Public Education

Jonathan Wenn Glendale High School's Oratorical is an amazing example of excellence in public education in Glendale. Public education is neither an "institutional" nor an "educational disaster" as claimed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in his State of the State Address. Glendale High School's 96-year Oratorical competition ("Freshmen block senior sweep" March 5-6) is one example of excellence in public education. Having taught at the middle school level for the last eight years in Glendale, I can attest that educational excellence is truly present in this city.

That Clark Magnet High School stands to earn its second National Blue Ribbon designation is a testament to that model of delivering education to a diverse student population. The math-and-science-focused campus was one of just 35 schools in California to be nominated for the 2012 federal designation, the gold standard in public education, after having already earned it in 2006. Clark earned this honor by scoring 909 out of a total 1,000 points in 2011 in standardized tests, making it the highest-performing high school in Glendale Unified, despite a large population of low-income students.

Dear Mr. New (“Don't take from us to pay for them,” May 26): Did you have a public education? Did you have a teacher that you remember as having contributed to your intellectual growth or enlightened you in any way? Did your children, or do you know anyone with children, who attend public schools? Do you agree that public education is essential to an informed electorate and contributes to a civilized society and strong economy? Teachers (and other “government employees” who provide essential services)

Allen Freemon As the newly elected president of the Glendale Teachers Assn. I would like to introduce myself and share my vision for public education with the Glendale community. I will take office on July 1, and I look forward to making the Glendale Teachers Assn. an organization that is both active and well-known in the community. It is important that our community knows what we as educators see for the future of public education. Unfortunately, the governor and other elected officials are currently getting a lot of mileage out of labeling teachers as the bad guys.

Judy Seckler NORTHWEST GLENDALE -- Local country music performer Glenn Temple was selected to receive an Employee Recognition Award by the Masonic Lodges of Glendale and La Crescenta. Temple has contributed much of his time to serving youth at Balboa Elementary among others, and has also performed for veterans in the CARE program at the Sepulveda VA Ambulatory Care and Nursing Home Center. For the past 20 years in the spring, members of the local Masonic lodges have made a point to honor employees of the Glendale schools as part of the organization's ongoing efforts to promote and support the cause of public education.

The Glendale News-Press on Friday asked, "What do you think the school district should do to stop declining enrollment?" There are a variety of responses, which will be presented over the next few weeks. People will suggest that we accept more permits from other districts, that we develop specialized programs that attract targeted groups of kids, or that we do a better job of advertising the excellence of Glendale schools to draw more private school students into public education. All of these are great ideas -- however, they do not answer the issue that is at the core of concern over declining enrollment.

Our health may be getting wobbly, but have you noticed that those of us in the 65-or-older age bracket seem to have it all over younger people when it comes to financial security? Many of us have been grandfathered into the type of defined benefit retirement arrangements that few of our children or grandchildren will ever see. However, the most unique advantage we oldsters have in California is exceptionally low property taxes. My wife and I are living in the house we bought in 1966, 45 years ago. Maybe I’m supposed to feel smug, but I’m actually embarrassed when I think of the property taxes my neighbors on either side must pay. Both are young families with children whom the parents will be putting through college soon.

GLENDALE ? Becky Chaires has an infectious laugh and a commitment to her job that has earned her two Unsung Heroes Awards from fellow members of the Glendale chapter of the California School Employees Assn. Chaires and the rest of the district's classified employees will celebrate today at Hoover High School in anticipation of classified employees week, which kicks off Monday. Each of the district's 30 schools is planning its own celebration, but today about 200 members of the Glendale chapter of the association and their family members are expected to enjoy a breakfast and receive donated gifts, association spokeswoman Julie Niles said.

A very surprised and emotional Alice Petrossian, Glendale Unified School District assistant superintendent, was honored with the James R. Brown Leadership Award at Tuesday night's school board meeting. For more than 28 years, Petrossian has dedicated herself to the educational system. She has received many awards over the years — in 2005 was awarded the Ferd Kiesel Memorial Distinguished Service Award, which is given by the Association of California School Administrators to someone who had made a significant contribution to public schools.

Tim Willert GLENDALE -- The Glendale/Burbank League of Women Voters will elect new officers for the 2001-2003 term today at its annual meeting. Terry Bailey, the local chapter's outgoing president, played a prominent role at the league's 59th state convention last week in Los Angeles. Bailey, who was elected to the state board as communications director, accepted two awards on behalf of the local league. The Glendale/Burbank league received a gold medal for public education in the area of diversity and nondiscrimination along with a top award for quality and consistency for its local newsletter, President's Messages.

