Antioch Chamber of Commerce CEO Dr. Sean Wright (center) with Principals Ken Gardner of Deer Valley High, (left) and Louie Rocha of Antioch High with the Champions On The Rise award.

Earn & Learn East Bay celebrated the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and Dr. Sean Wright as one of three Champions ‘On The Rise’ award winners in 2016 for their support of Education in our community.

“The Antioch Chamber of Commerce, and you as its CEO, are being honored for the countless ways you engage with Antioch Unified School District in its Linked Learning efforts–whether encouraging business engagement in our schools, providing technical assistance and support to Linked Learning pathways, lending a leadership voice to the Linked Learning statewide expansion, or coordinating business/education events to showcase our students and their demonstration of skills, you are to be commended for the passion and dedication you deliver every day to ensure student success,” said April Treece Director of the STEM Workforce Initiative of the Contra Costa Economic Partnership to Wright.

The Award was given on Friday, March 4th at the Hilton Concord at the Earn & Learn Kick-Off Breakfast with Principal of Antioch High School Louie Rocha and Principal of Deer Valley High School Ken Gardner in attendance.

About Earn & Learn East Bay

Earn & Learn East Bay connects employers to regional efforts designed to help grow our future workforce. We place students and young adults ages 16-24 in meaningful workplace experiences including summer jobs, internships and apprenticeships or in industry-led summer learning experiences. To create these opportunities, the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County, Contra Costa Economic Partnership and the Earn & Learn East Bay team rely largely on the support of local employers and community-based organizations.

Our efforts to create summer youth employment and enrichment experiences build off of a strong foundation that has provided more than 1,000 summer opportunities over the past five years. Our goal for 2016 is to connect at least 500 young people to jobs, internships and other high -quality work-based learning experiences, such as industry-led summer camps focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).

Benefits to employer partners:

• ·The opportunity to build your future workforce.
• ·The chance to showcase your industry and organization, including positive publicity as a partner supporting Earn & Learn East Bay (through publications, website, news media and special events).
• ·Direct impact on strengthening communities in the East Bay region.

Benefits to youth:

• ·Hands-on career and technical skills as well as life skills, such as communication, collaboration and critical thinking.
• ·Networking and relationship-building skills, and mentorships with industry professionals.
• ·Access to income and upward mobility, which can break the cycle of poverty.
• ·Newfound confidence in skills and abilities.

How it works:

• ·Learning goals are agreed upon by the youth participant, the employer partner, and a member of the Earn & Learn team, who also works with the participant throughout the summer.
• ·Youth typically work part time or full time over the summer months and earn minimum wage.
• ·The Earn & Learn team connects eligible youth to meaningful work experiences in a variety of industries.
• ·Contracted youth service providers can also serve as the employer of record, providing wages and covering insurance costs.
• ·Limited funds may be available to sponsor youth at your place of business. To find out how you can get involved, please visit www.earnlearneastbay.org or e-mail info@earnlearneastbay.org

The Antioch Unified School District Board of Education has selected Leadership Associates to conduct the search for the selection of our next district superintendent. An essential part of the process is to gather information about the perspectives of our stakeholders.

Leadership Associates Search Advisors will be at the Antioch Water Park Community Hall on March 14th and the Nick Rodriquez Community Center on March 15th to meet with interested individuals and groups. In addition, an open forum will be held 7:00 p.m., Monday, March 14th at the Antioch Water Park Community Hall, located at 4701 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, CA 94531.

Our advisors will ask for thoughts on desired qualities, characteristics, background and experience for the new superintendent. They will also ask you for perspectives on the strengths and challenges of the Antioch Unified School District.   Please contact Christine Todd at 925-779-7500, Ext. 54095 to schedule a meeting time.

For those unable to attend an in-person meeting, an opportunity to participate in an online survey is available.  The online survey will be posted on the District’s website from March 8 through March 25th.  The survey will be available in English and Spanish.

By Allen Payton

What was believed to be an attempted abduction of an Antioch High School girl, Tuesday morning, has been relabled suspicious activity by the Antioch Police Department.

According to a news release by Acting Sergeant Shawn Morin, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau, “On March 1, 2016 at approximately 9:44 PM, Antioch Police Officers were dispatched to investigate suspicious incident that occurred near the intersection of L St and Sycamore Dr. Upon arrival, officers learned of a student walking to Antioch High School that was approached by a subject in a vehicle. The subject motioned for the student to come to his vehicle, but the student ignored the man and continued to school.

There was no direct physical contact between the driver and student. Additionally, there was no clear indication of the intent of the subject driving the vehicle. The vehicle was last seen driving north on L St from 18^th St. The vehicle was described as an unknown make and model gold colored minivan. The driver was described as a hispanic male, unknown age, “droopy face” and black hair.”

