Education

GROSSMONT COLLEGE TAKING THE LEAD TO CUT HIGH TEXTBOOK COSTS

 

 

Students saving nearly $1.3 million during 2018-2019

Source:  Grossmont College

March 28, 2019 (El Cajon) - Grossmont College Counselor and Professor Dave Dillon will pick up a national textbook excellence award in Philadelphia in June, but it is his passion for providing free textbooks to all students that gives him the greatest satisfaction.


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A RAINBOW OF LOCAL RESIDENTS FACE OFF AGAINST SCHOOL PICKETERS FROM INFAMOUS WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH

Messages of love and inclusivity overwhelm hate group picketing two East County high schools



By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Robert Gehr and Miriam Raftery contributed to this report

Photos by Paul Kruze and Robert Gehr

 

March 26, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) — Some 300 spirited protesters held a “Rainbow Dance Party” Monday, vastly outnumbering three members of the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) which briefly picketed El Cajon Valley High School in El Cajon and Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley.

 


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CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS DEBATE HOW TO PREVENT ANOTHER COLLEGE ADMISSIONS SCANDAL

 

 

By Felicia Mello, CALMatters

CALmatters is an independent public interest journalism venture covering California state politics and government.

Photo:  As the college cheating scandal has spread to include UCLA and UC Berkeley, state lawmakers are scrutinizing loopholes and seeking to reassure Californians. Photo by Robbie Short for CALmatters

March 25, 2019 (Sacramento) - When state legislators grilled University of California staff at a hearing Tuesday about the university’s response to the recent college admissions scandal, Assemblyman Kevin McCarty asked the question that’s been reverberating since the story broke last week.


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VOLUNTEER TO TUTOR ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

 

 

East County News Service

 

March 24, 2019 (San Diego) -- If you can speak English, you can make a difference in someone’s life. Laubach Literacy Council of San Diego County provides tutors for adult learners of English as a Second Language with tutoring locations countywide.


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“RAINBOW DANCE PARTY” PLANNED TO COUNTER WESTBORO, HATE GROUP PICKETING HIGH SCHOOLS MARCH 25

 

 

East County News Service

March 19, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Activists have announced plans for a “Rainbow Dance Party” to counter picketing by the hate group Westboro Baptist Church on Monday, March 25th. The counter-protesters will begin their event at 6:45 a.m. at El Cajon Valley High School, shortly before Westboro’s picketing starts at 7 a.m.  Then the rainbow dancers and marchers will proceed to Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley, arriving before Westboro’s picketing at 8:30 and remaining until 9:30 a.m.


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INFAMOUS HATE GROUP, WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH TO PICKET EL CAJON VALLEY AND MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOLS MARCH 25

 
 
Westboro has protested funerals of soldiers and slain Sandy Hook elementary students.  Its inflammatory hate speech targets gays and lesbians, Jews, Muslims, Catholics and others.
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
March 13, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Westboro Baptist Church has been designated a hate group by the Anti-Defamation League and by the Southern Poverty Law Center.  The notorious cult-like group has announced on its website plans on March 25 to picket El Cajon Valley High School in El Cajon at 7 a.m. and Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley at 8:50 a.m.

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FIERY LEMON GROVE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DRAWS IRE FROM PARENTS OVER ALLEGED FORCED RESIGNATION OF 16 TEACHERS

 

 

By Allan Acevedo

 

March 13, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – The community room at the Lemon Grove Library quickly overfilled last night as parents, students, teachers, and community members gathered to share their united concern for what they collectively referred to as the “firing” of 16 teachers.” With all chairs filled, attendees began congregating against the sides and doors of the room, some standing just outside the door to listen in.


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CALLING ALL K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS TO GET A SLICE OF THE PI THROUGH SDG&E’S MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM

 

 

In honor of Pi Day, SDG&E announces donation to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) classroom projects

Source:  SDG&E

March 14, 2019 (San Diego) - In honor of Pi Day and in support of local teachers, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is launching a $314,159 matching grant program to enable K-12 public schools in the region to provide more classroom learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).


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STEELE CANYON THEATER STUDENTS DREAMS COME TRUE WITH STAR OF THE LONDON PRODUCTION OF LES MISÉRABLES

 

 

By Jennifer Doucet

Photos courtesy of Steele Canyon Players

 

March 13, 2019 (Spring Valley) -- London stage actor, Dean Chisnall, visited Steele Canyon Charter High School March 7 through March 9 to help prepare the school’s theatre and music departments for their own production of the award-winning hit, Les Misérables, premiering March 20th.  Over two and a half days, Chisnall worked closely with SCHS Theatre Director, Nicole LaBella and Music Director, Heather Luck to coach the cast, crew and orchestra.


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CAJON VALLEY UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT PARENTS GET TASTE OF FUTURE PLANS FOR SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY

 

 

District releases audit of coordinated school safety plan

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

Meeting recording provided by ECM: ECMCVUSDStudentSafety

March 11, 2019 (El Cajon)--Following a safety and security audit recently conducted by AECOM and DMB Consultants, two security engineering firms specializing in building security audits, the Cajon Valley Union School District (CVUSD) has been conducting a series of town meetings at local schools over the past month. The meetings are being held throughout the district to advise parents on what the district is doing to improve student safety and building security.

