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By Anonymous — Monday, October 6th, 2014
Forum brings students and business leaders together
 Panel Moderator Michael Panesis THOUSAND OAKS, CA - California Lutheran University students will connect with business leaders over dinner and discussions at the 2014 Mathews Leadership Forum on Wednesday, Oct. 22. The event will be held from 5:45 to 9 p.m. in Lundring Events Center on the Thousand Oaks campus. Round-table and panel discussions will focus on the theme of “Career Development: Technology’s Impact on Employees and Employers.” Participants will talk about the skills employers look for to foster innovation and address future technical needs and the best way to educate a workforce for jobs that don’t currently exist. To begin the evening, students will be matched with business and community leaders and university faculty and staff for round-table discussions. The format helps build relationships between students and employers and provide mentoring opportunities. Dinner and a panel discussion will follow. The panelists will be MBA alumnus Anthony Aker, the co-founder and vice president of Westlake Village-based technology company Tranzologic; Ventura County Chief Information Officer Mike Pettit; and Catharine Reznicek, educational technology specialist at the Ventura County Office of Education. Michael Panesis, the new executive director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Cal Lutheran, will moderate. The panelists and other business and community leaders will facilitate the round-table discussions. The facilitators will include Cal Lutheran alumnus Austin Aker, co-founder and chief operating officer of medical technology company NexGenic; Dr. Matteo Dinolfo of UCLA Health; Dianne McKay, vice president of operations for Mustang Marketing; and Tracy Noonan, attorney for the city of Thousand Oaks. Cal Lutheran revived the forum in 2012 after a six-year hiatus. Former university President Mark Mathews started the event as a classroom seminar in 1970. Keynote speakers have included Kinkos founder Paul J. Orfalea, The Body Shop International founder Anita Roddick and the late UCLA basketball coach John Wooden. The Cal Lutheran Community Leaders Association and UCLA Health are presenting the event. John A. Short III of UBS Financial Services Inc. is the chair. Sponsors include the Area Housing Authority of the County of Ventura, the Pacific Coast Business Times, University Village Thousand Oaks and Wells Fargo. Business leaders are invited to attend. Tickets are $55. Sponsorships are also available. Reservations can be made at callutheran.edu/cla. For more information, contact the University Relations office at 805-493-3151. |
 Gold award winner Salvador I. Brito conducting gene research . Photo credit: Megan Stone/California Lutheran University Enlarge Photo By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 1st, 2014
5 will receive awards at annual research symposium
THOUSAND OAKS, CA - Thirty-six of California Lutheran University’s top undergraduates will present their research findings at the 11th Annual Student Research Symposium on Saturday, Oct. 18. The event, which will include presentations of awards to five students, will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Ahmanson Science Center on the Thousand Oaks campus. With guidance from faculty mentors, the students conducted research in the fields of biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, exercise science, global studies, mathematics, psychology and religion. Most of the students spent the summer working full time on their projects. Three students will receive awards for dedication and excellence. Gold award winner Salvador I. Brito, an Oxnard resident majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology in addition to psychology, deleted particular genes in human cells infected by hepatitis C virus to determine if that affects the ability of the virus to grow in the cells or the expression of the cell. Silver award recipient Su Ji Hong, a mathematics and physics major from Ventura, created mathematical models to describe the queuing system of Cal Lutheran's Centrum Cafe. Bronze award winner Sharena Rice, a Simi Valley resident majoring in biochemistry and molecular biology and minoring in psychology, researched when certain proteins that regulate lipid transport appear during the development of the retina. Carla De Lira of Los Angeles and Alicia Vanessa Nuñez of Canoga Park will receive the symposium’s first leadership awards. They served as peer leaders for the summer researchers and organized weekly gatherings. De Lira, a computer science major now serving as the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship (OURCS) assistant, studied the efficiency of using Live Code to create software for multiple operating systems including desktop, laptop, tablet and smartphone devices. Nuñez, a psychology and Spanish major, explored the cognitive mechanisms used in forgiveness in older adults. After the presentation of awards, six students will give oral presentations from 9:15 to 10:30 a.m. in Richter Hall. All the students will present their results in demonstrations and posters and talk to visitors from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Atrium. Refreshments will be served. Original results shared at the symposium are presented at professional conferences throughout the country and may be published in peer-reviewed journals. Ahmanson Science Center is located at 3260 Pioneer Ave. Admission to the symposium, which is sponsored by the OURCS, is free. For a complete schedule, visit www.callutheran.edu/OURCS. For more information, call 805-493-3796 or email OURCS@callutheran.edu. |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, October 1st, 2014