According to an email from the office of Interim Superintendent Stephanie Anello of the Antioch Unified School District, received, Tuesday afternoon, March 1, 2016, the following phone message was sent out to parents of students in the district:

This is the Antioch Unified School District calling with an important safety announcement. Earlier today, an Antioch High School student reported that she was approached by a man in a van who attempted to grab her wrist. The student was unharmed and is safe.  Antioch Police Department has been notified. The van was described by the student as older with faded gold paint and a license plate with the letters 4 and D in it. The man driving the van was described by the student as Latino with bushy eyebrows. The student reported that this occurred near Antioch High School. As a precaution, we will have extra security in the area. Please take a moment to review stranger danger with your children and to remind them to never get into a vehicle with a stranger, even when the stranger says that he or she is a friend or has been sent to pick them up by another family member. As always, your child’s safety is our number one concern. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s school should you have further questions or concerns.

Maria McClain, math teacher, Deer Valley High School, Antioch Unified School District

By Allen Payton

Deer Valley High math teacher, Maria McClain was recently named one of the eight semi-finalists for 2016 California’s Teacher of the Year. Each year thousands of teachers throughout the State are nominated by their Districts. Finalists from each County are then nominated for the State award.

was recognized for her contribution to the teaching profession at a gala held last week in Sacramento. She is the only teacher from Contra Costa County to be either a semi-finalist or finalist for 2016.

McClain is in her 29th year of teaching grades 10–12 for the Antioch Unified School District. For the past 20 years, McClain has been at Deer Valley High School (Antioch). McClain has taught high school pre-calculus, AP Calculus, AP statistics, and algebra, as well as junior high school mathematics and algebra.

Last year, she was chosen as one of two 2015–2016 Teachers of the Year for Contra Costa County.

McClain obtained her undergraduate college units at Diablo Valley College, followed by earning her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and teaching credentials at California State University, Sacramento.

“Congratulations Ms. McClain and Deer Valley High School — you continue the tradition of great teaching in the Antioch Unified School District,” reads the statement on the AUSD Facebook page.

For more information on the California Teachers of the Year, visit www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr15/yr15rel79.asp.

Los Medanos College (LMC) is preparing to host the annual “Celebrating the Life of César Chávez” awards ceremony on Friday, April 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the college’s Recital Hall. The college is located at 2700 East Leland Road in Pittsburg. The public is welcome to attend and the event is free.

Los Medanos College hosts this annual event to honor the life of César Chávez and to recognize East Contra Costa County community leaders who continue his great tradition of service and social activism. A true American hero, César Chávez exemplifies service to community and non-violent social change.

The college is now seeking nominations for three recognition awards, which will be presented at the event. The LMC César Chávez Award for Exemplary Community Service, established in 1995, is awarded to one of our local citizens who best represents the following core values established by César Chávez: Service to Others, Sacrifice, Help the Most Needy, Determination, Non-Violence, Acceptance of All People, Respect for Life and the Environment, Celebrating Community, Knowledge, and Innovation. The East County Educator Award honors a member of the educational community who demonstrates the above values and a commitment to student success and equity, particularly for low-income students and students of color. The Chávez Spirit Award recognizes an emerging leader who is making an impact on East Contra Costa County in the areas of advocacy and social justice.

To nominate someone for one or more of these awards, please visit: www.losmedanos.edu/chavez/nominate/.

The deadline for nominations is Thursday, March 10, 2016.

For more information, contact Jennifer Adams, jadams@losmedanos.edu or (925) 473-7302.

By Nick Goodrich

The Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees met on Wednesday, February 17th and opened with the unveiling of a new AUSD commercial aimed at increasing attendance in Antioch schools, which has been a problem in recent years.

During public comments section, several parents of District schoolchildren brought complaints or questions before the Board. One parent, Julie Young, informed the Board that the California Department of Education recently released the records of some students in the District, as a result of an ongoing court case. As a result of Concerned Parents Association vs. California Department of Education, records were authorized for release of some students who have attended schools since up to 2008. Information made available in the Department of Education’s archives include these students’ state test scores, GPA’s, and attendance records, among others. The Board was able to waylay these fears to some extent by acknowledging that only students involved in the case would have their records released.

Soon after public comments, the Board made their choice of Leadership Associates official in their hunt for a new Superintendent. The search firm was voted in 5-0 Wednesday night, after being decided on during the last Board meeting on January 20th to glowing reviews. With the search heating up, the Board can begin the next steps to finding the District’s new Superintendent.

