Our Hometown Chula Vista - September 2017

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SUHSD “ p ut t ing st ude n t s f irst ”

SEPTEMBER 2017

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT: GORDON KOHL MUSIC

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BOARDS & COMMISSIONS:

CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

CONTENTS/ EDITOR'S LETTER To kick off our September issue, we decided to focus on education and the local work

S E P T E M B E R 2 017

04 BRAVO Announcements

that several nonprofits are doing to support the youth in our community. You will read about the work of Sweetwater Union High School District’s Superintendent Karen Janney—accomplishments in the two years she has led the district—plus additional news from both SUHSD and CVESD in our School News columns.

Many of our Community News stories are about upcoming fundraisers to support our youth. Learn about the work of local nonprofits including:

06 NEWS On your Doorstep

16 FEATURE State of SUHSD

20 SCHOOL NEWS Public Library Cards

• Kiwanis Clubs (Chula Vista and Bonita), • Chula Vista Police Activities League, • Chula Vista Rotary Club, and

SUHSD Board Meeting

• South Bay Community Services.

23 CALENDAR

Our September calendar is even more full

Out & About

than usual due to resources and events that the community offers this month.

As you consider the “state of the district” and whether to attend any of the events mentioned in this magazine, ask yourself what you care about. From there, ask yourself what you are doing, or can do, to act. Whether we give

24 BOARDS & COMMISSIONS Charter Review Commission and

time, money or talents to a single child or

Historic Preservation

family, or to an organization that reaches

Commission

hundreds or thousands, people’s lives are improved. One of the great things about Chula Vista is that we can be part of it.

26 BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT Gordon Kohl Music

—AMBER WEBER, editor

OU R H OM E TOW N MAG. CO M 3

BRAVO

. . . great things happening in our community

Send us your good news!

Email editor@ourhometownmag.com prior to the 15th of the month and we will do our best to put the good news in an upcoming issue.

PUBLISHED BY

› To the CHULA VISTA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

for launching its eighth year of grantmaking to local nonprofits that make Chula Vista better. Founded in 2008 by civic leaders who saw a need for greater grassroots philanthropy in Chula Vista, the Foundation has donated more than $240,000 in support of local non-profit organizations.

MICHAEL MONACO, Publisher

AMBER WEBER, Editor

MELISSA MONROY, Design

Advertising inquiries: Michael Monaco at Sales@OurHometownMag.com.

Editorial Contributions: Amber Weber at Editor@OurHometownMag.com.

Visit us online at www.OurHometownMag.com.

The Foundation’s corporate and individual members are united in a shared mission to improve quality of life in Chula Vista by giving back through responsible and effective philanthropy.

“As Chula Vista has grown, so has the Foundation,” said Debbie Discar-Espe, Chair of the Foundation. “…It’s important that as we grow economically as a city, that we also grow in our commitment to support Chula Vista through philanthropy.” Today, the Foundation’s endowment has grown to more than $470,000, ensuring funds for future grantmaking.

The list of organizations supported by the Foundation grows with each passing year.

That list includes the Living Coast Discovery Center’s Science Without Borders Wildlife Camps, the San Diego Youth Symphony’s afterschool Opus partnership with CVESD, the Arc of San Diego’s Parent/Infant Program, Voices for Children, Amigas Punto Com, Feeding America San Diego, the Chula Vista Public Library, San Diego Audubon, St. Rose of Lima’s Sister Dolores Project, WeSupportU, the South Bay YMCA, the Chula Vista Starlight Center, the Chula Vista Community Collaborative, Salt Creek Elementary School, and I Love a Clean San Diego.

Copyright 2017. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in any form, in whole or part, without written permission is prohibited. OHTM Inc. is not responsible for the views of contributing writers and assumes no responsibility for errors appearing within. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Publisher or advertisers.

OHTM Inc has the right to refuse advertising. Contact OHTM Inc. at 4 (619) O U R840−7722.

H OMETOWN • SEPT EM B E R 2 0 17

For more information about the Foundation’s current grant cycle, contact Lisa Moctezuma at lisamoctezuma@hotmail.com.

› To CHIEF GEERING and the men and women of the CHULA VISTA FIRE DEPARTMENT. The fire department has been awarded a Department of Homeland Security grant that will be used to hire 12 new firefighters. The grant, in combination with City funds, will provide $3.7 million for firefighter staffing for the next three years. (Of the $3.7 million, $2.3 million will come from the grant monies and $1.4 million will be the City’s contribution.)

The result of this infusion of funds means that fire engines will have four-person crews instead of the current threeperson crews.

Chula Vista’s Growth Management ordinance requires the fire department and medical units to respond to calls throughout the city within seven minutes, at least 80% of the time. But the Chula Vista Fire Department response times failed to meet this standard for the sixth consecutive year, according to the Growth Management Oversight Commission’s 2016 report.

With this grant, over time, the additional staffing should help reduce the response times of the fire department and emergency medical services. Fire Chief Jim Geering said, “Staffing our fire engines with a four-person crew has been proven to accomplish essential firefighting functions 25 percent faster than an engine company staffed with three.

The fourth firefighter allows the department to more quickly begin firefighting and medical emergency operations when they arrive on scene.”

› To the SWEETWATER UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT (SUHSD) students, staff and

faculty for their achievements this year: • Two SUHSD high school students (of six in San Diego County) were selected to work at The San Diego UnionTribune to learn about media careers and journalism.

Congratulations to DIEGO DELA ROSA (Bonita Vista) and DARNELL CARSON (EastLake).

The students produced their own written, photographic and video stories, viewable at sandiegouniontribune.com/ journalismscholars/. Darnell was chosen as this year’s $5,000 scholarship winner.

• The California Music Education Association selected TAMARA FRAZIER (Castle Park Middle), for the Middle School Specialist Award and DANIELLE BRUCE (Hilltop Middle), for the Richard Levin Orchestra Education Award.

