Nine hundred ten students have been named to the Ventura College Dean’s List for the Spring 2009 semester, according to Dr. Robin Calote, college president. To earn this honor, a student must have achieved a 3.5 or higher grade point average (GPA) while carrying 12 or more units. Thirty are from Fillmore and Piru.

Those students so honored are:

Fillmore: Omar Camacho, Shannon Carpenter, Jennifer Chavez, Curtis Cole, Allison Conroy, Eddie Enriquez, Aaron Galvan, Jessica Gonzalez, Bud Gurkweitz, Brenda Hernandez, Bibiana Herrera, Marco Hurtado, Denise Magana, Brian McKeown, Justin Murray, Shihori Nakayama, Michael Pankey, Tania Perez, Amanda Ramirez, Gisela Ramirez, Erika Reyes, Rebecca Reyes, Allison Stuthers-Sanchez, Amy Von Rader,

Piru: Maria Cisneros, Maria Cisneros, Sara Lara, Luis Lechuga, Maria Robles, Leticia Viveros.

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, Calif., Aug. 20, 2009 – California State University Channel Islands will introduce a new course in microfinance beginning fall 2009 available to both the community and CSUCI students. The new course will explore the theory and practice of microfinance; the history, those involved, the impact, and next stages of microfinance around the world. Guest speakers from the most prominent microfinance organizations in the country will be leading each class.

Microfinance started out as small loans that helped the poor start a business, earn income, build assets and move from mere survival to planning for their future. It has expanded to savings, mortgages and many other products. Deutsche Bank estimates that over 100 million poor people have benefited from microfinance. However, $250 billion is needed to enable the billion people who live on less than $1 a day to work their way out of poverty.

The course will be held every other Thursday from CONTINUED »

Fillmore High School’s Back to School Night will be on Thursday, August 27, 2009 from 6:30 – 8:15. All parents and community members are invited to meet the FHS teachers and staff. Meet in the Quad at 6:30. The Cross Country and Girls Basketball teams will host a Fundraiser BBQ Dinner from 4:30 – 6:30 that includes shredded beef, rice, beans and salad. Tickets are $8.00 and can be purchased at the high school or from any Cross County or Girls Basketball team member.

Camarillo, CA - California State University Channel Islands will unveil its new logos at the annual Welcome to CI event scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 23 for incoming students and their families, faculty, and staff. The event will take place on the South Quad of the campus from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Rebranding of the University’s logos began a year ago with the idea of creating a formal logo for official University business and a CI logo for students, something with which they could have a life-long affinity.

“CSU Channel Islands has made significant strides the past seven years in building the campus and stellar academic programs. Branding that achievement was a priority for us this past year. However, in light of state budget challenges, we looked for cost-effective ways the University could re-brand itself as an innovative and forward thinking University and build upon our reputation of providing quality academic programs for our students,” said President Richard R. Rush. CONTINUED »

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

LOS ANGELES/SAN DIEGO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today released the results of the 2009 Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program that show California students overall continue to make steady academic progress in English-language arts, math, science, and history-social science.

“I am pleased and encouraged to see that for the seventh year in a row, California public school students continue to improve,” O’Connell said. “Half of our students are now proficient in English-language arts. This is particularly impressive if you consider that seven years ago, only 35 percent of students met this bar. The improvement trend in mathematics is also impressive, with 46 percent of students now at the proficient or above level.

“California is known nationally for the rigor of our academic standards, and this level of student achievement on our California Standards Tests should be celebrated. It is the result of hard work by teachers, administrators, school support staff, students, and parents. CONTINUED »

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2009
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 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 »

Jeff Sweeney
Superintendent Fillmore Unified School District

Dear Parents,
It is my pleasure to welcome everyone to the 2009-10 school year! The opening of a new school year is an exciting time of the year. It is a time of renewal, of fresh starts. The Fillmore Unified School District teachers, administrators and support staff look forward to meeting you and your student on Wednesday, August 19, as we begin to work together to maximize your student’s academic opportunities.

As always, the weeks of summer are full of activity. Our staff has been busy preparing classrooms, participating on interview panels, repairing and maintaining facilities, teaching summer school, attending workshops that will improve student performance, and all of the other countless activities that help to prepare for a smooth opening day. The efforts of our dedicated employees are evident in all areas of the District.