Now one of the nation’s fastest-growing universities, CI is expanding enrollment and offering new tuition reductions for some out-of-state students
 California State University Channel Islands Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) will accept applications from new students for the fall 2015 term during the months of October and November. The application period begins Wednesday, Oct. 1, and ends at midnight on Sunday, Nov. 30. High school seniors, community college transfer students and others intending to apply must visit www.csumentor.edu to complete the online application as early as possible. CSUMentor also offers detailed information about the CSU system and campuses, admission requirements and financial aid. Thanks to its recent admission to the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), a program of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), CI is now able to offer out-of-state students in 14 western states a reduced tuition rate – amounting to 150 percent of regular in-state tuition. The WUE tuition rate is considerably less than regular non-resident tuition and is open to students from Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. To qualify for reduced out-of-state tuition, students must submit an application through CSUMentor during the application filing period and also complete a WUE contract noting they are seeking the WUE tuition rate. In addition to meeting CSU minimum requirements, incoming WUE freshmen must have a GPA of 3.13 or higher, minimum SAT score of 1000, and minimum ACT score of 22. Transfer students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Interested students can visit CI’s WUE admissions webpage at www.csuci.edu/admissions/wue for more information and to apply for the WUE program. “Our entry into the Western Undergraduate Exchange is a great step that will help provide CI more exposure to students from out of state and increase the quantity and diversity of applicants and enrolled students,” said Ginger Reyes, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs and Director of Admissions & Records. “Whether they come from another region, state or country, students from outside our community enhance the exchange of learning on our campus. They also get to experience a world-class education on one of the country’s most beautiful campuses at a bargain rate.” The newest of the CSU’s 23 campuses, CI is one of the fastest-growing universities in the nation. For the fall of 2015, CI projects an enrollment of 6,210 full-time students and continued growth of approximately 500 new students each year. Currently, just over 2 percent of CI students and 3 percent of applicants are from out of state. CI hopes to expand awareness of its picturesque campus, acclaimed academics and growing enrollment through online college fairs and participation in national college fairs, as more travel and recruitment funding becomes available. The Admissions office will host a series of evening application workshops at the end of November to assist students in applying to CI. Check the admissions website at www.csuci.edu/admissions for details. Midway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles and minutes from the Pacific Ocean, CI is nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains. Established in 2002 as the newest of the 23 CSUs, CI offers a uniquely friendly, scenic and innovative public campus with 24 undergraduate degree programs, six graduate degrees, and a wide variety of teaching and service credential programs. For more information, visit www.csuci.edu or contact the CI Admissions & Recruitment office at admissions@csuci.edu or 805-437-8520. For information on WUE, visit http://www.wiche.edu/wue. About California State University Channel Islands |
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By Tom Ito — Tuesday, September 30th, 2014
Vol. #6
