Jefferson and Bitterwater-Tully schools played host to members
of the County Office of Education Board Tuesday. While it was a
beautiful day for a drive through the country, members were more
impressed with the schools.
”
It was the nicest day and the nicest schools and a wonderful
atmosphere at each school,
”
Board member Patricia Ward said at the Board’s Tuesday afternoon
meeting.
Jefferson and Bitterwater-Tully schools played host to members of the County Office of Education Board Tuesday. While it was a beautiful day for a drive through the country, members were more impressed with the schools.
“It was the nicest day and the nicest schools and a wonderful atmosphere at each school,” Board member Patricia Ward said at the Board’s Tuesday afternoon meeting.
The county Board visits county schools twice a year – each fall and spring.
Even though the schools are rural, educators make sure students receive the same instruction they would at bigger schools.
“They’re working to make sure they’re implementing the California State Standards (students) would get anywhere else,” said Tim Foley, county superintendent of schools.
According to first-week enrollment numbers, Bitterwater, in King City, has 25 students and Jefferson, in Paicines, has 18.
Also during the meeting, Kim Dryden, special projects coordinator, reported on Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, figures for the county’s schools. AYP is the new federal accountability system similar to the state’s – the Academic Performance Index, or API.
Four schools in the county did not make their AYP targets for two consecutive years, deeming them Program Improvement schools.
Board President Guadalupe Candelaria asked whether there was concern in the community over schools being labeled Program Improvement, saying she heard San Juan School was not “a good school” to attend.
“San Juan School is a Program Improvement school at this time. It was not meeting it’s state goals (even before the federal AYP goals),” Dryden said. “The perception of the public as to what that means … It’s all very complicated and convoluted equations to get that designation – it’s hard to explain to the public.”
To combat it’s failing AYP, San Juan School has extended its kindergarten program to all day and aligned its curriculum to the state’s standards that the tests measure, Dryden said.
Staff at the County Office of Education will be actively working with Gabilan Hills, R.O. Hardin, Anzar High and San Juan schools, as well as the four alternative sites it operates to help the schools improve students achievement and meet the state and federal targets, said Susan Villa, assistant superintendent of county schools.
In other business:
– Alternative schools director Mike Sanchez reported to the Board on the progress of the character-based literacy program at the four alternative education campuses. The program combines curriculum with ethics like responsibility, decision making and integrity.
“These are all aligned to state standards. It sends a message that students are not necessarily hearing within their community, their family,” Foley said.
San Andreas will host five training sessions for educators around the surrounding area. There is a committee in charge of overseeing the purchase of new curriculum materials. Staff members are working toward making mini-billboards of each ethic unit to display on the campuses when students are learning the unit.
– The Board approved resolutions supporting Character Education Month in October and Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23 to Oct. 31.
– Candelaria presented a plaque to Ted Dominguez in recognition of his 17 years of work in the foster grandparent program at San Andreas Continuation High School.
The next Board meeting is Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. at the County Office of Education, 460 Fifth St.
