Teachers of the Year crowned - Irvine Unified School District

AHEAD:
• March 7: District
Science Fair
• March 13: Donald Bren
Honors Concert (Vocal)
• March 14: Board of
Education meeting
• March 20: Donald
Bren Honors Concert
(Instrumental)
• March 27: Board of
Education meeting
INSIDE:
IUSD
board
member
picked for
state panel
Young
musicians
tune up for
Honors
Concert
Nutrition
Services
employees
earn state
awards
2
3
4
Volume 1, Issue 2
Teachers of the Year crowned
he ruse was effective: What seemed
T like a routine fire drill prompted the
students and staff at Plaza Vista Middle
School to march out to the sun-splashed playfields
on Feb. 21.
Once everyone was in place, however, it
became clear this was no ordinary drill — it
was a schoolwide celebration.
With the entire Plaza Vista family watching,
veteran science teacher Linda Brooks
received the stunning news that she had been
named the 2007 Middle School Teacher of
the Year. Adding a little levity to the announcement,
she was officially crowned with
a tiara and given an emerald cape to wear.
Brooks wasn’t the only one getting the
royal treatment.
On the same day, Joanne Srsic, a secondand
third-grade English Language Learner
(ELL) teacher at Culverdale Elementary
March 2007
School, was named the Elementary Teacher
of the Year and Mike Nakaue, a science
teacher at Woodbridge High, was chosen as
(Please see TEACHERS on page 2)
Doctors help IUSD prescribe wellness strategies
The evening of Feb. 8 quietly
etched a historic new
chapter for the Irvine Unified
School District.
Shortly
after nightfall,
a handful
of local
doctors with
various fields
of expertise
gathered with
the IUSD
nursing staff
and several
Gwen Gross
Superintendent
administrators for the inaugural
meeting of our newly created
Medical Advisory Board.
Over the next two hours, we
talked about opening up a
dialog between the school
district and the medical community.
We talked about the
health needs of our 25,000
students. And Dr. Aaron Song
gave an insightful presentation
about trends and treatments
related to extreme allergic
reactions.
This panel is expected to
meet roughly three times a
year to help our district address
the complex medical
issues that continue to emerge
on our campuses. Just as significant,
the roster of local
Linda Brooks of Plaza Vista Middle School is
presented with a tiara and cape after being
named Middle School Teacher of the Year.
doctors will serve as an invaluable
resource for our
nurses, who will be able to
pick up the phone and ask
specific medical questions.
The idea of a Medical Advisory
Board isn’t exactly a new
one. In June 2002, a pioneering
team in the Manhattan
Beach Unified School District
– my former employer – began
talking about how best to
support the well-being of students.
Recent years had brought
not only waves of advancements
in the medical field, but
(Please see DOCTORS on page 4)

Page 2
IUSD Today
TEACHERS: Irvine’s top educators lauded
(Continued from page 1)
this year’s High School
Teacher of the Year.
All three were surprised
with the good news by
colleagues, Irvine Teachers
Association (ITA) members,
Board of Education
trustees and district staff.
The honors were courtesy
of the Exchange Club
of Irvine, in cooperation
with the ITA and the Irvine
Unified School District.
The trio of top educators,
along with four first- and
second-year teachers who
received accolades as
“Teachers of Promise,”
will be formally recog-
Mike Nakaue, a science teacher at
Woodbridge High, was selected as High
School Teacher of the Year
Board of Education member
Gavin Huntley-Fenner, Ph.D., has
been appointed
by state Superintendent
of
Public Instruction
Jack
O’Connell to
serve on California’s
newly
created Autism
Advisory Committee.
Huntley-Fenner
The committee, authorized by
Assembly Bill 2513, will help de-
nized at the Excellence
in Teaching
Awards Dinner May
3 at the Irvine Marriott.
“We are so proud
to have Joanne
Srsic, Linda Brooks
and Mike Nakaue as
teachers in the Irvine
Unified School
District,” said Superintendent
Gwen
Gross. “These are
educators who possess
knowledge, commitment
and a passion for teaching
that is simply unparalleled.
In a district loaded with
talent, these three represent
the best of what
the Irvine Unified
School District
has to offer.”
The Teacher
of the Year program,
now in its
21st year, annually
recognizes
star instructors
at the elementary,
middle and
velop recommendations to improve
education programs for students
with autism.
