November 21, 2013 Page 3 Calendar All Cities Saturday, November 23 • Native American Heritage Month: Black Seminoles and the Underground Railroad by Phil Wilkes “Pompey” Fixico, 2:30 pm, AC Bilbrew Library, 150 E. ElSegundo Blvd. For more information call (310) 538-3350. Monday, December 2 • Free Mean and Fellowship to South Bay seniors and in-need adults, 7:30 p.m. (also Dec. 30), First Christian Church, room 4, 2930 El Dorado St. For more information call (424) 263-4276. Ongoing • Recovery International Meetings, Fridays, 10 a.m., South Bay Mental Health Center, 2311 El Segundo Blvd. For more information call (310) 512-8112. Hawthorne Tuesday, November 26 • City Council Meeting, 6-10 p.m., City Council Chambers, 4455 W 126th St. For more information call (310) 349-2915. Ongoing • Hawthorne Museum open Tuesdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Saturdays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m, Hawthorne Museum, corner of 126th and Grevillea Ave. Inglewood Tuesday, November 26 • Tuesday Family Movie at the Library, 5:30 p.m. Main Library, 101 W. Manchester Blvd. For more information call (310) 412- 5645. Lawndale Monday, December 2 • Angel Tree Lighting Ceremony. 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Civic Center Plaza. Monday, December 16 • City Council Meeting, 6:30 p.m. City Hall, 14717 Burin Ave. Ongoing • Lawndale Farmers Market, every Wednesday, 2-7 p.m., 147th St. in front of Lawndale Library. For information call (310) 679-3306. • Commodities Free Food Program, every Wednesday at 10 a.m., Community Center, 14700 Burin Ave. For information call (310) 973-3270. • Community Briefs STUDENTS URGED TO AIM FOR SUCCESS Lawndale’s Environmental Charter High School’s 7th Annual Career Day keynote speaker and one of Los Angeles’ newest upcoming comics Ron G entertained students with jokes, impersonations and funny personal anecdotes while encouraging them to pursue their passions. G, who earned a dual degree in finance and management, explained that he found professional happiness after leaving the career he thought he was “supposed” to pursue to follow his dream of being a comedian. During last Friday’s “I Am My Own Superhero”-themed event, some 50 local professionals representing a variety of fields – ranging from attorneys, Park Rangers, business owners and entrepreneurs to executives from the corporate, entertainment and nonprofit worlds – met with 9th- through 12th-grade students, most of whom come from households below the poverty line and families who have never attended college, urging them to get a college education, aim high in their postgraduate pursuits and use life’s hardships and challenges as character-building experiences to help springboard them into successful adult lives. COVERED CALIFORNIA INFORMATION SESSIONS The El Camino Business Training Center, located at 13430 Hawthorne Blvd. in Hawthorne, will host two Covered California information sessions. For individuals, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 7-9 p.m. For businesses, Thursday, Dec. 19, 7-9 p.m. The sessions will cover how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will affect your family and your business, new health insurance options, the enrollment process and resources available. The Covered California Sessions are sponsored by Treasurer Elect L. David Patterson in partnership with the Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce and hosted by the El Camino College Business Training Center. For more information, contact L. David Patterson, (424) 262-6176 or LDavidPatterson@gmail.com. • Hawthorne Middle School, Improvements and Setbacks By Dylan Little During its Nov. 13 meeting, the Hawthorne School Board heard a presentation from Hawthorne Middle School Principal Rudy Salas on the campus’ academic performance last year. While last year wasn’t a complete success for the school, the Board was happy to see Salas has a plan in place to improve student achievement. Hawthorne Middle School has seen some minor declines. In English language arts the school has fallen from 52.8 percent proficient (or advanced) to 51 percent. Similarly, in math, the school has fallen from 51.7 percent proficient to 50.6 percent. Another factor in the school’s declining scores is inconsistent subgroup growth. Salas said that year to year, the subgroups targeted for additional help due to declining scores have seen improvement, but typically another subgroup will see losses in their place. Last year, English language learners were targeted, and they improved by 4.3 percent--enough to meet the “Safe Harbor” goals laid out for the school. However, in their place, African American students saw a decline of 7.3 percent. While Salas would like to provide additional resources like increased intervention time and individualized instruction to every student, the time and resources just aren’t available. “Our student achievement has seen a decline in the last few years,” said Salas. “We continue to work on it. There is just a finite amount of time and resources.” Still, Hawthorne Middle School boasts a number of successes. It is home to the highest-achieving seventh grade in the Hawthorne School District with 66 percent of seventh graders scoring proficient in math and 62 percent receiving those scores in English language arts. Additionally, Salas’ school earned a 783 Academic Performance Index score, which ties its 2011 score--the highest the school has earned since API started being measured. Still, Salas says it’s falling short of the goal of an 800 API score. “We have room for growth,” he said. Salas’ plan for better student achievement is built on improving four key areas: school environment, parent involvement, staff skills and classroom instruction. He said the environment at Hawthorne Middle School has been improved