October 26, 2018
Concord Pioneer • www.concordpioneer.com
MDUSD Measure J bond proceeds will benefit all district school JAY BEDECARRÉ Concord Pioneer
The Mt. Diablo Unified School District is going to the voters on Nov. 6 seeking approval to issue and sell up to $150 million of bonds to finance repairs and improvements to school facilities, which supporters say will enhance school safety and classroom performance. When the District board on July 23 authorized submitting a measure to voters, the resolution did not include Clayton Valley Charter High School among the schools that would benefit from this funding. The Contra Costa County Voter Information Guide lists CVCHS among the six district high schools included in the ballot measure. Superintendent Dr. Nellie Meyer clarified the discrepancy to the Pioneer: “All of our campuses, including those occupied by charters, will be part of this bond.” In addition to six compre-
hensive high school campuses, MDUSD has 31 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, 18 alternative schools and adult programs and five school support sites. Measure J requires a 55 per cent affirmative vote to be approved. The ballot measure says the best estimate of the average annual tax rate for taxable property owners is $15 per $100,000 of assessed (not market) valuation charged for 15-18 years. The District has successfully gone to the electorate three times in the past three decades. Measure A was a $90 million Mello-Ross parcel tax in 1989 while there were Measure C general obligation bonds approved in 2002 and 2010. The previous bond measures have funded all MDUSD middle schools to add school gymnasiums, energy and money-saving solar panels at every District site, technology and safety equipment (alarms, safety doors) across the District as well as new
TeenSpeak, from page 8
Pre-competition rituals are never a perfect science, but every athlete has some way of subduing nerves. That is not to say that adrenaline negatively affects performance; from what I know, it is normally a considerable benefit. However, as with anything, nerves need to be moderated. Having learned that too
much nervousness causes me to question my abilities, I now go into an academic setting with a calm, clear mind – just as I would before any race. Although I am an advocate for the importance of education, I also believe that not all lessons can be learned in a classroom. In the relatively short amount of time I
STEM, from page 8
both genders to include science, technology, engineering and mathematics in their course choices and career paths. Carondelet senior Sasha Williams spoke emotionally about her own educational journey and interest in technology before and during high school. The school says, “The Jean Hofmann STEM Innovation Center represents a new era of secondary education for young
women – one shaped by breakthrough integration and global capabilities. Carondelet is poised to transform the intellectual and physical landscape of its campus, and the lives of its students, for generations to come. By creating its own future, Carondelet is redefining and advancing its institutional mission in innovative ways.” Carondelet president Bonnie Cotter added, “We are so very grateful to the Hofmann
Teacher, from page 8
During a recent visit to his classroom, Anderson’s introduction to computer science class began with two presentations from students. Their visuals were projected on a large screen at the back of the room with the speakers able to go through their presentation by touching the screen. Both presentations were done by female students. Sophomore Ada Fong went through the elements of the pitch video her team made last year for the mobile app they developed and entered in an international Girls Who Code competition, part of a 90,000 female student movement. The CVCHS team’s app revolved around school safety inspired by the most recent school shooting last year. Before Fong gave her presentation, Anderson instructed the class to put away all devices because not doing that “is the easiest way to fail the course.” For the rest of our visit the students were focused on the speakers and then working on their assignments.
The other all-girl team to present were all first-year coding students developing a mobile app called Ride or Die. Another socially conscious app, they are trying to reduce the number of accidents involving impaired drivers. They said that onethird of all teen deaths are due to drunk driving and are working on a business plan to make the app a reality. Anderson says the hottest part of his computer program revolves around eSports. He has 57 official members and 187 total competitive players (80% male) taking part in eSports on campus. In his classroom he has 10 computers with 22” screens that can be used for playing eSports against their classmates and people around the world. Anderson says, “Colleges are now offering scholarships for ‘eSports athletes.’” This has added interest and legitimacy to playing video games. His CVCHS varsity eSports team will be competing against other schools. He says Fortnite and League of Legends are the most popular games among his eSports students.
