Monday, June 07, 2004
Monrovia SchoolLink Preview for Wednesday, June 9
There are two meetings on June 9, one at 5 p.m. and one at 7 p.m. Here's an outline of some of the stuff on the agendas, plus some snips from letters I've recieved, below.
~ brad@sacklunch.net
At the 5 p.m. meeting the board will honor some retirees, Monrovia High School student, Kenneth Kalinisan, who has taken a CIF swimming title in the 100-yard breaststroke, the Monrovia High Girls' Varsity Softball Team, which is the 2004 Division IV Rio Hondo League Champion, and ROP ("Regional Occupation Program," or something like that) Outstanding Students of the Year.
At 7 p.m., a whole, brand-spanking new meeting.
The board will thank Student Representative Tiffany Ross for her service to the Board during this school year, honor hotshot "get-em-into-college" counselor Oscar Ibarra as the recipient of the 2004 Los Angeles Dodger/Toyota "Hero of the Hispanic Community" Award, ande will introduce new City Manager Scott Ochoa.
Item 4.2 ~ "Public hearing for items not on the agenda." Your chance to say whatever is on your mind.
Item 6.6 ~ Receive an evaluation report on the district's English Learner programs.
Item 7.7 ~ Hire some folks to do $189,350 worth of painting, and some other folks to do $78,068 of "flooring," for Clifton Middle School. (Whew! Sounds like you could fill a swimming pool with all that paint. But then I guess it also includes labor, so I guess only half a swimming pool.)
Item 7.9 ~ A how's-the-finances report. I'm betting it goes like this: Finances are looking a little bit better but money is still tight and we have to watch every penny and doggone those rapscallions in Sacramento, why don't they give us a few more bucks? [And I can't say that I disagree.]
Item 9.2 ~ First reading (first step of approval) for a new student dress code and "accompanying AR." Ah yes, "accompanying AR." One certainly wouldn't want to forget the accompanying AR! Heavens no! Uhhh. What's an AR? Enquiring minds want to know.
Item 9.3 ~ Consolidate some board policies regarding "Volunteer Assistance to School Personnel."
Item 10.2 ~ Set graduation dates and times.
Plus some other stuff.
CORRECTION ~ From Board Member Bryan Wong: "Small correction. I know that Bruce and I look alike but... Bruce opted not to give a report this week and the report listed for him was given by me." Did I goof up again? Bad Brad!
DRESS ~ Regarding dress at Santa Fe Middle School: "I don't believe that the attire of the female students at Santa Fe is any different than what you'd see at Clifton or Monrovia High. We would ALL like to see every student dressed appropriately for school. There is currently a dress code for the entire district in place, and (officially) a uniform policy for the schools. The uniform policy (which many families opt out of) is not being enforced at the district level. If the principal does not allow a waiver for a student, the parent can simply go over his head to get the waiver approved at the district office. The hundreds of waivers that result from a lenient policy like this make enforcement cumbersome and detract from the learning environment each day as staff tries to enforce different rules for different kids. A dress code is much better, but - again - enforcement takes a lot of time that most schools can't spare. Parents are the key - if they would police their children's choices in clothing, and check them before they left for school, education could again be the focus of each site, as it should be."
HIGH SCHOOL ~ "I agree with Joel Shawn that the high school is on the right track. Just look at the exit exam - 66% of tenth graders passed both tests the first time. This has to be a reflection on Monrovia schools. I believe that there is a lot of negative talk about the high school that is coming from people who do not even have a student at the high school. As for the middle schools, Santa Fe has a wonderful staff. My ninth grader was well educated at Santa Fe and my 7th grader is getting the same education. I am proud to be an involved parent at the high school and middle school. Let's stop with negatives and focus on some positives, and if we need to make some changes lets work together to get it done. Yes I know that the high school is not perfect, but show me a high school that is!"
There are two meetings on June 9, one at 5 p.m. and one at 7 p.m. Here's an outline of some of the stuff on the agendas, plus some snips from letters I've recieved, below.
~ brad@sacklunch.net
At the 5 p.m. meeting the board will honor some retirees, Monrovia High School student, Kenneth Kalinisan, who has taken a CIF swimming title in the 100-yard breaststroke, the Monrovia High Girls' Varsity Softball Team, which is the 2004 Division IV Rio Hondo League Champion, and ROP ("Regional Occupation Program," or something like that) Outstanding Students of the Year.
At 7 p.m., a whole, brand-spanking new meeting.
The board will thank Student Representative Tiffany Ross for her service to the Board during this school year, honor hotshot "get-em-into-college" counselor Oscar Ibarra as the recipient of the 2004 Los Angeles Dodger/Toyota "Hero of the Hispanic Community" Award, ande will introduce new City Manager Scott Ochoa.
Item 4.2 ~ "Public hearing for items not on the agenda." Your chance to say whatever is on your mind.
Item 6.6 ~ Receive an evaluation report on the district's English Learner programs.
Item 7.7 ~ Hire some folks to do $189,350 worth of painting, and some other folks to do $78,068 of "flooring," for Clifton Middle School. (Whew! Sounds like you could fill a swimming pool with all that paint. But then I guess it also includes labor, so I guess only half a swimming pool.)
Item 7.9 ~ A how's-the-finances report. I'm betting it goes like this: Finances are looking a little bit better but money is still tight and we have to watch every penny and doggone those rapscallions in Sacramento, why don't they give us a few more bucks? [And I can't say that I disagree.]
Item 9.2 ~ First reading (first step of approval) for a new student dress code and "accompanying AR." Ah yes, "accompanying AR." One certainly wouldn't want to forget the accompanying AR! Heavens no! Uhhh. What's an AR? Enquiring minds want to know.
Item 9.3 ~ Consolidate some board policies regarding "Volunteer Assistance to School Personnel."
Item 10.2 ~ Set graduation dates and times.
Plus some other stuff.
CORRECTION ~ From Board Member Bryan Wong: "Small correction. I know that Bruce and I look alike but... Bruce opted not to give a report this week and the report listed for him was given by me." Did I goof up again? Bad Brad!
DRESS ~ Regarding dress at Santa Fe Middle School: "I don't believe that the attire of the female students at Santa Fe is any different than what you'd see at Clifton or Monrovia High. We would ALL like to see every student dressed appropriately for school. There is currently a dress code for the entire district in place, and (officially) a uniform policy for the schools. The uniform policy (which many families opt out of) is not being enforced at the district level. If the principal does not allow a waiver for a student, the parent can simply go over his head to get the waiver approved at the district office. The hundreds of waivers that result from a lenient policy like this make enforcement cumbersome and detract from the learning environment each day as staff tries to enforce different rules for different kids. A dress code is much better, but - again - enforcement takes a lot of time that most schools can't spare. Parents are the key - if they would police their children's choices in clothing, and check them before they left for school, education could again be the focus of each site, as it should be."
HIGH SCHOOL ~ "I agree with Joel Shawn that the high school is on the right track. Just look at the exit exam - 66% of tenth graders passed both tests the first time. This has to be a reflection on Monrovia schools. I believe that there is a lot of negative talk about the high school that is coming from people who do not even have a student at the high school. As for the middle schools, Santa Fe has a wonderful staff. My ninth grader was well educated at Santa Fe and my 7th grader is getting the same education. I am proud to be an involved parent at the high school and middle school. Let's stop with negatives and focus on some positives, and if we need to make some changes lets work together to get it done. Yes I know that the high school is not perfect, but show me a high school that is!"
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