• ART LOPEZ (Sweetwater High) was appointed by State Superintendent Tom Torlakson to serve on the California Computer Science Standards Advisory Committee.

• BETH SALDAÑA, a SUHSD bus driver, was selected as the new California School Employees Association (CSEA) Secretary at the state level and now sits on the CSEA State Board of Directors. During the CSEA Annual Conference, the Director of Field Operations mentioned examples of the Sweetwater District’s collaborative approach in his annual report to state delegates.

OU R H OM E TOW NMAG. CO M 5

NEWS

/ On your Doorstep

“Change Their Lives” Gala Supports Therapeutic Preschool and More

By Andrea Martino

The 19th Annual Change Their Lives benefit brings together philanthropic leaders, Hollywood glamour, and worldrenowned entertainment under the stars and beachside at the Hotel del Coronado.

More than just a dazzling event, Change Their Lives celebrates partnerships and raises much needed funds for child abuse prevention and intervention programs in San Diego County.

Event chairs San Diego Supervisor Greg Cox, Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas, National City Mayor Ron Morrison, and Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina will join more than 400 guests for South Bay Community Services’ (SBCS) benefit on Saturday, September 30. The Hollywood themed evening will feature a red-carpet lounge, hosted bar with signature cocktail, a sit-down award-winning dinner, first-class silent and live auction items, and live music from Wayne Foster Entertainment.

“Everyone needs a place to turn to when they need help,” SBCS Communications Director Patty Chavez said. “By joining us at Change Their Lives, you help SBCS assist hundreds of families each year. Together, we help families pick up the pieces, find hope, and build self-sufficient lives.”

Change Their Lives benefits a 24/7 emergency response unit working with law enforcement in Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach and San Diego’s South region communities. It also benefits local emergency shelters, transitional housing, job readiness programs, counseling and a one-of-akind preschool for children impacted by abuse and family violence.

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Mi Escuelita Therapeutic Preschool Each year, 72 little ones are provided a safe place to learn and heal at Mi Escuelita Therapeutic Preschool. Children are referred to Mi Escuelita by law enforcement, Child Welfare Services, shelters and other service agencies.

Without intervention, these children are more likely than their peers to experience a wide range of difficulties that impact their development, education and health.

Mi Escuelita has served more than 450 families since opening in 2006. Each year, there is a waiting list. With three full-time therapists on site, specialized staff and curriculum, Mi Escuelita offers holistic services for both children and caregivers – parent, grandparent, family member or foster parents – to help with behavior issues and learning opportunities in and away from the classroom.

Recently, results from a University of California, San Diego, five-year longitudinal study showed that, across all years, Mi Escuelita children are doing well in school, often better than their peers, and scoring above average on state math and reading tests. While there is solace in recognizing that these children, who faced significant,

traumatic life experiences at very young ages, continue to perform well academically, staff also rejoice in the everyday joys and smiles they see in the classroom. A kind word, a gentle gesture, or maybe just a smile among little friends are special signs of healing and hope. Because of support from our community, they are becoming the children they were meant to be before experiencing violence.

SBCS welcomes your ideas, your gifts of time and donations. It costs more than $10,000 per child per year at Mi Escuelita, but it’s an investment that will carry them through life. Join SBCS at this year’s “That’s Hollywood” Change Their Lives event at the Hotel del Coronado on September 30 and give hope to more children. Purchase tickets at SouthBayCommunityServices.org or contact Patty Chavez at (619) 420-3620 or PattyChavez@csbcs.org.

South Bay Community Services is a 501(c)3 in San Diego County transforming communities to support the well-being and prosperity of children, youth and families since 1971. Mi Escuelita is funded in part by First 5 San Diego and CalEMA, as well as private donations, student sponsorships and SBCS' Change Their Lives gala.

On your Doorstep

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On your Doorstep

Ultimate Small Business Workshop Provides Guidance for Entrepreneurs

The Ultimate Small Business Workshop prepares new and potential small business owners for success. The goal of this four-part series is to equip participants with the knowledge of what it takes to have a fighting chance as a small business owner. During session 1 on August 21, participants were shown how to create a business plan. This is a critical first step, one that many struggling businesses never complete. A detailed business plan is the blueprint or road map for your business. It helps identify potential obstacles and keeps you on track toward opening and operating your business. Participants also learned the importance of running their business within a properly created business entity and the need to open and manage a business checking account.

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During session 2 on August 28, participants learned how the financial end of a business is like the fuel that runs the engine. Without the proper understanding of business finance and credit, business owners can be out of business before ever getting started.

In an online article published by businessknowhow.com, insufficient capital is the number three reason why businesses fail, with “starting your business at the wrong time” as number one and “poor management” as number two. Business finance was complemented by a clear understanding of business taxes. “Due to the complexity of the tax code, it is impossible for the small business owner to keep up with all the new and modified tax laws. It’s best to leave the interpretation and

implementation to the tax experts,” reminded Marvin Harrison with Considine & Considine CPA.

SESSION 3 | September 11 @ 6:30 - 9 P.M. This session will feature an important topic every small business needs to understand: payroll and human resources.

“Processing payroll is a fundamental part of running a successful small business; however, more issues arise from the lack of education on the human resources side. To overlook a strong HR partner is to leave your company vulnerable to potential costly litigation and fines in the future,” states Sergio Lesch, sales consultant with Paychex. Then the topic will shift to mainstream media advertising, social media and business-tobusiness networking, all critical elements

On your Doorstep

Purses with Purpose Help Women Stay Fashionable and Support Youth

SESSION 4 | September 18 @ 6:30 - 9 P.M.

The Chula Vista Police Activities League (CV PAL) is changing the look of fundraising here in Chula Vista with its second annual “pingo” event. Golf tournaments and wine tastings are often associated with fundraising, but what do purses have to do with it?

According to Kristi McClure Huckaby, President of CV PAL, “We were looking for a way to hold a fundraiser and not compete with some of the larger, more well-known fundraising events here in Chula Vista.

