EL SEGUNDO HERALD February 16, 2017 Page 15 Da Vinci from front page included a colleague of Los Angeles educator Croft, who was also interested in creating a school to serve at-risk students. Da Vinci offered Croft, a Master’s candidate in School Leadership at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, a fellowship in 2015/16 during which time she apprenticed with Da Vinci leadership and staff and received input from key stakeholders in education, business and homeless/foster youth providers to help shape the concept for a new charter school called RISE (which stands for Revolutionary Individualized Student Experience). “Kari wanted to apply for this grant—and along with Da Vinci’s network, we helped bring together an all-star team of educators, industry professionals, nonprofit leaders and students to design the model and write the grant,” said Wunder. “The application itself was an exceptional planning tool and responding to the questions could only accelerate and extend the school design process.” Croft pointed out the importance of the program to address the major obstacles faced by homeless and foster youth unable to obtain credit in an educational system that places a premium on seat time. “Research shows that homeless and foster youth are 87 percent more likely to leave high school before graduating,” she noted. “The traditional high school models often do not account for the unique and extensive needs of impoverished, homeless, and other types of at-risk students. We believe this mastery/ competency and real world-based school will meet disconnected young people where they are and help get them to where they need to go to be successful in school, career and life. If successful, this will serve as a replicable model for other organizations to implement in other high-need counties.” Funding for RISE will be allocated over a five-year period and used in three major categories—personnel; start-up costs for technology and facilities; and wraparound items such as counseling, health and wellness, housing, and job placement. While Da Vinci will craft the academics as well as offer the academic portion of the program locally, RISE itself won’t be located on the new Wiseburn campus at 201 N. Douglas Street in El Segundo. It will co-locate with social service providers outside of Wiseburn and an MRC will cater to the needs of the most at-risk students. Currently, a small Da Vinci RISE (Da Vinci Flex) serves just under 30 students at the Del Aire Campus. The first resource center outside of Wiseburn boundaries will open this August. “We believe Da Vinci RISE can meet the needs of a variety of students, including those who need to recover credits, are highly motivated and wish to accelerate their progress toward a high school diploma and/ or college degree, have medical needs, are athletes or have a wide variety of extenuating circumstances that require flexibility of schedule, or are interested in incorporating extended work experiences into their education,” said Croft. Organizers believe that targeting social service provider locations at school sites will allow students to identify a “home” base—so those students can feel empowered and see their needs prioritized. Rather than mandating traditional fixed campus school hours, RISE will provide “flex scheduling” to allow students to meet personal needs and fulfill work, familial and other responsibilities outside of schools. “Each student will work with an Education Team comprised of teachers, parents/guardians, counselors and other supports to create a Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) including a schedule that combines learning experiences in a way that best meets his/her individual needs,” said Croft. “RISE will offer an extended school day, week and year to ensure each student has the time and support of a consistent, stable environment to meet his/her individual needs. Under this system, students can also progress at their own pace.” The RISE Board of Trustees (under the helm of Da Vinci Schools Board President Chet Pipkin) consists of several prominent community and business leaders. On the academic side Croft will serve as Principal, with RISE co-founder Eric Whalen as Assistant Principal. Wunder will also play a large role, as will Wiseburn Superintendent Dr. Tom Johnstone. “Since the inception of Da Vinci Schools in 2009, both Wiseburn Unified School District and Da Vinci Schools have shared a passion for serving marginalized students who face many obstacles to receiving an excellent education,” said Johnstone. “The XQ Super School Project gives Da Vinci Schools the necessary time and resources to establish a model program that others can learn and benefit from. Wiseburn’s interests in this endeavor are in helping Da Vinci Schools to remove obstacles and barriers so the talented members of the RISE High School staff can fully dedicate their energies to serving these students. In the end, if RISE High thrives and is as successful as I know it will be, we all benefit and all of society wins!” • Brady from page 5 24 first downs. The Patriots converted a total of 37 first downs in the game, while Atlanta managed only 17. In the end, it was Brady standing there on the podium once again, raising the Super Bowl championship trophy in one hand and his Super Bowl MVP trophy in the other as red, white and blue confetti fell from the NRG Stadium ceiling in Houston, Texas. “We’re bringing this sucker home!” an elated Brady shouted to thousands of Patriots fans who had just finished watching their quarterback make history. Brady and the Patriots didn’t hold a lead in the game for one minute before the first overtime in Super Bowl history began. Yet, when the coin flip landed in the Patriots’ favor, everyone knew what was about to happen. “Just play every play,” said Patriots receiver Julian Edelman. “Play every play.” By not giving up and playing every play, the Patriots rattled off 31 consecutive points, with an absolutely ridiculous catch by Edelman added in, to eventually win the game. The Falcons had their chances to ice the clock. They were up by 25 points. Instead of simply running the ball, though, they kept giving Brady and his offense chances. When running out the clock was key, the Falcons ran the ball four times in the second half as they watched their more-than-three-touchdown lead slowly disappear. “When they got hot, it was hard for us to deal with,” Falcons head coach Dan Quinn explained after the game. The Patriot defense stepped up to rattle Matt Ryan and the offense converted time and time again to exhaust Atlanta’s defense. New England gave the Falcons the first half. The Patriots shined, though, in the minutes that mattered most. Now that the game is over, it’s easy to look back and realize that the Patriots did what the Patriots always do. Whether you love the team or you hate them, whether you’re tired of seeing them win or have just come to expect it, Brady did what Brady always does. Bill Belichick also did what