FMS DAILY BULLETIN
Wednesday, 8/22/12

General Info 524-6055; Attendance 524-6065; Health Office 524-6059
Mission Statement: Together We Will… Think, Believe, Create and Achieve

STUDENT INFORMATION

1. WELCOME TO A NEW SCHOOL YEAR! We hope that everyone had a fantastic summer and that you are ready to learn and show the community what awesome students we have at Fillmore Middle School!
2. SCHOOL RULES – Be on time to school every day. Remember, the first bell rings at 8:00 a.m. and you need to be in your seat and ready to work at 8:05 a.m.
3. VOLLEYBALL INFO – If you are a 7th or 8th grader who is interested in playing volleyball, please come to a short meeting to sign up on Friday, 8/24 right after school in the pavilion.

PARENT INFORMATION

1. PARENTS – SIGN UP FOR PARENT CONNECTION for Zangle. See your student’s grades, attendance, class assignments. You may access the required form at our website: www.fillmore.k12.ca.us Click on the “For Parents” drop down, Zangle Parent Connection, Registration Form. Print and complete the form and have your student deliver it to the front office. Once processed you will receive a PIN number for accessing your student’s information.

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2012
5:00 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:30 P.M. - REGULAR MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
5:00 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
C. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AND NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the Board. State law prohibits the Board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings. Upon recognition by the President of the Board, please come forward and identify yourself before speaking. The Board of Education reserves the right to limit speaking time to three (3) minutes or less per individual.
D. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. to consider matters appropriate for Closed Session in accordance with Government Code Sections 3549.1, 54956.7 through 54957.7 and Education Code Section 35146. If the Board does not complete Closed Session discussions at this time, the Board may adjourn to Closed Session at the end of the regular meeting. DISCLOSURE OF ITEM(S) TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION Labor/Negotiations (Government Code 54957.6)
o Update; Direction to District Negotiators (Dr. Alan Nishino, Michael Johnson, Todd Schieferle, Margaret Chidester) for negotiations with the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA), the California School Employees Association (CSEA), Confidential Employees, and District Administration. Personnel Matters (Government Code 54957)
o Hiring, Evaluating, Discipline, Dismissal, Release, Reassignment, Transfers Superintendent’s Contract Public Employee Performance Evaluation: Superintendent (The Board and
Superintendent meet periodically to provide feedback to one another concerning
the achievement of goals.)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Superintendent's Office at (805) 524-6038. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the district to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting [in accordance with Government Code 54961 and Board Bylaw 9320(a)].

6:30 p.m.
E. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Any Action From CONTINUED »

Freshmen Orientation and Class Elections will be held on Wednesday, August 15th in the gymnasium from 8:00 A.M. – 12:00 NOON. We are very fortunate to have the renowned motivational speaker Keith Hawkins coming to Fillmore to work with the freshmen, as well as train our upperclassmen to be school leaders. If you are interested in running for a Freshmen Class Office, Intent to Run forms will be available at orientation. Elections will be held before the end of the day. BBQ Hot Dogs will be served at noon. (Registration will follow beginning at 1:00 – see schedule below)

Registration will be held in Room 49 (Yearbook & ID photos) and the library August 14th & 15th

The registration schedule is as follows (times according to last name): Tuesday, August 14th - Juniors: A-H 9:00 am, I-P 9:45, Q-Z 10:30, Seniors: A-H 1:00 p.m., I-P 1:45, Q-Z 2:30. Wednesday, August 15th - Sophomores: A-H 9:00 am, I-P 9:45, Q-Z 10:30, Freshman: A-H 1:00 pm, I-P 1:45, Q-Z 2:30

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Mariana Alamillo is a Fillmore High School student who attended career camp at Sea World San Diego, California July 22-27 2012. During her one week stay she preformed a wide range of duties. Everything from swimming with dolphins, cleaning habitats, feeding animals, participating in animal surgery, and even performed on the Sea Lion and Otter show. Mariana is very passionate in pursing a career in animal training. This is a great experience and I would highly recommend this to anyone that wants a career in animal training.

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The Fillmore High School Band is off and running (or is it playing?!). During the week of 7/30-8/3 Band Camp was held (4 hours each day!) and the goals for the week were to learn and practice the fundamentals of marching, to start the process of learning their competitive field show, and to prepare for the Ventura County Fair Parade. And, they did a great job in the parade! Now, they will be taking their own time at home (right, band students?!) to practice, practice, practice! With the first football game the Friday after school starts, they better be practicing :-) We look forward to a busy school year with the band playing at football games, and working hard to learn their drills and music for their competitions. Meanwhile, the Band Boosters will be working hard to raise funds for this awesome band program so don't forget to buy those Krispy Kreme donuts and halos at the football games!

