Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Education

An introduction to Santa Ana’s private and charter schools

Posted on by Posted in Churches and Religion, Education, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 7 Comments

A reader asked us to compile a list of Santa Ana’s private schools.  But let’s start with Santa Ana’s charter schools, which are publicly funded but are run independently.

The Santa Ana Unified School District’s website does include a list of the local charter schools, which include:

  • Albor Charter School – This is a K-12 school that appears to offer instruction in a bilingual format.  They don’t have a website and it is almost impossible to find out much about them online.  I did find news articles that indicated that a former director allegedly misappropriated millions of public dollars back in 2007.  Phone: 714-560-1568.
  • The Orange County Educational Arts Academy – K-8.  They offer English only and Two-way Language Immersion (Spanish/English).
  • The Edward B. Cole Academy – K-5.  They don’t have a website.  I did find a letter they submitted to the City of Santa Ana where they indicated that they serve poor families with English fluency issues.  Continue reading→

How can we save our Santa Ana public schools?

Posted on by Posted in Education, Latinos, Santa Ana, Working Families, Youth Activities 16 Comments

The SAUSD is in denial about the persistently low performing public schools in Santa Ana

If you glance at the Santa Ana Unified School District’s website, you might come away thinking everything in the district is great.  Headlines include: “Academic Achievement Abounds;” “Measure G Facility Improvements;” and “SAUSD Congratulates its Top Educators of the Year.”

There is no mention of the fact that four of the seven Santa Ana High Schools have been placed on the State of California’s “Persistently Low Performing” list, necessitating massive changes which might include transferring teachers, replacing administrators and even the possibility of becoming charter schools.

But check out what overmatched SAUSD Superintendent Jane Russo has to say on her website, under the headline, “Success is the Standard:”

We are dedicated to high academic achievement, in a scholarly and supportive environment, ensuring that all students are prepared to accomplish their goals in life.  Failure is Unacceptable! Success is the Standard…It’s Up to Us All!

Is it just me or is Russo in complete denial? Continue reading→

Teenage girl stabbed and groped at Santa Ana’s John Adams Park

Posted on by Posted in Crime, Education, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 13 Comments

KABC T.V. news reported on Wednesday that a teenage girl was attacked in a parking lot at John Adams Park, which is next door to John Adams Elementary School, by a man who stabbed her in the chest and grabbed her, trying to force her to kiss him.

We have been warning for some time that our parks are full of perverts.  Our blog reported that men were lurking at Santiago Park, and sure enough the SAPD arrested nine of them a few weeks ago, by using a decoy in a sting operation.

We also reported here the fact that there are over 200 registered sex offenders living in Santa Ana.

Now a teenage girl has been victimized and she might well have ended up murdered.  And here is the weird part.  The Santa Ana Police Department is NOT including this story on their online alert system, called Citizen Observer.

Why the cover-up? Continue reading→

Santa Ana College students to rally against budget cuts on March 22

Posted on by Posted in Education, Orange County, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 1 Comment

Board of Trustees Meeting (Rally 3P.M.– Board Meeting 4:30 P.M.)

The Santa Ana College Associated Student Government calls on all faculty, staff, and students to speak out against the cuts and layoffs. We urge all those who have lost their jobs or had their hours cut to come and speak out. All students who have lost classes should attend. Make this the most massive protest yet against the unnecessary cuts.

MARCH IN MARCH

WHEN: Monday, March 22, 2010

WHERE: Santa Ana College fountain Continue reading→

Segerstrom Aquatics Center and Santa Ana YMCA groundbreaking today at 5 p.m.

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Education, Public Safety, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 3 Comments

The YMCA of Orange County, Santa Ana unified School District and the Santa Ana YMCA Board Members will be hosting the ground breaking event to celebrate the start of construction for the Segerstrom High School Aquatic Center and the First Phase of development for the Santa Ana YMCA, today, March 16, from 5pm to 8 pm, at 2100 W. Alton St., in Santa Ana.  Click here for directions and a map.

