As part of the 11 Days Of Peace celebration put on by the Antioch-based Interfaith Peace Project the Islamic Center of the East Bay sponsored an Open House on September 16th with dialogue, a tour and refreshments. Part of the several score in attendance are, standing left to right, Rev. Tom Bonacci, Walter Ruehlig, Sukhdev Singh, Ashraf Chaudry, Susan Batterton, Lesley Eubanks, M.D. Jalal Atmar.

By Amy Claire

While the Antioch School Board recognized improvements in the alternative education program at their September 14 meeting, not everyone was smiling. One teacher from Prospects High School, which is part of the alternative education program, raised concerns about the school’s lack of a vice-principal or a counselor for its students.

Because alternative education students are often those who have struggled with traditional education settings, he saw the removal of the counselor and administrative support as potentially harmful to student development.

Three parents also expressed their disappointment with the district.

The first, angered by the release of private information to an individual who did not have custody over her children, was also upset by the lack of district response to her repeated complaints about the matter.

The second parent, mother of three students who are high achievers and involved in many extracurricular activities, voiced her irritation about an ongoing absence of textbooks in her son’s advanced world history course in high school. She stated that this was an unacceptable state of affairs, particularly now that the school year is four weeks into session.

The third parent was also frustrated by apparent apathy from the district. The day after her son broke his hand at school and failed to complete an assignment, his teacher demanded to know why he had not brought his homework to the hospital in order to finish it. The parent was very upset by this response, but felt further scorned when, after repeatedly contacting administrators and district employees, the issue remained unaddressed.

The board stated that it would look into her situation, as well as those of the other two parents.

The alternative education program, in contrast, projected high spirits. This program, which includes Live Oak, Prospects and Bidwell as well as the adult education program, has recently seen significant increases in student achievement scores, and has helped to raise the graduation rate in the district by 5.2 percent.

Program Principal Amy Farias expressed gratitude to the teachers and staff on her team, and Superintendent Donald Gill agreed. “They make this program proud,” he said.

The board also recognized change order committee member Fred Ehler for his service to the district. They then gave special recognition to two donations from the Antioch High School Alumni Association to the AHS football team and the performing arts program. After the special recognitions, the board was presented with the budget actuals for the 2010 – 2011 school year, which were largely positive.

The next regular school board meeting will be on Wednesday, September 28 at 7 p.m. at the district office, 510 G Street in Antioch.

October 19, 2011  8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Los Medanos College, Community Room, L-109, 2700 East Leland Road, Pittsburg. Admission is free. Pre-registration is required on Supervisor Glover’s webpage at www.cccounty.us/supervisorglover.  For more information, call Lynn at 925-427-8138.

Come join the Antioch Band Backer’s Association for the 28th annual Delta Band Review on Saturday, Sept. 24th from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The competition area is in front of Antioch Middle School on D street. The awards ceremony is at 1 p.m. in Eells Stadium at Antioch High School.

16 bands from Northern and Central California will be judged on music and showmanship. Bands attending include Deer Valley High School, Freedom High School, California High School, Northgate High School, Concord High School as well as many others.

This is a free event, no charge for the parade or awards ceremony. Food will be available for purchase at Antioch High from Sticky Chicken and Ribs, Straw Hat, Cold Stone Creamery and Jamba Juice.

By Walter Ruehlig

The award winners for the annual Knights of Columbus Police Office and California Highway Patrol Officer of the Year awards luncheon have been announced.

They are Antioch P.D. Officer James Stenger; Pittsburg P.D. Officer Richard Hosier; California Highway Patrol Officer Officer Mark Mitchell and CCC Fire Protection District Fire Fighter of the Year Brett M. Schooley.

The awards will be presented at Lone Tree Golf and Event Center this Saturday, September 17th from 11:30 to 1:30. The Boy Scouts will present the colors and Dayang Montilla will sing the Star Spangled Banner. Baritone Richard Asadoorian will sing several classical selections.

Sound engineering is being donated by by Malcolm Hunter and videoing provided by Joey Montilla of Snap Eye Productions. The event chairs are Gary Clausen and Walter Ruehlig.

Tickets are still available for the buffet luncheon for $35. Call Walter at (925) 756-7628 or email walter.ruehlig@gmail.com.

In attendance will be County Supervisor Mary Piepho, Maurice Delmer representing State Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, Antioch Mayor James Davis, County Board of Education Trustee Cynthia Ruehlig, Antioch Superintendent of Schools Dr. Donald Gill, and former Antioch Council Member Allen Payton.

The day’s events begin with a pageantry-rich Blue Mass to be held at St. Ignatius of Antioch Church at 9:30 a.m. The ceremonial Mass, replete with bagpiper, special music and colorful ceremony is a long-standing Catholic tradition that honors first responders. All are welcome.

The Chief Homilist is Rev. Robert Rien, chaplain to the Antioch and Martinez Police Departments. He will be assisted by Rev. Helmut Richter of Good Shepard Church, chaplain to the Pittsburg Police Department. Musical Director Don Pearson will conduct the choir and play the Rodgers’s 958 Trillium Masterpiece Pipe/Digital Organ.