A Report to our Community - May, 2007

May, 2007

A Message from Superintendent, Dr. George Mannon

Spring is definitely in the air. May brings a whole sequence of events that are a testimonial to the hard work of the staff and students for the past 8 months. Indeed, it is a busy month: We will begin with the North Area Music Festival on the 2^nd at North High, and the West Area’s will be held at West High on May 22^nd. On May 9^th, the PTA Council’s annual brunch will take place at the Torrance High gym. This day is also when California honors its teachers and nurses for their character and dedication. It is very pleasing to note this spirit of appreciation as the Board of Education has adopted May as the National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and has proclaimed the week of May 20-26 as Classified School Employee Week. I appreciate the efforts as well as the recognitions being brought forth.

This month also brings the opportunity to display many achievements. I am proud to report that on May 18, Casimir, Richardson, and Hull Middle Schools will be awarded Distinguished School honors at the Disneyland Hotel for their dedication to education and to the community. At the high school student level we will see Achievement Awards presented at North High School on May 23, at South High on May 24^th, and at Torrance High on May 30^th, and as these testimonials of success are occurring, students will continue to demonstrate their efforts as the AP exams are taking place.

Torrance Unified School District is always grateful for the support of its business community. On May 11^th, the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce will present its annual State of Education Luncheon at the Torrance Hilton. This is a great event when awards and recognitions are presented, demonstrating the collaboration and focus on education. It is also where much of our staff has a good opportunity to enjoy a guest speaker, and meet with many of the local businesses and Adopt-a-School partners who so generously support us in so many ways.

Many have suggested to me what a relief it must be to have a reached a decision regarding the Hull Middle School relocation. Although I am pleased with the outcome, the actual relocation process is just beginning. On April 17^th we held an Information Night for parents of students who will be involved in this transition to the Levy campus. This was a good evening where much was clarified, and I believe, a positive exchange. Dr. Stabler and I are also continuing to visit the various schools presenting to the community the desperate needs that TUSD faces regarding facilities. A calendar listing is shown on our website. I would like to encourage everyone to attend one of these presentations to gain a better understanding of our facility needs, allowing us to better support the students, programs and future of Torrance. Along financial lines, during this month we will be reviewing very closely Governor Schwarzenegger’s budget revisions in preparation for the June budget presentation.

As anyone can see, we are always moving forward and there is always much to report. I want to encourage all to log onto our website at www.tusd.organd sign up for our e-news. We hope this new tool allows everyone in our community to feel better informed. In closing, I want to thank all of you for your contributions and affirm the need of this support. Thank you for all you do.

Funding and Budgets

Update on the State of California’s 2007-2008 Budget

Ms. Terry Anderson, Director of Legislative Services for School Services of California provided the Torrance Board of Education with an overview of answers to TUSD’s primary concerns expected to be addressed in this legislative session. This is to include preservation of Proposition 98 funding, equalization funding, increased funding for special education programs, local flexibility in categorical funding, and adequacy and equity funding for public education. She explained the statewide Adequacy and Efficiency Studies regarding public education funding were recently released, and the findings indicated not only that public education in California is underfunded, but that the system is also affected by the state’s convoluted funding structure. She said the system itself needs to be reformed in order for increased funding to be effective. In a recent presentation, Ms. Anderson stated the legislative analyst’s forecast for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 budget years includes some bad news: revenues are down by $2 billion, and expenditures are up by $825 million. The forecast appears to brighten beginning in the 2009-2010 budget year, when Proposition 98 funding will come under the “Test 1” formula, which would guarantee education funding at 40% of the State’s budget (copies of the Adequacy and Efficiency Studies can be found at http://irepp.stanford.edu/, which also includes executive summaries of the studies). Ms. Anderson stated that just as health care and prison reform are the top priorities for this year, the Governor will declare 2008 as the year of education reform. She indicated these studies are the behind the scenes work being done in preparation of education reform becoming the focus of future budgets. Currently, reduced funding has been greatly affected by the passage of Proposition 13 when funding moved from local property taxes to the state, removing the power from the local level on what will be spent on education in their own communities. In addition, California has a volatile revenue source due to our dependence on personal income tax. Although many districts would appreciate having more local control, Ms. Anderson explained that the problem is multi-layered, and would require restructuring the funding system. Currently, local districts have very limited control, do not have the ability to make money or to change their revenue limits, and are non-profit enterprises.

TUSD is awaiting the Governor’s May revise to see if the state shortfall projected for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 budget years will affect our District. The current outlook is that the budget will be pretty much status quo due to the Proposition 98 guarantee in that there will be money to fund growth and COLA, but no new programs. A push will apply in the areas of special education and mandated costs.

