Superintendent's Message - Chino Valley Unified School District

THE FRONT PAGE
October 22, 2010
Superintendent’s Message
“Were it left for me to decide whether we should have a government without
newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate for a moment
to prefer the latter.”
Thomas Jefferson
I have recently given much thought to Jefferson’s words.
I find myself often teased by superintendents from neighboring districts concerning the amount of front page
coverage the issues in our school District receive in our local newspapers. Their feeling is that such coverage tends to
keep the spotlight away from them and their district, so they kiddingly encourage me to keep the attention on our
District.
I must admit that I have often wondered why we get more than our fair share of coverage in the press. I have even
expressed my dismay and consternation to a member of the press when a recent article on our increased test scores
appeared on page four of one our local newspapers while the legitimacy of a high school elective class incorporating
the effects of the Bible on literature and history merited front page coverage in the same newspaper.
But in thinking about this issue again, I realize I was wrong.
As a member of the public, I may have an opinion, but should not have any control over the editorial decisions made
by newspapers concerning the placement of articles. But more importantly, on re-examining this issue, I find it to be
a “blessing in disguise.” By being under such scrutiny, our District is better off in the long run. People will continue
to hold us to a higher standard and we will tend to make better decisions knowing that the public has us under the
proverbial microscope. As long as our District makes decisions that are honest and transparent without any ulterior
motives, with the best interest of students at the core, we have nothing to fear.
We may decry, at times, the old adage in news reporting that “…if it bleeds, it leads.” But a free press is one of the
hallmarks of our democracy. Napoleon Bonaparte once quipped, “Four hostile newspapers are to be feared more
than a thousand bayonets.” As a dictator, Napoleon knew that the power of words ultimately outlasts the power of
force and that in a truly free society, the press must be able to function without restraint.
So the next time I see my superintendent friends and they begin teasing me about our District’s press coverage, I will
smile to myself knowing that we in Chino are emblematic of one of the qualities that has always set America apart---a
free and vibrant press.
Wayne M. Joseph

For the third year in a row, students stole the show at the annual State of the District event. The students’ talent was
showcased at the reception and live program that was attended by 125 people last week at Chino Hills High School.
The event, co-sponsored by the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce, is the District’s report card to the community,
which provides the opportunity to share the accomplishments of the past year.
Students from foods and culinary arts classes at Ayala, Buena Vista, Chino, and Chino Hills High schools prepared a
variety of appetizers and desserts that were served to guests. The students are under the direction of instructors
Barbara Allen, Kimberly Sneddon, Elizabeth Williams, and Jennell Acker and included:
Avid Dulong, Hunter Madera, Lauren McGee, Josh Miller, Chase Mocias, Samantha
Ramirez, and Emily Shadler (Ayala HS); Kara Adams, Emily DuBois, Kristopher Ensman,
Steven Mafla, and Jessica Pestana (Buena Vista HS); Jonathan Aguiar, Tyler Kleier,
Monique Mercado, and Kayla Stallcup (Chino HS); and Kelvi Bahena, Ariana Belman,
Stephanie Cervantes, Holly Ann Doidge, Anna Kirby, Ashley Landry, Will Larkin, Belinda
Pena, Kristy Ramos, Andre Ta, and Mayra Trejo (Chino Hills HS).
Guests moved to the theater where they were entertained by an all-district choir consisting of students from Ayala,
Chino, Chino Hills, and Don Lugo High schools. The choir sang “The National Anthem,”
“Why We Sing,” and the song that was showcased in the video presentation,
“Seize the Moment.” Eight Chino Hills High students were also featured singing
“Seize the Moment” in the video and appeared on stage to finish the song live.
The students, members of the school’s chamber singers, were Kaitlyn
Binkowski, Joey Boyer, Michelle Ecarma, Marielle Medina, Luis Pacheco,
Ysabelle Pajuyo, Dustin Shappell, and Joshuah Song who were under the
direction of instructor Laura Rutherford. Carol McCance, instructor at Don
Lugo High School, directed the all-district choir finale. Also part of the evening’s
entertainment was the Don Lugo High School dance team under the direction of instructor Jennifer Kennedy. The
students who performed to “In Your Eyes” included Amber Anderson, Angel Eleyae, Natalie Jaimes, Marissa Prieto,
and Cynthia Reyes.
Students who performed in the all-district choir included: Jepri Arias, Kathrina
Basa, Robby Beck, Jasmine Cruz, Christopher Danao, Matthew DelaCruz, Mikel
DeLeon, Kurt Dritlein, Blake Eaton, Michaelle Esteve,
Alyssa Gire, Annalyssa Guevarra, Hanna Guilas,
Travis Hancock, Zea Huizar, Julia Iacopetti, Christine
Jamoralin, Lawrence Ner, Jacqui Penalosa, Sean
Ricarte, Gerry Sacoy, Alyssa Sacramento, Sarah
Salcido, Christopher Tju, Jon Valenzuela, and Alex
Viernes of Ayala HS; Charles Bladh, John Cabreza, Allison Akers, Alicia Allen, Erica
Cordts, Samantha Gutierrez, Amanda Lee, Sarah Luquin, Nicholas Noriega, Rachel
Norwood, Rebeca Ramirez, Mitchell Sampang, Spencer Simmons, Aramis Tilley, Elizabeth Vargas, John Van Pelt,
and Bryanna Villarreal of Chino HS; Edward Acosta, Frank Arranda, Jessica Arenas, Kaitlyn Binkowski, Joseph
Boyer, Brian Brewer, Steven Castellanos, Emily Chamberlain, Chelsea Cobb, Jared Contreras, Michelle Ecarma, Julie
Henley, Jacob Jarecki, Raechel Kasimoff, Christian Lim, Marielle Medina, Katy Ogg, Luis Pacheco, Ysabelle Pajuyo,
Marisa Pope, Dustin Shappelle, Joshuah Song, Ryan Sweeney, Josepha Sy, Regine Urcia, Katie Valentic, and Jillian
Zuniga of Chino Hills HS; and Ameer Abedin, Andrew Aceveda, Celina Acuna, Marisa Acuna, Michael Baker, Cherry
Baylon, Emilee Capogni, Charleen Casteneda, Taylor Catrine, Ryan Chuenarom, Sabrina Corona, Taylor Ellis,
Destiny Esguerra, Remi Fields-Spearman, Ginger Gao, Stephanie Hurst, Trevor Hutchens, Yasmeen Ibrahim, Aprille
Lo, Elizabeth Lozano, Eileen Macias, Liliana Medrano, Brittany Mitchell, Alexa Padilla, Monica Ramirez, Justin

