UPCOMING OFFERS FOR HELP OR FOR GIVING:

WRITER’S WORKSHOPS FOR COLLEGE BOUND

STUDENTS WRITING PERSONAL ESSAYS TO OPEN

HOUSE FOR TEACHERS AT THE MARITIME

MUSEUM; ALSO DONATIONS NEEDED FOR

THANKSGIVING BASKETS

----------NEED HELP WRITING YOUR PERSONAL ESSAY FOR YOUR COLLEGE BOUND APPLICATIONS?????????????:

SCARED TO DEATH TO WRITE YOUR PERSONAL COLLEGE BOUND ESSAY?

FEEL A BIT INTIMIDATED & DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY?

THEN COME PULL YOUR ESSAY OUT OF YOUR HAT AT A SERIES OF WRITER’S WORKSHOPS BEGINNING THIS OCTOBER AFTER SCHOOL AT SAN PEDRO HIGH!

Date: Oct. 22, Thursday, (and for several Thursday’s thereafter)

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Where: College Center/San Pedro High

What You Will Do During This Time:

· --Craft essays right in the workshop

· --Learn what to put in and to take out of your essay

· --Discover ways to write that are less torturous and painful

· --And several more secrets to writing

What You Need to Bring:

· --An unused memo notebook to write in (one you must allow to go home with the instructor)

· --Your IPOD/MP3 player/

· --Pens

· --Yourself

SCHOOL TEACHERS RECEIVE SPECIAL OPEN HOUSE AT THE MARITIME MUSEUM

The Los Angeles Maritime Museum will be holding its third annual "Teacher Open House" on Monday, October 19th at 3:00pm. Local teachers are invited to drop in anytime between 3 and 4:30 to tour the Museum, pick up curriculum information, learn about field trip opportunities, and enter for a chance to win free bus transportation for their class! Teachers of all grades are welcome. Please RSVP to 310-548-7618.

Marifrances Trivelli
Director, Los Angeles Maritime Museum
Berth 84, Foot of 6th Street
San Pedro CA USA 90731
310-548-7618
310-832-6537 (fax)

-------------JUSTICE FOR MURDERED CHILDREN SEEKING HELP TO MAKE THANKSGIVING BASKETS FOR FAMILIES

As Thanksgiving approaches Justice For Murdered Children begin to think of giving and bringing comfort to families in Los Angeles County that have lost a loved one to murder. In previous years it has been one of our commitments to provide Thanksgiving Dinner Baskets to these families in hope that it will help them get through the day in the mist of their loss. This year with the economy being as bad as it is we fill we have an obligation to help these families at least with Thanksgiving Dinner. Our small gesture is just a small way to let them know that they have not been forgotten.

Justice for Murdered Children needs your help in sponsoring a family for Thanksgiving, each family basket can be purchased for a mere $30.00. JFMC is committed to providing a minimum of 50 Thanksgiving Baskets for families living in Los Angeles County that have lost a loved one to murder. It is only through your generosity and love that we have been able to help families of murdered victims feels the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Any assistances that you can give, such as, $30.00 or more for the purchase of the baskets, turkeys, can goods, and other non-perishable items would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made:

On Pay Pal on our website at www.jfmc.org

Or

By mail to: Justice For Murdered Children (JFMC)

24564 S. Hawthorne Blvd., #201

Torrance , CA 90505

For more information call 310-738-4218 or email victimvoices@yahoo.com

MATH TEACHER’S INQUIRY RECEIVES QUICK RESPONSE FROM LAUSD SUPERINTENDENT; WHY IT’S IMPORTANT

By Diana L. Chapman

The word failure rattles everyone bones. So when Los Angeles Unified School District placed our San Pedro High campus – along with twelve other “underperforming” schools – on a so called “focus” list, a math teacher bubbled with anger.

As I told you last week, this San Pedro High teacher –  who one student defined as an instructor who went out of his way to help his kids -- challenged the LAUSD school superintendent that the campus was not at the bottom of the barrel -- in fact not even close. 

Despite that, San Pedro High along with Gardena High, and several other schools were put on “a focus list” which now opens the doors for outside operators, such as charters and non-profits, to bid to run those schools while competing with the district.

