I do not believe that anyone can logically argue that we are not in a budget crisis in the Fillmore Unified School District. As I read the newspaper on a daily basis, I feel very fortunate that our school district has not experienced the magnitude of layoffs and reduction of services that many of our neighboring districts have had.
As the principal of Mountain Vista Elementary School, and more importantly, as a parent of two children who attend this school, my husband and I easily accepted the proposal for a new insurance package (our benefits will not change) and a 5 day reduction in pay for each of us. This sacrifice is small when I compare it to the possible effects that this budget crisis could have on my children’s education and the quality of education in this community if class size is raised and teachers are let go.
I am proud and feel honored to work with my classified and certificated staff members at Mountain Vista. It is unthinkable to imagine that this district may lose high quality staff members when there is a common sense solution (reducing work days) that other districts are using in this crisis.
As an administrator of a great elementary school and parent of two elementary children I encourage all stakeholders involved to do the right thing when there is a common sense solution to this problem.
Respectfully,
Chrissy Schieferle, Principal
Mountain Vista Elementary School

Luke Myers, a fifth grader at Mountain Vista, will be representing the Santa Paula and Fillmore areas in the County Spelling Bee. Luke won on a class and school level. He then went on to the area bee and competed against 15 other students ranging from 4th to 8th grade. His winning word was “miraculous.”

When asked what he will do to prepare for the County Bee, Luke shared his plan. He will continue to study hard. He is working on languages of origins and learning the different prefixes and suffixes from the various languages. He reads them, writes them, sorts them and records them onto tapes so he can listen to them at night. He tries to find smaller words that are in many of the bigger words. He also likes to remember them in funny and familiar ways. Competitions with his mom keeps it fun.

He and Devon Leon from Glen City School will be going on to the County Spelling Bee on March 8th at CSUCI. The winner of that competition will go on to Washington D.C. to compete in the Scripps National spelling Bee.

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010, 6:00pm-7:30pm
Fillmore Middle School will be having its Open House Extravaganza Wednesday, March 3rd from 6pm to 7:30pm. There will be BBQ dinner available for a purchase of $4.00. Please come and visit with teachers. See Classrooms. Feel the Love! Citizenship/Academic Awards will be given at 5:30pm per student invitation.

Camarillo, Calif., Feb. 23, 2010 – Area residents will have the unprecedented opportunity to hear Dr. Muhammad Yunus, 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom Winner, speak on Friday, Feb. 26, at 4:00 p.m., at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

As founder of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, Dr. Yunus has been instrumental in creating a business model which advances economic and social development through a system of micro loans made to the poorest of the poor. The list of his awards and recognitions is lengthy and the impact of his social business model profound.

As the practice of microfinance evolved over the past 25 years, Dr. Yunus began to engage corporations in joint ventures to invest in social businesses with Grameen Bank. These enterprises, which have addressed economic and social networking for women, and for their families, in third world countries, have brought about dramatic and positive change and are sustainable because they are based on sound business principals rather than philanthropy.

On the morning of Feb. 26, Dr. Yunus will participate in CI’s annual Campus Reading Celebration, leading the discussion of his book, Creating a World without Poverty: Social Business and the Future of Capitalism, which was chosen as this year’s selection. He will also launch CI’s California Institute for Social Business (CISB) which will be part of CI’s ever expanding curriculum. Yunus will serve as mentor and advisor to the program.

At 4:00 p.m., the general public is invited to join students from CI, Ventura, Moorpark, and Oxnard Colleges at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza to discuss social business and the newfound corporate interest in this type of endeavor.

The general public can purchase tickets by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza box office at www.civicartsplaza.com or 805-449-ARTS.

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

CSUCI 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
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010
5:15 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:00 P.M. – SPECIAL BOARD 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 CONTINUED »

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, Calif., Feb. 18, 2010 – California State University Channel Islands (CI) will welcome Dr. Muhammad Yunus, to its campus on Feb. 26, 2010, for its annual Campus Reading Celebration and to launch the new California Institute for Social Business (CISB). Dr. Yunus is the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient.

Included in the day’s activities will be a morning discussion with CI students, faculty, and staff of Yunus’ book, Creating a World without Poverty -- Social Business and the future of Capitalism, led by Dr. Yunus. Yunus will also review a Service Symposium Poster Session from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Broome Library, featuring service projects/events undertaken by CI students, faculty, staff, and community partners.

At 4 p.m. the public will have an opportunity to join CONTINUED »

Mariah Perez

Last week was a successful week for our boy’s basketball team. They played against Villanova and Fillmore Varsity won 55-52. Our JV and Frosh teams also won. Varsity is 2nd in league and their first play-off game will be home Wednesday against St. Paul...Way to go Boys!!! Girls JV and Varsity Basketball played against St. Bonnie and Oaks Christian; both teams lost. Girls Varsity did however tie for 3rd in league and they play their first play-off game Thursday away at Carpentaria. Good Luck Girls and Coach Tafoya!!! Boy’s soccer also had a great week. Varsity beat Malibu 2-0 and Oak Park 3-2. The boys placed 2cd in league...Alright Flashes... JV also played against Malibu and Oak Park. They were able to pull off a win to Malibu 4-2, but lost to Oak Park 1-0. Girls Soccer beat Nordoff 3-2 and lost to Oak Park. Fillmore Pep Squad will be competing this Friday in Las Vegas against teams from all over. Good Luck Girls. "Death and Nicotine" an original play by Fillmore High School Drama teacher Josh Overton, opens Friday, February 26th at 7pm. Other showings are as follows: Saturday, February 27th at 7pm, Sunday,, February 28th at 2pm, Friday, March 5th at 7pm, Saturday, March 6th at 7pm, Friday, March 12th at 7pm, Saturday, March 13th at 7pm.

