Communicator - Torrance Council of PTAs

Torrance Council of PTAs
2335 Plaza del Amo
Torrance, CA 90505
Torrance Council
Communicator
Thirty-Third District PTA, California State PTA
www.TorranceCouncilofPTAs.org
Inside this Issue:
Superintendent’s Message 2
AAP Safety Tips 3
Torrance Relay for Life 3
Volume XLXVII, Issue 4
March 2010
President’s Message
Hello Friends,
Denise Mandel, President
Cindy Wermers, Editor
PTA: Developing
Community Unity
College Fair—A Hit! 4
Seaside Elementary
60th Anniversary
Congratulations and Thank
You’s
Honorary Service Award
Recipients
Torrance Education Foundation:
Annual Dinner
4
5
6
7-9
10
Draft Letter to Governor 11
I have been a proud Torrance Unified parent for sixteen years. Over the years, California school
districts have had good and bad financial years. These recent rounds of cuts are nothing like
what I have experienced as a parent. The California economic crisis is robbing our children of
vital resources – dedicated teachers, necessary support staff, and essential programs – they need
to be successful.
Recently, the TUSD Board of Education approved $27.6 million in reductions and one-time balance
transfers over the next two budgetary years. The Board was forced to cut another 185 positions,
on top of the 258 that have already been cut over the past two years. The 185 positions
being cut in this round include, 121 K-12 teachers, four high school counselors, one adult education
teacher, nineteen full-time para educators, one elementary assistant principal, 0.4 site clerical
staff, and 38.6 central administration personnel. Of the 38.6 central administration staff, six
are administrators, 1.6 are supervisory/confidential staff, one program specialist, nine classified
clerical positions, six maintenance/operations staff, ten classified custodians, and five classified
campus security personnel.
TUSD has also made reductions in programs and services that are necessary to manage a successful
school district. Over the past two years the District was forced to cut summer school and
significantly reduced or eliminated funding for all Tier 3 programs. Additionally, some of the
impacted programs include Deferred Maintenance, GATE, Instructional Materials, and the Arts
and Music Block Grant program.
Upcoming Dates:
MARCH:
17 St. Patrick’s Day
20 1st Day of Spring
26 Honorary Service Dinner
APRIL:
01 District Science Fair
05-09 Spring Break
14 Torr Council Meeting
15 Tax Day
17 District Bike Rodeo
22 Earth Day
24-25 Relay For Life
29-02 CA State PTA Convention
In the next two years TUSD will be forced to reduce coaching stipends, will allow juniors and
seniors to take fewer classes if they are on track for graduation, is offering early retirement, and
eliminating our Child Welfare and Attendance department. Also, District administrators are still
in union negotiations regarding five mandatory furlough days in each of the next two budgetary
years for ALL employees.
I strongly believe that public education is the cornerstone of our society. If our state will not
protect our education system, then it is up to us, as parents to invest in our children’s futures. In
the coming weeks, you will receive information regarding fundraising efforts we are launching
in partnership with the District, our PTAs, the Torrance Education Foundation, and other parent
and community groups. I urge parents to take part in these efforts and support our students and
their futures.
Denise Mandel, President
Torrance Council of PTAs
“Our lives are not determined by what happens to
us but by how we react to what happens, not by
what life brings to us, but by the attitude we bring
to life. A positive attitude causes a chain reaction
of positive thoughts, events, and outcomes. It is a
catalyst, a spark that creates extraordinary results.”
~Anonymous

Communicator, Volume XLXVII, Issue 4, March 2010
Page 2
The Torrance Elementary
community did a
volunteer day for the
Disney “Give A Day, Get
A Day” promotion.
Next Meeting of the Board
of Education
April 12, 2010
7:30pm
Location: TUSD Board Rm
Educational Materials Bldg
(EMB), 2nd floor
2336 Plaza del Amo
Torrance, Ca 90501
For more information, contact
Tammy Khan
tkhan@tusd.org
To subscribed to the
TUSD Online Newsletter,
go to
http://www.tusd.org
SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE
Once again, our powerhouse academic decathlon teams received many
accolades in the L.A. County competition, with West High School as the
lead contender in first place, putting them on their way to the state competition.
