Richard Durborow
Principal, Piru Elementary School

Piru Elementary is an extraordinary school where children come to learn and grow, a place that challenges and nurtures young scholars, and a place that awakens a thirst for knowledge and understanding. Each student receives a high level of individual attention through classes taught by knowledgeable, experienced, and caring teachers.
Our primary goal is not only to promote scholarship, but to give each student the kind of life-learning experiences that will forever shape their world view. After all, these students represent our future!
Literacy Coach Makes a Difference
The last two years we set school-wide goals that included working with a literacy coach. That’s right. We have a coach who goes into all our classrooms and helps model best instructional practices for our teaching staff. She focuses attention on the reading needs of all our students and then helps build a program that ensures student success. And guess what? Her expertise and hard work is paying off in big ways. Student learning has improved. Test scores are up. Because literacy coaches are a powerful way to improve student learning they are now being used throughout Ventura County. Thank you Susan Jolley for being our literacy coach and for all you do for us!
Lesson One Teaches Self-Control and More
Clearly, many of today’s young people are feeling isolated, out-of-control, and full of rage. Instead of doing well in school they drop out. These students need to feel connected and learn skills so their anger doesn’t lead to destruction of self and others.
Last year the staff at Piru Elementary recognized this problem and adopted a program designed to help students cope with stress and take control of their actions. This year we continue using the innovative, violence prevention program called Lesson One-The ABC’s of Life. Students at Piru start each day reading the Pledge for Success and talking about self-control and respect for diversity. As students internalize self-control our teachers spend more time teaching and students spend more time learning. Later this year our staff and students will be trained on new Lesson One skills including self-confidence and responsibility. Thanks Jon Oliver for teaching us how to improve our lives!
Aerobic Exercise Improves Student Learning
Piru students begin each morning experiencing the joy of running and making the powerful connection between aerobic exercise and the increased capacity of the brain to learn. Recent brain-activation studies show that children who are aerobically fit allocate more cognitive resources to a task and do so for longer periods of time. In other words, aerobic exercise improves student learning. In fact, aerobic exercise supercharges your mental circuits and sharpens your overall thinking, lifts your mood, and boosts your memory.
Want to boost your mental abilities? Just put on your running shoes and join us Friday mornings for a run around the school. It may just be the healthiest thing you do all week!
Happy Holidays from Piru Elementary School.

Sierra High School has had a great start to the school year. Our Associated Student Body has organized fund raisers and motivational BBQs for students with both being very successful. Our student daily attendance numbers are up and students appear eager to come to school and learn. This is evident in the high number of credit completion that is reflected in the student’s first quarter grades. Sierra High School students recently completed the California High School Exit Exam (CASHEE) with 100% participation. Finally, SHS will hold a School Site Council meeting on Monday, November 24 at 6:30 p.m.

The Fillmore Lions Club has announced that this year's Student Speaker Contest will be held on Monday February 2, 2009. The topic will be "Water-Will California be Left High and Dry?". The topic is very timely and important to Fillmore High School students, their friends and family.This is a very appropriate topic in light of California's drought , California's growing population and need for water; and California's disputes with bordering states over a very limited natural resource.

Chair Bill Edmonds states that the total prize money going to the overall winner will be $21,250 in college scholarships and cash. The local Fillmore winner will get $50 with the runner-ups receiving $25. The winner will go on to compete with the winners of other near-bye communities . All High School age youth who live within the Fillmore Unified School District boundaries are eligible to compete. This include home taught students as well as Fillmore residents who attend other high schools as well. This also includes foreign exchange students.

Students who wish to enter may contact Bill Edmonds (524-4839) or Josh Overton -the FHS drama teacher. Edmonds emphasized that this public speaking experience will be very worthwhile to the students and interesting to their parents and the community. Public speaking competition will also look very good on college applications and resumes. Students should get started early because it takes time to develop and practice a good speech.

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2008

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
• School District Pupils (Education Code 35146)
o Expulsion Case Number 08-09-03 CONTINUED »

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

SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today announced 22 awardees will share nearly $5.5 million in federal Migrant Education Even Start (MEES) grants. The list of grantees is attached.

