Folklorico - A Cinco de Mayo fiesta was held at Sespe School on May 5th. One of the many attractions was Grupo folklórico de San Francisco de Asís. The pavilion was decorated with drinking-straw-spaced green, white, and red pinwheels, the brown columns studded with pinwheel rosettes. Paper chain garlands of green, white, and red scalloped the guardrails along the stage area, which featured an azure poncho flanked by two modest black sombreros. Tissue rosettes dotted the ramp railing, and near the flagpole stood a display of ponchos and clay vessels, next to which two six-pointed Disney piñatas. Traditional Mexican food was served and everyone enjoyed the fiesta.
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Shown (l-r) are Alissa Hernandez, 14, Erika Olveras, 13, Leslie Galvan, 13, and Cecilia Olveras, 16.
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My first encounter with Cinco de Mayo was the fiesta held at Sespe School the evening of May 5. Considering my enthusiasm to attend, it was funny to find that I had forgotten something as I approached the school grounds—I am not the biggest fan of mariachi music. Apprehension notwithstanding, I soldiered on into the sound waves, determined to take an openhearted look at a celebration that I imagined would be as foreign to me as it was familiar to perhaps the majority in attendance.

Families gathered beneath the large tree in the quad and at the pavilion; people emerged from the cafeteria with plates of tamales and tostadas, their red plastic cups peppering the festive scene. The pavilion was festooned with drinking-straw-spaced green, white, and red pinwheels happily spinning in the breeze, the brown columns studded with pinwheel rosettes. Paper chain garlands of—surprise—green, white, and red scalloped the guardrails along the stage area, which featured an azure poncho flanked by two modest black sombreros. Tissue rosettes dotted the ramp railing, and near the flagpole stood a display of ponchos and clay vessels, next to which two six-pointed Disney piñatas awaited their gory fates.

An abundance of schoolchildren darted around the tables, noisily chasing each other and starting a pickup Frisbee game in the back. Several girls and ladies wore flounced blouses, skirts, and dresses; ribbons adorned several hairdos, and a red plastic flower stuck out of one ponytail. Some botas vaqueros and a Mexican futbol jersey were in attendance, and much to my satisfaction, I spied a giant woven sombrero floating somewhere beneath the giant tree. And above all the mayhem, the mariachi music cheerily blasted from the lone loudspeaker that pointed, it seemed, directly at me.

Over a hundred people had congregated when principal Rosemarie Hibler, garbed in vestido folklórico—a loose white shift dress embroidered with colorful flowers—took the mic. She announced that the fiesta was the school’s first, sponsored by English Learner Advisory Committee volunteers. Hibler praised their efforts, duly noting, “The school’s never looked so beautiful!”

Children were invited to the stage, and Ms. Esmeralda Ramirez-Rueda, a former member of Ballet Folklórico Infantil de Fillmore, led a group of about twenty girls in turns and footwork while a group of boys piled on the back of a bench to intently watch their progress. The short workshop completed, the newly minted dancers performed their routine to music, after the boys had been asked to step down for the benefit of all the audience.

Ms. Ramirez-Rueda told me that she had been part of the ballet folklórico group until the group disbanded when she was twelve. As if on cue, behind us appeared a pair of costumed girls in vibrant skirts, like two agile hollyhocks in white dress shoes. Together they tapped away on the concrete, giggling in girlish fashion. Turning back, I saw a couple of large sombreros being ferried through the crowd as pulsating trumpets punctuated the Spanish chorus streaming from the stage.

Mr. Jeremías Guzmán Barrera from the Mexican Consulate gave a bilingual talk on the history of Cinco de Mayo as a small team of girls held an illustrated banner reading, “Bicentenario 2010, Mexican Consulate, Oxnard.” While the noisy kids seemed largely impervious to the address, a group of students perched along the guardrail listened along with the appreciative parents and grandparents at the tables. Through the din, Guzmán noted that throughout its history, Mexico had been under the control of France, Spain, and England, and the battle celebrated on Cinco de Mayo marked the first time Mexico fought together as one. Calling the fiesta “a great family event,” Guzmán said that it’s “important [for the children] to know their roots,” and presented Principal Hibler with a calendar featuring artwork by Mexican children around the world.