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2012
5:00 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:30 P.M. - REGULAR MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
5:00 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
C. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AND NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the Board. State law prohibits the Board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings. Upon recognition by the President of the Board, please come forward and identify yourself before speaking. The Board of Education reserves the right to limit speaking time to three (3) minutes or less per individual.
D. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. to consider matters appropriate for Closed Session in accordance with Government Code Sections 3549.1, 54956.7 through 54957.7 and Education Code Section 35146. If the Board does not complete Closed Session discussions at this time, the Board may adjourn to Closed Session at the end of the regular meeting.
DISCLOSURE OF ITEM(S) TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION
Labor/Negotiations (Government Code 54957.6)
o Update; Direction to District Negotiators (Dr. Alan Nishino, Michael Johnson, Todd Schieferle, Margaret Chidester) for negotiations with the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA), the California School Employees Association (CSEA), Confidential Employees, and District Administration. Personnel Matters (Government Code 54957)
o Hiring, Evaluating, Discipline, Dismissal, Release, Reassignment, Transfers Superintendent’s Contract Public Employee Performance Evaluation: Superintendent (The Board and
Superintendent meet periodically to provide feedback to one another concerning
the achievement of goals.)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Superintendent's Office at (805) 524-6038. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the district to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting [in accordance with Government Code 54961 and Board Bylaw 9320(a)].

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

The Fillmore Unified School District will be keeping music in the schools. There will be band offered in the elementary schools this school year. Information will be provided at the beginning of school year.

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA - This month, CSU Channel Islands commemorates the 10th anniversary of its opening, when Ventura County’s century-long dream of a leading, public four-year university finally became a reality. Beginning in August and throughout the 2012-2013 academic year, CSU Channel Islands will observe this milestone with a yearlong celebration highlighting achievements of the past decade, its role and support for the public good, and the bright future ahead.

“The people of this region built this University. CI’s 10th anniversary is a testament to their vision and commitment,” said President Richard R. Rush. “I believe we’re delivering on their dream. Together, we’re tackling the problems of today, preparing the leaders and innovators of tomorrow, and contributing to the vitality of our region for generations to come – and our work is only just beginning.”

Over the past 10 years, CI has graduated more than 6,800 students, earned national accolades, and developed a unique and close-knit culture that places the student at the center of the learning experience. It also has established itself as a caring and committed contributor to the region by providing new educational opportunities for residents, enhancing the economy and workforce, and partnering with the community to address philanthropic and environmental concerns. Moreover, it has thrived in an era of severe state budget cuts by pursuing innovative partnerships and grant solutions.

CI will kick off CONTINUED »

THOUSAND OAKS, CA - Troy Spencer of Fillmore was among 610 students who made the Dean's List at California Lutheran University for the spring semester.

Spencer is a freshman majoring in accounting.

Students qualify for the Dean's List by maintaining a 3.6 grade point average in their academic subjects.

CLU is a selective university located in Thousand Oaks, with centers in Oxnard and Woodland Hills for graduate courses and its Adult Degree Evening Program. With an enrollment of 4,100 students, CLU offers 37 undergraduate majors and graduate programs within the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Management and Graduate School of Education. Doctoral degrees in educational leadership, higher education leadership and clinical psychology are also offered. Members of the CLU student body come from across the nation and around the world and represent a diversity of faiths and cultures. For more information, visit http://www.callutheran.edu.

CAMARILLO, CA - The Ventura County Community Foundation awarded more than $1.2 million in scholarships to local students at the recent 2012 Scholarship Awards Reception, attended by more than 400 students, their families and donors who made the awards possible.

The Community Foundation gave 325 awards to 253 students who will attend such universities as Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, California Lutheran, Pepperdine and Cal State Channel Islands.

[Fillmore Recipients: Celina D. Arenas, Iris and Roger (Spike) Wilkins Scholarship Fund ($1,000), and Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500), Jeremy D. Brooks, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000), and William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000), Christina A. Gutierrez, ¡Adelante! Scholarship Fund ($4,000) and John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship Fund ($5,000), Lizbeth Magana, Orfalea Scholarship Fund ($2,500), Brianna Y. Rodriguez, SAGE Scholarship Fund ($2,000), Vanessa M. Villa, William and Cynthia Fairburn Memorial Scholarship Fund ($2,000), Iris P. Villalobos, James C. Basile Scholarship Fund ($20,000) and John and Agnes McFarlane Scholarship Fund ($5,000) Lexington, Ky. Joy L. Coles, Rosellen Dee Pearsall Nurse Scholarship Fund ($4,000), Stephanie M. Riggle, Rosellen Dee Pearsall Nurse Scholarship Fund ($4,000)]

"These scholarships are made possible by the generosity of people who believe in investing in the future of Ventura County," said Hugh J. Ralston, president and CEO of the community foundation. "The opportunity for just one student to attend college can transform that person, a family and a community."