“The Migrant Education Even Start program helps both parents and children in migrant families and is an important tool to help us narrow the achievement gap,” said O’Connell. “Children of migrant workers may fall behind in their studies because their families move around so often for their livelihoods, and their parents may lack the literacy skills to help them succeed in school. The key is early literacy that gives these children a fighting chance of getting a good education, graduating from high school, and becoming fully prepared for college or career in this globally competitive economy.”

A child is considered a migrant if his or her parent or guardian has moved during the past three years mostly to follow seasonal work in the agricultural, dairy, lumber, or fishing industries. MEES is a home-based and school-based family literacy education model. Migrant parents may receive services to enhance their literacy levels, expand parenting skills, and learn English as a second language. Their children may receive early childhood and preschool services up to 7 years of age. About 12,647 parents and 12,894 children across California were enrolled last year in MEES.

MEES is a federal grant authorized under the No Child Left Behind Act and modeled after the William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy program. That program was named in honor of its original Congressional sponsor and advocate, William F. Goodling. Projects are funded collaboratively by the California Department of Education’s Migrant, Indian, and International Education Office, the California First 5 Commission, and California Migrant Education regions. There are 23 Migrant Education Regions statewide, 22 of which implement MEES programs across 332 sites.

In this round of grants, local educational agencies with established regional Migrant Education offices already funded through the California Department of Education were eligible to receive continued MEES funding. Allocations were based on the number of sites, parents, and children served, and the number of identified migrant children aged 3 to 7 years old. For more information on MEES, please visit http://www.cde.ca.gov/fg/fo/r22/mees08result.asp.

Migrant Education Even Start Grantees
Fiscal Year 2008-09

County
Agency
Amount

Santa Clara
Region 1 - Santa Clara County Office of Education
$272,696

Butte
Region 2 - Butte County Office of Education
720,800 CONTINUED »

Alberto Cantero Jr., Fillmore Middle School student.
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Alberto Cantero Jr. has been nominated by Rhonda Reyes-Deutsch, of Fillmore Middle School to attend a People to People World Leadership Forum in Washington D.C.. Congratulations! The Forum helps prepare the most promising young people for the opportunities and responsibilities ahead. Alberto was nominated as an outstanding student with high academic standing and promising leadership potential. He will join other highly motivated and accomplished middle school scholars from around the globe.

The costs of tuition are substantial and we are looking to community for support. By making a contribution, you will be helping Alberto gain an advantage in school, career and in this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Union Bank of California has offered Alberto a free account and your tax-deductible donations can be made directly payable to:
Alberto Cantero, Jr.
357 Market Street
Fillmore, CA 93015

For questions or direct contributions please contact Rebecca Cantero at (805) 524-2407. Contributions should be received prior to Feb. 6th, 2009. Thank you so much for your support.

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2008

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.
1. DISCLOSURE OF ITEM(S) TO BE DISCUSSED IN CLOSED SESSION
• Personnel Matters CONTINUED »

FHS Career Day.
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FHS Career Day.
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FHS Career Day.
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FHS Career Day.
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FHS Career Day.
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Fillmore High School would like to thank our sponsors Fillmore Sunrise Rotary, Fillmore Noon-time Rotary, and El Pescador for their generous donations and support of our Career Day. Also, we’d like to thank all the following representatives who took time out of their busy day to speak with our students at the 2008-2009 Career Day.