A word about Permits for out-of-District Students

Many members of the community have inquired about the issuing of permits allowing out-of-District students to attend TUSD schools. There are many benefits for the Torrance community. The funding the District receives from the state is on a per pupil basis. Fewer students equates to less money, affecting the District’s income and its ability to afford quality teachers. Allowing permit students into our schools enables us to maintain stable enrollment levels in a time when many districts in the state are suffering from declining enrollment, and thus, reduced funding. TUSD is working on new ways to accomplish enrollment projections so that our District can plan for enrollment fluctuations.  This reduction in funds can greatly affect the recruiting and retention of staff because of the inadequate pay structure. Several of our neighboring school districts are currently dealing with declining enrollment.

Curriculum Updates

New History/Social Science Instructional Materials have been adopted for Grades K-8

TUSD is always interested in ensuring that its students receive the best materials possible to assist in their education. Whenever new instructional materials are being considered for adoption, they are first carefully reviewed by a steering committee made up of teachers, staff, and parents.  New History/Social Science Instructional Materials have been adopted for Grades K-8 that allow for various means of delivery, includingsoftware that is menu driven and relatively simple to learn. In addition, all materials will be available in black-line masters for teachers opting not to use the computer. As is customary, the District provides extensive training when implementing new instructional materials, including utilizing the middle schools’ Professional Learning Collaboration time to customize training for each sites’ faculty.

With this new program, students will have the option of receiving either the CD for home use, or an online password that they may use for internet access to the program either at home or on public computers such as those available at city libraries. All editions are specific to the state of California.

The curriculum committee has seen a great deal of excitement about the new text from teachers. It anticipates that most teachers will look forward to introducing the new materials. Costs for the new materials will be covered by monies received by annual apportionments from the state for instructional materials. The total cost of this adoption is $947,000.

The following new course outlines have been approved

French 3 Honors – In this course, students will be able to read, critique, and analyze a variety of reading materials, and utilize them when writing research papers and completing various independent and group projects. The course will be conducted exclusively in the target language and will include a comprehensive final exam. It is intended to meet both the University of California and the California State University requirements as an honors foreign language course.

Web Design and Advanced Web Design are one-year courses designed for students in grades 9-12 and 11-12 respectively. Students will be introduced to college and career opportunities utilizing computer technology and software as their tools. Students will learn the HTML language and be able to design layouts in such language that is W3C* compliant. Students will develop college level research methods, writing formats, and documentation, expanding analytical thinking and problem solving skills. In addition, students will learn to communicate effectively and professionally with outside “project clients,” upon authorization from the school and District administration.

*The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) develops interoperable technologies (specifications, guidelines, software, and tools) to lead the Web to its full potential. W3C is a forum for information, commerce, communication, and collective understanding.

3D Modeling and Animation is a one-year course designed for students in grades 9-12. Students will be introduced to college and career opportunities utilizing computer technology and software as their tools. Students will learn a basic understanding of the skills and techniques employed by 3D designers in a wide range of applications. Students will explore basic mesh and NURB modeling, applying textures and materials to 3D objects, lighting, animation, and rendering. Students should have a good basis for further study in architectural, engineering and theatrical modeling, and video game design.

Facilities

District’s Facility and Asset Review Committee Update

The committee continues to visit sites, but at his recent visit to South High School, Board member Al Muratsuchi was particularly inspired by the sense of ownership students and staff showed for their school. He reported they had prepared a CD for the committee documenting the worst facility problems on the campus, and will be posting it on their website for the South High community to see. Mr. Muratsuchi suggested this would be an excellent way for other sites to reach the community, so that everyone will understand the District’s needs. He said he was shocked by the condition of the facilities at South High School, who received limited benefit from the previous bond, citing the deplorable condition of the boys’ locker room as one example of the school’s inability to appropriately host school events such as visiting athletic teams. He encouraged all sites to actively educate their neighborhoods about facility conditions, and the need to take more pride in their schools.

Presentations to Discuss Facility Needs

Dr. Mannon, TUSD Superintendent, and Dr. Stabler, Deputy Superintendent, are visiting various corners of the community informing the public on the District’s facility needs. Although some meetings have already taken place, the following upcoming presentations still provide an opportunity for all members of the community to become better informed of the District’s needs. The materials presented reflect the District’s needs and are not site-based.

**  Joint meeting

Edison Elementary is Working with the Torrance-South Bay YMCA to Grant a 3-year Lease for Child-Care Facilities

At the beginning of the school year when a survey was issued, Dr. Richard Newman, Principal at Edison Elementary found lack of child-care services to be of great concern to Edison parents. With that, and after considering space, the Torrance YMCA and TUSD will be entering into an agreement for a 3-year lease of public property from the Torrance Unified School District at the Edison Elementary School site for placement of a relocatable building for preschool and before- and after-school daycare programs. The building process would take place during the summer months. This extended lease is TUSD’s recognition of the benefits to the community of facilitating needed childcare programs, along with consideration of the YMCA’s excellent reputation in this area.