classrooms replacing deteriorating portables, playground equipment, painting, heating and air conditioning, sports facilities and asphalt repairs, among other projects. Meyer says, “As we look to the future, we know we cannot rely on the State to provide the funding our schools need to make necessary improvements. Providing a high-quality, 21st century education requires up-to-date science labs, classrooms and school facilities. While we’ve made improvements to our schools, more repairs and upgrades are needed.” The Superintendent, who has been in charge of the 36,000-student district (K through 12th grade) since the summer of 2013, adds, “To support quality education, we need to improve classroom technology, update science labs and expand our vocational and career technical education classrooms so our students have the tools they need to succeed. We must
ensure student safety, and that means repairing leaky roofs, improving outdated plumbing and improving campus security.” There was no argument against Measure C in the voter guide. Also on the Nov. 6 ballot, the County Superintendent of Schools election pits deputy superintendent Lynn Mackey against MDUSD board member Cheryl Hansen, who was the Board president when Meyer was hired. Hansen did not seek re-election with MDUSD to make her run at the top county post. She got 30% of the vote in the June primary while Mackey just fell short of the winning 50% with 46.5%. Three MDUSD board positions are not on the ballot since incumbents Debra Mason and Linda Mayo and newcomer Cherise Khaund were the only people to file papers for November and thus don’t stand for election next month.
have been a high school athlete, I have gained discipline and focus beyond the scope of schoolwork. This has allowed me to apply successful methods from swimming and running to all aspects of my life. I would not be nearly as driven without the opportunities I have gained from high school competition. Each time I race with my Concord uniform on, it reminds me that I
am capable of excelling on and off campus. At the North Coast Section cross country meet during my sophomore year, both of our teams received banners. These awards were in acknowledgement of our academic excellence; our teams’ combined GPAs were the highest.
Rayna Stanziano is senior at Concord High. Send comments to editor@pioneerpublishers.com
family for making a new future possible for young women. Ken [Hofmann] was a person of great vision who was deeply committed to Catholic education.” That commitment also included major support for their sister high school De La Salle and Saint Mary’s College. The Hofmann Family Foundation grant, said Lisa Hofmann Morgan, “is given in the spirit of innovation and a commitment that Carondelet shall remain accessible to all. With that in mind, we have created an endowed, needs-based, scholarship fund to ensure
quality Catholic education and…access for those who could otherwise not afford it. “The second half of our commitment is to make the major, lead gift to build the Jean Hofmann STEM Innovation Center…where young women can stretch their minds and build their ingenuity and creativity. It is indeed Carondelet’s time to shine.” The facility is projected to open during the first semester of the 2019-20 school year. Carondelet’s all-girl’s school enrollment is about 800.
When the student presentations were completed his students quietly and immediately got up and either took a Chromebook off a cart that is shared among CVCHS classes or sat at one of the 10 large screen computer stations to work on their classwork and projects. Anderson obviously has great rapport with his students, fostered from his 14 years teaching. He began as a science teacher in Florida following graduation and has taught in Livermore, Pittsburg and Antioch. He grew up in Los Angeles
USD schools and went across the country for college to “be a creator of technology, not just a user.” He has continued his desire for learning by spending last summer as a research fellow at Stanford’s School of Engineering. He expects to finish up his Master of Education at St. Mary’s College next year. In a male dominated field, it’s refreshing to see the number of females in his class, fully engaged. CVCHS emphasizes the importance of encouraging high school girls towards careers in computer coding and Anderson is leading the way.
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JOB OPPORTUNITY working with birds
Corvid Connection, a 501(c)(3) non-profit located in Clayton is looking for a special individual to help care for our collection of permanently injured wild birds. This position is 3 to 5 days a week, 8 hours a day depending on success of training and initial experience. Compensation is $23 per hour/no benefits with full pay during the training period. Avian experience is a plus. The successful candidate will be comfortable with and knowledgeable about animals, a team player, able to follow and recall detailed instructions and able to work independently. Must be able to lift 40 lbs. and be willing to navigate flights of stairs to access the aviaries and must demonstrate care in entering enclosures and in handling birds. Our staff is small and we spend quite a bit of time and effort to train, so we are seeking a coworker who enjoys the work, the birds, and plans to stay. This is not an internship. Interested? Send email and contact info to
corvidconnection@aol.com
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