Encinitas Union School District Observer

Congratulations for 2010/2011 and concerns for 2011/2012

2011-06-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

Congratulations families and staff of Paul Ecke Central School on another school year. It is hard to believe this is my family's sixth year at the school. So many great friends made, lessons learned, and our school community continues to grow. Congratulations, too, to our friends in sixth grade who are moving on to middle school.

As a school teacher, I look forward to some weeks of fun and relaxation with the family before even beginning to contemplate the next school year. However, like you, I received the email from Adriana Chavarin Friday about some changes at PEC next year that are important enough to get me thinking about next year right now.

Principal Letter

"Dear PEC Families,
The 2010-11 school year has come to an end! Over the last couple of weeks the PEC staff has been hard at work preparing for the 2011-12 school year. As you may be aware, EUSD is facing a budget shortfall of $3 million which has translated into an increase in class sizes in kinder through third grade to 23 students per class. Additionally, contracts were not renewed for temporary contract teachers. At PEC, we have also experienced a slight drop in enrollment for the upcoming school year. Together, the class size increase, the termination of temporary contracts and the drop in enrollment will cause a loss of staff at PEC in the next school year. I am sorry to report that Ms. Bittar and Ms. Slade will be leaving PEC at the conclusion of this school year. Both teachers have contributed greatly to the learning program at PEC. Their dedication to the PEC students, staff and parents is commendable.
All of these changes have forced us to look closely at our enrollment and staffing to determine how to best serve the learning needs of our PEC students. Instead of creating solo combo classes that most schools try to avoid, we are adopting a multi-age class approach. As a staff we feel that a multi-age approach will allow the teachers to support one another and the students more effectively. The research on multi-age classes also finds that teacher collaboration and parent involvement are key to the success of multi-age classes. For this reason, we are planning on providing you with multiple opportunities to learn more about the instructional approach and curriculum we are adopting, and to answer any questions you may have about the multi-age class philosophy. Over the summer I will be providing the multi-age teachers with planning days and will be meeting with them in early August to finalize instructional plans. We are excited about instituting the multi-age approach and look forward to collaborating with you in the upcoming year. If you would like to read more about the multi-age approach, please visit the following website: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/instrctn/in500.htm
I want to thank you for all of your support during this academic year. Have a great summer and I will see you on August 15 for the first day of school.
Sincerely, Adriana Chavarin"

We're still neck deep in budget woes, and concessions continue to be required. However, I am very wary of multi-age classrooms. Having observed colleagues teach combination classes over the years, and having had one of our kids in one at PEC, I have only seen one instance where I felt the combination worked, and in that model, the same students are with the same teachers for two years in first and second grade. This proposed multi age classroom is not a project to be undertaken lightly, and I'm not sure if any teacher is requesting to teach a multi-age classroom and learn how to do it in the eight weeks of summer. I would like to find out more, however, before making final judgements. Update: Administration is meeting Monday to setup a time for an informational meeting for the PEC community. Check beck in to the EUSD Observer for updates on when that will be taking place.

Captain Charles Moore at Paul Ecke Central School Friday, April 22 7PM

2011-04-15T12:01:00.000-07:00

Cost: Suggested donation of $5.00 (or more is good too!) Note – All money collected goes directly to support the research of the A.M.R.F., a non-profit organization.
Please email Darcy Lyons at kdlyons@cox.net if you are interested in attending.
Seating is limited to the first 300 guests. If you want to ensure a seat, arrive early!

www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pacific_Garbage_Patch

www.algalita.org

My endorsement for EUSD School Board 2010

2010-10-26T19:26:00.000-07:00

At the board candidates' forum last month, there was repeated talk by board candidates about getting 'back to basics'. Emily Andrade replied to the newbies the simple fact that we've never left the basics. Read the California State Content Standards and you can get bored to death with the basics. It is teachers that are using tools, old and new, to inspire in our kids their natural love of learning, despite the basics. Having just gone through a four year rout in Del Mar from some board members whose platform was 'accountability' and 'back to basics' I would hate to see the same thing happen in Encinitas. I started this blog because I was not happy with the administration of EUSD a few years ago. A lot has changed in that time and I am very confident with the direction Dr. Baird and the board are working toward. I even appreciate Mo Muir as the dissenting voice slowing things down enough to allow a second glance. If you care. And even if you don't. I'm endorsing the following:

Marla Strich, incumbent
Emily Andrade, retired principal, EUSD
Gregg Sonken, retired principal, EUSD
Yes on Proposition P

Of course, if you vote for Meg Whitman for governor, your vote for EUSD board won't matter because there won't be any money for schools, anyway. See you next Tuesday.

Know your EUSD Board of Trustees Candidates - Introducing Saul Lisauskas

2010-09-28T17:22:00.000-07:00

If you were at the League of Women Voters Candidates Forum last night, you got a brief introduction to the candidates. This is post #1 on getting to know our candidates a little better. I'll be posting more as I dredge the google.

How to Dismantle an Effective and Progressive School District - Encinitas Union School Board Elections 2010

2010-09-22T15:07:00.000-07:00

Seeing the words 'slate' and 'fiscal responsibility' in this North County Times article sounds creepily familiar, as this is exactly how the last Del Mar Union School District Board of Trustees elections started off. In their term, that board fired a superintendent, hired a new superintendent, fired that superintendent and created a climate of disillusion and fear, exhausting off well respected administrators into leaving or retiring, in what once was a flagship of the San Diego County School District. Now two members of that slate are not running, leaving Del Mar Union School District administration, staff and incoming trustees to clean up their mess. I would hate to see Encinitas Union School District led down the same path for the next four years.

There will be a candidate forum Monday, September 27 at El Camino Creek Elementary School at 6:30. Stay tuned.

Marla Strich - incumbment
Cindy Gray
Shira Martorana
Bill McCorkle
Saul Lisauskas - Encinitas Citizens Brigade
Emily Andrade - retired EUSD Principal
Allan Juliussen
Gregg Sonken - retired EUSD Principal

Bond Measure info is up on EUSD website

2010-08-23T17:41:00.000-07:00

Powerpoint presentation from the Encinitas Union School District homepage.

For more information on the Encinitas Union School District Bond Measure, click here. Info is on the left side of the page.

PAUL ECKE CENTRAL PTA WANTS YOU! - New PTA website

2010-08-17T10:10:00.000-07:00

The new PTA website is up and looks awesome. Join the PTA here, contribute to the SPIRIT fund and update your family information. Have a voice in what goes on at Paul Ecke Central by joining the PTA! Contribute to the SPIRIT fund to reach the goal of $40,000 to keep our amazing programs going at Paul Ecke Central.

Board Meeting Agenda for Tuesday, August 17

2010-08-15T14:23:00.001-07:00

clusterfecke

2010-05-06T17:46:00.000-07:00

Share your recommendations for morning dropoff and afternoon pickup meditations.

Pancake Fiesta 2010

2010-05-01T15:07:00.000-07:00

Met Francine Busby AND had a swarm of bees clear a path through the event. Coincidence? I think not. Buzz-beeeee! Thank you everyone who put together this great event. It gets better every year. Now, on to Leucadia Nights!!