We also wanted to reach out to a demographic that is one of the most generous demographics in our community–women!”

The final session will end with a comprehensive recap of the first three sessions and close with a guest speaker on healthcare. “It’s important to know the open enrollment periods for you and your employees. Penalties can increase for small business owners if they neglect to understand the Affordable Care Act,” Jim Lowther of Prescott & Lowther Insurance Agency points out.

According to Mitch Lipka, “When it comes to giving to charity, women are in the driver's seat. A recent survey conducted by Bank of America Merrill Lynch found that women are more generous than men when it comes to charitable giving, especially with respect to decisions about volunteer activities and smaller financial donations.”

to building a small business. “Using social media and having a web presence is a basic requirement if you want to expose your business to a broad demographic while controlling your marketing costs. Chances are most of your target market is already using social media. If you want to reach customers, clients, or prospects you need to be where they are,” suggested Susan Kaplan of Oinker Media.

Limited space is available for the last two sessions. To enroll, visit ContactUs@HarmonyFairConnections.com.

To attract women, CL PAL came up with “pingo,” or bingo for purses.

Each round of play has a designer purse at stake as the prize. CV PAL was unsure what to expect its inaugural year, and frankly, Kristi said, “I don’t think our participants knew exactly how this fundraiser was going to work, but the result was a night of fun and community that raised money for a great cause.”

Vanessa McEvoy, board member and event co-chair, says that the event is centered on prizes from top-notch designers such as Coach, Kate Spade, Michael Kors, etc. “Honestly, I know few women that don’t love a nice purse. And the only thing better than a nice purse is a nice purse you didn’t have to pay $500 for!” She went on to say that it’s a win-win for everyone involved. Even those that didn’t win had a fun night of bingo, and no matter the value of the purses or the Prada sunglasses won at the event, the youth in our community were ultimately the biggest winners.

The Second Annual Pingo is on Saturday, October 21 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. For more information on this year’s event, visit www. squareup.com/store/cvpal.

CV PAL is a youth outreach non-profit that has members of the Chula Police Department and community minded business owners and residents on its board. The focus is providing a positive view of police and community to youth while reaching out to those most at risk through food and toy drives and the Jim Zoll Scholarship fund.

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On your Doorstep

10 O U R HOMETOWN • SEPT E MB E R 2 0 17

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On your Doorstep

Kids Need Kiwanis Golf Tournament

Life is Delicious during San Diego Restaurant Week

by Vanessa L. Chicca

On Friday, September 22, the Kiwanis Club of Bonita will put on its annual charity golf tournament to benefit children. As long as I can remember we have always had a golf tournament in September to raise money for the club’s non-profit foundation.

I have been a member of the local Kiwanis Club of Bonita for six years. My husband, Bob, has been a member for decades. Yet we are still surprised when asked, “What is Kiwanis?” On the surface the question seems easy enough, but Kiwanis is a profoundly meaningful part of our lives. It is more than a service club that goes into our community and meets the needs we find. The Kiwanis Club of Bonita is more than just another one of the 8,600 Kiwanis clubs with nearly 300,000 members in 89 nations around the globe. Our club is a wonderful group of individuals with diverse talents, and it is a joy to belong to an organization that encourages and respects one another.

The joy of belonging is not limited to our membership and its service. We have a club that is fun. We have found a fellowship that sustains us through the years.

We work at serving our community, and we enjoy our service projects as they sprout from an inkling that is passed on, to grow and come to fruition. We attend other club meetings in our area and share in social events. Our organization has a reach beyond its grasp, and we revel in it! We are truly “good people, having a good time, doing good things.”

The 13th Annual San Diego Restaurant Week is back from Sunday, September 24 through Sunday, October 1 and will be dishing out incredible threecourse dinners and two-course lunches from over 180 participating restaurants throughout the county.

Find out first-hand why this event has become a “not-to-miss” experience for San Diego foodies.

With so many options, it’s the best time of year to take a culinary tour of the diverse and thriving food culture of San Diego.

For one week only, over 180 participating restaurants will offer three-course, prix-fixe dinner menus for $20, $30, $40 or $50 per person and/or two-course, prix-fixe lunch menus for $10, $15 or $20 per person. SD Restaurant Week spans across the county from the South Bay to East County and to the borders of Oceanside and Fallbrook

to the North, touching on all cuisine types and cravings.

There is no better time to dine out with family or friends than during Restaurant Week. Treat yourself to an experience that extends far beyond the dinner plate as delicious food sets the scene to eat, laugh, and share!

From appetizer to entrée, dessert and libations, life is delicious.

Now is your time to dine with over 150,000 fellow diners as the city raises its forks in one of the U.S.'s premier culinary destinations.

Tickets are not necessary for this delectable week of discounted dining, but reservations are recommended. San Diego Restaurant Week is brought to you by the non-profit San Diego Chapter of the California Restaurant Association. Visit SanDiegoRestaurantWeek. com for more information, including a list of participating restaurants, or to make your reservations in advance.

If you are interested in living a life with purpose and meaning, exemplify what’s right with you or giving your talents, visit the Kiwanis Club of Bonita. We are a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the wonderful world we live in. Our club develops youth as leaders, builds community unity, and along the way raises funds for children and our local community. We help homeless teens, feed the needy, mentor the disadvantaged, and exponentially improve the lives of those in need. We can accomplish this and more because we want to achieve together what one person cannot accomplish alone. Along the journey we share friendship and laughter.

The Bonita Kiwanis Club meets at the Community Room in the Bonita-Sunnyside Library, 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita. Meetings occur the first three Thursday mornings at 7 a.m.; the fourth Thursday the meeting is in the evening from 6 to 7 p.m. To play in the golf tournament or become a sponsor, please call Mark Cortez (619) 250-6275 or email KiwanisGT@bonitakiwanis.org. For more info, visit bonitakiwanis.org.

