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MAKING WAVES IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
VOL. 13, N0. 25
AUG. 4, 2017
RSF School District discusses residency
RSF Education Foundation readies for pool parties By Christina Macone-Greene
RANCHO SANTA FE — For the Rancho Santa Fe Education Foundation, this month means pool party time with new families who will be joining R. Roger Rowe when school begins on Aug. 28. The Newcomers’ Welcome Pool Party is considered one of the longest traditions at the school. “I remember being a new parent at this school, moving four children into a new school and you’re thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, who are they going to meet? Who are all these people and are we going to like it?’” RSFEF Development Director Barbara Edwards said. “I was so struck by the fact that families volunteered their free time during the summer to host these pool parties that we have.” In addition to new families, current parents also attend the event. According to Edwards, every year, they have a longer list of existing school families who want to participate in the newcomer pool parties to welcome new families. Edwards calls them “Ranch Hands.” Ranch Hands consist of a group of volunteer returning school families who agree to come to the pool parties. Ranch Hands include middle school and elementary school age children. Ranch Hands also take part in the Newcomers Barbecue with food prepared by Brett’s BBQ. New families have a chance to meet their teachers and visit the classrooms. During the month of August, pool parties are organized a couple of weeks before the start of the new
By Christina Macone-Greene
Youngest & Best Star Encinitas skateboarder Brighton Zeuner turned 13 years old July 14 at the X Games in Minneapolis — one day before she took the title of youngest athlete to win gold in the 21-year history of the event. Skating competitively since she was 8, Brighton competed in her first X Games last year as the youngest female ever invited and missed the podium by one point. This time, she kept her lead throughout both runs in the Women’s Park Final, beating out seven top skaters from around the world. “I am really overwhelmed by all this, and I just hope it inspires young girls to go after what they want, even if they think they are too young,” Zeuner said. Courtesy photos
Businessman eyes 49th District seat By Aaron Burgin
REGION — Paul Kerr has a story to tell. The Rancho Santa Fe businessman recently announced his candidacy for the 49th Congressional District, taking aim at longtime incumbent Darrell Issa and President Donald Trump. But “Rancho Santa Fe businessman” isn’t all there is to Paul Kerr, the 62-year-old Democratic candidate said. Paul Kerr, he said, is the man whose childhood was rocked by his mother’s medical diagnosis, which underscored in his mind the need for universal health care in the country. He is the man who served his country in the U.S. Navy, but strugTURN TO NEWCOMERS ON 10 gled with life after the military.
way through college and absorb a substantial student debt. And he is the man whose life experience fueled him to success in business. It’s these aspects of his life story that Kerr said he believes will click with voters and lead him to victory in November 2018. “I’ve led a very unique life, and I think that it will resonate with a lot of voters,” Kerr said. “I feel like I have a really unique story to tell about the military, about my struggles working in restaurants, to fighting my way through college, to living with a boatPAUL KERR. Courtesy photo load of student loan debt, my family’s He is the man who attended San health issues ... there are so many Diego State University at age 29, but different areas that resonate with the due to a rule that sunsets G.I. benefits after 10 years, was forced to pay his TURN TO KERR ON 6
RANCHO SANTA FE — Board members of the Rancho Santa Fe School District decided to add a provision about continued enrollment to board policy 6028 regarding students whose parents were temporarily not residing in the district. The policy addressed the renovation of a home for residents who needed to relocate until its completion. The proposed provision ultimately agreed upon at the July meeting targets new construction. “In both cases, it requires three years of previous residency and the superintendent acknowledging that they (family) would be returning to their home in the district,” Superintendent David Jaffe said. Students may remain enrolled at R. Roger Rowe for the duration of a renovation, and now, while a new home is under construction. Board member Scott Kahn abstained from this vote since he is building a new home in Rancho Santa Fe and will be living outside of the district for a period of time. Kahn also removed himself from the Performing Arts Center during the vote. “Scott is building a new home, and the new policy allows for his kids to remain in the district,” Jaffe said. “It has nothing to do with the fact he’s a board member. This provision applies to any family that would meet these requirements.” Also discussed at the monthly meeting was the scheduling of a Rancho Santa Fe School District board of trustees team building and planning session. “The board’s discussion TURN TO SCHOOLS ON 3
Superintendent apologizes for SDUHSD’s handling of special ed program By Aaron Burgin
The modular buildings on the campus of Earl Warren Middle School in Solana Beach. Courtesy photo
SOLANA BEACH — The superintendent of San Dieguito Union High School District apologized to a group of parents of special needs students for the district’s mishandling of its Adult Transition Program and vowed to move swiftly in addressing parents’ concerns. District officials said they would create a standing committee that would address special education needs across the district and work to create a permanent solution possibly
by the start of the school year, Aug. 29. But the group of parents — who said the district has for decades marginalized the nomadic program — said they had heard similar assurances before and wanted action. “I think you have to flat out admit, the mentality of our district has been that ATP is just an afterthought,” said Ellen Montanari, whose daughter, Maria, is a special needs student. “Can you admit that, yes or no?” Tensions ran high at
the July 28 meeting held at Earl Warren Middle School, the location of two modular buildings the district is poised to house the transition program in for the 2017-18 school year. The four-year adult transition program educates students with special needs from after graduation until the age of 22, equipping them with independent living skills and job skills so they can become productive members of society. Parents have protested TURN TO APOLOGYON 15