November 7, 2013 Page 3 “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ~ Nelson Mandela Op-Ed: ‘Fuel Your School’ Helps Fuel Education By Charles Best, Founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org Thirteen years ago, I began teaching history at Wings Academy, a public high school in the Bronx. My new students and colleagues were awesome, but I could see that the school where I was teaching did not have the same resources as the schools I’d attended. At my old high school, we went on field trips; we had graphing calculators and were given the supplies to do just about any art project. We did not want for anything. Not so for my students in the Bronx. As their teacher, I saw firsthand that all schools are not created equally. My colleagues and I spent a lot of our own money on copy paper and pencils, but we often couldn’t afford the resources that would get our students excited about learning. We’d talk about books our students should read, a field trip we wanted to take or a microscope that would bring science to life. I figured there were people out there who wanted to help our students, if they could see where their money was going. So, using a pencil and paper, I drew a website where teachers could post classroom project requests and donors could choose a project they wanted to support. Thirteen years later, our website has channeled educational materials to 9 million students, the majority from low-income communities and many of whom are learning English as a second language. Our site has connected more than 1 million donors and will help bring more than $55 million in resources to classrooms this school year. This support – from schools, teachers, school districts, community members and collaborations with companies like Chevron – is helping to offset the more than $1.6 billion teachers spent last year on their classrooms nationwide (Source: 2013 National School Supply and Equipment). We’re proud of the calculators, microscopes and books that we’ve delivered to 161,000 teachers across the United States. But there’s still a lot of work to be done, especially in the area of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. While roughly 75 percent of our nation’s high school students are not proficient in mathematics when they complete 12th grade (Source: Association Retail Market Awareness Study), the U.S. Department of Labor projects that 15 of the 20 fastest growing occupations in 2014 will require math or science to successfully compete for those jobs (Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress). To help keep large industries competitive here in select cities in the South Bay portion of Los Angeles County, we need to help our students gain the skills to be successful in the occupations of the future. School budgets are tight. Many teachers, without dipping into their own wallet, do not have access to materials that are critical to improving interest in their classrooms, including in STEM education, to help bring difficult concepts to life for their students. It’s going to take a lot to strengthen teaching models in STEM education and Chevron has been a champion for teachers, including those who teach STEM education, for quite some time. Since 2010, Fuel Your School, an innovative teacher-based program, has affected more than 1 million students by helping fund projects teachers post on DonorsChoose.org. This year, Chevron is bringing their Fuel Your School program to select cities in the South Bay portion of Los Angeles County. For every purchase of eight or more gallons of fuel at a participating Chevron or Texaco station in October, Chevron will contribute $1, up to a total contribution of $500,000 in select cities in the South Bay portion* of Los Angeles County, to fund eligible public school classroom projects posted by local teachers. Through Chevron’s Fuel Your School program, Ms. Hernandez of Kit Carson Elementary School in Hawthorne received a myriad of design and construction materials, which allows her students to gain a deeper understanding of math by showing real world application such as the construction of bridges. In addition to Ms. Hernandez’ project, since 2010, Chevron’s Fuel Your School program has already helped fund 8,915 classroom projects at 1,924 schools in select communities in the U.S. You can make an impact too. Visit www. FuelYourSchool.com to see the materials teachers are requesting in your area and from which schools, and encourage teachers in your participating school district to post their classroom projects today. Right now, we have the opportunity to help more students get the materials they need in their classrooms, including those to help prepare them for the STEM careers of the future. • Hawthorne Happenings News for the ‘City of Good Neighbors’ From City Clerk Norb Huber Election Observations Congratulations to the winners in Tuesday’s election. I look forward to working with the newly elected officials and also those returning to the Council. Thank you to all of you who re-elected me to my second term as City Clerk. About 10 percent of the registered voters cast their ballots. Some of the candidates spent in excess of $10 to $20K on their campaigns. Residents were bombarded with phone calls, mailers, and knocks on their front door from candidates hoping to get their vote. Our street intersections were crowded with political signs. Some business owners removed the signs and then hours