That Clark Magnet High School stands to earn its second National Blue Ribbon designation is a testament to that model of delivering education to a diverse student population. The math-and-science-focused campus was one of just 35 schools in California to be nominated for the 2012 federal designation, the gold standard in public education, after having already earned it in 2006. Clark earned this honor by scoring 909 out of a total 1,000 points in 2011 in standardized tests, making it the highest-performing high school in Glendale Unified, despite a large population of low-income students.

Dear Mr. New (“Don't take from us to pay for them,” May 26): Did you have a public education? Did you have a teacher that you remember as having contributed to your intellectual growth or enlightened you in any way? Did your children, or do you know anyone with children, who attend public schools? Do you agree that public education is essential to an informed electorate and contributes to a civilized society and strong economy? Teachers (and other “government employees” who provide essential services)

Our health may be getting wobbly, but have you noticed that those of us in the 65-or-older age bracket seem to have it all over younger people when it comes to financial security? Many of us have been grandfathered into the type of defined benefit retirement arrangements that few of our children or grandchildren will ever see. However, the most unique advantage we oldsters have in California is exceptionally low property taxes. My wife and I are living in the house we bought in 1966, 45 years ago. Maybe I’m supposed to feel smug, but I’m actually embarrassed when I think of the property taxes my neighbors on either side must pay. Both are young families with children whom the parents will be putting through college soon.

Over the past several months, I have had the pleasure of being on the receiving end of countless endorsements urging me to run for Glendale City Council. I have been overwhelmed by the encouragement, confidence and well wishes so many have bestowed upon me. Christine and I can't thank all of you enough. Christine and I both have enjoyed and cherished the opportunity to give back to our community throughout our time here. As many of you know, I currently have the honor of serving as president of the Glendale Unified school board, where I have been a member for the past 10 years.

CITY HALL — Commissioners next week are slated to review a draft report aimed at making streets more inviting for bicyclists and safer for pedestrians in one of the last stops before the much-anticipated policy document reaches the City Council. The so-called "Safe and Healthy Streets Plan" is the result of two years of community outreach and development under a $305,000 grant awarded to the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition in 2008. Through the grant, coalition liaison Colin Bogart has been a regular fixture in Glendale, meeting with residents and city officials to discuss ways to best improve conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians.

CENTRAL GLENDALE — Broadway and Glendale Avenue got a new, safe "look" on Thursday. As part of an ongoing public safety campaign, public works crews painted over a large stencil with the word "Look," which was placed at the foot of the crosswalk as a warning to pedestrians to look for oncoming traffic before crossing. The message in English, Armenian and Spanish will be placed at several intersections with high foot traffic as part of the city's "Driven 2 Distraction" public education campaign aimed to curb distracted driving and encourage pedestrian safety, officials said.

A rash of pedestrian-involved collisions this week has again put a spotlight on one of the city's top public safety issues, which officials said will be dealt with through tougher enforcement and increased public education. A baby in a stroller, a middle school student and two seniors were struck this week by motorists while they were walking in Glendale crosswalks. "To be honest, I am devastated," Mayor Ara Najarian said. "I am so disappointed and so frustrated at the continued rash of pedestrian accidents we are experiencing.

GLENDALE — Parents at a special Glendale Unified community meeting said they support greater emphasis on teaching social skills, more career and technical education opportunities and more multi-use facilities. School district officials held their first community meeting Monday, soliciting feedback from parents as they set goals for the next five years. The input will go to a 45-member planning committee, which will make recommendations to the Board of Education for the 2015 strategic plan in February, officials said.

Local school boards are throwing their support behind a lawsuit filed Thursday that claims the California education system has been underfunded by billions for years in violation of the state Constitution. The lawsuit represents years of work by the California School Boards Assn. and state Parent Teacher Assn. organizations, who have the full backing of local boards in Glendale and Burbank, officials said. A successful outcome would force state legislators to create a new mechanism to fund public education according to levels proscribed in the Constitution, said Glendale school board member Mary Boger, who serves as vice president of the California School Boards Assn.

GLENDALE — School board President Mary Boger had her job description grow exponentially last week after being elected vice president of the largest state educational association in the nation. Boger will not have to relocate to Sacramento, but her position in the California School Boards Assn. leadership will require a lot of traveling. “It’s a far greater commitment of time for me, but it also means a larger platform for me to advocate for children and public education,” she said.