Schools: Tehachapi News

THS alumni named Teacher of the Year

Peggy Buckley, daughter of Phyllis and the late Thurman Belcher, has been selected as Stanislaus County Teacher of the year. Peggy attended Tehachapi schools from second grade through high school. After graduating from Tehachapi High School, she received her Bachelors degree from University of Kansas.

Peggy teaches first grade in Ceres, Calif.

She said, “It's not an exaggeration to say that teaching is in my blood. My grandparents and my parents were teachers. From an early age I saw the challenges faced, the sacrifices made and the struggles encountered by teachers. I chose to teach anyway. For me, being a teacher isn't just a job. It's who I am.”

Along with the honor, Peggy received a $1,000 cash award to use in her classroom

Computer keyboarding classes for adults

Tehachapi High School's Regional Occupational Program will be offering a 12-week basic computer keyboarding class at the high school on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. beginning Sept.r 23 for adults and high school students between 16-18 years of age.

There is a $20 material fee for adult students. Skills developed in this course will be a planned, step-by-step process that will familiarize and guide students from simple to complex assignments. Individuals will gain useful knowledge in learning to operate the computer itself, especially the keyboard, and continue until the computer can be used as a tool in creating a variety of documents for personal and business usage. Space is limited. To receive further information and/or reserve a seat in the class, please contact Lori Andreasen in the THS Career Center at (661) 822-2148.

4-H offers hands-on learning experience

4-H is an organization for youth, ages 5-19, that promotes hands-on learning and is based on parent and volunteer participation, developing citizenship, leadership, and life skills.

Projects range from rabbits, poultry, horses (large and mini), sheep, goats, steer, swine, arts n crafts, gardening, foods and nutrition, sewing, cake decorating, food preservation, and many more.

For more information please call Brenda Smith at 822-1461, or Debbie Tangren at 822-6308

4-H meets the first Tuesday of the month at the Tehachapi Vetrerans Hall at 6 p.m. next meeting scheduled is Tuesday, Sept 2.

School board debates counselor conundrum

The Tehachapi Unified School District Board of Trustees deadlocked at their Aug. 26 board meeting on the matter of hiring a new counselor/dean based at Jacobsen Middle School who also would serve Monroe High School.

During the discussion, trustees expressed concern that filling the position would have a fiscal impact on a shrinking budget, while there was general agreement that the students are in need of additional counseling services.

“We need a decision,” Superintendent of Schools Richard Swanson. “We have a continuation school with no counseling services. If we are audited, we will lose funding.”

Chief Administrator of Personnel Bobbie Wieder, who put forth the agenda item, said the administration of Monroe High School “is very concerned that the students at Monroe are not receiving counseling services.”

Chief Administrator of Instructional Services Lisa Gilbert said most of the money is available in the form of a grant.

“I know we have the funding there and can only be spent in that way,” she said.

The discussion re-emerged after the trustees voted 3-3 on the original agenda item that combined the position of counselor and dean. Trustees Patty Snyder, Mary Graham and Kim Armbrecht voted no. Trustees Jackie Wood, Judy Walsh and board President Gary Warner voted yes. Trustee Holly Hart was absent.

The board agreed to revisit the matter at their next meeting and vote on two new agenda items separating the positions of counselor and dean.

“I came in ready to vote on this,” said Trustee Armbrecht. “Then when it's analyzed, it makes the staff look awkward. If we can't afford it, we can't afford it. I appreciate the urgency.”

In other business, public speaker Liz Fox asked the board to review the school bus rider policy to enable youngsters who do not ride every day to utilize the bus in case of need or emergency.

“There should be a procedure to address an 'as needed' ride system,” she said. “I suggest a punch card system.”

Fox, who had been calling the school district administration staff in regard to the matter, had earlier received a letter from Al Harris, attorney for the district, telling her not to communicate with the staff any more.

“I have also beenadvised that your demeanor during these contacts has been frequently rude and inappropriately hostile,” Harris wrote. “As I see it, your behavior has been unreasonable and your continued persistence is interfering with TUSD staff performing their duties. Accordingly, I have directed TUSD staff not to communicate with you regarding your reimbursement/transportation issues.”

Heritage Oak School Parent Orientation Night

Heritage Oak School held its annual Parent Orientation Night on Friday, August 22 . The event gives new and returning parents an opportunity to meet teachers and staff, discuss events for the upcoming school year and fellowship. School will begin for all grades on Tuesday, September 2. Pictured are the teachers for the 2008-2009 K-12 school year. For additional information and upcoming events, please visit heritageoakschool.com.

