortage and strengthened career technical education. He served as chair of the Senate Committee on Education and the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee on Education. Many organizations including the California Federation of Teachers, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Association of California Community Administrators independently named him legislator of the year.

Prior to being elected to the state legislature, Scott served as president of Pasadena City College and Cypress College. He is past president of the Association of California Community Colleges Administrators and former chair of the Accrediting Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Scott holds a master of divinity from Yale University and a doctorate in American history from Claremont Graduate University.

CLU’s higher education doctoral program, ELS Language Centers, the Pacific Coast Business Times, the San Fernando Valley Business Journal and Corwin are sponsoring the free presentation.

Lundring Events Center is located in the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center, which is north of Olsen Road near Mountclef Boulevard on the Thousand Oaks campus.

RSVP by Friday, Oct. 7, to Lauren Amundson at lamundso@callutheran.edu or 805-493-3445.

Carli Lovell

Camarillo, CA - Carli Lovell, a sophomore nursing student, is the 2011-2012 CSU Channel Islands (CI) recipient of the prestigious William Randolph Hearst/CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement. The $3,000 award, given to one student at each of CSU’s 23 campuses, recognizes students with financial need who have overcome significant hardships to excel in academics, community service and personal achievements.

Lovell, a 19-year-old from West Covina, set her sights on becoming a nurse at an early age. When diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 15, she was afraid her dream would no longer be possible. “My diagnosis taught me to look at life differently,” she said. “Before, I saw my life as a straight path. Now I know I have to take a different route and push even harder to accomplish my dreams.”

Despite suffering attacks that impaired her mobility and vision, Lovell became captain of her high school color guard team and graduated ranked second in her high school class. Lovell chose CI because of its strong nursing program and the opportunity to earn her bachelor’s degree along with an RN. She is entering her second year with a 3.43 GPA.

Lovell has devoted more than 250 hours as a volunteer at Downey Regional Medical Center. In addition, she spent three hours a week for the past seven years working with a neighbor child who has cerebral palsy. She currently works part-time in the Student Health Services office on the CI campus. Lovell hopes to go into neonatal nursing, earn a master’s degree and, one day, specialize in helping children and teenagers with multiple sclerosis. “I want to show by example that people can cope with medical challenges and still lead a happy and fulfilling life,” she said.

Lovell and the 22 other Hearst/CSU Trustees’ Award winners were honored at a ceremony on Sept. 20, at the CSU Office of the Chancellor in Long Beach. For more information on the award and this year’s winners, visit http://calstate.edu/foundation/hearst.

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.

Enlarge Photo

On Monday, September 12th, 2011, San Cayetano School recognized good citizenship and character at their Peacebuilder Assembly for the month of September. Captain McGrath, Chief of Police for the City of Fillmore, came to speak to the students about what a good citizen is and how respecting others is important. She shared how we can be good citizens to help our school and community. Each teacher chose a student from his or her class whom showed excellent character and respect in the month of September. Aliza Ayala and Brian Arnett, two San Cayetano students assisted Captain McGrath in handing out the Peacebuilder Awards. The Peacebuilders for September are: Bryan Hurtado, Isaiah Hernandez, Damian Flores, Christopher Hernandez, Nathan Torres, Elisabeth Mercado, Viririana Carrillo, Marissa Diaz, Jaron Foy, Miguel Valdez, Kayla Priebe, Alyssa Ocegueda, Ty Wyand, Janeah Castro, Brianna Sanchez, Daniela Chavez-Hernandez, Carlos Hernandez, Hailey Avila, Eva Vieyra Saldana, and Kirah Collins. Captain McGrath then announced the San Cayetano Character Counts Award of a $100.00 savings bond sponsored by the John Paul Pet Foundation. Captain McGrath presented the Character Counts Award to a deserving fourth-grade student. Eva Vieyra Saldana was chosen by the fourth-grade teachers as a model of kindness and respectfulness to the other students and school community. Starting next month all students who come to school, each day, on time, are given a raffle ticket. The students place their tickets in a box and one ticket is drawn. The student whose ticket is drawn is given a NASA backpack with the book Max Goes to the Moon in it. Each month, the tickets will be put into a larger box that will be kept until the end of the year. In June, Mrs. Marholin, the principal, will draw from the tickets to give away two new bicycles.

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) has announced that it will continue to accept applications for the spring 2012 semester. CI began accepting applications on Aug. 1 and upper division transfer students with 60 or more transferable semester units are encouraged to apply.

“By continuing to accept applications for spring, the campus plans to meet the need of our many regional students who are ready to begin working towards their goal of a four-year degree,” said Ginger Reyes, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Director of Admissions & Records. “I strongly encourage students who are ready to transfer to apply as soon as possible. We would like to accommodate as many students as we can in the spring.”