The 2008-09 school year ended with staff working together to achieve many successes and in some instances, creating opportunities for growth. The following are a few of our accomplishments:

San Cayetano Elementary School participated in a robotics competition and had two student teams finish first and fourth overall. CONTINUED »

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA - California State University Channel Islands will present a lecture series in Entertainment Industry available to both the community and CSUCI students. The series of eight lectures will feature successful and prominent professionals in the areas of film, music, animation, video gaming, and television. Some of the guest speakers will include:

Mark Hartley – Music Manager, Fitzgerald Hartley Co. (clients include Brad Paisley and LeAnn Rimes)
Budd Carr – Film Music Supervisor, Picture Tunes Music Co. (known for his Oliver Stone films)
Neil Portnow – President and CEO, The Recording Academy (The Grammys)
Steve Schnur – Music and Marketing President, Electronic Arts
Don Passman – Attorney: Gang, Tyre, Ramer, and Brown Inc. (clients include Janet Jackson and R.E.M)
Kevin Jones – Former Senior Vice President, Columbia Pictures
**Orly Adelson – President, Dick Clark Productions

The lectures will be held every other Wednesday from 8 to 9:50 p.m. beginning Aug. 26 at CSU Channel Islands, Aliso Hall. Dates of subsequent lectures are scheduled for: Sept. 2, 16 and 30; Oct. 14 and 28; Nov. 18, and Dec. 2. Cost for the lecture series is $150 and tickets may be purchased on-line at: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/77494 or by calling 800-838-3006. Proceeds from the lecture series will support the University’s Entertainment Studies.

For additional information about the lecture series contact Nichole Ipach, Director of University Development at CSU Channel Islands at 805-437-8893 or nichole.ipach@csuci.edu.

Last week's story about the FUSD School Board contained some misleading information. The five Special Education Instructional Assistants' increases in work time were for 2009 summer school, not the regular 2009-2010 school year.

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

SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today announced that California received a $71.6 million federal grant from the Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) State Program as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

“Teachers who effectively use technology to enhance learning are needed to help prepare students for success in the hypercompetitive global economy,” said O’Connell. “I appreciate President Barack Obama’s and Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s support for education technology and thank the U.S. Department of Education for granting California this award. This will certainly help improve the educational experience for California students during these economically challenging times.”

EETT’s primary goal is to improve student achievement through the use of instructional technologies in elementary and secondary schools. Other goals include helping all students become technologically literate by the end of the eighth grade and to integrate technology with teacher training and curriculum development to establish research-based instructional methods that can be widely implemented. CONTINUED »

FUSD is making plans for the 2009-10 school year. Our new school year begins on Wednesday, August 19.
For the first time, we are asking our elementary students to pre-register at their school. All incoming elementary parents and students enrolled at Mountain Vista, San Cayetano, and Sespe should plan on going to your school site on Wednesday, August 12, between 12:00 and 8:00 p.m. These elementary sites will be open to bring in necessary paperwork and receive classroom assignments for the 2009-10 school year.

All incoming elementary school students will receive a summer mailing that will contain the following:
• Enrollment Card (must be returned on August 12)
• Parent Rights Brochure/Sign off (must be returned on August 12)
• Student Residency Questionnaire (optional to be returned on August 12)
• Volunteer Application Form (optional to be returned on August 12)
• Lunch applications (to be returned if qualified)
• Student Injuries and Insurance (informational)
• NCLB Parent Letter (informational)

We hope you have enjoyed this summer with your family, enjoying quality time and resting. We look forward to greeting you on August 19.

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2009

BOARD MEMBER PRADO WILL ATTEND THIS MEETING VIA TELEPHONE FROM
CAMP CURRY IN YOSEMITE VALLEY
SITE 500
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA 95383

6:00 P.M. – SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
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. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet at 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. Conference with Legal Counsel - Anticipated Litigation Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to subdivision (b)(3)(A) of Government Code Section 54956.9 (one potential case) Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release
VI. RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION Any Action From Closed Session
VII. FUTURE MEETINGS
August 4 5:15 p.m. Closed Session – Board Room
6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting – Board Room
August 18 5:15 p.m. Closed Session – Board Room
6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting – Board Room
VIII. BOARD CLOSING COMMENTS AND AGENDA BUILDING
IX. ADJOURNMENT
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Superintendent's Office at (805) 524-6038. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the district to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [In accordance with Government Code 54961 and Board Bylaw 9320(a).]

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 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)
o Update; Direction to District Negotiators (Jeff Sweeney, Evalene Townend, Mike Bush) for negotiations with the Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA), the California School Employees Association (CSEA), Confidential Employees, and District Administration. Personnel Matters
o Superintendents’ Evaluation
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the Superintendent's Office at (805) 524-6038. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the district to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [In accordance with Government Code 54961 and Board Bylaw 9320(a).] CONTINUED »

3rd grade student Jake Saviers and Custodian Jorge Negrette.
Enlarge Photo

Mountain Vista Elementary School would like to thank Moon Valley Nurseries of Piru for their shade tree donation and our custodian for coordinating the contribution. We are so grateful for the shade and beauty the trees have brought to our school. The students are enjoying the birds that the trees have brought and watching the trees leafs change with the seasons.

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, Calif., July 21, 2009 – California State University Channel Islands President Richard R. Rush announced that state budget impacts will be significant for the newest campus in the CSU, as a result of the highly anticipated decisions made by the CSU Board of Trustees today.