In addition to the team coming out on top, two of the three highest
individual scores went to West High students - Jordan Smolinsky
and Patrick Xiao. Additionally, South and Torrance High will be joining
West in the state competition. I am so proud of our students’ consistent
hard work and dedication. They represent the best of Torrance Unified.
Academic decathlon is just one example of the numerous programs in
which Torrance students have the opportunity to participate and excel.
These programs are possible because of the collection of extraordinary
and passionate educators, classified staff, and administrators who work
in our District. However, the on-going economic crisis in our state now
threatens to destroy our ability to preserve our high education standards.
School districts receive forty percent of the state’s budget, yet sixty percent
of the cuts made by the state have been to education. The state
has fiscally crippled us, but has not taken away a single mandate. TUSD
has already been forced to cut $35 million over the last two years and is
now looking at another $24 million over the next two years. These are
unprecedented cuts, the likes of which I have never experienced in my
many years as a superintendent and educator.
I, along with the Board of Education am frustrated --- we are more than
frustrated, we are angry. We are angry that our collective voices against
these devastating cuts have fallen on the deaf ears of the Governor and
Legislature. As they continue to play their political games in Sacramento,
our students continue to endure larger class sizes, loss of programs,
and services, and fewer opportunities to excel. Our valuable
teachers and classified employees continue to be subjected to uncertainty
and layoffs.
I have consistently urged parents, teachers, classified employees, and
community members to call, write, and email their concerns to our state
legislative leaders, reminding them of their responsibility to govern our
state in the best interest of the citizens of California, and not their political
agenda.
As we move forward in the budgetary process, I will continue to provide
the TUSD employees and community members with updates. Please
sign-up for our e-blast so that you can stay informed on the imperative
issues facing our District and our students.
Dr. George Mannon

Communicator, Volume XLXVII, Issue 4, March 2010
Page 3
Ten Tips for Your Child's Success in School
It should come as no surprise that success — or
failure — at school starts at home. Studies have
linked poor academic performance to factors such
as a lack of sleep, poor nutrition, obesity, and a
lack of parental support. The good news is that
those same studies also show higher test scores
for students who live in homes where healthy
habits, regular routines, and good communication
exist. How can you ensure your child heads off to
school this fall with the best possible foundation?
Follow these 10 tips and watch your child thrive.
Enforce Healthy Habits
You can’t perform well when you don’t feel
good. To help your child have the best chance at
doing well in school, make sure she follows
healthy habits at home. Choose a bedtime that
will give your child plenty of sleep, and provide a
healthy breakfast each morning. Encourage
exercise, and limit the amount of time she spends
watching TV, playing video games, listening to
music, or using the computer.
Stick to a Routine
Most kids thrive on structure and will respond
well to routines that help them organize their
days. In our house, for example, my son gets
dressed, makes his bed, and eats breakfast while I
make his lunch and pack his school bag with
completed homework and forms. When he gets
home in the afternoon, I serve him a snack and he
does his homework while I prepare dinner. Your
routines may differ, but the key is to make it the
same every day so your child knows what to
expect.
Create a “Launch Pad”
Veteran parents know it’s important to have a
single place to put backpacks, jackets, shoes,
lunchboxes, and school projects each day. Some
call it a “launch pad,” while others call it a
“staging area.” Our area is a hook by the back
door.
Whatever you call it, find a place where your child
can keep the items he needs for school each day and
keep him organized. Then you’ll know right where to
find everything during the morning rush.
Designate a Space
At school your child has a desk or table where she
works. There is plenty of light, lots of supplies, and
enough room to work. Why not provide her with the
same type of environment for homework? A designated
homework space often makes it easier and
more fun for children to complete assignments at
home. A desk is great, but a basket of supplies and a
stretch of kitchen counter work just as well.
Read, Again and Again
It is often said that children spend the first several
years learning to read, and the rest of the lives
reading to learn. The written word is a gateway to all
kinds of learning, and the more you read to your
child, the better chance he has of becoming a proficient
and eager reader. Try to sit down with your
child to read a little bit every day, give him plenty of
opportunities to read out loud to you, as well, and
above all have fun. While the importance of reading
with your child cannot be stressed enough, it should
not be the cause of stress.
