John Schweller, Fillmore Middle School Principal.

Becoming the Principal of Fillmore Middle School is an honor I am proud to accept. I welcome the challenges and celebrations that come with this transition in my career as an educator. I look forward to collaborating with the excellent staff and faculty. I have a passion for working with students and their parents, during this important middle stage of the students’ development.

Fillmore Unified is the perfect fit for me both personally and professionally. I have been an educator for the past eleven years working in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties serving as a High School Counselor at both Carpinteria and Royal High Schools, and the last four years as Assistant and Co-Principal at Matilija Junior High School in the Ojai Unified School District. I have been involved in all aspects of running a junior high school program. I truly enjoy working with middle school aged students. I get the pleasure watching them grow from children into young adults.

Personally, Fillmore is a perfect home for me. My wife and I moved into our first house in Fillmore eight years ago and our second daughter was born the following year. It is a special place to raise and nurture a family; we have enjoyed all aspects of living in the community. I have coached basketball at the high school for the past seven years and have developed many great relationships during that experience. The intimacy of a small town community and the opportunity to positively affect students' lives on a daily basis were key components in my job search.

Respectfully,
John Schweller

Ventura County – Whether it’s the last-minute run to the store for the glue that will hold a child’s project together or the dozens of bake-sale cupcakes whipped up late at night, parents frequently deal with the unexpected. Being prepared for emergencies—and not just the glue and cupcake variety—is the new golden rule for having a great school year and the American Red Cross, Ventura County Chapter wants you and your family to be safe as we head into fall.

Get a Kit

Most back-to-school shopping lists feature items like pencils, notebooks and folders. This year, make sure you also have items for an emergency preparedness kit.

At a minimum, have the basic supplies listed below. Keep supplies in an easy-to-carry container that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate.

Water—one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
Food—non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
Flashlight
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
Extra batteries
First aid kit
Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
Multipurpose tool
Sanitation and personal hygiene items
Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
Cell phone with chargers
Family and emergency contact information
Extra cash
Emergency blanket
Change of clothing and shoes
Map(s) of the area
Make a Plan

Every family should create and practice an evacuation and communications plan. Each person should know how to reach other family members and where to meet if they can’t return home. You should also designate an out-of-area relative or friend as an emergency contact and make sure all household members know how to contact this person.

To make an evacuation plan, choose two meeting places: one right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire, and another outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate.

Decide where you would go and what route you would take if you had to evacuate. Make sure to also plan ahead for your pets. Keep a phone list of "pet friendly" motels/hotels and animal shelters that are along your evacuation routes.

Be Informed

Learning the skills you need to respond in an emergency before help arrives is another important key to being prepared. Make sure that at least one member of your household is trained in first aid and CPR and knows how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Know which radio stations to tune into in the event of a disaster. In Ventura County, tune in to these stations:

KVEN 1450 AM
KHAY 100.7 FM
KMLA 103.7 FM (Spanish)

The Red Cross recommends you mark the radio stations on your radio for easy reference in an emergency.

To learn more and view CPR/AED and first aid demonstrations, visit www.arcventura.org or call The American Red Cross, Ventura County Chapter at (805) 987-1514.

Come have a cup of coffee and get to know who is supporting our children at school.

They would love to get to know each and every one of YOU.

Together we can make a difference in our children’s lives.

SAVE THE DATES! 9-24, 10-29, 11-19, 12-17, 1-28, 2-25, 3-25, 4-29, 5-27 (Last Meeting)

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2010
5:15 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:00 P.M. - REGULAR MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
The public may review or request a copy of support materials provided to the Board Members where the word materials appears.

5:15 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
II. ROLL CALL
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON 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.
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 »

Camarillo, CA Sept. 1, 2010 – CSU Channel Islands (CI) has been selected to receive a 1.1 million dollar, five-year Federal TRIO Student Support Service grant. This year’s federal process was especially competitive given the overall economic climate in higher education, increased pursuit of federal grant dollars and minimal federal funding increases for TRIO programs.