OU R H OM E TOW N MAG. CO M 11

On your Doorstep

South Bay Pumpkin Smash - Game of Throws - Coming this Fall

Mark your Calendars for the 2017 Chula Vista Rotary OktoberFiesta If you love mariachi music, folklórico dancing, good food and libations, then mark your calendar for Saturday, October 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. for OktoberFiesta 2017 presented by the Rotary Club of Chula Vista.

Presented by LabRats Educational Science Programs, the 2017 South Bay Pumpkin Smash - Game of Throws is not just any run-of-the-stone-mill pumpkin throw, but a “family-friendly, fun-filled festival of flying fruit fundraiser.”

This Medieval Renaissance-themed event will challenge our youth in three age-appropriate divisions to build and test a catapult, trebuchet, or similar mechanical device to throw a pumpkin on Saturday, November 4 at the Salt Creek Golf Club Driving Range.

Division 3 is for children in grades 3 – 6, Division 2 is for grades 7 – 8, and Division 1 is for grades 9 – 12. Teams will have no more than eight members and one adult.

Each team will be given two attempts to throw their pumpkins a predetermined distance for scoring, which is based on how close their pumpkin lands from the target. The top three teams in each division with the highest combined score will win a cash prize. In addition, each team will also get a third throw for distance. The single longest throw in each division will win an additional prize. Prizes for “Best Team Costumes” and “Most Authentic Medieval Device” will also be awarded.

“We’ve got to find ways to get young people away from their computers and into the real world,” said physicist and LabRats Executive Director, Dr. Shawn Carlson.

“Competitions like this are the best way I know to put technical knowledge not only into kids’ heads, but into their hands as well.”

This family-oriented event directly ties into the common core educational concept and demonstrates a direct use of the GATE, STEM, and STEAM programs available in our local schools. Jesus Ulloa-Higuera, STEAM Programs Coordinator for SUHSD puts it this way, “We believe that working in teams to solve hard problems will lead to greater self-confidence as our young engineers apply themselves to other challenges in school and in life.”

This event is open to all youths in grades 3 – 12 in the South Bay. LabRats also invites the Boy and Girl Scouts, AWANA, home school groups, charter, Montessori, and private schools to participate. There is an entry fee of $50 per team, and space is limited. Registration opened on August 14, and each team must have an adult team leader 21 and older. Pumpkins are provided to each team as part of the registration fee. Complete details on the Game of Throws can be found at www.LabRats.org.

12 OU R HOMETOWN • SEPT E MB E R 2 0 17

This multi-cultural event will be held at the Salt Creek Recreation Center, 2710 Otay Lakes Road in Chula Vista. OktoberFiesta is the perfect blend of a traditional mariachi concert, folklórico dancing, and a German October festival. Enjoy samples from over 20 quality vendors including local micro brews, bratwursts, wine, delicious food, spirits and sweet treats. All proceeds go to the Chula Vista Rotary Foundation, a 501(c)3, which funds numerous community projects such as Christmas in October, a Christmas bike giveaway, high school scholarships and numerous other programs for the community including youth leadership and education. Additionally, a portion will go to the global fight to eradicate polio. Rotary International, in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and world health organizations, aims to rid the world of polio in the very near future.

Tickets to OktoberFiesta 2017 are available for purchase from a member of the Chula Vista Rotary Club, at the door or online at oktoberfiesta2017.brownpapertickets. com. Tickets are $50 each and you must be 21 and older to attend. There is a small fee for purchasing tickets online. No children or pets are allowed except service dogs, and space is limited. You may also request tickets by mail until September 30; write to Chula Vista Rotary Club, P.O. Box 626, Chula Vista, CA 91921. Make a check or money order payable to Chula Vista Rotary Club Foundation, and please include your name and a phone number. Call (619) 934-6107 with questions.

On your Doorstep

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OU R H OM E TOW N M AG. CO M 13



On your Doorstep

Learn How to Prepare for an Emergency "Southern California residents have faced fires, earthquakes and wind storms, but there is a continued need for personal, family and community preparedness in the face of potential natural disasters and emergency situations."

Does your family have a plan on how to communicate and where to meet if separated during a natural disaster? Do you have adequate food, water, supplies and cash on hand to weather an emergency if water were undrinkable, stores sold out of necessities, or power outages eliminated electronic forms of payment?

Hear from local experts on October 7 about how to take the necessary steps to protect your loved ones in the event of an emergency.

Southern California residents have faced fires, earthquakes and wind storms, but there is a continued need for personal, family and community preparedness in the face of potential natural disasters and emergency situations. Emergency preparedness also means knowing how to physically and emotionally cope with stressful situations such as active shooter scenarios, school or workplace lockdowns and other threats to personal safety. Good communication, planning, training and having safety procedures in place can help minimize risk, reduce stress and keep community members safe.

The Emergency Preparedness Fair will open with a light dinner beginning at 5 p.m. A representative from the Red Cross will give the keynote address at 5:15. This will be followed by a selection of three classes offered in rotation: 6-6:40 p.m., 6:50-7:30 p.m., and 7:40-8:20 p.m.

TOP I CS I NC LU D E : • Personal & Family Security / Active Shooter • Bug Out Bags: When You Have to Get Out Fast (72-Hour Kits) • Earthquakes and Seismic Safety: Is Your Home Ready?

• Communication: Keeping in Touch When Disaster Strikes • Emotional Preparedness: Keep Calm and Get Your Preparedness On • Emergency Food and Water Storage • Gardening to Increase Self-Reliance • Boy Scout Merit Badge Classes

This event will be located at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, 1590 E. H Street in Chula Vista (across from Bonita Vista High School). It is suitable for ages 12+. A San Diego Blood Bank Bloodmobile will be on location from 2 - 7 p.m. Questions? Call (801) 358-7783.