The University expects to admit more than 400 transfer applicants for the spring semester, bringing total campus enrollment to more than 4,000 students for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Requirements and applications for eligible transfer students are available online at www.csumentor.edu or on CI’s website at www.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.

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 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. Upon recognition by the President of the Board, please come forward and identify yourself before speaking. The Board of Education reserves the right to limit speaking time to three (3) minutes or less per individual.
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 11-12-01
o Consideration of Recommendation for Readmission of Student Who Has Completed Term of Expulsion Labor/Negotiations (Government Code 54957.6)
o Update; Direction to District Negotiators (Alan Nishino, 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 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).]

6:30 p.m.
E. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION Any Action From Closed Session
F. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG CONTINUED »

There was an exciting air of anticipation surrounding Fillmore High on August 16th- our first official day of school. “Welcome back” posters and signs, trumpeting the superiority of each class over its peers in gestures of friendly rivalry, contributed to the positive mood that was electric across campus.

Bagels and coffee: the staple breakfast of business people everywhere. However it seems teachers are fans as well- this simple yet apparently delicious fare proved a hit with the school staff; courtesy of Fillmore High’s new ASB cabinet and the local Starbucks. Speaking of ASB, the roster for 2011-2012 cabinet consists of: Ana Morino (’12) as ASB President, Jenna Wilber (’12) as Vice President, Anissa Magdaleno (’12) as Secretary, Jaynessa Lopez (’12) as Commissioner of Finances, Collin Farrar (’13) as Commissioner of Activities, Robert Marinez (’12) as Commissioner of Clubs, Laura Garnica (’13) as Commissioner of Publicity, Johnny Wilber (’12) as Commissioner of Renaissance, Johnny Golson (’12) as Sergeant at Arms, and Sammy Martinez (’13) as Speaker of the House. Along with the cabinets for each class, ASB is working hard to make this year great.

On Friday the 26th before the first rally of the year, we conducted the noontime activity- a competitive tricycle race between the classes. It was a close win for the senior class, as the freshman upstarts were neck and neck for most of the final round. Following sixth period was the rally itself, which proved to be one of the most successful Fillmore High has hosted in years, a sentiment vocalized by many staff members as well as students. Games included an ice-melting contest, won by the juniors, a game where teams of two try to catch the most Cheetos thrown by their partner with shaving-cream covered heads, and a few others. Seniors won the rally overall, much to their enthusiasm.

The past few weeks here at Fillmore High School have really set the tone for what is looking to be a fantastic year for every class.

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) junior Stephanie Bower is one of 18 students in the CSU system to win a 2011-2012 Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship for Visually Impaired Students. The $6,000 award provides assistance for full-time students at CSU campuses who are declared legally blind.

Bower, a 19-year-old from Ventura, has a very personal reason for pursuing her psychology degree at CI. She became legally blind at the age of 11, after surgery to remove cancerous brain and spinal tumors. Despite undergoing years of chemotherapy, Bower finished high school on time with a 4.0 GPA and earned a 3.9 GPA from Ventura College. Through it all, Bower said her spirits were lifted and her fears assuaged by a child psychologist who worked at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.

“I remember being scared out of my mind and she either distracted me or explained things to me in terms I could understand at 11 years old,” Bower said. “I knew at that moment that was something I wanted to do because I know what a difference it made for me and my treatment.” Bower is working toward a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with the intention of earning a master’s and Ph.D. in counseling psychology. “My dream job is to be a psychologist working in a children’s hospital or children’s unit,” she said. “Anywhere someone could use a little cheering up – that’s where I want to go.”

Bower said the scholarship would cover her tuition for the year. She’s eligible to reapply next year. “It really helped me get on the road to achieving what I want to achieve,” she said. “I can focus on my schoolwork without worrying about how I’m going to pay for everything.”

Dale M. Schoettler, a successful California businessman who was blind himself started the scholarship. When he died in 2001, Schoettler left $4.8 million to the CSU Foundation to fund scholarships for visually impaired students at all 23 CSU campuses. To qualify for the scholarship, students must be legally blind, enrolled full time and maintain at least a 2.8 GPA.

Anne Gillespie Brown, Director of the CSU Foundation, was impressed with Bower’s application. “Legally blind students frequently find it very difficult to be enrolled full time,” she said. “As evidenced by the serious medical problems that Stephanie has faced and fought, and her desire to pay forward the kindnesses from people who have helped her along her journey, Stephanie will continue as she says, to jump, hop, and skip over all the brick walls that are in the way to a doctorate degree. She is an extraordinary person who is nothing short of inspirational.”

