A Report to Our Community
November 04, 2007
A Message from Superintendent, Dr. Mannon
Settling into the school year, students and teachers alike have established their routines and continue to work towards their goals for the year with enthusiasm and dedication. In October, all of our schools participated in activities for Red Ribbon Week, reaffirming their pledge to be drug and alcohol free. I would like to express my gratitude to the Torrance PTAs and dedicated volunteers for their continued hard work. They consistently bring wonderful enrichment programs to our schools. In addition, West High School hosted a District-wide College Night, which drew over 1,000 students and parents. I thank our staff for anticipating the needs of our students and providing them with the proper resources for a successful professional life ahead.
California continues to struggle economically, experiencing budgetary cutbacks across the board. Unfortunately this summer’s budget negotiations did not result in any actual changes from the Governor’s initial budget proposal back in January. The State Budget does not allow for any new programs or increased grant opportunities. California is already below the national average in per-pupil spending, ranking 34th among the 50 states. Overall the California economy may see as much as a $6 billion shortfall this fiscal year, resulting in up to a $2.4 billion decrease in education revenue. Though we will not see the effects of this decrease this year, we may experience reductions in subsequent years. TUSD continues to budget cautiously and plan for economic uncertainties. As a District, we are continuously committed to our students’ success, yet to accomplish this, much is needed in the area of facility improvements, which the State Budget cannot accommodate.
We continue to reach successful milestones at TUSD. On October 18th, Edison Elementary celebrated 50 years of serving the educational needs of the Torrance Community. I am proud that our students and staff continue to exemplify the best standards in education and personal growth.
New Staff Appointments
The Board of Education is happy to approve the following administrative appointment:
On October 8, 2007 the Board of Education, in Closed Session, voted unanimously to approve Debra Mrazik as High School Assistant Principal at South High School, effective November 5, 2007. Debra comes to us from the Long Beach Unified School District, where she served for 27 years at Robert A. Millikan High School. During her tenure, she served as Teacher on Special Assignment, Facilitator – Smaller Learning Communities, Program Facilitator – GATE Magnet (QUEST Program), instructor for Vocal Music/English and Theater Arts, and served as coordinator of numerous programs. She received her B.A. at California State University, Long Beach in 1978 and her M.A. at California State University, Long Beach in 1984. We would like to welcome Debra to our District.
On October 22, 2007 the Board of Education, in Closed Session voted unanimously to approve Roshelle Chavez as the new Principal of LAUNCH. Most recently Roshelle had been working with Long Beach Unified School District where she served as Team Leader, Autism in Special Education. She previously served in our district from 1996 through 2006 in various positions, including Resource Teacher for LAUNCH, Program Specialist, and Acting Director of Special Education. We would also like to welcome Roshelle to our District.
Edison Elementary School Turns 50!
In October, Edison Elementary celebrated 50 years of providing educational excellence to the kids in Torrance. An evening full of pizza and a movie brought together family and friends. Edison Elementary commemorated the occasion with colorful T-shirts that were sold by the dedicated PTA members. “Kids, parents, and grandparents, were enjoying themselves. What a great feeling of community!” remarked Laura Graff, 5th grade teacher who joined in the festivities.
Torrance Adult School Offers New and Exciting Opportunities For the Torrance Community
Whether you want to learn how to make a beautiful floral arrangement, learn how to belly dance, or become a certified Pharmacy Technician, Torrance Adult School offers a variety of educational and enrichment opportunities. Now at a new location, Torrance Adult School still offers classes ranging for all ages and activity scopes. Career Technical Education, a new division of the school provides expanded opportunities to existing and potential TUSD employees. These new programs include training for District Campus Security Personnel and completion of CIF/NFHS requirements for District Coaches. The new Hull Adult Education Center is located at 2080 W. 231st Street, Torrance 90501. For more information about any of the programs please visit www.torranceadultschool.com or call (310) 533-4454 ext. 8300.
TUSD Enjoys Successful District-Wide College Night
On October 17, approximately 1,000 students and parents bustled into the West High School Auditorium for the first ever District-wide College Night. Representatives from both community colleges and four-year universities were on hand to answer questions on all aspects of the college admissions process. Workshops also included information on financial aid and how to write a college entrance essay. In a witty presentation, which displayed students representing their respective GPAs, administrators demonstrated how colleges evaluate potential students, by moving them up or down the acceptance line based on other activities they may be involved in. This demonstration emphasized to both parents and students that their entrance to their college of choice is not based entirely on a student’s GPA.