U.S. Army Recruiting Station
Wells Fargo Recruitment
Cal Lutheran University
A.I.A. Lauterbach & Associates
The C.R.E.W.
Carpentry Apprenticeship- Mr. Arreola
Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence
County of Ventura Personnel Department
FIDM
City of Fillmore Fire Department
Flight/ Camarillo Air Traffic Control Tower
Lu Ross Academy
Marines
Moorpark College
College of the Canyons
Oxnard College
Real Estate-Century 21- Mrs. Robledo
Regional Occupational Program
Santa Clara Valley Job & Career Center
Santa Barbara Business College
U.S. Army National Guard
UCSB-Early Academic Outreach
Ventura College
Child Development Center
Ventura County Probation
School Psychologist
CCS Community Health Outreach
Dental Externship Coordination
East County Children & Family Service Office
Massage Therapist
CSUCI
Wm L. Morris Chevrolet
Chef- Mr. Anderson
Navy
Skillin Carroll Mortuary
Vons Market
UCLA
Nurse- Mrs. Romero, Mrs. Dewey
Caltrans
The Art Institute
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Fugro West, Inc.
Teacher- Mr. Bedau
Chiropractor- Dr. Rebino
Job Corp
Moorpark C.H.P.
SWAT
Doctor- Christine Johnston
District Attorney
Ventura County Sheriff’s Department
U.S. Forest Service
Ventura County Fire Department

Hurry to order your Marie Callender Thanksgiving Pies from a senior at Fillmore High School or call Mrs Chaney 524-4909. The deadline is Monday the 17th of November. This fundraiser is our best one because it gives our Fillmore people the opportunity to get their pies and not have to travel to a Marie Callender restaurant and stand in line to purchase their pies. Grad Nite Live is a non-profit organization that has kept our senior classes safe and have a good time on a Harbor Cruise in Long Beach for 18 years. It is very important that we support Grad Nite Live in all their fundraisers for the 246 students of the Class of 2009 which will cost $26,000.00 this year. Thank you.

As many individuals, businesses, schools, and other organizations throughout Southern California get ready to “drop, cover, and hold” for the Great Southern California ShakeOut Drill on November 13 (www.shakeout.org), Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) will conduct its own emergency preparedness training at Moorpark College, Oxnard College, Ventura College, and the District Administrative Center to coincide with the ShakeOut event.

VCCCD has been working with West Coast Consulting for the past year to prepare and train employees at all three campuses and the District Administrative Center for emergency situations of all types, including earthquakes, floods, fires, an active shooter, or crimes in progress. “These trainings enable us to test our response to simulated emergency situations and provide valuable information we can use to evaluate how best to protect our students, employees, and members of the community in the event of an actual emergency,” said Dr. James Meznek, Chancellor. “While we hope these situations will never happen, it is essential we be prepared.”

Moorpark College and Oxnard College will hold training exercises on Thursday, November 13, while Ventura College and the District Administrative Center will hold training exercises on Friday, November 14. Designated employee emergency team members will be given emergency situation scenarios and expected to act based on prior training. Peter Wright, Director of Emergency Planning and Preparedness for the California Community Colleges System Office, will be visiting Moorpark College to observe emergency team members in action. CONTINUED »

Spring 2009 registration begins November 17 at the three community colleges of Ventura County Community College District. Spring semester begins January 12, 2009. Returning students may begin registering online by appointment on November 17. All students may register online beginning December 15, with no appointment required. High school special admission students can register in person at the Admissions and Records Offices starting December 16. Walk-in registration begins January 5, and students in grade 9 or below can register beginning January 12.

Students may register for full semester spring courses in person through January 23 and online through January 25. Additional late start and short-term courses are available that begin in January, February, and March. In addition to the full semester day and evening courses, the colleges offer weekend courses, short-term courses, one-day seminars, and online courses. Offering more than 3,000 courses in 100 majors and programs, the three colleges provide general education, transfer preparation, career programs, skills enhancement, and lifelong learning courses. The complete list of spring courses for each college is available online at www.oxnardcollege.edu, www.venturacollege.edu, www.moorparkcollege.edu, and www.vcccd.edu.

Moorpark College is offering new career courses in Health Information Management, Exercise Science (listed under Physical Education), and Insurance (listed under Business). The Business Department’s new Personal Insurance course is offered in conjunction with the California Insurance Careers Program (CA-ICP), a statewide initiative that promotes training students for insurance careers. BUS M45 Personal Insurance is a three-unit course, offered completely online and with no pre-requisites. In the future, Moorpark College will offer all five CA-ICP courses: Introduction to Insurance, Code and Ethics, Property/Liability Insurance Principles, and Commercial Insurance, as well as arrange for students to get college credit for paid internships. Professor Jim Allyn at jallyn@vcccd.edu is the contact for the program. More information is available at www.ca-icp.org.