The Merfeld Family Foundation Scholarship was awarded for the first time to four students whose parent has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig's disease. Started by the late Conejo Valley resident Greg Merfield - after his ALS diagnosis - the scholarship is open to all U.S. students who meet the criteria, with a preference given in the selection process to those from Southern California or Merfeld's native Iowa.

Michael W. Caston CONTINUED »

On July 5, 2012, Ventura County Community College District (District) received notification from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (Commission) that the District and its colleges – Ventura College, Oxnard College, and Moorpark College – will remain on probation based on findings from the Commission’s follow-up visit on April 16. That visit focused solely on the Commission’s special concern regarding Board governance. The Commission noted the Board made progress in the area of Board training and policy development and cited the need for consistency and long-term sustainability. Accreditation site team members reported, “Evidence of . . . activities reflected considerable effort over the past three months focused on resolving the issues and bringing the District into compliance with Accreditation Standards.”

The colleges remain fully accredited while the colleges are on probation. Classes and credits continue to be transferable to other educational institutions. Eligible students are receiving financial aid. No accreditation issues exist in classroom education, and students are graduating with associate degrees and certificates.

The full Board is CONTINUED »

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, JULY 3, 2012
5:00 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:30 P.M. - REGULAR MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
5:00 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
C. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AND NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the Board. State law prohibits the Board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings. Upon recognition by the President of the Board, please come forward and identify yourself before speaking. The Board of Education reserves the right to limit speaking time to three (3) minutes or less per individual.
D. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. to consider matters appropriate for Closed Session in accordance with Government Code Sections 3549.1, 54956.7 through 54957.7 and Education Code Section 35146. If the Board does not complete Closed Session discussions at this time, the Board may adjourn to Closed Session at the end of the regular meeting.
DISCLOSURE OF ITEM(S) TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION
Labor/Negotiations (Government Code 54957.6)
o Update; Direction to CONTINUED »

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1. ACROSS ALL STUDENTS IN VENTURA COUNTY, GRADUATION RATES INCREASED AND DROPOUT RATES DECREASED. [Chart 1]

2. ALL STUDENT SUBGROUPS WITH MORE THAN 100 STUDENTS SHOW AN INCREASE IN GRADUATION RATES AND A DECREASE IN DROPOUT RATES IN 2011. [Charts 2 and 3]

On June 27th, 2012, the California Department of Education released the 2010-11 graduate, dropout and four-year cohort data reports. Ventura County data shows local educators have successfully increased the graduation rate and decreased the dropout rate to match or exceed federal growth targets. [chart 1]
The goal established under the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a cohort graduation rate of 90% by the year 2019. Cohort graduation rate is defined as the percentage of students who graduate from secondary school with a regular diploma in four years. Ventura County high schools are held accountable for making progress towards the 90% graduation rate on an annual basis.

Ventura County data for 2010-11 shows that all subgroups with more than 100 students increased their graduation rates [chart 2] and decreased their dropout rates [chart 3]. Some of the largest sub-group improvements were made by English Learners, Students with Disabilities and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged students. While the data demonstrates strong growth, these sub-groups will continue to be a focus for local educators if students are to meet or exceed federal growth targets.

The recently released data allows districts and schools to compare the two four-year cohort data sets and determine the success of programs designed to increase graduation rates and decrease the dropout rates.

The report is available on the Accountability Progress Report Web page at: www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/ay/index.asp.

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012
5:00 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
7:00 P.M. – SPECIAL MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
5:00 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
C. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AND NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the Board. State law prohibits the Board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings. Upon recognition by the President of the Board, please come forward and identify yourself before speaking. The Board of Education reserves the right to limit speaking time to three (3) minutes or less per individual.
D. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. to consider matters appropriate for Closed Session in accordance with Government Code Sections 3549.1, 54956.7 through 54957.7 and Education Code Section 35146. If the Board does not complete Closed Session discussions at this time, the Board may adjourn to Closed Session at the end of the regular meeting.
DISCLOSURE OF ITEM(S) TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION
School District Pupils CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012
5:00 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:30 P.M. - REGULAR MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
5:00 p.m.
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. ROLL CALL
C. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AND NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the Board. State law prohibits the Board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings. Upon recognition by the President of the Board, please come forward and identify yourself before speaking. The Board of Education reserves the right to limit speaking time to three (3) minutes or less per individual.
D. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. to consider matters appropriate for Closed Session in accordance with Government Code Sections 3549.1, 54956.7 through 54957.7 and Education Code Section 35146. If the Board does not complete Closed Session discussions at this time, the Board may adjourn to Closed Session at the end of the regular meeting. DISCLOSURE OF ITEM(S) TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION Labor/Negotiations (Government Code 54957.6)
o Update; Direction to District Negotiators (Dr. Alan Nishino, Dr. Michael Bush, Michael Johnson, Todd Schieferle, Margaret Chidester) for negotiations with the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA), the California School Employees Association (CSEA), Confidential Employees, and District Administration. Personnel Matters (Government Code 54957)
o Hiring, Evaluating, Discipline, Dismissal, Release, Reassignment, Transfers Superintendent’s Contract Public Employee Performance Evaluation: Superintendent (The Board and
Superintendent meet periodically to provide feedback to one another concerning
the achievement of goals.)
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Superintendent's Office at (805) 524-6038. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the district to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting [in accordance with Government Code 54961 and Board Bylaw 9320(a)].

