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Cindy McArthur Communications Manager

589 W. Fremont Ave.
Sunnyvale, CA 94087
(408) 522-2206
FAX (408) 245-5325

 



WELCOME to eUPDATE—
MAY 11 , 2007
To keep you up-to-date about the latest news within
the Fremont Union High School Distr
ict.
*********************************

 
This month our Board of Trustees is hosting
STAFF APPRECIATION PIZZA PARTIES
on each campus in honor of
California Day of the Teacher May 9, 2007 &
Classified School Employees Week May 20-26, 2007
 

 
Kami Samaniego Named
Principal of Cupertino High School
At the May 8th Board of Trustees meeting held at Cupertino High School, former principals Bill Richter (interim 1st semester 2006-2007), Harry Bettencourt (interim 2nd semester 2006-2007), Cary Matsuoka (2002-2006), and Barbara Nunes (1987-2000), passed the torch to Kami, welcoming her to the Cupertino High School family.
PRESS RELEASE  
     

CONGRATULATIONS to Cupertino High School Sophomore Daniel Pavlovic
who has been selected to serve as a Democratic Page for the 2007 Summer Session. He follows in the footsteps of Carson Ure who served as a rare two-term Congressional Page for the Republicans. It is a real privilege to be selected for the Congressional Page program. United States Representatives can only select one student from their region and they don't get to select a page for every term. Students travel to Washington DC and work in the US Congress, running bills, supporting legislators and being part of the legislative process.

 

CONGRATULATIONS to Cupertino High School Junior Jasmine Lai
who won first place winner in the annual Asian Pacific Funds Art Competition. Jasmine, her art teacher Jilly Mandeson, and her family attended the awards reception on April 29th at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco.  This year’s theme was Superheros and Jasmine did a painting about her Grandmother.

 
CONGRATULATIONS to Liz Ambra, Program Manager at Adult & Community Education,
who participates in the California Mentoring Initiative for Youth with Disabilities (CMI).
Liz was honored at the Junior League of San Jose Volunteer Recognition Ceremony luncheon ‘Compassion in Action’ held at the Marriott Santa Clara last week. Liz received several certificates for volunteering as a mentor. Each year the Junior League of San Jose recognizes local volunteers who give of their time, talent, and energy to help others improve the community. 

Below are the District Bulletin and Board Report for the
Tuesday, May 8, 2007 Board Meeting

DISTRICT BULLETIN — Volume XIV, Issue 15
*******************************************

CONGRATULATIONS Employees of the Year from Cupertino High School


Cathleen Farrell began her career in the District 11 years ago at Fremont High School working in the tutorial center and as a substitute teacher. She started her teaching career as a Special Day Class (SDC) teacher in the Alum Rock School District. Farrell then returned to the District as a Resource Specialist at Homestead High School for four years transferring to Cupertino High School as the Lead Resource Specialist in 2003.

“I have taught SDC Biology, SDC World History, SDC Earth & Physical Science Biology Inclusion, World History Inclusion and Learning Skills,” stated Cathleen Farrell. “My favorite is Learning Skills as I get to build strong relationships with the students (and their families) as I follow them through their four years of high school. I am inspired and motivated every day by my students.”

 

CATHLEEN
FARRELL
Teacher-
of-the-Year

Press Release

Jackie Himan began working in the District in September 2000 as clerical support for Phoenix, an alternative high school program, housed at Cupertino High School. In July 2001 she was promoted to School Administrative Support Specialist II supporting Cupertino’s assistant principal in charge of guidance. Her work includes helping with residency verification, the master schedule, special reports, and supporting all aspects of getting ready for the start of each school year.

“I love being around high school students and the staff at Cupertino High is great to work with,” stated Jackie Himan. “I enjoy coming to work every day — I think that says it all!”

Jackie Himan is the parent of a current Cupertino High School sophomore and 1994 CHS graduate.

 

JACKIE
HIMAN
Classified
Employee-
of-the-Year

Press Release

CONGRATULATIONS!   Cupertino High School Interim Principal Harry Bettencourt recognized the following for outstanding achievement and service...
   •  Varsity Wrestling Team and Coaches Chris Moore and Sean Cryan
   •  Recycling Group—Advisor Jason Heskett and students Gina Sohn and David Lindsay.
Principal Bettencourt acknowledged the following people and programs for
“reaching out” in ways to help all students succeed in high school:

Terra Nova, Algebra 1 Block, Alliance, Learning Center/Tot Center, PTA Panel/Principal’s Coffees/Twilight Tours, Staff Development with staff reading: “7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens”,
and Ken-Ya Dream—Class of 2010 with Freshmen President Justin Li and Teacher Advisors Chin Song and Melissa Cooley. The Class of 2010 has committed to fundraising all four years to support schools in Kenya.


BOARD REPORT for Board of Trustees Meeting MAY 8, 2007

*******************************************************************

The Board Meeting was held at Cupertino High School, 10100 Finch Avenue, Cupertino.

The Board of Trustees joined several Cupertino High School students and parents for a dinner discussion prior to the Board meeting. Board Members expressed how important they feel it is that they visit schools during the school year. Several parents expressed their concern that the District is losing great teachers lured to private schools by higher pay. Superintendent Polly Bove and Board members explained school funding in California acknowledging that the District faces this same problem with public school districts that can afford to pay higher salaries. The Board appreciated this opportunity to personally connect with students and parents and listened carefully. SPECIAL THANKS to the Learning Center students and staff for catering the dinner. The students planned, shopped, and served the delicious meal.

PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
Several parents and one student expressed their concern that Music/Band Teacher Sheldon Galdeira will not be returning for the 2007-08 school year. Another parent expressed the opposite point of view stating the same was felt by many other music parents.

COMMUNICATION
FEA President Tom Avvakumovits acknowledged several teachers at Cupertino High School: Special Education Teachers/Coaches Chris Moore and Sean Cryan for a successful wrestling season; PE Teacher/Coach Craig Ellegood for leading the varsity boys basketball team to CCS semifinals; Science Teacher/Coach Mike West for leading the swimming team to league championship; Drama Teacher Arcadia Conrad for volunteering a large group of CHS students to participate in the Ohlone College Theater Arts Festival with three students selected as finalists; Music/Band Teacher Sheldon Galdeira for the Silver rating earned by the band at the 2007 Heritage Music Festival; Chinese Teacher Paul Jia as two of his students performed exceptionally well in Chinese contests with one earning second place in the 32nd annual speech contest at Lowell High School in San Francisco and the other student earning second place in a Chinese Essay contest; Math teacher/FBLA Advisor Mark St. John as several CHS FBLA students placed very high in the state conference, with two of them qualifying for the national conference; Art Teachers Tracy Johnson, Alice Cunningham, and Jilly Mandeson for their stellar work in celebrating their students’ achievement at the District Art Showcase this past weekend; English Teacher/Assistant Principal Stacey Stebbins for planning and leading staff development time this year; English Teacher Maureen Ortiz and Special Education Teacher Chris Moore for their work in the Alliance program that targets incoming ninth graders identified as needing additional support to achieve success—their dedication and innovation has made a measurable successful impact; Teachers Jay Lawson (social studies), Chin Song (math), Greg Merrick (English), and Melissa Cooley (English) for their work with the Terra Nova program that focuses on students who have not been successful in their previous academic endeavors; Special Education Teacher Jason Heskett for his outstanding leadership as FEA site president and for starting a recycling program that keeps growing in success; Counseling Intern Brooke Herald who earned a top award for her work on the CHS Support Personnel Academic Report Card; and congratulations to Cathleen Farrell for being recognized as Cupertino’s Teacher of the Year. • CSEA President Pam Coppel congratulated Network Support Specialist Carl Bohley on his retirement and thanked him for his excellent support of CHS staff’s computer/network needs and his work with CSEA negotiations. Coppel congratulated Jackie Himan for being chosen Cupertino’s Employee of the Year.

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER REPORT
Student Board Member Peter Lu, Monta Vista High School, reported on school activities at all high schools.

CUPERTINO HIGH SCHOOL REPORT & RECOGNITION
Interim Principal Harry Bettencout, in true Bettencourt style —FUN, recognized Teacher-of-the-Year Cathleen Farrell, Classified Employee-of-the-Year Jackie Himan, and retiree Carl Bohley (10 years as Network Support Specialist). Principal Bettencourt also highlighted several programs at Cupertino High School (see District Bulletin).

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Polly Bove announced that the District will be administering the first Chinese AP Test (totally on computers) tomorrow to 150 students. Bryan Emmert, Coordinator of Curriculum and Assessment, reported that 4,737 AP tests are being administered districtwide. Superintendent Bove acknowledged the enormous effort of Emmert and Records Technician Ellie Johnson in coordinating AP testing. • Bove alerted the Board that construction will be taking place the next few months at the Educational Services Center to rearrange some offices, address insulation between offices, and tackle long-term problems with heating and air conditioning. • Following the Board’s approval of the Personnel Report, Superintendent Bove voiced her total approval of the appointments of Associate Superintendent Kate Jamentz as Academic Deputy Superintendent; of Paul Cheng, current high school principal in San Francisco Unified, as Associate Superintendent of Administrative Services; of Kami Samaniego as new Principal of Cupertino High School; and of Tom Avvakumovits as Manager of Employee Development, a new one-year position where he will focus on new teacher training, professional development, and teacher evaluation. Bove added that this is very important work towards keeping good teachers and quality support staff when the District can’t afford to pay the highest salaries.

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: from Law firm of Zampi and Associates — $95,171.75 and from law firm Haws Theobald & Auman — $2,500 for a total $97,671.75. Legal expenses not directly related to dismissal: 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...
   •  Reviewed replacement for Excess Property and Liability Coverage
   • Approved Management Plan for Funding Retiree Benefits contained within the Actuarial
      Report in the form of Target Contribution Levels by Employee Unit
   •  Adopted Resolution #067-09 Proclaiming Day of the Teacher May 9, 2007 — Celebrating
      the Artistry of Teaching

   • Adopted Resolution #067-10 Recognizing Classified School Employees Week
      May 20-26, 2007 — Professionals on the Job, Leaders in the Community
   •  Approved revisions to Board Policy 3100 Business & Non instructional Operations Budget
   •  Approved revisions to Board Policy 4350 Unrepresented Employee Retirement Benefits
   •  Reviewed Quarterly Report on Williams Uniform Complaints January 1 – March 31, 2007
      — no complaints

   • Discussed Protocol Handbook & Board Self-Evaluation Process

FUTURE BOARD MEETINGS
TUESDAY, May 15, 2007 at ESC — Study Session: Operational & Capital Projects Funding Needs and Strategies 5PM, Closed Session 6PM, Open Session 7PM
TUESDAY, June 5, 2007 at ESC — Closed 4PM, Study Session:
Budget 5PM, Closed Session 6PM, Open Session 7PM
TUESDAY, June 19, 2007 at ESC — Closed Session 5PM,
Open Session 7PM

EDUCATING CAPABLE, CARING, CONTRIBUTING CITIZENS FOR LIFE

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Fremont Union High School District
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