Cummings Valley Back to School Night

Back to School Night for Cummings Valley Elementary will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 3rd, from 6-7 p.m. This great event lets parents meet the teachers , see the classrooms, and find out what to expect for the 2008-2009 school year. In conjunction with this event will be the first Little Cesars fundraiser of the year. Your CV PTO will also be there with bottled water and Spirit Wear for sale, along with information about the PTO. We look forward to seeing you there !

Ethan Brill Accepted to Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

BALTIMORE, Spring 2008—Ethan Brill, a student from Tehachapi, has been accepted to attend the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth academic programs for gifted second through twelfth graders this summer.

Program draws bright students together
Brill joins several thousand other students this year from across the U.S. and 90 countries who, because of their outstanding academic abilities, qualified for the Hopkins program.

Archaeology, Oceanography, Robotics, and Existentialism are just a few of the over one-hundred CTY courses available in two three-week sessions over the summer. This format permits students to work at a challenging pace, explore topics in depth, and study subjects not often available to students their age.

Classes are offered at 26 domestic sites, from Johns Hopkins University in the east to Stanford University in the west, including a new Language Immersion program at Hampshire College in Massachusetts. CTY is also filling its international summer programs in China, Mexico, and Spain. Residential programs, available to students in grades 5-12, provide the opportunity to live, study, and socialize with other bright, motivated students. Day programs in Baltimore/DC and Los Angeles are open to students in grades 2-6.

“These teens are an academic elite,” said Dr. Sanjay Gupta in the 2006 CNN special, Genius: Quest for Extreme Brain Power. “As smart as they are, they want to be smarter. So they come . . . to the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, or CTY, with alumni like Sergey Brin, who went on to co-found Google.”

Academic “talent search” is program gateway
Like over 10,000 other gifted students last year, Brill qualified for this special program by participating in CTY’s academic Talent Search, which accepts applications from early September to late May. Students in seventh and eighth grade take the SAT or ACT—the same tests taken by college-bound juniors and seniors. Students in second through sixth grades take the SCAT--similar to the SAT and ACT but scaled for younger students.

“CTY has an excellent academic program,” says 5-year CTY student Tom Flaherty. “But I cannot stress enough how awesome it is for the gifted to experience camaraderie. The social world is turned downside up and outside in, so much so that even the most radically gifted will find themselves among peers.”

Brill will be taking Writing the Expository Essay at California Lutheran State University.

# # #

About The Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
CTY conducts the nation's oldest and most extensive academic talent search and offers educational programming for students with exceptionally high academic ability. CTY parallels, and complements, a gifted child’s regular school experience. CTY’s programs and students have been profiled in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, and other premier American publications. Other information:

CTY is a nonprofit center at The Johns Hopkins University.
CTY draws students from 50 states and DC, as well as students from over 90 countries.
2006-07 saw over 73,000 second- through eighth graders participate in CTY’s Talent Searches.
CTY provided $4.52 million in financial aid to over 1,700 students in 2006-07.
In the 2006-07 Talent Search, 15.6% of students in CTY’s Talent Search were identified as underrepresented..
Gifted students qualifying for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program may join the Talent Search virtually for free.

# # #

Terle Named to Dean’s List at Washington University

On Aug. 20, Julia Terle, of Tehachapi, was name to the Dean’s List for the spring 2008 semester at Washington University in St. Louis. Terle is a graduate of Tehachapi High School and is enrolled in the university’s College of Arts & Sciences.

To qualify for the Dean’s List in arts & Sciences, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.5 or above and be enrolled in at least 14 graded units.
Washington University is counted among the world’s leaders in teaching and research and it draws students and faculty to St. Louis from all 50 states and more than 125 countries. More than 13,500 undergraduate, graduate and professional students enroll each year.

The university’s 3,140 faculty teach in seven schools: Arts & Sciences, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, School of Engineering & Applied Science, School of Law, School of Medicine and George Warren Brown School of Social Work. Twenty-two Nobel laureates have been associated with Washington University, with nine doing the major portion of their pioneering research here.

The university offers more than 90 programs and almost 1,500 courses leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs.

Employees Recognized for Service at Tehachapi Unified School District meeting

At its first general meeting on Monday, Aug. 18, the Tehachapi Unified School District opened the 2008-2009 school year with a presentation of the colors by Tehachapi Composite Squadron 46 of the Civil Air Patrol and a beautiful rendition of the national anthem sung by Maria Werth, a new substitute for the school district. Gary Warner, president of the school board, then thanked all employees for their contributions to TUSD. “It's humbling,” he said. “I've got the best seat in the room because I'm looking at you, the people that make us great.”

