Principals and Administrators Participate in Principal for a Day Event
Principals and administrators from throughout the five local school districts participated in the 20th annual Principal for a Day event, sponsored by the SCV Education Foundation. Local business and community leaders, as well as a few involved parents, had the unique opportunity to spend a few hours shadowing a school administrator to learn about the challenges and accomplishments faced at each school today. The purpose of this annual event is to create and enhance partnerships between the community and educators. Funds raised are used for various programs at local traditional public schools, including Student Enrichment Awards for classroom materials requested by teachers, student scholarships and other programs. Following the shadowing portion of the event, all participants and educators gathered at the City of Santa Clarita Activities Center for a luncheon, featuring a panel of all five local district superintendents. Photo of Superintendents: Left to right, James Gibson, Castaic School District; Robert Challinor, Hart School District; Joan Lucid, Saugus School District; Robert Nolet, Sulphur Springs School District and Marc Winger, Newhall School District. Additional photos: A few principals and guests at the luncheon. For more info on this program visit: www.scveducationfoundation.org.
Canyon High Students Experience Every 15 Minutes Program
Canyon High School students experienced the emotional aspects of the Every 15 Minutes program last month. The event is a partnership between the City of Santa Clarita, the SCV Sheriff’s Station and school officials. Hart District high schools see this program on an every other year rotation, with Saugus and Valencia High Schools the other two schools scheduled for this school year. The District feels strongly that this emotionally charged program designed to instill teenagers with the consequences associated with drinking alcohol, reckless driving, texting while driving and life choices, is important to bring to each campus. Bowman High School students viewed the program last year for the first time, as well. The two-day program starts with a staged car accident in front of the school. A real emergency response was witnessed that included a drunk driver simulated sobriety test and coroner’s office personnel draping sheets over the “dead.” On day two, the students viewed an assembly that featured parent speakers of local youth who lost their lives at the hands of a drunk driver. Canyon students learned about the consequences first hand and were admonished to make good choices. Funding for this powerful program is through a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration grant.
Hart High Padres Unidos Group Reaches Out to Spanish-speaking Parents
Padres Unidos is a group at Hart High School with the purpose of ensuring that the Spanish-speaking parents are well-informed and feel integrated into the school culture. The first meeting of the year had 45 families represented and was very well received. Dr. Karla Arriaran-Rodriquez and Josh Nowak, counselors, have coordinated this successful program for the past three years. The meetings cover topics including school year schedules and events, changes in counseling, A-G requirements, high school graduation requirements, college entrance exams, CAHSEE, college financial aid, scholarship opportunities and other important issues facing their students. It is facilitated completely in Spanish. “Padres Unidos is a group that is very dear to me because my parents were immigrants from Peru who came to this country when I was young not speaking the language, but determined to give us the opportunity for a better future,” Arriaran-Rodriguez said. “I feel that I connect with these families, because not only do I understand their challenges but my family and I have lived through many of the same struggles.” Arriaran-Rodriquez and her sister both graduated with Doctorates and her brother is working on his Master’s Degree. Padres Unidos also offers resources about student services and invites speakers to meetings.
The Notorious Jumping Frogs of Bowman High School
The competitive spirit was high at Bowman High School as Mike Mansfield’s American Literature class reenacted Mark Twain’s classic frog jumping tale as part of their unit on satire. Teachers and faculty came to cheer as frogs Bubbles, Corey, Pegasus and Herby Dean raced fearlessly across the pink track. Students stayed in their satirical characters while mock ESPN reporters interviewed them about their teams. When asked about the race, Herby Dean’s trainer “Ricky Bobby” (Bowman student Justin Caren) said, “I really enjoyed winning and having fun.” Students were thrilled by the experience. When asked what they liked most about the lesson students said “everything.” One student said it was fun seeing the frogs jump and how excited everyone was. Other students commented on how much they liked working as teams and just getting out of our seats and having fun. Students created footage of the race to be used in creating a satirical broadcast of the event which will be posted on Bowman’s website in February. Photos: Announcers Landon Sorenson and Andre Milan providing the play by play. Frog “Jockeys” Javier Estanislao and Brandon Bitner coax their frogs, Corey and Pegasus, to the finish line.