Standup for Schools on March 4

2010-03-02T15:02:00.000-08:00

The California Teachers Association is calling for March 4 to be a day of action for our public schools. "Start the day for Students" is this Thursday. Check out Stand Up for Schools for more info.

Superintendent Timothy Baird speaks at PEC tonight

2010-02-25T05:56:00.000-08:00

Dr. Baird will speak to the families of Paul Ecke Central School tonight about state budget woes and how they will be effecting EUSD during the (insert year here) school year. See you there at 6 in the multi-use room.

Hello? Is this thing on?

2010-02-24T17:30:00.001-08:00

Wow. So it was like, September, and now it's like, March. To say I've been lax about posting would be an understatement. Google 'Del Mar Union School District' in the news, and you'll see I've been a little preoccupied with my employing school district to the south. But there is lots to celebrate in Encinitas so I'm wading in with this baby step. The EUSD Media page is live. Check out what our district's teachers and students are doing with multimedia. Thank you, again, for your support.

Obama Speech Lesson Plans

2009-09-05T08:09:00.001-07:00

The prez sez do gud in skool.

2009-09-05T07:50:00.001-07:00

I was happy to get the call last night from our principal saying they would be showing Obama's speech at PEC on Tuesday. If you've been listening to the public hysteria from local and national news about the speech, you'd think kids were actually going to listen to the speech and not spend the time texting, listening to their iPod or watching the clock. The first time I remember seeing the President on TV was in Ms. Siegel's class in third grade. We watched Carter's inauguration. Through the years, I probably saw every president on TV during the school year, though those were the days when we'd pile into the auditorium to watch it on our one huge color monitor. American government is a part of nearly every grade levels state standards. Here is the link for lesson plans that go along with the speech. Not much about "whine until you persuade your parents to back my health care plan."

EUSD is going green!! (or at leasting trying to save money)

2009-08-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

I love the sentiment, but it's not the same thing. This year, families get to print out the myriad of forms required to have their student attend school in the Encinitas Union School District in an effort to save the district money on printing. To 'go green' would be to have all of this information applied ONLINE. Another green effort would be to pass out only one Parent and Student Handbook(which looks AWESOME and will come in handy) per family, maybe just go with the youngest sibling. Maybe next year? All the districts in North County are beginning to implement (if they haven't already) online student management systems. Would you rather access the info online or is paper easier?

Who'd you get?

2009-08-14T20:35:00.001-07:00

Class assignments are posted at Central. LOTS of changes in teacher assignments to grade levels. Change is good?! Welcome back teachers, staff and families to another great school year at the greatest school on earth! Enjoy your last rocking weekend of summer, friends, and see you Monday.

Boys in school

2009-06-17T21:05:00.000-07:00

A great read in the Huffington Post about what it feels like to be a boy in elementary school. When I was getting my credential ten years ago, I was told 'school's are looking for men in the classroom'. At my first position in Oceanside, I found that to be true. There were at least six of us in a pretty small elementary school. In Del Mar and PEC, not so much. Having two boys in elementary school, much of this article rings true. As a classroom teacher, it pains me there are not more males in the classroom. The comments at conference time are consistent, usually from young female teachers who have no kids of there own, let alone boys. "He has a hard time sitting still." Sounds like the same report my parents got 30+ years ago!

How was your year?

2009-06-17T20:19:00.001-07:00

Another school year gone by. It has not been an uneventful one. Adriana Chavarin's first year as principal, the state budget disaster, Mo Muir elected to the school board, Lean King retiring, a new superintendent selected - and just because students are not in school, don't think things won't be happening district wide over the break! How was your year at Central or in the Encinitas Union School District?

Open House 2009

2009-06-04T06:29:00.001-07:00

Thank you, students and teachers for sharing your classrooms and work!

Encinitas Environment Day is this Sunday

2009-06-02T17:22:00.001-07:00

Encinitas Environment Day is this Sunday at Cottonwood Creek Park. This will be the third year of the event and it is always good fun and educational for the whole family. The Cottonwood Creek Environmental Film Festival is running June 5-7 and has a great lineup of everything from children's films to ocean environmentalism to urban agriculture. This year's event is dedicated to the memory of Bob Nanninga.

Happy Birthday to you. Uh, me. Errr, us!

2009-05-10T20:14:00.000-07:00

Alright, it's a little early, but on May 14 of last year, I posted the first entry on this blog. It was after a very disheartening meeting with Lean King, Dan Grider and a group of parents and teachers in the library of PEC to discuss our hopes for a principal. If you were there, you might remember there was some discussion about communication between all of us being a problem. That's where the idea for this blog came from. I appreciate you checking in and commenting over the year. The ranting, not so much. To commemorate a year, I had some work done, a little nip here, a little tuck there, you like? Thanks for spreading the word. Highlights and lowlights of the last year include:

The hiring of Adriana Chavarin as our principal at PEC. I was impressed early on, and think she can lead this school to more great things.
The many hours spent at Board meetings on the Hazelton's mismanagement of the Theory into Practice Academy, leading to its shutdown and displacement of a lot of families.
The election. I supported Skiljan/Page and still think think it was the right choice, but I appreciate Mo Muir's dedication to her constituency: parents who feel they are not being heard by the board. She reminds her colleagues frequently why she is in the chair. Let's see if the board settles in to a working peace.
Lean King's raise. Followed by his retirement announcement. Hmmmmmm.
The budget crisis and Abby Saddat's handling of district finances like James Bond in Goldfinger driving an Astin Martin DB5 in a car chase. I wish my school district had it so together.
How awesome Central School looks and feels with the great work of our principal, PTA, parent volunteers and, of course, students.

What's next?

Big items for the year obviously start with what looks like the hiring of our new superintendent, Dr. Timothy Baird, and the continuing budget crisis. Special meeting is Monday, May 11 at the DO. A new era in EUSD politics or more of the same?
I still see equity between schools as being something that we all need to look at. The Del Mar Foundation is now distributing all income equally to all schools. It might knock some people out of donating, but what gets donated will be spread equally. Can we do this with EEF?
Aligning the ALP programs at Capri and Paul Ecke Central. The board is looking for test scores to improve at both schools. If this alignment goes well, it could make this program a bright feather in the cap of the district. If not, I don't know how long the program will exist.

What do you remember from the last year? What do you hope to see in the next?

4/21 Board Meeting Roundup

2009-04-27T19:56:00.001-07:00

Last week's Board meeting was chock full o' information, and mostly good.

1. Congratulations Sue Liesegang, Central Teacher of the Year and Amy Leon, Central Classified Employee of the Year!

2. Superintendent search continues
Public comment definitely hopes for parent involvement in the process.
Mo Muir doesn't feel the consultants report was comprehensive enough.
Cathy Regan firm that this was the job board members were elected to do.
Debate most likely won't continue as site visit of future superintendent tentatively scheduled for next week.
3. Proposed alignment of Capri and Central Bilingual programs to move forward. More than a few parents confused, but pleased, at the district's about face on this one.