For more information on the Dale M. Schoettler Scholarship and other CSU scholarship programs, visit http://www.calstate.edu/foundation/Scholarship.shtml.

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.

Mary Olson

THOUSAND OAKS, CA. - The public can tour the new KCLU Broadcast Center and hear from the general manager during an event presented by the California Lutheran University Community Leaders Association.

The program will begin at 8 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, with breakfast in the KCLU Community Room. At 8:30 a.m., General Manager Mary Olson will discuss the station and Thousand Oaks City Manager Scott Mitnick, a KCLU Advisory Board member, will talk about the role that National Public Radio stations like KCLU serve in the community. Visitors can then tour the center.

The $2.9 million center, which opened in May on the CLU campus, houses four state-of-the-art production rooms. Dubbed The Paulucci Studios, they include the station’s first dedicated newsroom. The two-story, 6,570-square-foot center also provides facilities for educational opportunities and community events that the previous center couldn’t accommodate. The Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Education Suite features a fully digitized classroom next to a student lab, providing an observation and workshop environment to train CLU broadcast journalism students. The second student lab will house a student-run digital Internet radio station.

The new center replaced the tiny studio in CLU’s Mount Clef Residence Hall where the KCLU staff had produced award-winning local news and public affairs programs since it signed on in 1994. KCLU, which serves about 70,000 weekly listeners in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, has received more than 140 awards for broadcasting excellence in the last decade.

KCLU provides NPR and local news programming in Ventura County at 88.3 FM, in Santa Barbara County at 102.3 FM and 1340 AM, and online at http://www.kclu.org. A community service of CLU, the station is supported by its listening members and by underwriting from local, regional and national corporations and foundations.

The cost of attending the event is $25. Limited seating is available. To make a reservation, go to http://www.callutheran.edu/cla. The center is located north of Olsen Road on Campus Drive in Thousand Oaks.

First California Bank is a sponsor of the event. The Community Leaders Association was founded to stimulate the community's interest in the university’s academic, athletic and cultural programs. Members organize fundraising and social events throughout the year to support academic departments and student scholarships. The organization has raised more than $1.8 million through the years.

For more information, contact University Relations at 805-493-3151.

Camarillo, CA. - A grant obtained from NASA by CSU Channel Islands (CI) will help engage Ventura County high school students in the science behind global climate change.

CI Science Education Professor Dr. Bob Bleicher secured the $593,000 grant to help biology and earth sciences teachers incorporate NASA climate change data, research and curriculum into their classrooms. Teachers at eight schools in the Oxnard Union, Ventura Unified and Santa Paula Union High School Districts will receive professional development and resources under the grant.

“The goal is for students to be able to interact with the best climate research tools available from NASA and form their own arguments and conclusions about climate change,” said Bleicher. “Our hope is that we get more students excited about pursuing higher education and careers in science.”

CI was one of only 14 institutions across the nation awarded the funding through NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Program. The first-time grant targets schools with a high percentage of Hispanic students, who are underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The grant supports professional development for up to 20 teachers over two years at all six schools in the Oxnard Union High School District and at Ventura and Santa Paula High Schools. It includes honorariums for the teachers; instruction from nationally recognized experts on climate science; access to NASA satellite data and resources; printed and online support materials and lesson plans; on-site instructional assistance; and a two-day global climate change summer camp for students. The teacher instruction and student summer camp will begin in the summer before the 2012-2013 school year.

“It’s our commitment at CI to work collaboratively with our local school partners to energize natural curiosity in high school students,” Bleicher said. “By bringing this NASA program to our local high schools, we hope we can support teacher leadership and ongoing professional development at their school sites and also excite students about science and higher education.”

For more information on the grant, contact Dr. Bleicher at bob.bleicher@csuci.edu. For more information on NASA’s education programs, visit www.nasa.gov/education.

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.

Camarillo, CA. - The Art Program at CSU Channel Islands (CI) has announced an upcoming exhibition entitled, “The Parisiennes” (in English “The Parisian Girls”) at the CI Exhibitions Art Gallery located in old town Camarillo. The exhibition will run from Sept. 15 to Oct. 6. The public is invited to a reception to be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22.

The exhibition’s name was given to the all-girl group of students and their artworks created during the summer while residing in the French capital. The show will be comprised of paintings, drawings, photographs and videos created by ‘Parisiennes’ Itzie Alarcon, Lisa Cruz, Amanda Eastman, Danielle Kasum, Katie-Lynn Komlos, Korinne McKinley, Natalie Nicholson, Holly Schultz, Caitlin Shea, Kagney Turville, Marlies Urbauer, Shannon Wall and Heather Wills, and also by professors Beverly Decker and Christophe Bourély.