 Matt Seegan Last week, Isela Larin organized the College Information Night. The event was well attended and the presenters were informative and helpful. Presenters were from all three levels of advanced public education. The UC, CSU and Community Colleges presented information to parents in English and Spanish. (Bilingual presentation) Fillmore’s Finest Staff: Ros Mitzenmacher, Jeanne Cantaro Classroom Corner Most of us have vague recollections of our high school days. We might remember a special teacher or participating in a sport, the band or activity but we remember very little about class work unless it was special. In Mr. Gurkweitz’ class students are treated everyday to a novel way of learning. Sasha’s class has been transformed through a style of teaching called Gamification. Instead of grades, points are given and rewards and perks are earned at certain cutoffs. Students level up to various rankings much like in a video game. Students are routinely witnessed becoming very enthusiastic when earning points for math activities. They work together collaboratively because their success, much like in cooperative based video games, hinges on teamwork. This is a research based method of teaching with plenty of data to show that student learning increases exponentially much like the points earned in class. Athletes in Action The varsity about to pull ahead for good in the fourth quarter! Another JV Touchdown! 9/26-9/27 Cross Country at Stanford Inv. Activities One of the highlights of the 104th meeting of Santa Paula- Fillmore football classic was the dance off between the Flash and Cardinal mascots. Both mascots had crowd pleasing moves and displayed exuberance during their competition. The Fillmore High School Cheer Squad unveiled a new routine that was exciting and high energy. They got the crowd revved up during halftime for what became a prelude of things to come on the field in the second half. ASB sponsored another standing room only rally. This rally was much anticipated and the students delivered a well organized event. The crowd enjoyed the games and cheering competition. 9/29-10/2 Homecoming Float Building Flashlites This week’s featured Flashlite is Matt Seegan. Matt, a recent graduate of UC Santa Barbara, teaches ELD at Fillmore High School. The reason why he chose to teach started back at UCSB. Matt helped tutor students in English and he derived so much satisfaction from helping others that decided to choose teaching as a profession. Important Dates |
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By Anonymous — Monday, September 29th, 2014
California State University Channel Islands Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) will welcome award-winning writer Luis Urrea for the 10th Annual Campus Reading Celebration, Thursday, Oct. 16, at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Salon. The Campus Reading Celebration is an annual event that unites the campus, community and notable authors in a shared intellectual experience. This year, students nominated and selected Urrea’s 1996 non-fiction work, "By the Lake of Sleeping Children: The Secret Life of the Mexican Border," as the Campus Reading Celebration book. Fitting CI's dedication to an interdisciplinary curriculum, the book touches on topics and issues studied in Environmental Science & Resource Management, Political Science, English, Biology, Sociology, Psychology, History, Communication, Spanish, Economics, Business, Global Studies, and Chicana/o Studies. Urrea is a prolific and award-winning writer of 13 books. He is a master of language and a gifted storyteller who uses his dual-culture life experiences to explore greater themes of love, loss and triumph. Born in Tijuana to a Mexican father and an American mother, Urrea grew up in San Diego. Like many great writers, he got his start in literature writing poems to impress girls in junior high. His early heroes were all rock stars, but not being especially musically gifted, Urrea chose to follow in the steps of his literary role models. A fanatical hunger for reading pushed him at the age of 13 "to do what my heroes were doing," he has said. Urrea attended the University of California at San Diego, earning an undergraduate degree in writing, and did his graduate studies at the University of Colorado-Boulder. Aside from his Fellowship at Harvard, he has also taught at Massachusetts Bay Community College, the University of Colorado, and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. Urrea is currently a professor of creative writing at the University of Illinois-Chicago. He lives with his wife Cinderella ("Cindy") and their youngest daughter in Naperville, Ill. The event will include Urrea's presentation, a Q&A session with the audience, a book signing, and a light reception. Registration is required online at www.csuci.edu/crc. Admission is free for CI students, faculty and staff; $5 for all other students; and $10 for the public. Copies of Urrea's book will be available for sale and signing at the event and in advance at the Cove Bookstore on the CI campus for $15. Complimentary event parking is limited and only available in the designated parking lot on campus. Free parking is also available at the Camarillo Metrolink/Lewis Road parking lot with bus service to and from the campus. In order to waive bus fares, riders should present their event registration confirmation when boarding the CI Vista Bus; otherwise, the cash-only bus fare is $1.25 each way. Buses arrive and depart from Camarillo Metrolink Station every 30 minutes, Monday through Friday. For exact times, check the schedule at: www.goventura.gov. For additional information, visit www.csuci.edu/crc or contact Merissa Stith, Events Coordinator, at 805-437-8548 or merissa.stith@csuci.edu. About California State University Channel Islands |
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By Anonymous — Monday, September 29th, 2014