Reyes, Elizabeth Rojas, Katelyn Ruiz, Destiny Sandoval, Nathaniel Solorzano, Samantha Torres, Cynthia Vargas,
Brittany Via, Brianna Viteri, and Bruck Zecarias of Don Lugo HS.
Floral centerpieces to match the cinnamon and dusty rose scheme were provided by Don
Lugo High School instructor Christine Dominguez’s students Sarah Easton, Sofia Gallegos,
Yareli Gonzalez, and Edwin Hobbs.
The video presentation will be shared with each site at the request of many of the principals who
attended the event and be available for viewing on the District website.
Liberty Elementary School Rolls Out New
Environmental/Recycling Program
Friday is the day of the week that is becoming the students’ favorite day at Liberty Elementary School,
although not for reasons you think. It’s not the weekend that’s on the students’ minds, but rather,
merely saving the world, one milk jug, phone book, or cooking pan at a time. Those are some of the
items that students can be seen bringing to school on Friday as they pile up the items to recycle
through the Environmental/Recycling Program overseen by volunteer coordinator and former Earth
Science teacher Jennifer Watrous and Principal Bob Whale.
Students are receiving classroom instruction at all levels, including art, which are based on the
United States Environmental Protection Agency’s guidelines to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. In fact,
the top three Recycle ART projects will be presented at the Los
Angeles County Museum of Art in spring. Every Friday, between 8:00
a.m. and 8:35 a.m., students, parents, staff, and community members
bring their recyclable items to the school. Students are learning to
recycle beyond the usual plastic bottle or can. They bring in all plastics,
metals, cardboard, newspaper, and more. However, they take things
even a step further by upcycling with a company called Terracycle. Students collect their
drink pouches, lunch kits, potato chip bags, Ziploc style baggies and other items to be
sent to Terracycle. Additionally, they place their foam trays from breakfast and lunch into the same box they came in
and take them to a local foam recycler. Every teacher has installed a recycling bin in their classroom and students can
now recycle paper. To date, the program has brought in $725.00 for recyclable material.
The school is also working to lower school costs by turning off lights and air conditioning and
unplugging electronics when not in use, through their involvement in the Green Schools Program.
The representatives who oversee the school’s participation in that program include ASB
advisor/teacher Patricia Durham, teacher Sue Rogers, and custodian Tony Fernandes.
Upcoming events include an E-Cycle Drive the first week of November and an Appliance Drive the first Saturday in
December. Additionally, Liberty was chosen to receive a free assembly from the Green Schools Program - The Energy
Hog.
“It is amazing what the students are learning and doing and that the entire program is driven by the students’ energy
and completely run by parent volunteers – it’s a winning combination,” said Mr. Whale.

