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Cindy McArthur Communications Manager
589 W. Fremont Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
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FAX (408) 245-5325

 


WELCOME to eUPDATE— APRIL 13 , 2007
To keep you up-to-date about the latest news within
the Fremont Union High School District.
*********************************


THANK YOU to all who helped - especially Carlos Ramos, School Facility Manager - with the GRAND TULIP DISPLAY in front of Fremont High School..

THANK YOU
to all involved for helping make
the Fremont Union High Schools
FOUNDATION's
CRAB FEED
a fantastic fundraiser for the
Music & Performing Arts Programs
in our five high schools.
 
     Friends • Fun • Food • Friends • Fun • Food • Friends • Fun • Food • Friends • Fun • Food

De Anza College offers Extended  
Year Enrichment classes for
students entering grades 9-10...
CLICK http://www.extendedyear.deanza.edu/  to view available classes. This is De Anza's 21st year providing students in the community with high quality fee based not for credit summer enrichment classes. Classes are for 9-10 grade students who are performing academically  at or above grade level.

Below are the District Bulletin and Board Report for the
Tuesday, April 10, 2007 Board Meeting

DISTRICT BULLETIN — Volume XIV, Issue 14
*******************************************

CONGRATULATIONS Employees of the Year from Lynbrook High School

“I love teaching!” Suzy Darwish states enthusiastically. “It is a passion for me and teaching French adds to that passion!”

“More than any other teacher I know, Suzy pushes her students to meet their full potential,” stated Mike White, Lynbrook High School Principal. “Nothing but the best is expected of her French students, yet they are challenged in a nurturing and patient environment.”

Suzy Darwish began her career in the District 37 years ago teaching French and Spanish and working as a guidance counselor with seniors at Fremont High School. She transferred to Lynbrook in 1992 where she has taught computer applications as part of the digital grant program and served as modern language department chairperson. She believes in being involved in school programs in order to have a better understanding of school goals and direction and as an opportunity to work with colleagues in developing and sharing ideas.

 


SUZY
DARWISH
Teacher-
of-the-Year

Press Release

“I enjoy working at Lynbrook High because of the great staff,” stated Rose Knudsen. “Everyone makes me feel like a part of the team.”

“Rose stands out as a phenomenal, astute, and giving staff member,” stated Mike White, Principal of Lynbrook High School. “She is reliable beyond measure, has very high standards and consistently upholds them and imparts them upon our students. She has always worked with students with very special needs with a steady temperament in sometimes the most extreme situations.”

Rose Knudsen started working in the District almost five years ago at Lynbrook as an instructional assistant in the Voyager Program. She participates in yearly certification for behavior prevention and response to potentially assaulting behavior and assists the implementation and coordination of specific academic, behavioral, and therapeutic strategies on a daily basis within the program and with individual students.

  


ROSE
KNUDSEN
Classified
Employee-
of-the-Year
Press Release

CONGRATULATIONS Lynbrook High School...
Math Club Students and Advisors Rita Korsunsky & Michele Quindipan — the Math Club is the largest club on campus with over 400 active members. Students continually place first in various math competitions throughout the county, state, and nation.
Life Skills Recycling Project Students and Advisors Jim Schussler & Cheryl Blatt — Recycling Project is a new program this year where Life Skills students work in teams to collect and sort cans, glass, and plastic items from 30 containers placed around campus. This program received support from a Cupertino Rotary grant and is averaging $30 per week which is used to support program activities such as field trips. This is an outstanding service to Lynbrook High School and our environment.


BOARD REPORT for Board of Trustees Meeting APRIL 10, 2007
*******************************************************************

The Board Meeting was held at Lynbrook High School, 1280 Johnson Avenue, San Jose.

The Board of Trustees joined several Lynbrook High School students and parents for a dinner discussion prior to the Board meeting. Lynbrook PTSA co-presidents expressed their desire to work strategically with other PTSAs/PTAs in the District in planning special interest educational seminars for parents, students, and staff. Parents and students expressed their concerns about the “dangerous” condition of athletic fields and their hope for funds to improve fields districtwide. The Board appreciated this opportunity to personally connect with students and parents and listened carefully. The Board stated the District fully understands the athletic fields' needs as wells as other infrastructure issues and will be looking closely at exploring additional funding opportunities. Parcel Tax fund expenditures were also explained.

PUBLIC HEARING
Pursuant to AB 1200 and the collective bargaining agreement public disclosure requirements of Government Code Section 3547.5, a public hearing was held for the purpose of receiving input from the parents, teachers, and members of the community interested in the affairs of the District. No comments

