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On Monday, January 11, 2010, San Cayetano School recognized good citizenship and character at their Peacebuilder Assembly for the month of January. Mr. Josh Overton came to San Cayetano to speak to the students about what a good citizen is and how displaying good character could enrich the students and others in the community around them. Each teacher chose a student from his or her class whom showed excellent character and peace-building skills. Julian Calderon and Christina De La Mora, the San Cayetano ASB President and Vice-President, assisted Mr. Overton in handing out the Peacebuilder Awards. The Peacebuilders for January are: Sara Arroyo, Amber Cervantez, Daisy Jimenez, Ariana Felix, Juan Galindo, Addy Almanza, Jonathon Rosales, Enrique Felix, Mariana Acevez, Victor Jimenez, Noah Stoessel, Aiyanna Simental, Bryant Herrera, Jose Acosta, Kirah Collins, Johana Garcia, Jose Romero, Elizabeth Magana, Johan Hernandez, Anthony Morales, and Josue Morga. Julian and Christina then announced to the students that the Rainbow Foundation is sponsoring the San Cayetano Character Counts Award of a $100.00 savings bond. Mr. Overton presented the Character Counts Award to a deserving first grade student. Noelani Sanchez was chosen by the first grade teachers as a model of outstanding behavior and kindness to the other students. To conclude the assembly, students were reminded to turn in their Perfect Attendance tickets. Each month all students who come to school, each day, on time, are given an orange raffle ticket. The students place their tickets in a box and one ticket is drawn. The student whose ticket is drawn is given a backpack full of supplies. 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 new bicycles, an I-pod shuffle, and three large stuffed animals. Celeste Mendez from Mrs. Pelkey’s first grade won the Perfect Attendance Award for the month of January.

Last week we had many sporting events take place at Fillmore High School. Boys and girls soccer played Carpinteria last Wednesday; boys frosh lost 2-0, boys JV tied 1-1, and boys varsity lost 2-1. Girls soccer JV lost 3-1 and girls varsity lost 7-0 . They also played against Oaks Christian and boys varsity lost 2-1 and girls varsity lost 9-0. Girls Basketball played this week against La Reina; both teams won, Varsity 43-41 in overtime. Varsity girls also played Villanova this week and defeated them 60-49. As of now Varsity is 2-1 in league and JV is 1-1 in league. Boys Basketball played this week against Oak Park; all teams lost. Frosh and Varsity played later in the week against Grace Brothren, both teams won, the final score of the Varsity game was 74-43. Bishop Diego was their final game of the week; Frosh won, JV lost, and Varsity won 60-44. Wrestling also had a weekend match, please read next week for scores. The pep squad competed this Sunday in Long Beach against 6 teams from different counties. We came in first place and also took home Grand Champions which means that we had the highest score out of all the school teams at this competition. The formal was also a success. Students danced the entire night to DJ Divine from Q-1047. Lets go Flashes!!!

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2010
5:15 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:00 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.
5:15 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
II. ROLL CALL
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON 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.
IV. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet from 5:15 to 6:00 p.m. to CONTINUED »

California Lutheran University is launching Ventura County’s first doctoral program in clinical psychology at its Oxnard Center.

Several factors have brought about a greater need in the region for quality programs that prepare students to be licensed clinical psychologists, according to Mindy Puopolo, CLU’s Director of Graduate Programs in Psychology. California’s Mental Health Services Act of 2004 increased funding for county mental health programs to work toward statewide goals for better serving people. The federal Mental Health Parity and Addition Act, which took effect Jan. 1, provides for equal treatment of mental health, alcohol and substance abuse disorders and will provide mental health services and substance abuse coverage to 113 million Americans. Another factor is that military personnel are returning from combat to Ventura County in need of help from licensed mental health professionals.

The new Psy.D. program in Clinical Psychology at CLU has been developed to help address all of these needs in the community. It will start in the fall with 17 students in the first cohort.