Students Skype It Up with Author
Paul Larson’s 6th grade students at Cortez Elementary School hosted a very special
guest Wednesday. Patrick Carman, author of the innovative “Skeleton Creek” series,
as well as the “39 Clues,” the “Land of Elyon” series and the “Atherton” series of
books, visited the classroom via Skype, for an engaging and spirited question and
answer session. Carman shared many interesting and humorous anecdotes about
how he was first a storyteller for his two girls before he became a published
author, and encouraged the students to read and write regularly. He described
his visit with Mr. Larson’s students as “...a huge success.”
Shake, Rattle and Roll Comes to Schools as Students and Staff Drop, Cover and Hold On
OPEN ENROLLMENT
All schools participated in the Great California ShakeOut drill on Thursday at 10:21 a.m.
The earthquake scenario is an annual state-wide event that encourages practice. Why is
it important to do a Drop, Cover, Hold On drill? As with anything, to react quickly you
must practice often. You may only have seconds to protect yourself in an earthquake,
before strong shaking knocks you down--or drops something on you.
The open enrollment application period for intra-district student transfers for the 2011-2012 school year is
November 1 – 30, 2010. Parents residing within the District may apply for a transfer for the 2011-2012 school year if
they wish their student to attend a school other than their school of residence. A random, unbiased, lottery-style
selection method will determine the rank on the waiting list for each school by grade level. Applications are available
at Student Support Services, 13455 Ramona Avenue, Chino. The office will be closed November 11-12 and November
22-26, 2010.
Can you Spell P-R-A-C-T-I-C-E?
Students at Hidden Trails Elementary School are preparing for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in February.
Students have completed their classroom competitions and are getting ready for the school level spelling bee on
November 10. The top five spellers from each class (1 st – 6 th grade) will be competing for the number one spot that
will go on to the Scripps National Spelling Bee at Mt. San Antonio College in February. Good luck!!
Music in Motion Brings the Hills Alive
More than 3,000 friends, family, and marching band enthusiasts came out to support and enjoy the
music from 27 of Southern California’s finest high school marching bands in the 4 th annual Music in
Motion Field Tournament hosted by Ayala High School Band and Color Guard.

Ayala High School took home the sweepstakes award for receiving the highest score of the
tournament with their show ICUCME. They also received awards for the highest score in several
categories including Music, Visual Performance, General Effect and Percussion. Chino High school
took 1st place in the 5A division and won the caption award for best Auxiliary. Chino Hills High
School won 1 st place in the 4A division and won the caption awards for best Visual Performance,
General Effect and Percussion. Don Lugo High School placed 3rd in 3A division. The Riverside Community College
Marching Tigers also added to the festivities with their tribute show to Les Miserables.
There were more than 3,000 students who performed including students who traveled from Perry High School in
Chandler, Arizona.
Ayala Students selected for
2011 Rose Parade
On Saturday, January 1, 2011, at 8:00 a.m., millions of spectators from around the world will
celebrate the New Year with the 122nd Rose Parade that has chosen the theme, 2011: Building
Dreams, Friendships & Memories. And if you look close enough, you may be lucky enough to spot
two Ayala High School Marching Band students. Alex Baiseri and Kayla Schultz, both seniors, have
been selected by the Pasadena City College (PCC) for the PCC Honor Band to
perform in the 2011 Rose Parade. Both Alex and Kayla were chosen from
among hundreds of applicants for membership in this prestigious honors
ensemble. Alex will be playing Tenor Sax and Kayla will be playing Mellophone. The PCC
Honor Band is a 300 piece national ensemble with winds, percussion and a flag and dance
team. The band will spend many hours preparing for performances at the Rose Parade
Bandfest and Disneyland, special activities and a featured appearance in the world-famous
2011 parade.
More From A yala…
Ayala High School’s Renaissance Scholar of the Year, Renaissance Performing
Arts Scholars of the Year, Renaissance Male and Female Athletic Scholars and
Renaissance Most Inspirational Scholar pose for a recent photo.
The Renaissance Class at Ayala High School attended the California Association
of Renaissance Educators in Ontario. Cassie Daniel, Taylor Baca, and Matthew
McLeod presented workshops at the conference.

