VOLUME XLVIII, NUMBER 3 Your Local News Source Since 1963 SERVING LIVERMORE • PLEASANTON • SUNOL THURSDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011 High School Trimester Schedule Meeting Goals By Patricia Koning were on two different block al minutes required by the State schedule would result in “signifi- dents increased 69 points at LHS Last week, Livermore School schedules. of California and to provide its cant increases in achievement.” and 82 points at Granada; socio- District executive director of stu- Each trimester is 12 weeks teachers with collaboration time The data has proven him cor- economically disadvantaged dent services Chris Van Schaack long. Students can attend periods within the school day. rect—standardized test scores students increased 75 points at came through on a promise he 1-5, 2-5, 1-4, or 1-3, depending Van Schaack reported on the in English Language Arts, math, LHS and 118 points at Granada; made three years ago, when he on their post-high school goals five goals which he and Avilla history, and science have im- and ELL students increased 90 was principal of Granada High and extracurricular commit- made back in 2008: to improve proved significantly, as well as points at LHS and 104 points at School. “When you approved the ment. student achievement, increase the Academic Performance Index Granada. high school trimester schedule, I “We had identified many elective offerings and flexibility, (API) for both schools. “These academic gains are re- said I’d come back early in year concerns with our program at the create collaborative time at LHS, From 2008 to 2010, the His- ally the most impressive part of three with a progress report,” time,” explained Van Schaack. create a culture that encourages panic, socio-economically disad- this report,” said trustee Bill Dun- Find Out What's he said. “Student achievement was stag- innovation and creativity at both vantaged, and English language lop. “I was beside myself when I In Jan. 2008, the Livermore nant, students were having dif- campuses, and unify the high learners (ELL) subgroups have saw these improvements.” Happening Board of Education approved the ficulty fitting electives into their schools. made tremendous gains on the A survey of students, staff, new schedule, presented by Van schedule, and there were reports In an October 2008 report to API, outstripping the 32-point and parents showed that the tri- Check out the Schaack and Livermore High of stress overload.” In addition, the Board, Van Schaack made overall increase for LHS and mester scheduled seems to have second section School (LHS) principal Darryl LHS needed to adjust its schedule what he termed a “bold predic- the 62-point overall increase for increased elective options and Section II is filled with infor- Avilla. At the time, the schools to meet the minimum instruction- tion” that benefits of the trimester Granada. Scores for Hispanic stu- (See GOALS, page 4) mation about arts, entertainment and special events. There are education stories, a variety of features, and the arts and enter- tainment and bulletin board list Pleasanton Holding Workshop on Finances Make that a Dou- Discussion of items related to changes announced by Calpers. new City of Pleasanton employee In addition, the contracts do not ble: union contracts was delayed until address the entitlement process. Gold, That Is a future meeting. Hughes expressed disappoint- Only three councilmembers ment that a 2-tier pension plan 2011 Chronicle were present for Tuesday’s meet- was not included in the contracts. Competition Proves ing. Mayor Jennifer Hosterman He pointed out that other cities Golden for Livermore was in Washington, D.C. attend- have done so. By Laura Ness ing the Conference of Mayors. He mentioned that there is Hollywood may be reveling in Councilmember Cindy McGov- the potential for an initiative its Golden Globes, but Livermore ern was ill. to address issues the public is winemakers are celebrating a In addition to missing council- concerned about, particularly the great medal haul from the 2011 members, finance director Emily unfunded pensions, if the council Wagner was ill. does not act. San Francisco Chronicle Wine Councilmember Cheryl Cook- Brenda Wood, business man- Competition, including some Kallio suggested moving all of ager for the Pleasanton City Once again, Mitchell Katz the items pertaining to union Employees Association, said that walked away with Best of Class contracts, employee compensa- the union had negotiated in good and Double Gold for his 2008 tion, and pension liabilities to a faith. “We will talk about the Sangiovese, this time from Chris workshop format on Feb. 1. “It concessions we made in greater Grimes Vineyard. He also won a is important to have the entire detail in two weeks.” Gold for 2005 Tawny Port- Liver- council and staff present,” she The new contracts include Photo - Doug Jorgensen