The art gallery is located at 92 Palm Drive, Camarillo and is open Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information contact the CI Art Program at 805-437-8570 or art@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.

Ok, so it's early in the school year. And there is a lot happening in FUSD. And in every District. But we're focused here. Even if you don't have kids in the District you should be paying attention because this is YOUR tax dollars being spent, the state of the schools affects property values, whether companies want to bring their headquarters here (Anyone need a job? )...

The numbers are right there, staring everyone in the face. Here is a link to the California Department of Educations records for FUSD... http://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/Acnt2011/2011APRDstPIReport.aspx?cYear=&a...

This record shows that FUSD is now in Program Improvement year 1 (see my article in the gazette if you don't know what PI is or read about it online). Yes there are issues with NCLB and I join most folks in not being a fan of standardized testing BUT until all those educators figure out a feasible way to measure student learning, it's what we've got. And the numbers show that the way it's being done, doesn't cut it. We need to change things up. We are using OLD teaching methods and "analog" classrooms in a 3D world. Just because it's way you've done it for 30 years doesn't mean it is the "right" way. Here's the video I got that terminology (analog classroom vs. 3d) from.

We have to recognize that kids today simply live and operate in a world totally unlike that of their parents. We have to change the look, feel, culture and experience of the classroom.

Now specific to FUSD, when is the community going to demand accountability? I feel like I'm standing on a mountain top shouting all by myself. Folks are not comfortable going on the record (ie. letting me use their names in articles because they are afraid for their jobs in the District and cause they still have kids in the District... is that crazy? Not in FUSD.. it's a fact that they perceive this District as hostile to anyone who speaks out against anything going on, anyone who asks questions, or says" Hold on,, you can't do that".... ) Teachers and staff members who do speak out are reprimanded by colleagues. I am tired of it. Plain and simple. Enough is enough. The folks in charge (school board, superintendents office and ALL ASST. Superintendents) need to step up, have some guts, grow some.... oh you know... and do what is best for the kids. This does not mean we all will agree with what is done,, but going with business as usual is not working.

Last month I met with Dr. Nishino. He asked me Why I choose to take my son out of FUSD. HE WAS THE FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF MEMBER OF FUSD TO ASK ME THAT QUESTION. The staff members present when I requested my sons enrollment papers back even handed me back my letter explaining why I was pulling him out. There is an environment of fear and of "my way or the highway." Do you know how many students leave FUSD every year? And that means $$$$ lost for FUSD... ask YOUR school board what THEY are doing (they can't wait for others any longer) to bring those families back. I hope that the interim folks being brought in are ready and wiling to rock the boat a bit. To show folks that they need to adapt or get left behind, because you know what? The kids are being left behind...

I have recently attended a school board meeting in a nearby district. Wow ! can I just tell you.. what a true world of difference. Just the agenda itself had more information about the resolutions being passed so folks know what is actually being proposed. Either a school board has an interest in communicating with the community or they don't...

HELLO RESIDENTS OF FILLMORE, ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION. THESE STUDENTS ARE YOUR FUTURE. ARE YOU WILLING TO ALLOW THE SAME FOLKS YEAR AFTER YEAR TO FAIL THEM ????? THINK ABOUT IT. The middle school has not met state targets for eleven years, and there are school board members still sitting on the Board. I mean really, does that make any sense?

Ask the school board about the NEW school in FUSD. Heritage Valley IndependEnt Studies. ASK ABOUT IT. Has a school board member been paid as a substitute teacher? Isn't there some policy about school board members being employed by the Distsrict? WHAT IS THE DISTRICT DOING ABOUT "AR"? REMEMBER ALL THE PARENTS WHO SPOKE OUT LAST YEAR? HAVE THEY RECEIVED A RESPONSE? DO YOU WANT THE SAME SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WHO HAVE SAT BEHIND THE DESK WHILE FUSD MOVED INTO PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT CHOOSING THE NEXT PERMANENT SUPERINTENDENT? REALLY, THINK ABOUT IT. YOU CAN INVESTIGATE. I'll be at the next Board meeting, where will you be on Tuesday night?

THE ONLY STUPID QUESTION, IS THE ONE YOU DIDN'T ASK.

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Slightly a different topic, (and this is likely to [!@#$] some people off) and this is for Districts across the Nation not just FUSD, since when is it the role of a school District to provide jobs? This is not a cash cow, this is a public school.

Here is a great story that you may have seen about a Superintendent who reduced his OWN pay by $800,000 over 3 years to benefit the District. WOW !
www.abcnews.go.com/US/school-superintendent-larry-powell-takes-800000-pa...