Too many of us here in San Pedro, the so-called focus list spelled out failure – and some parents, teachers and staff took it personally. 

“Can you please correct the perception that you created by (1) placing

one of your top schools on a list known in the news as "the failing

schools" list and (2) your statements in the press by making clear

that San Pedro High is not one of the most underperforming schools in

either LAUSD or LD8, but that you hope to help take us to greater

heights?” Richard Wagoner wrote to Cortines. “On behalf of the staff, students, parents and administration. It would be most appreciated.

And if you are in town, please stop by and say hello. I would love to

show you some of the great things we do.”

As far as I know, Cortines has not made an appearance at San Pedro High School – and perhaps he should. But he did surprise some of us with a quick response to the Wagoner letter. The district, he explained, will offer further support to improve the schools on the list, so they can compete against outside operators.

In addition, Cortines and the school board make the final decisions on who runs any of those ailing schools – or the 24 new schools included in the “public school choice.”

Cortines responded to Wagoner:

“Recent events and misperceptions regarding our announcement of “Focus Schools” have caused me to clarify my position in promoting and providing an enhanced learning environment for a number of our schools,” Cortines responded. “Let me assure you that in my public correspondence and media interviews regarding this subject I have always stated that the purpose of this process is about providing our schools with the appropriate support to develop and implement plans that meet the needs of our students. At no time did I disparage San Pedro High School or any other school listed as part of our “Focus Schools.”

Furthermore, I’d like to reiterate that being classified as a “Focus School” should not be viewed as a negative term. Instead, I want us to work together to identify strategies that can help our schools overcome the challenges that they are facing. It will take all of us working together to help our students reach their highest potential.”

The superintendent also clarified that San Pedro – or any of the high schools on the list, which also included, Maywood, Lincoln, Garfield and Jefferson, as well as three elementary and three middle school campuses were not necessarily failing, but not improving quickly enough.

I wrote last week that it all smacked of politics to me. San Pedro High has had severe overcrowding issues, inconsistent leadership over the past several years, and the former principal, Bob DiPietro, charged that the staff resisted change before he left after a two year stint.

The new principal, Jeanette Stevens, however, who stepped into the post in August, has vowed with her “excellent” staff and students to revamp and overhaul teaching strategies so they can beat all – if any competition that comes aboard. It seems to me the recent action involving the Harbor area school may just be a way to force the staff to work with the new head administrator.

Stevens, a San Pedro resident whose daughters attend LAUSD’s Park Western Avenue Elementary School, has far greater personal reason to improve the overcrowded ailing campus than her predecessors. She wants her children to attend there.

“San Pedro High School is engaging in a process to write a plan that will be successful for students, parents and teachers,” e-mailed Stevens, noted for her networking abilities to bring groups together. “We are committed to hearing community input, concerns and ideas that will continue to enable all students to be college prepared and career ready.

Stevens plans to meet with the community at 6 p.m. Monday (October 19) at San Pedro High School's Auditorium. She also plans to attend the North West Neighborhood Council Meeting Monday and the Central Council on Tuesday, both at 6:30 p.m.

In the meantime, district officials said all 12 of the campuses that were targeted with the “Public School Choice,” which allows outsiders to compete for the schools will receive additional support from the district.

Linda Del Cueto, the superintendent of Region Eight, which includes San Pedro and Gardena high schools, explained that district staff members will come in to

help guide the development of a new plan, facilitate focus groups and ensure that all “the stakeholders are involved.”

“We will work closely with the schools throughout the duration of the plan writing and implementation,” she e-mailed. Students and parents across the board at all the focus schools probably feel as though they are left in limbo. Honestly, they are as no one knows what the future holds for these schools. Outside organizations – such as Green Dot Charters may or may not – offer to take them over in this revolutionary change in the school district’s history that allows other entities to step up and attempt to takeover these public schools. But personally, at this moment, I’m glad one courageous math teacher demanded clarification from the superintendent. We needed that.