4. Technology Refresh

Comprehensive district wide evaluation of what we have with technology versus where we are going. Technology Committee meets on Tuesday, April 27. Email Dan Grider if you are interested in participating. I am impressed with what the district has done since I've been a parent at PEC, and especially the rapid improvements in many areas since I started this blog last year. For those of you that remember the computer lab in the broom closet attached to the library in 2005, you know what I mean. Teachers are in the trenches with driving this progress, and the support of Lean King, Dan Grider and the board make it possible. In his first year in the technology position, I really believe Mike Guerena is turning it up to 11 (which is one louder than ten). Look for great things in the Encinitas Union School District with where we are headed with integrating technology into classrooms.

County Office of Education Swine Flu Information

2009-04-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

The White House Garden

2009-04-10T09:20:00.001-07:00

The students of Bancroft Elementary School help First Lady Michelle Obama plant the White House vegetable garden. It is great to see more and more educators nationwide getting students of all ages out into the garden. With a little water, sun and TLC the First Family's garden might look as good as our two awesome gardens at PEC!

Third time the charm?

2009-04-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

The garden that greets students, staff and visitors walking into Central School has had a few makeovers since it was put in last fall. This time, though, it looks like the garden might actually survive direct sunlight through the day. Thanks to Mrs. Chadwick's hard working third grade class and a few awesome parent volunteers (full disclosure - I'm married to one of said awesome parent volunteers) the west side of the garden has been weeded and replanted with plants more adapted to the climate. Next up, the east side of the garden which will be completed by another classroom. Awesome work third graders!

Earth Hour - Live Feed

2009-03-28T20:09:00.000-07:00

Homework: Bringing families together.

2009-03-23T16:33:00.001-07:00

I'm no fan of homework and have posted about my disdain for homework before. I don't give it out as a teacher, and don't expect it to come home with my kids. My feeling is, if I'm not getting it done with students in the classroom, then I need to look at my use of time when I'm teaching. When I was teaching sixth grade a few years ago, I had many conversations with my colleagues about my reasons for not giving homework. They felt I was not preparing my students for the rigors of middle school. My response was that I'm preparing students for the curriculum of middle school, not building up their endurance for homework. As a result of those conversations, I ended up spending a day observing at a local middle school to see just what the expectations for homework were. Talking to some of my students who had moved on to seventh grade, many informed me that their homework was in fact less than it was in sixth grade. In speaking to the principal, he said the San Dieguito Union High School District was beginning (this would have been three years ago) to have teachers look at the necessity of the homework they were assigning. To quote this principal "We just aren't sure than students need to color in a map for social studies every night." For those of you who haven't, read The Homework Myth by Alfie Kohn. This post was sparked by this article in the LA Times today on homework. Advocate for your kids. Despite what many of my colleagues might say, there is a difference between study skills and homework.

Superintendent Forum Tonight!

2009-03-19T06:58:00.000-07:00

There will be an open forum at the EUSD DIstrict Office tonight. Rene Townsend and Mike Caston of the consultant firm Leadership Associates are heading the search. You can email Rene Townsend at renetown@cox.net and Mike Caston at mwcaston@cox.net with your hopes of what you want in a superintendent if you can't make the forum.

A parent spoke at last Tuesday's board meeting about her concern about the lack of transparency in the superintendent selection process, and specifically her concerns about contributions made by Rene Townsend to sitting board members campaigns possibly leading to Leadership Associates hiring. Whether those allegations are true, I don't know but I do know Del Mar Union School District went through the same process last year, and the process is the same. One of the board members at the February board meeting said something to the effect of "This is the main job the board is elected to do." The process needs to be timely and effective. My district went almost a year without a superintendent, which is possibly the reason why the budget is hitting us so hard. Make the forum if you can, definitely email your hopes and expectations, and expect our elected officials to keep our kids best interests as their top priority.

Pink Friday, March 13 - Wear pink to show support for your school!

2009-03-07T09:11:00.000-08:00

I heard district wide Encinitas is giving 'pink slips', basically layoff notices, to 18 teachers. Three of them are at Paul Ecke Central. That is actually a very low number compared to the rest of the county and state. In Del Mar alone, 75 teachers district wide are receiving pink slips. These are dark days for education as the economy continues to slide. Wear pink to support your school and teachers. Do what you can to help keep programs in our school and remember this mess on election day!
Find more videos like this on Pink Friday

Board Meeting Tomorrow Night

2009-02-16T10:55:00.000-08:00

It looks like EUSD board meetings are about to get exciting again, kind of like the good ol' TIP days. Lean King has announced his retirement. Though I have my issues with Dr. King, the timing of switching superintendent's mid-stream during a very dire budget crisis could have waited maybe a year or two. On the other hand, maybe this tough economy is going to drive a new kind of superintendent right into the arms of the district. If you haven't been happy with the way the way the district has been run, now is the time to let the Board know what you are looking for. I can't imagine they are happy with King's decision at this critical time, and hopefully will also be open to change rather than more of the same. For me, equity continues to be the number one issue that this district needs to address. King has been content to let school's be their own fiefdom with varying practices of standards and priorities. Randy Goodson, president of the Encinitas Educational Foundation has outlined perfectly what many of us have felt in dealing with 'the King' over the years. I have posted his email below.

Hi Everyone,

I am writing to encourage you all to show up on Tuesday evening, 6pm, at the EUSD Board Room to briefly share your thoughts on your hopes for the new Superintendent (or offer support for others who speak). I understand that Dr. King may be heavily involved in the selection of his replacement and strongly believe that this would be a missed opportunity to return the District to a spirit of openness with a fiscal focus on the students...NOT THE PARENTS!

As President of the Encinitas Educational Foundation over the past two years, I have found myself at odds with the Superintendent and District over funding and fiscal issues, and have heard many stories that should concern every parent in the District.

For example:

- The District instituted a policy requiring all consultants hired by either EEF or PTA's to be paid the same rate of about $30 per hour, even when some were hired and agreed to work (for music or P.E. classes) for less, often half as much. Now, those schools may be forced to terminate the services because they can't afford this bureaucratic bonus dictated by the Disctrict.

- The District also asked EEF to pay teacher overtime for non EEF events because money was in the account.

- The District has notified EEF that some schools will be required to pay for all pencils and supplies because the District (with 27 administrator's or so) does not have the money.

- Dr. King has repeatedly told the PTA and EEF that it needs to be prepared to carry a much higher financial burden because the State is going to be reducing it's budget. This is not and was not actually TRUE because most of the District's funding comes directly from local property taxes rather than from State funding. While property tax receipts are expected to be going down, Dr. King only focused on getting parents to lobby the Govenor for more money by providing false and/or misleading information to EEF and the PTA.

Dr. King has created an environment that freezes concerned parent's, and often teacher's too, out of any involvement or participation in the discussions necessary to make sure the best decisions are considered when our children's education is concerned.

While I think that the Board of the EUSD has the best intentions, there is only so much they can do when the information necessary to make decisions is controlled so tightly and open discussion is prevented and even squashed. Anyone who has ever attended a "meeting" with Dr. King knows how difficult it is to do more than listen. In fact, the monthly PTA President's meetings have turned into talk show host presentations, now that no issues can be raised that have not been placed on the agenda by Dr. King. In fact, seven of our nine Principles have left the District in the past couple of years and some of the replacements are less than stellar but had the necessary resume of being loyal friends of Dr. King (and they will be achieving tenure within the next year).

