Lawndale Tribune AND lAwNDAle News The Weekly Newspaper of Lawndale Herald Publications - Inglewood, Hawthorne, Lawndale, El Segundo, Torrance & Manhattan Beach Community Newspapers Since 1911 - Circulation 30,000 - Readership 60,000 (310) 322-1830 - August 25, 2016 Lawndale Elementary School District Provides Summer Program for Students LESD’s Realizing Amazing Potential program (RAP) has partnered with Choose Health LA (CHLA) and LESD Master Gardener Kris Lauritson to provide meaningful opportunities for students to learn in the garden. After a summer of taking care of the Billy Mitchell garden, students held a farmer’s market where they sold their organic and chemical/pesticide-free produce for donations to members of the Lawndale community. Photo provided by LESD Wiseburn School Board Targeting 2016-’17 With New Programs and Staff By Haleemon Anderson As the summer months wind down, the Wiseburn School Board is focused on the 2016-’17 school year, with new hires and an aggressive new initiative designed to give each student an optimal educational experience. At last week’s board meeting, Superintendent Tom Johnstone introduced new principal Alberto Paredes, who will take the helm at Juan De Anza Elementary on August 29, the first day of school. Paredes was previously principal at Clyde Woodworth Elementary in Inglewood Unified. Johnstone said that after a national search, the board was very happy to find a candidate from the community. Paredes thanked the board for the opportunity. He expressed his faith in the district, saying his children go to school here. “Once [my wife and I] had our son, the school district became very important overnight. That’s when we moved to Wiseburn.” Deputy Superintendent Chris Jones reported on the curriculum and intervention initiatives. Three areas were targeted for increased focus and training. They are Common Core: Standards Based Instruction; Technology: Tools For Success and Positive Behavior: Supports for all Students. Jones’ report on “building future ready schools,” has been the intense focus of the board over the past year. To that end, this summer 17 staff members were trained in “cognitively enhanced education techniques.” Johnstone further elaborated on the initiatives by phone, saying this programming allows for individualized, personalized instruction, usually right in the classroom. Students don’t have to be sent to a specialist down the hall or at another site. “So every kid can get the maximum amount of intervention,” said Johnstone. With the Tools for Success initiative, the goal is to incorporate technology into curriculum as an integral component, not an afterthought or accessory. Jones also reported that upgraded security cameras have been installed throughout the district. He said that one of the first things new parents want to know is, “How is your security system?” Dan Smith addressed the board on behalf of a large group of parents unhappy with the board’s decision at the last meeting on July 21, to suspend use of the district ball fields. Smith is president over Hawthorne National Wiseburn Little League. He expressed great concern with the board’s action, saying “the other side of the story” should have been heard before the ruling, which effectively interrupts the Fall Ball schedule. Several parents also expressed grave concern, saying that other local Little Leagues run similarly to District 37 and had not received such harsh sanctions. The consensus among the group is the board’s decision has unfairly targeted District 37, and further, the kids are being most affected by the lockout. Board President Israel Mora responded, saying reinstatement of field privileges is contingent on the league providing an audit and holding an uncontested election. Vice President JoAnne Kaneda expressed concern that the Board’s role in Little League may be obscured. “Our function is schools and education not Little League,” she said. “They have a responsibility to use our school fields properly, and we need to let the community know what constitutes a proper use of our fields.” Representatives from Johnson Controls provided an update on Proposition 39 initiatives. The state-sponsored grant provides funding for energy efficiency equipment and clean energy jobs at schools and other education agencies. Johnson Controls is a leading manufacturer of HVAC equipment and control devices and is advising the district on the best use of the grant, for improvements at all eight Wiseburn sites. The agency is looking at current inefficiencies and fluctuations in energy usage. Proposed upgrades will replace existing controls with smart thermostats that can be monitored and controlled remotely to decrease heating and cooling fluctuations and human error. Johnson is also looking at installing solar energy devices and trying to mitigate costs associated with the three DaVinci entities being housed as one unit come next year. By phone, Superintendent Johnstone clarified that Wiseburn is in the fourth year of the five year funding window. Upgrades to older systems, mostly lighting, heating and cooling have to be completed before remaining funds can be used to invest in solar projects. Director of Facilities Planning Vince Madsen updated the Wiseburn construction project. The $160 million multi-high school project is nearing completion with the main instructional building scheduled for completion in June of 2017. Phase two, the pool, gymnasium and athletic field, is expected to have comments back this week from the Department of State Architects. Madsen said he anticipates approval and will bring those plans for Board approval in November. Johnstone said that pre-packages are already out and official bidding will finish in October with phase two construction scheduled to complete in December of 2017. Kaneda reported that Boeing will partner with DaVinci to install an aerospace mural at the new high school. Dr. Matthew Wunder, founder of the DaVinci schools is spearheading the art installation. Kaneda said the project will draw on the creativity of [district] kids and teachers, and will provide an opportunity for community outreach. Chief Business Official Dave Wilson reported meeting with the district’s attorney on compliance with the 200 Physical Education minutes requirement. Johnstone said PE is the only subject the state of California mandates the amount of classroom time that must be adhered to. Schools have flexibility in scheduling 200 minutes over each two-week period, but can be subject to liability if found non-compliant. In September, the Board will return to its regular twice-a-month meeting schedule. The next meeting of the Wiseburn School Board is Thursday September 8, at 6 p.m. • Inside This Issue Certified & Licensed Professionals.......................4 Classifieds............................3 Community Briefs...............2 Food.......................................5 Hawthorne Happenings....3 Legals.............................2,6-7 Pets........................................8 Sports....................................4 Weekend Forecast Friday Partly Cloudy 70˚/62˚ Saturday Partly Cloudy 70˚/62˚ Sunday Sunny 74˚/64˚
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