later would find more signs popping up on their property. It almost became a game to see which candidate could put up the most signs in some locations throughout the city. Every candidate who ran deserves to be congratulated. Anyone who goes out into the public to present his or her case for election is someone who cares for our city. It takes time, energy and cash to run a campaign, and there are only a few that are elected. Our democratic form of government is on display in our local elections. The people have spoken and have chosen the leaders who will lead us the next four years. Veterans Day What do we owe our veterans? Without their contributions to preserving our freedoms, our country would be a much different place. For all of our problems, for all of the political discord, for the failed rollouts of major health care legislation, we still are the envy of the rest of the world. Veterans know what it means to sacrifice for their country. They know that freedom is not free. They know that it comes with a price. Many of our veterans have suffered physically or mentally due to their service. We salute our service men and women who have served or who are currently defending us this day. Golf on Veterans Day I’m one of the tournament directors for the Pacific Lutheran High School golf tournament to be held at Coyote Hills Golf Club in Fullerton. What better way is there than to spend your day off playing some golf on a nice course with friends and enjoying a great buffet lunch? Please contact me if you are interested in participating. Hawthorne Hometown Holiday Celebration The Hawthorne Historical Society will be hosting a tree lighting and holiday celebration on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This will be the time that Santa arrives in Hawthorne. Children of all ages are invited down to the civic center to enjoy the music, food and activities that evening. Mark your calendars. Historical Society Meeting The next meeting of the Hawthorne Historical Society will be on Monday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Hawthorne Museum. The museum is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is located at 12622 Grevillea Avenue, across the parking lot from the library. Comments or Questions Please contact norbhuber gmail.com or 310-292-6714. • Classifieds The deadline for Classified Ad submission and payment is Noon on Tuesday to appear in Thursday’s paper. Advertisements must be submitted in writing by mail, fax or email. You may pay by cash, check, or credit card (Visa or M/C over the phone). Errors: Please check your advertisements immediately. Any corrections and/or changes in an ad must be requested prior to the following Tuesday deadline in order to receive a credit. A credit will be issued for only the first time the error appears. Multiple runs will only be credited for the first time the error appears. No credit will be issued for an amount greater than the cost of the advertisement. Beware: Employment offers that suggest guaranteed out-of-state or overseas positions may be deceptive or unethical in nature. If you have any doubts about the nature of a company, contact the local office of the Better Business Bureau, (213) 251-9696. Herald Publications does not guarantee that the advertiser’s claims are true nor does it take responsibility for those claims. room, Enclosed patio, 2 car garage w/workshop, $3995/mo. (310) 345-8013. House for Rent 3 bed/2 bath, 1500 sq ft. Newly renovated, hardwood floors, central heat, new appliances, dishwasher, w/d hookups n house, detached garage, close to Rec Park and Main St. available now $3250/month. 323-428-2760 Pet Sitting Local HS student available for pet sitting, dog walking. Call Eleanor 310-709-3707. Seeking Apt for Rent I am reliable, clean, respectful and quiet. No pets. Steady income and great references. Would like to be near the park/downtown 1200 to 1500 preferred. Charles 310-493-1962 Garage Sale Holiday decoration garage sale. 439 Eucalyptus Dr. 7:30-11:30 Saturday Nov 9th. Garage Sale 711 W Acacia Ave. Multi-family yard sale. 8am Sat 11/9. Clothes, glassware, appliances, bikes, books, etc. Furniture. No early birds. Garage Sale 525 E Mariposa Ave, ES. Sat 11/9 8am. No early birds. Toys, girl’s clothing sz 4-6, women’s & men’s clothing, shoes, household & more. Garage Sale BIG. Crafter must retire. Everything goes: jewelry, supplies tools, gifts, seashells, you name it we have it. 311 Sheldon Sat 8-3 House for Rent Eastside 4BD/2.5BA. + bonus Apa rtment For Rent 2 master bd, 2 bath, Townhouse apt. All amenities/appliances. Newer building. $2,300, available late November at 126 Virginia St. ES. (310) 545-2845 Apa rtment For Rent Spacious 2 bedroom/2 bath 519 E Walnut Ave #2. $1600/month. Call owner 310-398-6423. Apa rtment For Rent 1BD/1BA. Large Apt. In ES quiet gated building. W/swimming pool, laundry facility, pond w/ water fall $1,275/mo. No pets. Call Mike at (310) 322-7166. Employment Display Ad Sales Position. We need an experienced Display Ad Salesperson for Herald Publications. Territories include Torrance, El Segundo and Hawthorne. Full or parttime positions are available. 20% commission on all sales. If interested please email your resume to management@ h e r a l d p u b l i c a t i o n s. c o m . No phone calls please. To appear in next week’s paper, submit your Classifed Ad by Noon on Tuesday.
Lawndale 11_07_13
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