One issue raised during Wednesday’s meeting was that of digitalization. It is common practice for school districts to adopt new textbooks and update course materials that will last for up to a decade or more, and districts almost always pay in advance for the new set of books. The board voted to do so on Wednesday, as a result of the District’s adoption of Common Core.

However, as part of a larger conversation dating to last year, some members of the Board wondered whether paying in advance for 8 years of books is a good idea in what is rapidly becoming a paperless world. In fact, Wednesday’s meeting marked the first time the Board has been able to review their full meeting packets on computers, rather than receiving stacks of paper to sort through. This came about as a result of Claire Smith’s suggestion to save paper and condense the packets.

“What is the logic in paying eight years in advance for Common Core textbooks and curriculum?” asked tew Trustee Fernando Navarro. “We’re in an election year, and the next administration may not agree with Common Core.”

He also noted that several Districts have begun experimenting with digitalizing some aspects of their curriculum. Smith echoed this concern, wondering if the District would be “locked in” to a paper curriculum in the event that digitalization became a viable option in the near future. Board staff answered that while the books were Common Core, they still presented a good curriculum and could be used even if Common Core was thrown out in the next several years; and they informed the Board that it did not appear digitalization of the District would be likely within the time frame of the 8-year book contract.

Board Member Debra Vinson was on board with the adoption of the textbooks, but had some cautionary advice in the careful choosing of which books to adopt. She reminded the room that in the past, the District has bought books that sat unused for years, as they became obsolete soon after being adopted.

The Antioch School Board last adopted books in 2003. After a spirited debate among the Board, they voted 3-2 during the February 17^th meeting to adopt the textbooks, with Navarro and Diane Gibson-Gray dissenting.

The Board then turned to a discussion of the vendors they employ to run mentor and college preparation programs, among others, in the District. These vendors are contracted by the District to increase students’ knowledge and ability in the college application process and prepare them for state tests, while also offering programs to help students in their classes.

However, as noted by the Board, oversight and accountability has been lacking in the District’s vendor process. This was brought to a head when a vendor working for the District asked for a $25,000 increase in pay from the previous years’ deal, or they would not be able to fully meet the contract’s requirements in serving District schoolchildren.

The Board was not pleased, and discussed how to better oversee vendor operations and revamp the vendor selection process to avoid situations like this one in the future. Board Member Walter Ruehlig suggested unannounced visits to vendor-hosted programs, in order to increase accountability and keep vendors on track. Daily reports on vendor expenditures were raised as a solution. Debra Vinson said that some groups, which get Title I funding without having to report much information to the District or the government, should be held to the same standard as those who don’t receive the funding. “We need to be more vigilant about monitoring data from all our vendors,” she said.

Members of the vendor in question were present at the meeting. Synitha Walker told the Board that her organization, Parents Connected, offers financial aid workshops, summer programs, and college tours for students, among other opportunities, and that the vendor employees do not receive a salary; they work full-time on a volunteer basis, and all the funding from the district goes straight to the students. If there is a rise in costs, she stated, it is for the students’, and not the vendors’, benefit.

In all, after another lengthy consideration, the Board voted against the extra $25,000 for the vendor. However, they promised to shore up processes and set new standards for vendor contracts in the future, and will look into taking action in future meetings.

Dear Editor:

Every parent with a child that has attended a California school should be aware of this important issue.

On February 1st, Judge Kimberly Mueller ordered that the CA Department of Education release the student records of all students that attended any CA school since January 1, 2008 to the Plaintiffs in the lawsuit Morgan Hill Concerned Parents Association and Concerned Parents Association v. CA Department of Education.

The court ordered that only the parties, their attorneys and consultants and the court would have access to the records and when they were done they would be returned or destroyed.  They claim that no student’s identifying records will be disclosed to the public. I do not want my children’s information to be disclosed to some people in Morgan Hill involved in a lawsuit I know nothing about.

We should not be so naïve to think security breaches never happen.  We all remember Target or Bank of America. I do not want my children’s information to be disclosed to some people in Morgan Hill involved in a lawsuit I know nothing about.

There is no reason to believe that the security precautions taken here will be any better than those taken by large corporations which have been subject to security breaches.

Examples of information that is stored on CA Department of Educations’s databases and network drives includes name, Social Security number, home address, demographics, course information, statewide assessment results, teacher demographics, program information, behavior and discipline information, progress reports, special education assessment plans, special education assessments/evaluations, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), records pertaining to health, mental health and medical information, student statewide identifiers (SSID), attendance statistics, information on suspensions and expulsions, and results on state tests.

There is one way to make sure that your child’s information is not included in this and that would be to fill out an opt –out form and mail it to the court by April 1, 2016. The form can be found at http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/ws/documents/form2016jan26.pdf

Julie Young

Antioch

New LMC welding instructor Dann Gesink.