Ventura College is offering a wide range of new courses including Anthropology of Women, Political Science: Service Learning (students concurrently enroll in Introduction to Political Science), Personal Insurance, Modularized Elementary Algebra, Criminal Justice Employment Orientation, Introduction to Forensic Science, Introduction to Methods of Biotechnology, Business Calculations-Online, English Composition for Healthcare Majors, Holistic Health and Disabilities, History of the Modern Middle East, Women in Literature I, and Survey of English Literature II. Many courses are transferable to colleges within the UC and CSU systems. CONTINUED »

After the review of 18 student art portfolios, the Ventura College Friends of the Arts (VCFA) will present monetary awards totaling $5,000. Awards will be presented Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 7 pm at the VCFA 12th annual “Small Images” fundraiser and exhibition in the New Media Gallery at Ventura College. Parking is free for the evening.

Of the students who submitted portfolios, the award winners are:
Ashlae M. Armenta, Camarillo
Eleni Berberian, Ventura
Robin Coblentz, Ventura
Margaret “Maggie” Donahue, Ventura
Jessica Lindley Emerson, Ventura
Shelby Farr, Ventura
Ryan Ferrey, Fillmore
Nancy Pham, Ventura
Liesel Plambeck, Ventura
Steven Reynolds, Oxnard
Cesar Rodriguez, Los Angeles
Mason Sexton, Ojai
Andrea Vargas-Mendoza, Santa Paula

Friends of the Arts is a philanthropic organization that began in 1996. Membership is open to current and former students and those who wish to align themselves with and support the Ventura College Art Department. VCFA is affiliated with the Ventura College Foundation as part of the non-profit public benefit corporation. For further information contact Cathy Day, 654-6388.

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The Fall Carnival was a huge success this year for Fillmore elementary schools. Their partnership with Wells Fargo really brought out the community. “Having the stagecoach here for the students to climb into was really awesome” states Mary Whiteford, Secretary at San Cayetano. Wells Fargo team members from various Ventura County Offices came out to support the carnival and support the Fillmore Office with Eric Iriee, Branch Manager. The carnival this year was bigger than ever with more staff members than ever participating in the game and food booths. “I estimate that we had close to 2000 community members enjoying the carnival. The two ticket booths were always a mile long “ says San Cayetano principal Jan Marholin. Lou Hoover’s famous cinnamon rolls sold out quickly and that booth is a donation booth each year and the money goes directly to a charity chosen by one of the elementary schools. This year it was Mountain Vista’s choice and the donation of $528 will be made to The Dream Fund Outreach Foundation. We would also like to thank the many volunteers who helped support the event.

It is obvious to passers by that Fillmore High School has been going through a number of facility improvements over the past few years. We have a modern science building, new classrooms, a remodeled gymnasium, a new fence, a beautiful new stadium/track complex, and a fresh coat of paint. The school is looking great! What is not so obvious to passers by is that Fillmore High School is in the middle of a very important evaluation year of the instructional program. In fact, Fillmore High School is going through two evaluations within a matter of months—a SAIT curriculum audit and a WASC accreditation.

Under the SAIT Program (School Assistance Intervention Team) schools are provided with a team which evaluates the school’s academic program, school climate, leadership, and extracurricular program, and makes recommendations for changes to improve student achievement. The SAIT program is required by the California Department of Education because Fillmore High School failed to make adequate progress in the State testing program the past two years. The SAIT team working with Fillmore High School is from the Ventura County Office of Education. The team spent time on campus last spring and this fall interviewing students, parents, teachers and staff about all aspects of the campus, collecting curriculum documents, meeting minutes, and other information to help them develop a clear picture of the school. Last month the SAIT team spent four days on campus observing each teacher in action. Since their visit in October, the SAIT team has been writing a lengthy report that will be presented to the school leadership team in December and the staff in January. The curriculum audit report will give detailed information on the quality of the instructional program and will make recommendations for changes to improve student achievement. CONTINUED »