Federal TRIO Programs began with Upward Bound, which emerged from the Economic Opportunity Act in 1964. Talent Search, a second outreach program created under the Higher Education Act, was begun in 1965. Student Support Services, originally known as Special Services for Disadvantaged Students, was authorized by the Higher Education Amendments in 1968 and became the third program in TRIO. Today, there are a total of eight TRIO programs.

The goal of CI’s Student Support Services (SSS) program is to increase retention and graduation rates of low-income, first-generation college students by providing academic, financial and guidance assistance. It serves to ease the transition from high school to a successful post-secondary school experience. The students selected for SSS have demonstrated the desire, commitment and potential to pursue a baccalaureate degree. SSS instills a sense of identification and involvement with the university, helping each participant invest in a safe and engaging academic experience. CI meets the stringent program requirements which mandate that 56% of its students meet the eligibility criteria for TRIO programs.

Damien Peña, CONTINUED »

THOUSAND OAKS, CA. – A record number of California Lutheran University students participated in full-time research this summer.

With funding from university grants for undergraduate research and guidance from faculty mentors, 25 students studied topics ranging from the eye mutations in flies to Facebook’s effect on student involvement. The students will present their findings at the 7th Annual Student Research Symposium from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, in Ahmanson Science Center. Most will also make presentations at professional conferences throughout the country.

The following scholars received Swenson Science Summer Research Fellowships:

Samantha Aguinaldo, a senior biology major from Saugus, and John Mussatto, a senior biology major from Osage City, Kan., conducted a project titled “Does the Extra Eye Mutation of Drosophila Upregulate the JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway?” They crossbred different genetic lines of fruit flies to study the effects of genetic mutations on the developing eyes of larvae.

Megan Ameche, a junior mathematics CONTINUED »

California educates one in every eight public school children in the United States. But, our educational system continues to be jeopardized by billions of dollars in state budget cuts: 30% fewer teachers than the U.S. average, 90% fewer counselors and, in elementary schools, nurses have been replaced by the “boo boo lady”. California is 47th in the nation in funding for grades K through 12.

In the KCLU documentary... http://www.kclu.org/k12ontheedge/index.php

THOUSAND OAKS, CA. - California Lutheran University will break ground on the $8.9 million William Rolland Stadium at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 13.

The two-story stadium will have about 2,000 fixed seats, a permanent artificial turf field and outdoor sports lighting. The first-class facility will include home team locker rooms, coaches offices and meeting rooms, a press box, VIP lounge and campus clock tower. It will accommodate football, soccer and intramural athletic matches and practices as well as commencement ceremonies.

The new stadium will be built to current National Collegiate Athletic Association standards. Last year, the Kingsmen clinched a spot in the NCAA Division III football championship tournament but couldn’t host playoff games because Mt. Clef Stadium doesn’t meet the criteria.

CLU has used Mt. Clef Stadium since 1963. It was built not only for CLU’s team but also as a summer training ground for the Dallas Cowboys.

The new stadium is named for William Rolland, a former firefighter and real estate developer who was a founding resident of Westlake Village. His gift of $5.45 million for the project is the largest single gift in the history of the university.

The new 16,000-square-foot facility will also house the William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art, where pieces of Rolland’s extensive collection of bronze statuary and paintings will be exhibited.

The project is slated for completion by fall 2011.

The stadium will be located west of Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center on the north side of Olsen Road near Campus Drive in Thousand Oaks. Other state-of-the-art sports facilities that have opened in this part of campus in recent years include Samuelson Aquatics Center, George “Sparky” Anderson Field and Ullman Stadium, Hutton Field and the Poulson Tennis Center.