Company employees, volunteers, staff and students will join in a tree planting day Oct. 4
Camarillo, CA - The CSU Channel Islands (CI) campus will soon be a lot greener, thanks to the gift of 500 trees from Alcoa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Alcoa, a global leader in lightweight metals technology, engineering and manufacturing As part of its Global ReLeaf pledge, partnering with the nonprofit organization American Forests, Alcoa Foundation awarded CI $25,000 to purchase the trees and more than 80 volunteers will help plant them on campus Saturday, Oct. 4. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., employees from Alcoa Fastening Systems, a business unit of Alcoa located in Newbury Park, along with their families, CI staff, students and friends, will gather to plant the trees throughout campus. As a special thank you, the University will honor the Alcoa team by dedicating a large tree with a plaque bearing the company’s name. “This is a gift that will significantly help us achieve our goals of making the CI campus more beautiful, sustainable and hospitable,” said Raudel Banuelos, CI’s Director of Facilities Support, who applied for the Global ReLeaf grant. “In addition to increasing the tree canopy by more than seven percent, these trees will encourage wildlife habitats and further enhance our campus as a destination for environmental education and recreation. Alcoa’s desire to engage their employees as volunteers and to better the community makes this a valuable partnership for the University.” CI is one of 23 CONTINUED » |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, September 24th, 2014
Vol. #5
Vol. #5 On September 11th, Yanelli Cobian was honored by Sonrise Pre-School during its Hero Day Celebration. Just a few weeks earlier, Principal Tricia Gradias had been hit by a car before the start of the school day. An alert Yanelli called 911 and reported the accident while she was on her way to school. Due to Yanelli’s decisive action, Mrs. Gradias was able to receive immediate medical assistance. Fire Chief, Rigo Landeros commended Yanelli on her quick thinking and told the many pre-schoolers in attendance that they too can be heroes. Staff: Nichia Huxtable and Joe Woods Classroom Corner Dominique Alamillo-Diaz and Mr. Dehn work on creating a back drop for the Fillmore High School News RJ Jauregui, Valeria Garcia, Omar Lara, and Mr. Greg Dehn edit the first installment of the Fillmore High School News. The Fillmore High School News being filmed live on the set of “Studio 49”. Athletes in Action The varsity football final score. Pregame varsity stretch routine JV Head Coach Tafoya speaks to the team after its big win. The JV football final score. The JV football team lining up to run a play from scrimmage. Girls Golf was victorious over visiting Pacifica High School last week at Elkin’s Golf Course. The girls played well and used team consistency to defeat the Tritons of Pacifica. 9/19 Cross Country @ Woodbridge Invitational Activities Last Thursday was Back to School Night. Parents were greeted by a presentation in the gym featuring the Mighty Fillmore Marching Band. After the presentation, parents and families visited their student’s classes and learned about the course expectations. 9/15-9/19 Santa Paula Game Spirit Week Flashlites The Flashlite of the week is Lacey Cassidy. She is a graduate of Fillmore High School and is very excited about returning to serve her alma mater. Lacey knew she wanted to be a teacher since the age of five. She enjoys the tight community of Fillmore and the wholesome values that are emphasized here. Lacey’s favorite color is blue and she likes to eat Mexican food. Important Dates |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014
Parents and Guardians, Fillmore High School is forming the English Language Advisory Committee, (ELAC). The purpose of ELAC is to advise the principal and school staff on programs and services for English learners. In addition, the committee advises and assists the school principal, staff, and School Site Council as follows: 1. The school’s program for English learners. This is a great opportunity for parents and guardians to participate actively in the education of your student. Please come and join us on Wednesday, September 24 at 6:30 pm in the FHS conference room. *** Estimados padres y tutores, Por favor venga y reúnase el miércoles, 24 septiembre de 2014 a las 6:30p en el salón de conferencias en la secundaria de Fillmore. Se servirán refrescos. |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014
Public series examines biomedical and agricultural technologies from cultural and ethical perspectives