Learn Always
Your child may be past the preschool years, but home
education is still a critical part of his overall learning
experience. “Some of the attitude recently is that it’s
up to the schools and teachers to figure it all out, to
make sure children are learning and healthy and
safe,” says Barbara Frankowski, M.D., MPH, FAAP,
and member of the AAP Council on School Health.
“There’s only so much teachers can do. Parents have
to fill in with good support at home.” Look for ways
to teach your child throughout the day. For example,
cooking combines elements of math and science. Use
the time when you make dinner as an opportunity to
read and follow directions, to discuss fractions, to
make hypotheses (“What will happen when I beat the
egg whites?”), and to examine results.
Take the Lead
Children learn by example. Let your kids “catch”
you reading. Take time to learn a new skill and
discuss the experience with them. Sit down and pay
bills or do other “homework” while your kids do
their schoolwork. If you display a strong work
ethic and continually seek out learning opportunities
for yourself, your kids will begin to model that
same behavior in their own lives.
Talk Often
Do you know how your child feels about her
classroom, her teacher, and her classmates? If not,
ask her. Talk with her about what she likes and
doesn’t like at school. Give her a chance to express
her anxieties, excitements, or disappointments
about each day, and continue to support and
encourage her by praising her achievements and
efforts.
Show Interest
Don’t limit your support to your child; extend it to
her teachers as well. Meet the teachers and stay in
regular contact by phone or e-mail so that you can
discuss any concerns as they arise. Not only will it
pave the way for you to ask questions, but it will
also make the teachers more comfortable with
calling you if they have concerns about your child.
Expect Success
Perhaps the most important way you can support
your child’s efforts at school is to expect him to
succeed. That doesn’t mean that you demand he be
the best student or the best athlete or the best artist.
Rather, let him know that you expect him to do “his
best” so that he’ll be proud of what he can accomplish.
If you make that expectation clear and
provide a home environment that promotes learning,
then your child will have a greater chance of
becoming the best student he can be.
“Good humor is one of
the preservatives of our
peace and tranquility.”
Thomas Jefferson
TORRANCE RELAY FOR LIFE RETURNS TO SOUTH HIGH!
Torrance’s 8th Annual Relay for Life will once again be held at South High, April 24-25, 2010 on
the practice field! Teams of walkers will once again take to the track for 24 hours (because cancer
never sleeps!) as participants in one of American Cancer Society’s top fundraising events! This
year’s theme is “More Birthdays!”
For more
information
please visit
http://
www.relayforlife.
org/torranceca.
At Relay For Life we Celebrate those living with cancer, Remember those who lost their battle, and
Fight Back through raising awareness, education, and raising funds for research and cures! You
can be involved by joining a team, purchasing a candle (luminary) in honor or memory of a loved
one, donating your time or money, or simply joining us to walk a lap and enjoy some of the great
entertainment!
We hope you’ll be a part of Torrance’s award-winning Relay For Life! It’s a community event you
don’t want to miss!
Cindy Shields
TRFL Entertainment Chair
LAFNGIRL@verizon.net

Communicator, Volume XLXVII, Issue 4, March 2010
Page 4
PTA IS DEVELOPING COMMUNITY UNITY
Torrance Council of PTAs would like to extend 22,062 thank yous to everyone that joined PTA
this year, for that is our current membership enrollment figure. We have 30 wonderful, engaged
and active PTAs on campus at all 30 TUSD schools. These folks do all they do, giving of their
time, energy and talents in return for the communities support through membership. In addition to
all of our school, family and faculty members that joined, we want to give a big thanks for those
members of the school district, city officials, community members, and council friends that joined
PTA through our Council Campaign ‘Building Community Unity’. Our council solicited 687
memberships from our supportive community; thank you one and all.
22,062 Thank Yous!!
And personally, from me, a thanks as well. I have chaired the position of Membership for the last
two years and have had a lot of fun doing so. Now, it is time for me to turn the memberships duty
over to our next chairperson. In addition to thanking the community for its tireless support, I want
to pass along a hearty thanks to our unit Membership Chair people and Presidents. You created
wonderful campaigns and had great successes, many kudos and thanks. I'm looking forward to
presenting your award certificates from State, District and Council at May Brunch.
