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Page 10 September 27, 2018 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
Library from front page
Meanwhile, a new Wi-Fi zone will come to
the Library in the near future. “A renovation
of the east side of the main floor will provide
more seating, work areas and more plug-in opportunities
to recharge or work from personal
devices,” Todd said. On a related technological
note, Wi-Fi users no longer need to ask for a
daily password. A simple “I accept” policy button
is now on the sign-in page. “Self-checkout
machines should be installed by the end of the
year to offer another option for checking out
library materials,” Todd added.
On top of all that is new, the Library will
continue to provide its bread and butter programs
such as youth/adult summer reading, toddler and
preschool storytimes, book discussion groups,
concerts, and computer classes. Arguably the
most popular of all offerings is the annual Author
Fair, with all-day festivities on Saturday, Oct.
20. Former Library Director Debra Brighton
originally devised the concept of the Author Fair
as a way to bring a community book event to
El Segundo. It has grown exponentially since
its inception, drawing well over 600 attendees
from all over the region – not to mention a slate
of prominent authors and poets representing a
wide cross-section of genres.
The three author panels next month will
feature the themes Fact or Fiction? Using
Personal Experience and Research as Inspiration;
Whodunit? Mystery Novelists Confess;
and Multiple Personalities: Fiction Writers
Talk About Character Development. South
Bay author/instructor Pamela Salzman will
also be on-hand for a cooking demonstration
using natural ingredients as showcased in her
recipe book Kitchen Matters.
Among the many notable writers scheduled
to appear is Los Angeles songwriter/producer
Charlton Pettus, who recently published his
first novel, Exit Strategy. His vast musical
resume includes stints with Selena Gomez,
Sinead O’Connor and Junky HL as well as
film and television scoring credits. He is also
the long-time lead guitarist for the band Tears
for Fears.
Other prominent authors on the bill will
include young adult surf-theme novelist Lisa
Freeman; memoir/non-fiction writer Peggy
Grande, who worked with the late President
Reagan for 10 years post-White House as his
executive assistant; and acclaimed young adult
fiction novelist Julie Berry, whose Passion of
Dolssa won the 2017 Michael L. Printz Honor
awarded by the American Library Association.
“We are fortunate to get such top-shelf authors
every year,” Todd said. “It’s a testament to the
great reputation this event has built.”
Additional activities will include author
book signings, an onsite vintage printing press
courtesy of the International Printing Museum
(with carved woodblock images of classic book
covers that attendees can print and take home),
stories, crafts and a family sing-along. “We’re
also encouraging our young readers to dress up
as their favorite comic book character,” Todd
said. “We have members of the non-profit Kids
Can Cosplay coming to the event who put on
an amazing performance art show in costume.
Also the comic book store The Comic Bug
will share a few of their favorites.”
With major events such as the Author Fair,
new and longstanding programs in place,
technological improvements and a commitment
to serve as a conduit for community dialogue,
Library officials see a bright future ahead. “The
numbers reported for cardholders, visitors,
circulation materials, and program attendance
remain strong,” Todd said. “We plan to be a
vital community hub for the long haul…” •
Among several new programs, the El Segundo Public Library recently unveiled a yoga and meditation class at Library Park. (Photo
Provided by El Segundo Public Library)
School Board from page 9
tant; implementation of a Bulldogs, not Bullies
campaign; and staging of monthly safety drills.
On the technology front, ESMS will aim to
develop 1:1 support for teachers and ramp up
technology “boot camps” for staff personnel.
New for the 2018/19 school year on campus:
A modification of the bell schedule to provide
a separate lunch for sixth graders, as well as
the addition of the school safety assistant and
another on-campus counselor.
“As always, our goal remains to provide a
robust educational program for our community,”
Gooden emailed. “We look forward to
a successful 2018/19 school year.”
