TorranceTribune The Weekly Newspaper of Torrance Herald Publications - Torrance, El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, Hawthorne, Lawndale, & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 2, No. 27 - July 5, 2012 Inside Families to Torrance BeachSunny Days and Breaking Waves Beckon This Issue A Student’s Perspective......................11 Business & Professional ...................13 Calendar.......................... 3 Classifieds .................... 14 Crime Reports ................ 4 Crossword/Sudoku....... 14 Directory of Advertisers .................. 11 Faith................................. 3 Food................................. 7 People ............................. 2 Pets................................ 12 Politically Speaking ....... 5 Real Estate ..............15-16 Smile Awhile .................. 2 School is out and families across the South Bay are taking advantage of the summer weather to spend a relaxing day at the beach. Photo by TerriAnn Ferren. Sports .............................. 6 Local Student Earns Valedictorian TerriAnn in Torrance ..... 2 Honors in Nontraditional School Setting The Wheel Deal ........8-10 By Cristian Vasquez e-mail. All teachers work from centralized the student and also with the family and the Up and Adam ................. 6 For Angelica Pronto, graduating valedic- offices and hubs, under the supervision of parents to ensure that everyone is on the torian was a goal she had established for a principal or other administrator. Due to same page and that we not only talk about herself years before high school. Earning the virtual nature of the academy, students the process and how things work, but how her 4.41 grade point average was the result are constantly reminded that teachers are we can make things better for everyone,” of a commitment to earning the highest aca- just a phone call away. Dombeck said. “Every student, parent and Weekend entered Capistrano Connections Academy. our advisory staff work very closely with teacher goes through training before it allSee Valedictorian, page 6“Our teachers, our administrative staff anddemic honor in high school and working toachieve it since seventh grade, when she first Forecast I always knew that I wanted to attain that Volunteers Looking for Help“When I joined Connections Academy, follow in the footsteps of my mom who Building Bocce Courts achievement,” Pronto said. “I wanted to Friday was a valedictorian as well.” By Dylan Little to the City and are instead relying on tax-Unlike traditional schools where students Patchy and teachers meet in a classroom for several The Friends of Torrance Exceptional Ath- deductable donations. Volunteer Bob Chiota Fog Academy teachers work directly with each construct three handicap and elderly acces- the project and see the benefits not onlyhopes the community will be generous withletes (FTEA) is looking to raise money tohours a day, at Capistrano Connections 74˚/63˚ student and their parents (learning coaches) sible bocce courts on an unused basketball for older residents and special athletes, to develop an individualized learning plan court at Columbia Park to provide a safe but for all of Columbia Park’s visitors as that provides instruction while evaluating and convenient place for Torrance’s aging, well as for anyone looking to save money assignments. physically challenged and general populations on their taxes with a donation. “This is a Saturday “All of our students are working from to a sport dating back to ancient times. The win-win-win initiative,” said Chiota. “Dig Patchy working virtually with a fully qualified and $60,000 to create three unique bocce courts deep. I mean, please be generous.”Bocce is a staple of FTEA’s athletics,group hopes to raise between $55,000 andthe comfort of their own home--they are Fog credentialed teacher,” teacher at Capistrano at Columbia Park. Before setting off on this especially for older athletes who are no lon- 73˚/65˚ “That means that the teachers are better able courts in the South Bay and found that all sports such as soccer or basketball. Bocceger able to participate in strenuous contactproject, FTEA surveyed the existing bocceConnections Academy Leslie Dombeck said. to individualize the curriculum. We are able of them were inaccessible to wheelchairs provides them with many of the benefits to tailor our instruction to more one-on-one and treacherous for crutches and other of the sports they can no longer play, such Sunday All of our students receive the curriculum at illumination in case matches run a little past and building self-esteem. Chiota says theas staying active and healthy, being socialmobility-impacting afflictions--and few hadtutoring or smaller group instruction as well. Mostly home and then they are doing lessons live sundown. They then found a possible loca- game can be played by anyone, regardless Sunny live lessons. That is similar to the teacher layout for their courts that would be free bound and the blind. Currently there areof disability, including the wheelchair-tion and designed a more accommodatingwith their teachers in something we call 75˚/66˚ being in front of a classroom except that of steps and provide illumination. The only over 50 athletes participating in FTEA’s they are doing it virtually.” hurdle left for the group is funding. They bocce program. Instruction and administration are both are hoping to build these courts at no cost See Bocce, page 4 conducted via the Internet, by telephone and
Torrrance 7.5.12
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