14 OU R HOMETOWN • SEPT EMB E R 2 0 17

On your Doorstep

Yoga by the Bay Offered Weekends in September

The City of National City, in partnership with the Port of San Diego, will be hosting free Yoga by the Bay classes on Saturdays in September. The classes will have a waterfront view and will be held at the National City Aquatic Center and Pepper Park. The yoga classes are open to all ages and fitness levels; since yoga is better with friends, bring DATES : someone along September 09 @ 10 a.m. with you.

National City Aquatic Center, 3300 Goesno Place in Classes will National City. be held on four different September 16 @ 8 a.m.

Saturdays, so Pepper Park, 3299 Tidelands bring your yoga Avenue in National City. mat and enjoy September 23 @ 8 a.m. the morning Pepper Park, 3299 Tidelands practicing your Avenue in National City. best yoga pose.

There will be free September 30 @ 10 a.m. giveaways to a National City Aquatic Center, limited number of 3300 Goesno Place in early registrants National City. and also a chance to win an opportunity prize. Register for all four classes or just one, but register soon to hold your place. For more information and to register, visit www.nationalcityca. gov/yogabythebay.

For more information on the National City Aquatic Center and the programs offered, which include kayaking, rowing, stand up paddle boarding and youth camps, visit www.nationalcityca.gov/ncac or call (619) 336-4290.

OU R H OM E TOW N MAG. CO M 15

STATE OF SUHSD

STATE OF THE

SWEETWATER UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Dr. Karen Janney is all about the Sweetwater Union High School District. You hear it in her words, and you can see it her actions.

“I know what it takes to grow up here,” she says. A graduate of Bonita Vista High School and Castle Park Junior High, Dr. Janney has always known that this was the community she wanted to serve.

For over 35 years, Dr. Janney has been an educator in the Sweetwater Union High School District, serving as a teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Assistant Superintendent and now as the Superintendent.

Along the way she has earned several accolades for her work, including being named an Association of California School Administrators State Secondary Principal of the Year, the California League of High School Region 9 Educator of the Year and a two-time Sweetwater Union High School District Administrator of the Year. Most recently, Dr. Janney was named a 2017 San Diego State University “Monty” Award Winner for distinguished service to the San Diego Community.

“This was about doing what is right for the kids.”

Despite all the accolades, Janney will immediately tell you it’s not about her; it’s about “the we” in everything that she does and everything that the Sweetwater Union High School District is currently doing.

In 2010, she ran for the Sweetwater School District Board of Trustees, and, despite not winning the seat, she says she learned a lot and really felt the calling to come back to Sweetwater and be a part of a changing culture that had not been so positive during those years. “If you go back and look at the language in my campaign, it was about putting the ‘trust’ back in Trustee,” said Janney. “It was a good experience.”

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Although she says she never wanted to be a superintendent and had never been recruited to be a superintendent, Janney says that coming back to Sweetwater in this role and at this time was a calling. Inspired by the election of an entirely new Board of Trustees, Janney says that their campaigns and their ultimate elections happened for the right reasons. “This was about doing what is right for kids and ‘putting students first,’” said Janney. “I care about this district and that’s why I wanted to come back.”

Janney worked hard during the interview process and even had friends and family conduct mock interviews with her. Still, she felt like something was missing – she just needed to be herself and let her personality come through in her interview. “I felt like I had the skills to do the job and the will to succeed,” said Janney.

Upon her appointment in June of 2015, Janney came in with an agenda that ultimately came down to, as she calls it, the “Three R’s – Rebuilding and Restoring Relationships.” She immediately began working on establishing a leadership team that would work in three key areas – Teaching and Learning; Leadership Development and Systems Innovation; and Equity, Climate and Culture. Soon after the appointments of Assistant Superintendents Ana Maria Alvarez, Dr. Dianna Carberry and Dr. Joe Fulcher, the team hit the ground running.

Dr. Janney and the Board of Trustees set out on what was called the “50 First Dates,” where she and at least one Trustee met with every single school and district department to get a sense of

T h e C h u l a V i sta Rota ry C l u b p r e s e n ts

STATE OF SUHSD

GOOD TIMES. GREAT FOOD. LOCAL BREWS. LIVE MARIACHI. FOLKLORICO PERFORMANCES.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 5-8 PM SALT CREEK REC CENTER, 2710 Otay Lakes Rd in Chula Vista

21+ EVENT. TICKETS $50. to Purchase online, visit: http://bit.ly/oktoberfiesta2017

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Generous Donation By: DIANE & GARY BRIAN BRYANT OU R H OM E TOW N M AG.WAGES CO M 17 Generous Donation By:

STATE OF SUHSD where they were and what tools they needed to better serve students.

“We decided to make no principal changes in the first year,” said Janney. “We had to rebuild trust first and we went on the road to simply listen to what people had to say.”

It was also during Janney’s first few months in 2015 that the district’s Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) was up for review. The LCAP is required by the State of California for all school districts to document their goals and outline how they will take action on their goals.

Although Janney says she didn’t realize it at the time, the formation of the LCAP would ultimately drive the entire district. The process involved five area meetings, several parent group meetings, staff meetings and online input. In total, over 1,500 people participated in the development of the LCAP. “All the stars aligned,” said Janney. “It was the best thing that could have happened when we went out to the community for the LCAP. It was a lot of work and time, but we grew into who we would be.”

By doing this work, Janney believes that it helped the community see the district’s commitment to rebuilding trust, restoring a stellar reputation with the ultimate goal of continuous improvement. Four major goals were established that focus on the following areas: teaching and learning, equity and safe learning environments, parent and community engagement, and improving systems – all areas that coincide with the way the district has been restructured.

The LCAP process was not an isolated incident. The district embarked on several additional plans such as facilities improvement and a multi-year equity plan. Events such as the First Annual State of the District event drew over 600 parents, community members and students. The momentum was definitely building.

“We were demonstrating to the community and we were demonstrating to staff that this is what we were doing,” said Janney. “It all worked out for the best and it showed that we really meant what we said that all stakeholder voices matter.”