Our first week back to school was a big success. We had our first rally on Friday and the sophomores won the rally, Way to go 2013! However, in our dress up day the new comers our freshman won, followed by the seniors. Coming up we have our first football game which is September 4th away at Malibu against Malibu. JV starts at 10 A.M. and Varsity follows at 1 P.M. Cross Country’s first meet will be September 10th at Ventura Beach at 2 P.M. Girls golf will have their first match September 14th at Oaks Christian, against Oaks Christian. Also, Girls volleyball will have their first match September 7th against Hueneme away; JV is at 5 P.M. and Varsity is at 6 P.M. Fillmore High School ASB will be hosting their first Mr. FHS “Pageant” which will be held at the Fillmore Middle School gym on September 23rd. Parents, please encourage your sons to participate, it will be a blast. Do they have what it takes to become the first Mr. FHS? Sign-ups are held in the student store from 8/23/10 to 9/2/10. LETS GO FLASHES!

THOUSAND OAKS, CA. – A groundbreaking ceremony for the new California Lutheran University Early Childhood Center will be held at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 12.

The $2 million facility will replace a renovated house that was supposed to be a temporary location when the program started in 1974. Often referred to as the House on the Hill in the early years, the existing building is 2,152 square feet. The new center, slated for completion by fall 2011, will be more than double the size at 4,738 square feet.

The new facility will better meet the center’s needs, with a faculty workroom and classrooms that have bathrooms and empty directly onto the playground. The fenced yard will include an outdoor classroom for activities such as gardening and exploring nature. The new center will also have an infant room and laundry, which will enable teachers to care for six babies in addition to the 50 toddlers and preschoolers they can currently serve. It will also have a separate patio for teachers.

The new center will be located off Campus Drive north of Olsen Road, a more easily accessible area than its current location just below Mt. Clef Ridge. It will be closer to campus and to the University Village retirement community, making it easier for the seniors and children to interact.

The center was originally launched as a CLU student’s master’s degree project and operated by the School of Education as a training program for leaders in early childhood education. It offered innovative programs and became a model for other childhood learning centers. While the School of Education no longer oversees the center, CLU students from various disciplines conduct observations at the center to study topics ranging from motor development to language acquisition.

Rooted in the Lutheran tradition of education, the center emphasizes Christian faith while providing a hands-on experiential learning environment. The popular program serves CLU employees as well as community members.

The Overton family, which includes CLU alumni, provided the primary donation for the center. Family members have given generously to the university through the years and their name graces a hall and a street on campus. Donations and grants from individuals and organizations, including the Ahmanson Foundation of Beverly Hills, will cover the rest of the cost.

To RSVP or for more information, call (805) 493-3247.

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA. – CSU Channel Islands (CI) is proud to announce a graduate scholarship donation for $35,000 from Amgen for the MS in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics program and the MS in Biotechnology and MBA dual degree programs for a third year in a row.

This donation will be used to provide financial assistance to graduate students wishing to enter the biotechnology field. Students in these programs will, in turn, provide an educated workforce for the many biotech companies surrounding CI’s campus.

CI students pursuing the two professional science master’s (PSM) programs have the opportunity to study scientific principles and knowledge underlying the rapidly advancing field of biotechnology and will learn sophisticated lab techniques in research and development. They will be exposed to legal and intellectual property issues and learn the skills and knowledge important in business and bioentrepreneurship.

Working with faculty and experts from biotech companies like Amgen, Baxter, Ceres, Alzheimer’s Institute, Invenios, Integrity Biosolutions, Librede, Stellar Biotechnologies, Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, Symbion Research International, NeuroSystec, Celavie BioSciences and well known academic institutions such as UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Santa Barbara, USC, the Scripps Research Institute, and City of Hope Beckman Research Institute, students are offered a wealth of internships and participation in relevant research projects. They also have the advantage of being able to learn from industry and research experts in their fields.

The programs’ goals are that, through experiential, multidisciplinary learning, students will develop a wide range of skills in research, critical thinking, problem solving, communication, collaboration and interpersonal skills that will enable them to reach their future career goals.

To date, these two PSM programs are considered the best in the 23 campus CSU system, with the dual degree program being awarded an Outstanding Academic Program Award. These PSM programs have received multiple grants and can boast that all of its graduates are currently either employed in the biotech industry, engaged in research or are pursuing doctoral degrees.