California State University Channel Islands Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) is pleased to announce “Seminars on Ethics, Culture & Biotechnology: Perspectives on the GMO Global Food Fight,” a series of talks at local public libraries exploring the ethical, cultural and legal implications of new biomedical and agricultural technologies. Organized by CI faculty member and biotechnology law expert Panda Kroll in conjunction with DK Law Group, Ventura County libraries, Ventura County Bar Association, and CI, the seminars are free and open to the public. Attorneys pay a nominal fee to receive continuing education credits. The series expands on last year’s popular biotechnology law forums, co-hosted with the Ventura BioCenter, by focusing on the cultural, religious and psychological perspectives that influence the public’s decision to embrace or reject advancements in biotechnology. “Ventura County is the home base of several biotech companies, as well as a large community of farmers, both conventional and organic,” Kroll said. “These seminars confront the ‘Big Question’ in biotechnology: ‘Should we embrace or fear scientific advances?’ The public debate on GMOs is a complex dance of politics and science that can be characterized as a conflict between scientific and humanistic culture. We hope that people on all sides of the issue will join us for lively and civil dialogue on controversial topics that affect our common future, in spite of diverging values.” Mark your calendars for these upcoming seminars at Ventura County libraries: OMG, Here Come the GMOs Culture, Food & Biotechnology - An Anthropological Perspective on the GMO Controversy Mixing Species, Is it Kosher? Perspectives in Jewish Law - A Biblical Perspective on GMOs Our Innate Cognitive Biases - How Emotion and Tribalism Divide Us and How to Avoid Bias, Prejudice and Hype What Do We Mean When We Talk About 'Nature'? - A Catholic Perspective GMO Label Legislation and the Court of Public Opinion For more information, contact Panda Kroll, Lecturer, CSU Channel Islands and Chair, VCBA Biotech Law Section at panda.kroll@csuci.edu or pk@dk4law.com. About California State University Channel Islands |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014
Cal Lutheran event marks 200th anniversary
 Hilde Skorpen THOUSAND OAKS, CA - A seminar and dinner celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian Constitution will be held on Friday, Oct. 3, at California Lutheran University. The free seminar, “The Norwegian Constitution – 200 Years: Inspiration, Drama and Lasting Legacy,” will be held from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Samuelson Chapel. The dinner reception will follow from 5 to 8:30 p.m. in Lundring Events Center. The Norwegian Constitution is the oldest surviving written constitution in Europe. Talks at the seminar will examine inspiration for the document, the high drama surrounding it and its implications both inside and outside of Norway, including the United States. A panel discussion will then focus on where, how and to what extent the constitution inspired the liberal movements in Europe and the early politics of U.S. states, especially those with large Norwegian and Scandinavian populations. This Nordic Spirit Seminar will feature prominent speakers from California, Washington and Norway. They include Frank Aarebrot, a member of the Department of Comparative Politics at the University of Bergen; Terje I. Leiren, the Sverre Arestad Endowed Chair in Norwegian Studies at the University of Washington; and Hilde Skorpen, the Royal Norwegian Consul General in San Francisco. The constitution was signed at Eidsvoll on May 17, 1814, in an effort to stave off a forced union with Sweden after the Napoleonic wars. Although it did not halt the union, it did grant rights to the Norwegian people and power to the Norwegian Parliament that eventually made it possible for the country to peacefully gain its independence in 1905. The Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation and Cal Lutheran are presenting the event with sponsorship from the Royal Norwegian Consul General’s Office in San Francisco. The Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce Southern California, Sons of Norway headquarters, Sons of Norway-Norsemen Lodge, Association for Norwegian Students Abroad-Los Angeles and Moods of Norway are providing additional support. Samuelson Chapel is located at 165 Chapel Lane on the Thousand Oaks campus. Lundring Events Center is inside the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center at 130 Overton Court. Tickets for the buffet dinner are $25.26. A discount is available for members of sponsoring organizations. For more information or to register, visit www.naccsocal.org/event/200 or call 805-669-7032. |
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By Tom Ito — Wednesday, September 17th, 2014
Vol. #4