“I am delighted to have been
selected to participate in this
groundbreaking work,” Dr. Huntley-Fenner
said recently. “There is
tremendous potential to have a
lasting positive impact on the lives
of children and the success of districts
statewide.”
Appointed to IUSD’s Board of
Education in 2005 and elected to a
full term in November 2006, Dr.
Huntley-Fenner is a scientist and
Joanne Srsic, an
ELL teacher at
Culverdale
Elementary,
takes the stage
after being
named Elementary
Teacher of
the Year on
Feb. 21. She
and a handful of
others will be
honored at a
special banquet
in May.
high school levels. All
honorees receive monetary
awards from The Irvine
Company, which has generously
sponsored the
event.
The selection process
works this way:
Each school site chooses
one outstanding Teacher of
the Year candidate, with
the exception of Irvine’s
four comprehensive high
schools, which select two
candidates each. Individuals
are also picked to represent
the following areas:
elementary science/nurses/
adaptive physical education;
fine arts; and Creekside
High School/San Joaquin
High School/Irvine
Home School.
In addition to site-level
criteria, each school or
program considers the following
factors before selecting
a nominee: evidence
of a wide range of
instructional strategies
used effectively; commitment
to the teaching profession;
and demonstration
of the core teaching values
in Irvine – integrity, empowerment,
learning, collaboration
and trust.
(Please see TEACHERS on page 5)
Irvine Board of Education member named to state autism panel
safety consultant with Exponent, a
multidisciplinary scientific and engineering
consulting firm. He holds a
doctorate degree in Brain and Cognitive
Sciences and has published research
regarding language acquisition
and the early development of
mathematics ability.
The Irvine trustee was one of
more than 100 applicants who
sought seats on the Autism Advisory
Committee; ultimately, 21
were selected. The panel’s first
meeting was held Feb. 26 in Sacramento.

Volume 1, Issue 2
Page 3
Musicians tune up for Honors Concert
WHAT:
WHEN:
WHERE:
COST:
nce again, hundreds
of the best O
and most committed young
musicians in Irvine are
preparing to take center
stage in an annual celebration
of song.
Over two consecutive
Tuesdays in March,
roughly 600 talented students
in grades four
through 12 will participate
in the 25th annual Donald
Bren Honors Concert, to
be presented by the Irvine
Public Schools Foundation
in partnership with the
Irvine Unified School District.
The concert, sponsored
by Target, will feature
vocal ensembles performing
on March 13 and instrumental
ensembles on
March 20. Both shows are
scheduled to begin at 7:30
p.m. at Calvary Church of
Santa Ana, 1010 N. Tustin
Ave.
With this year marking a
quarter-century of beautiful
music in Irvine, a pair
of guest conductors with
impressive resumes has
signed on to participate.
Robert M. Istad, assistant
conductor of the renowned
Pacific Chorale,
will take the baton to lead
the combined Honor Chorus.
A week later, Michael
Hall, associate conductor
of Orange County’s legendary
Pacific Symphony,
will conduct the High
School Honor Orchestra.
Over the years, more
than 12,600 studentmusicians
have taken part
The 25 th annual Donald Bren Honors Concert
Vocal ensembles will perform March 13 and
instrumental ensembles will take the stage
March 20. Both shows will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Calvary Church of Santa Ana, 1010 N. Tustin
Ave.
Tickets, to be available at the door, will cost
$15 for adults and $5 for seniors and students
in the yearly concert series,
committing themselves to
at least one rehearsal a
week until the performances.
“I don’t think there’s
been a district in the state
that’s had an honor group
of this caliber and this
magnitude go on for a
quarter of a century,” said
Brad Van Patten, IUSD’s
Fine Arts Coordinator.
“The nice thing about
it,” he added, “is that it
brings everybody together
from all the different
schools.”
Meanwhile, tens of thousands
have come just to
listen. IPSF is predicting
the combined attendance
for both shows this year
will reach nearly 2,000.
In addition to being a
treat for music fans, the
Donald Bren Honors Concert
also raises money to
support and sustain music
programs in Irvine’s elementary
schools. Each
year, the concerts generate
thousands of dollars.
“The Donald Bren Honors
Concert represents an
outstanding effort by donors,
parents, music instructors,
students and
members of the community
to provide, preserve
and expand outstanding
music programs for kids in
our schools,” said Tim
Shaw, IPSF’s chief executive
officer.
Tickets, available at the
door, will cost $15 for
adults and $5 for seniors
and students.