Many of us have been resigned to doing the best we can under the circumstances while hoping to avoid being ostracized by our school's administration. NOW, THE KING IS LEAVING AND WE ALL HAVE THE CHANCE TO MAKE A CHANGE.

Please show up and tell the Board what you want for your children and the District. Please forward this email to all the parent's you know.

Sincerely,

Randy Goodson

ps. Dr. King left the District because after having worked for EUSD for four years he can retire, since he is now 62, and receive his full salary for life. We know who is paying this bill...our children!

Please spread the word about the EUSD Observer blog and comment or email me with your thoughts. The EUSD administration reads the blog and wants to know what parents and teachers want in a superintendent.

Thank you, Bob Nanninga

2009-02-15T12:17:00.001-08:00

As I drove down the coast this morning looking for surf, I drove past the farmer's market setting up at Central School, Cottonwood Creek Park, the new library, Milk playing at the La Paloma and the SRF. All the while thinking, is there a better place to live? Got some fun waves this morning and came home. My wife told me the news about Bob Nanninga passing. He is one of the many great people in our community that was never satisfied with the status quo. Thank you Bob for working tirelessly for the kids and residents of Encinitas. Think globally, act locally!

A Poem by Central mom Celia

2009-02-13T13:27:00.000-08:00

From Orpheus Park

Once upon a time, not too long ago
At Orpheus park where us young moms would go
We’d stand ‘round lamenting about the day’s heat
Saying,“When these trees grow up tall, this place will be neat!”

And those lame sticks grew into some lovely shade trees
And provided such coolness and swayed the breeze
Then the City came in with it’s big buzzing saws
Without any consult, without any pause

And cut ten of our trees without our consent
Though the neighboring people knew just what it meant
Claiming no prior knowledge of the felling of trees
“Well, gee what a great view… 180 degrees!”

And people are saying things about our tree sitter
Oh, “He’s a big liar.” or “He is a quitter.”
He’s a wonderful man who got up in our tree
And took on our issue in our absentee

And whether he’s crazy, a liar or not
The point’s that OUR people don’t like us a lot
My faith in my city has really been marred
For them to treat us with such ill disregard

And speaking of Andrew he taught my young girls
That beliefs stand for something in this unfair world
About peaceful protest and keeping up hopes
And even a little ‘bout climbing up ropes

He welcomed the kids in his sweet little fort
To and from school they’d hold Tipu tree court
Reading books, eating fruit and discussing “green” things
Wonderful, happy Orpheus kings and queens

Please, he’s not the bad guy, stop pointing those fingers
When he is forgotten the stink will still linger
As the problem lies here in our own paradise
With leaders that long ago fixed their own price

And perhaps maybe this time it wasn’t your cause
About which the council made up some new laws
And with the exception of the new gal, Ms. Barth
They relished in playing their big bully parts

After laughing at us and our tree loving ways
When your time comes, not a finger they’ll raise
You’ll see that these people who represent us
Will, in their own interest, throw you under a bus.

It’s sad that their using this to make us take sides
When we’re all Encinitans and have great city pride
A sad lesson for kids about having no voice
But trust me, they’re learning ‘bout candidate choice

Well, the big storm came in and the rain poured from heaven
And they showed up on Monday and took number eleven
And now, to be honest, my heart hurts inside
Some sad disappointment replacing some pride

And the Orpheus Park sweat that dripped down our backs
Is back once again due to our city hacks
The condos are happy that they have their view
And though kids lost their shade, at least they had Jru.

Happy Birthday Abe and Charlie!

2009-02-13T08:36:00.001-08:00

Sixth grade parents be afraid.....be very afraid.

2009-02-11T19:42:00.001-08:00

I bear not think about what '.ings' will be going on when my 6 year old starts high school. Ugh.

The Milagro Tipu Tree War

2009-02-03T17:28:00.000-08:00

Wow. I cut down a tipu in my yard a while ago because I was worried it was going to break into my septic tank. Good thing I kept it on the down low. Central kids are getting a first hand and hands on lesson in civil disobedience from Andrew. I think it's awesome that teachers took classes up there. That is called a 'teachable moment' in edu-speak. Unfortunately, Lean King wasn't too happy with the use of time, saying "that students can learn about community activism but can't join a rally on school time." Hopefully he wasn't too hard on the PEC administration and staff. This ongoing episode is reminding me of The Milagro Beanfield War.

Character Counts

2009-01-31T08:06:00.001-08:00

I got to attend the Character Counts award assembly on Friday. This month's theme was 'fairness' and one of my boys was recognized for being fair! Character education is required curriculum in California and different organizations offer different materials for it, the Seven Traits of Character being one of them. With all the weight put on kids, teachers, schools and districts to get those test scores up and meet NCLB, character education often gets left in the dust. Just ask Bernie Madoff's teacher. I was especially impressed with Principal Adriana Chavarin's presence and clear enjoyment of getting to reward PEC kids for their effort. To close the assembly, teachers joined in with students to do the character counts song. PEC then made the local news later in the day when students visited a tree sitter protecting a Tipu tree set for removal in Orpheus Park, a park much of the school community walks through and that classes visit regularly. The comments from the article in the UT are pretty funny. I was stoked my oldest son came home and said they got to sing some Dylan songs with Jru today. Time to bust out Dr. Seuss' Lorax for a reread.

Digital Natives pt. 19

2009-01-19T08:32:00.000-08:00

Great article in the New York Times on how kids use YouTube and whether or not it is the next Google. Though I don't let my kids use it unsupervised, we also use YouTube for a million and one things now, and not just watching what you can do with Mentos and Coca-Cola. Current events, how-to's and definitely, as the article demonstrates, how to use YouTube to research getting past the next level of Super Mario Galaxy on your Wii!

PEC garden: Take two

2009-01-14T14:59:00.000-08:00

From PEC garden take 2

Back in early October I posted about the garden on the entry into PEC. I thought the plant selection was not thought out and anticipated it wouldn't last. I was right and thought it didn't seem possible at the time, the new choice is even worse. It looks like the new garden will be juniper and that succulent/weed that fills medians in every punchout development in southern California. Doesn't a school as unique (oldest, only school that can smell seawater, stones throw from the old train depot aka Panikkin) deserve something a little more, well, Leucadia? Maybe the third attempt will be all varieties of poinsettia, furnished by the Ecke estate!

January 13 Board Meeting Agenda/December Meeting Minutes

2009-01-13T18:48:00.000-08:00

Feliz Año Nuevo!

2009-01-01T08:54:00.000-08:00

Despite my optimism for regime change in the new year, Governor Schwarzenegger's budget plan released last night called for $5 billion (that's the illion with a B) in cuts for public education, including cutting the school year by 5 days. At the last Board meeting, the news from Abby Saadat, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, was that the worst is yet to come. Well, here it comes. Stay tuned and make sure your voice is heard.

My new boss and the guy in charge of your kids education for the next four years, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

2008-12-17T15:54:00.000-08:00

President-elect Barack Obama named head of Chicago schools, Arne Duncan as Secretary of Education. I looked on Wikipedia to see the history of the post and did not know it was created by Jimmy Carter. Some interesting characters have held the position including homophobes and gambling addicts.