Dr. Richard Swanson, TUSD Superintendent, then proceeded to share the results of a lengthy strategic planning process and asked that all future decisions be made with reference to the plan. “I've worked at many other districts, and I must say that this district has the greatest potential to be great,” he said. “We're going from good to great,” he added.

As a cap to the meeting, and among applause and cheers by their colleagues, employees were awarded certificates and pins for milestone service years as follows:

Five years of service: Debra Haycock, THS VP Secretary; Carol Horst, THS Art; Mary Krantz, Extended Day Care; Patricia McCormick, Extended Day Care; Penelope Miles, Noon Supervisor; Patricia Pinkard, CV SDC; Gunilla Ream, Noon supervisor/day care; Chad Rhinehardt, Crossing Guard/noon supervisor; Martha Strauss, JMS Secretary.

Ten years of service: Peggy Carey, Title 1 aide; Carie Cerda, Payroll technician; Kristi Cowee, JMS, 8th grade math; Lorna Hansen, Technology; Julie Heaslet, THS/ROP; Garry Parrott, Tompkins 4th grade; Carin Reddig, Library Clerk; Sandra Resendiz, Custodian; Karen Scaggs, THS Social Studies; Larry Scaggs, JMS, science; Rick Scott, Tompkins 5th grade; Debbie Slemp, JMS science; Emily Van Andel, CV 3rd grade; Jean Wright, CV Library Clerk.

Fifteen years of service: Mark Bernacchi, JMS math; Janna Calaway, JMS language arts; Joan Cooper, THS math; Gloria Cornielle, Noon Supervisor; Debra Franchere, JMS Library Technician; Susan Galloway, JMS language arts; Laura Haight, JMS 6th grade; Sandy Hiner, Tompkins Music; Lauren Hollen, THS science; Robert Hutton, Maintenance and Operations; Valerie Kerr, JMS Secretary; Lauralyn Lockway, CV 2nd grade; Kelly Maddox, bus driver; Lora Minton, JMS 6th grade; Michael Pierce, Tompkins Adaptive P.E.; Alex Robb, Tompkins 5th grade; Jana Walker, Tompkins 2nd grade; Lynette Zahnow, Food Service, Liz Gividen, RSP Cummings Valley

Twenty years of service: Anna Cardiel, school bus driver; Sally Ehli, purchasing clerk; Martin Feehan, JMS Technology; Liz Heinchon, Transitional 1st Tompkins; Kathryn Hinkle, CV 2nd grade; Stephanie Hoehne-Mattly, Tompkins; Jackie Lawlor, JMS; Theresa Morrow, GH Kindergarten; William Smith, THS Social Studies; Craig Waldram, THS/JMS music.

Twenty-five years of service: Robert Cesena, Custodian; Richard Cotta, THS Agricultural Mechanics; Cliff Wiggins, THS English.

Thirty years of service: Pam Alvarez, Food Service Supervisor.
Thirty-five years of service: Cheryl Wright, CV 2nd grade.

Tehachapi Unified School District Welcomes New Teachers

The Tehachapi Unified School District welcomed ten new teachers at a special meeting on Aug. 15 designed to give them an early start to the school year. “What a wonderful and energetic group of teachers!” exclaimed Bobbie Wieder, Chief Administrator for Personnel Services. “They are going to fit right in with the rest of our great staff,” she added.

Sean Clifton - THS, math/geometry/algebra
“I love being able to share something that I am passionate about with students and watching students understand something for the first time. I have heard great things about the programs at THS. I also live in the community and I look forward to supporting and encouraging students in and out of school.” Sean enjoys “hanging out” with his family, youth group, soccer, golf, racquetball and backpacking.

Derek Devine - Golden Hills, 4th/5th grade Special Day Class
“I love having the opportunity to help a child realize the many possibilities that await them. I chose to teach in Tehachapi because I love the idea of working close to home.” Derek is a real outdoorsman with hobbies of basketball, tennis, hiking and camping.

Amber Epley - THS, geography/world history
“I love teaching because the students give me new insights into the world every day. My husband and I fell in love with this beautiful community.” Interestingly, Amber stays busy by cooking, reading and working on cars!

Danielle R. Evansic - THS, math
“I enjoy the enthusiasm, when the students master a concept or just experience something new. We live in Tehachapi, and I would love to contribute to the community and help the district achieve/surpass its goal of 'good to great'.” Danielle is interested in crafts, camping and aerospace.