Belichick always does and the Patriots did what they have now done more than any other team in football history. Tom Brady wasn’t going to let his team lose. A 25-point deficit just led everyone to believe that he had no other choice. Brady accomplished the unbelievable. He did what no one possibly thought could be done. With a win in Super Bowl LI, Tom Brady made history and ascended to the ultimate level of greatness. Even if you hate him, you’ll always be able to look back and say that you had the chance to watch the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. Super Bowl LI was his greatest performance. – Asixlion@earthlink.net • School Board from front page computer science, it is of great importance to stay safe online and steer clear of the many threats provided by the new age of technology. The students, including Shrenil Sharma, Carson Doering, Hayden Crabbs, Ben Kooper, Nolan Young, Chloe Stonecipher, Gabby Desch, Tomas Martinez, Michelle Dell, Nikki Fulcomer and Joseph Karrer, have already conducted five workshops for District elementary school students. Their unique and innovative program has earned the students an invitation to consider attending the 2017 PLTW Summit that will take place in Orlando, Florida in October. Sharma and Doering made the group’s slick presentation to the Board, talking about the connections they have made with elementary and middle school students because they were engaging them not as teachers, but as “kids teaching kids.” Echoing the Board member support espoused for the budding young engineers, Superintendent Melissa Moore emailed prior to the meeting that she was “extremely proud of the students involved in the program. These young men and women are involved in creating something truly original and special.” She noted how they “embody the entrepreneurial spirit that is necessary for the workplace of the future,” and commended them for “actively taking a leadership role and mentorship of our elementary students.” Nilsson then gave her short report about events at El Segundo High, with Cadman then congratulating the El Segundo Police Department for a victory over their brethren at El Segundo Fire Department at a charity basketball game that took place on Sunday, and raised more than $4,000 for the Ed! coffers. Cadman also reminded those in attendance and watching at home of the annual Guys Night Out festivities set for next Friday at the Beach City Baseball Academy. Farris and his team’s presentation revolved around monies allocated to school districts for a five-year period that began in the 2013-14 school year. The funds came from the passing of Prop 39, which was termed the California Clean Energy Jobs Act. The presentation, which also included work by Director of Maintenance and Operations Alfredo Perez along with Mike Rosalez, District Energy Specialist, noted that the District “is estimated to receive up to $686,000 over the course of the five years, with as much as $475,000 estimated as still available to the District.” The Board members were informed of past expenditures of the Prop 39 funds, including the employment of an energy consultant firm to “implement energy management software and identify long-term opportunities for energy savings,” and the creation of the District’s Energy Education Specialist (Rosalez) position. The PowerPoint presentation took note that some of the previous funds had been spent on five rooftop and two wall HVAC units at Center Street School that were deemed at the end of their life cycles. The presenters then delineated possible options for the investment of future Prop 39 funds, recommending what they termed Option 4, which involves replacing the HVAC units at Center Street and Richmond Street schools; solar film (a reflective tint for the building windows) at Center, Richmond and El Segundo High; and the conversion of all fluorescent lights to LED lighting, as the remaining funds allowed. Said Farris about the upcoming expenditures: “El Segundo Unified is taking a balanced approach to the use of Prop 39 monies to support job creation and promote energy efficiency, while making upgrades to our facility that benefit students and address aging equipment needs.” Board members President Bill Watkins and Jim Garza, both past principals at the El Segundo High, mentioned concerns about the aesthetics of the possible solar film process on the windows of the iconic campus that has been a Main Street staple since 1927. The final presentation was made by Aceves and included a quote from Governor Jerry Brown that “this year’s budget will be the most difficult that we have faced since 2012. The surging tide of revenues that we enjoyed the past few years appears to have turned.” With California school districts beholden to budget machinations emanating from Sacramento, a reversal of the state’s recent prosperous financial times could severely impact California school districts. According to recent published reports, Brown’s proposed budget earmarks nearly 43 cents of every dollar spent from the state’s general fund to be spent on K-12 schools. Aceves said that “we are going to have some tough times,” and that District enrollment is key in the funding equation for the foreseeable future. She also said that while some have prognosticated a rosier financial picture when Brown details his budget revise in May, she cannot “build a budget on hopes.” Next up were the consent agenda items, of which the members quickly tackled 12 items, including the approval of an Eagles’ Nest Sports Camp; a Richmond Street Elementary assembly; and El Segundo High internship program, partnering with SAGArchitecture and Codesmith. The 11 action items on Tuesday included the agreement to contract with Piper Jaffray and Co. to provide the District with financial and debt advisory services; a consultant agreement with True North Research to assist in the “bond feasibility survey;” and a consultancy agreement with CliffordMoss to “provide the District with strategic assessment, election feasibility and public communication services to assess the feasibility of a school bond measure.” Also on the action item agenda were items authorizing building expansions at both El Segundo Middle School and Center Street Elementary, revolving around the purchase of six modular buildings to increase classroom capabilities at both sites. After a couple of information pending action items, Moore highlighted the District’s informational calendar, including the always popular President’s Day Holiday on February 20, and a Board of Education Budget Workshop that will take place on Saturday, February 25. Board reports followed, with the members lauding the efforts of the El Segundo High School Cyber Education Initiative Club, and Moore expressing her admiration for the young engineers who are “doing something beyond textbook learning.” The next regularly scheduled School Board meeting is on the docket for Tuesday evening, February 28. •
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