District sees double as twin sisters join the teaching ranks
Kristen Raths is a teacher at
Turtle Rock Elementary. Her
sister, Kathryn, is at Brywood.
Their faces may look like mirror
images. Their voices may sound
similar. But the Raths sisters exhibit
subtle differences.
Kristen Raths, whose hair is
streaked with blond highlights, is the
reserved and sensitive one. Kathryn,
a brunette, takes pride in being more
assertive.
“That’s why I can handle the
sixth-graders,” she quips.
Residents of Mission Viejo, the
Kathryn Raths, left, and her twin sister,
Kristen, joined the IUSD family as elementary
school teachers this year.
Raths may be a first for the Irvine
Unified School District – they’re
identical twins and first-year elementary
school teachers. Kristen is a
fourth-grade teacher over at Turtle
Rock Elementary; Kathryn teaches
sixth grade at Brywood.
Both completed their undergraduate
work at San Diego State University
and earned their credentials at
California State University, Fullerton.
After student-teaching in IUSD
last year, the 23-year-olds were
tapped to join the district full-time
for 2006-07.
“We both feel we’re very lucky to
be teaching in Irvine,” Kathryn said.
(Please see RATHS on page 5)

Volume 1, Issue 2
Page 4
Nutrition Services duo nets state honors
Two Irvine Unified
School District employees
were honored recently at the
54th annual California
School Nutrition Association
(CSNA) conference in Santa
Clara.
Cheryl Renee Dix, a food
service assistant at Venado
Middle School, was presented
with the Louise Sublette
Single Unit Award of
Greatness by the 2,000-
member CSNA on Jan. 21.
At the same conference,
Ellen Tse, an account clerk in
the Nutrition Services Office,
received the Heart of the
Program Award.
The Single Unit Award of
Excellence recognizes the
important contributions of
school site personnel to the
overall success of school
meal programs. Dix was
selected based on her innovative
approach to problemsolving
and her willingness to
Cheryl Renee Dix, left, and Ellen Tse received honors at the
54th annual California School Nutrition Association conference.
Dix earned the Single Unit Award of Greatness while
Tse was presented with the Heart of the Program Award.
go above and beyond to
make sure the needs of her
students are met.
When labor hours were
trimmed to bring costs in line,
Dix developed a partnership
with teacher Joan Dann and
parents of National Junior
Honor Society students at
Venado. The parents raised
money for NJHS by working
as cashiers at lunchtime, resulting
in more open lines
and shorter wait times for
hungry students.
The Heart of the Program
Award honors outstanding
child nutrition employees
who exhibit extraordinary
commitment to the school
food service program. Tse
was selected for the exemplary
service she provided to
students, parents and staff as
the district implemented the
new LunchBox computerized
point-of-sale system.
Tse worked tirelessly to
learn the new system while
performing all her regular
duties. She continues to be
the go-to person for
LunchBox questions, said
Rhonda DeVaux, IUSD’s
director of Nutrition Services.
Both employees were
recognized by the Board of
Education at its Feb. 6
meeting. DeVaux said the
accolades were fitting for
all the work the two
women do day after day,
year after year.
“It is certainly a great
reflection on the district and
on the caliber of the people
we have working in Nutrition
Services,” DeVaux said.
DOCTORS: Irvine physicians volunteer time, expertise
(Continued from page 1)
burgeoning student populations with
increasingly complex medical needs
as well. District nurses were filling
their own mental Rolodexes with
contacts just to keep pace.
These days, educators are focusing
on student wellness as a significant
factor in overall achievement. It therefore
makes perfect sense to assemble a
team of medical professionals in Irvine,
and how blessed we are to have physicians
from a wide range of disciplines
in our community who are willing to
share their time and expertise to promote
cutting-edge wellness practices.
Dr. Chao-I Lin, an allergist serving
as chair of IUSD’s Medical Advisory
Board, put it best.
Irvine, he said, is famous for its
master-planned communities, its safe
neighborhoods and its stratospheric
test scores. But, Dr. Lin added, “We
never really talk about the health
issues for the students.”
That’s about to change with a little
help from our friends in the medical
community. So far, those who have
agreed to participate include pediatricians,
an allergist, a dermatologist, a
pediatric ophthalmologist, a gastroenterologist
and an infectious disease
expert.
Even Dr. Lin was inspired by the
level of interest.
“I think the thing that makes me
feel the most proud,” he said, “was
the response from the medical community.”