stated. a provision for the city man- more Valley, Falling Star. The new rapid buses will make it easier for people to get in and out of them. Wente Vineyards won Best of Councilmember Jerry Thorne ager to pay 8 percent towards commented, “I’m glad we are his pension; management would Class with its 2007 Nth Degree going to have the workshop pay 4 percent; and employees 2 Cabernet Sauvignon in the $60 prior to our making a decision percent. Currently, the city pays and up category. Go, Livermore Rapid Bus Service Is $4 Million on contracts.” the entire 8 percent contribution Cab! Members of the public were for all employees. Speaking of Cab, among invited to offer input into the Karla Brown, who ran for city Concannon’s 5 Gold medals Under Budget, & Ready to Roll proposed contracts. council last November, suggested was a Double Gold for the 2008 David Miller told the council, that it is time for employees Conservancy Cabernet. Other Wheels’ $14 million Bus Rap- Stoneridge Mall. When the sta- The buses are equipped with “The workshop is a great step to recognize that times have Concannon Golds went to Se- id Transit (BRT) service, seven tion opens, BRT will also stop clean-burning hybrid engines, forward.” He presented a petition changed. Commitments were lect Vineyard 2008 Petite Sirah years in the making, will begin there. producing fewer carbon emis- signed by 230 residents request- made in 2000 regarding pensions Jan. 24, linking Livermore to the BRT won’t run on weekends. sions and delivering better fuel ing that a workshop be held to with the belief that the economy and 2009 Pinot Noir, as well as East Dublin/Pleasanton BART The route will shave time off the economy. There also are low talk about the city’s financial would continue to be fabulous. to 2009 Conservancy Chardon- station and also to Stoneridge morning and evening commutes, floors and ramps for easy access situation. She urged the council to look nay, and to the 2007 Petite Sirah Mall between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. according to Wheels officials. by handicapped passengers. Bart Hughes, who has at- at contracts that were fair to Reserve. on weekdays. The buses will run every 10 Rep. Jerry McNerny of Pleas- tended several council meetings both employees and Pleasanton Fenestra came away with a What had been called the minutes at the peak commute anton, who worked for years to comment on employee pen- citizens. Double Gold (Seefor itsGOLD, 2007 page Petite 10) Dublin/Pleasanton BART station times, and 15 minutes at other to obtain federal funding, was sions, suggested that the council Councilmember Matt Sullivan was changed to the new name, times. Specially installed reader- joined by Rep. John Garamendi, reject the contracts and send them stated, “It is an important issue because the West Dublin/Pleas- boards at the newly installed, whose district includes Liver- back for further negotiations. that we need to work together anton BART station will open modern-design shelters will show more, in helping to inaugurate the He noted that since negotiations on to solve.” Therapy Dogs on Feb. 23. It is located near riders when the next bus is due. (See RAPID BUS, page 5) were completed there have been Honored For service Residents Taking Thorough Look at Climate Plan To veterans The voting is underway. “Bal- of being accomplished with meeting sponsored by the city needed more time with the lists. then go to the bottom of the box, Eighteen therapy dogs who lots” are expected to be returned residents supporting it. Good Jan. 11 at the Veterans hall. After They were told to take them where it says “please download have helped hundreds of military in a few weeks to consultants and also means effective, both in an orientation from consultants, home, and return them to city hall the,” there will be a choice of two veterans suffering from illnesses the City of Pleasanton concern- terms of making a significant they spent an hour poring over in the next couple of weeks. documents in bolder face. ranging from cancer to Alzheim- ing what future carbon-cutting contribution to carbon reduction, the 19 pages of material that lists Other residents can go on-line One is the “strategies” docu- er’s to post traumatic stress disor- measures might be good for and being cost-effective when it 300 suggestions in a total of 15 at pleasantongreenscene.org and ment, which explains the overall Pleasanton in its climate action comes to results obtained from categories. download the material. To ac- picture in nine pages. The other der (PTSD) were honored at the plan (CAP). dollars spent. It was clear from the mass complish that, on the home page is the Draft GHG reduction mea- Veterans Administration hospital The CAP must be put in place Approximately 60 people of knowledge available and the go to the box that says “Pleasan- sures,” which is the 19-page in Livermore last Saturday.