Thanks again to everyone; it’s been a fun ride.
Karen Cristy, 2 nd Vice President, Membership Chairperson
COLLEGE FAIR A HIT!
Raindrops may have fallen on a few heads but all agreed that the recent College Fair at South
High was a huge success! The variety of workshops offered were all well attended, and the reps.
from the 80+ colleges set-up in South's Gym said they had many interested visitors. Students
and parents alike complimented the variety and wealth of information available.
On hand to lend their support were counselors from all four high schools, Torrance Education
Foundation (TEF), South Bay Enrichment Academy, and the Torrance Council of PTAs (who
sponsored the event.) Councilman Bill Sutherland, Dr. George Mannon and Dr. Tim Stowe
came by to visit, TUSD Board Members Terry Ragins lent her help and expertise, and former
Councilman Paul Nowatka, former Mayor, Mrs. Dee Hardison and TUSD Board Member Michael
Wermers lent their services at the TEF table.
Special thanks to Principal Scott McDowell, Millie Bernal, Vicki Hildreth, Susanna Beasley,
and Pedro Castaneda and staff for handling all the logistics. Your efforts truly paid off! Big
hugs and thanks to the College Fair Committee: Cheryl Pivovaroff (Chair), Susan Asato, Donna
Cessor, Maude Choy, Terry Ragins, Roseanne Villalobos, and Cindy Shields. And heartfelt
thanks to the following angels who helped set-up the night before and worked the day of the
College Fair: Susan Asato, Donna Cessor, Angela Choy, Jennifer Choy, Maude Choy, Ann Cooper,
Karen Cristy, Samantha Cristy, Martha Deutsch, Pam Fukumoto, Jasmin Jackson, Shaun
Jackson, Albert Miranda, Keith Musick, Terry Ragins, Wilma Reed, Donna Robinson, Laura
Savitz, Robin Schatzkamer, Shiloh Schatzkamer, Cindy Shields, Julie Simon, Jackie Thornton,
Caitlin Villalobos, Roseanne Villalobos, and all the fantastic student volunteers! If I missed anyone,
please let me know so that I can thank you properly!
Miss the College Fair this year? Don't despair! Various information about colleges, funding,
testing, career ideas, etc. is available on all the high school websites listed under "Counselor's"
information. West High has the 78-page "College and Career Planning Handbook" on their
website that you may download. This handy, incredible, informative handbook was compiled by
TUSD High School Counselors. Here's to bright futures for all our students!
~Cindy Shields :) 3rd VP, Parent Education

SEASIDE ELEMENTARY TURNS 60 YEARS OLD!
Communicator, Volume XLXVII, Issue 4, March 2010
Page 5
Please join us for
Seaside’s 60 th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday March 20 th , 2010
10 - 4pm
Seaside Elementary
4651 Sharynne Lane
Torrance, Ca., 90505
Hosted by
Seaside Elementary School and
Seaside Homeowners Association
Bring the family and a picnic basket;
join the neighbors for a day of fun!
There will be classic old cars and memorabilia on display,
children’s relays and DJ Dewey.
We hope to see you there!

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOUs!
Communicator, Volume XLXVII, Issue 4, March 2010
Page 6
Congratulations to the following elected 2010 - 2011 Torrance Council of PTAs Board of Directors
President
Martha Deutsch
1 st Vice President – Director of Leadership Karen Cristy
2 nd Vice President – Director of Organization & Programs Caren Dutton
3 rd Vice President – Director of Education Services Cindy Shields
4 th Vice President – Director of Community Services Katie Saavedra
5 th Vice President – Director of Health Services Amy Paris
6 th Vice President – Director of Hospitality Services Camilla Seferian
7 th Vice President – Director of Communication Cindy Wermers
Recording Secretary
Sumi Arnheim
Financial Secretary
Tish Carney
Treasurer
Debbie Russell
Budget & Finance
Bobbi Lim
Auditor
Terry Ragins
Historian
Maude Choy
Please join us in congratulating and thanking our Honorary Service honorees for the all incredible things they have
done for our youth of Torrance (see write ups on Pages 7, 8 & 9).