Torrance Fire Department Teaches 5th Graders Fire Safety Tips
During the month of October, Torrance Fire Department visited all elementary schools in Torrance to teach 5th graders about basic fire safety. Firefighters covered everything from how to put a small kitchen fire out to how to get out of a burning building. With the recent fires raging all over Southern California, it is important for kids to be aware of fire safety procedures. Firefighters identified objects that could be the source of household fires like water heaters, dryers, stove tops. They encouraged kids to talk to their parents and develop an escape plan and decide on a meeting place.
Madrona Middle School Science Teacher, Marissa Whitmore Reaches New Heights
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) has selected Marissa Whitmore from Madrona Middle School as one of only 100 Fellows to participate in their New Science Teacher Academy for the 2007-2008 school year. Whitmore has been teaching science at Madrona Middle School for 3 years and is currently working towards her Master’s Degree in Science at California State University, Long Beach. For Whitmore, participation in the Amegen Fellow program allows her the opportunity to collaborate with other science professionals and learn the new trends in science education. NSTA’s mission is “to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all”. Whitmore exemplifies the enthusiasm needed to be a valuable science educator, “this program presents an amazing opportunity to grow as a professional educator. Teaching science brings me so much joy; I can't wait to bring all of the new ideas to my classroom”.
TUSD Middle Schools Visited by the Money Monsters
Simple life skills like writing a check, can often cause frustration to a younger generation used to doing everything through ATMs or online. Enrichment Works, a nonprofit arts-for-education organization based in the San Fernando Valley, teaches children about personal finance and confusing financial issues through a world-class entertainment show called Money Monsters. Through a $10,000 grant from Smith Barney Community Investment, Smith Barney Torrance arranged for five TUSD middle schools to experience the wonder of the Money Monsters. “This is an innovative forum in which we can personally deliver on our mission to promote financial literacy to the future leaders of our local community,” said Smith Barney Torrance branch manager David Calomese. The humorous song and dance numbers address issues of debt, interest rates, and budgeting. For more information on this or other Enrichment Works musicals please visit their website at www.enrichmentworks.org
Alcoa Fastening Systems presents Howard Wood Elementary with a Special Grant
Alcoa Fastening Systems presented Howard Wood Elementary School with a special grant in the amount of $70,000 for 35 brand new computers for their computer lab. Wood Elementary runs a literacy program called Accelerated Reader, which allows students to read various books and then take on-line quizzes to enhance their reading comprehension. The outdated computers made it increasingly difficult for teachers to administer the reading program.
Alcoa Fastening Systems is a world leader in the production of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, and industrial markets. Through the Alcoa Foundation, established in 1952, Alcoa’s objective is to give back to the communities they work in and provide services to.
Alcoa and Wood Elementary have shared a community partnership since 2003. Principal Sidney Morrison has nothing but praise for their business partner, “When I came on as principal in 2003, Mr. Hart (Director of Operations at Alcoa in Torrance), asked me for my wish list, and ALCOA has gone beyond that in providing the Wood Elementary School family much, much more.” This school year, in addition to the $70,000 grant they have already given, Alcoa will continue to provide all first graders with backpacks full of school supplies, provide design boards (and judges) for the Science Fair, and host a catered lunch for the entire staff for Teacher Appreciation Week.
Middle School Leadership Conference
On Thursday, November 15, 2007, approximately 250 Torrance middle school students, administrators, teachers, and parents will attend the Thirteenth Annual Middle School Leadership Conference, financially supported by the Torrance Education Foundation, at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The goal of this conference is to offer a high quality program aimed at improving middle school activities, increasing student participation in service to the community, and connecting schools together through dialogue and the sharing of ideas.
Headlining the activities of this event will be a presentation by John Neu, Chief of Police. In addition, students will hear motivating speeches from other prominent Torrance figures like Mrs. Heidi Ashcraft, President, TUSD Board of Education; Chief Richard Bongard, Torrance Fire Department; Dr. Laurie Love, Chief Academic Officer; and Karim Girgis, Assistant Principal at West High. The afternoon sessions will incorporate leadership workshops presented by students and teachers of each middle school. And lastly, students will participate in high school ASB workshop sessions.
The Middle School Leadership Conference provides a wonderful learning experience for all who attend, presents opportunities to network for some of Torrance’s future leaders, fosters a community feeling throughout the District, gives the students a chance to hear a motivational lecture from a great role model, and lets everyone who attends have a fun time!
Personnel Commission Announcements
Interested in part-time, full-time or substitute employment with the Torrance Unified School District? Please call the Personnel Commission for more information at (310) 972-6347 or access our District Website at www.tusd.org and click on Current Job Postings or call our Job Hotline at (310) 972-6344.