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LOS ANGELES SCHOOL'S SUPERINTENDENT RESPONDS TO SP HIGH MATH TEACHER'S COMPLAINTS ABOUT CALLING THE SCHOOL A FAILURE; AND LONG TIME RESIDENT JOHN OLGUIN HONORED WITH A MONUMENT

LAUSD SUPT. RESPONSE TO MATH TEACHER

September 30, 2009


Richard Wagoner
Math Teacher
San Pedro High School

Dear Richard,

Recent events and misperceptions regarding our announcement of “Focus Schools” have caused me to clarify my position in promoting and providing an enhanced learning environment for a number of our schools. Let me assure you that in my public correspondence and media interviews regarding this subject I have always stated that the purpose of this process is about providing our schools with the appropriate support to develop and implement plans that meet the needs of our students. At no time did I disparage San Pedro High School or any other school listed as part of our “Focus Schools.”

Furthermore, I’d like to reiterate that being classified as a “Focus School” should not be viewed as a negative term. Instead, I want us to work together to identify strategies that can help our schools overcome the challenges that they are facing. It will take all of us working together to help our students reach their highest potential.

Understandably, concerns have risen in response to your school being named a “Focus School.” Let me be clear, your school’s presence on the list does not automatically mean that a charter school, a non-profit organization, a group of teachers or anyone else will take it over. Being on the list simply means you need to make progress and at a faster rate. I know that in working together we can make it happen and you have my commitment of support from my office and the Local District Superintendent’s office during this process.

I also want to be clear that I support your new principal, Ms. Jeanette Stevens, as she works to accelerate the improvements at the school. Furthermore, although the review process we have developed in response to the Public School Choice Board Resolution will start soon, nothing will happen this year.

Sincerely,

Ramon C. Cortines

San Pedro Rotary Club Unveils John Olguin Citizen of the Century Monument

Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 10:00 AM

(San Pedro, CA) The public is invited to join the San Pedro Rotary Club at the unveiling of the “Citizen of the Century” monument commemorating San Pedro resident Johh Olguin’s decades of service to the community of San Pedro and the City of Los Angeles.

Where: Point Fermin Park entrance – corner of Gaffey & Shepard Streets

When: Saturday, October 10th at 10:00 am

Speakers: Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn

San Pedro Rotary Club President Robert Wolfenden

Citizen of the Century Monument Chair Anthony Vulin

Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn will be at the event to recognize Mr. Olguin on behalf of the City of Los Angeles for his contribution to the community. John Olguin truly embodies the Rotary Club’s motto, “Service Above Self.”

Mr. John Olguin served the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department for 50 years in the Aquatics division. His many accomplishments include: Co-founder of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the establishment of the Point Fermin Marine Life Refuge, and past president and charter member of the Cetacean Society.

He is considered the local “father of whale watching” and “Mr. San Pedro”. He was given a Lifetime Achievement award by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe. For 55 years, he raised the funds and coordinated the Cabrillo Beach Fourth of July fireworks.

“It’s a great honor to be receiving this recognition from the San Pedro Rotary,” said Olguin. “The location of this monument means a lot to me. In the 1970s I saw that this piece of land was collecting trash and needed attention. I got people involved to landscape and beautify it.”

The Rotary worked with local government for many years to find the right location for the monument. The small triangular median, noted for its large anchor, at the corner of Gaffey and Shepard Streets was selected. Considering the breadth and depth of Olguin’s community contribution, it’s no surprise that he was instrumental in improving this very spot.

The San Pedro Rotary Club is a service organization. Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio.

HERE'S MY TAKE ON WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH SAN PEDRO HIGH PERHAPS OTHERS SHOULD WEIGH IN AND LEAVE AN EMAIL OR A COMMENT ON THE BLOG

By Diana L. Chapman

The Los Angeles school district last week placed San Pedro High School – my son’s campus -- on the list of 12 campuses that can now be taken over by outside operators for failure to improve.

Since Ryan goes there, I quickly assessed the real meaning, and as usual, it comes down to this: “It’s all politics ma’ dear.”

Putting that into perspective, I don’t believe for a second that San Pedro High School is one of the worst in the district. It’s not the best either and has definite issues, not all caused by the school. For example, its overcrowded (a problem the district created) and has more than ten percent of its students drop out (a problem society created.)