For further information about the MS in Biotechnology and Bioinformatics program and the MS in Biotechnology and MBA dual degree programs, contact Extended University at: extedu@csuci.edu or 805-437-3201.

THOUSAND OAKS, CA. - California Lutheran University is ranked 18th on the 2011 U.S. News & World Report list of top schools in the West offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

CLU has placed among the top 20 Western Regional Universities for the past 16 years. For the first time, CLU made the list of “A-Plus Schools for B Students,” a designation that places the university among schools where “non-superstars” have a shot at being accepted and a chance to thrive.

The latest rankings were posted today on the U.S. News & World Report Web site at http://www.usnews.com and will be featured in the September edition of U.S. News & World Report magazine and the “2011 America’s Best Colleges” guidebook.

In the U.S. News report, CLU maintained a spot in the top tier of institutions in 15 Western states based on high scores in the categories measured. CLU’s overall score increased over its assessment last year. CLU’s selectivity continues to increase with improvements in freshman SAT scores as well as a decrease in the university’s acceptance rate. The “A-Plus” ranking lauds CLU’s average high school GPA of 3.6 and the fact that 69 percent of CLU freshmen are in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class.

“These results show that we continue to build on our academic success,” said CLU President Chris Kimball. “Our emphasis on providing a high quality educational experience has enhanced our reputation among students and the higher education community.”

In Forbes.com’s America’s Best Colleges 2010 report released Aug. 11, CLU ranked 191st among all private and public undergraduate institutions in the United States, an improvement over its 2009 ranking of 210 and its 2008 ranking of 251. The Forbes report was compiled in conjunction with the Center for College Affordability and Productivity as an alternative to the U.S. News rankings. It uses different criteria and ranks institutions based on the quality of education they provide and students’ experience and achievements. It doesn’t break the rankings into subcategories. The report is available at http://www.forbes.com.

CLU is a selective liberal arts and sciences university located in Thousand Oaks, with centers in Oxnard and Woodland Hills. With an enrollment of about 3,500 students, CLU offers 36 undergraduate majors and several graduate programs within the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and 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, please visit http://www.callutheran.edu.

Thousand Oaks and Ventura, CA - BRIDGES Charter School in Thousand Oaks and Ventura Charter School in Ventura have formed a partnership to create a very unique independent study program in Ventura County that is the first of its kind. Both schools believe in opening doors and creating opportunities for their students.

Both charter schools embrace the same progressive educational philosophy—a belief, which educates the child beyond academics, by recognizing the importance of the social, cognitive and emotional education as well.

Through the creation of this collaboration, both Bridges Charter School and Ventura Charter School will be able to offer a wider range of resources, extracurricular options, technology integration and eventually a wide variety of enrichment classes, including music, drama, art, technology, science, and field trips to supplement their student’s learning experience.

The cumulative effort will create a program of newfound open doors and expanded opportunities. In their innovative, trend-setting pilot program, these schools together will create live online classes (e-Classes) for 6-8th grade students in math, writing, literature, and science using state-of-the-art technology. The small size of each class is designed to support the home study program through effective student/teacher ratios.

In the near future, this new collaboration will spawn an online e-Tutoring program in which home schooled students may access tutors online to get help in a variety of subjects.

Collectively both schools share a philosophy of developing the world’s state of the art independent study experiences through new channels of education, philosophy and technology.

BRIDGES Charter School will open at the Glenwood Campus in Thousand Oaks on August 31, 2010 for the 2010/11 school year. Hilda Salas is the Director.

Ventura Charter School of arts and global education is located in Ventura on Cameron Street. Mary Galvin and Lisa Hildebrand are the Directors. The school opened in 2006 and is fully WASC accredited.

For additional information about this cutting edge home schooling experience, contact Claudia Weintraub at bridges.ventura.charter@gmail.com

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA. – CSU Channel Islands (CI) is proud to announce recipients of the Math and Science Teacher (MaST) Scholarships, funded by the system-wide effort of the CSU Chancellor’s Office Math and Science Teacher Initiative. These scholarships are awarded to students who have committed to become math or science teachers in grades K-12. With these funds, and those of another donor, CI will have funded $100,000 in scholarships to more than 45 math and science credential students from 2006 to the end of 2010-2011.