The program will integrate theoretical and practical CONTINUED »

We have had numerous events occur our first week back to school. Girls Soccer played our rivals Santa Paula. However, both JV and Varsity were defeated by Santa Paula; JV 2-1 and Varsity 7-0. The girls also played La Reina but were defeated as well. Boy’s soccer had a great game against Bishop Diego, both teams won; JV won by forfeit and Varsity 2-0. Wrestling had one league meet and two tournaments this week. Their league meet was held at The Jewish Community Center and they won as a team. At the Santa Paula tournament they came in second place over all, defeating Santa Paula. Girls Basketball played two games this week, both away. Against Oak Park both JV and Varsity girls lost, JV 46-20 and Varsity 45-23. In Carpinteria, Fillmore was able to take the win, JV 30-24 and Varsity 53-43. Boys Basketball played against La Baptist this past week. Both Frosh and JV were defeated; however, Varsity took home the win. We also played Santa Paula this week away. Frosh lost but JV was able to come back with a win. The Varsity game was a great display of basketball, but Fillmore was finally defeated by 3 points leaving the score 40-37. The following day the boy’s varsity basketball had their annual alumni game. This was a fun and entertaining game for all. Many of the alumni had the opportunity to play against their sons. In the end, the alumni were able to defeat the boys by over 30 points. We had our first serve day on January 9, 2010 and it was very successful. Many people attended the serve day, some from Fillmore and others from out of town. Winter Formal is coming up on Saturday the 16th of January, it will be held at the Fillmore Piru Veterans Memorial Building, and this year’s theme is Winter Wonderland. We plan on this being the highlight of the month. Fillmore High School cheer will have their first competition this Sunday in Long Beach. Over all, we had a very proactive and successful start to our new year.

The seniors of the Class of 2010 are again selling the popular “Sandwich-Meals” from The Central Station. You have a choice of Tri-Tip, BBQ Chicken or Pulled Pork sandwich including a side and a drink all for $10.00. It’s so convenient to call ahead, 5244-5286 and have your order ready to go or eat in. Each student is asked to sell at least 10 tickets (or more) to help Grad Nite Live meet their needed amount of $23,000.00. We will be selling these tickets until March 31st, 2010.

Superintendent Jack-O'Connell
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today announced 760 local educational agencies (LEAs) have submitted a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in order to partner with the state of California in the federal Race to the Top (RTTT) competition.

Under the Obama Administration’s guidelines, Race to the Top calls on LEAs to voluntarily partner with the state to implement reforms that improve student outcomes. California’s MOU was developed in accordance with recently released final Obama Administration Race to the Top guidelines. The MOU establishes a framework of collaboration and articulates specific roles and responsibilities for the LEA and the state if California does win a federal RTTT grant.

Forty-four percent of the school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools in California have signed the RTTT MOU, representing 57 percent of students attending California K-12 public schools. Sixty percent of students living in poverty attend a school in an LEA that has signed up to participate in RTTT.

Of the total number of LEAs that signed an MOU, 449 are school districts or county offices of education, 308 are charter schools, and two are Regional Occupational Programs.

Of the 760 LEAs that submitted a signed MOU, 561 or 77 CONTINUED »

VENTURA COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
The Board Meeting will be held at the VCOE Conference & Educational Services Center
Conejo Room / Salons A - C
5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo
(805) 383-1900

SPECIAL BOARD MEETING AGENDA NO. 10-01

Tuesday, January 12, 2010
6:00 p.m.  OPEN SESSION (Conejo Room)
6:30 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING ON PIRU CHARTER SCHOOL

(Salons A – C)
The Public Hearing on Piru Charter School will NOT begin prior to 6:30 pm. Members of the Public that wish to address the Board on this item must first complete a Speaker Form. Speaker Forms must be submitted no later than five (5) minutes prior to the topic coming up for discussion on the agenda. (Board Policy No. 9325)

9:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT (Unless extended by Board Action)
Times are approximate and are provided for convenience only. Open Session items may be re-ordered.

Agenda No. 10-01
A. CALL TO ORDER – Conejo Room
1. Pledge of Allegiance. CONTINUED »

Perfect Attendance winner for December, John Chavez.

On Monday, December 7, 2009, San Cayetano School recognized good citizenship and character at their Peacebuilder Assembly for the month of December. Mr. Francisco Garcia, from CSUCI, came to speak to the students about how to be a good citizen. Each teacher chose a student from his or her class whom showed excellent character and peace-building skills. Julian Calderon and Christina De La Mora, the San Cayetano ASB President and Vice-President assisted Mr. Garcia in handing out the Peacebuilder Awards. The Peacebuilders for December are: Alexander Adame, Emilia Magdaleno, Juan Martinez, David Linares, Bella Villegas, Juan Hernandez, Yazmen Del Toro, Christian Garza, Alesha Felix, Ocelotl Martinez, Erin Overton, Yazmeen Del Toro, Antonio Villalobos, Cesar Lopez, Kaylee Serna, Pedro Aceves, Diego Garcia, Ashley Montano, Damian Alvarez, Ryan Nunez, and Fernando Trujillo. Julian and Christina then announced to the students that the Rainbow Foundation is sponsoring the San Cayetano Character Counts Award of a $100.00 savings bond. Mr. Garcia presented the Character Counts Award to a deserving fifth-grade student. Joe Guinte from Mrs. Chisholm was chosen by the fifth grade teachers as a model of outstanding behavior and responsibility to the other students. To conclude the assembly, students were reminded to turn in their Perfect Attendance tickets. Each month all students who come to school, each day, on time, are given an orange 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 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. John Chavez, a fifth grader from Mr. Maus’s class, won the Perfect Attendance Award for December.