Honorary Service – Dr. George Mannon
Honorary Service – Debra Hayes
Continuing Service – Cindy Shields
Golden Oak – Janice Sawyer (presented May Brunch 2009)
Golden Oak – Norma Orr (presented March Dinner 2010)
This past month South High School hosted the Annual College Fair. What a huge success with over 2000 participants.
Many thanks to South High for hosting, College Fair Committee Chairman, to our counselors, students and many volunteers
that helped contribute to this great event. The College Fair is Torrance Council of PTAs program that rotates
amongst the high school and features not only colleges but many wonderful workshops for students and parents.

HONORARY SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Communicator, Volume XLXVII, Issue 4, March 2010
It is with great pleasure and appreciation that we honor the continually inspiring Cindy Shields with the
well deserved PTA Continuing Service Award.
Page 7
Cindy Shields life works center around cherished pride and joy; her wonderful (and patient!) family: husband
Perry, Craig and Kimmy. Her school site volunteer include: story-reader and classroom helper in the
early years, Vice President of Parent Education at Calle Mayor Middle School, President for two years
,Director and Choreographer of the Calle Spring Musical, South High School Executive Vice President,
Reflections Program, College Fair Chair and South High Concert Band VP.
Cindy is also very involved in Council PTA as Hospitality Vice President for the past two years and currently
as Council as Director of Education. She assists with Middle School Leadership Conference, Leadership
Roundtables, Holiday and Open Council Luncheons. Can anyone forget her Founder’s Day Disneyesque
moment (thank you again Ariel!) or Mama Mia showstopper entertaining both Torrance Council
and 33 rd District PTA?
Cindy is just as passionate about her church work including teaching Sunday School, creating women’s'
retreats/events, singing on the worship team, writing/performing original works and supporting the "Shoe
Box" ministry. She has also performed at El Camino College, Redondo and Hermosa Beach Playhouses,
Cypress College, Little Fish Productions and two murder mystery companies. She teaches improv at Star-
Light Youth Theater Productions. And for the past six years, Cindy has been the Entertainment Chairperson
for the Torrance Relay for Life.
Demonstrating a life long dedication to PTA and her community are honored, it is with great pleasure that
the Torrance Council of PTAs present Norma Orr with the PTA Golden Oak Award.
Her father was a Navy Elite Crew Member serving on the U.S.S. Constitution. Norma celebrated when the
Constitution was honored on the US Stamp. She grew up near USC and attended Manual Arts High
School. She began attending the First Baptist Church in downtown L.A. in the 1930’s, and taught Sunday
School. She joined the Navy in World War II and served as a nurse/occupational therapist. After leaving
the service Norma married and had two children. She joined the COMAR/WAVES, a group of women
veterans of World War II serving in the Coast Guard, Marines, and Waves, and served as president several
times. She attended Coast Guard Commissionings, ROTC ceremonies at USC, Junior ROTC ceremonies
at the high schools in the area, Sea Scout ceremonies, the visits of Navy ships in local ports and San
Diego. Raising her family in the North Torrance, her son was a member of the first graduating class at
Lincoln Elementary where she served as PTA President. She was also quite active at North High. Norma
served as Council PTA President 1963-65. Outside of PTA, she took up painting and was a member of an
artists' group and has been a Friend of the Torrance Symphony.
Norma exemplifies dedication with her volunteer efforts at Little Company of Mary Hospital organizing
the Information Desk volunteers. She worked at least 2 days every week herself, filling in as needed and
has personally logged over 20,000 volunteer hours.

Communicator, Volume XLXVII, Issue 4, March 2010
Page 8
HONORARY SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
This Torrance Council Honorary Service Award goes to TUSD Superintendent, Dr. George Mannon, a man who takes
his position as chief of staff, mentor, and public education advocate very seriously. We appreciate his dedication and
investment in our students and community.
George hails from a far away place, Logan, West Virginia. After college in Tennessee, where he married Nancy, he
worked in W Va., then Arizona where they were blessed to adopt their two sons, and finally California, as his skills as a
teacher, administrator, and leader guided his career.
