The two Ventura College art galleries, Gallery 2 and the New Media Gallery, will present the Ventura College art and photography faculty in an exhibit running from February 26 through March 26. The reception for the artists is February 26, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the patio by Gallery Two, and the press and the public are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served.

Students staff both galleries. This semester the galleries are scheduled as follows: Monday through Friday, Noon – 4 p.m. For additional information and changes on hours, call Kate Martin, gallery director, at Ventura College, (805) 648-8974 or contact her by email at kate@katemartin.com.

The following faculty are among those scheduled to participate in the Faculty Art Exhibit:

Ann Bittl
Carlisle Cooper (painting)
Sharon Coughran (two dimensional)
Julie Dahl-Nicolle (painting)
Catherine Day Barroca (printmaking)
Beverly Decker (painting)
Bruce Freeman (silkscreening)
Monica Furmanski (mixed media)
Sharla Glass (mixed media)
Barbara Harvey (mixed media)
William Hendricks (photography) CONTINUED »

Following an announcement by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office of the arrest of a former Ventura College coach, officials at Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) believe the investigation of the men’s basketball program at Ventura College will soon come to a close. “This has been a long and arduous process for everyone, but we are confident the District Attorney’s Office has conducted a complete and thorough investigation of this matter,” said Dr. James Meznek, Chancellor.

VCCCD has been investigating allegations of misconduct by athletes and coaches in its intercollegiate sports programs at Ventura College, Oxnard College, and Moorpark College. VCCCD hired an independent, third-party investigator immediately upon learning of the allegations in late 2007 and has been working closely with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office to resolve the matter.

Chancellor Meznek commended the Board of Trustees for taking action that enabled staff to strengthen administrative processes and fiscal controls. The Board of Trustees wants to assure the public they are taking these issues seriously, and they appreciate the hard work and cooperation of those involved in the investigation. The ethical standards and values of VCCCD are non-negotiable, and the Board and Administration will take additional, appropriate actions pending the outcome of the investigation. CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2009

5:30 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION

6:00 p.m. – SPECIAL MEETING
BUDGET STUDY SESSION

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.

5:30 p.m.

I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

II. ROLL CALL

III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS CONTINUED »

Ventura County Office of Education

Camarillo, California – On Wednesday, Feb. 18, the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) releases its annual report, Focus on Education: Focus on Results, a comprehensive report detailing the most recent achievements of Ventura County students.

A copy of the 16-page color report will be published and distributed in the Ventura County Star newspaper on Wednesday. Also, Ventura County residents and educators are encouraged to view the report on the VCOE Web site, www.vcoe.org.

Among the highlights in this winter’s report are the following stories:

• API Scores Rise for Most Districts
• Students make Big Gains in Fitness Levels
• Cyber Bullying is a New Problem for Students
• School Budgets to Get Tight This Year
• Exit Exam Scores are on the Rise CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2009
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 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) CONTINUED »

The Fillmore High School graduating class of 2009 is on track to set several academic records at graduation including the number of valedictorians, recipients of the California Golden State Merit Seal Diploma, students earning California Scholastic Federation honors, scholarship, etc.

The seniors have started receiving their acceptance letters from various colleges and universities. Mrs. Ashim, the senior counselor, wants to let you know that if you are interested in finding out who is accepted to 4-year universities, the students’ names are published in our daily bulletin. FHS will start listing their names this week. If you are interested in seeing which students are accepted to which colleges, please go to the FUSD website http://www.fillmore.k12.ca.us/ then select FHS and the Daily Bulletin. (To be completely up-to-date, you will need to check the website daily.)

The counselors and administrators would also like to thank the FUSD teachers and staff who educated our students over the past 13 years as well as the community of Fillmore who helped to nurture them. The education these students were provided from kindergarten forward has enabled them to be achieve their goal of attending a university. CONTINUED »

Natalie Garnica
Student, Fillmore High School

The last league game of the girl’s basketball season is Thursday at 7:00 – it is Senior night, so be sure to come and see the senior girls play their last home game!

Boys’ basketball has a game on Friday at Villanova, and they are busy getting ready for play-offs.
Boys’ soccer won both their JV and Varsity games against Malibu on Monday, and they have games against Oak Park and Santa Paula later in the week.

Girls’ soccer lost Monday to Nordhoff, but they will be playing Oak Park on Wednesday.