Meetings have so far taken place at Hillsdale Middle School, Grossmont Middle School, and Montgomery Middle School. Future meetings are set to take place at Cajon Valley Middle School on March 14,  Emerald Middle School on March 21, and Los Coches Creek Middle School on March 27, all at 6 p.m.

Audio: 


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WOMAN’S HISTORY MONTH EVENTS AT GROSSMONT AND CUYAMACA COLLEGES

 

 

Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

March 6, 2019 (El Cajon) -- In recognition of Women’s History Month, designated by Congress in 1987, both Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges have a number of events planned that are free and open to the public:


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HOW HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN START COLLEGE EARLY

 

 

By Donald H. Harrison 

Originally published in San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Panelist Shor Masori tells of experiences at Grossmont Middle College High School

March 5, 2019 (El Cajon) - There’s a secret that I feel it’s my duty to divulge to other grandparents and parents of high school students.  High school sophomores can get a jump on their college educations—maybe even save their parents a bundle of money —by applying to Grossmont Middle College High School for the upcoming fall semester.


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STEELE CANYON PLAYERS PRESENT LES MISERABLES MARCH 20-24

 

 

East County News Service

 

March 3, 2019 (Spring Valley) -- Steele Canyon High School presents the world’s longest running musical, Les Misérables. This modern classic, based on Victor Hugo’s novel, features one of the most memorable scores of all time. The production includes over 130 students in the cast, crew and orchestra. According to Theatre Director, Nicole LaBella and Music Director, Heather Luck, Steele Canyon High School musicals are unique as they are the only school in the area to perform with live orchestral accompaniment.


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GROSSMONT HIGH CELEBRATES GROUNDBREAKING OF PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 

 

State-of-the-art facility will bring together performing arts programs in a central location; provides modern new venue for school, district, and community events

East County News Service

March 1, 2019 (El Cajon) – Grossmont High School broke ground last Tuesday on a state-of-the-art facility that will bring together performing arts programs including dance, choral, digital music, and drama. The $26 million project is funded by Proposition U and Ballot Measure BB.


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CAJON VALLEY UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT DESTROYS BOARD MEETING RECORDING DESPITE ECM PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST



Donna Frye, open government advocate, calls district’s actions “morally repugnant;” records request follows negative state evaluation of CVUSD schools

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

February 20, 2019 (El Cajon) -- Some local government agencies, including many school districts, pride themselves on their transparency and openness towards local citizens. Others, such as the Cajon Valley Union School District (CVUSD), would rather operate under a cloak of darkness.

Despite a legally submitted California Public Records Act (CPRA) request made by ECM for a copy of the recording for the Dec. 11, 2018 CVUSD board meeting, the district willfully destroyed the recording without fulfilling our request.

Audio: 


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DISTRICT CHANCELLOR CINDY L. MILES ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

 

 

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

February 18, 2019 (El Cajon) - The 10-year era of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District with Chancellor Cindy L. Miles at the helm will soon draw to a close.

 With what she described as “mixed feelings,” Miles announced today that she will be retiring at the end of the year. Her retirement contract, set to go before the Governing Board Feb. 19, calls for Miles to remain until the end of the year to allow time for a successor to be selected.


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SCHOOL CLOSURES TODAY

East County News Service

February 15, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- The county Office of Education reports that schools in the Bonsall Unified School District, Fallbrook Union Elementary School District, Mountain Empire Unified School District, Julian Union School District, Julian Union High School District and Fallbrook Union High School District will be be closed today as a result of winter weather conditions. Hazards include flooding, power outages and dangerous travel due to snow or icy condiions.

Monte Vista High School will be closed today due to a broken water main, the Grossmont Union HIgh School District has announced on Twitter.


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SDSU LIBRARY ARCHIVE DETAILS DETAINEES' PATH TO SEEKING ASYLUM, CONDITIONS INSIDE DETENTION

 

 

A new archive of hundreds of letters between a group of volunteers and asylum seekers along the U.S.-Mexico border has been developed and is being digitized at the SDSU Library.

By La Monica Everett-Haynes

February 13, 2019 (San Diego) - What began as a casual gathering of friends has become a first-of-its-kind living archive of handwritten letters shared by hundreds of asylum seekers detained along the U.S.-Mexico border. Those letters, in the collective correspondence, provide a detailed description of each person’s path to pursuing asylum, and the conditions inside detention centers. 