ELAC member Araceli Bravo told me that they were a group of Hispanic parents who advised the school regarding what they wanted for their children. To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, they contacted local businesses, found sponsors for food, invited the Mexican Consul, and recruited dancers. “It was planned in one and a half months—it was just a rush,” she said.

The fiesta’s highlight was CONTINUED »

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Sheriff’s Gang Unit arrested three suspects Friday, May 14, 2010 for a variety of charges that included possession of a stolen handgun and illegal transfer of a firearm. The arrests were made during the service of two search warrants in connection with a grand theft investigation.

For the past week, the Sheriff’s Gang Unit has been conducting a grand theft investigation where a .45 Caliber handgun and other items were taken from a vehicle on the West end of Fillmore. Gang investigators had information that local gang members were in possession of the handgun. On Thursday, gang investigators conducted a probation search in the 400 block of Fillmore Street. During the probation search, investigators found a knife that was taken during the grand theft from the vehicle. Investigators also obtained other items that linked a Nipomo gang member to the stolen handgun. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the residence in the 400 block of Fillmore Street as well as a residence in the 200 block of Ponderosa Place in Nipomo, which they served on Friday evening.

While searching the residence in Fillmore, gang investigators found a different handgun that was stolen from a residential burglary in the City of Oxnard in 2009. Cesar Calderon was present during the search warrant and was arrested for a variety of charges. His brother, Ricardo Calderon, was arrested at his place of business in Camarillo. Cesar was arrested for possession of stolen property and four warrants. He remains in custody on $45,000 bail. Ricardo was arrested for possession of a stolen firearm and illegal transfer of a firearm. He remains in custody on $10,000 bail.

When gang investigators searched the residence in Nipomo, they found several pictures of the stolen handgun that were taken with cell phone cameras. The resident, Eduardo Mendez, was located at his place of work and arrested for illegal transfer of a firearm. Investigators also located several grams of cocaine that were possessed by Mendez with the intent to sell. Mendez was transported to Ventura County where he was booked into the Ventura County Jail for the illegal transfer of a firearm.

Under California State Law, all firearm transactions and transfers must be made through a licensed gun dealer. Gang members routinely transfer firearms illegally between each other and from gang to gang in an effort to keep law enforcement officers from seizing them. It’s not uncommon for a gang member to “borrow” a firearm to commit a violent crime, and then illegally transfer the firearm to anther gang member to hide it from law enforcement. Gang investigators are continuing their efforts to recover the handgun stolen from the Fillmore area.

Location: 400 Block Fillmore Street, Fillmore
200 Block Ponderosa Place, Nipomo

Date & Time: May 15, 2010 5:00 PM
Unit Responsible: Sheriff’s Gang Unit
(S)uspects Charge City of residence Age
Cesar Calderon Possession of stolen Fillmore, CA 20
property
Ricardo Calderon Illegal transfer of Fillmore, CA 18
Firearm
Eduardo Mendez Illegal transfer of Nipomo, CA 22
Firearm.

Officer Preparing Release: Sergeant Schierman
Follow-up Contact: Sergeant Schierman 654-2856
Date of Release: May 16, 2010
Approved By: Mike De Los Santos, Captain #0730

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May 12, 2010 (Ventura County) 75 Ventura County children in Grades 5 through 12 competed in the first Ventura County Fair Poster Contest with entries that illustrated the Fair’s 2010 Theme: “Western Nights and Carnival Lights”. Of these entries, three were chosen by a panel of judges as the winners of the 2010 Ventura County Fair poster Contest.

First Prize went to Kayalin Akens-Irby (14) of Ventura for her rendition of horses bounding down a Ventura County hillside and onto the Carousel as Fireworks explode in the air above. The work is rendered in Oil Pastels on black paper in a playful style that is colorful and fun.

