New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Education

Senate Approves Correa Bill to Aid College Students Serving in California National Guard

Posted on May 27, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in california, Education, Lou Correa, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

PHOTO FROM FILE: State Senator Lou Correa (left) and California National Guard Adjunct General, Brig. Gen. Mary J. Kight (right), at Senator Correa’s Capitol Office during discussions related to Senate Bill 1075.

For Immediate Release: May 25, 2010

Contact: Lina Hamilton (916) 651-4034

Senate Approves Correa Bill to Aid College Students Serving in California National Guard

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California State Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1075 (SB 1075) authored by Senator Lou Correa (Orange County). This measure will require academic institutions to reasonably accommodate and assist students who are called to active military duty so they can meet any and all coursework requirements missed due to military service.

“SB 1075 will make sure that California National Guard members will not be academically or financially penalized when they are ordered to perform emergency state active duty,” said Senator Lou Correa. Continue reading→

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez finally co-sponsors the Dream Act

Posted on May 26, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Dream Act, Education, Latinos, Loretta Sanchez, mexico, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez has finally decided to co-sponsor the Dream Act, according to Gustavo Arellano, at the OC Weekly, and the Don Palabraz blog.

Click here to see her name on the record at the Library of Congress as a co-sponsor.

Here is an excerpt from Arellano’s post:

I’ve received much criticism from local Democrats over the past year for my constant bashing of Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez for not co-sponsoring the DREAM Act, a bill before the House and Senate that would create a path toward amnesty for undocumented college students. Recently, the Orange County Dream Team ratcheted up their pressure on Loretta as well, calling her out at liberal shindigs this past weekend. Continue reading→

SAUSD to blame teachers for problems at low performing schools

Posted on May 25, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Labor, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 2 Comments

It looks like the administrators at the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) are getting ready to blame their teachers for the woes at the district’s “Persisently Low Achieving Schools.”

Below is an email that the teachers’ union sent to their members, announcing their plans to fight back against the lame administrators at the SAUSD:

Dear XXXXX,

For several weeks, SAEA has requested a copy of the Persistently Low Achieving Schools (PLAS) plan and a description on how the District plans to involve teachers in the process. Every time we were assured, by the Superintendent and members of her Cabinet that teachers would have input in the content of the application. Furthermore, at the last School board meeting, the Superintendent told the School Board that teachers would have input and this would not be a top-down process.

SAEA and the District have been in negotiations regarding the articles in the collective bargaining agreement that affect the PLAS schools. The Bargaining Team asked on several occasions to see the plan, the District told us there was no plan formulated for the six schools. Finally, on Friday afternoon, the Bargaining Team got a copy of the application and we were outraged at its content. Continue reading→

Spurgeon Intermediate to hold a Career Day on May 28

Posted on May 23, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Business, Education, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 4 Comments

Dear Career Day Speakers:

Spurgeon staff would like you to participate in our Career Day on May 28, 2010 from 8:00 am to 12 pm. It is of great importance that our students come in contact with you and your career. Your presence at Spurgeon will give our students a wealth of information for future opportunities.

Please plan for a 30-35 minute presentation, with a 5 minute period for student questions. You may bring artifacts, pamphlets or informational displays. You may include in your presentation, but are not limited to the following question: Who was an influential in your life? How did you decide on your respective career? What are the requirements for a post secondary education for your career? What skills are necessary for the career? What are your primary job responsibilities? How much do you make? What is a typical day for you? What is the best and the worst thing(s) about your career? In addition, what are the goals for continued growth?

Thank you for your consideration in helping our students see the possibilities of their future careers.

There will be 3 sessions: Continue reading→

Villa Fundamental’s Education First Festival is on Saturday

Posted on May 21, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Charities, Civic Affairs, Education, Entertainment, Latinos, music, Santa Ana, Sports, Working Families, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Villa Fundamental’s Education First Festival

The 2010 Education 1st Festival will be held at Villa Fundamental on Saturday, May 22nd from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Over 90 organizations will unite to bring services and entertainment to families in Santa Ana.

