Page 2 December 21, 2017 Wiseburn School Board Holds First Meeting in Douglas Facility By Duane Plank Five weeks after the Wiseburn Unified School District (WUSD) students moved into the glistening new retrofitted building located on Douglas Street, the Wiseburn School Board members held their first meeting in the first-floor room of the new high school last Thursday. The open session, which started at 7 p.m. and ended at 8:45, featured the selection of member JoAnne Kaneda as the new President. Kaneda, who served two terms on the Board from 2001-2009, rejoined the group in 2014. She received her MBA from Drake University and brings her vast managerial skills, sharpened in the aerospace industry, to her new post. Kaneda thanked outgoing President Israel Mora for his contributions and noted the District was in a “time of transition,” as the search for a new superintendent kicks into high gear. She accepted her new position on the Board, saying, “I am honored and a little awed. I look for everyone’s help [in this transition time].” Selected to the Vice President/Clerk position was Roger Banuelos, who thanked Mora for his leadership as the District moved forward with innovative learning programs and shepherded the construction of the new high school. During the members comments portion of the meeting, Mora thanked all involved for the success that the high school has become, mentioning that he wanted to thank District Director of Facilities Planning Vince Madsen for the near completion of construction. Mora noted that he had “walked the streets” on Douglas when the proposed high school was in its blueprint stage. Prior to the selection of Kaneda and Banuelos, the members were privy to three special presentations—with the lengthiest made by Da Vinci School Real World Learning School Director Natasha Morse, focusing on the existing “Real World Learning” programs in place at Da Vinci Schools. Morse noted that the programs provide students with the necessary skills “that can’t be taught within the core academic curriculum through industry partner-supported learning experiences such as project support, internships, mentorship, workshops and tours.” She said that in the 21st Century, students need to develop strong skillsets in critical thinking-problem solving, communication-collaboration, and creativity-innovation. By partnering with local industry professionals, she said, the goal is “to ensure that students are ready for careers in the rapidly changing workforce.” Morse added, “We are trying to bridge the gap between education and employment.” Michelle Rainey, Principal of the Da Vinci Innovation Academy, also presented to the Board, briefly touching on whom the Innovation Academy serves, and how it strives to “create curriculum that inspires students and prepares them for a life of curiosity and learning.” She also shared a video that was put together by academy students, showing the benefits of participating in the DVIA program. Rainey said that her program includes 400 students, which combines campus learning, home-schooling and independent study. The third presentation of the evening was made by a quartet of women who had developed a foreign language survey as they attempt to inculcate the District in a dual-language program, centering on Mandarin and Spanish. The results of the survey, they posited, showed that more than 75 percent of the survey respondents said the addition of “Language Immersion” was an incentive to stay in, or permit into the WUSD. Board member Neil Godman, who has worked closely with the proponents of the Language Immersion proposal, said that “if they are the wave of the incoming parents, boy, we are in good shape.” The balance of the meeting included the Board members making their reports, which mainly focused on the opening ceremony held on December 9, with the members lauding the hard work put in to make the vision of Wiseburn High School a reality. They also got input from Madsen on several of the challenges and costs associated with the facility construction “change orders.” Five days prior to the meeting, the kick-off ceremony at the beautiful four-story edifice went off without a hitch--unless you may consider it a hitch that the 80-plus-degree weather drove some of the attendees to seek cover during the 75-plus-minute opening ceremony, which featured speeches from many of the people who made the state-of-the art campus a reality. The building perched where formerly stood a Northrop Grumman office structure back in the day, on the west side of Douglas Street at 201 North. It officially accepted students as of November 8. The initial construction and retrofitting process has taken two years. Dignitaries who were key players in the project, like Superintendent Tom Johnstone, who will be retiring at the end of the school year; Mora, who has served the District since 2001; El Segundo Mayor Suzanne Fuentes; and Da Vinci Schools CEO Matt Wunder addressed the hundreds of attendees--some who occupied folding seats, fanning themselves from the rage of the unseasonable weather while others sought shelter under the overhang of the building. Mora commented that he has “spent the last 16 years working on the Board, working on the dream of creating a world-class high school for the Wiseburn community,” noting the support of the community in the passing of bond measures to fund the massive project. In his speech, Johnstone thanked all the key players responsible for the new building, mentioning a favorite quote from George Bernard Shaw regarding the “unreasonable man, who adapts surrounding circumstances to himself. All progress depends,” the quote continues, “on the unreasonable man.” “I am proud to say,” Johnstone said, “that nothing we have done to get here today