Second place was won by Mattie Myers (14) of Ventura for her beautiful illustration of a ferris wheel in a style that is reminiscent of Art Nouveau and also of 1960s abstract. The sky is aglow with fireworks and the Fairgrounds is populated with little people engaged in all sorts of fair activities.

Third place was awarded to Amanda Vassaur (15) of Fillmore for her electrifying depiction of the Fair in a pointillist style that not only illustrates the theme but also illuminates it with point after careful point of color.

“We congratulate the talented winners of this year’s contest,” said Barbara Quaid, Ventura County Fair CEO, adding “Every artist who entered is valuable because you have all contributed to your community by sharing your talents. You have told us 75 different Fair stories in 75 unique ways. We thank every child who participated and encourage them all to continue making art and sharing it with us at the annual Ventura County Fair.”

Cash Prizes were awarded to the winners and the artwork will be used to promote the 2010 Ventura County Fair, August 4 – 15. Children’s Dental Group sponsored the contest.

Kathy Long, County of Ventura Board of Supervisors, District 3

Opinion Editorial by Kathy Long

To the Editor:

This letter is in response to your Open Letter and email asking for my reply as to the proposed Piru Charter School, and now the subsequent denial of the Petition by the pro-charter State Board of Education with a 6-2 vote. My comments will reflect why I felt it necessary to stand with the parents of Piru in opposition to the Petition. I have served as the elected representative of the Piru community since 1997. Piru is an unincorporated community, not served by the present or former elected City Council Members of Fillmore, but served by the elected Board Members of the Fillmore Unified School District (FUSD).

I followed the process of the Petition application since it was first presented to FUSD and denied; then to the County Board of Education where it was also unanimously denied. I reviewed thoroughly the Petition and subsequent report from the County Board. I felt the County Board did an excellent analysis that raised reasonable doubt as to the sustainability of the Charter Petition, both fiscally and programmatically. So at that point, 10 locally elected representatives voted to oppose the Petition and over 100 parents. As the petition then moved to the state Charter Advisory Board, where it did receive support; the glaring deficiency in the Charter School law again became obvious—the parents’ voice was seriously discounted in the law.

In my many years of representing Piru, I have never seen such a divisive issue rattle this community. Over 100 parents organized rallies and raised funds to charter busses to travel to Sacramento twice to have their voices heard. They felt excluded from the formation of the Charter Petition and from the process. Their community became divided, and there was misinformation from many sides of the issue that created an enormous frustration. I believe that frustration was a result of the parents not being asked to be engaged from the beginning. They felt their choice for the education of their children was being taken away from them.

In the design of charter schools, one size does not fit all. Piru is not a community like Los Angeles, South Central, nor the Valley where there are often additional schools to choose from within a neighborhood, besides a Charter school. Charter schools are either “start ups” or “conversions”. This petition was a “conversion” of the only elementary school in the neighborhood, leaving no choice for the parents not supporting the charter, but to bus their children into Fillmore. I believe the State Board of Education Board members recognized that the Petition action did just that—took the neighborhood choice away from the Piru parents.

With the denial of the petition, we have a golden opportunity before us to focus on the needs of this school and the community. The District must fulfill the infrastructure commitments that were made, support the teachers and the Principal, and capture the passion of the parents to improve the educational opportunities for their children. This rural, low-income school may be challenged, but the Academic Performance Index Base Scores have risen 94 points since 2007. That result only comes from teachers and parents working together for the good of the children. We must never give up on our children, and we must always reach out first to the parents to collectively guide the changes needed to excel. Now it’s time to move on and bring the community together, give the Piru parents and teachers the respect they deserve, and focus on educating the future generations. I am inspired by the Piru “parents with power, padres con poder” and was proud to stand with them to have their voices heard.