The Santa Ana YMCA received an $8 million grant from the Children and Families Commission of Orange County.  Click here to read about that.  View current Santa Ana YMCA programs at this link.

A special joint use agreement has been adopted by the YMCA of Orange County and the SAUSD.  Click here to read it.  The SAUSD School Board is going to be discussing it on Wednesday evening, March 17.  Click here to read their meeting agenda. Continue reading→

Chapman panel to discuss Chicanismo this Friday night

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Culture, Education, Latinos, Orange, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 5 Comments
A special panel regarding “Chicanismo” will convene at Chapman University, in Orange, this Friday evening, from 7 to 9 pm, at their Irvine Lecture Hall.  The event is sponsored by M.E.Ch.A de Chapman.  Click here for a campus map.

Ever wonder what the term Chicano means? Why does it have such a negative influence on society? Is it necessary to even use that term today? To whom does this term even refer to? Come Join us, M.E.Ch.A. de Chapman, as we discover the true meaning of what it means to be a Chicano versus Hispanic or Latino(a).

Since the arrival of the Europeans to the Americas, the descendents created from this historical contact have been struggling with the issue of identity for centuries. The mixing of European, Asian, Pacific Islander, and African with indigenous blood created a global citizen known as the Mestizo. Continue reading→

The SAUSD is considering laying off another 153 of their teachers

Posted on by Posted in Anaheim, Education, Garden Grove, Jobs, Labor, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 9 Comments

The SAUSD is cutting their school budget again, and considering laying off 153 of their teachers

The Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) is considering laying off another 153 teachers, according to the O.C. Register.  The district needs to cut $34 million from their budget.

At the same time the district is in the process of reassigning teachers due to the fallout from having six SAUSD schools placed on the state’s “persistently low performing” list.

How exactly are teachers at SAUSD supposed to be happy about working there under these conditions?  And will voters react by tossing out the incumbent school board members in November?  Two of them are up for reelection, including Audrey Noji and John Palacio.  Continue reading→

Teachers react to placement of 6 SAUSD schools on low performing list

Posted on by Posted in Education, Santa Ana 26 Comments

Susan Mercer, the President of the Santa Ana Educators’ Association (SAEA) has sent out an email to her members regarding the placement of six schools in the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) in the California “Persistently Low Performing” schools list. 

Once a school gets on this list, the school district has to take incredible measures to get back in compliance with the state.  These include changing school administrators and reassigning teachers.

Here is Mercer’s email message:

On March 11, the California State Board of Education added an additional thirty-eight schools to the 188 “Persistently Low Performing” schools identified during the prior week. Century, Valley and Willard were identified during the first round and Santa Ana High, Saddleback and Sierra were added to the list last Thursday. Continue reading→

Special historic tour of Santa Ana this Saturday

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Charities, Education, Entertainment, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

 

Don’t miss the “Historic Santa Ana Tour” Presented by Assistance League Santa Ana, this Saturday, March 13, from 10 am to 4 pm, to benefit community programs. Click here for additional information.

Come for a guided tour some of the Oldest buildings in Orange County… Madame Modjeska Building, First Presbyterian Church, Episcopal Church of the Messiah, Old Orange County Court House, Dr. Howe-Waffle House, and Santa Ana High School.

Tour price: $20 (if purchased before March 5th) $25 (after March 5th and day of the event) Student & Educator discount available for SAUSD educators and students line tickets available at www.assistkids.org. Continue reading→

Free healthy school environment training in Santa Ana, on March 11-12

Posted on by Posted in Education, Health and Medical, Nature, Orange County, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

This two-day FREE training may be of interest to those involved in building a healthier school system and community.

New Spring Training, March 11 and 12, at the County of Orange Health Care -1729 E Training Trailer, located at 1725 W. 17th St., in Santa Ana.  Click here for a map.