Post the 50-minute presentation, Board members
made their comments and queried the cadre
of presenters on issues including the parameters
of the school assessment program; differences
between traditional grades and IB grading
rubrics; and the decline in ELA and Math assessment
scores. Board Vice President Nancy Cobb
noted that digesting data filled with educational
jargon and acronyms can be very challenging
for all concerned, while Dr. Bill Watkins added
that he feels ESMS “is truly on the right track.”
Earlier in the meeting, student representative
to the Board Matthew Tritasavit made his
presentation, noting upcoming Homecoming
events at El Segundo High School. After he
spoke, El Segundo Unified School District
Superintendent Dr. Melissa Moore introduced
a short Chevron “Fuel Your School” video that
featured Richmond Street School teachers Celia
Plotkin and Helen Barnstone and some of their
camera-loving students. El Segundo Unified
School District teachers have consistently
applied to the program and been able to fund
numerous classroom projects.
The Chevron program launched in 2010 and
has funded more than 48,000 classroom projects.
Plotkin, a kindergarten instructor, has utilized
past funding from Chevron to “revive STEM
items.” She has recently worked on flexible
seating for her classroom, with Chevron funds
utilized to acquire new tables and different
types of chairs for her students. Teachers can
seek future funding by posting their projects
on or after Sept. 30 this year.
Amongst the consent agenda items passed by
the Board were three athletic-themed events,
including an Eagles’ Nest Sports Day; and two
trips for El Segundo High basketball teams to
travel to December holiday tournaments prior
to embarking on league play.
Members of the Coach Derek, Inc. staff
will visit the high school campus on Oct. 8
and 9 to introduce Eagles’ Nesters to a variety
of sports on the fields. The girls varsity high
school basketball team will be participating
in the Temescal Canyon Tournament that will
take place Dec. 26-29, while the boys varsity
hoopsters will compete in the Linfield Christian
tournament during the same time frame.
Among the action items approved Tuesday
evening: an updated job description and salary
scale for the District Chief Business Official
position. The current CBO, Susana Aceves,
has announced her retirement. Dr. Moore said
she hopes to fill the position, which starts at
an annual salary of $160,000 plus benefits, a
soon as possible.
Moore said it was “with a heavy heart” that
she was bringing the pending Aceves retirement
to the Board. Aceves has worked for the District
for more than eight years. Moore pointed out
that the District has an aggressive timeline in
place to find the new Chief Business Official,
with the position opening officially yesterday.
She added that the hope is for the position to
be open for qualified applicants for “three or
three-and-a-half weeks,” with interviews culminating
by the end of October. The timeline
involves bringing the selected candidate to
the Board for approval at the Nov. 13 meeting,
with the new CBO starting Dec.1. This
will allow the new hire to work with Aceves
for approximately one month prior to the latter’s
retirement. Aceves will still work with
the District post-retirement, for the next five
years, putting-in 20 days a year in exchange
for continuing health benefits.
Prior to the meeting, Aceves emailed, “I have
been so privileged, honored and grateful to work
with such an amazing team all my years in the
ESUSD. It is a difficult time because I love my
job, but I am retiring to take care of my parents.”
There were no information pending action
items on the agenda. Moore quickly noted upcoming
District events, including tonight’s Vaping
and Tobacco Parent Presentation that begins at
6 p.m. in the El Segundo High School library.
Board members then reported out, with Dr.
Jim Garza talking about the importance of trust
in the professional learning community; of
gathered data portraying “a snapshot in time;”
and evincing his concerns about the possible
fit of the IB Programme at ESMS in meeting
expectations and benefiting all students.
President Emilee Layne touted the upcoming
Homecoming activities and gave her thoughts
on the IB Programme, saying “I am not ready
to admit that it is not right for us yet. I think
we are getting somewhere.”
The next regularly scheduled El Segundo
School Board meeting is set for Tuesday evening,
Oct. 9, with the open session being called
to order at 7 p.m. in the District boardroom,
located at 641 Sheldon St. •
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