I. Robot

2008-12-06T08:19:00.001-08:00

Legos and robots. What more could you ask for? Put them together and you have the Lego Mindstorm. This article is one example of how schools are preparing kids for the future. Collaboration, programming, problem solving and fun. First Lego League International is one of the main organizations creating events that involve schools with robotics programs. The article is about Oak Crest Middle School, where most PEC students will be attending middle school. With our 'technology' program in it's current state, will any PEC students be attending these events in the future, or just playing catchup? If you are at Legoland this weekend, check out the action!

Makin' Copies....Not!

2008-12-04T11:52:00.000-08:00

From Copy Machine

My son came home Monday and let me know he didn't have homework. I was bothered, but not because he wouldn't have worksheets to complete each night. It seems our PEC copy machine is not working. It doesn't sound like it was working through at least Wednesday, but I may stand corrected. If that is the case, I wonder why the district at the very least doesn't get a replacement in while it is fixed. The copy machine is, if not the heart, at least one of the ventricles of a school. What does this say about district support of their teachers and schools? And only one copier? Really? Is this the same at all sites? Maybe teachers can dust off one of the old ditto machines in the storage room, if anyone still knows how to work them!

I am thankful for Paul Ecke Central School!

2008-11-27T11:22:00.001-08:00

PEC Technology Survey

2008-11-20T05:54:00.000-08:00

PEC wants your help in planning for technology by taking a brief online survey. Click here to go to the PEC home page. The link is on the far right, the second one under the large 'Join Central News' link. You'll enter 'Paul Ecke' to find the correct school and the survey takes about five minutes to complete. Your response will guide where PEC/EUSD go with technology. The PTA has funds earmarked for a consultant to be in the tech lab and this survey offers many options for your opinions on what you would see is important for students to be doing with technology beyond Success Maker!

Board Meeting Tuesday Night

2008-11-17T18:34:00.000-08:00

Here's the agenda for Tuesday night's board meeting. Nothing too substantial to the untrained eye. Mo Muir will be sitting in on her first meeting as an elected board member.

It's Election Day!

2008-11-03T17:43:00.001-08:00

PEC Fundraiser at Vigilucci's Ristorante & Pizzeria and Robbie's

2008-11-02T18:00:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, November 5, the elections will be over, and who is going to feel like cooking with either the thrill of victory or the agony of defeat. The solution: Vigilucci's Ristorante & Pizzeria and Robbie's restaurant in Leucadia (just north of the Pannikin). 20% of all food and beverage sales will be donated to PEC/EEF. The restaurants will be serving PEC/EUSD families from 4-9 PM. See you there!

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My endorsement for EUSD School Board

2008-10-19T14:11:00.000-07:00

From Encinitas School Board

For what it's worth, I'm voting for Skiljan/Page for the EUSD Board. My observations of many in the current EUSD administration is that they are cavalier in dealing with concerns from the community they serve. I believe Mary will bring perspective to the board about the needs of our schools. Mary is an active parent at Ocean Knoll Elementary School, previously one of the 'underperforming' schools in the district. I am confident she understands what makes each of our schools unique. In addition, in conversation with her and from her comments at the League of Women Voters Forum, I know she is not willing to let students settle for anything less than their best. Issues that I think the board will be dealing with in the future: the Pacific View property, equity at all schools in EUSD and preparing our kids for the 'flattening world'.

The Naylor Act

2008-10-15T19:49:00.001-07:00

From The Naylor Act

Make yourself a big cup o' joe and read the Naylor Act. Aka, California Ed Code 17485

Did you watch the candidates?

2008-10-09T19:19:00.000-07:00

From Pacific View School property

The moderator was in position, the candidates took their places and had two minutes to respond to questions. I'm not talking about the Presidential debate, but the EUSD School Board forum held at the San Dieguito Academy on Tuesday night. Of the three candidates, Carol Skiljan, Mary Page and Maureen 'Mo' Muir, only Skiljan and Page showed up. The event was put on by the League of Women Voters and moderated by Lois Martins. About 40+ people showed up for the forum and provided questions for the two candidates. As the TIP Academy is no longer on the EUSD board agenda, there really aren't many tough questions to ask. We're a basic aid district, so the state budget is not a huge concern, test scores continue to improve, and the superintendent and the board seem to have a strong relationship. Skiljan answered questions very comfortably, as you'd expect from someone with 15 years experience. Page spoke from the experience of having two children who are in or have been in the Encinitas Union School District and her contributions to Ocean Knoll Elementary School. The only possible topic of contention between candidates is the future of the Pacific View property. The North County Times insinuates Muir is against the sale, but Both Skiljan and Page seem optomistic that the board and the city will come to an agreement. Take a walk around the Pacific View property and you can understand why the neighborhood wants minimal impact. At the same time, were this property privately owned, it would be seeing top dollar from developers. I've said it before, that property could fund a lot of art projects or even the new Paul Ecke Central stadium. The city council elections will be making a lot more noise about the future of Pacific View, but I am wondering how many of them have kids in the school district that this topic will effect.

A for effort, but not for execution

2008-10-09T19:12:00.001-07:00

From Garden

I am not sure what all of these flowers are, but I am pretty sure they are not drought tolerant. In addition, the only time I grew fuchsia with success was in full shade, almost dark. These plants will get full sun every day of the year! Good try, but when these are all dead at the end this dry, hot October, how about planting some sage, butterfly bush and poppy!

School Board Candidates Forum

2008-09-29T19:17:00.000-07:00

What are your questions for our candidates?

Encinitas Teacher of the Year

2008-09-24T16:34:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of attending the Salute to Teachers at the Balboa Theatre over the weekend. First grade teacher Wendy Craig, from El Camino Creek Elementary School was EUSD's teacher of the year. Of the 43 teachers selected county wide, Wendy made it into the top ten.

I've had friends go through the teacher of the year process and it is no small feat, let alone making it into the top ten. From the top ten, five school teachers were selected to represent the county for the next year. Congratulations, Wendy!

And from the 'not ready to let this story die' department comes this pretty intensive summary of Mike Hazelton's career in charter school education. According to this report, he has left a trail of deceit and bankruptcy across the Southern California charter school community, yet manages to get hired back for more. One quote from the article likens him to one sixties animated series character.

"Is he Mr. Magoo who has left a trail of destruction? Or is it a cover he's perfected?" she asked. Either way, Flesh said, "he found a gravy train."

Oh, Magoo, you've done it again!

North County Transit District needs to know they're affecting our kids

2008-09-14T14:32:00.000-07:00

From Transit pollution at PEC

I remember the first day I volunteered in my son's kindergarten room, which directly faces the train tracks in these pictures. When a train went by, I turned to look at the teacher and class full of 5 year olds, expecting that all of them would have hit the deck from the noise. However by that time, they were already so adjusted that they hardly paused before going back to work. I did not adjust as easily and am still irked that the power brokers in school, city and NCTD have not made at least this hundred yard stretch through Leucadia a priority to clean up and quiet down. The scary thing is that the noise is probably the least of all evils when I think about what is in those dust clouds blowing by. I remember not to long ago when the tracks from north to south were mulched. My understanding is that tree trimming companies were allowed to dump their mulch along the tracks. J.P. at Leucadia Blog has written about this numerous times and has said that the NCTD put a stop to the mulching. J.P's writes in his most recent post:

"The following is copied from the San Diego Air Pollution Control District website:  "Prohibition against causing a public nuisance. California Health and Safety Code [ http://www.arb.ca.gov/bluebook/bluebook.htm ] Section 41700 states that no person can discharge air contaminants that cause injury, nuisance or annoyance to any considerable number of persons or the public, or discharge air contaminants that endanger the comfort, health or safety of such persons.