Sports celebrity appearances by Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert Melendez along with Anaheim Angels player Jay Johnstone and Chivas USA.

Visual arts performances will highlight Latin Grammy performers from the Pacifico Dance Company. The live band stage, hosted by The Beat 92.3, will feature The Latin Blues Project, Mahootie, Wonder Wheel, Los Del Centro, The Alter Billies, and The Faculty. Other special exhibits will include Exotic Bird Shows from Rainforest Disney and Reptiles expo from Prehistoric Pets on stage 3. Continue reading→

Update from the Santa Ana Police Foundation

Posted on May 20, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Civic Affairs, Education, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 2 Comments

Mark your calendar for Thursday August 12, 2010 at 7:30am. Chief Paul Walters of the SAPD is conducting an an orientation meeting for the Santa Ana Police Foundation’s SA-BERT Training program.

ALSO, this Saturday, May 22, 2010, The Foundation and SA-BERT will participate at the Villa Fundamental Education First Festival. We NEED you! If you have graduated from BERT and/or participated in pour program, please respond today. We need help manning the booth at the Faire. Continue reading→

Assemblyman Solorio cancels his UCI commencement speech

Posted on May 19, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, irvine, Jose Solorio, Labor, Santa Ana Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 19 2010
Media Contact: Sanjay Garla, AFSCME 3299, 415-747-2328

Asm. Jose Solorio Cancels UC Irvine Commencement Speech
Joins Low–Wage UC Workers to Honor Graduation Speakers Boycott

Santa Cruz, CA – Calling attention to the human toll taken by a University of California (UC) administration that is out of touch with its students and the low-wage workers that keep the university running, a speakers’ graduation boycott will take place at 9 UC campuses.

Assemblymember Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim) is the latest civic leaders who have pledged to honor the speakers boycott until the workers and the administration resolve issues concerning contracting out, layoffs and reduced hours. Continue reading→

Santa Ana High Schools eligible to receive SIG funding according to Assemblyman Solorio

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Federal Government, Jose Solorio, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Education E-Alert from Assemblyman Jose Solorio
Striving for Excellence In Our Schools – Update on Race to the Top

Meeting the learning needs of our children is the public school system’s responsibility, but it is up to all of us to insist on excellence. Therefore, I will periodically report on current legislative efforts that aim to increase academic achievement and support our teachers by giving them the best tools to educate our children.

Currently, California is aggressively competing for President Obama’s federal Race to the Top (RTTT) and School Improvement Grant (SIG) funding opportunities with other states. Funding for RTTT is available in two phases, Phase 1 and Phase 2.

The Q&A below defines the Race to the Top challenge and California’s attempt to meet it. Continue reading→

State test scores show that worst schools in the O.C. are in Santa Ana

Posted on May 16, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Santa Ana, Working Families, Youth Activities Leave a comment

The O.C. Weekly has publishes a series of posts at their Navelgazing blog illustrating the depths of the problems at the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD).

Here are the ten worst elementary schools in Orange County:

9.) Wallace R. Davis, Santa Ana (706)

8.) Pomona, Costa Mesa (701)

7.) Lampson, Garden Grove (694)

5.) (tie) Everett R. Rea, Costa Mesa (691)
Jose Sepulveda, Santa Ana (691) Continue reading→

Meet the University of California Master Gardeners at the Santa Ana Zoo this weekend

Posted on May 14, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Education, Entertainment, Nature, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Meet the University of California Master Gardeners, at the Santa Ana Zoo, this weekend, May 15-16, from 11am – 3pm.

Fun activities and helpful information for the gardening enthusiast.

FREE with price of admission.

The UC Master Gardeners of Orange County, California, are a dedicated group of trained volunteers that provide assistance and share information about gardening in and around the Orange County area. They strive to provide information that is helpful and fun. Continue reading→

A chorus of colorful frogs at Muzeo

Posted on May 14, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Anaheim, Education, Entertainment, Nature, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

This Saturday, May 15, is Adults Free Day at Muzeo, in Anaheim. Kids, grab mom or dad and head on over to Muzeo! This is a special Imagination Celebration Event.