Sincerely,
Kathy Long, Chair
Third District Supervisor

Open Letter to Supervisor Long from Gazette Publisher Martin Farrell

Dear Supervisor Long,
You have recently stated your opposition to the Piru Charter School petition on grounds that it is unpopular with Piru residents, and you intend to testify against it at the final hearing.
I would urge you to reconsider this decision because it is based upon false information. A majority of Piru residents do not oppose the charter proposal; residents vigorously support the charter. Bitter opposition comes only from a group which has been misled by school district authorities anxious about the loss of money and authority. The lies which have been spread about the charter proposal are astonishing.
Here are some of them:
1. The charter school would be private, demanding tuition. FALSE.
2. No bus would be provided for the school. FALSE.
3. No special education classes would be provided. FALSE.
4. No band would be provided. FALSE.
5. Students would have to meet special academic achievement to enroll. FALSE.
6. Some students, residents of Piru, would not be able to attend. FALSE.
7. The budget would not sustain the school. FALSE. CA Dept. of Ed. says it is sound.
8. The school would be “experimental”. FALSE.
9. Volunteer hours would be required. FALSE.
10. No after-school programs. FALSE.
11. Small class sizes not guaranteed. FALSE.
12. Some registrations would be reported to immigration. FALSE.
13. Piru School is doing just fine as is. FALSE. It is ranked 11th from the bottom when compared to 100 similar California elementary schools, and facilities are in very poor condition.
14. There will be no GATE program. FALSE. It will be better than ever.
If all Piru residents knew the truth I believe the hostile opposition would stop.
Once again, Supervisor Long, I urge you not to oppose the charter, for the above reasons. There is simply no basis to believe the charter school would not be a huge success. Knowing the truth now, I hope you will rise above Union and District pressure to kill the promise of a Piru Charter School. Please take a close look at these facts and support the charter.
Sincerely,
Martin Farrell
Publisher
The Fillmore Gazette

Kathy Long, County of Ventura Board of Supervisors, District 3

Opinion Editorial by Richard Durborow

The recent vote by the Sate Board of Education not to approve Piru Charter School hurts all of us but most of all it marginalizes the future of our children. The students of Piru and Fillmore are now going to miss out on an opportunity to have a school in their community based on innovation, integrity, and results. A vote for “no choice” was a vote to banish children to failing schools just because of their zip code. This is both revolting and unacceptable. If you want more for your children you must stand up to the Fillmore School Board and insist they stop doing business as usual and start supporting school reform.

Supervisor Kathy Long’s response to the Gazette’s Open Letter is completely disingenuous. It’s as if she woke up one day and decided she had nothing better to do than jump on board superintendent Sweeney’s propaganda machine. I am sure it looked to her like a great opportunity for publicity. All she could see were the votes she might pick up along the way. Unfortunately supervisor Long I have some bad news for you. Your decision to act before thinking is not going over very well with the public. It turns out that people expect more from their elected officials. They expected you to take a position after examining all the facts and talking to both sides. In academic vernacular it’s called research. You should have taken the time to research the issues. That’s why the Fillmore Gazette wrote to you in the first place. After reading your shallow response it is clear you still remain clueless to the gravity of the situation. Wake up supervisor Long. Giving equal education to underserved and isolated communities like Piru is one of the most important civil rights issues of our time.

The California Department of Education tried to make things clear for those who wanted to read a fair and impartial analysis of the Piru Charter Petition when they submitted this response:

The PCS petition includes all of the elements required under statute and regulation for the establishment of a charter school. The California Department of Education (CDE) finds that granting the PCS charter is sound educational practice for the following reasons: the petition describes an educational program likely to meet the needs of pupils within the community where the school will locate; petitioners are demonstrably likely to implement the program set forth in the petition; the petition includes the required affirmations and signatures; and the petition contains reasonably comprehensive descriptions of the 16 elements pursuant to EC Section 47605(b)(5).

Supervisor Kathy Long is all about protecting the status quo. What a disappointment. Out of touch with her local schools. Out of touch with what it really takes to improve student learning.

Richard Durborow
Piru Charter School