Intel “Prize Patrol” surprised Lynbrook High School Seniors David Liu and Raman Nelakanti
                for being named finalists in the annual Intel Science Talent Search contest.
            
       For the first time in the history of the Intel Science Talent Search there are two finalists from the same school in California!  Approximately 1,700 contestants began the competition with 300 semifinalists named on January 13, 2010. On January 27, the Intel “Prize Patrol” announced finalists David and Raman, two of the 40 chosen nationwide, at an outdoor assembly at the beginning of lunch. As finalists, David and Raman were each presented with a $7,500 check.
      The Intel Science Talent Search is known as the junior “Nobel Prize” of high school science competition. The finalists will gather in Washington, D.C. for a week-long event from March 11-16 where they will undergo a rigorous judging process, meet with national leaders, interact with leading scientists and display their research at the National Academy of Sciences. Top winners will be announced at a black-tie gala award ceremony at the National Building Museum on March 16. The finalists will compete for more than $630,000 in awards with a top prize of $100,000.
      Since 1942, first in partnership with Westinghouse and beginning in 1998 with Intel, Society for Science and the Public has provided a national stage for America’s best and brightest young scientists to present original research to nationally recognized professional scientists. David Lu’s research was on “Semantic Image Retrieval and Interactive Exploration of Large Image Collections,” and Raman Nelakanti’s research was on “Inducing Anaerobic Conditions Using Sulfur Deprivation for Hydrogen Production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.” Alumni of this program hold more than 100 of the world’s most coveted science and math honors, including seven Nobel Prizes, three National Medals of Science, 11 MacArthur Foundation Fellowships, and two Fields Medals.
      Eight students from Lynbrook High School entered the Intel Science Talent Search this year and six were named semifinalists.

STUDY SESSION: Fremont High School Plan
Principal James Maxwell; Executive Assistant to Principal Sue Larson; Assistant Principals Lori Riehl, Karen van Putten and Di Yim; and Deans Nico Flores and Eric Wong presented an overview of the 2009-2010 Fremont High School Plan. James, Lori, Karen, and Nico are new to the school this year but the energy, candor, and strong sense of teamwork between everyone on the administrative team were evident in their presentation. 

COMMUNICATIONS  Fremont High School neighbors spoke about their concerns regarding the proposed choice of plantings for the new softball and baseball fields. They also acknowledged the cooperation from the District in working with them to help mitigate their concerns about the poles for the backstops on the fields and the choice of trees and shrubs. Monta Vista High School neighbors spoke about their concerns regarding the possibility that lights might be installed in the soon-to-be renovated football field/bleachers.

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER REPORT Christopher Chui, Monta Vista High School, reported on student activities at our high schools.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT Superintendent Polly Bove stated that a letter was mailed to incoming 9th through 12th grade parents asking for their feedback in prioritizing the programs or services they would most like to see maintained should the District be forced to make some drastic cuts in the near future. • Superintendent Bove stated that staff is working on a “frequently asked questions” section for the District website to provide updated information and clarify issues from parents and community members. • Superintendent Bove reported that the Sunnyvale Joint Board Meeting will be moved to late May or in June. • Superintendent Bove announced that Cupertino High School Senior Derek Zhouwon First Place in the “My China Experience Video Competition on TV” organized by Sino Language Gateway and the World TV Channel 32, a TV station in Chinese.

UPDATE ON BOND MEASURE B B
COO/Associate Superintendent Glenn Evans highlighted progress in the District’s Measure B Bond Program. Staff is working on a proposal to update the District’s policy on outside use of its tracks and fields including limitations on outside use (rentals) on weekends and no outside use that would use lights or sound systems while not restricting casual use by school neighborhood residents.
HHS Tracks Fields — All solar panels are installed on the array between the softball and baseball fields. Rain is delaying construction work on the fields.

FHS Tracks Fields — Presented project modifications to reduce visual impact of poles at January 20 meeting of Fremont High School neighbors. District is still investigating possible alternatives to proposed plantings around softball and baseball fields. The access review engineer at DSA indicated informally that the plans for the ADA improvements to the existing bleachers would be probably be acceptable.  However, when the actual review occurs, DSA may still require additional changes.

CHS Tracks Fields — Design is at Department of State Architect awaiting approval. Construction is targeted to begin on the baseball/multi-use and softball/multi-use fields in late spring. The commencement of football field renovations has been moved from February 2010 to November 2010.

Environmental Impact Report (EIR) Status — Evans stated that the Project Descriptions for the Lynbrook and Monta Vista High Schools’ tracks and fields projects were written with very broad statements about the use of field lights – far more than would ever actually occur.  Principals and site staffs are currently developing more detailed, realistic schedules for use of their football fields if field lights are eventually installed at all five schools. The Draft Environmental Impact Reports are expected to be available for public circulation and comment between mid-April and early May.   Once they are available, the District and the EIR Consultant will notify everyone that has previously submitted contact information and will mail a notice to the neighbors of the sites.  The EIRs will be available on the District’s website and printed copies will also be available.  The time period for the public to submit comments on the Draft EIR will be no less than 45 days.

Solar Project —Lynbrook and Homestead High Schools’ solar systems are activated and generating power; Cupertino High School will be activated soon. Solar arrays in the Adult Community Education parking lot are nearing completion. Solar arrays are currently under construction in the field areas at Fremont and Homestead High Schools. Solar panels will be installed in Homestead’s staff parking lot, Monta Vista’s student parking lot, and the District Office parking lot in the summer.

Several Monta Vista High School neighbors spoke about their frustration in not knowing about or understanding the Environmental Impact Report process and the impact that they believe lights for the football field would have on their homes and neighborhood. Several Fremont High School neighbors spoke about their appreciation of the District’s willingness to make modifications to the Fremont High School Tracks and Fields Project to reduce its impact on neighbors.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES…
     • Approved Monta Vista High School Plan
     • Postponed update on Guidance Initiative
     • Discussed process and guidelines for the Board Community Service Award; staff will
       discuss criteria with principals and revise form for clarity and consistency
     • Adopted Resolution #910-12 Endorsing Santa Clara County Bill of Rights for Children Youth