FROGS: A Chorus of Colors, at Muzeo, in Anaheim

February 13, 2010 – September 5, 2010

Frogs! introduces visitors to the amazing and sonorous world of anurans – the frogs. These fascinating amphibians are among the most visually stunning, vocally pleasing and adaptively remarkable life forms on earth.

The exhibit includes over 100 live frogs! Learn about their rich and diverse world, explore their evolution, biological importance to ecosystems and the threats they face in changing environments. Continue reading→

Kicking to Change lives through Martial Arts & Fitness

Posted on May 14, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Education, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

Toyama Karate-Do USA “Kicking to Change lives through Martial Arts & Fitness”

You are invited to be part of the Martial Arts Showcase & Awards Ceremony

Saturday June 5, 2010

Toyama Karate-Do is an organization that is changing lives of “at risk” youth by providing Karate After School Programs to over 400 students of the Santa Ana Unified School District.

Our mission is to provide alternative activities which highlight the importance of discipline, physical fitness, community service, self-confidence, drug free, and school safety. The programs offered by Toyama promote a positive influence in the lives of students and their families to achieve determination, community awareness and academic excellence.

On June 5, 2010 we will be hosting the 3rd Annual “KARATE SHOWCASE” event at Century High School’s Gym. This will be an end of the year “Award’s Ceremony” to include the participation of approximately 521 Karate Students who have trained in SAUSD & Think Together After School Program as well as the Orange County Educational Arts Academy. Continue reading→

Help the kids at John Muir Fundamental raise money for their school today

Posted on May 14, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Charities, Education, Santa Ana, Young Senators Leave a comment

Jacob thanks you for supporting his school!

The PTA at John Muir Fundamental Elementary, in Santa Ana, which is a California Distinguished School, is hosting a “Field Day” fundraiser today.

The students at John Muir will be exercising their desire to help the school by walking, jogging, or running to raise money for the school.

If you would like to sponsor my six year old, Jacob, please click here and then email me by clicking here. Continue reading→

Santa Ana Students Show Off Artistic Flair In Arts on the Lawn Event

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Arts and Culture, Education, Entertainment, music, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

Santa Ana Students Show Off Artistic Flair In Arts on the Lawn Event

SANTA ANA, CA — May 7, 2010 – Santa Ana High School’s Arts on the Lawn event will take place on Thursday, May 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the blossoming Kubba Gardens courtyard area. The annual exhibition is a platform for students to showcase their visual and performing arts talents in a variety of art forms. The school is located at 520 W. Walnut St. in Santa Ana. Admission and parking are free of charge.

Student musicians, actors, singers, dancers and artists will feature performances and exhibits inspired by Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, Wassily Kandinsky, Keith Haring and Paul Gauguin. The fusion of visual and performing arts and an assortment of other special activities including the opportunity to create replicas are suitable for the whole family. The event will also feature chalk artists as well as a caricature artist. Continue reading→

Help Gloria get to Harvard’s Graduate School

Posted on May 4, 2010 by Art Pedroza Posted in Dream Act, Education, immigration, Latinos, mexico, Santa Ana, Working Families, Youth Activities 6 Comments

The haters will tell you that Mexicans cannot amount to anything – the truth is that our young people are just as capable as anyone else.

In the video above, you will meet Gloria Montiel, a graduate of Santa Ana High School. She was accepted into Harvard – and she finished an undergraduate degree. Now she wants to go to Harvard’s graduate university, to get a Master’s degree in education, but the cost is $50,000. Because Gloria is undocumented, she cannot avail herself of the student loans that the rest of us take for granted.

But Gloria isn’t giving up! Her friends are helping her raise $39,000 so she can finish school and get her Master’s degree. You can help out by clicking here and printing out the event flier, and going to La Casa Garcia tomorrow, Wednesday, May 5, anytime from 10 am to 10 pm, to enjoy a $10 plate of Turkey Mole, with the works, including rice, beans and tortillas. La Casa Garcia is located at 531 W. Chapman Ave., in Anaheim. Continue reading→