Summer School

Judy Seckler WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL -- At Wilson Middle School, seventh-graders had a chance to display the fruits of their labors Wednesday. About 75 students from two summer school classes finished giant sculptures of Subway turkey sandwiches and In-N-Out cheeseburgers, fries and lemonade. The purpose of the artistic exercise was to teach the students about advertising -- how art affects what the public buys and eats, how it affects the economy and what it takes to make a business happen, summer school teacher Doris Kouyias said.

Business owner receives award Carvel Gay, owner of Gay's Automotive and Towing, at 1521 Flower St., Glendale, received the prestigious California Tow Truck Assn. 2005 "Lifetime Achievement" award. The award recognizes Gay's contributions and commitment to the association and the towing industry. Gay, who started in the towing industry with his wife Pat in 1965, joined the association in April 1975 and was immediately elected president for the Los Angeles Chapter. Over the past 30 years Gay has been a committee member with the Legislative Committee, Education Committee, By-Laws Committee and Tow Service Agreement Committee.

I applied for summer school at Crescenta Valley High School the day after they distributed the forms. A lot of kids wonder why anyone would want to take summer school if they weren't being forced to. I really wanted to take chemistry this summer because then I could take drama as an elective during the year. Then, on schedule hand-out day, my counselor said I didn't make it in because my summer school application was turned in too late. They could only accept the first 120 students.

Crescenta Valley High School student Benjamin Blackburn is spending his summer at school. This may not seem too unusual, many students attend summer school; however, Blackburn's summer school is at Cornell University. Doing the unexpected is not unusual for this CVHS junior. Just before school ended this year he found he was a recipient of the National Society of High School Scholars award. The award recognizes students for their academic excellence. Blackburn was surprised when he was notified of the honor.

GLENDALE — When the school year ends in June, hundreds of students in the Glendale Unified School District will keep showing up for class, whether to catch up in subjects they’re behind in or to get ahead for the coming year. What specific courses will be available for those students will be up for discussion today when the board of education looks at the school district’s plans for summer school at the elementary and secondary levels. “This will give the board an opportunity to review all our existing summer school programs, and we will be able to weigh in on it,” board President Greg Krikorian said.

Here are some of the items the Glendale Unified School District board will discuss Tuesday: 2010 STRATEGIC PLAN The board will consider adopting the 2010 strategic plan, which was updated and edited by a team of students, parents, teachers, administrators, community members and board members. The plan reflects the district's core values, mission and vision statements, goals and strategies and will be considered in each major decision by members.

Glendale Community College officials on Friday announced that they would carry on with summer school despite state funding cuts after faculty members agreed to work the six-week session for 40% less pay. But the number of classes to be offered during the summer session will also be cut by 40% compared with last year, said Ron Nakasone, vice president of administrative services. The combination of pay cuts and fewer classes will save the cash-strapped college about $1 million, he said.

Seniors at Crescenta Valley High School graduated Thursday, and many of them spent the rest of the evening and into the wee hours of the morning celebrating at Grad Night at Magic Mountain. The seniors participated in many end-of-year activities, which were planned by class officers, Hannah Park, president; Geena Wheeler, vice president; Jordan Eberhart, secretary; Irene Park, treasurer; and Celeste Lau-Chwierut, class advisor. A big thank you goes to these individuals for their hard work and dedication to making senior year memorable.

FYI WHAT: La Cañada Unified School District Board meeting WHEN: 7 p.m., Tuesday WHERE: 4490 Cornishon Ave. CONTACT: (818) 952-8300 ON THE AGENDA The following items will be considered at Tuesday's board meeting: NEW COURSE Supt. Jim Stratton will ask the board to approve adding a new elective course for seventh and eighth-grade public speaking at La Cañada High School. The course request is in response to student interest and the opportunity for them to enhance their language arts skills.