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The Trustees and Dr. Janney have gone on to implement several practices that are important to transparency and rebuilding trust. One of these practices is the bi-monthly Superintendent’s Message that is shared

by Janney at each board meeting and then

STATE OF SUHSD

shared on the district’s webpage, www. sweetewaterschools.org. It brought positive feedback, and they started chronicling the work being done at Sweetwater as well as encouraging positive thinking and practices.

“I think we’ve spent the first few years building a positive culture,” said Janney.

“It can’t just be a positive culture though.

That’s not enough. It has to be transformational. We have to connect the dots.”

One of the key elements to this success has been a collaboration model that has been created between the district and the district’s labor groups. Janney says that this will enable Sweetwater to “get deeper and define our work.”

In addition, the Sweetwater District has set out to build the capacity of all employees and help further the careers of any and all employees who are interested.

“Really what we are doing is creating the new Sweetwater Way,” said Janney. “It feels good to have people say that they’re proud to be from Sweetwater again. When people feel valued and appreciated, we give our best.”

Finally, Dr. Janney knows that to be successful, the Sweetwater Union High School District has to be, as she calls it, “we-centric” where the focus is on everyone, not just the individual. She says it can’t be about just one person – it’s about all of us.

“I believe we are headed in the right direction, actually, the best direction – because it’s not about right or wrong,” said Janney.

“That involves being more clear about who we are, what our purpose is, and how we get there.”

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SCHOOL

/ News

Public Library Cards Now with CVESD’s Youngest Learners

First grade student Emma Valcazar is already reading chapter books, her mother proudly noted. While Emma developed a love for reading early, school officials are hoping her interest catches on with classmates across the District. Emma (photo, center) is among more than 7,000 kindergarten and first grade students in the Chula Vista Elementary School District who started the 2017-18 school year with public library cards.

there is no need for parents to fill out an application or sign. There are also no fines for overdue books or fees.

The cards are part of the District's innovative partnership with the Chula Vista Public Library. The program puts library cards in the hands of early grade students without the burden of paperwork;

The library card initiative is part of a broader campaign to get more children to achieve proficiency in reading by the third grade. The library cards are aimed at elementary students, making it one of the

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“We know that the presence of books in the home is an indicator of school success and academic success,” said Betty Waznis, director of the Chula Vista Public Library.

“Developing the habit of reading, of visiting the library, helps bring more books into the hands of early readers and into their homes.”

more unique programs in the country. The card is good through 6th grade.

Obtaining a library card is an important step towards academic achievement and lifelong learning. Libraries across the nation are attempting to strengthen partnerships with local schools. “By providing equal access to books, computers, and electronic resources, libraries play an essential role in addressing academic achievement gaps for children living in poverty,” said Institute of Museum and Library Services Director Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew.

A public library card is a ticket to free educational resources and activities such as homework help, digital workshops for all

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School News

SUHSD: We are Better and Stronger Together

ages, STEAM programs/activities, book clubs, family story-times and game nights, District officials said.

"Our partnership with the Chula Vista Public Library continues to grow in such wonderful ways to support the academic well-being of our children," said Gloria E. Ciriza, CVESD Executive Director, Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. "Access to the many resources our city libraries have to offer is key to building early foundational literacy skills and a love for learning.

Great things happen for our children when communities work together to provide rich learning experiences in school and around the city."

The cards were given a catchy name: REAL (Read, Explore, Achieve @ your Library). The card enables students to take home two library books for free, and borrow two more when they are returned. Students who use their REAL card prior to September 15 will be entered in a drawing to win a free bicycle.

The Chula Vista Public Library’s early learning programs and CVESD’s efforts to move more students to grade-level proficiency have complemented the City’s “Campaign for Grade Level Reading” initiative launched by former Mayor Cheryl Cox. The library’s “1,000 Books Before Kindergarten” initiative similarly served to promote early and consistent home-based reading to babies and toddlers.

Welcome to our board meeting!

Bienvenidos! Maligayang pagdating!

Huan ying! Youkoso! Hafa Adai!

Shalom! Khosh amadid! We have many ethnicities, languages and cultures in our Sweetwater community, and all are welcome. We want each student, staff member, family and community member to feel welcomed. We want to be sensitive and aware of how we treat each other in all interactions.

The governance team (Board of Trustees and Superintendent) has held 45 regular board meetings in the past two years. In addition, we also had 39 workshops and special board meetings. All 84 gatherings have been in service of and motivated by what’s best for our students and staff.

Since we started around July 2015, our Board has been clear with its vision of “putting students first!” Our Board has not only established a clear vision where every decision is made with students as the priority; but, it literally followed up with actions that demonstrate students come first. Some examples include: • Resolution 4468 Advocating for and Protecting Each of the District’s Students, Staff, and Families; • Designating $37 million for HVAC projects across the district to ensure all classroom and meeting spaces are conducive to teaching and learning; • And, in November 2016, updating BP 0410 – Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities/Title IX. This policy states, “The Board of Trustees is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. District programs and activities shall be free from discrimination...The Board of Trustees is determined (and committed) to provide students, employees, community

members and job applicants a safe, positive environment where they are assured of full and equal employment access and opportunities, protection from harassment or intimidation, and freedom from any fear of retaliation for asserting their rights in accordance with law.”

These actions are important during a time in our country when sometimes things are not always clear. The Board and district stand up for the rights of each individual. We believe that respect is essential in building and rebuilding relationships. We value the principle of equity and a positive transformational climate and culture. Dr. Fulcher shared with Sweetwater teachers and counselors recently that “…our work on equity begins with self-reflection around beliefs that are often formed by experiences of where we live, socialize, work, and/or attend school. Equity and culturally responsive education require knowledge of specific cultures, student groups, and families in our school community. To sustain our work around equity, the district is adopting a framework to facilitate understanding of how we experience the complex interconnections of various groups within which we all live.”

