CORONA Serving Corona’s Business Community and Cutting Through Government Red Tape for over 105 years
VOLUME 1, NUMBER 4 OCTOBER 2015
BUSINESS NEWS
STEM is the Future - And Chamber Provides CNUSD is Leading the Way Connections
Auburndale Intermediate teacher Pete D’Agostino.
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xciting news is coming to the Corona-Norco Unified School District – specifically to Corona High and feeder intermediate schools Raney and Auburndale – a full STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Academy program has begun to take shape. The CORONA Chamber is pleased to announce our first of many partnerships in this STEM Academy by adopting Auburndale Intermediate School’s program run by instructor Pete D’Agostino. Pete is a dynamic teacher with passion for the students at a school that is often referred to as a “last resort”. “I’ve been teaching at the same school for the last 13 years. Intermediate school – 7th and 8th grade. People always tell me “Oh, middle school, I’m sorry”, like I got put there against my will. But I find middle school rewarding. I still have a chance at molding a young person. I can still inspire kids to work hard and
see results. While Auburndale is recognized as one of the older intermediate schools in the district this program has ignited a newfound excitement at the school. We are doing amazing things in the classroom to give kids a shot. This year, we have made some huge steps forward.” To bring the best of STEM Education to the students these schools will encompass the skills that will be essential to the success of our future work force. With these skills, local students will be more qualified, more skilled and prepared for the many jobs that are within our CORONA region, and these will be the stepping stones to higher paying, high growth, and high employment fields of the near future. “Generational poverty affects many of the students at Auburndale. Year after year, they watch members of their community continue to struggle and see little to work for. They expect to struggle when they get older.”
How do we break this cycle of generational poverty? “The staff at Auburndale, including our Principal Ben Sanchez, takes the job of giving students skills and abilities to break that cycle of generational poverty to the level of moral responsibility. In looking at ways to break this cycle, we chose to make STEM one of many foci for development.” Tell us about some of the steps you have taken so far. “We have implemented the world-class curriculum developed by Project Lead the Way (www.pltw. org). In our Gateway to Technology program, we introduce students to the concepts and real practice in the design process, three-dimensional modeling using industry standard Autodesk Inventor, Robotics using VEX Robotics hardware and RobotC programming software, and an introduction to automation, manufacturing, and assembly.” How do students obtain this information? “Students access curriculum online, use a legally-binding Engineering notebook, and use their imaginations to solve real life problems. We have also added a Medical Science course which teaches the Next Generation Science Standards with an emphasis on medical careers.” With the cooperation and support of the CORONA Chamber of Commerce, Pete has also started a Robotics Club this year, where 24 students have attended and created 5 different competitive robotics teams. Two of these teams are girls-only. These students will design, build, and compete against schools in our district and across southern California. In doing so, Robotics Club students will learn to work and troubleshoot as a team, valuing different traits they individually and uniquely bring to the table. ... Continued on page 2
CRUMBLES COOKIES & RAPID DELIVERY By Don Williamson
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ou are attending a function in someone’s home, or business, or wherever it might be and you know what to expect. You are going to be provided with a baked good to accompany your usually hot beverage. Usually a plate appears filled with standard fare of store bought goodies. There are those memorable times that happen only occasionally when you will be delighted to discover that your hosts surprised their guests with superior quality cookies or pastries. If you are in the vicinity of Corona, there is a good chance the delicacies were baked at Crumbles Cookies. For ten years, Crumbles Cookies has served customers agonizingly delicious merchandise from their store’s counter in the Stater Brothers Shopping Center at 1191-C Magnolia Avenue. The owners of the bakery, Greg and Bonnie Yoder, worked hard to successfully grow their business. In fact, demand for their products outgrew the walls of their shop. Customers began to call asking for the coveted confectionaries to be delivered. This was a marvelous opportunity to increase sales. The Yoders assigned themselves delivery duty to their already crowded list of daily chores. They soon realized that this was not the best use of their time. The Yoders have valued their membership in the CORONA Chamber of Commerce, joining at the same time they opened Crumbles Cookies. They turned to the Chamber in hopes of finding a solution to their need for dependable distribution and discovered Rapid Quik Courier. Courier service industry veteran, Hosea Mills, moved to California over fifteen years ago and started Rapid Quik Courier. The company
specializes in same day and next day delivery and courier services. Hosea is justifiably proud of his reputation for saving businesses valuable time and money with this affordable service. Greg and Bonnie Yoder have found that Rapid Quik Courier meets all of their expectations. According to Greg, “Hosea is dependable and more flexible than other larger companies.” He adds, “Some of Crumbles Cookies large clients are planning to call Rapid Quik for their holiday deliveries.” You can reach Rapid Quik Courier Service at (951) 339-8915 and they serve nearly all of the Inland Empire. And as you plan for your holiday goodies, consider calling Crumbles Cookies at (951) 270-2627. The partnership created through membership in the CORONA Chamber between Crumbles Cookies and Rapid Quik Courier is a common occurrence. The Chamber is also a place of education where seminars and conferences are frequently scheduled to enabling members to be better prepared for the challenges that confront their companies. The CORONA Chamber has served the businesses and citizens of Corona for 105 years. We are here to help your business too. Contact the CORONA Chamber at (951) 737-3350.