Hawthorne Press Tribune The Weekly Newspaper of Hawthorne Herald Publications - Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lawndale, El Segundo, Torrance & Manhattan Beach Community Newspapers Since 1911 - Circulation 30,000 - Readership 60,000 (310) 322-1830 - March 7, 2013 Inside with Job Training, EmploymentSoCal ROC Serves South Bay Students This Issue Calendar...............................2 Classifieds ...........................2 Food ......................................8 Hawthorne Happenings......3 Legals ...............................6-7 Despite having served the South Bay with career technical education for 46 years, the Southern California Regional Occupation Center finds the status of its services and resources in an uncertain situation. Read more on page 5. Photo courtesy of SoCal ROC. • Hawthorne Middle School Seeks Safe Harbor Police Report......................3 By Dylan Little we moving too fast and brushing over key proposed Local Control Funding Formula, At its most recent meeting, the Hawthorne points?” asked Salas. which would change how some educational School Board heard a presentation by The Board members supported Salas’s programs (known as categorical programs) Sports ...................................4 Hawthorne Middle School Principal Rudy methods and said they believe he can bring are funded, and the fiscal cliff, which could Salas on what his staff is doing to bring his up the student body’s standardized test scores. significantly impact education programs in campus out of Program Improvement and raise Board member Cristina Chiappe said that California. These issues have made it nearly both test scores and student achievement. Salas with the support of the teachers, parents and impossible for Morgan to assess how much said that his primary goal is to get at least the Hawthorne School District, the Middle staff the District can maintain next year. 89.2 percent of the students to score proficient School could pull its way out of Program “We are so uncertain about the categorical or advanced on the State’s standardized test, Improvement. “When you have all this support funding,” said Morgan. “I am worried that this which would take the school out of Program behind you… it’s doable,” said Chiappe. “You list didn’t go far enough. We sat and looked Improvement. However, because of the gap have a lot of work ahead of you.” very carefully to try and keep staff. I am between the current percentage of students The Board also approved sending out layoff hopeful that at the next meeting, we won’t achieving those scores (57.5 percent) and notices for several teachers, counselors and have additional names on the list… but I’m the goal Salas and the State have for the education coaches in anticipation of budget just not certain.” school, the Prinicipal is investing time in cuts. Superintendent Helen Morgan noted While maintaining teaching positions is Weekend English language learners, socioeconomically exercise. “This had become routine in the last is also a very serious matter and that findingimportant to the Board, Morgan noted thatkeeping the District from financial insolvencythat what was once a rare occasion for theDistrict has become an unfortunate yearlymeeting the “Safe Harbor” goals. This meansthat certain significant sub-groups (such as Forecast would need to make gains that would show few years, which is really sad,” said Morgan. Board has made it very clear to me thata balance between the two is essential. “ThisGeorge Amaya, President of the Hawthornedisadvantaged students, and disabled students) the school is on its way to getting a large and Elementary Teachers Association, said that maintaining positions is important,” said diverse group of students to be proficient or while his group doesn’t blame the Board Morgan. “But fiscal solvency is also important. Friday Salas acknowledges that even making the be spared layoff notices because of a rosier We need to find a balance.”Board member Alexandre Monteiro urgedfor the layoffs, instructors were hoping toadvanced in math and English language arts. Chance of Safe Harbor targets will be a challenge, but outlook after Proposition 30 and Measure CL teachers to stay positive about the notices. he believes that the teachers and students are passed last year. “Because of Prop 30 and He mentioned that rarely does the District Showers up for the challenge. “It’s something difficult, other things that have happened this year, have to cut as deeply as the number of layoff 56˚/47˚ but attainable,” said Salas. “Yes, I know the we thought we saw the sunshine at the end notices would imply. “One thing to keep in mountain is steep, but we can do it.” of the tunnel,” said Amaya. “But apparently-- mind is that history has been on our side,” One way Hawthorne Middle School teachers and at no fault of anyone here--it looks like said Monteiro. “We call almost everybody are working to increase student achievement that sunshine has dimmed a little, making it back…last year we gave notices to 45 teachers is through collaboration with each other and hard for us.” and called 41 back. There are good signs out Saturday instructional coaches. The facility is taking Currently, educational funding is in a state of there. We should stay positive about this. It’s Partly part in professional development and studying flux because of both Governor Jerry Brown’s not a death sentence.” • Cloudy more effective instructors. During first period, D-Fenders Drawing Winnerssubject-area coaches and each other to become 62˚/49˚ teachers work together to examine how their students are doing and how best to reach Congratulations to the following prize Steven Levy them. “This is where we do our data analysis winners for the D-Fenders vs. Texas game Second Prize (Pair of General Admissions and where we establish our best practices,” on March 6: tickets to the game) said Salas. Christine Jensen Enter the second drawing for three Sunday One key concern for Salas is the pace Grand Prize Winner (VIP table and seats chances to win prizes for D-Fenders vs. Sunny would like teachers to find a balance between fan packs) Monday, March 11. To enter, please sendTulsa game on March 13. Entry deadline isfor four, halftime meal and four D-Fendersteachers move through their material. He 67˚/57˚ dedicating too many hours to concepts student Norma Comfort your contact information to pressrelease@ easily grasp and moving quickly over topics First Prize (Two courtside seats to the heraldpublications.com or call 310-322- students might need more guidance. “Are game and two fan packs) 1830. • we moving too slow--painfully slow--or are
Hawthorne 03_07_13
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