This past week was highlighted by excellence in the classroom and the athletic field. I witnessed some very outstanding teaching in the classrooms. Students were challenged to learn at a high level with engaging activities and research based teaching methodology. On the athletic field, fans were treated to a home football victory as our boys in blue and white triumphed of the Raiders of South Oxnard in a physical battle. Cross Country, Girl’s Golf and Girl’s Volleyball also had impressive showings. Looking ahead, last night’s Back to School Night will be covered in the next edition of Fillmore Friday Focus. Also featured next week, one of our own is recognized as a hometown hero. Fillmore’s Finest Staff: Mark Kandel and Lynn Cole Classroom Corner Athletes in Action The JV Football team continued its winning ways with a 34-0 victory over Channel Islands to run its record to a perfect 2-0. Ismael Dominguez and Jackie Chavez (both pictured) were the Fillmore High School Cross Country Runners of the Week. Both runners ran well at the Fastback Shootout Cross Country Invitational held at Mt. SAC last weekend. The course was less than a traditional 3 mile course measuring around 2 miles in length. The top Filllmore High School times are posted below by grade level. Fastback Shootout 2014 Girls The Girl’s Volleyball team showed marked improvement as it pushed Channel Islands High School to the brink before falling to them in consecutive games. The Lady Flashes showed a newfound intensity and focus in this game. 9/12 Football @ Oak Park Activities Renaissance Night was held Wednesday with eighty three students qualifying to receive a certificate of academic achievement. To qualify these students had to have a 3.5 grade point average or higher for two consecutive semesters. Twenty one students were in attendance while the others were at home studying. Last Friday the Mighty Fillmore Marching Band performed at the first home football game. They played a stirring rendition of the school fight song and the National Anthem before the start of the game. The halftime show was punctuated by stellar band play and a stunning visual display from the auxiliary. 9/15-9/19 Santa Paula Game Spirit Week All in attendance at last week’s football game were treated to an outstanding performance by the Fillmore High School, Raider Youth Football and Bear Youth Football cheerleaders. They performed a coordinated routine to various songs from different decades. According to Fillmore High School Cheer advisor extraordinaire Lynn Cole, the routine was made possible through the efforts of her own cheer squad. The cheerleaders split up into two groups and taught both youth football program’s cheerleaders the complicated and highly entertaining routine. Flashlites Veronica Ruiz is this week’s featured Flashlite. Veronica came to the United States with her family at the age of 12. She credits her teachers with preparing and motivating her to apply for college. In fact, the reason why she went into education is to give back to her students much the way her teachers did for her. She enjoys teaching at Fillmore High School and says that the students and staff have been very nice to work with. She likes Italian and Mexican food. During her spare time she likes to hike, run and hang out with friends. Important Dates |
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By Anonymous — Tuesday, September 16th, 2014
Camarillo, CA - The Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics at CSU Channel Islands (CI) is pleased to announce its Fall 2014 Speaker Series, “Contemporary Topics in Media and Entertainment.” The presentations are free, open to the public by reservation, and include lunch. All events will be held from noon to 2 p.m. in Malibu Hall 100 on the CI campus. Please register at http://business.csuci.edu/events. Scott Zolke, Partner, Loeb & Loeb, LLC Marty Albertson, Chairman of the Board, Guitar Center, Inc. Kelsey Timmerman, Author of “Where Am I Eating?” and “Where Am I Wearing?” The Fall 2014 Speaker Series is presented and sponsored by the Business Advisory Council of the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics and by Mission Wealth. Complimentary campus parking will be available for all events. Once on campus, follow signs to the designated lot. For more information or to register, visit http://business.csuci.edu/events or contact jennifer.iden@csuci.edu. About California State University Channel Islands |
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By Anonymous — Monday, September 15th, 2014
Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) sophomore Teresa Castillo is the winner of a prestigious 2014 CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement. The annual awards are the CSU system’s highest student distinction, providing scholarships to one student at each of the 23 CSU campuses who has conquered hardships to become a distinguished scholar. Castillo’s $6,000 scholarship is a gift from the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, awarded for the first time to two exemplary students recommended by the CSU Foundation selection committee. Castillo and the 22 other recipients were honored on Sept. 9 at an awards ceremony hosted by the CSU Chancellor in Long Beach. “I am eternally grateful for this opportunity,” Castillo said. “It is an honor to have been selected out of the entire University and to know that others view my accomplishments as remarkable.” Castillo, 19, is the first in her family to attend a university. She grew up in Oxnard, the oldest of four children, encouraged by her Mexican immigrant parents to pursue educational opportunities they never had. She distinguished herself as a scholar and student leader, excelling in honors and AP classes at Oxnard High School and serving as Student Body Vice President and Senior Class President. During Castillo’s junior year of high school, her mother was diagnosed with cancer and underwent