Faced with a projected $584 million shortfall to its 2009-10 budget, the CSU Board of Trustees voted to increase student fees effective fall 2009 by an additional $672 annually for full-time undergraduate students, $780 annually for teacher credential students, and $828 annually for graduate students. This increase will be in addition to the $306 annual fee increase for full-time undergraduate students adopted in May. The undergraduate State University Fee will increase from $3,354 to $4,026 per year. Including the CSUCI annual fee of $840, undergraduate students will pay approximately $4,866 per year, which continues to be the lowest rate among comparable institutions. One-third of the revenue from the fee increases will be set aside for financial aid.

As part of a comprehensive, balanced approach to solve the budget deficit – the largest in CSU’s history – the CSU has reached an agreement with the CSU Employee Union to implement employee furloughs at each of the 23 campuses in order to save the maximum number of jobs possible. In addition, the CSU has enacted furloughs for the president and all management personnel. The other labor organizations have not as yet announced decisions as to whether they will agree to furloughs. The budget deficit is the result of the state’s reduced support to the CSU as lawmakers contend with closing California’s $26.3 billion budget gap. CONTINUED »

California State University Channel Islands

WHAT: CSUCI Engineering Day
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, July 24, 2009
WHERE: California State University Channel Islands, John Spoor Broome Library
DETAILS: Engineering Day celebrates the culmination of CSUCI’s four week course entitled Engineering Innovation for local high-school students. The course is a joint effort between California State University Channel Islands, University of California Santa Barbara's MESA program (Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement) and Johns Hopkins University. Professional Engineers will interact with students at Engineering Day festivities to share their insights into engineer careers.

MESA enables educationally disadvantaged students to prepare for and graduate from a four-year college or university with a math-based degree in areas such as engineering, the sciences, computer science, and mathematics. The goal of Engineering Innovation is to interest high school students in a career in engineering.

Approximately 45 students from the local area high schools and students from the CSUCI and UCSB programs will end the four-week program with an engineer panel discussion, the exciting bridge breaking competition, and an awards ceremony. A video of the 2008 bridge competition can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9ziNn2mLsI.

The following is a schedule of activities for Friday, July 24:
· 9:00 AM - informal chat among engineers and students CONTINUED »

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, Calif., July 16, 2009 – California State University Channel Islands’ Biology Program and Extended University have been awarded a $71,203 grant from the CSU Commission on Extended University. The grant award is built on a partnership with CSU San Marcos and San Jose State University and will benefit students in the MS Biotechnology programs among the three CSU universities.

The Commission seeks projects that will support priorities outlined in the CSU’s Access to Excellence strategic plan to meet California’s economic and workforce development needs, increase access to education opportunities by serving broader constituencies, develop alternative instructional delivery systems, and encourage cooperation among CSU campuses.

“We are very pleased to receive this special grant, one that recognizes our leadership role in biotechnology education, and is innovative in coordinating shared online curricula across three CSU campuses,” said Dr. Gary Berg, Dean of Extended University at CSU Channel Islands.

“This is the third CSU Commission grant awarded to our program,” said Dr. Ching Hua Wang, Director of the MS Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Program at CSUCI.

This latest grant will support innovative ways of offering some key courses among the MS Biotechnology programs at multiple campuses and expand access to our excellent curriculum. These professional science master’s programs are completely self-supported and do not receive any state funding. Instead, these programs are generating revenue for the University.”

As project lead, the MS Biotechnology Program at CSU Channel Islands will develop and offer a distance learning format industry lecture series and a group of online biotechnology graduate courses that can be shared by all CSU campuses. Built upon the existing degree programs, the lecture series and the online courses aim to augment and enhance the professional science master’s degree curricula to ensure that the CSU provides managers, scientists, and technologists, education aligned with industry and future societal demands.

The lecture series is intended for graduate students, as well as, for interested professionals on a non-credit basis. Speakers will be drawn from industry throughout the state, as well as nationally and internationally. For further information about the biotechnology programs email biology@csuci.edu or the CSUCI Extended University office at 805-437-2748 or email exed@csuci.edu.

VENTURA, CA - Twenty-four students from creative writing, composition and literature classes have had their work selected for publication in the 2009 edition of the VC Voices. Of more than 100 pieces submitted for consideration, these selections were chosen for the anthology magazine after three rounds of judging by a committee of English faculty. The edition offers a wide variety of themes and genres. The publication is funded by the Associated Students of Ventura College, with assistance of the graphic design department and the on-campus Canon Business Solutions printing facility. The magazine is utilized in more than twenty classes as a teaching tool, and will be available for purchase from the Ventura College Bookstore this month. The winning students’ work was read and the students honored at a gathering in May.

Award-winning works from nine art and photography students were selected to accent the publication.

Editor Jennifer Garcia, English instructor noted that examples of descriptive narratives, argument and research essays, literary analysis and short fiction are all available in the collection. Art styles selected also cover a wide range, including watercolor, pencil drawing, mixed media, photography and ceramics.

Those students so honored are:
Authors:
Camarillo: Paul McClaren (Instructor Jennifer Garcia)
Carpinteria: F. Albert Salinas (Instructor Lydia Cosentino) CONTINUED »