Los Medanos College (LMC) has a thriving welding technology program, with hundreds of students of all ages learning a trade in demand by a wide array of industries. The program has been very popular, so popular that classes fill extremely quickly.

Recently the College has taken steps to help move the LMC Welding Technology Program forward. A new full-time, tenure track instructor (Dann Gesink) was hired this past fall. New cutting-edge equipment was purchased which allows students to be more precise and efficient in their work.

Dann Gesink has been teaching for LMC since 2011 as a part-time instructor. He comes to the college with years of training and experience. He holds an Associate of Arts in Welding Technology from Kalamazoo Valley Community College (Kalamazoo, MI), and a Certificate in Mechanical Drafting from Diablo Valley College. He also attended the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology (Troy, OH) for his certified welding inspector/educator test preparation. Dann has worked in the welding industry his entire career. The last four and a half years, he was employed as a welding inspector/testing technician, working on a wide range of projects, including the Hetch Hetchy water pipeline at the Hayward Fault, the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, the SLAC National Accelerator Lab, Kaiser Oakland, Google and Facebook.

When asked why he began teaching, Dann replied, “I knew from my experiences training others on the job that I liked teaching welding, and when the opportunity to apply at LMC arose, I was excited to pursue it. My first week of teaching confirmed for me that teaching was something I want to do full time, and by hook or by crook, I was going to make that happen. I love the trade and enjoy passing my knowledge on. I’ve benefitted from a handful of generous mentors and co-workers who gave me a chance, a listening ear and a kind suggestion. It’s time for me to inspire others.”

Joe Meyer, LMC’s Welding Department faculty lead, is enthusiastic to have another fulltime faculty member in Welding. He explains, “With another fulltime professor, our evening courses become dramatically stabilized. Students now have the ability to take the same instructor for both theory and lab courses. This develops a much deeper relationship and stability for the students. It also gives the instructor more opportunity to work with the students and educate them to their full potential.”

“And then there’s the fact that our new fulltime professor is Dann,” he continues. “Dann is an exemplary performer. His industry experience and knowledge is an asset to our program. From the time he started here as an adjunct instructor, he has consistently exhibited a high degree of professionalism, commitment and competence as a welding instructor. He incorporates a positive attitude in performing his duties and towards instructing his students. He is very knowledgeable in demonstrating the different welding processes we offer, assisting students with the techniques, and critiquing their progress.  Lastly, his soft skills are what we all desire, someone who is easy to talk to, very approachable, and always passionate in teaching welding to students.”

The new equipment is also very exciting for the Welding Department. Joe explains, “Our new welding equipment will not only help our students succeed in class, but help them develop skill using the type of equipment they most likely will use on the job. This equipment includes shielded-metal arc welding inverter power supplies where students can set their amperage precisely and weld with very smooth arc characteristics. In addition, we have new flux-core arc welding power supplies with digital readouts so students can set their wire feed speed and arc voltage exactly to create quality welds. Our previous equipment was not as precise so it took longer to find the optimum settings. ”

Additional plans include acquiring equipment and tooling to create a “Fabrication Techniques” course where students will learn how to measure, cut, bend, drill, tap, rivet, metal items using hand and power tools. Joe feels this important because “”This would make the students more valuable to employers and lessen their learning curve and oversight in using tools, working to a drawing, and become more productive in their work. Overall, we strive to offer the latest welding equipment and technology thus providing students with the best educational experience.”

Natalie Hannum, Dean of Career Technical Education and Social Sciences, fully supports the efforts to optimize LMC’s Welding Technology Program. She explains, “This is an example of government systems working collaboratively:  Industry indicated it needed more welders; a TAACCCT grant provided funds to expand the lab and obtain state of the art equipment; and the college added capacity by hiring additional faculty to meet the need. It is a win for industry by providing a skilled workforce, and it is a win for students by providing more access to courses by offering night and weekend classes.  Welding is a high wage and high demand job and encompasses numerous industries, so there are a lot of opportunities for students.  It is an admirable career, and today’s welders are key to the California economy.”

As LMC’s Welding Program continues to improve and thrive, courses fill early, students accomplish their goals with the program, and many get jobs quickly once they have earned a certificate and/or degree. Interested in exploring a career in welding? Check out our Welding Technology Program at www.losmedanos.edu/welding.

Los Medanos College (LMC) is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District. LMC prepares students to excel and succeed economically, socially and intellectually in an innovative, engaging and supportive learning environment. It provides quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities to serve the needs of a rapidly growing and changing East County while enhancing the quality of life of the diverse communities it serves. LMC is located on 120 acres between Pittsburg and Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.