We aren’t waiting for someone at the county, state, or national level to tell us what to do. We know what to do and with the support and direction from our Board of Trustees, we are working together to make Sweetwater a safe place for each person. One key to building the type of culture necessary to make this happen is empathy, and that empathy is directly relational to being inclusive. Each person in Sweetwater can live in a constant attitude of empathy that leads to being inclusive. This is the Sweetwater way, and we are better and stronger together!

OU R H OM E TOW N MAG. CO M 21

22 O U R HOMETOWN • SEPT E MB E R 2 0 17

OUT & ABOUT

September THE ULTIMATE SMALL BUSINESS WORKSHOP @ 6:30 – 9 p.m. @ Christian Science Church, 41 “I” Street in Chula Vista. Everything you need to know in building a successful small business will be covered. Workshops will be held on September 11 and 18.

Cost is $25/session. Daycare will be provided at $10 per session.

Limited space is available.

To register, email contactus@ harmonyfairconnections.com.

BONITAFEST will feature a Twilight Trail Parade on Sept.

15, a Performing Arts Festival on Sept. 16, and opening night of the Bonitafest Melodrama on Sept.

27. Visit the Bonitafest Facebook page for more info.

SAN DIEGO RESTAURANT WEEK runs from Sept. 24 - Oct. 01. Enjoy dishes featuring local produce, meats, seafood, craft beer, wine, spirits and more. Celebrate locally grown foods. For more info, visit sandiegorestaurantweek.com.

MOVIE NIGHTS IN THE PARKS The Empower Hour invites you to a free, fun evening at the park.

Activities begin at 5:30 p.m. and movies begin at dusk. For more info, visit chulavistaca.gov/Rec. 09: SING @ Orange Park, 1475 Fourth Avenue in Chula Vista.

Rated PG. 23: PETE'S DRAGON @ Harborside Park, 670 Oxford Avenue in Chula Vista. Rated PG. 19: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST @ Otay Park, 1613 Albany Avenue in Chula Vista. Rated PG. 29: STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE @ Montevalle Park, 840 Duncan Ranch Road in Chula Vista.

Rated PG.

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TEEN ADVISORY GROUP (TAG) @ 4 – 5 p.m. @ BonitaSunnyside Library, 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita. Join TAG and be an advocate for the library among peers, create library programs, advise on the collection, make new friends and have fun! The leadership role looks great on resumes and college applications. Pick up a volunteer application or attend a meeting the first Wednesday of each month.

KIWANIS NIGHTS @ 6 – 10 p.m. @ Salt Creek Golf Course in Chula Vista. Enjoy wine, beer, spirits, samples, appetizers and live entertainment, a black jack table, dancing, raffles and a silent auction.

All proceeds go to benefit youth charities and organizations. Tickets are $50.

To purchase tickets, call (619) 887-1392.

09

BONITA BLAST opening night reception and fundraising event is from @ 5 – 8 p.m. @ Bonita Museum & Cultural Center, 4755 Bonita Road in Bonita.

Enjoy dancing, eating and an evening of fun. Mehl Lawson will also unveil “Merada’s Little Sue” sculpture. Tickets are $75 and include two drink tickets.

This exhibit runs through September 30. For more info or to purchase tickets, visit bonitahistoricalsociety.org.

SOUTH BAY PRIDE ART AND MUSIC FESTIVAL @ Bayside Park, 550 Marina Parkway in Chula Vista.

Live music, art, exhibitors, beach activities, food, drinks and lots of fun for the LGBTQ community and their allies. For more info, visit SouthBayPride.org.

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MUSIC IN THE PARK @ 4 – 7 p.m. @ Chula Vista Community Park, 1060 Eastlake Parkway in Chula Vista. Enjoy an evening of free, family fun. Listen to the funky rhythms of Liquid Blue and enjoy family activities. For more info, visit chulavistaca. gov/MusicinThePark.

FOSTER PARENT ORIENTATION @ 6 – 8:15 p.m. @ Bonita-Sunnyside Library, 4375 Bonita Road in Bonita.

New Alternatives Foster Family Agency presents free informational sessions on how to become a foster parent. For registration and information, call (888) 599-4663.

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CHULA VISTA CHAMBER MIXER @ 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Mix, mingle and meet future business partners. $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Hosted

by Copy Link, 3441 Main Street, Suite 100 in Chula Vista. To RSVP, call (619) 4206603 or email admindesk@ chulavistachamber.org.

14

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE DETACHMENT 1207 MEETING @ 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. @ Bldg. F, Veteran’s Home, 700 E. Naples Court in Chula Vista. Join former and retired Marines, Navy, Army and Air Force veterans. Call (619) 2279535 for info.

FIESTAS PATRIAS @ 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. @ West of H Street between Bay Blvd. and Marina Parkway in Chula Vista. Enjoy delicious food, music and interactive zones designed for the entire family. Activities include a children's art area, art and culture, health and fitness, a carnival lane and more. Admission is free.

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23

CIVILITY DAY 2017 @ Noon - 4 p.m. @ Bayfront Park, 980 Marina Way in Chula Vista.

This event is centered on preventing violence and building a safer community.

Build bridges through dialogue and community resources.

Featuring local entertainment, artist displays, free food, activities and games.

CLASICO GOLF TOURNAMENT @ 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. @ San Diego Country Club, 88 L Street in Chula Vista. Join business leaders, philanthropists and friends of San Ysidro Health Center to raise funds for health programs and social services.

To reserve your golf spot, visit www.syhc.org/golf. For questions, please email Candy Cuevas at ccuevas@syhc.org.

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"FALL PREVENTION" LUNCH & LEARN @ 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. @ St. Paul's Plaza, 1420 E. Palomar Street in Chula Vista. Speakers include Susan Faltico, MSPT from Kindred at Home. To RSVP, call Mary Johnson at (619) 591-0600 or email mjohnson@ stpaulseniors.org

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SAVE THE DATE 10/07: COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EVENT @ 5 – 8:30 p.m. @ 1590 E. H St. in Chula Vista. Learn how to be prepared for an emergency before one happens.