The Drama Club is putting on a play, “Trouble in Dustville”, directed by Mr. Overton. It is a Melodrama, set in the Old West, and would be suitable for adults and children alike, provided children are in kindergarten or older. “Trouble in Dustville” will be showing at the high school drama room at seven pm the last two weekends of February. Senior citizens, children, and students with an ASB sticker may purchase tickets for $5, adult tickets are $7. Pre-sale tickets may be purchased from any cast member, and tickets will be sold at the door as well. Attending the play is a great way to show support for the Arts in our community.
For more information, please contact the student store at 524-8491.

As part of National Engineering Week, Fillmore Middle School will be the site for Fillmore’s first annual Science Night (Noche de Ciencias) on Thursday, February 19 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Fillmore Middle School gym.

At this fun and informative event, Ventura College engineering, math and science students together with engineering professionals and FHS MESA Club students will guide Fillmore Middle School and High School students on hands-on projects to help them learn more about the value of science, engineering, math and the power of a college education. There will prizes awarded for various projects and door prizes as well.

A special guest, Dr. Martha González, M.D., M.P.H., Director of the Women’s Comprehensive Osteoporosis Center, will speak to students and parents about her distinguished career in medicine and what it takes to overcome obstacles and reach your goals. CONTINUED »

Kindergarten registration will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on March 23 - April 3, 2009, at San Cayetano School, Sespe School, Mountain Vista and Piru School. Piru residents may register at Piru School. Parents are to register at the school site within their boundaries.

In order to complete registration, parents must have birth certificate, verification of adequate immunization for their children, verification of address (such as utility bill or driver's license), child's Social Security card.

Parents must provide documentation that their child has completed a physical examination and oral examination. All four elementary schools have a supply of the physical examination form and forms for the dentist.

Immunizations: Required doses of Polio, DPT, MMR, Hepatitis B and Varicella vaccines. For additional questions, contact the elementary school sites, San Cayetano School 524-6040; Sespe School at 524-6161; Mountain Vista at 524-8302; Piru School at 521-1709, or Martha E. Romero, R.N., District Health Coordinator at 524-6029.

Mrs. Myers' 2nd grade class at Mountain Vista celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday and the presidential inauguration by creating "Dream" t-shirts. Some of their dreams for the world are: no more wars, houses for all, money for the poor, no more drugs or smoking, everyone will have friends, and that everyone will recycle.

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2009

6:00 p.m. – SPECIAL MEETING - BUDGET STUDY SESSION

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.

6:00 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 school 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. CLARIFICATION OF AGENDA AND TIME ALLOCATIONS FOR DISCUSSION ITEMS

V. ACTION ITEMS
a. Adopt Resolution Number 08-09-17 for Approval on Solving Budget Crisis
(Materials) CONTINUED »

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Thanks to the hard work of our family, friends and community, the 5th graders from Piru Elementary School went to The Outdoor School at Rancho Alegre this past January. After months of fundraising and waiting, we did it!

As teachers, our goal was to enrich the lives of our students by enabling them to develop their sense of the environment and community, many whom have never gone to summer camp, much less spent a night away from home. Through The Outdoor School, they were able to meet students from other Ventura county schools, go on hikes as long as 9 miles, use a bow and arrow, row a boat in a lake, sing camp fire songs, sleep in cabins, learn the ways of the Chumash, understand how fossils are formed, learn which plants are safe to eat, witness constellations, work together to solve problems, and most of all, try things they’ve never tried before.

While we were at camp, we received visits from Fillmore Police Chief Tim Hagel, some Rotary members, a school board member, as well as our principal, Richard Durborow. They were able to see our students at lunch, and even some of them volunteering to wash dishes in the kitchen!

