January 23, 2009

IT'S A GRIND — Tincher Prep Named Jesse James uses a grinder on a cus- a ʻSchool to Watchʼ tomized motorcyle at his Long Beach After achieving significant gains in student shop. The Millikan performance, Tincher Preparatory School has alum is raising become the first Long Beach school, and the funds for industrial first K-8 school in the state, to be named a arts classes such as “School to Watch” by the California Middle auto shop and weld- Grades Alliance. ing. James recently State Superintendent of Public Instruction donated $60,000 to Jack O’Connell recently announced that the nonprofit Long Tincher and only two other schools statewide Beach Education earned the honor. “Congratulations to all the students, their Foundation. teachers and administrators, and the parents who are working hard to make these schools Photo courtesy examples of educational excellence,” of West Coast O’Connell said. Choppers. Tincher was recognized for its success in four areas: implementing best practices focused on academic achievement; responding to the developmental needs of adolescents; Celeb Jesse James Raises Funds for Schools offering an equitable education for all students; and instituting processes and procedures that Local business owner and celebrity Jesse “Monster Garage.” sustain academic growth. James recently donated $60,000 to the Long The donated funds will go toward classes To be named a Schools To Watch–Taking Beach Education Foundation and will attempt such as auto shop and welding at the middle Center Stage designee, schools must have met to raise more funds during an upcoming and high school levels. all state Academic Performance Index growth appearance on NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice 2.” “These are classes that kids want to take,” targets for the previous three years. Tincher The initial donation already is one of the largest James said. “Somebody needed to step up and also conducted a rigorous self-study and com- that the foundation has ever received. do something to give these kids the opportuni- pleted a narrative application. A team of James owns West Coast Choppers, a custom ty to learn some skills.” experts visited Tincher in December. motorcycle and car shop in Long Beach, and its James attended Millikan High School and “They liked what they saw in regard to the nearby restaurant Cisco Burger. He also was became aware of his talents by taking such culture of our school, the academic success, the host of the popular Discovery Channel show, classes. He attributes his success to an influen- teamwork of staff, and the partnership between tial high school teacher. the parents, the kids and the staff,” said In 2008, the Education Foundation raised Tincher Principal Bill Vogel. Tincher’s API more than $1million for the school district. Its score rose 46 points schoolwide in the past STAR Schools Make purpose is to help make certain that all stu- three years. In that time, the African American dents in the district receive the education they subgroup narrowed the achievement gap by 24 Significant Strides need to succeed. points, and Latinos by 62 points. Tincher is a “Celebrity Apprentice 2” will air at 9 p.m. diverse school with more than 50 percent of its The Board of Education recently recognized Sunday, March 1 on NBC. students designated as disadvantaged. This 10 elementary schools with STAR Awards for For more information about the foundation, subgroup has improved by 53 points over the significant gains in student achievement. call 997-8254 or go to www.lbschools.net and same period. Tincher's API score stands at This year’s winners are Burnett, Burroughs, click on Long Beach Education Foundation in 845, well above California’s target of 800. Carver, Cleveland, Fremont, Gant, the A-Z index. (Continued on next page) International, Lafayette, Naples and Prisk ele- mentary schools. The STAR Award (Student success Terrific Six ʻTrusted Centersʼ Boost College Aid teaching Academic Results) is based upon four critical components: • Tripling the state Academic Performance The Long Beach Unified School District though any student may use the centers. Index growth target; has partnered with a federal agency and local Statewide, 18 to 24-year-old Latinos are the • Meeting or exceeding federal Adequate community organizations to open six “trusted least likely to have entered college. More than Yearly Progress criteria; centers” where students can receive free help half of students in LBUSD schools are Latino. • Advancing the achievement of the lowest completing financial aid applications. The Free Application for Federal Student performing sub-group of students at the school; "This is a perfect illustration of how, despite Aid (FAFSA) starts the process to qualify for • Advancing the achievement of English the fiscal crisis, we're bringing in extra all federal and government-guaranteed student Language Learners at the school. resources without any additional cost to the aid programs, as well as for many regional, Winning schools exhibited “high expecta- district," said Christopher J. Steinhauser, super- state and institutional student aid programs. tions for students, teaching that is focused on intendent of schools. Last year, more than 1,800 seniors here rigor and differentiation, collaboration, ongo- The U.S. Department of Education’s completed the application. This year, the goal ing parent communication, reflective staff and Federal Student Aid selected Long Beach as is to help 3,000 students complete the applica- strong school leadership,” said Jill Baker, one of three cities nationwide to participate in tion. About 90 percent of students start to assistant superintendent for elementary the pilot program. The aim in Long Beach is complete the FAFSA, but many do not schools. to increase Latino enrollment in college, (Continued on next page) PILOT PROJECT — • School to Watch Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster joins (Continued from first page) Jordan and Poly high The