Students eligible to apply for a scholarship are post-baccalaureate students in the pre-credential program or single subject program, who are seeking a secondary math or science credential, or multiple subjects students and practicing teachers who have subject matter competency in math or science and wish to add-on a single subject credential.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Excellence is a campus initiative and these scholarships further support that emphasis. It is CI’s commitment to support math and science credential students on their career path to teaching so the community will have a sufficient pool of qualified teachers in both subject areas.

The range of teaching experience ranges among the scholarship recipients. A number of students in the program are career changers, looking to make a difference in the lives of our local students. Dr. Jeanne Grier, Associate Professor of Secondary Education and Director of the Math and Science Teacher Initiative at CI, stated, "I’ve heard some terrific stories from our students who make those meaningful connections with kids that they never thought would be possible, even after a few weeks in the classroom. Those moments make the journey worth it.”

After a review of all the applications, 13 students were named as winners, receiving a total of $31,000 in scholarships from MaST at CI. Scholarship amounts vary based upon applications and place in the credentialing process. Winners of Math Scholarships are: Allison Fredrick, Danielle Hartley, Robert Humphrey, Heather Jacobs, Rana Kalaj, Rosa Monoy, Rachel Neumann, Kevin Prendergast and Jenee Wilcox. Winners of Science Scholarships are: Elizabeth Harrell, Heather Martin, Alice Overton and Kelly Vergeer.

CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CI Mission Statement
Placing students at the center of the educational experience, California State University Channel Islands provides undergraduate and graduate education that facilitates learning within and across disciplines through integrative approaches, emphasizes experiential and service learning, and graduates students with multicultural and international perspectives.

Fillmore Unified School District

Fillmore Unified School District today announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program. Each school and/or the district office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

The household size and income criteria identified below will be used to determine eligibility for free, reduced-price, or full-price meal benefits. Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown here are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Children who receive Food Stamp (FS), California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payments (Kin-GAP), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) benefits are automatically eligible for free meals regardless of the income of the household in which they reside. Eligibility for a foster child is based on a separate application and solely on the amount of the child's “personal use” income.
Application forms are being distributed to all households with a letter informing them of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for enrolled children. Applications are also available at the principal's office in each school. To apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits, households must complete an application and return it to the school for processing. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used to determine meal eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or program officials.

Requirements for school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits are as follows: For households receiving Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR benefits – applications need only include the enrolled child(ren)'s name, Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR case number, and the signature of an adult household member. For households who do not list a Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR case number, the application must include the names of all household members, the amount and source of the income received by each household member, and the signature and corresponding Social Security number of an adult household member. If the household member who signs the application does not have a Social Security number, the household member must indicate on the application that a Social Security number is not available.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, the determining official(s), as designated by the sponsor/agency, shall review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the eligibility ruling may discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents may also make a formal request for an appeal hearing of the decision and may do so orally or in writing with the sponsor/agency’s hearing official. Parents or guardians should contact their child(ren)’s school(s) for specific information regarding the name of the determining official and/or hearing official for a specific school, agency, or district.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household's income falls at or below the levels shown above.

Sponsors/agencies that use direct certification should add the following paragraph to their public release:

Households that receive Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR benefits may not have to complete an Application for Free or Reduced-Price Meals or Free Milk. School officials will determine eligibility for free meals based on documentation obtained directly from the Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR office that a child is a member of a household currently receiving Food Stamp or FDPIR benefits or an assistance unit receiving CalWORKs or Kin-GAP benefits. School officials will notify households of their eligibility, but those who do not want their child(ren) to receive free meals must contact the school. Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, and FDPIR households should complete an application if they are not notified of their eligibility by September 29, 2010.

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice and TDD).
The USDA is an equal opportunity provider.