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.

The summer of 2011 proved to be an unusual one for two local educators who typically anticipate the summer as a time to refresh and regroup after a busy school year.

Instead, Rick Barton, AP Environmental Science and Earth Science teacher at Antioch High School, and Lynda Ramos, a 5th grade math, language arts, science and history teacher at Kimball Elementary School, packed their bags and joined a group of similarly dedicated teachers to embark on a unique professional development opportunity at the Colorado-based Keystone Center.

Barton and Ramos were afforded their opportunity thanks to Dow California Operations in Pittsburg, California, and for each it was an experience that they deemed inspiring, and one for which they have nothing but praise.

In the case of Barton, the Keystone Institute was, “The best institute I have attended in my sixteen years of teaching. The program was amazing, the facilitators were awesome and the location was incredible.”

Barton goes on to say that he was able to bring back materials that he will use in his biology, earth science, and environmental science classes this year. In addition, because so many of the concepts taught are transferrable, he has acquired some great math and language arts lessons that he’ll be able to use with his team.

When asked if he had any concerns about his time at Keystone, the depth of his experience is apparent: “My biggest concern on returning was sorting everything out so that I didn’t forget anything. I came back with tons of material but more importantly, I came back motivated and excited for the start of the school year!”

Ramos is similarly enthusiastic about her time at the Institute and notes the caliber of professional educators from around the country who were part of the training: “The institute was very organized and planned out to every detail along with a very intense curriculum. The curriculum covered all areas of my own teaching from language arts, math, and science to social studies.”

Ramos also found it helpful that activities for the teachers were inquiry-based which allowed the teachers to experience what students experience.

“As a fifth grade teacher, I learned a great deal about sustainability in science as well as the larger issues that face our country,” she said. “For example, there was an activity where the teachers were in groups of four. We were given different choices as to what was more important to sustain – like the rain forest versus glaciers or between freedom of speech or museums. Then, we were to place them in different sections like the environment, the economy, or ethics. What a valuable lesson for all students.”

Ramos is excited to get back to school and begin sharing what she has learned and believes the time she spent was extremely valuable to her own professional development. “I now have a wealth of lessons from teachers around the country, in addition to the lessons I received at the Institute,” she said.

And, for Patty Deutsche, Senior Manager of Public Affairs at Dow, there is no better validation of Keystone than that sort of feedback.

“Education is an area where Dow places considerable emphasis, and the Keystone Center is one of our longest-standing educational partnerships and one where we see terrific value,” she said. “By providing local teachers with new approaches, unique educational resources and an innovative learning environment we believe we are helping to improve the quality of science education as well as raising awareness about today’s environmental issues. This is especially critical so that front-line educators, those who are up in front of the class day-in and day-out, can meaningfully convey how the actions of today can have far-reaching effects on the future of tomorrow.”

To learn more about what Dow is doing to further science and science education, please visit Dow at www.dow.com. Key Issues is a national teacher professional development training program within the Keystone Center for Education – a long-term strategic education partner of The Dow Chemical Company.

by Amy Claire

At the first board meeting since the Antioch Unified School District began its 2011-2012 session, positive attitudes abounded. After the flag salute and approval of the previous meeting’s minutes, superintendent Donald Gill took a moment to thank the district’s teachers, staff, administrators, parents and students for helping the school year kick off “exceptionally well.”

Part of the smooth beginning was attributed to the fact that the district’s 70 summer construction projects are all complete or nearing completion.

Several new administrators introduced themselves to the board, including two new vice principals at Deer Valley High School, Rachel Bartlett Preston and Susan Ceballos. Mark McCain, Antioch Middle School’s new associate principal, thanked the district for their support during the transition. Scott Bergerhouse, who had been the co-principal at Deer Valley High School, shared his excitement at taking over as principal at Carmen Dragon Elementary School, saying, “I’ve got to be the happiest man in the world.”

Angela Hotchkiss, director of the district’s special education program, gave a presentation in which she announced that the program has met all of its improvement goals and has found several ways to improve its fiscal policy. She also said about 40 special education students currently attending nonpublic schools will be unable to return to Antioch schools until the 2013-14 school year for legal and fiscal reasons.

After approving expulsion re-entries, human resources positions, a contractor’s bid for work at Antioch Middle School, interfund transfers and purchasing procedures, and discussing future possibilities for Brown Act compliance training, the board closed the open meeting and returned to a closed session.

Next month’s school board meetings will take place at 7 p.m. on September 14 and 28 at 510 G Street in Antioch.