Part II of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: A Centerpiece for a Healthy School Environment

This free two-day training is designed for school personnel and community partners. It provides tools to support an increase of fresh fruits and vegetables on school campuses through fun, interactive, and skill-building activities. Register now! Continue reading→

Free FDIC Money Smart Train the Trainer seminar this Thursday, in Santa Ana

Posted on by Posted in Banking, Education, Santa Ana, Working Families Leave a comment

The FDIC in partnership with Orange County United Way and the Bank on Santa Ana Pilot will be hosting a free Money Smart Train-the-Trainer Seminar onThursday, March 11, from 8 am to 12 noon, and from 1 pm to 5 pm, at 505 E. Central Ave., in Santa Ana.

This seminar is designed for key program staff members who provide financial literacy to low-income families and individuals.

Two four-hour sessions will be offered on Thursday, March 11, to accommodate schedules of partners wanting to attend.

The organizers ask that you forward this information to community partners who might be interested in attending. Please click here for details and contact information. Continue reading→

Free Persian family film festival at the Bowers Museum today

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Culture, Education, Entertainment, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The Bowers Museum is open for free today, March 7, not only to Santa Ana residents, but to everyone, courtesy of the Target Corporation. 

And today is a great day to visit the Bowers as they are presenting a Persian family film festival!

The Persian Festival of Nowruz starts at the exact moment of the vernal equinox, commencing the start of the spring season. It is a time of visiting family and friends and celebrating life, and it is believed that whatever a person does on Norouz will affect the rest of the year. Continue reading→

Orange County Great Park expands education pilot programs

Posted on by Posted in Education, irvine, Orange County, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 3, 2010
CONTACT: JENN STARNES, 949-724-6574

Great Park Expands Education Pilot Programs

Plans call for launching additional workshops and events to benefit the community

IRVINE – The Orange County Great Park Board of Directors received a presentation Thursday, February 25th, on the six Great Park Education Pilot Programs to be expanded this spring. The education programs include visual and environmental arts, history, ecology, agriculture, and health and wellness through workshops and events.

The programs will teach children about science, instruct people how to grow vegetables and educate Park visitors about the historical significance of the Great Park. The programs will bring people together through learning experiences by building on the success of current programming — hundreds of people have attended the natural history and garden workshops that began last fall. Continue reading→

Santa Ana Zoo celebrates its 58th Birthday this weekend

Posted on by Posted in Civic Affairs, Education, Entertainment, Latinos, Santa Ana, Youth Activities Leave a comment

On Saturday, March 6th & Sunday, March 7th, the Santa Ana Zoo, home of the 50 monkeys, located at 1801 E. Chestnut Ave, is excited to celebrate its 58th birthday. The activities will take place from 11:00am-2:00pm, and the event is FREE with the price of admission for general public and FREE for Members.

There will be crafts, animal presentations, cake (first come, first served), entertainment, music, a spectacular modular train display by Del Oro Pacific Railroad Club and so much more! It’s going to be the wildest birthday bash of the year and it’s practically in your back yard. This is one party you won’t want to miss! Conservation Carrousel and Zoofari Express Train Rides will be available for $3 each, and combo tickets for $5 each. Continue reading→

Nova Academy Early College High School’s Open House set for March 22

Posted on by Posted in Education, Santa Ana, Youth Activities 1 Comment

Santa Ana’s Nova Academy Early College High School, which serves students from the 8th to the 11th grades, is having an Open House on March 22, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at their campus, which is located at 2609 W. 5th St., in Santa Ana.  Refreshments will be served.  Parents are invited!

As a charter school that works in partnership with Olive Crest, Santa Ana Unified School District and Santa Ana College (SAC), NOVA students receive both high school and college credits. Click here to read more about the educational programs* and admission requirements.

Students begin attending courses at Santa Ana College as early as the 10th grade and have the opportunity to begin vocational courses. The 11th and 12th grades (and 13th if needed) will focus on individualized learning and career plans developed by NOVA staff.

Some of the features of this award-winning charter school include: Continue reading→