David Gamble - JMS, choir/guitar
“I'm very passionate about teaching and love to watch student growth. My father, 'Chick,' taught choir here for 36 years where I got my exposure to music. I also love the community.” Not surprisingly, David enjoys music, arts and entertainment.

Scott Heitman - THS, 11th/12th grade Special Day Class
“The students keep me young and energetic. I chose Tehachapi because it's a small town and has good kids.” Scott spends his free time golfing or riding motorcycles.

Paula Macon - THS, US history/government
“I enjoy the fact that I have the opportunity to have a positive impact on the students I am entrusted with on a daily basis. I also love the fact that I learn from them every day! My family and I have been coming to Tehachapi for many years to visit my sister and her family. We have always loved the community spirit of Tehachapi and the family values that are portrayed throughout town. To be able to live and work in such a great town is a blessing.”

Donna Marchand - JMS, Special Day Class/Severely Handicapped
“I love the sparkle in the students' eyes when they grasp the new concepts I am introducing. I chose Tehachapi because of the clean air, small town and small schools for our children. I have five children ranging from six to twenty-nine and four grandchildren.” Donna will fit right in with her sewing, reading and canning.

Paul Marchand - THS, math
“I enjoy seeing the students understand the concept being taught, and I like the small community.” Paul also likes hiking and skiing.

Paul Press - THS, Vice Principal
“I enjoyed the interaction with students and helping them succeed as a teacher for 16 years. As a vice principal, I enjoy the organizational part and watching the entire school work together to achieve a goal. Having been born and raised in Bakersfield, it was natural for me to come to Tehachapi for the weather and air quality. The best part is the friendliness; in my over 20 years in education, these kids in Tehachapi are the most outstanding I've ever been around.”

Brooke Tighe - JMS, 7th/8th grade math
“One of my most rewarding experiences is igniting excitement in a student who normally shows no interest. I live in Tehachapi, and I am very excited to be a part of my community.” Brooke enjoys hiking, skiing and puzzles.

Dennie Wagnon - District Office, Teacher-Special Assignment
“I am going to enjoy the challenge of this new job, especially after 21 years of teaching. It will be an opportunity to use my expertise and talents in a new way. I appreciate the vision of the school district and am excited about participating in making it happen!”

Adam Whittier - Spanish, Tehachapi High School

Adam is a Tehachapi native and is returning after living in Spain for one year and Ecuador for two. “Interaction with students and teaching them concepts they can take with them for a lifetime is amazing”

Local student inducted into National Honor Roll

The National Honor Roll recognizes Alexis M. Lee as a high-achieving high school student. “Young people such as our inductees, who work hard to attain academic success, deserve to be congratulated,” says Lynn Romero, Publisher of the National Honor Roll. “Honoring their achievements provides motivation and encourages them to continue striving toward their goals. We’re proud to include them in the National Honor Roll.”

The National Honor roll offers several benefits that can contribute to the success of its student members. For students recognized for the 2007/2008 school year, National Honor Roll set aside $25,000 to be shared among 25 of its qualifying inductees. All members are entitled to compete for these National Honor Roll Awards for Academic Achievement, which will be awarded in December.

Exchange Students

International high school exchange students are coming to study in the Tehachapi area during the 2008-09 school year. These students will integrate themselves into a Tehachapi area family with the goal of experiencing American culture as an American high school student does. In turn, they will provide insight into their own culture.

STS Foundation, a non profit student exchange organization, is proud to help facilitate these relationships. They have been doing so for the past 20 years and look forward to finding new host families in Tehachapi and connecting them with exchange students.

Students like Pierre, who is a 16 year old boy from Libourne, France. He loves participating in tennis tournaments and also enjoys skiing, soccer and volleyball. He is eager to meet American people and take part in their experience. Louise is a 17 year old girl from Stockholm, Sweden, who loves playing and coaching tennis. She also enjoys participating in track and field events and is excited to experience the “school spirit” of an American high school. They are both excellent students and will have their own spending money and health insurance.

The host family provides a separate bed, family meals and a safe environment. If your family is interested in being a host family please call 1-800-522-4678 or send an email to lillian@stsfoundation.org. For more information visit www.stsfoundation.org <http://www.stsfoundation.org/>

Kern County College Night Sept. 8

Having a college degree can make a difference of approximately $875,000 in a person’s lifetime earnings, according to the Employment Policy Foundation. That, among many reasons, is why high school students and parents are invited to attend the free, ninth annual Kern County College Night scheduled for Sept. 8 at the Rabobank Convention Center, 1001 Truxtun Avenue in Bakersfield. Taking place from 6-9 p.m., it will provide information for high school and community college transfer students and anyone interested in pursuing a college education.