If a business violates this prohibition or any other air quality requirement, the District may issue a Notice of Violation to the business.  If a Notice of Violation is issued, the business must take action to correct the violation and pay a monetary penalty to the District.  Penalties are determined in accordance with Health and Safety Code Sections 42400 – 42403."  

If you are annoyed by the air pollution caused by the trains, please go to the following website and fill out the Nuisance Complaint Form.  http://www.sdapcd.org/comply/cplt/cpltprog.html  

Please send this to anyone else you know along the tracks, perhaps if a "considerable" number of people complain something will be done.  Maybe the PTA for Paul Ecke Central could start a petition and encourage all members to send in a complaint considering NCTD is polluting our kids lungs while they are out running around in the playground. "

Our school has never looked better and the NCTD needs to know we're not stopping with the landscaping and a fresh coat of paint. Get everyone you can to sign a Nuisance Complaint form. It's time for PEC parents to make some noise about the noise!

Got fluff?

2008-09-08T20:40:00.000-07:00

Ugh. Test scores. It saddens me that state API scores create such a frenzy in the media, especially when, even as a teacher, the breakdown of scores into subgroups and sub-subgroups baffles me. Yet these are the numbers that up real estate values, printed in the newspaper as three digits that for the masses simply signify whether a school is 'good' or 'bad'. Paul Ecke Central School teachers should be commended on their hard work every day and that the school is no longer designated by the state as 'Program Improvement' is even more cause for celebration.

What is serendipitous about reading all the news about North County test scores this year is that the first school I ever taught at was also just taken off the PI list and, far away in the 900's, the school where I currently teach received the second highest scores in the county. I thought I'd have some valuable insight from being at two schools so far apart on the API spectrum, but I don't. Walk by any classroom in either school, and you are going to see dedicated and enthusiastic teachers delivering the best instruction they can with the resources they have to students who are eager to learn. One school is older than the other, but physically there is really no difference between the two. All the rest that would effect standardized testing (and pan out in subgroups) is out of the hands of teachers.

What you will see at both schools I have taught at are enrichment activities going on every day at every grade level. The same is true for Paul Ecke Central. The PTA at all of the schools in the EUSD work hard to enusre that students are receiving enrichment istruction in art, music, and ideally, science and technology. That is why it pains me to read in the North County Times today that principal Anjelica Lopez credits their jump in scores to eliminating the 'fluff' of enrichment during the school day. Assuming she was not misquoted, this shows a misguided vision of education. Sitting at the last school board meeting as test scores were looked over with a fine tooth comb, superitendents and board members fawned over Ocean Knoll's improvement. I can't help but wonder if we can look forward to a cutback on 'fluff' just as our PEC PTA has raised the money to hire technology and science consultants. As always, keep an eye on the school board agenda for upcoming meetings. Make your voice heard.

And the API is in.....

2008-09-04T17:52:00.000-07:00

Where do the Presidential candidates stand on education?

2008-08-23T08:29:00.000-07:00

This is a quick and easy overview of the Presidential candidates' plans for your child's education from Edutopia Magazine.

First day of school

2008-08-21T06:51:00.001-07:00

Classroom notification letter?

2008-08-16T19:44:00.000-07:00

I was at a friend's house this afternoon whose kids go to Capri. They received on Friday a letter notifying them of classroom placement, as well as a letter from their classroom teacher. My Saturday mail has arrived, but no notification letter. We know our classroom placement because we checked in the office window at school. Did you get yours?

Welcome back!

2008-08-16T08:17:00.000-07:00

Geez, go on vacation for a couple weeks and things get all crazy in the Encinitas school district. I've been gone but read about TIP's closure long distance. We'll see if TIP administration fights the decision, but it is looking like everyone is moving forward. That includes the Hazelton's who have filed for a fictitious business name for The Academy North County. Two school board seats are open and, up until early this week, had only two candidates running, incumbent, Carol Skiljan and Mary Page. Now, however, it will be a race as Maureen 'Mo' Muir filed her paperwork just before Thursday's extended deadline. With TIP closed, now the big news will be what is going to happen with the Pacific View property. City council candidate Bob Nanninga is calling for an open dialogue and public vote on what the district should do with the property. Anticipate the word of the 2008/2009 school year being 'Naylor Act'. The city and school district thought this was a done deal, until someone brought up the Naylor Act. It's a prime piece of real estate and the Naylor Act sound a lot like 'eminent domain'. That property could fund quite a few art projects and hopefully both the school district, the city and the Pacific View neighbors will all win in this situation. Be careful, though, or Lean King might just build a new district office on the spot with his corner office offering a panoramic view of the pacific. I can't believe summer is over and don't know who is less ready for the new school year, me or the kids. We ran into many parents at PEC yesterday checking out their teacher placement for the new year. Thank you EUSD for our awesome new paint job at Central. No more pink! What did you do on your summer vacation?

Adios, Alternative Language Program?

2008-07-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

I received an email this afternoon with concerns from a parent that the Alternative Language Program at Paul Ecke Central School is on Lean King's chopping block. Dr. King has expressed his concerns with ALP parents that, if test scores at PEC don't improve, the ALP program will have to go. Observing his track record this year, I am doubtful there will be any real discussion with parents at PEC, but rather a swift late night dismissal of the program. Hopefully,this is just rumor. Or, perhaps he is figuring he is going to get more than an earful when he and the board close TIP, what's a little more fuel on the fire! Keep an eye on the district's board meeting schedule for yet another 'public forum'!

TIP Public Hearing Tuesday, July 22

2008-07-19T11:56:00.001-07:00

Public forum to voice opinion on the Theory Into Practice Charter School's future at Park Dale Lane Elementary School, Tuesday 6PM according to today's UT Article. The district site posted a nice Quick Facts .pdf on the history of the TIP debacle.

Pacific View zoning amendment meeting

2008-07-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

If you read the article in today's Union Tribune on the proposed amendments to the rezoning of the Pacific View property, it sounds like everything is hunky dory and this is just a technicality to continue forward with development. However, there are more than a few residents of the downtown area with concerns. Among them is property owner Donald McPherson, who in a letter to the city opposing the amendments states that the "amendments being considered the planning commission materially violates city and state regulations on several counts." I'm trying to share his letter as a .pdf, which may or may not work. Here is the link to the .pdf as well. There is a meeting in the Poinsettia Room of City Hall this Thursday, July 24 at 6:30 PM.

Another concerned citizen, Joyce Ross, in an email sent to neighbors says "I know we're all exhausted from the many meetings on Pacific View But now is the time when participation is counted in the eyes of the City and the Coastal Commission. In addition, if no one shows up at this meeting, the eventual developer will assume that the community no longer cares and will see himself as having a free rein. So please, DO ATTEND THE MEETING. If some of the issues identified below are important to you, and you cannot attend the meeting, then write a letter to the Planning Dept."

