Westside Reader March 2016

March 2016 THE Reader • 17
Reader Education
SCV eDuCation FounDation
Hartmann named new executive director
By Pearl obispo
Staff Writer
Alocal resident who’s known for her
long-time dedication to worthwhile
causes, such as the Special Olympics,
was recently named the new executive director
of the Santa Clarita Valley Education
Foundation.
Jackie Hartmann brings her 30 years of experience
in the human resources field to the
foundation, where her duties will include
overseeing daily operations, core educational
programs, staffing, fundraising efforts, sponsorships
and volunteer recruiting, just to
name a few.
In addition to her experience as a career
professional, Hartmann has also been involved
with numerous local nonprofits, including
her long-standing commitment to the
Special Olympics for the past 20 years.
Hartmann and her husband of 31 years,
Dan Hartmann, serve the Special Olympics as
coaches, event coordinators, chaperones and
committee members.
“Our favorite, though, is coaching,” Hartmann
said. “There’s nothing better than
working with our athletes and seeing them
learn a new skill or improve their performance.
We look forward to weekly practices.”
Wendy Ellet, regional sports manager for
the Special Olympics Santa Clarita and Tri-
Valley Regions, said Hartmann’s hard work
and dedication is unparalleled.
“Jackie embraces the mission of the Special
Olympics,” Ellet said. “She is passionate about
advocating for individuals with intellectual
disabilities, not only on behalf of the Special
Olympics, but on behalf of the community, as
well.”
Hartmann, the mother of two adult children,
will be bringing that same passion to
her new role as she seeks to broaden the
foundation’s reach.
“I would like for the foundation to increase
Privacy opt out deadline looming
By Pearl obispo
Staff Writer
The deadline is looming for parents
wanting to opt out of a recent court decision
that paves the way for the release
of their children’s private information
to two nonprofit groups in Northern California.
The decision was handed down by a federal
court judge and has angered some parents.
“I think it’s insane that this organization
could get access to all this personal information,”
said Kimmy Cavallo, a parent whose
children attend Charles Helmers Elementary
School. “I am perplexed and don’t want them
to have my kids’ information.”
Cavallo also questioned why the nonprofit
groups have the right to gain access to such
private information.
The Morgan Hill Concerned Parents Association
and the Concerned Parents Associa-
Jackie hartmann was recently named the new executive
director of the Santa Clarita Valley education
Foundation.
its name recognition and of course be able to
fund additional education-based programs in
conjunction with the 54 schools in this valley,”
Hartmann said. “I’m not sure how aware
the community is that the foundation is the
driving force behind such programs as the
Teacher Tribute, where we have the privilege
of recognizing one teacher from each public
school in Santa Clarita.”
The SCV Education Foundation is a nonprofit
organization that provides support,
programs and scholarships to benefit K-12
public schools in Santa Clarita.
James S. Backer, president of the Education
Foundation, is looking forward to working
with Hartmann and continuing the organization’s
mission.
“Education is critical to our community’s
well-being and its future,” Backer said in a
press release. “And the Education Foundation
is thrilled to have Jackie Hartmann to help
us continue our service to the Santa Clarita
Valley.” R
tion, advocacy groups for kids with special
needs, filed suit against the California Department
of Education, claiming the department
was non-compliant with special
education laws.
The group argued the access to the
statewide database is needed to monitor
compliance with federal law.
The release of this data, which dates back
to 2008, includes the names, addresses, social
security numbers, assessment results
and disciplinary records of all California public
school students.
The CDE tried to fight the release of student
information, but to no avail.
Judge Kimberly Mueller of the Eastern District
of California addressed security concerns
in her ruling by not allowing the
distribution of the information to outside
sources. She also ordered the nonprofit
groups involved to “return or destroy” the
See Privacy, page 29
School officials, parents, and students attend the unveiling of Arroyo Seco Junior high School's, MakerSpace.
PhoTo By PeARL oBiSPo
arroyo SeCo Jr high
MakerSpace: ‘60s woodshop to Tech Hub
By Pearl obispo
Staff Writer
Who would have thought a small
woodshop from the 1960s could be
transformed into a 21st century
gathering place where students and teachers
come together to solve real world challenges?
That’s exactly what happened at Arroyo
Seco Junior High School’s new MakerSpace, a
place where, as Principal Rhondi Durand describes,
students can apply STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
concepts to their everyday lives.
“I’ve been following the Maker movement
for the past few years,” Durand said. “I
wanted to convert our wood shop into a place
where students could use technology, engineering
skills and creativity, and make things
out of paper, plastic, metal, wood.”
The opportunity to transform the space
presented itself when the school’s woodshop
instructor retired last June.
“We jumped at the opportunity to take the
space and the courses taught there to a new
21st century level,” Durand said.
As part of the statewide ESTEME network,
which creates a K-16 STEM pipeline, Arroyo
Seco now offers courses in engineering and
science, in addition to the courses already in
place before joining the network, such as
music, art and culinary art.
With the improvements to the woodshop,
Durand said students are now provided with
a strong foundation to further STEM learning
in high school and beyond.
That transformation was recently unveiled
at an open house, where students showcased
their designs and findings in fields including
wind and flight, math through art, and energy
and the environment.
One such student was 8th grader Azariah
Beaugard, who was a math through art presenter.
“I personally love this,” Beaugard said. “The
fact that we get to work with electronics in
class makes it super fun.”
Beaugard, a self-proclaimed “sports dude”
who loves football, said a resource like MakerSpace
would definitely make him a better
student.
“I want to get a degree in cooking and engineering,”
Beaugard said. “I think having this
space will make it easier for me to achieve my
goals.”
Seventh grader Hannah Watson agreed.
“When I came to this class, I wasn’t sure
how it will go because I wasn’t interested in
it,” Watson said. “But after taking the class
(energy and the environment) it became a lot
of fun and I really enjoyed it.”
Durand, who worked closely on this opportunity
with Dr. Marianne Doyle, director
of College Career Readiness, which provides
students with work-based learning and career
guidance, said plans are in the works to
allow the general public to utilize the space.
But improvements still need to be made and
funds (through sponsorships and grants) are
still being sought.
“My vision would be to open it up for folks
to come in and build whatever they want, use
the machines and equipment,” Durand said.
“But we need to make sure they are safe and
supervised.” R
hannah Watson, 12, demonstrates the energy efficiency
of Wind Turbines at Arroyo Seco Junior high
School's open house to celebrate MakerSpace. Photo
by Pearl obispo