“Kun Hay Fat Choy!” La Mesa Celebrates The Year of The Dragon
The La Mesa Junior High School English Language Development (ELD) program celebrated the 2012 Chinese New Year with all its English language learners. José E. Malavé, ELD Program Coordinator and María T. Chee, bilingual instructional assistant, organized a great activity for all the students. They surprised the classes with three special guest speakers, Kanitta Gonzales, Regional Manager and Amon Saebe and Pailin Siriwatta, General Managers from Panda Express Corporation. The students were able to create Chinese arts and crafts as well as learn the history and facts of this colorful important holiday in the Chinese culture. They learned how to use chop sticks and put their new skill to good use by eating chow mein and orange chicken kid’s meals donated by Panda Express Corp. The 2012 Chinese Lunar Calendar lists this year as the Year of the Dragon. In the end, students recognized the importance that diversity can bring to the school community as well as learning the value of being different and learning about other cultures.
West Ranch Jazz Musicians Perform Winter Concert
West Ranch Winter Jazz students performed a concert to an attentive audience last month. Three student ensembles, led by Brian Leff, Director of Jazz Studies at West Ranch High School, demonstrated their skill and artistry, making for an enjoyable evening’s entertainment. The West Ranch Lab Jazz Band, an ensemble for intermediate student musicians, led off the evening’s event, playing selections such as “Fancy Pants,” by Sammy Nestico, “Work in Progress” by Gordon Goodwin and “Pure & Simple” by Jeff Jarvis. Next, the West Ranch Wildcat Combo, comprised of six advanced Jazz students, took the stage, much to the delight of the audience, with two numbers, “Imagination” by Jimmy Van Heusen and “Strasbourg/St. Denis” by Roy Hargrove. The West Ranch Studio A Jazz Band, an advanced ensemble, played a selection of compositions, including “Always & Forever” by Pat Metheny, “Bright Lights” by Bob Mintzer, “Ol’Man River” by Jerome Kern and for fun “Sir Duke,” by Stevie Wonder. Featured soloists on various numbers included Tomo Downs, Kyle Jimenez, Lucas Arias, Brandon Canada, Diego Kiner, Adam Hersh, and Steven Griggs. Congratulations to all the student musicians in West Ranch High School’s Jazz Studies, for a job well done. Be sure to watch for announcements of future performances coming soon! Photos courtesy of Maria Chittum of www.scvphotomom.com.
Sierra Vista Welcomes Speaker Keith Hawkins
Nationally known student speaker Keith Hawkins came to Sierra Vista Junior High School to speak to students and parents about the challenges that students face in their lives. He spoke to students in an assembly format about comparing themselves to other peers and “knowing who you are.” He shared personal life experiences and humor in order to reach the students with his message of “Standing for Something.” He stressed the importance of a good education and how students need to focus on taking advantage of everything their school has to offer them, despite any personal hardships they may be going through. In response, students signed a banner to welcome Mr. Hawkins to the campus and wore colorful bracelets with the words Faith, Peace, Courage and Hope on them. Photo: Keith Hawkins with students, Mariah Sumner, Nicole Coletti, Princess Pamintuan.
Bowman Students Discuss Martin Luther King, Jr. and Create Banner
Twenty-five years ago, United States President Ronald Reagan established Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday as a national holiday, in recognition of the work he did to make society a better place for everyone. Bowman students were invited to think about what they would want to tell their children in 25 years, when they were asked how the rights of individual groups had improved. Students were invited to write their hopes and dreams on a banner. Kevin Munn wrote, “Love, peace and prosperity for all.” John Lucewich wrote, “Diversity, with a common understanding among all fellow humans.” Breana Davis summed up the mood of the day when she said, “There are more than 6 billion people on this earth, all with different backgrounds. Still, we have one thing in common, and that is our race—the human race.”
Saugus and West Ranch Bring Home Academic Decathlon Medals
Two schools from the Hart School District successfully placed in the top 15 of 45 schools competing in the annual Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon (LACAD). Saugus High School earned 12th place with students taking home 13 medals, while West Ranch High School placed 14th and brought home 17 medals. The LACAD, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year, is open to public high schools in the county that are outside of the Los Angeles Unified School District, which holds a separate Academic Decathlon competition and awards ceremony. The Academic Decathlon is a local county/state/national honors program designed to promote self-assurance, academic enrichment and teamwork among students from a diversity of academic backgrounds. This year’s study theme for all decathlons nationwide was European imperialism and the age of empires. Decathlon teams are comprised of students from all grade-point averages. Decathletes are challenged to use analytical skills, performance abilities and test-taking and writing aptitude in 10 events: Art, Economics, Essay, Interview, Language & Literature, Math, Music, Science, Speech and Super Quiz (Social Science). West High School in Torrance came in first place for the fourth year in a row followed by Redondo Union and Beverly Hills High Schools. Saugus Advisor Vilo Del Rio and West Ranch Advisor Shallu Makan, along with administration at both schools are very proud of their teams, who worked hard all year to compete in this competition. Photo: Saugus Academic Decathlon team.
