October 11, 2011 Board Minutes - Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified ...

Board Minutes - 6 October 11, 2011
BOARD REPORT
1. Mrs. Judi Carmona was pleased to have had the opportunity along with Mrs. Buck to attend the
training provided through the Teaching American History grant to our district’s fifth-, eighth-, and
eleventh-grade teachers on strategies to make history come alive for their students. She also
attended the fifth-grade assembly presented by representatives from the Nixon Library at Bryant
Ranch Elementary School. Mrs. Carmona enjoyed participating in the Bernardo Yorba Middle
School food truck fundraiser, a pancake breakfast fundraiser for the instrumental music program
at Valencia High School, and also visited a number of schools. Mrs. Carmona plans to attend
the upcoming OCSBA/ACSA Joint Dinner Meeting, the Yorba Linda Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast,
and the Placentia Prayer Breakfast. Mrs. Carmona will be participating as a member of the
nominating committee for the Orange County Committee on School District Organization and
indicated that she will be pleased to cast her vote for Karin Freeman to continue her participation
as a member of that committee.
2. Mrs. Carrie Buck indicated she had attended the Placentia Round Table luncheon celebrating
women in government which was very nice. She also shared briefly regarding the visit she,
Superintendent Smith, Mrs. Candy Plahy, Mr. Jim Moore, and Mrs. Joan Akers had made to
Granada Hills Charter High School as well as an opportunity to enjoy lunch with Mr. Ron Morrish,
who has authored a book on classroom management and discipline. Mrs. Buck also shared a
recent Placentia News Times article featuring Director of Executive Services, Richard McAlindin.
3. Mrs. Carol Downey enjoyed her visit to Valadez Middle School Academy for the Read for the
Record event on October 6 at which Valadez students read Llama, Llama Red Pajama to
students from Melrose and Rio Vista Elementary Schools. She mentioned in particular the llamas
that were on campus for the event. Mrs. Downey also attended the Placentia Round Table
luncheon recognizing women in government as well as a number of high school football games,
commending the district’s coaches and staff who are so attuned to the safety of our students.
Mrs. Downey shared how much she enjoyed the performances of the bands at the football
games.
4. Mrs. Karin Freeman attended the Placentia Round Table luncheon and the Read for the Record
event at Valadez Middle School Academy. She shared that the Placentia Chief of Police, R. A.
Hicks, participated in both events and that he had expressed an interest in having opportunities
for students in the district to have positive interactions with police officers. Mrs. Freeman spoke
briefly regarding a recent public hearing and subsequent evaluation of the adjustment to the
trustee area boundaries for the Orange County Board of Education trustees by the Orange
County Committee on School District Organization. She also indicated she had attended the “Bell
Game” between El Dorado and Valencia High School football teams and mentioned in particular
the great job the cheerleaders had done. Mrs. Freeman will be doing a Golden Bell validation in
the Magnolia School District.
5. Mr. Eric Padget indicated he had enjoyed rather extensive visits to Bernardo Yorba Middle School
and Van Buren Elementary School. The Superintendent and Van Buren Principal Ken Valburg
provided a wonderful tour of Van Buren which provided him an in-depth look at the programs
offered to the students at the school. Mr. Padget attended a recent Superintendent’s Community
Advisory Council meeting, as did Mrs. Buck. He also attended the Bernardo Yorba Middle School
food truck fundraiser, back to school nights at Yorba Linda Middle School and El Dorado High
School, as well as a number of high school football games. Mr. Padget expressed regret that his
schedule did not permit his attendance at the Read for the Record event at Valadez Middle
School Academy.