by the additional security hired this year and by the efforts of all the staff to foster attitudes of respect and responsibility in the students. Salas noted that the school cafeteria had signs urging students to have and show respect. He also wants students to feel safe to take academic risks and realize failure is part of learning. Classroom instruction is changing at Hawthorne Middle School to include more hands-on work and collaboration between students. Some of these changes are part of the adoption of the Common Core State Standards, but the rest are part of the school’s commitment to new teaching practices, as shown by embracing programs like Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship and its Two-Way Bilingual Academy. Salas is also trying to increase the rigor of the school’s math program and put more students into accelerated math classes. District Superintendent Helen Morgan pointed out that while these new strategies may be impacting the school’s test scores, it’s what’s best for the students. “We knew moving to academies would impact test scores and the impact has been minimal,” said Morgan. “In math, we are also trying to do the right thing by students and that means having to put students in more challenging math classes.” Students aren’t the only ones facing changes. Hawthorne Middle School’s teachers are also being asked to embrace new techniques and to collaborate more with their colleagues. Salas admitted that this is pulling some of his teachers out of their routines, but, he said, they are all willing to do what it takes to improve their students’ educations. “Some staff members are out of their comfort zone, but they are taking it in stride,” said Salas. “I want my teachers to try things if it’s going to help student achievement.” The last pillar in Salas’ plan is increasing parent involvement. In addition to methods used throughout the District, like the Parent Academy or the District English Learners Advisory Committee (DELAC), he plans to engage parents though after-school clubs and sports. Salas also reported that fundraising has been a successful way to get parents involved in helping the school. The latest fundraiser brought in $9,000 for the school to use. Board member Cristina Chiappe said all the changes are helping to shift public opinion about Hawthorne Middle School. She said she trusts Salas and his staff to ensure that students are getting a first-class education. “We are changing the way people think of Hawthorne Middle School,” said Chiappe. “We always have to be promoting what we’re doing for the students. Your leadership and the commitment of your staff shows you know where you’re going.” • Hawthorne Happenings News for the ‘City of Good Neighbors’ From City Clerk Norb Huber Thankful Living Thanksgiving is next week, and we are reminded to be thankful for the many blessings we receive. Every day can be a day of thanks giving in our lives. It is amazing what happens when we say a simple “thank you” whenever we receive something. It’s good when we show gratitude for something someone has done for us. Even the small gesture of holding a door open for someone can be a thankful moment. When we look around and see what God has given to us here in America we can live in gratitude even if we don’t have the newest car or largest house or our favorite team didn’t win the game last night. Hawthorne Chamber Seeks Nominations The Hawthorne Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for the Hawthorne Citizen of the Year award that will be presented during the Chamber’s annual Installation of Officers and Civic Awards Banquet, Dec. 6 at LAX Diner, 11433 Hawthorne Blvd, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. The award is given to individuals who have given outstanding service to the community as a volunteer and through other humanitarian activities, and have helped to build a better community. Nominees must be residents of the City of Hawthorne, or live within the Wiseburn or Hawthorne School District boundaries. Nominations must be in the Chamber office by noon on Nov. 27. Written nominations may be hand-carried or emailed to the Chamber at 12519 Crenshaw Blvd, Hawthorne. Nominations may also be emailed to sfernandez@hawthorne-chamber.com. Thanksgiving and Holiday Baskets If you would like to make a donation to help the families of Hawthorne that are in need this holiday season, you can contact the Presidents Council or the Chamber of Commerce to make a financial contribution to their food and gift programs. You can contact the Presidents Council at (310) 686-5464 or the Chamber of Commerce at (310) 676-1163. Mayor Pro-Tem Angie English also is in charge of “Operation Gobble,” which gives out turkeys. If you would like to contribute to her assistance program, please call (310) 249-2908. There are many families that need assistance during this time of the year. Your generous donation will go to help make the holiday season a little bit better for these good neighbors. Hawthorne Hometown Holiday Celebration The Hawthorne Historical Society will host 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. Holiday Home Decorating Contest The Hawthorne Recreation and Community Services Department announces its annual holiday home decorating contest that has an entry deadline of Dec. 17. If you like to decorate your home’s exterior for Christmas, then plan to enter the contest. Entry forms are available at the Memorial Center or at City Hall. There will be awards given to first, second and third-place winners. Judging will take place on Dec. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m Comments or Questions Please contact norbhuber@gmail.com or 310-292-6714. • Our life is what our thoughts make it. ~ Marcus Aurelius
Lawndale 11_21_13
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