Ticket prices $5.00 for students $7.00 for adults. All tickets are sold at the door so get there when the doors open at 6:30!

Applications for the Miss Fillmore/Miss Teen Fillmore Pageant are available. The “First Practice” will take place at the Memorial Building on Wednesday, February 24th beginning at 6:30PM. Refreshments will be provided. Questions and answers will also be addressed at that time. Miss Contestants must be a Junior or Senior girl in good standing. Teen Contestants must be a girl between the ages of 13 (by January 1st) and 17 in good standing, but not a Junior or Senior. All contestants must reside within the Fillmore Unified School District boundaries. Applications are available at Fillmore High Schools Student Store, the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce or by contacting Pageant Director Lori McLain at #524-4432.

California Highway Patrol

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is offering a traffic safety program for teenage drivers and their parents. The Start Smart Program is aimed at helping future and newly licensed teenage drivers become aware of the responsibilities that accompany the privilege of being a licensed California driver. The program is designed as an educational tool for parents and teenagers in an effort to reduce the number of teenage injuries and deaths resulting from traffic collisions. Traffic collisions are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds. The primary objective of the program is to provide teens and parents with an understanding of how poor choices behind the wheel can affect the lives of numerous people. The Start Smart program also provides teens and parents with information on defensive driving, traffic laws in California, dynamics of traffic collisions, tips on avoiding traffic collisions, and DUI awareness.

Start Smart classes are free of charge. The next class will be on Tuesday February 23, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ventura Area CHP office. The address for the Ventura Area CHP office is 4656 Valentine Rd. Ventura, CA 93003. For more details or to make a reservation for the class, please call Officer Steve Reid at (805)477-4130.

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 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 CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

The Fillmore Unified School District is seeking qualified candidates for a provisional appointment to fill a vacancy on the Board of Education through November of 2010.

Legal Qualifications: Must be 18 years of age, a registered voter, and reside within the school district boundaries.

Helpful Qualifications: Candidates should be able to commit to attend two to three meetings per month, be familiar with current issues in public education, have prior experience serving on or reporting to a government board, and have knowledge in the areas of finance and budgets.

Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest and include contact information, reason for applying, confirmation of Legal Qualifications, confirmation of Helpful Qualifications, if any, resume or curriculum vitae, and any other background information the candidate may wish to include, by 4: 30 p.m., Monday, March 1, 2010. Materials may be emailed to cpadilla@fillmore.k12.ca.us, faxed to 805-524-6660, or delivered to 627 Sespe Ave., Fillmore, CA 93015, Attn: Superintendent.

A committee of the Board of Education will review all materials for compliance with Legal Qualifications, and the Board of Education will conduct interviews in public of legally qualified applicants on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the District Office. Public discussion of candidates and provisional appointment will occur on March 23, 2010. The appointee will be seated on the Board immediately.

For further information, please contact the Office of the Superintendent at 805-524-6038

Mariah Perez

Last week there were many sporting events that took place at FHS as well as other places. Boys soccer played against Carpentaria and Oaks Christian and lost to both teams. However, they also played against Malibu and Fillmore won 1-0. Fillmore also managed to defeat our rivals Santa Paula score 1-0 and tied 1-1. Girls soccer had several games against Carpentaria, Oaks Christian, and St. Bonnie; sadly they lost to all three teams. Girls basketball lost to La Reina with the score or 50-45 however, Fillmore won Villanova 50-48 and beat Nordhoff 59-55. Boys basketball played Bishop this week frosh and JV lost but Varsity won 60-42. They also played Nordhoff; all three teams lost. Varsity put up a great game with the score of 46-41. Fillmore High School pennies for patients project is taking places so parents give your children some loose change, anything helps. Keep up the good work coaches and Lets Go Flashes!!!

Mariah Perez

Last week several events took place at our high school. Fillmore high school pep squad had a competition and took third out of six. Girls basketball JV and Varsity had a amazing game against Saint Bonnie. However both teams lost by a short amount; JV 44-43, Varsity 55-52. Girls Varsity also had a game against Oak Park, sadly Fillmore lost. Boys Varsity basketball had an awesome week as well taking home three wins against Villanova, Grace Brethren, and our rivals Santa Paula. Way To Go Flashes!!! Boys varsity soccer played Oak park, Bishop Diego, and Malibu: Fillmore defeated all three schools. Great Job Boys! Girls Varsity soccer played against Oak Park, Nordhoff, and La Reina, however; Fillmore lost to all three schools. Fillmore High School also had another movie night Friday with the classic movie Grease. It ended up being a very successful night. Keep up the good work Flashes!

As part of their service learning, second grade students at San Cayetano School raised money to donate to the non-profit organization House Farm Workers. This organization supports the development of safe, decent, and affordable housing for farm workers in Ventura County. On January 29, 2010, Sonja Flores, the coordinator of House Farm Workers, came to give a presentation to the students. As part of her presentation, students were able to view a documentary that portrays the stories of children from farm workers in Ventura County who have moved from substandard housing into the safe and affordable housing that has been developed in Ventura County. Ms. Flores gratefully received the donation for House Farm Workers from the students at the end of her presentation.

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2010
5:15 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:00 P.M. - REGULAR MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
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 CONTINUED »