the
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA PERMIT NO. 53
BOXHOLDER
THE RANCHO SANTA FE NEWS
.com
MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 10, N0. 12
June 13, 2014
Association Board ballots trickle in By Christina Macone-Greene
Dr. David K. Woodruff takes an ear impression for hearing aids for a young Burmese boy with the boy’s mother looking on. Woodruff and Dr. Geoffrey A. Smith returned from a humanitarian mission to Burma where they helped children who had a loss of hearing. Photo courtesy Dr. David K. Woodruff
RSF doctors return from humanitarian mission By Christina Macone-Greene
RANCHO SANTA FE — In one of the most remote countries in the world, two doctors from Rancho Santa Fe Audiology flew to the Union of Myanmar, previously known as Burma. Board certified audiologist, Dr. David K. Woodruff and ENT consultant, Dr. Geoffrey A. Smith, both volunteers with Americans Helping Asian Children (AHAC), dedicated their time to help children at the Mary Chapman School for the Deaf in Yangon City. They spent nearly three weeks there in an effort to help children in need. It hasn’t been the first time the doctors have helped underprivileged youth in Asian countries — and it won’t be the last.
As doctors, it’s their calling. “Dr. Woodruff was the force in getting AHAC to go to Burma and to take care of the kids,” Smith said. “Before that, they didn’t have hearing aids.” Woodruff is the owner and Chief Audiologist of Rancho Santa Fe Audiology. AHAC is a San Diego-based nonprofit charity founded by R. Bruce Johnson, M.D. of Sharp Rees Stealy Medical Group; and, Woodruff is also on the AHAC board of directors. The nonprofit helps children in need living with mental and physical disabilities, while addressing poverty issues. Smith who is semi-retired, said on this trip, they offered hearing exams, took ear mold impressions, did hear-
ing aid fittings, evaluated kids with cochlear implants as well as hearing loss. Individuals from the community also came to see them. “We brought and provided hearing aids for a good number of kids and some of the adults who had no other means to get them,” Smith said. The doctors also held classes at the Mary Chapman School for those with hearing loss, caregivers and instructors. On this trip, it’s estimated the doctors examined and evaluated more than 100 children and adults. In addition to the healthcare, medical equipment and supplies were also donated. Woodruff, who has been involved TURN TO DOCTORS ON A16
RANCHO SANTA FE — During the June 5 Rancho Santa Fe Association Board of Directors meeting, Board President Philip Wilkinson shared with other board members and attendees the ballot numbers which have flowed in so far. Four candidates are vying for two open seats on the Association’s Board of Directors. The contenders are Susan Callahan, Ann Boon, Dominick Addario and Kim Eggleston. “We are at about 1,340 ballots received, as of yesterday,” Wilkinson said. When this started, Wilkinson guessed the ballot count would be at 1,400. He hopes the official count range is 1,400 to 1,500; and, with a few more days to go, it may reach that goal. Ivan Holler, acting manager of the Rancho Santa Fe Association and board secretary, reminded everyone that the ballots for the board election are due June 9 by 5 p.m. “Then on Tuesday, June 10, the ballots will be counted at the fire station meeting room,” he said, adding how this will begin at 9 a.m. Holler wanted people to know that they will have the same two members who volunteered the last time, and their elec-
tion inspector will bring additional election assistants due to the different counting process. Before, there were just two options. Holler also noted that Supervisor Bill Horn narrowly won his seat on 5th District for the Board of Supervisors. This district oversees the Ranch. Holler went on to say that this will be Supervisor Horn’s last term due to the county limits. Following this update, Holler branched out to the topic of Covenant roadways which are radar certified and how it helps with enforcement. “The reason that this helps is even though the roadway has a posted speed sign, if the prevailing speed is above it, police can write a ticket for the posted speed — as crazy as that sounds,” Holler said. He continued, “But when a road is radar certified, and it’s posted, they can’t, so it’s a great benefit to the Covenant to help slow traffic.” Although this is a function of the county, the Association works closely with this. Currently, there are a couple of roads up for radar recertification at their current posted speeds, including Rambla de las Flores.
Principal is receiving high praise following first term By Christina Macone-Greene
What a difference a year makes. R. Roger Rowe Middle School Principal Garrett Corduan has completed his first official term and the feedback has been a resounding success. “Garrett has been a wonderful addition to our staff and to our school community,” said Superintendent Lindy Delaney. “He has a great personality and the students respect him.” Delaney pointed out that Corduan’s strong leadership qualities have been admirable as well as his dedication to work tirelessly in his new position. Initially, the Rancho Santa Fe School District was impressed with Corduan’s background when they brought him onboard. He served as principal at a Murrieta school for six years, and prior to that, assistant principal and teacher. As far as the Rancho Santa Fe School District was concerned, Corduan would be
a good fit. And they were right. “Our families feel Garrett is a good listener, proactive in his approach, does what is right for the students, and looks for ways to enhance the educational experience,” Delaney said. Kim Pinkerton, K-5 elementary school principal at R. Roger Rowe, said Corduan has brought a sense of levity and positive spirit. “The first week I heard him talking with students, he connected with them right off the bat because he speaks to them with an appropriate voice and tone,” she said. “He is very respectful to his students and the kids respond to him.” While Pinkerton is known for her own special personable connection with children and people, she admits that Corduan has inspired that quality even more for her. “He is a great addition to our school district and I am thrilled to be able to work with him every sin-
R. Roger Rowe Middle School Principal Garrett Corduan is receiving high praise following his first term at the school.Photo
by Christina Macone-Greene
gle day,” she said. While Corduan hears such compliments, he is quick to point out that
his success in the first year was actually a group effort. Corduan calls the Rancho Santa Fe School District a diverse team aiming for the success of students. And he could not have asked for a more welcoming group of people and students. “I have enjoyed my first year here because the basics of what I needed were here and that included a great administrative team and fantastic students,” he said. “The students are so mature, capable, and eager to learn so that piece was outstanding; and, I am lucky to work with exceptional teachers.” While describing the middle school teachers as phenomenal, Corduan said he continues to be impressed with how supportive the parents are. Corduan wants parents to know how appreciative he has been that they are always there to lend a helping hand to ensure their children are successful. While Corduan is praised for bringing new ideas to the forefront,
he said the input he has received has played a huge role. “I have been at the end of a lot of ideas but they started from the teachers and parents,” he said. “One of the great pieces of this community is that they want to give their input and they want to hear how that can fit into a school setting and we work together.” Looking ahead to the second year, Corduan has more missions on the list. While adjustments have already been made in their enrichment programs, he said, now he wants to take a closer look at electives and the common core push in math. “My goals, as I look to next year are to consistently and continually be open, listening, and ready to make moves as they are needed,” he said. Corduan continued, “I look forward to more conversations with our parents for feedback and from our teachers — because our teachers are the experts.”