School districts like Encinitas and Del Mar are needing to think outside the box and getting into real estate to fund programs as Basic Aid districts.

Board votes to renew Lean King's contract

2008-07-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

With all the TIP Academy excitement at the last board meeting, it was easy to overlook the unanimous decision by the board to continue Lean King's contract through 2012, as reported in the North County Times today. From the few board meetings I've been to, it is clear the board and Dr. King have a mutual admiration society, which isn't a bad thing. In recommending the vote on July 8, board members gushed at King's brief but busy record in the district. Congratulations, Dr. King!

Walking to school in 2009!

2008-07-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

I was happy to read this from the NC Times on the Leucadia Blog this morning! Of the three applications for the state funded Safe Routes to School Program, this location was the only one selected. I spoke to the city about the grant back in May before any decision was made and was told that once the city selected the engineer for the proposed improvement site, the next step would be a public forum on design. Imagine our kids and families safely walking, skating, biking and even riding Segways to school!

Who needs baseball?

2008-07-09T17:43:00.000-07:00

The EUSD Boardroom was where the real action was last night. If you were anywhere near the intersection of Manchester and Rancho Sante Fe, you saw the sea of families in maroon TIP shirts and "Save Tip" signs signaling that TIP was on the agenda tonight. The priority item was whether the district would take the next step in revoking the Theory Into Practice Academy's Charter.

As with any TIP item on the docket, the room was packed, the air conditioning intermittent and minimal to no sound. (What are those microphones on the board members' desks for, anyway?) That made for all the more heated debate. First, Lean King gave a brief history about how the TIP Academy administration ended up in this mess. Next up was someone hired by the district to provide evidence to go forth with the intent to revoke. She gave a pretty alarming testimony with the most creepy being, in referring to attempting to interview TIP staff and families, that she had never seen "so much fear of appraisal" in cooperating with investigators, such as fear of appraisal from TIP administration and fear of ostracization by TIP parents, that ultimately ended up with non-cooperative interviewees. It sounded very Jim Jones. Her summation was that it is clear TIP has disregarded laws of the charter and that it would be within the boards right to revoke the charter.

The public forum opened with the TIP attorney, Paul Minney, giving evidence item by item that the TIP Academy has met all of EUSD's requests to demonstrate transparency and that there is "no factual evidence for notice of revocation" and that "If you revoke the charter tonight, you are not following charter law" This met with thunderous applause from TIP families in the audience.

TIP board members, TIP families and non-TIP families then spoke in support of TIP. A rowdy bunch, those TIP families, with hoots and hollers.

Now came time for the board to vote to continue with intent to revoke charter. Liken this to parents scolding a kid for being naughty (albeit, thousands of taxpayer dollars worth of naughty), then passing the kid to the neighbors so they can scold the kid, then to the next neighbor so they can scold the kid, ad finitum. The board is clearly not happy with the TIP administration's consistent lack of cooperation. Things don't look good for TIP. Lean King expressed his dismay at how much time and money the TIP fiasco has taken from EUSD business. Shannon Kuder seemed to want TIP shutdown on the spot and got nearly hysterical when TIP rowdies heckled her when she said "I have no confidence the Hazelton's are gone". The only glimmer of forgiveness seemed to come from Cathy Regan who applauded the teachers at Theory Into Practice, but made it clear she, too, wants the Hazelton's far, far away from TIP business. Bottom line, with two of the board members terms ending this year, (of note, none of the current board members have served less than 10 years? Some are going on 20! Do any of them even have kids in elementary school?) they don't want to be the ones looking soft with taxpayer dollars.

Now for the vote - unanimous decision to move forward with intent to revoke. Next step is a public forum tentatively scheduled for July 22 at 6PM. Tailgate party starts at 4. Bring a chair, one of those little mist fans, and a cooler.

2008 Cottonwood Creek Environmental Film Festival

2008-07-09T12:06:00.000-07:00

Carris Rhodes from the film festival tells me you can now check out the 2008 Cottonwood Creek Environmental Film Festival DVD (and Mrs. Hinze's 2nd grade classes entry) at the Encinitas Public Library.

A message to a school board

2008-07-06T16:10:00.000-07:00

This isn't me talking about the EUSD school board, but it could be. When it comes to technology, I don't believe our district is meeting the needs of our 21st century learners, either. I have heard Lean King speak numerous times and describe EUSD technology in schools as being cutting edge. Though I agree that EUSD has the infrastructure, now, with thin client hard ware, I do not think teachers have the support they need in the classroom and in the lab to push the limits of what our students are capable of and what they will need to be capable of in the very near future. I do many of the things Wesley is speaking about in this video with my students and teachers and would like Lean King and the EUSD to put their money where their mouth is. This is Wesley Fryer, one of my favorite Tech-Ed bloggers.

Have you been into the PEC computer lab? What was your experience?

Board recommends TIP Academy shut down

2008-07-04T08:49:00.000-07:00

This from today's San Diego Union Tribune.

ENCINITAS – TIP Academy charter school should be shut down.

That's the recommendation from administrators at the Encinitas Union School District, who have concluded an investigation into alleged conflicts of interest and financial improprieties at the charter school, which it sponsors.

The recommendation, which is scheduled to go before the school district's board of trustees on Tuesday, was not entirely unexpected.

The district threatened to revoke TIP Academy's charter on May 6, as part of a “Notice to Remedy” numerous allegations of misconduct. A reorganized board of directors at TIP Academy has taken some steps, but Encinitas Union administrators say they've downplayed serious violations of education and government law.

The Encinitas school board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Encinitas Union School District offices, 101 S. Rancho Santa Fe Road

Apparently, the changes made by the TIP board were not enough to satisfy the EUSD School Board. If it's an open meeting on Tuesday, it will definitely be a heated one.

Board Meeting Tonight!

2008-06-24T13:01:00.001-07:00

School is out for kids - but not for the EUSD board. I can't make the meeting tonight, but as soon as minutes are posted, I'll put them up. You can find the agenda here. It looks to be a lot of authorization of work to be done in the 2008/2009 school year. One piece on the agenda is for Paul Ecke Central to get a paint job. The good news is they won't have to do the lovely, new MUR anytime soon!

Congratulations Class of 2008!

2008-06-18T15:46:00.001-07:00

I was lucky enough to see the sixth grade wall dedication ceremony this morning. A surprise guest paid a special visit. Conni Cintas, who was principal from 2004 to 2007 was honored with a special tile on this years wall. In addition, it was announced that this was Patti Haggerty's last year teaching sixth grade. She also has a special tile on the mosaic that reads 'Big Hair, Big Eyes, Big Smile, Huge Heart'. I have visited many schools over the years, but nothing I have seen exemplifies a schools' character the way our sixth grade mosaics do. Thank you parent volunteers for continuing to assist our awesome sixth grade artists with these pieces. Check out the slideshow to see more images.

Congratulations to Mrs. Hinze's second grade class!