The Antioch Schools Education Foundation will be hosting their Annual Teacher of the Year Dinner on Tuesday, September 27 from 5:00pm- 7:30pm at the Lone Tree Gold Course Event Center.

We’re looking for Corporate Sponsors: $1,000.00 (Seating for 6) Friend of Education: $750. (Seating for 4) Patron: $500 (seating for 2) Individual Seating: $45.

Flyers for the event are available on the Antioch Unified School District home page or the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, 101 H St., Suite 4.

The 4th Annual Mary Allan Fellows Award winners will also be honored at the dinner, along with this year’s Antioch Teacher of the Year, Tom Gravert, and runner up Bonnie Berquist.

The following teachers were nominated by peers, parents and students in their schools: Winners: Thomas Gravert, Dozier-Libbey Medical High; Steve Kish, Deer Valley High School;
Chris Mathews, Antioch High School; Margaret Ricklie, Belshaw Elementary School; Finalists: Julie Cullimore, Bidwell High School; Stacey Wickware, Dozier-Libbey Medical High
School; Nominees: Kristofor Freeman, Deer Valley High School; Heather Keeton, Deer Valley High School; David Porcel, Diablo Vista Elementary School; Deidra Sheehan, Belshaw Elementary School.

It’s been a tough year for those in education and it doesn’t look it’s going to get any better in the very near future. Having the support of the community makes a hard job easier when teachers know they’re not alone.

We look forward to seeing you at this very special event on September 17, 2011.

If you have any questions please contact: Barbara Herendeen at (925) 754-3014 or Martha Goralka (925) 706-1419.

By Tami Barrera

With the new school year right around the corner, the Antioch Unified School District is eager to show the community their commitment to the students and their education. Deer Valley begins the year with a new principal, Kenneth Gardner. Former Deer Valley Co-Principal Scott Bergerhouse will be a vice principal at Black Diamond Middle School while his former partner Clarence Isadore has moved onto another school district.

Park Middle School found itself in need of a new vice principal when its current one was promoted to principal at another school. According to Superintendent Don Gill, there were 80 applicants, 14 of whom went through a rigorous review process, leaving them with the one candidate who fit their needs perfectly, Michael DeFrancesco.

“My ten years of education have been leading up to this moment,” said DeFrancesco. “I make a commitment to you that all students deserve the right to have good teachers and good administrators. I promise you that I will leave no child behind, no matter what the situation.”

In other action at Wednesday’s board meeting, it was announced that the schools have enough funds to bring back their counselors without dipping into the general fund. And the school board has begun reviewing contracts that have been renewed year after year without any scrutinization. They discovered that the Safety Crossing Guards were overcharging them, which brought about a $17,000 savings for the upcoming year.

Dozier Libbey Medical High School will be preparing for its first graduating class this year.

Hard Hitting Reality of Poor Choices

By Allen Payton, Publisher

Every day an average of 99 young people die in the United States; 31 young people will die today from auto related accidents, 16 from domestic violence or homicide, 12 will commit suicide, today, and the remaining will die from poor choices, diseases and natural causes (CDC Data). “the 99” is a walk-through reality theater focusing on the leading causes of death to young people in our country.

The production is housed in a 20,000 square foot air structure and features 13 rooms each portraying real-life situations where guests experience a 45-minute guided tour.

Four recent guests, two Antioch boys who are cousins and their two relatives from Oakley who are brothers, shared their experiences.

“It was scary and eye-opening,” said Domenic Ferreira, age 13 and a soon-to-be Freshman at Antioch High. “It basically opened your eyes to the real world and how if you take the wrong path it will be hard to get out. You don’t have to take that path since there are two paths.”

Esteban Gurule, a 14 year old who will be a Freshman at Freedom High School said “It was fun and also serious at the same time. It teaches you a lot of important things about what things can do to you.”

His 12-year-old brother Elesio, was old enough to get in, since the warning is no one under age 11 is allowed in due to the graphic nature of the presentation.

“It wasn’t what I expected. Not at all,” Elesio stated. “It was scary and life changing. It made me think about life and choices I make. Everyone should go.”

Humberto Saucedo, age 15, who will be a Sophomore this Fall, also at Antioch High, said “the 99 was a great show filled with great actors, designs, props, features and performances.” Then he added, “I highly recommend it.”

Jeff Warrenburg, owner of Paradise Skate and the Antioch Paintball Park said he took his son, who went back another time.

“I thought it was great,” Warrenburg said. “Everyone should go, teens, young adults and parents.”