TUSD is an exemplary district, under Dr Mannon's leadership. One of his first tasks was to ensure that the district is
fiscally responsible and solvent, serving us well in these demanding and trying financial times! George lead the triumphant
campaign to pass school bond Measures Y and Z (!!) and he is personally supervising the planning of and the actual
construction of projects made possible by bond funds. Torrance schools will forever be better for Dr. Mannon's efforts.
Academics are a true focus, too, as George is never satisfied that our schools are “good enough,” always seeking excellence
in student assessment and improved test scores, student achievement, improved “Standards Based” report cards,
better student information systems, and more frequent and better use of communications systems for the district, students,
parents, and community.
He is an active member of Rotary, a visible TUSD representative at the Torrance Chamber of Commerce, a Board
member for the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation, a fundraiser on the YMCA Board of Directors, and the TUSD advisor,
cheerleader, and supporter for the Torrance Council of PTAs.
We honor you for what you have done, and what we do for us each and every day, and what we know you will do in the
future. THANK YOU from Torrance Council of PTAs.
Torrance Council of PTAs has also chosen to honor “Torrance's own” Debbie Hays with an Honorary Service Award.
She is a terrific asset to our schools, and to our Torrance community.
Debbie was born and raised in Torrance, attended Hull School, then graduated from Torrance High School. After a BS
in Public Relations from CSU Long Beach, she married her hubby Todd, going on twenty years ago. They have two
boys, ages 7 and 10, who attend Torrance Elementary School. At school, her brownies are legendary, she volunteers as
an instructor in Adventures in Art, she assisted in tree planting project with “Tree People,” and is a weekly helper and
reader in her sons' classrooms. She is frequently "team mom" for her sons' sports teams, and takes time to make and
distribute over 500 individual Trick or Treat goodie bags each Halloween. Lastly, but certainly not least, Debbie single-handedly
distributed “Yes on Measures Y and Z” lawn signs to blanket her central Torrance area. The bonds
passed...with her help!
Debbie has been a liaison between Torrance Elementary School and the city for various sidewalk repair issues around
the school. She regularly voices issues for her fellow Torrance residents at City Council meetings, and is currently
serving on the city's Centennial committee, planning events for the city's 100 th birthday in 2012. With the Torrance Historical
Society, she hosts elementary students at the Museum to learn about the city's history. She has been President of
the Old Torrance Neighborhood Association, arranging clean-ups, and community service projects. She has raised
funds for many organizations in her own and other neighborhoods around town, including Children's Hospital of LA,
South Bay Relay for Life, and “Secret Hearts” that helps needy families at Christmas. So, you can see, Debbie is truly
extraordinary. She does everything, seemingly, for nearly everyone. Debbie, we thank you, and today, we salute you.
You are a truly worthy recipient of this Torrance Council of PTAs Honorary Service Award.

HONORARY SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
Communicator, Volume XLXVII, Issue 4, March 2010
Page 9
It is with great pleasure that we honor Jan Sawyer with the Golden Oak Award.
Jan has served our community and the state of California on behalf of all children for over twenty-five
years and has probably held every conceivable position in PTA (other than financial). Jan is currently corresponding
secretary for Torrance Council of PTAs, was the California State PTA Convention Chair for
programs for two years and is a consultant for the Communication Commission for the California State
PTA this year. She has been President of Thirty-Third District PTA (2005-2007), Torrance Council of
PTAs (1996 - 1998), President at Calle Mayor and Joseph Arnold Elementary School along with numerous
other jobs. Jan was also very active on South Highs’ PTSA. Janice spent over sixteen years volunteering
with the Boy Scouts of America and supported both her sons while they achieved the rank of Eagle
Scout. If that wasn't enough she spent countless hours teaching and working in the Calle Mayors’ computer
lab. Janice is also active with the ALS Association, helping to raise funds with the ALS Walk. Janice has
been married to Tom for 35 years and they have two sons; Tommy is married to Michelle and Jeffery is
married to Nicole. The light of her life is her grandson Travis. Janice is a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother,
consummate volunteer and a great friend.
“Education is the period during which
you are being instructed by somebody
you do not know, about something you
do not want to know.”
G. K. Chesterton
The Census: A Snapshot
Census 2010 is fast approaching.