California Lutheran University has been selected the regional host site for the 2010 Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Seminar to be held June 11-13. The program is open to outstanding high school sophomores who are nominated to attend by their school's guidance counselor, principal or teacher. Local service clubs may also nominate a student.

More than 9,000 high school students from across the country are expected to participate in one of 70 HOBY seminars taking place this spring. In addition to Cal Lutheran, other California sites are UC Davis, Whittier College and Concordia University. All of those programs will take place June 18-20.

"Our seminars provide students who possess demonstrated or potential leadership skills a chance to foster their passion and knowledge in an encouraging and interactive environment," said Javier LaFianza, president and chief executive officer of HOBY. "This is a way for high school administrators to show these students that their hard work and dedication is appreciated and supported in a very meaningful way."

Each high school may nominate up to two students to attend the prestigious CONTINUED »

Where: Piru Community Center
When: Tuesday, January 5th, 2009 from 6:30-8:00pm

Please join us to answer any questions about our proposal, to hear from enthusiastic local parents who have visited a local charter school, and to hear from parents who have their children currently attending charter schools. Come hear why these parents are fully committed to charter schools!

CHOOSE CHOICE FOR YOUR CHILD
CHOOSE TO SUPPORT PIRU CHARTER SCHOOL

For more info go to www.pirucharterschool.blogspot.com or send us an email at pirucharterschool@earthlink.net

ESTAN INVITADOS
Junta Para Escuela Charter de Piru
Para Padres y la Comunidad
Centro de Comunidad de Piru
martes, enero 5o del 2009 6:30-8:00pm
Los esperamos para poder contestar sus preguntas sobre nuestra propuesta, y para que puedan escuchar a padres que están entusiasmados después de haber visitado una escuela charter de la zona y también a padres que ya tienen a sus hijos en una escuela charter. Vengan a escuchar porque estos padres están tan felices de cooperar en la educación de sus hijos en escuelas charter.

We hope you have enjoyed a restful holiday and are now ready to think about plans for the New Year! One of the most important choices you have for the months ahead is your child’s education. We hope you are joining with us in supporting Piru Charter School, and have planned a meeting in the Piru Community Center on Tuesday, January 5th from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to answer any final questions about this proposal, and to hear not only from enthusiastic local parents who have visited a local charter school, but from visiting parents who are excited to have their children attending a charter school right now. Come hear why these parents are fully committed to charter schools!

The goals for Piru Charter School continue to be:
Keep Piru School Open
Lower Class Sizes in the Upper Grades
Make Better Choices with Our School Money
Provide for a Possible K-8 Learning Opportunity
Continue Piru School’s Path to Success!

It is our belief that only by choosing to convert to Piru Charter School, can Piru parents be given the choice of schooling options they need in order to assure that every Piru student be given a high quality learning opportunity as they begin life.

Misinformation has been spread about charter schools. Come hear for yourself, the facts in a quiet sharing of information. Next week Piru Elementary will have a chance to choose not be guided by the continued attempts of Fillmore Unified School District , but by the Ventura County Office of Education and Success. Choose choice for your child. Choose to support Piru Charter School!
Tuesday, January 5th 6:30. We hope to see you there!
pirucharterschool@earthlink.net

There is more to cover than space allows. Our next meeting is open to the public and will be held Monday, Jan. 4th at 6:30 pm in the Fillmore High School Band Room. If you want to get the Fillmore Band Boosters, Fillmore Elementary Schools, FMS, and FHS Band updates, contact us or look for our web site to be up and running next month.

The Fillmore Band Boosters are making every effort to raise upwards of $40,000.00 for high school band uniforms. On December 9th, they held a drawing for an Excursion on the Fillmore and Western Train and a fifty-fifty drawing where $150.00 was raised. Mrs. Delores Pace won the trip for two generously donated by Teresa Wilkinson of Fillmore and Western Railway. The winning fifty-fifty ticket worth $75.00 belonged to Szilvia Beylik, a middle school band parent who graciously donated her prize back to the band uniform account. Thank you Mrs. Beylik! The following day, Mrs. Delores Pace also made a generous contribution to the uniforms account. Another thanks!

