Minutes - Corona-Norco Unified School District
Minutes - Corona-Norco Unified School District
Minutes - Corona-Norco Unified School District
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CNUSD Board <strong>Minutes</strong><br />
April 5, 2011<br />
it will need to spend money first on professional marketing. She indicated that<br />
the MCPS website is cumbersome and not user friendly, and that it needs to be<br />
more interactive.<br />
• Mrs. Sciortino agreed it will take tremendous marketing, starting in<br />
kindergarten. With regard to the MCPS website, she commented that she liked<br />
the step-by-step guidance. Mrs. Sciortino inquired about the possibility of<br />
piloting Passport to Success at Chavez K-8 <strong>School</strong>.<br />
• Mr. Zickefoose remarked that the MCPS website is daunting, adding he likes<br />
simplicity. He stated that although we need to engage business partners and the<br />
community, parents need to be the biggest focus.<br />
• Mr. Newberry agreed with Mrs. Skipworth that the MCPS website, from a<br />
business side, is complicated and that the parent link needs to be more user<br />
friendly. He agreed that the key to the Passport to Success initiative is going to<br />
be marketing, as it will take a major effort to create awareness with parents. He<br />
added that it must be communicated effectively, and that we must create brand<br />
awareness and display the slogan everywhere.<br />
Dr. Bechler commented that he has had conversations with the Riverside County<br />
superintendent about developing a college emphasis culture in the county, because as<br />
CNUSD moves forward, it would be beneficial if the county moves in the same direction.<br />
He added it will take time to change the culture and once the Board commits, it will not<br />
be just another initiative -- it will be our all-consuming mission and purpose. He noted<br />
that not everyone will agree with the rigor and minimum requirements for a high school<br />
diploma.<br />
II-C Dual Language Immersion Assistant Superintendent Dr. David Hansen presented an update on the Dual Language<br />
Immersion Program and proposed expansion. He reviewed that the program was<br />
implemented at Garretson and Washington Elementary <strong>School</strong>s in 2002 and at River<br />
Heights Intermediate <strong>School</strong> in 2009. It will be implemented at Roosevelt High <strong>School</strong><br />
in 2011-12 to complete the K-12 program. With regard to the proposed expansion of the<br />
program at the elementary level in 20110-12, the <strong>District</strong> reviewed proposals from<br />
Barton, Home Gardens, Parkridge and Vicentia Elementary <strong>School</strong>s with respect to<br />
staffing, BCLAD credentials, number of English-only and English-learner students,<br />
facilities, availability of space, location, and student enrollment. Current waiting lists<br />
were also reviewed.<br />
Dr. Hansen concluded that the Dual Language Immersion Program be expanded to Home<br />
Gardens Elementary <strong>School</strong> in 2011-12. Barton, Parkridge and Vicentia were not<br />
selected due to facility space, lack of BCLAD credentials or lack of stability due to a high<br />
student transient rate. Because the Eastvale area has students on the current waiting list<br />
and because they will have a 7-12 program, the proposed program has been discussed<br />
with Harada Elementary <strong>School</strong> Principal Dr. Jo Melillo-Long for implementation, most<br />
likely, the 2012-13 school year.<br />
Mrs. Sciortino inquired about costs involved to expand the program. Dr. Bechler<br />
responded that costs are minimal; the <strong>District</strong> looks at staffing and BCLAD credentials so<br />
that hiring and involuntary transfers are not necessary. In response to a question from<br />
Mrs. Sciortino, Dr. Bechler reported that class sizes are large. Mr. Zickefoose asked<br />
about the academic scores for students in the program, and Dr. Bechler responded that<br />
they are high. Dr. Lalas also requested additional information on the academic<br />
achievement of Dual Language Immersion students.<br />
II-D Home Gardens K-8 Dr. Bechler inquired if the Board was ready to take action on the conversion of Home<br />
and Name Change Gardens Elementary <strong>School</strong> to a K-8 configuration, effective 2012-13, and the proposed<br />
name change to Home Gardens Academy. Board members agreed to agendize the item at<br />
the next regular Board meeting. Mrs. Sciortino requested that a name change for Chavez<br />
K-8 <strong>School</strong> be agendized at the same time.<br />
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