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Updated Feb 18th, 2010

Broberg Says LCUSD Continues to
Advance, Despite Challenges

By JEANNE BROBERG
Special to The Outlook

We are an amazing school district that never settles for status quo, that continues to improve program and the daily school life of our students. What are recent details of the behind-the-scenes progress that make the ongoing successes in La Cañada Unified School District possible?

To improve curriculum, instruction and assessment at the elementary schools, all site administrators are making 15-minute classroom visits for at least three hours per week giving specific feedback to teachers about their visits. This is in addition to normal formal evaluations.

Addressing the needs of varied students, the after-school GATE enrichment program offerings have been expanded while the Lego Leagues at the elementary schools and 7/8 pair 25 elementary students working with 25 LCHS students in creating robots and competing in local and state competitions.

A high school science teacher is offering evening astronomy classes for elementary students.

Palm Crest and La Cañada Elementary have had their applications for California Distinguished Schools approved and will receive validation visits in March. Paradise Canyon already has Distinguished School status.

High school English teachers are using online interactive discussion groups to enhance student engagement. Protocols have been established for transferring credit from online educational institutions.

To this date, all subject areas and programs have been maintained even with the current fiscal constraints. At the elementary schools, we have kept the arts program with drama, instrumental and choral music, the physical education and Spanish programs. Elementary educational field trips continue as does reading intervention.

We have elementary counselors. We have kept K-3 and ninth-grade class size reduction, college counseling and school psychologists K-8 and 9-12. We offer a full range of Advanced Placement, honors and core offerings. We support English Language Learners and special needs students. The visual performing arts at the high school continues.

Giving student support we have added volleyball in the 210 league and flag football to the 7/8 afterschool sports program. As part of our partnership with the YMCA, we have added after-school classes in cartooning and knitting.

In grades 2-6, 127 students received reading intervention, and 190 students grades 4-6 participated in our GATE after-school enrichment program. We have followed district-wide H1N1 flu prevention protocols.

While neighboring districts have already made huge cuts to date, we have continued to finance our programs through passing of the parcel tax plus donations by the La Cañada Educational Foundations and PTAs, as well as $64,694 donated directly to the District.

We have transferred categorical funds to the general fund. We have utilized the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (AARA) and State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF) to supplement the General Fund. We received a $16,500 rebate from Southern California Edison for installation of computer power management software.

Jeanne Broberg is president of the La Cañada Unified School District Governing Board.