6:30 p.m.
E. RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION
Any Action From CONTINUED »

Ventura County Office of Education

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Today, the California Department of Education released the 2011 Academic Performance Index (API) Base Reports. The reports include the Base APIs, Growth Targets, and Statewide and Similar Schools rankings for nearly every public school and district as mandated by California’s Public Schools Accountability Act. The 2011 Base Reports reflect results of 2011 statewide testing.

Of the 184 Ventura County API recipient schools that are not ASAM (Alternative Schools Accountability Model) and have student populations of 100 or more students, 99 schools (54%) posted APIs of 800 or better, up slightly from 53% last year. Oak Hills Elementary School in the Oak Park Unified School District attained the highest Base API in Ventura County, 952 on the 1000-point scale. For the fourth year in a row the highest Base API for a middle school in 2011was earned by Medea Creek Middle School, also in the Oak Park Unified School District. The Medea Creek API in 2011 was 929. Finally, the highest Base API for a high school was 914, earned by Foothill Technology High School, in the Ventura Unified School District.

To continue to look at outstanding performers we must search out those schools that score well in an absolute sense (statewide rank) and in relation to schools with similar student populations (similar schools rank). This year one Ventura County school received both a Statewide Rank of 10 and a Similar Schools Rank of 10:

• Santa Susana High School (Simi Valley Unified)

Seventeen schools in Ventura County (9%) scored in the top ten percent of California schools. Districts represented include: Conejo Valley Unified, Oak Park Unified, Pleasant Valley Elementary, Simi Valley Unified, and Ventura Unified.

Twenty-three schools in Ventura County scored in decile 9, meaning that 22% of schools in Ventura County are currently ranked in the top 20% of the State. One hundred schools (55%) ranked above average (deciles 6-10), one more than last year.

Often school success CONTINUED »

Camarillo, CA - CSU Channel Islands (CI) will hold its first Summer Climate Science Institute and Camp, which will bring together NASA scientists, climate science experts, local teachers and students for seven days of learning about climate change and the science behind it.

The Teacher Institute kicks off Monday, June 18. Fifteen science teachers from the Oxnard Union High School District will work with internationally renowned climate scientists and curriculum resource developers throughout the week to better understand climate change and how to incorporate NASA satellite data, research and curriculum in the classroom.

The Student Summer Camp will bring 55 Oxnard Union High School District students to the CI campus Monday, June 25, and Tuesday, June 26, for climate science instruction and self-guided scientific inquiry.

The Summer Institute CONTINUED »

Part of being a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters is to inspire kids and teens to achieve their full potential. Through one-on-one mentoring, a Big can impact the life of their little in so many ways. One way is to influence them to stay in school and go on to college. For high school Bigs, those choices will come sooner rather than later.

Recently, a group of Fillmore High School students from the Big Brothers Big Sisters program received the opportunity to explore their career interest in fashion by attending the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) "Debut 2012 Show".

Amelia Aparicio, the Big Brother Big Sisters Fillmore Program Manager said, “Our Big mentoring program broadens the horizon of our students by exposing them to as many education and career related activities. We are ecstatic to see their eyes open as they begin thinking more seriously about what they plan to do to better their future.”

These Big high school CONTINUED »

SUMMARY
The 2011-2012 Ventura County Grand Jury (Grand Jury) initiated this investigation into methods and systems for providing earthquake safety in Ventura County (County) classrooms based on a newspaper article in the Los Angeles Times.

The Grand Jury requested information with respect to various safety programs from each of the school districts in the County and the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE). The Grand Jury also reviewed California law and performed internet searches for information related to earthquake safety in the classroom.

The Grand Jury examined the current status of safety programs in each of the school districts in the County and the VCOE. The main emphasis was earthquake safety in the classroom and the proactive strategies that can be taken to reduce potential injury in the school environment.

The Grand Jury requested CONTINUED »