surgery and intensive radiation. Castillo stepped up to support her family, balancing the demands of household duties while also working to fulfill her college ambitions. “My family was counting on me to help out during an emotionally, physically and financially difficult time,” Castillo said. “It meant a lot of long days, late nights, and waking before dawn to keep up with homework and household duties. But the responsibility I gained helped me grow as a person and allowed me to help my parents, who have made so many sacrifices for their children’s success.” Now in her second year at CI, Castillo is working toward a double-major in Liberal Studies and English. She continues to contribute to her family by living at home and working as a paraprofessional supporting special education students in the Hueneme School District. Castillo maintains a 3.4 GPA while also balancing her busy work schedule. After graduating from CI, she hopes to work as an elementary school teacher while pursuing her master’s degree in English, and eventually become an editor or writer for a magazine or newspaper. “I love teaching and writing because I can use my words to inspire people to empower themselves through education,” she said. “If I can help one student understand more than a simple subject and see that they have great power between their ears, then I have done my part in this world.” For information on the CSU Trustees’ Awards and 2014 honorees, visit calstate.edu/foundation/trusteesawards. About California State University Channel Islands |
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By Tom Ito — Tuesday, September 9th, 2014
This week, athletics were in full swing. Football and Girl’s Volleyball were well represented. The student athletes of Fillmore High School exhibited sportsmanship and fine play which were the result of long practice hours spent during the summer. In the classroom, quality education continued and the students and staff remained dedicated to learning and achievement. The FFA hosted the Buyers Banquet last night. Awards were given out and appreciation was conveyed to all the buyers that supported the FFA and Fillmore High School at the Ventura County Fair. On Wednesday there was a good turnout for the PTO meeting. Many items were discussed and there was a full representation of the school and community. The PTO wanted to convey that it is not too late to join. Fillmore’s Finest Staff: Luis Herrera and Annette Fox Classroom Corner The story lines were as varied as the backgrounds of the students in the class. The exercise helped to develop creativity, connectivity and relevance through the creation of a scene. In the above photo, Annelise Ebell and Robin Mchammel act out their well developed script to perfection. Sometimes the traditional class is taught in a predictable manner, in part due to the content and the limitations of the curriculum. Not so in Ms. Kennedy’s Geometry class. Students took part in a mathematical scavenger hunt in which they answered questions and looked for the answers on blue posted worksheets posted throughout the room. Eventually by answering all the questions the students maneuvered around the whole class to complete the assignment. The addition of movement added excitement and novelty to a traditional lesson. Fillmore’s JV Football team in white pictured vs. Grace Brethren last Friday at Grace Brethren High School. The Fillmore JV team was victorious in a nail biter 14-12. The Freshmen Volleyball team opened their season at home yesterday vs. Louisville. The freshmen team showed tenacity and enthusiasm before falling in consecutive games to Louisville. 9/5 JV FB vs CI @ Fillmore 4:30 PM Activities Flashlites One of the newest Fillmore teachers, Lucas Rosenkrantz is the Flashlite of the week. Lucas teaches Math in the Special Education Department. When asked about why he chose to be a teacher, Lucas intimated that he always wanted to help students that needed the extra attention. Having a special needs family member has opened his eyes to the challenges and potential of those with learning and emotional disabilities. Lucas enjoys teaching so much that he does not feel like it is a job in the sense that it is something he has to do. He looks forward to his job each day with passion and interest. In his leisure time Lucas likes to surf and hike. His favorite thing to eat is anything organic and nutritious. Important Dates |
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By Anonymous — Monday, September 8th, 2014
Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) invites the public to sample the innovative work of its faculty in a free lecture series at libraries in Thousand Oaks, Ventura and Simi Valley. The lecture series offers community members the opportunity to hear from some of CI’s most dynamic speakers and experts; engage in discussions on a variety of timely, thought-provoking topics; and be a CI student for an evening in the free, convenient setting of their local library. Fall 2014 speakers, locations, dates and times are listed below. Please visit go.csuci.edu/librarylectureseries for more information and links to prior recorded presentations. Simi Valley Public Library – 2969 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley Culture-Bound Syndromes – Thursday, Sept. 11, at 6 p.m. Social Barriers to Taking Paid Family Leave in California: Lessons for Proposed Federal Paid Family Leave Legislation – Thursday, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m. Information Literacy and the Public Sphere – Thursday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m. E.P. Foster Library – 651 E. Main Street, Ventura CI Weekend – Saturday, Sept. 27 – Sunday, Sept. 28 Student Recruitment and Outreach – Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon CI English Program Faculty Author Reading and Discussion – Saturday, 2 to 4 p.m. Natural Habitats Around CSU Channel Islands Before and After the 2013 Springs Fire – Sunday, 1 – 3 p.m. Grant R. Brimhall Library – 1401 E. Janss Rd., Thousand Oaks Emerging Identities in Evolving End-of-the-Century Empires – Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. Beyond the Latino Sports Hero: The Role of Sports in Creating Communities, Networks and Identities – Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. Globalization, Niche Ports and the Local Economy: A Look at Port Hueneme and the Southern California Logistics Industry – Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. Visit go.csuci.edu/librarylectureseries for more information. About California State University Channel Islands |
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By Anonymous — Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014
For the first time Fillmore High School will be offering a Flashes Fan Card for $75 that will get you into every home game for every sport! (Tournaments and CIF Playoff Games are exempt.) We hope this helps to reduce the cost for people that attend a lot of games, and also increases the amount of fans we see in the stands. This is a cost savings of over $140. For more information you can contact Lynn Cole at #805-524-8491 or stop by the Student Store at FHS. |
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By Tom Ito — Wednesday, September 3rd, 2014
This past week marked the second full week of school. All classes were rolling out their curriculum to various degrees. Some courses were combining pre-assessments with reviewing the basics while others were in full gear powering through the curriculum. Loose tardy sweeps were run with only 1 student being caught in the sweeps. Campus will be continued to be cleared each period by staff. New teacher meetings continued this week. The new teachers or “Flashlites” have responded well to the early morning meetings and continue to hone their instructional skills. The FLASHES (Families Liaisons And Staff Helping Educate Students) continue to meet to work collaboratively towards ensuring that the policies, procedures and initiatives are community based, meeting the needs of all stakeholders. Looking ahead to next week, the Cross Country team led by Coach Kim Tafoya travels to Mt. SAC to run in the Fastback Shootout on Saturday September 6th. Fillmore’s Finest Staff: Erin Sebek and Wynona Cronin Classroom Corner With a full week to work with, teachers were in full swing. In Ms. Byrne’s Algebra 2 class, the students were solving Chemistry based problems as a way to review over the basics as related to Algebra 2. This is a great example of cross departmental curriculum. Students in both Chemistry and Algebra 2 see the same concepts and gain a better understanding of the importance of the content. Athletes in Action Activities Flashlites Leanna Legere is one of seven new faces working at Fillmore High School this year. Leanna came over to the United States at the age of 12 from Russia. She rapidly assimilated into American culture, learning English and excelling in academics and athletics at Adolfo Camarillo High School. She went on to college earning her degree in mathematics. Leanna wanted to be a teacher to give back to others and inspire students the way she was inspired by her teachers. As a former English Language Learner she understands the challenges EL students encounter on a daily basis. On her spare time Leanna enjoys hanging out with friends and hiking. Important Dates |
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By Danny Felix — Wednesday, August 27th, 2014
A new year and another successful rally for Fillmore High School. The first rally of the year is traditionally called the ‘Welcome Back” rally in which Fillmore High School students and staff welcome each other back to a new school year, one filled with excitement, hope and promise. The rally was held on Friday, August 22nd in the gym with delightful decorations done by ASB. The rally started as a flood of smiling and laughing students and their teachers took their place in the bleachers. Games and cheers were followed with blustering yells. One new yell introduced this year was the “ra-ra-ra” yell which instructed each class to holler “RA-RA-RA-RA” followed by their class title. Along with the new chant, new teachers were introduced as well as our new principal, Mr. Tom Ito. The rally ended with the ASB president, Kyle Medina, reciting our fight song. This year the senior class won the Welcome Back rally. |