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STEELE CANYON THEATER STUDENTS “DREAM A DREAM” WITH STAR OF THE LONDON PRODUCTION OF LES MISÉRABLES

 

 

Actor Dean Chisnall to visit East County high school in March

 

East County News Service

 

February 8, 2019 (Spring Valley) -- London stage actor, Dean Chisnall, will be visiting Steele Canyon Charter High School from March 7 through March 9 to help prepare the school’s theatre department for their own production of the award-winning hit, Les Misérables, premiering March 20th.  He will also be the main event in “Who Am I? An Evening with Dean Chisnall” benefit night for San Diego County theater students at Steele Canyon High School on the evening of Thursday, March 7 @ 7:00pm.  “I’m so excited and honoured to come to Steele Canyon - it’s a huge privilege to be invited to share my passion with such like minded students and staff. I’ll be there soon... See you on the barricade.” -Dean Chisnall


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SNOW DAY AT LOCAL SCHOOLS

February 6, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -- Heavy snowfall  has resulted in a "snow day" off for students today in the Julian Union School District, Julian Union High School District, Spencer Valley School District and Warner Unified School District, according to the San Diego County Education.


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SAN DIEGO COUNTY MATHNASIUM CENTERS TO ‘SHARE THE LOVE’ FOR EDUCATION AND MILITARY FAMILIES: DONATE SCHOOL SUPPLIES IN FEB.

 

 

East County News Service

Photo credit:  Scatena Daniels

February 5, 2019 (San Diego) -- During the month of love, staff at select Mathnasium of San Diego County locations will lead a community initiative to “Share the Love” for education. The community is encouraged to stop by their neighborhood Mathnasium Learning Center locations, including several in East County, from Feb. 1-28 to donate school supply items for families served by the Armed Services YMCA in San Diego and Camp Pendleton.


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CAJON VALLEY UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT NAMED 2019 DIGITAL CONVERGENCE NATIONAL SHOWCASE DISTRICT

 

 

By Miriam Raftery 

February 5, 2019 (El Cajon) -- Modern Teacher has named Cajon Valley Union School District the 2019 Digital Convergence National Showcase District. 


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VALHALLA STUDENT ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY BRINGING GUN TO SCHOOL

 
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
February 2, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) – A student at Valhalla High School has been arrested for allegedly bringing a loaded handgun onto campus in the Rancho San Diego area of unincorporated El Cajon yesterday.

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SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ASPIRING OPERA AND CONCERT SINGERS

 

 

East County News Service

 

February 1, 2019 (San Diego) – Aspiring young opera and concert singers are one step closer to Carnegie Hall, thanks to the Virginia and Susan Hawk Scholarship which helps fund their studies. Applications are now being accepted at http://msc-gcca.org/vocal-scholarships/ and auditions will be held March 23rd at the La Mesa First United Methodist Church.


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CAJON VALLEY HOSTS SIX PUBLIC MEETINGS ON SCHOOL SAFETY

 

 

East County News Service

February 1, 2019 (El Cajon) – Cajon Valley Union School District invites parents to attend one or more of six school safety meetings where the district will share results of safety audits and recommendations. Participants will also engage with leaders from the El Cajon Police and Sheriff departments on immediate and long-term steps to maximize security and safety on campuses of students, teachers and staff.  

To attend, please RSVP to email@blackboard.com and complete this survey.  The meeting dates and locations are: 


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CAMPO SCHOOL BUS ASSAILANT SENTENCED TO DRUG REHAB AND COUNSELING

 
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
January 30, 2018 (Campo) – A knife-wielding man who punched a Campo Elementary School bus driver in the face on May 25, 2018 has been sentenced to a year in jail, with part of his sentence slated to be served in a drug rehabilitation facility.
 

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BENEFITS OF THE ASVAB PRACTICE TEST

 

 

By Brad Hadin

February 1, 2019 (San Diego) -- ASVAB, short for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, is one of the most popular aptitude tests used in the United States. The ASVAB test is perfect for running a quick analysis of the candidate by measuring his strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately checking his potential for future success. ASVAB opens up a lot of opportunities for the student both in military and civilian career paths. You will certainly have a higher success rate after passing the ASVAB exam, whether you choose a military career, a vocational school, or a college.


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HUNTER BILL WOULD STRIP FEDERAL FUNDS FROM “SANCTUARY CAMPUSES;” CSU AND UC SYSTEMS COULD BE IMPACTED

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

 
January 25, 2019 (Washington D.C.) — Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) has introduced H.R. 483, the “No Funding for Sanctuary Campuses Act.” More than 200 colleges and universities stand to lose major funding if the bill were enacted, likely including the University of California system and California State University campuses such as San Diego State University.
 


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GROSSMONT ADULT SCHOOL PARTNERS WITH VIEJAS CASINO & RESORT TO EQUIP EMPLOYEES WITH VITAL SKILLS FOR CAREER SUCCESS

 
 
Source: Grossmont Union High School District

January 23, 2019 (El Cajon) - Grossmont Adult School is completing its second round of multi-level English as a Second Language (ESL) classes with Viejas Casino & Resort. In these classes, employees – and local community members – spend three hours, twice a week in class improve their on-the-job English skills.


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D.A. ANNOUNCES TRAFFICKING EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR ALL LOCAL SCHOOLS

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 23, 2019 (San Diego) — San Diego ranks among the 13 worst regions in the nation for human trafficking, according to the FBI.  The underground sex economy locally is worth an estimated $810 million a year. To combat this crisis and help protect vulnerable young people, District Attorney Summer Stephan has announced three new programs to bring human trafficking education, prevention and awareness training to kids and teens in all public schools countywide.


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