Local Business Supports Schools and Donates Supplies
Students and staff at Litel and Wickman Elementary Schools had a blast when
Avery Dennison donated approximately $10,000 in office supplies to each school
as a reward for showing spirit during a recent online competition. Between
parents, students, PTA and friends and neighbors, both schools received more
than 33,000 online votes.
Who’s Afraid of Spiders?
Author Gitty Daneshvari recently visited with students at Dickson,
Eagle Canyon, and Newman Elementary schools. Her book is “School of
Fear: Class not Dismissed.” The book, inspired by her own childhood
fears, tells the story of four students who attend a bizarre school to
help them overcome their fear of spiders, closed spaces, deep water,
and dying. She was a big hit with the 5 th and 6 th graders.
It’s Not Just Students Who Get Recognized at Ayala High School
S
tudents and staff were recognized at the Fall Academic Rally at Ayala
High School. The students who were honored include Renaissance
Scholar of the Year, Renaissance Performing Arts Scholars of the Year,
Renaissance Male and Female Athletic Scholars and Renaissance Most
Inspirational Scholar.
The nominees for Teacher of the Year include, left to right: Mr. Robleto, Mrs.
Grissom, Ms. Puente, Mr. Myers, Paulette Ojinaga, Mr. Rodriguez, Mr. Sims,
Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Kerby, and Mrs. Eubanks. The winner? Paulette Ojinaga.
Support Our Students – Swing a Golf Club
There is still time to register for the CVUSD 2 nd annual Golf Tournament to be held on
Monday, November 1 at Vellano Country Club. The tournament will be hosted by School
Portraits by Adams Photography Inc. This is a terrific opportunity to show your support for
our schools while having fun and enjoying an autumn day in a picturesque setting in the
Chino hills. If you don’t golf, the reception, silent auction and dinner begin at 4:00 p.m. Last
year, $35,000 in scholarships was awarded to students at Ayala, Buena Vista, Chino, Chino
Hills and Don Lugo High schools. The students were selected based on academic achievement, demonstrated
leadership through the school and community, and the students’ need for financial assistance. See the registration
information on our website (www.chino.k12.ca.us).
PRINCIPAL FOR A DAY - FEEL THE PULSE OF THE DISTRICT
Parents and community members, it’s time to walk a mile in a principal’s shoes. See how District
schools are flourishing despite the financial setbacks dealt by the State. Register today to become a
Principal for a Day. The event will be held on November 17 and begins at 7:00 a.m. with a kick off
breakfast at Dickson Elementary School. After breakfast, guest principals, and the principal they are
partnered with, will travel to the school site to enjoy a morning with students and staff. See for
yourself why Chino Valley Unified schools lead the County. Registration forms are available on the
website or in the District lobby.

Freaking Out at Townsend Junior High School
Board Bullets
Townsend Junior High School students enjoy a “Freak Friday” Renaissance
Rally that honored student academic success in the last trimester of the 2009
– 2010 school year.
Your Board of Education in action on October 21, 2010:
• Approved filling the vacancy on the Board of Education by selecting Brandon K. Blanchard to complete the
remaining two years of the seat vacated by Michael G. Calta. Mr. Blanchard is a district sales manager who
has lived in the community for 19 years. Mr. Blanchard was chosen from a field of 21 candidates.
• Adopted a resolution supporting California School Finance Litigation – Robles-Wong v. California. The lawsuit
seeks to guarantee that all students have the opportunity to have the education that will enable them to
become informed citizens and productive members of society. Due to California’s broken school finance
system, students are being denied the opportunity to master the educational program set by the State.
California’s school finance system is unsound, unstable, and insufficient. This lawsuit, supported by school
districts throughout the State, seeks to remedy the broken school finance system by declaring it
unconstitutional and requiring State lawmakers to uphold their constitutional duty to design and implement
a school finance system that provides all students equal access to the required education program.
Office of Communications
Chino Valley Unified School District ■ 5130 Riverside Drive ■ Chino, CA 91710 ■ 909.628.1201 Ext. 1616
Fax 909.548.6050 ■ julie_gobin@k12.ca.us
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