Bowman Students Visit Universal Technical Institute
A group of Bowman High School students enjoyed an informative field trip to Universal Technical Institute recently. Thirty-nine students and four teachers visited the Rancho Cucamonga campus, where UTI rep Joan Serra and former Hart District student Adrian Cross provided a guided tour of the unique facility. Students were taken through fully equipped shop environments, where they watched teams of UTI students work on state-of-the-art vehicles, provided by Ford, Mercedes and BMW. At the high performance lab, students witnessed a team of UTI students cranking up the RPM’s to ear-piercing levels on a drag racer. When they visited the refrigeration lab, students learned how big rigs maintain -20 degree temperatures so that products like ice cream can make the drive across even the hottest desert regions of the countryAt the end of the tour, students were given some parting gifts for answering questions. “What was the final torque reached at the high performance lab test that was being run?” Several hands shot in the air. ASB Advisor Jenny Dermody marveled at how knowledgeable so many of the students were, and said ruefully, “This is like a foreign language to me.” Arjun Malhotra said, “When I first saw the school, I was really impressed with how the campus looked and I felt like I belonged there.” He added, “I think I liked the Ford room the best.” Bowman student Jon Sweitzer co-owns Sims Customs located in the industrial center. He said, “If I went to UTI, I’d want to get certified in Ford, Mercedes and standard automotive training.” Other students want to work in the industry after graduation. Gabe Huerta wants to have his own shop some day and Trevor Jones wants to work on large vehicles while enlisted in the Marines. Bowman staff also thanked UTI for helping defray the bus transportation expense.
Golden Oak Adult School Celebrates Chinese New Year 2012
Golden Oak Adult School’s Intermediate English as a Second Language (ESL) class celebrated the 2012 Chinese New Year with the adult English learners. ESL teacher, José E. Malavé, invited María Chee, bilingual instructional assistant from La Mesa Jr. High chool, as a guest speaker. Students were able to create Chinese characters as well as learn the history and facts of this colorful celebration. They were also treated to a lesson in the ancient art of origami. The 2012 Chinese Lunar Calendar lists this year as the Year of the Dragon. When the celebration was over, the students recognized the importance that diversity can bring to the school community as well as learning the value of being different and learning about other cultures.
Bowman Students and Staff Donate Blood
Bowman High School coordinated with UCLA to hold a blood drive before winter break. UCLA gave each donor a movie ticket and a UCLA fleece blanket. Student Guadalupe Camacho said, “I would have donated blood either way, but it was a nice surprise getting the ticket and the blanket.” Liz Johnson wrapped her blanket around her and shivered in the early morning cold, saying, “I’m really appreciating the blanket right now!” She added, “Do you know what’s cool? Every pint we donate saves three lives!” By the end of the day, a total of 59 units of blood were collected. Some students were apprehensive about giving blood for the first-time, however, the skilled staff put them at ease and watching Bowman staff give blood was encouraging. “We like to set a good example for our students,” commented ASB Advisor Jenny Dermody, pointing to a couple of staff members contributing to the drive. “When they see us giving to the community, it makes students want to do the same.”
Golden Valley Cross Country Team Recognized at LA County Meeting
The 2011 Golden Valley High School Boys Cross Country Team made school history this fall, capturing the school’s first ever State Championship in any sport. The Grizzlies were undefeated in league competition and were also the CIF Division II Southern Section Champions. The team, along with the principal and coaches, were recognized at a Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors meeting in January. All team members and coaches received beautifully inscribed certificates of congratulations. Team members include: Nolan Del Valle, Juan David Garcia, Gabriel Levy, Carlos Lopez Jr., Kristian Martinez, Aaron Nguyen, Brendan Tinoco. Coaches are Rob and Chris Evans with Genevieve Peterson Henry and Gary Williamson assisting. Team pictured with Supervisor Michael Antonovich on the left. Congratulations Grizzlies!
Contact for more information: Gail Pinsker, Community Liaison Officer,
gpinsker@hartdistrict.org, 661.259.0033 x. 227
William S. Hart Union School District website: www.hartdistrict.org