Peacebuilders
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Peacebuilders
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On Tuesday, November 4, 2008, San Cayetano School recognized good citizenship and character at their Peacebuilder Assembly for the month of November. Mrs.Tricia Gardias, Migrant Education Coordinator for Fillmore Unified School District, came to speak to the students about what a good citizen is and how being good citizens can help students in school and in their outside lives. 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 Mrs.Gardias in handing out the Peacebuilder Awards. The Peacebuilders for November are:Andreah McElroy, Luis Angel Carrillo, Joe Rivas, Justine Pacheco, Jhovanny Contreras, Robert McElroy, Daniela Piceno, Joshua Hurtado Mendez, Anthony Villalobos, Kaylee Serna, Leslie Lemus, Johana Garcia, Marie Hernandez, Tori Villegas, Gustavo Valdez, Monique Gonzalez, Azubah Collins, Jose Ruiz, Jamie Chavez, Ruby Contreras, and Anissa Rhodes. Ian and Roman then announced to the students that the Rainbow Foundation is sponsoring the San Cayetano Character Counts Award of a $100.00 savings bond. Mrs.Gardias presented the Character Counts Award to a deserving third-grade student. Michael Fernadnez was chosen by the third 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 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 two new bicycles. , Ty Wyand, Mrs. Chavez’s class room 17, won the Perfect Attendance Award for November.

Natalie Garnica
Student, Fillmore High School

The High School has been a flurry of activity this week, for not only is it Santa Paula Week, but it is also Red Ribbon week.
Red Ribbon week is a nation-wide campaign against drugs. Students are encouraged to wear a red wristband to show that they are proud of being drug free, and there is a dress up day every day of the week that corresponds to an anti-drug message.
However, because this week is also our campaign against Santa Paula in preparation for the big game on Friday, the dress up days cannot be too “red friendly”. The student government has been creative and the week included days such as “Give Drugs, and Santa Paula the Blues” and on Halloween, “Say Boo to Drugs and Santa Paula”.
We have had a variety of noontime activities this week to get students pumped up for the game. On Monday, the Juniors won the “Chicken Chuck” by throwing a rubber chicken the farthest across the quad. The games will culminate in a car-bashing on Friday, courtesy of the cheerleaders. Students can pay three dollars to hit a totaled car three times with a sledge hammer, and all proceeds support the cheer program. There will also be a costume contest, a “Food Day”, and a rally on Friday. The clubs will be allowed to sell sweets on this particular Food Day because it is Halloween.
The girls volleyball team had a home game against Santa Paula on Tuesday.
Pre-sale tickets for the Santa Paula game are on sale in the Student Store. If you buy a ticket, you are guaranteed entrance to the game, but you should still come early to grab a seat. Tickets are free with an ASB sticker, $3 for seniors, $4 for children, and $7 for adults.
For more information, contact the student store at 524-8491.

During the week of October 27, Sierra High School was visited by seven candidates running for Fillmore City Council. Marcoz Hernandez, Steve Conaway, Norris Pennington, Royce Davis, Omero Martinez, Jamey Brooks, and Gayle Washburn spent time talking to students and sharing their visions for the future of Fillmore as well as the youth. Sierra High School students were very excited to have the opportunity to voice their concerns, ask questions, and offer a “youth perspective” on local politics. Cynthia Frutos, a teacher from Sierra High School stated, “This went really well in that we used nontraditional methods to teach students about Government, English, and Electives in this integrated unit. That is why we are an alternative school.” The students were honored in knowing that no where else in Fillmore Unified School District did the candidates talk to students. Sierra High School students held their own election on Monday, November 3rd and the following candidates received the most votes: Omero Martinez, Marcoz Hernandez, and Royce Davis. Sierra High School would like to thank all of the candidates for visiting and Isela Larin, The College and Career Technician, for making it all happen.