Provided by Meggie Hogan,
Development Assistant/spcaLA
This cute quartet of two dogs and two
cats will give those looking to adopt their
next pet some awesome options. Each of
them is available at the spcaLA South Bay
Pet Adoption Center at 12910 Yukon Ave.,
Hawthorne, CA 90250. To learn more, call
310-676-1149.
Bobby (19-03587): 6 Years Old/Domestic
Short Hair/Male
“I’m Bobby, a handsome and laid-back
kitty looking for my Friend for Life. I am
super snuggly and make the best biscuits
around. Come check meowt and I know
you’ll want to take me home! https://spcala.
com/adoptable/pet/?ss=19-03587
Latte (19-03691): 1 Year Old/Domestic
Short Hair/ Male
“Hi there, I’m the friendly young boy
known as Latte. The only thing I like more
than eating is snuggling in laps: yours preferably!
What are you waiting for… come down
to spcaLA South Bay Adoption Center and
give me a cuddle today. https://spcala.com/
adoptable/pet/?ss=19-03691
Ash (19-03790): 1 Year Old/Husky Mix/
Male
“How do you do? I’m Ash and I’m ready
for my forever home! I am an intelligent fellow
who loves long walks on the beach and
treats, of course. If I sound like the perfect
guy for you, then stop by. I know you’ll
fall for me! https://spcala.com/adoptable/
pet/?ss=19-03790
Jenny (19-04080): 2 Years Old/Hound
Mix/Female
“I’m Jenny, a beautiful and charming girl
who would love to go home with you. I
am sweet and energetic, the perfect match
for just about anyone! I would love to find
a place in your heart, so would you be my
Friend for Life? https://spcala.com/adoptable/
pet/?ss=19-04080 •
Page 8 May 2, 2019
Featured Pets of the Week
Latte Jenny
Bobby Ash
Wiseburn from page 3
“not teaching to the test,” but teaching the
students what they need to know. The hope
is to build a foundation where the students
take ownership of their learning, with creative
partnerships in the classroom that will further
teacher efficacy, ramp up personalized learning,
and foster ongoing professional development
for teachers.
In her time at the presentation podium,
Maano reflected on her journey towards
participation in the CGI program, evincing
her excitement about the new instructional
opportunities, allowing “students to become
the teachers.” She was effusive in her praise
of the CGI-based initiative, citing how “this
is a journey that we are all taking together.”
She said she embraced the cross-curricular
tenets, “learning from each other,” and noted
how she was excited that “this is a journey
that we are all taking together.”
Next up, Wiseburn-Da Vinci Athletic Director
Rogelio Diaz spoke of strides made in the
athletic programs ramping up at Wiseburn
High School, including the exploits of the
swim team, the track team and the baseball
team. Board member Nelson Martinez thanked
Diaz and offered anything needed in terms of
resources that the Board can add as the District
enters the beginning phase of developing the
Long-Range Facility Master-Plan (LRFMP).
Post the Burnett presentation and Diaz
comments, members and District administrators
reported out, culminating with comments from
Superintendent Dr Blake Silvers.
Dr. Neil Goldman recognized the update
from Diaz and the Burnett presentation.
“Very impressive, very inspiring,” he said.
Member Israel Mora spoke of the recent
exploits of the Da Vinci robotics team, with
Vice President/Clerk Roger Banuelos adding
to Mora’s comments, pointing out that the
Da Vinci robotics team had captured a world
championship. Banuelos called the Burnett
presentation “wonderful,” and praised the poise
of fifth grader Farrokh-Sir, who was featured
in the video presentation. He also spoke of
the synergy between the development of the
robotics programs at the elementary schools
with the opportunity for robotics students to
continue participating “at an amazing level”
as they ascend the Wiseburn education ladder.
In her comments, Board President JoAnne
Kaneda said that it was “pretty cool” that many
successful facets of the Wiseburn educational
experience were detailed in the first 45 minutes
of the Board meeting. “Look at what we have
managed to accomplish as a team,” she said,
noting a wide range of accomplishments.
Assistant Superintendent, Educational
Services Dr. Aileen Harbeck reported about
the April 23 District committee meeting
regarding the mandated Local Control and
Accountability Plan (LCAP). The LCAP
dovetails with the state’s new Local Control
Funding Formula (LCCF). Stakeholders were
invited to the meeting, with Harbeck noting
great representation from all school sites,
including teachers and parents, as the meeting
reviewed the current status of compliance with
LCAP metrics.
In his remarks, Silvers read a resolution
touting the work of retiring Maintenance II
worker Edgar C. Sanchez after 23 years of
service. Prior to the meeting, Silvers lamented
the District’s loss of the popular Sanchez,
stating that “he is an all-around great guy.
One call away, a real fix-it guy. And he does
it with a smile, a real sincere person. He is a
tremendous asset to the District, diligent and
quick to find the problem...and the solution.”
Prior to the meeting, Silvers talked of
the LRFMP and targeting improvements in
Wiseburn athletic facilities and libraries. With
much of the construction winding down, he
thanked Facilities Administrator Annie Aung for
overseeing the final portion of the construction
and working through final “punch lists.” He
also spoke about the District gearing up for
graduation festivities, which may be held (if
the logistics work out) for the first time on
the floor of the newly constructed gymnasium
facility at Wiseburn High School. “That’s a
big deal for us,” Silvers said, noting how prior
graduation ceremonies had taken place on the
grass at Dana Field, which he admitted “was hot
as heck.” He said the District was waiting for
floor coverings to arrive that would be utilized
to protect the gymnasium floor during the
set-up and take-down of graduation furniture.
Silvers also mentioned a key agenda item
that would hasten the laying of turf on the
Wiseburn High soccer field. The Board later
in the meeting decided to table any action on
that issue until at least the May 9 meeting. The
agenda item discussed on Thursday evening
featured Wiseburn taking a loan out to finance
the turf field that could end up saving the District
$200,000 to $300,000. Silvers also mentioned
the planned upcoming demolition of the Da
Vinci Connect building on Aviation Boulevard,
with DaVinci Connect being relocated on
District-owned land located behind the Big
5 store on El Segundo Boulevard.
The Board later grappled with what exactly to
do to secure funding for the soccer field, which
has apparently lagged because of issues arising
from the degraded quality of soil on the spot
selected for the field -- as well as cost overruns
related to the construction of Wiseburn High
The Board and Silvers discussed the current
options, with Mora firmly believing that the
“window to build the soccer field is now,”
while hoping work could take place when
the students are out for their summer break.
If the current plan on Thursday evening’s
agenda had been adopted, there was a
possibility that the District would save more
than $200,000. However, Silvers referred to
extenuating considerations that still had to be
adjugated, and he would have a “hard time
recommending” that the Board approve the
current field financing agenda item.
A spirited discussion among the Board
members and administrators ensued, with the
final decision being made to table the item until
the May 9 meeting. Said President Kaneda,
“While we try to be fiscally conservative,
this is something that we need to do. We just
need to find the way to do it. The goal is to
make this work.”
Upcoming District events include late-May
school site open houses, with the next regularly
scheduled meeting calendared for Thursday
evening, May 9. •