Programs at TUSD

Summer School: TUSD will conduct summer school from June 27 through July 27, 2007 for grades 1-8, and June 27 through August 3, 2007 for high schools. Classes will be provided for identified remedial students, grades 10 through 12, in Mathematics, Reading, and Written Composition. Continued skill support classes will be held for students not meeting grade level standards.  An extended year program will be conducted for special education students and an enrichment program will be conducted for Gifted and Talented Education students entering grades four through eight. Also, a core summer school program will be provided for middle school and high school students in Instrumental Music, Pep Squad, Drill Team, Leadership, and Academic Decathlon. In addition, enrichment classes will be available for high school, middle school, and elementary school students through a fee-based program offered by Marymount College. A summer athletics program will be offered at each comprehensive high school.

Green Team: For the past 13 years, ExxonMobil, the City of Torrance and the Torrance Unified School District have offered a summer work program called  “The Green Team” for 40-45 students within the City of Torrance and the school district. Green Team participants are between the ages of 15-18, at least sophomores in high school, and must have passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). The 2007 program year is from June 25 through August 2, 2007.

Safe Schools Ambassador Program: North High will implement the Safe School Ambassadors Program at North High School. Selected students will attend a two-day training to learn about the program, and how to recognize and diffuse situations on campus before problems arise. The Safe Schools Ambassador Program additional costs will be covered through a grant from Kaiser Permanente.

North High will implement a Teleparent program:  The goal of this program is to improve communication with parents through daily, automated telephone messages about student behavior, performance and achievement.

One hundred South High School Marine Science and Physics students and 40 faculty and staff members will participate in the Sixth Annual Boat Races at El Camino College on Thursday, May 31, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. Student teams will select a “navigator” (staff member) and build a boat applying principals of physics, engineering, math, art, and teamwork and using only paper, wood glue, and paint. The boat will be large enough to hold a teacher/administrator who will paddle the boat in a race across El Camino’s swimming pool.

TUSD and the Torrance Business Community

Thank you to American Honda

At the last Board of Education meeting, Mr. Erik Wedin of American Honda Motor Corporation presented the District and West High School with funds from the American Honda Technology Grant Program. A check in the amount of $72,312 was presented to support the District’s new Technology Enriched Algebra program, and a check in the amount of $44,000 was given to Dr. Tim Stowe, Principal at West High School for the development of a standards-based multimedia program, including the purchase of multimedia equipment. Mr. Drew Hettinger, teacher at West High School, authored the grant application. Dr. Love authored the District grant. Other high schools are encouraged to also submit under Honda’s technology program.

TUSD Making a Difference

Magruder MS Participates in Operation Gratitude

Letters and packages collected at Magruder Middle School for US troops deployed overseas helped accomplish Operation Gratitude’s goal of sending 50,000 wonderfully enhanced Patriotic Care Packages, containing snacks, toiletries, entertainment items and letters. For more information, see www.operationgratitude.com. Congratulations to the Magruder community for their thoughtfulness and patriotic spirit.

Celebrate Retirees and Golden Apple Recipients

On June 1^st, from 4 to 7 pm, a reception will be held at the Toyota Meeting hall at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center for this great celebration. Please RSVP to Bobbie at x2552 by May 18^th if you wish to attend. Cost is $30 per person

CALENDAR

Main Navigation

• Front Page
• Board of Education
  • Members
  • Regular Meetings - Agendas & Minutes
  • Special Meetings - Agendas & Minutes
  • Board Policies
• Contacts
• TUSD Press/Media Contact and News Video and Articles
• Save Our Schools
• Calendar
• Current Job Postings
  • Certificated Administrator
  • Certificated
  • Classified (Nonteaching)
• Administration
• Mission Statement & Strategic Plans
• Departments
  • Accounting & Payroll
  • Administrative Services
  • Child Welfare & Attendance
  • Educational Services
  • Food Services
  • Health Services
  • Information Technologies
  • Human Resources
  • Maintenance & Transportation
  • Material Support Services
  • Personnel Commission
  • Purchasing
• Map, History & School Boundaries
• Schools
• Preschools
• Elementary Schools
• Middle Schools
• High Schools
• Adult Education
• Energy Assistant
• Educational Links
• Teacher Services
• TUSD Teacher of the Year
• Community News
• Community Advisory
• Press Releases
• Health and Wellness
• Accountability Reports
• Archives

Top