A historic chapter indeed.
Members of the Medical Advisory Board
gather for their first meeting on Feb. 8. Pictured
above, from left, are Dr. Aaron Song,
Dr. Dan Cooper, Dr. Chao-I Lin, Dr. Meigan
Everts, Dr. Annu Sharma, Dr. Mitch Katz, Dr.
David Cheng and Dr. Florencio Ching. Not
pictured are Dr. Maureen Downes, Dr. Jim
Korb, Dr. Chris Koutures, Dr. Patrick Lee, Dr.
Marc Lerner and Dr. Jasjit Singh.

...providing the
highest quality
educational experience
we can envision.
Board of Education
Michael Parham
President
Carolyn McInerney
Clerk
Gavin Huntley-Fenner
Sue Kuwabara
Sharon Wallin
Trustees
Administration
Gwen Gross
Superintendent
Vernon Medeiros
Deputy Supt., Business Services
Leah Laule
Assistant Supt., Education Services
Terry Walker
Assistant Supt., Human Resources
District Office
5050 Barranca Parkway
Irvine, California 92604-4652
Phone: (949) 936-5000
Fax: (949) 936-5259
www.iusd.org
Got a story?
Have an idea for an IUSD Today
story or a submission? Contact
Public Information Officer Ian
Hanigan at ihanigan@iusd.org or
call (949) 936-5002.
Be sure to check out the
Irvine Public Schools Foundation
at www.ipsf.net
The Irvine Unified School District
Astounding Inventions
Max Mariahazy, 11, of Alderwood Basics Plus, shows school
board member Sue Kuwabara his idea for magnetic car bumpers
capable of preventing fender-benders. Max was one of 180
Irvine students who took part in the Astounding Inventions
competition at Irvine Valley College on Jan. 27. Winning projects
were later displayed at the District Office.
TEACHERS: Committee also awards Teachers of Promise
(Continued from page 2)
A committee made up of
teachers, principals and an Exchange
Club member narrows
the field down to three, who are
named IUSD’s elementary,
middle and high school Teachers
of the Year. Those recipients
are then submitted as nominees
for Orange County Teacher of
the Year.
In addition to Teachers of the
Year, IUSD also annually recognizes
four “Teachers of Promise.”
These are first- or second-year
RATHS: First-year teachers share experiences, best practices
(Continued from page 3)
instructors who demonstrate a
professional curiosity and an unbridled
enthusiasm for teaching.
This year’s Teachers of
Promise, also named Wednesday,
Feb. 21, are: Kristen Alosi,
a special day class K-2 teacher
at Santiago Hills Elementary
School; Lauren McCleary, a
science specialist at Alderwood
Elementary; Martha Barrett, a
math teacher at South Lake
Middle School; and Shan Wu,
an English teacher at Woodbridge
High School.
It’s the “home” stretch
for IPSF’s latest raffle
Gather your good luck charms
— tickets are still available for the
fourth annual Irvine Public Schools
Foundation House Raffle.
Up for grabs is a brand new twostory
John Laing townhome in the
Four Quartets neighborhood of
Irvine’s beautiful new village,
Woodbury.
Raffle proceeds will support
science and math education, health
services, innovative teaching strategies,
after-school programs and
specified needs in Irvine’s middle
and high schools.
To check out photos of the house
or to download a ticket request
form, log on to www.ipsf.net.
The deadline is May 16.
“These are educators
who possess knowledge,
commitment
and a passion for
teaching that is simply
unparalleled.”
- Gwen Gross,
superintendent
“It’s a very academicallygeared
district,” her sister
added. “They just have high
standards for the students.”
As one might expect, the
Raths say it’s been a benefit
to have another family
member around who understands
first-year teaching.
Moreover, the two sisters
say they’ve found it helpful
to discuss grade-level pedagogical
practices from different
perspectives.
“I’ll say, ‘What’s coming
up in sixth-grade that I
can help my fourth-graders
with?’ ” Kristen said.
“Or I’ll ask, ‘Should
they have learned this in
fourth-grade?’ ” Kathryn
added.
As for the novelty of being
twins, the Raths say it
doesn’t come up much because
they work at different
schools.
But some Turtle Rock
students got a kick out of
seeing double one day in October
– back when the two
had the same hair color.
“She came to my Halloween
party that I had in my
classroom and the kids went
crazy,” Kristen said. “They
were like, ‘Which one’s the
real Miss Raths?’ ”