When asked to share some thoughts about their experiences, here’s what some of the campers said: 1. “I wish I could go again.” – Jatziri R. 2. “If you go camping, it will be fun for you.” - Laura A. 3. “I think everyone needs to go to camp.” – Lupe A. 4. “Camp was exciting.” – Mirella M. 5. “I made a bunch of new friends.” Gaby A. 6. “I even made tea on our plant hike.” – Steven O. 7. “One of the activities was boating. It was really fun splashing water all over.” – Angeles E. 8. “I learned more about Science when we went on hikes. We learned about plants and animals.” – Veronica J. 9. “It’s so fun to sleep in cabins with kids from different schools.” – Kimberly V. 10. “I really liked to go camping, I really learned a lot.” – Vanessa O. 11. “We got to learn the most important thing in nature is connections.” – Keylee T. 12. “I learned how to tell what poison oak is.” – John L. 13. “Camp was fun because I got to meet new people.” – Desiree G. 14. “I was very happy to go because that was the first time I went to camp and I worked very hard to go.” – Justinne L. 15. “We had fun on our hikes.” – Cheyenne A. 16. “I liked it when I dissected a squid.” – Jose R. 17. “Camp was so meaningful to me because I made lots of friends and I had lots of fun.” – Lindsey G. 18. “I went on the nine mile hike. Once I got to the top of the mountain it was really windy but so much fun and the view was beautiful.” – Marisela C. 19. “The special activites were so awesome, I couldn’t choose.” – Curtis P. 20. “I really had fun. I did the Waterfall Hike and did something called The Polar Bear Club. It’s when you can be under the waterfall for 20 seconds.” – Julyan R. 21. “I learned a lot about Science and won the Star Camper Award.” – Jennie G. 22. “Kids should go to camp because you’ll be having fun and doing school work too.” – Adriana N. 23. “I think camp is better than regular school because you learn in a fun way.” – Juan S. 24.”It made me a better person and respect the environment more.” – Tatem F. 25. “The 5th graders thank everyone that helped us go to camp at The Outdoor School at Rancho Alegre.” – Jackie T.

Many thanks go out to everyone that helped us get there: Friends of Piru, El Pescador Restaurant, La Verne Nursery, Fillmore Police Chief Tim Hagel, Fillmore Police Station, Cops Running for Charity, Fillmore Sunrise Rotary, Fillmore Noon-time Rotary, Piru Neighborhood Council, and Piru Parks and Recreation Council. Your belief in our goal made it all possible. The seeds we planted that week will grow in our students for many years to come.

For the past 2 years walkers from Sespe Elementary School walked to raise money. On Friday, February 20th, they’ll lace up their shoes once again for Sespe School’s 3rd Annual “Walk Your Paws Off” Walkathon organized by the Sespe Parent Club. Over the last 2 years our students have raised enough money to donate $5000 toward the installation of our brand new playground equipment, purchase plants to help beautify our school (and get a mural painted!), donate funds toward the purchase of A.R. prizes to help motivate our students to read, and more! For our Walkathon this year, we will give prizes for the 3 students who receive the most pledge money, for the student at each grade level who walks the most laps, and for the class that raises the most money – a popsicle party! We have music and snacks, and each student receives a Walkathon water bottle. It’s a great event that focuses on helping our school community, getting some exercise and being healthy.

This year’s goal is to continue to raise money for the beautification of our school, to purchase needed supplies such as books, and to get our school garden going so the students can get out and do some hands-on science! If you’d like to donate, please make your check payable to Sespe Parent Club (100% of the donated money goes directly to Sespe School). If you have any questions call Sespe School at 524-6161.

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2009

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 CONTINUED »

Pictured are Principle Jan Marholin, Diego Aparicio Rodrigues, Sammy Estrada, Perla Chavez Hernandez, and Taylor Wright, with Mrs. Walker.
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Pictured (l-r) are Mirella Lamus, Destiny Alonzo, Andrea Diaz, and Liz Ocampo.
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Liz Ocampo has a secret to tell you, but in order to find out what it is, you’ll have to read her prize-winning essay. Liz is the 1st place winner in the “What I Like About Living in Fillmore” Essay Contest sponsored by the Fillmore Civic Pride Committee. All 4th and 5th graders in Fillmore schools were invited to write a 200 word essay describing things they liked about Fillmore. Thirty enthusiastic essays were judged by local educators Conway Spitler, Sue Cutriss, Lynn Edmonds, and Sarah Hansen.

First place winner Liz Ocampo, a student in Mr. Maus’s 5th grade class at San Cayetano, likes that everything in Fillmore is close by and that the town is surrounded by mountains (I still won’t tell you her secret, it’s in the essay…).Second place winner is Diego Aparicio Rodrigues from Mrs. Walker’s 4th grade class at San Cayetano who takes the reader on a ten stop tour of Fillmore. Third place winner Mirella Lemus, also a 5thh grader in Mr. Maus’s class, highlights the schools and parks in her essay.

Five students also received Honorable Mention prizes for their writing: 5th graders Destiny Alonzo and Andrea Diaz, and 4th graders Sammy Estrade, Perla Alejandra Chavez Hernandez, and Taylor Wright, all students at San Cayetano. The students are invited to the City Council Meeting on Tuesday January 27th to receive recognition from the city and gifts donated by local merchants. A special thank you to our generous business supporters: Treasure Station, Roger’s Toys, the Fillmore Theater, and Carl’s Jr.