Representatives from 80-100 public and private colleges, universities and trade schools from within and outside California will have booths at the event to provide information and answer questions such as: how much does college cost, what college offers the classes I need and what do I do before I enroll? Local high school and college counselors will also be available to offer advice.

Sessions dealing with financial aid, scholarships and public and private colleges will be available in English and Spanish to aid Spanish-speaking parents.

Students and parents should attend to see the many options available to graduates once they leave high school, said Pat Alexander, one of the event organizers. It is critical for high school students to be college ready. Today’s job market clearly demonstrates that training beyond high school gives students a significant economic advantage.

For additional information, contact Christine Goedhart-Humphrey, event coordinator at 636-4330.

Tehachapi High School multi-year reunion response 'overwhelming'

Allison Mupas of Arcadia – who was Allison Fallick when she graduated from Tehachapi High School in 1988 – is pleased with the response to the multi-year class reunion she has planned for Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Oak Tree Country Club at Bear Valley Springs.
“It’s going to be a party,” said Mupas, who has not lived in Tehachapi since finishing high school. “Twenty years have gone by since my graduating class in 1988 and I want to see people I haven’t seen.”
On her informational “Evite” online invitation, Mupas wrote, “I am overwhelmed by the great response I have had in speaking to and e-mailing so many of you over the past months.”
Mupas, who was student body president, said, “I loved Tehachapi High School. It has a special place in my heart.”
The reunion will coincide with the 45th annual Mountain Festival, scheduled for Aug. 16-17. In comments on the Evite site, many of the former classmates who are coming to the event expressed a desire to attend in the Mountain Festival once again.
To gather all the friends from 1988 meant inviting friends from other classes, Mupas said – hence the multi-year reunion. Students from classes from 1986 through 1990 are welcome, she said.
The event will feature a buffet dinner, cash bar and a photo montage. The DJ will play favorite 80s and early 90s music “with a splash of current dance music.”
Mupas is seeking more photos and videos to use in the montage presentation. She also needs volunteers to scan photos from old yearbooks for nametags.
The cost is $65 per person.
For information, e-mail Mupas at alfnjm@yahoo.com or call her at 310-699-9906.

Tehachapi Unified School District announces free and reduced-price meals policy

Tehachapi Unified School District today announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Each school and/or the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.
The household size and income criteria identified below will be used to determine eligibility for free, reduced-price, or full-price meal benefits. Children from households whose income is at or below the set levels are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Children who receive Food Stamp (FS), California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payments (Kin-GAP), or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) benefits are automatically eligible for free meals regardless of the income of the household in which they reside. Eligibility for a foster child is based on a separate application and solely on the amount of the child's “personal use” income.
Application forms are being distributed to all households with a letter informing them of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for enrolled children. Applications are also available at the principal's office and cafeteria in each school. To apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits, households must complete an application and return it to the school for processing. Applications may be submitted at any time during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used to determine meal eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or program officials.
Requirements for school officials to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits are as follows: For households receiving Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR benefits - applications need only include the enrolled child(ren)'s name, Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR case number, and the signature of an adult household member. For households who do not list a Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR case number, the application must include the names of all household members, the amount and source of the income received by each household member, and the signature and corresponding Social Security number of an adult household member. If the household member who signs the application does not have a Social Security number, the household member must indicate on the application that a Social Security number is not available.
Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, the determining official(s), as designated by the sponsor/agency, shall review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the eligibility ruling may discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. Parents may also make a formal request for an appeal hearing of the decision and may do so orally or in writing with the sponsor/agency's hearing official. Parents or guardians should contact their child(ren)'s school(s) for specific information regarding the name of the determining official and/or hearing official for a specific school, agency, or district.
If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household's income falls at or below the levels shown above.
Households that receive Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR benefits may not have to complete an Application for Free or Reduced-Price Meals or Free Milk. School officials will determine eligibility for free meals based on documentation obtained directly from the Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, or FDPIR office that a child is a member of a household currently receiving Food Stamp or FDPIR benefits or an assistance unit receiving CalWORKs or Kin-GAP benefits. School officials will notify households of their eligibility, but those who do not want their child(ren) to receive free meals must contact the school. Food Stamp, CalWORKs, Kin-GAP, and FDPIR households should complete an application if they are not notified of their eligibility by August 15, 2008.