The James Logan Courier

By Rick LaPlante, New Haven Unified School District Public Information Officer

The Board of Education on Tuesday night received information on how the District is redirecting resources to improve teaching and learning by offering additional training for all classroom teachers, hiring teacher specialists to assist classroom teachers in targeted subject areas and reintroducing curriculum leaders, among other initiatives.

The District is following guidelines outlined in the Strategic Plan designed last year by students, parents, teachers, classified employees, administrators and other members of the community. Strategy 1, in specific, calls for effective implementation of the standards-based curriculum and use of assessment data to drive research-based instructional practices. The goal is to ensure that at least 85% of all students are proficient on the California state assessment by 2010.

To that end, the District has begun the process of offering all of its nearly 700 teachers additional training in English/language arts and mathematics, the "AB466" training that has contributed to improved student achievement in districts throughout California. The District also is increasing the number of specialists who help support classroom teachers in literacy, math, writing, technology and with Title I and Program Improvement.

In addition, the District is increasing the number of specialists working with English learners and supporting classroom teachers who work with English learners, and reintroducing curriculum leaders to assist teachers and administrators in areas such as instructional practices and collaboration. A Director of Curriculum & Instruction is providing overall leadership to the curricular program, and a data analyst is providing data and testing support to improve instructional programs.

Also on Tuesday night, the Board received a report on Conley-Caraballo High School, the continuation and alternative education high school that opened last year, on a new campus that was built in only 120 days. Principal Judy Silver highlighted the school's growth, the multitude of support services being offered and the 92% attendance level, and she noted that CCHS has been accredited for three years by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

The Board also recognized 39 District employees who have reached service milestones of 20, 25, 30 or 35 years. The employees, who were guests at a reception before being honored by the Board:

• 35 years: George Barragan (CCMS), Michael Curry (CY), Christine Moriuchi (AES), Celia Raygoza (ESC), Darryl Stone (AMS).



• 30 Years: Doris Gibson (LOG), Gracetine Griego (LOG), Marguerite Herrera (EMA), Stanford Iwamoto (CCMS), Penny Johnson (CAB), Enriqueta Lopez (LOG), Robert McGinnis (CCMS), Maria Montellano (BWMS), Karen Saucedo (ESC).



• 25 Years: Victor Almaguer (CAB), Holly Baumback (HVC), David Epps (EAS), John Everett (LOG), Robin Gwinner (SEA), Lillian Martinez (SEA), Robert Norbut (LOG), Stephen Politzer (ESC), Julia Sahner (ESC), Christina Schatmeier (BWMS), Katheryn Selby-Gowin (PIO), Joanne Stanley (PIO).



• 20 Years: Rodana Breen (HVC), Joy Demorest (HVC)), Marlene Dutra (CY), Thomas Ekstrom (LOG), Arthur Garcia (MCC), Cheryl Heeren (KIT), Laila Moussa (EMA), Frances Ogle (SEA), Blanca Ramirez (LOG), Margie Ramos (AMS), Betty Silva (AES), Maria-Rosa Thompson (BWMS), Janis Whitmus (AMS).