Please take the time to read these positive essays highlighting the good things about our town as perceived by our younger citizens. Thanks to all who entered the contest and to the Civic Pride Committee (Chairwoman Judy Dressler) for sponsoring the event.

FIRST PLACE WINNER!
FILLMORE MY KIND OF TOWN by Liz Ocampo
Mr. Maus’s 5th grade class at San Cayetano

Let me tell you what life is like in Fillmore. No matter where you go, you see someone you know. In Fillmore, your friends that you went to school with in kindergarten are going to go to middle school with you. That is because there is only one middle school!
Wherever you live in Fillmore, everything is close by. I can walk to the library, City Hall, the theater, and Central Market. I can even walk to McDonald’s, but my Grandma will not let me.
Fillmore is the most beautiful town I know. The mountains are all around us, and sometimes, if you look up toward the Sespe Mountains, you might see some condors. CONTINUED »

Natalie Garnica
Student, Fillmore High School

Fillmore High School is getting ready for its annual “Pennies for Patients” fundraiser. Each second period class collects as much change as possible to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through February 2nd to the 20th. The school welcomes any donations from our community members, and if you wish to donate, call the student store or give to your student’s second period class. The competition should get intense, as prizes will be offered to classes that raise over one hundred dollars.

The Alumni basketball game is this Saturday, and our current boy’s varsity players will be facing off against alumni from teams of the past. Our basketball teams have been very busy – the second round of league for the girl’s team started on Wednesday, and the second round for boy’s starts on Friday.
Boys soccer had a game on Wednesday, and is doing well this season.

The wrestling team had a tournament at Santa Paula this week. Congratulations to Sierra Mangus, the only girl on the team. The senior is ranked third in the state for girl’s wrestling – this is her fourth year on the team.
Over fifty seniors have received California Scholarship Federation honors for last semester, if not life membership. If one achieves life membership, the recipient wears the CSF gold sash and tassel at graduation. Congratulations to our seniors!

For more information, contact the student store at 524-8491.

The CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) will be administered on February 3 and 4, 2009 at Fillmore High School and at Sierra High School to Seniors of the Graduating Class of 2009 who have NOT passed one or both exam sections. All California secondary students must pass this exam in order to receive a high school diploma. The CAHSEE exam will be administered to Fillmore Seniors (in regular, Home-Schooled, Special Education or Independent Study Program) The last time Seniors, Class of 2009, will have the opportunity to pass these required exams will be May 12-13, 2009, but testing results will not be available in time for the June graduation. The California State Department of Education releases the test results in eight weeks following testing. Students who have not passed both CAHSEE exams will receive a Certificate of Completion, but not a high school diploma.
The English Language Arts section will be administered on Tuesday. February 3rd, and the Math Section will be administered on Wednesday, February 4th, 2009. Testing will begin at 8 a.m. SHARP and will end as students finish their individual testing. Testing of all students ends at 3 p.m.
The Fillmore Unified School District graduation requirements are as follows: 1) Graduating with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA, 2) Earning 230 credits, 3) Completion of all grade level course requirements, 4) Passing the California High School Exit Exams in English Language Arts and Math with a minimum score of 350, 5) Passing Algebra class, and 6) having met the FUSD School Attendance requirements. CONTINUED »

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2009

6:00 p.m. – SPECIAL MEETING - BUDGET STUDY SESSION

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.

6:00 p.m.

I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

II. ROLL CALL CONTINUED »

More Peacebuilders receive January certificates at San Cayetano Elementary.
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On Tuesday, January 13, 2009, 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. Roman Torango and Ian Overton, the San Cayetano ASB President and Vice-President assisted Mr. Overton in handing out the Peacebuilder Awards. The Peacebuilders for January are: Diego Ruiz, Alan Carrillo, Jessica Nava, Yessenia Fregoso, Elizabeth Ocampo, Mario Hurtado, Jairo Rios, Victoria Pace, Alexis Vargas, Jocelyn Munoz, Julieanna Lindres, Arvin Peraza, Ethan Gomez, Melia Galindo, Perla Chavez, Daniel Avila, Rolando Cabrera, Erin Overton, Austin Reed, Serina Valenzuela, Tereliz Martinez, and Anthony Ramirez. Roman 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. Melody Tello 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. Moises Pedroza won the Perfect Attendance Award for the month of January.