April 1, 2010 is census day
in the U.S. and it is important to
have 100% participation so that
all U.S. residents – people of all
races and ethnic groups, both
citizens and non-citizens, can
be counted. Please visit
www.2010census.gov to get
more information and be sure to
complete your census questionnaire
when you receive it.
Education Matters:
CitiCABLE, Time Warner – Channel 3
and Verizon – Channel 31
Every week, CitiCABLE’s “This Week In
Torrance ” program showcases the
Education Matters segment, covering
news stories and school events around
Torrance Unified School District
. Please tune in every week at
11:00 a.m. and 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. A
new show starts every Thursday at 6:00
p.m.
Sign and Banner Application
TUSD desires to promote positive relationships between the schools and
community organizations. Just as community organizations can build
support for the schools, the schools can cooperate with these groups
under certain circumstances by publicizing services, special events and
public meetings of interest to students and parents/guardians.
Materials approved for distribution shall further the District’s intended
purpose, directly benefit the students, support the basic educational
mission of the District or be of intrinsic value to the students. Materials
shall not promote any particular religious or political interest except as
specified.
Applications may be obtained by going to www.tusd.org, click on the
tab “Schools” and then “Sign and Banner Application”.
You may mail or drop off your application to -
Attention: Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Don Stabler
2335 Plaza del Amo
Torrance, CA 90501

Communicator, Volume XLXVII, Issue 4, March 2010
TORRANCE EDUCATION FOUNDATION: ANNUAL DINNER
Page 10
May 08 2010, the Torrance Education Foundation will be hosting its Annual Celebrate Education Dinner at the Torrance Marriot. The theme
will be “The Torrance Education Foundation Honors Mothers ~ Our First Teachers”! Tickets are still available for the event and for the 2010
Toyota Prius donated by Toyota. In its nineteenth year, the Torrance Education Foundation has provided over $2 million dollars in student
programs. You may visit the Torrance Education Foundation website at www.TorranceEducationFoundation.com.

PTA DRAFT LETTER TO GOVERNOR
Communicator, Volume XLXVII, Issue 4, March 2010
Page 11
March, 2010
The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor, State of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, Ca. 95814
Re: Call for a State Budget That Protects Education and Children’s Services
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger,
As a voter and parent in Torrance Unified School District, I am deeply concerned about the effect of your proposed budget on children.
Your proposal makes devastating cuts to schools, in the amount of $2.4billion over the next two years, despite your pledge to
protect education. It also decimates children’s healthcare and family services.
In our school district, that translated to a $20,094,000 cut or 15 percent, compared to 07-08 actual funding. This is on top of
$20,018,000 cut in 09-10 and $23,650,000 cut over the last two years. Our children have already lost: class size reduction in grades 4-
12, summer school, except for students who needed assistance with the CAHSEE, instructional materials, GATE, some high school
athletics, home to school transportation, arts and music block grant program, teachers, counselors, and nurses, AND if this proposal
goes through, our children stand to lose even more: class size reduction in grades K-3, 121 more K-12 teachers, four more high school
counselors, nineteen more full time para educators, one more elementary assistant principal, ten classified custodians and five classified
campus security personnel. The negative impacts of these reductions and cuts will be adversely felt by our 25,000 students in their
crowded classrooms and by the drastically fewer programs available.
I strongly oppose this proposal and there are 9 million AND FIVE reasons why…
1. California’s more than 9 million children are our future. It is our duty to protect their well-being and invest in their education.
2. In the past two years, the state has cut $17 billion form schools, and deep cuts to social services have added to the burden borne
by the children and families most in need of help.
3. Investing in children benefits all California taxpayers.
4. The vast majority of Californians support new revenues to protect our schools from further cuts.
The time in NOW. Our children do not have the luxury of waiting without devastating consequences.
I call on you to ensure that additional stable revenues are provided in the 2010-11 state budget to invest in children and in California’s
future. I also urge you to support legislation to lower the threshold for passage of both the California state budget and revenue
measures in the California Legislature, as well as local school parcel taxes, from the current two – thirds to a 55 percent vote or a simple
majority.
We really can’t race to the top in education if we sink to the bottom in our investment in children.
Sincerely,
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