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VOL. 6, NO. 8
APRIL 9, 2010
THISWEEK Science le comes b a u l Va pons alive at Cou Page on 42 Rowe HISTORICAL HORSES
The community is abuzz as healthy twin foals — a rare occurrence — are born at the Helen Woodward Animal 3 Center
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Board eyes sex offender policy
By Wehtahnah Tucker
RANCHO SANTA FE — The anticipation was palpable as students, parents and teachers gathered in the gymnasium April 2 to interact with animals from the Wild Animal Park during the R. Roger Rowe School’s Science Discovery Day. Eyes widened as the handlers brought out a Burmese python that stretched the length of seven students. The annual event covers many areas of science from live animals to anatomy to technology and robotics. Organizers said the goal is to expose students to various aspects of science and allow them to discover their own passion within the field. “The kids absolutely love it,” said fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Jensen. The 15-year veteran schoolteacher said it’s one of the highlights of the entire year. “The kids are so engaged by all of it and they are able to really get up close and experience science,” she said. “The presenters use very strong teaching techniques.” Indeed, students from kindergarten to seventh grade were transfixed by the myriad of experiments during the daylong event. “It’s a time when our kids come to understand that science doesn’t just happen but that they are a TURN TO SCIENCE ON 31
By Patty McCormac
HANDS-ON LEARNING Channing Masters dissects an owl pellet in her second grade class during the annual Science Discovery Day at R. Roger Rowe School on April 2. Photo by Wehtahnah Tucker
School superintendent speaks to Association By Patty McCormac
RANCHO SANTA FE — Rancho Santa Fe School District Superintendent Lindy Delaney was invited to speak at the Association meeting April 1. Delaney brought the board up to speed on the progress of the renovation and construction of the new R. Roger Rowe Elementary School. She also explained about the need for funds the Association talked about contributing to the project last summer. It appears the funds will be needed because of a
turndown in the economy which delayed $2.5 million from the state. After the design of the new school was completed, the art jury requested some changes, which added up to an estimated cost of $264,000. The Association volunteered to split the cost with the school board if money was needed. Later it was discovered the requested changes would result in structural changes, which caused the total to rise to $344,000. Delaney told the Association that
in the meantime, because of the recession, the $2.5 million expected from the state to be used for construction has been delayed. She said she does not know when or if it will arrive, so some of the plans have changed. The school board has decided to reduce the cost of the school by delaying funding for items that it can live without and using the money for needed items, for instance playground TURN TO ASSOCIATION ON 31
RANCHO SANTA FE — The Rancho Santa Fe School Board instructed Richard Currier, its general counsel, to draft a board policy regarding allowing convicted sex offenders on campus. They said they wanted it to be “realistic,” “simple” and “practical.” “We want to be proactive not reactive,” board member Carlie Headapohl said. The board wanted it included in the policy that at least once a year a school official contact the probation and parole departments to ask if there is anyone of which the school should be especially aware. For those registered sex offenders of which the board is already aware, they should determine if he or she is in compliance with the conditions of their probation. “We need to do our part to ask the question,” said Scott Cheatham, board president. “At least we would be aware. I don’t think that would be a bad thing.” Currier said he had already done some research on how other school districts handle the issue and that he was not very impressed by most of them. He said he intends to draft a policy with more teeth. Still, he said one of the most effective things the district can do is stay in touch with the probation department to determine if the offender is in compliance with probation conditions. The request for such a policy stems from a female registered sex offender who has four children in the district. Some parents, including Dr. Jonathon and Ashley Haynes, became concerned about seeing her on campus several times unsupervised. One of the school functions TURN TO POLICY ON 32