has been reasonable.” The striking utilization of glass was a key component in the architecture of the building, which has more than 70 state-of-the-art classrooms and can house up to 1,600 students along with 200 administrators, faculty and staff. Branded Phase 1 of the sprawling project, the building towers over Phase 2 of the construction, with work continuing to the north of the high school on the El Segundo Aquatics Center, gymnasium and soccer fields. Phase 2 facilities are scheduled to be completed in June, prior to the day Johnstone, whose office is located on the ground floor of the building, packs up his belongings and rides off into the sunset years of retirement. Madsen, who was unable to attend the opening ceremony, but was present at last Thursday’s Board meeting, was front and center Thursday night, answering members’ inquiries and helping them address a lengthy list of change orders for both phases of the continuing project. Post-meeting, Madsen emailed, “Now that we have occupied the school building, the District is working with the construction management firm to finalize the cost impact caused to the project by the loss of the electrical contractor after they went out of business. The District has been challenged on Phase 2 of the new campus with the multiple soil conditions as well. The existing soil conditions have impacted the budget and the schedule to the gym and pool. The District is working on solutions and options to recover time to the schedule and some cost-saving options to help with the budget pressures.” The next regularly scheduled WUSD Board meeting is on the agenda for Thursday evening, January 11. • Top Tips for Selecting Unique Decor Gifts for Everyone on your List (BPT) - As you strive for a happy holiday, do all your gift ideas seem ho-hum at best? It’s a common holiday conundrum: You want to show all your friends and family that you care, but finding the right present seems impossible. If you feel stuck, look for gifts that will enhance the home, because there is truly something for every personality. Skip the candle and coaster set and instead check out these unique, personal items that add fun and flair to any home, big or small. Aquariums: Traditional rectangular aquariums are bulky and cumbersome, but now there are stunning new tabletop options perfect for everyone on your list. The biOrb TUBE 15 aquarium is designed to give a 360-degree view and features multi-color LED lighting with remote control for an eye-catching way to enjoy fishkeeping. The TUBE 15 is also a lowmaintenance gift given its 5-step filtration that maintains a clean, healthy aquatic environment to achieve ideal pH balance. Enjoy the dazzling sight of bubbling water and an impressive light show all year long. Decorative pillows and throws: Winter is the perfect time to cozy up at home, but that tattered old blanket just won’t do. You can encourage friends and family to get some much-needed R&R by gifting them new pillows and a fluffy throw blanket. Fun pillows are available in unique designs that feature different pictures, words or phrases, so it’s easy to find something just right for that someone special. Add a coordinating throw blanket and get ready to cuddle through all of winter’s chilliest nights. Restored photographs: Going for tears of joy? One home decor gift that will tug at the heartstrings is framed photography. A nice portrait is always a great gift option, but this year surprise your loved ones by finding old photography and getting it restored. That photo of Grandpa fishing or of all your aunts as children is sure to bring back memories. Place in a nice frame and it is guaranteed to be an unforgettable gift that will be proudly displayed for years to come. Personalized signs: One of the year’s most popular decorating trends is custom signage. Often made from wood, these signs are painted or carved with your preferred message. That means it can be customized to suit even the most difficult people to shop for. Popular verbiage on a custom sign includes the family surname with an “established” date. You could also include a literary phrase or personal mantra that your loved one enjoys. Because the message is personalized, you can make it perfect for everyone on your list. Himalayan salt lamps: When the holiday festivities are over, it’s time to settle in and deal with Old Man Winter until springtime arrives. The soft glow of salt lamps brings a warmth to rooms on the dreariest days. Made from large pieces of salt, these lamps have an almost rock-like quality with veins of white, pink and peach throughout. Some people claim they also help maintain good indoor air quality and help with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). No matter what, they are a happy addition to any room: bedroom, office or living room. The person who has everything? Check. The hard-to-shop-for teen? Check. The newlywed couple settling into their home? Check. Home decor gifts are great for everyone on your holiday gift list, and best yet, they won’t be like anything else your loved ones receive, making your gift memorable and truly cherished. • Finance The “It’s Only Another Beer” Black and Tan The “It’s Only Another Beer” Black and Tan 8 oz. pilsner lager 8 oz. stout lager 1 frosty mug 1 icy road 1 pick-up truck 1 10-hour day 1 tired worker A few rounds with the guys 8 oz. pilsner lager 8 oz. stout lager 1 frosty mug 1 icy road 1 pick-up truck 1 10-hour day 1 tired worker A few rounds with the guys Mix ingredients. Add 1 totalled vehicle. Mix ingredients. Add 1 totalled vehicle. Never underestimate ‘just a few.’ Buzzed driving is drunk driving. Never underestimate ‘just a few.’ Buzzed driving is drunk driving.
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