The production is not based on fear and scare tactics, but rather is based solely on reality. “the 99” is th ultimate near death experience – a life changing production that will bring people to a point of decision that can change the course of their lives forever.

“the 99” is open to the public, ages 11 and up, in Antioch, for two more weekends, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and Thursday the final weekend, July 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 and 31 in the parking lot of the Somersville Towne Center, between Macy’s and Sears, off Delta Fair Blvd. Doors open at 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Tickets are $10 per person or $3.00 with a discount ticket.

Discount tickets are available at Mr. Pickle’s on Lone Tree Way in the Bluerock Center, Paradise Skate on W. 10^th Street at the Fairgrounds and the Antioch Indoor Sports Center on Sunset, next to Aladino’s Pizza or by clicking here and downloading and printing your own.

“the 99” is sponsored by Dr. Rosenbaum & Associates, Arrowed Towing and Recovery, the four East County Ace Hardware Stores, Williams Sanitary Service, Zoo Crew Construction, and Uno Chicago Grille.

For more information visit www.whatisthe99.com.

Can’t Say Anything Bad About Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals or Transgendered in the Classroom

By Allen Payton, Publisher

Governor Edmund G. “Jerry” Brown, Jr. signed into law a historic bill requiring the teaching of historical contributions by homosexuals, bisexuals and transexuals, who call themselves lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered (LGBT). But the law goes beyond that by forbidding textbooks from including anything derogatory about such people or their lifestyle choice.

Now not only will California school children be taught there’s nothing wrong with being homosexual, bisexual or transexual, but they can’t be taught anything negative about those who have chosen that lifestyle and the behavior that it includes.

Those representing Antioch in Sacramento voted for the bill, known as SB 48 (Senate Bill 48) authored by openly gay State Senator Mark Leno of San Francisco. Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla and State Senator Mark DeSaulnier, both Democrats from Concord, voted for the bill. Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan who represents the other parts of East County, as well as the San Ramon Valley and Tri Valley voted for it, at least twice: once in committee and once on the Assembly floor.

The bill passed on a party line vote with all Republicans voting against it in both the Assembly and Senate, and only Democrats voting for it.

Brown signed the legislation at a time 30% all students and 50% of African American students are dropping out of high school in California and in spite of the fact a majority of California voters disagree with promoting the homosexual/LGBT agenda, which was demonstrated by the passage of Proposition 8 banning homosexual marriage.

Following is the summary of the legislation provided by State Senate staff.

SUMMARY :  Adds lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans, persons with disabilities and others to the list of groups of people whose role and contributions shall be accurately portrayed in instructional materials and included in social science instruction, and adds sexual orientation and religion to the list of characteristics that shall not be reflected adversely in adopted instructional materials.

The full text of the bill, analysis, committee and floor votes can be seen by clicking here.

Those in support of the bill included the California Teachers Association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

It is deemed a “Non-State-Mandated Local Program” so perhaps local school boards can refuse to use textbooks containing the new history lessons.

Add that to the legislation requiring Harvey Milk Day in the schools, honoring the first openly gay member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors which Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law, last year.

Expect to see a swell in private and parochial school registration, this fall and a referendum to repeal the new law on the ballot, next year.

Kenneth Gardner

The biggest change that students and staff returning to the Deer Valley High campus will experience this year is the appointment of a new principal, Kenneth Gardner. He wants the students, staff and parents to know that he will listen to what they have to say and is willing to implement ideas that will work toward educational achievement.

Gardner served 20 years in the Air Force, including four years of active duty as an air traffic controller and 16 in the reserves in security forces. He retired with the rank of major. He also has served 20 years as a police officer in Southern California.

His most recent experience is as principal at Vista Continuation School, which has more than 300 students, where he was also overseer of the student welfare attendance. While at Vista he found himself missing the organized chaos of high school, leading him to apply for the Deer Valley job.

Before that he worked at De Anza High School in Richmond for three years, and served on the Student Attendance Review Board and was the district’s designated hearing officer.

Principal Gardner was chosen from 37 candidates who were interviewed by a panel of parent and community representatives along with district members.

Former Deer Valley Co-Principal Scott Bergerhouse was amongst the candidates, but was instead appointed vice principal of Black Diamond Middle School. Deer Valley’s other former co-principal, Clarence Isadore, is now the principal of Carmen Dragon Elementary.

With the commitment and support of the students, parents and staff, Gardner is confident that the successful path marked out by Isadore and Bergerhouse will continue.