other two winners this year are Clark schoolsʼ GEAR UP Intermediate School in Fresno’s Clovis Unified Coordinator Jan School District, and Dartmouth Middle School Jones at Centro CHA in Santa Clara County’s Union School District. (Community Hispanic This year’s winners will be recognized at the Association) for a March 13 to 15 California League of Middle news conference Schools conference in San Diego. announcing the open- ing of six centers that will help students apply for financial aid. Free/Reduced Lunch Three of the six cen- Due to current economic conditions, some ters are at Long families are enduring new financial hardships. Beach schools. Applications for free or reduced-price meals may be submitted at any time during the school year. The confidential information provided on • Trusted Financial Aid Centers Now Open the application will be used to determine meal eligibility. Applications are available at each (Continued from first page) bucks statewide trends. school's office or cafeteria. complete it because of its complexity. Many Latino parents hesitate to complete Parents also may contact Nutrition Services The pilot project aligns with the district’s the form because they don’t want to share per- at (562) 427-7923, ext. 229 or 230. Academic and Career Success Initiative, which sonal financial information with institutions, aims to increase college and career readiness. said Jessica Quintana, executive director of The FAFSA project may help college Centro CHA, a local organization that is host- enrollment numbers rise faster than ever here. ing one of the centers. Names in the News Already, between 2004 and 2007, the number LBUSD has recruited at least 65 volunteers of LBUSD students enrolling in four-year col- to staff the centers and is hosting several vol- In attendance at the inauguration of leges grew by 37% — an accomplishment that unteer training sessions. President Barack Obama were Cabrillo stu- dents Francis Mascarina, Samantha Myers, Victoria Acebedo, Mitzy Cuevas, Lenard These locations provide trained volunteers who can help families apply for financial aid: Hannigan, Krystal McCloud, Katrina McCloud and Adam Lane. Each raised Name Phone Address Days Available Times Available $2,000 to make the four-day trip, which includ- ed touring Washington, D.C. Cabrillo Avalon High School (310) 510-0790 200 Falls Wed-Thurs 3:30 – 5 p.m. Canyon Rd. Advanced Placement U.S. history teacher Brady Garrett chaperoned. Centro CHA, Inc. (562) 570-4722 727 Pine Ave. Mon-Thurs 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Sat Workshop TBA) Jordan High School 423-1471 6500 Atlantic Ave. Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Career Center) ext. 2255 Dates to Remember February Long Beach 938-3951 4901 E. Carson St. Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Black History Month City College (EOPS) Sat by appt. National Childrenʼs Dental Health Month 1 National Freedom Day 2 Groundhog Day Poly High School 997-8000 1600 Atlantic Ave. Mon-Tues 1:45 – 3:45 p.m. 2 LBUSD/City of Long Beach Groundhog Job Library (Hicks Gallery) ext. 5188 Shadow Day 2-6 National School Counseling Week Second Samoan UCC (562) 628-9282 655 Cedar Ave. Tues & Thurs 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 3 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30— “George by appt. Washington,” Grades 3-5, ed.tv 8 4 8:00, 10:15, 11:30, 1:00, 2:00— “Abraham Lincoln,” Grades 2-8, ed.tv 8 5 10:00, 11:30, 12:00,12:30— “Abraham Lincoln,” Grades 3-5, ed.tv 8 6 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30— “The Boyhood of Boy Baby Boom Retirement Event Abraham Lincoln,” Grades 4-6, ed.tv 8 9 Lincoln Day 10 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30— “Valentineʼs Day,” Six Signal Hill teachers and the director of Honoree Date Contact Grades K-4, ed.tv 8 the afterschool WRAP program have been Kathie Grubb Feb. 19 Karen Periman 11 8:00, 10:15, 11:30, 1:00, 2:00— “George Washington,” Grades 2-8, ed.tv 8 pregnant this school year. So far, all of the ext. 7145 12 Abraham Lincolnʼs Birthday babies have been boys, including a set of 12 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30— “Presidentsʼ Day,” Grades K-5, ed.tv 8 twins. Two more baby boys are due in June. 13 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30— “Riding Your School Bus Safely,” Grades 6-12, ed.tv 8 SCHOOL BULLETIN 14 St. Valentineʼs Day Official publication of the Long Beach 15 Susan B. Anthonyʼs Birthday 15-21 Take Your Family to School Week Unified School District issued bi-weekly 16 Presidentsʼ Day In Memoriam during the school year from the Office of 16 Washington Day 17 National PTA Founders Day the Superintendent of Schools, 1515 Hughes 17 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30— “You Can Vivian Kendrick Way, Long Beach, California 90810. Refuse,” Grades 5-8, ed.tv 8 18 8:00, 10:15, 11:30, 1:00, 2:00— “Alexander CDC teacher, Hudson and Webster (562) 997-8000. www.lbschools.net Graham Bell,” Grades 3-8, ed.tv 8 Jan. 6, 2009 CHRISTOPHER J. STEINHAUSER 19 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30— “New Zebra in Town,” Grades K-5, ed.tv 8 Superintendent of Schools 20 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30— “Jackie Robinson Kieth Cagan Story,” Grades 6-12, ed.tv 8 teacher, Wilson BOARD OF EDUCATION 22 George Washingtonʼs Birthday JON MEYER, President 24 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30— “Why We Need Jan. 7, 2009 Each Other: The Animalsʼ Picnic Day,” MARY STANTON, Vice President Grades 1-4, ed.tv 8 Diane Brown DAVID BARTON, Member 25 - Apr. 11 Lent 25 8:00, 10:15, 11:30, 1:00, 2:00— “Womenʼs principal, Wilson MICHAEL ELLIS, Member History Month,” Grades K-3, ed.tv 8 Jan. 20, 2009 FELTON WILLIAMS, Member 26 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30— “School Bus and the Exceptional Child,” Grades K-12, ed.tv 8 KIARA MARTIN, Student Member 27 10:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30— “Dr. Seuss—Cat in the Hat,” Grades K-5, ed.tv 8