10/27: CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 14TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT @ 12 p.m. shotgun start @ Salt Creek Golf Club, 525 Hunte Pkwy in Chula Vista. $450 for foursome, $125 for individuals. Includes green fee, cart, range balls, boxed lunch and awards banquet.

For more details, email info@ chulavistachamber.org.

OU R H OM E TOW NMAG. CO M 23

BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS

Photo courtesy of www.historichomesofchulavista.com

CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION The Chula Vista City Charter is the basis for local government, similar to a constitution. The Charter Review Commission reviews and recommends changes to the Charter to the City Council and City Manager. The Charter provides the powers and duties of the elected officials, City Council, Mayor and City Attorney, as well as all City employees. It also governs how the City operates and does business. All City laws, municipal codes and regulations must be consistent with the Charter.

The Charter Review Commission is composed of seven members who meet as needed to review and discuss amendments to the Charter. Potential amendments can originate from the Commission, the City Council or the public. No matter where potential amendments originate, the Commission works to gain input from a variety of sources before drafting recommendations.

The most notable work of the Commission, in recent years, was the amendment to the Charter requiring Council members to be elected from geographical districts. The Commission made the recommendation to the City Council to place a measure on the ballot so voters could decide whether or not to establish council districts. The Commission drafted language creating the powers and duties of a Districting Commission that was tasked with overseeing a process to establish the City’s first council districts. The Commission also was involved in selecting the members of the Districting Commission. The measure was on the November 2012 ballot, and Chula Vista voters approved establishing four council districts.

24 O U R HOMETOWN • SEPTE MB E R 2 0 17

Chula Vista’s Charter Review Commission encourages input from residents, and its meetings are open to the public. On September 7, the Commission will participate in a joint workshop with the City Council to review past work and discuss future projects.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION An important part of what makes Chula Vista a special place is its unique development history. The preservation of resources that represent this history helps foster civic and neighborhood pride and contributes to Chula Vista’s charm and character. With this understanding, the City of Chula Vista has developed a comprehensive Historic Preservation Program (HPP) comprising a historic preservation ordinance, preservation standards, guidelines, and procedures that assist in the identification and preservation of Chula Vista's historical resources.

The Historic Preservation Commission serves as the steward to ensure that the HPP preserves the City’s historical resources to the greatest extent possible. This is done by providing oversight and decisions ranging from historical property improvements to recommending historical designations and Mills Act contracts for recommendation to the City Council. Their expertise and passion for preserving Chula Vista’s history have resulted in adding dozens of historical designations and Mills Act contracts to Chula Vista’s local historical resources inventory.

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/2v6ko6b or http://bit.ly/2vN2AyX to look at historic home photos.

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The Ultimate Small Business Workshop Everything you need to know in building a successful small business

Presented by: When:

Cost:

Mondays 6:30 - 9 p.m.

$25 / Each Daycare will be provided at $10 per child per session. Limited space available. Refreshments will be served.

SEPT

Location:

11 18

Christian Science Church 41 “I� Street in Chula Vista

Registration: ContactUs@HarmonyFairConnections.com

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHT

Gordan Kohl Music

Music is a language. It speaks to emotion, hope, humor and compassion. Like any new language it takes a level of commitment, dedication and faith.

Often success is small and almost immeasurable, but after time you see the progress. This is true in almost every aspect of learning. Learning to read music and playing the piano both have additional benefits, often showing up in quality family time and celebrations, better grades, self-motivation, confidence and completing everyday activities.

When a child starts studying music at age six it seems like fun; however, as the lessons become more organized this can present a challenge to some students. “The best motivator at this stage is praise,” mentions Gordon Kohl, a personal music teacher with 45 years of experience. “It’s the most underutilized motivator, yet yields some of the best successes and sparks the imagination,” Gordon continued.

Music is like a web that starts as a growing interest and develops into a set of skills that carries students forward into their teen and adult life. Learning the piano keyboard has far more benefits than just playing the instrument. The study of music teaches organization, commitment, purpose and follow-through, all disciplines that make for a successful future Learning adult. It’s the same for to play a adult music students.

Regardless of age, all musical students start at the same point—with a desire instrument to learn, patience in themselves, and finding like the the joy in playing.

piano or

Gordon Kohl has seen it all, from students who had no desire in music to can bring joy becoming a music major in college, and students the rest of who have partnered music with dance and their lives. other performing arts to reach new heights of success. Learning to read music is not exclusive unto itself. It can be a springboard to any number of other activities.

“Gordon Kohl instructed my daughter for six years.

Besides becoming an amazing pianist, it has hugely impacted her in all areas of her life, including academics, helping her enter and graduate from the university,” states Angie Oleary.

keyboard

26 O U R HOMETOWN • SEPT EMB E R 2 0 17

Gordon Kohl and sisters Isabella and Layla Dang Photo Courtesy of Ana Romo

“Mr. Gordon is like a member of our family. Our daughter Isabella at age six started reading music and playing the piano and is still taking lesson today at age 11. A few years after Isabella started, Layla, our other daughter, showed interest in the piano. Mr. Gordon slowly and patiently helped her understand and learn to play the piano, too. He is very patient and kind. We would highly recommend him,” stated Mrs. Dang. “Organization and structure are other benefits we have watched develop in our daughters,” commented Mr. Dang.

Learning to read and play music can also have therapeutic value. Gordon also works with special needs and disabled students with Autism, Down Syndrome, Dyslexia and the visually impaired. Music is truly universal, weaving itself throughout the world and all its culture. To contact Gordon Kohl, please call (619) 395-0454.

“Learning to play a musical instrument like the piano or keyboard can bring joy the rest of their lives."

OU R H OM E TOW N MAG. CO M 27