2008-06-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Julie Hinze's second grade class for their video entry in the Cottonwood Creek Environmental Film Festival sharing what they know about colony collapse disorder in honeybee hives. From the Reader:

Julie Hinze’s second-grade class (17 students, aged seven and eight) at Paul Ecke Central Elementary created an eight-minute film about the ongoing crisis with honeybees — a disappearing-hive phenomenon known as “colony collapse disorder.” The children, dressed in homemade honeybee costumes, act out disappearing-bee scenarios. “They designed their own [costumes],” says Hinze. “They used black T-shirts, some put yellow tape on there and a lot of pipe cleaners. It’s so cute.”

The children broke into groups, and each group presented its own interpretation of the current bee predicament. “One group did a little dance,” says Hinze. Another wrote new lyrics to the Ghostbusters theme song, changing it to “bee busters.” One group acted out honeybees enjoying a garden, collecting nectar from flowers. “After it says ‘the end,’” says Hinze, “there’s a little girl dressed up as a bee eating ice cream [Häagen-Dazs’s Vanilla Honey Bee, of which 40 percent of the proceeds goes toward researching colony collapse]. Then three little kids singing, making up a humming noise. I just love that, because it captures their little spirits.”

Beautify PEC by beautifying yourself!

2008-05-29T18:36:00.001-07:00

After school weekly through the rest of the year, be on the lookout for PEC parents selling the stylin' brown and blue Paul Ecke Central School wear. Funds from sales go to the beautification of the grounds at PEC. Funds raised thus far have been used to landscape the front of the school. We've been at PEC only three years and you'd hardly recognize the place these days! Hoodies are $24, kids T's are $12, adult T's are $14, hats are $12 and, now just in time for summer, the PEC apron, perfect for BBQ'n, is available for $18. Shop now while supplies last!

Board Meeting Notes 5/20/08

2008-05-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

This was the first board meeting I attended start to finish. I’ll plan on attending future meetings (while Red Bull supplies last) and posting observations.

• Board meeting started on time and both new principal candidates were quickly recommended and selected. Paul Ecke Central School’s new principal is Adriana Chavarin Lopez. Flor Vista’s new principal is Stephanie Casperson.

• Robin Waters was recognized as parent of the year for PEC. Thank you Robin, for all your hard work with the PTA! Deanna Alman was recognized as student of the year for PEC.

Public Comment

• Four parents from Paul Ecke Central spoke about the benefits of the Alternative Language Program and hopes for additional and future support from the school district.

• TIP Academy parents and students spoke. The main point many made was in regards to the dispute between the district and TIP’s alledged mishandling of funds. One parent made a strong argument that it was reckless of EUSD to publicize it’s allegations against TIP in the media so early.

Parents and students clearly love this school. Hopefully, the district and TIP can work this out.

Dr. King’s opening remarks

• Another school district on the East Coast complimented the EUSD website.

I agree our website is getting better. I talked to Dan Grider problems I had with the EUSD site a few years ago, specifically that you could not open the site in Firefox and that staff email addresses were not available. Both of those problems have been fixed. The site now even offers RSS feeds of agenda and minutes from meetings. I still find the site hard to navigate. What do you think?

Theory Into Practice Charter School Monthly Report

• Mike Hazelton and board went over fiscal reports. Made me dizzy. My observation was that Mike and the board seem to have a good working relationship. From the reports in the paper this week, I expected this dialogue to look more like bareknuckle boxing, but it was very civil. The board asked questions, Mike answered the questions.

Business

• EUSD is adopting a new science curriculum this year. Typically when adopting a new curriculum, a few will get selected to be ‘piloted’ in classrooms through the year. Teachers who piloted the program then discuss which they liked best and with board approval, that is the one that gets adopted. EUSD teachers liked Houghton Mifflin best, and that is the one that was chosen. I teach in the Del Mar Union School District, and we adopted this one, too. So, long story short, buy stock in Houghton Mifflin (NYSE:HTN)

• Second adoption up was the health program. Schools get state funds for teaching a research based health curriculum. Our district decided on ‘Too Good for Drugs’. As a teacher, I’ve never liked the ‘Red Ribbon Week’ curriculum in the districts I’ve taught in. I think the message may have been strong when it started, but has gotten diluted through the years. Maybe this program will take it’s place.

Closing discussion:
There was a question by a parent earlier in the meeting about why the Hispanic ALP parents had not been invited to the ALP meeting at PEC Tuesday afternoon. The board asked Debbie, who attended the ALP meeting at PEC if this was the case. Debbie said it was and that in talking to Stephanie Niess, she learned that when Connie Cintas was principal, English speaking ALP parents had been invited because this is actually only an ‘alternative’ education to English speaking students, not to native Spanish speakers, or something to that effect. In closing the discussion, they seemed in agreement in the future all parents of the ALP program would be invited. Debbie mentioned that at the meeting they discussed that the 4th grade ALP model would resemble the one being started in the Del Mar Union School District. I won’t try to explain what that model looks like, but if you were at the Tuesday ALP meeting, please feel free to comment on what you heard.

Last Observations:
• Sound was nonexistent! The boards little ‘newsman’ microphones were not working or not hooked up, so in the early part of the standing room only crowd, you couldn’t hear anything.

• As I said, standing room only crowd! With all of our big beautiful Multi-Use Rooms in the district, shouldn’t we now be moving into one of those? I think the once ‘little’ EUSD district needs to realize they have 10 schools full of involved parents and need to accommodate us. They showed a video from one of the school’s classes that only about ¾ of the audience could see because of the terrible sightlines.

Welcome to Paul Ecke Central School Pricipal Adriana Chavarin-Lopez

2008-05-20T22:21:00.000-07:00

The first order of business at the board meeting tonight was to recommend the candidate for principal of Paul Ecke Central School, Adriana Chavarin-Lopez. Mrs. Chavarin-Lopez comes to Paul Ecke Central from DD Johnston Elementary School in Norwalk. After board approval, Mrs. Chavarin-Lopez briefly introduced her family and gave a quick hello. Welcome to to Paul Ecke Central School Principal Chavarin-Lopez. We're looking forward to meeting you and introducing you to your new school and family!

Congratulations, Robin Waters and Deanna Alman

2008-05-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

Congratulations, Paul Ecke Central School Parent of the Year, Robin Waters and Paul Ecke Central School Student of the Year, Deanna Alman. Both will be recognized at tomorrow night's board meeting. In addition, expect Paul Ecke Central School's new principal to be announced.

Principal recommendation on the agenda for Tuesday board meeting

2008-05-18T09:27:00.000-07:00

From the Board Agenda from the EUSD website, principal candidate recommendation is a priority item for Tuesday nights board meeting!

New Principal to be announced at Tuesday board meeting?

2008-05-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

Word on the blacktop is our new principal will be announced at next Tuesday's board meeting!

Welcome to the Encinitas Union School District Observer

2008-05-14T20:22:00.000-07:00

Greetings and welcome to what I hope will become an ever-expanding collaboration between parents, teachers and administrators of Paul Ecke Central School and the Encinitas Union School District. There was some discussion at last Thursday’s meeting about difficulties with communication between all of us. I hope this web log can become a one-stop information shop to remedy that problem. Check in here when you can for dates of meetings, events and general discussions about our school and district. Please email me with anything you feel needs to get posted on the calendar or topics you think need to be discussed. Spread the word and welcome to the EUSD Observer.