Deep appreciation goes to all of the parents who showed up to support their children in band and to parents and Band Booster members who volunteered their time and shivered by the doors selling pre-wrapped goodies. We would also like to acknowledge Fillmore Middle School employees, Mary Ecklund, Johnny, and Ralph Topete for their help and support.

On Saturday, Dec.12 at the Piru Christmas Parade, the Band Boosters President, and four high school band members, Brandy Nisbet, Claire Faith, Grace Simon, and Karissa Tarango braved the rain selling fundraising goodies and collecting donations for dinner for two at El Pescador in Fillmore and another fifty fifty drawing. Mr. Jesus Ortiz, gifted certificates for dinner for two at his popular restaurant. The El Pescador gift certificate was won by a nice lady whose name is safely locked up in the band room, but will be acknowledged next week. This time the fifty- fifty prize went to Debbie Sanchez, who was there as a representative for Relay for Life. The total amount donated was $460.00 giving a nice $230.00 Christmas bonus to Mrs. Sanchez who turned around and gave the money right back to the uniform fund, less her $20.00 investment. Thank you Mrs. Sanchez!
Band Boosters wishes to thank the community of Piru and Mrs. Maria Trokye for their support and for allowing us to set up a booth during the Piru Christmas festival. Talk about a community with heart! 　

Blessings to all and a Happy New Year!
Band Booster President, Debbie Galarza

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2010
5:15 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:00 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.
5:15 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
II. ROLL CALL
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON 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.
IV. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet from 5:15 to 6:00 p.m. CONTINUED »

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, Calif., Dec. 16, 2009 – CSU Channel Islands (CI) is pleased to announce a $300,000 grant award from the National Science Foundation to Dr. Ching-Hua Wang, Director of MS in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Program and Special Assistant to the Provost at CSU Channel Islands, and colleagues from San Diego State and Chico State Universities. The grant will be used to develop ethics education content for three different PSM fields: Biotechnological Science, Computational Science, and Environmental Science and to integrate the content into the Professional Science Master (PSM) programs within the CSU system.

The two-year PSM programs are innovative and rigorous, combining graduate education in science and technology with industry-relevant education in business, management, communication, and law. The ethics education program will be used throughout the CSU campuses and the National Science Foundation would also like the program disseminated to other campuses in the nation. Currently, there are over 120 Professional Science Master programs in the United States.

Students are admitted into PSM programs after completing an undergraduate CONTINUED »

Camarillo, Calif., Dec. 16, 2009 – CSU Channel Islands (CI) will welcome back to the campus 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday, Feb. 26, 2010.

The University will host several campus activities during Dr. Yunus’ visit. His book, Creating a World without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism, was selected for the CI annual Campus Reading Celebration. At a morning event, Professor Yunus will discuss the book and review social projects with CI faculty, staff and students.

At 4 p.m., the general public will have an opportunity to join students from CI, Ventura, Moorpark, and Oxnard Colleges at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza to discuss social business and the new-found corporate interest in social business.

The University expects a sold-out event and encourages the general public to buy tickets as soon as possible to assure a seat for this event. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or by visiting the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza at http://www.toaks.org/cap/tickets/events/event.asp?eventID=1514

The list of Yunus’ awards and recognitions is lengthy and the CONTINUED »

Camarillo, Calif. Dec. 15, 2009 – CSU Channel Islands (CI) announced the receipt of a $250,000 grant for its Nursing Program. Funding was provided by the Foundation for California Community Colleges and Kaiser Permanente Fund for Health Education at the East Bay Community Foundation, through collaboration with the California Institute for Nursing and Health Care (CINHC) and the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency.

The grant was one of seven awarded to California community college/university partnerships to develop model programs for fast track transitions from an associate nursing degree (ADN) to a bachelor nursing degree (BSN) program. This program will create a better educated nursing workforce as well as increase the quality of healthcare throughout the state.

CI is collaborating with Santa Barbara City College, Ventura College, and Moorpark College to discuss streamlining curriculum to make sure that all course prerequisites to continue on to a BSN would be met at the community college level and that all lower level general education requirements are also completed at the community college. This process allows students to move smoothly into upper division work without delay. Graduating with a BSN allows nursing students many more career options, such as public health nursing, and allows students to move directly into a Master’s program if he or she wishes.

Dr. Karen Jensen, Chair of CI’s Nursing Program, said a survey CONTINUED »