COMMUNICATIONS
FEA President Tom Avvakumovits acknowledged several teachers at Lynbrook High: Modern language Teacher Jeremy Kitchen for leading the varsity girls basketball team to the El Camino Division co-championship and a CCS berth; PE Teacher and Football Coach Ray Wright for leading the Vikings to their most successful season in 10 years; Jeremy Kitchen and Kumi Kobayashi for their outstanding work with the Japanese Club and the Japan Bowl; Jim Schussler and Cheryl Blatt for initiating a recycling club and food cart for Life Skills students; Amanda Day for her outstanding leadership of the Science Club and their success in the Science Bowl; Rita Korsunsky for advising the Math Club where students continue to define excellence at an unprecedented level; Dave Pugh for advising the Mock Trial team for 20 years with their court room artist earning top honors in the county and the team in the finals again this year; Charlotte Kruk’n’Kempen who successfully organized a fantastic art show for this Friday (you may see her art in various local coffee shops); Art Teachers Lee Akamichi, Paul Willson, Cheryl Fullerton, and Charlotte Kruk’n’Kempen who were recently ranked FOURTH BEST ART PROGRAM in the country by UCLA; Charlotte Romander, Michelle Major, and Jeremy Dybdahl for tutoring math and Roy Rocklin for tutoring science in the Homework Center (afterschool program funded by grant from the City of San Jose); Maria Jackson and Shana Silberman for leading Wednesday morning collaboration; NEW Assistant Principal Sydney Marsh for coordinating the California Distinguished School effort (when she was a teacher); and congratulations to Suzy Darwish for being recognized as Lynbrook’s Teacher of the Year.

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER REPORT
Student Board Member Peter Lu, Monta Vista High School senior, reported on school activities at all five high schools. Peter stated that the IDC will announce their healthy snack food choices for school cafeterias after the break. He also stated that applications are available for students to apply for the Student Board Member position for the 2007-08 school year.

LYNBROOK HIGH SCHOOL REPORT & RECOGNITION
Principal Mike White reported that Lynbrook High School is in its third year of implementation of its WASC Action Plan highlighting increased articulation with Miller Middle School by departments and with PTSAs; increased guidance on course selection, especially AP classes; increased time spent on teacher collaboration; increased communication with the community; and increased focus on helping the lowest performing students be more successful. He also announced that it looks like Lynbrook will receive its FIFTH California Distinguished School recognition (to be announced officially April 17th). Principal White recognized Teacher-of-the-Year Suzy Darwish, Classified Employee-of-the-Year Rose Knudsen, Science Teacher Amanda Alonzo for taking care of all new teachers “non instructional needs” and making them feel part of the Lynbrook family, PTSA Co-Presidents Frona Kahn and Hella Bluhm-Stieber, the Mock Trial Team, PTA Reflection contest winners, 16 students currently competing in the Japan Bowl, 18 students who participated in the Science Fair (14 placed), the Robotics Team and parent advisors David Giandomenico and Yang Xie, Valkries Dance Team, and the success of Lynbrook’s athletic teams. Principal White recognized Lynbrook’s two retirees for 2007: Modern Language Teacher Suzy Darwish (37 years), and Math Teacher Dennis Stanton (6 years at LHS; 39 years total in education).

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Polly Bove announced that Student Board Member Peter Lu will be featured in San Jose Magazine’s “Whiz Kids of the Year” issue in May; Marcus Woo, Monta Vista High School football and wrestling star, will be featured in San Jose Magazine’s “Athletic Stars of the Year” issue in July; and Tom Avvakumovits will be featured in San Jose Magazine’s “Educators of the Year” issue in September. Board Member Nancy Newton announced that her granddaughter will also appear as an Athletic Star.

2006 BASE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE INDEX (API)
GROWTH TARGET & SCHOOL RANK
Coordinator of Curriculum and Assessment Bryan Emmert explained how the Statewide rank and Similar Schools rank are determined for our high schools. In the Similar Schools rank, three of our high schools maintained the same rank as they had last year while Homestead High School increased its rank by one and Cupertino High School fell by two. In order to maintain and/or increase API and school rank, Cupertino, like all schools, will need to raise its participation rate and raise the level of achievement among struggling students. This emphasizes how important it is for students and parents to take this test seriously and for students to perform their best for the benefit of their school.

LEGAL EXPENSES RELATING TO DISMISSAL OF FORMER SUPERINTENDENT
As requested by a community member and a Board member, the District is reporting expenses connected with the dismissal of former superintendent Steve Rowley. Legal expenses directly related to dismissal total $94,874.75; those not directly related total: from law firm of Bennett & Sharpe, Inc. — $21,011.10, from law firm of Zampi and Associates — $10,260.00 and from law firm Lozano Smith — $14,519.50 for a total of $45,790.60.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES...
    • Postponed Parcel Tax and Capital Facilities Funding discussion to a Board study session;
       date TBD
    • Disclosed Collective Bargaining Costs for Fremont Education Association (FEA), California
       School Employees Association, Chapter 237 (CSEA), and Fremont Management Association
       (FMA) employees for the 2006-2007 fiscal year and approved proportionate increases for
       FEA, CSEA, and FMA employees generated through the District’s revenue sharing model.
       Board members expressed that they wished the District could afford greater increases in
       salary for all employees.
    • Approved reinstatement of Food Service Manager position
    • Reviewed Adult & Community Education Salary Table
    • Reviewed revisions to Administrative Regulation 4362 Work Year - Management Certificated

FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS
TUESDAY, May 8, 2007 at Cupertino HS — Closed Session 4:30PM,
Dinner 5:30PM, Open Session 7:00PM
TUESDAY, May 15, 2007 at ESC — Study Session 5PM,
Closed Session 6PM, Open Session 7PM

EDUCATING CAPABLE, CARING, CONTRIBUTING CITIZENS FOR LIFE
Copyright 2004-2006
Fremont Union High School District
589 W. Fremont Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94087
408-522-2200 fax 408-245-5325
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