Some of the staff, however, have become entrenched and are not engaging their students. We are on the third principal in less than six years. An enthusiastic Jeanette Stevens – the new principal who accepted the post in August – had little idea that the school would be placed on the nicely-named: “focus list,” along with Gardena, Garfield, Maywood, Lincoln and Jefferson high schools.

The LAUSD school board, this fall, opened the door to allow non-profits to go after 12 underperforming schools – and 24 brand new schools – while competing against Los Angeles Unified’s own staff, a competition the board believes will prompt improvement amid its most ailing campuses.

Without using the words, the focus list seems like a hit list of campuses that failed its students with low test scores and more than 21 percent of its students unable to cope proficiently with English or math. That district’s action can possibly trigger a bidding process – so to speak -- for outside operators – charters and non-profits – to take a shot at running any of the schools on the list.

Stevens and her crews can also compete which is exactly what the principal plans to do – and win.

I have a theory about why this has happened to our school of 3,375 students. But first, let me start with Richard Wagoner, a caring, San Pedro High math teacher, who charges the district’s mathematical equation remains incorrect and that he was demoralized when his phone rang off the hook with friends “wanting to know how I could work at such a lousy school.”

He disputes, for instance, that while the API (Academic Performance Index) went down last year, the school has increased by 40 points the year prior and maintains overall one of the highest math scores in the district that can compete with other nearby district high schools, including Torrance.

 “Yet in interviews you continue to give the impression that we are a failure,”

Wagoner wrote LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines. “Whether this is by design,

statements out of context, or accident,  the facts are so easily obtained and so

obviously opposed  to this impression. Unfortunately, perception is reality, and you

are  hurting us by continuing to spread this perception.”

Here’s what I think in a nutshell and I know not everyone will agree: San Pedro was classified this way to force the staff to work closer with the new principal – as relations between the staff and top executive year’s past were: frozen, locked up, stale-mated, going nowhere, burned up, lambasted.

The former principal, on his way out, left a scathing letter behind that the staff refused change. That may be so, and now the ball is in the hands of our new principal, who should I say has her hands full.

Whatever plan offered by outside agencies, Stevens and her crew will have to beat out other proposals that come forward – if any.

Cortines and the school board have the final say on who will run the school.

Stevens, known for remarkable team-building skills, nurturing of students, and bringing her staff together, crusades that she’s already has an excellent staff in place and that they are teaching. The students are willing to learn and what the school needs to discover is a fresh approach in the “the art of teaching.”

“Clearly, we’ve got to make it better for the kids and keep their interest,” she explained adding that “we are going to win that contract or whatever it is.”

Many things piled on top of each other making it difficult to manage San Pedro High. For example, it has about 1,375 students more than it was built to handle. The leadership became a revolving door and then came the real slam: the school received about a D rating during the accreditation process.

But Teresa Feldman, whose child attends Hollywood High School, said she sees the most recent action as a way for the district to transfer the blame.

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“I love how SP High School's administration is being put on notice to clean up their act, when the real problem stems from the District's policies that lead to serious overcrowding,” Feldman emailed.

“You can't cram all of these students onto campuses and expect anything but warehousing to take place. No adult would be able to function in the working world under these conditions, but the District assumes these children will not only function, but thrive. I hold out hope for the new principal in her endeavors, but overcrowding is a tough obstacle to overcome.”

She added that as soon as the district opened Bernstein High School near to Hollywood High – and 1,000 students transferred to the new school – Hollywood had the highest “jump in API scores in the district this year.”

I also had three emails – at least two anonymous -- suggesting San Pedro High dump the district and become a charter.

That did surprise me. Starting up a charter means a process. Teachers have to be re-interviewed to keep their jobs and the outside operator has to decide whether it wants to become an independent charter – one that operates under its own policies with its own school board – or a dependent charter.

A dependent charter keeps LAUSD as its school board and also continues the staff benefits.

When my husband heard the news about San Pedro, let’s say he wasn’t thrilled. I, on the other hand, have faith in the new principal and still believe this most recent action was done for one reason -- to give the district a way to break the ongoing stalemate.

Only time will tell us who gets to say checkmate.