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09.18.17 Volume 16 Issue 265
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Santa Monica Daily Press
Wellbeing index issues second set of findings LEA YAMASHIO & MATTHEW HALL Daily Press Staff
City Hall has released the second draft of the City’s Wellbeing Index and the results are similar to the inaugural findings: life in Santa Monica is pretty good but there are still areas to be improved. The index measures six dimensions, Outlook (tracking social media commentary on life), Community (how residents involve themselves
in local issues), Place and Planet (feelings on open space, buildings and social environment), Learning (academic and life experience), Health (how healthy people feel and the resources available to help them) and Economic Opportunity (the ability of residents to improve their economic situation). The first-in-the-nation index is a result of a $1 million prize from Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge. The project launched in 2015 and this year’s data expands on the original results. More than 3,800 resi-
dents responded to surveys, double the initial intake. In the Outlook category, locals reported a satisfaction rating of 7.4 out of 10. This is above the national average of 6.9. Two-thirds said they are happy most of the time and 74 percent were optimistic about the future. 30 percent of residents 25-34 years old said they didn’t have enough time to enjoy themselves, a concern shared amongst all age groups to some degree. SEE WELLBEING PAGE 6
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Grant Elementary celebrates diversity MARINA ANDALON Daily Press Staff Writer
At the Santa Monica – Malibu Unified School District, Board of Education meeting on September 13 the Board recognized National Hispanic/ Latino Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month is an official celebration of American citizens whose ancestry can be tracked back to Spain, Mexico, Central and South America. Officially, National Hispanic/ Latino Heritage Month is recognized from September 15 through October 15. Last month, Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati presented his threeprong approach and within that he requested teachers incorporate social justice and diversity within their lesson plans. Grant Elementary Literacy Coach Rachel Mock, and 4th and 5th grade teacher Tara Warren did just that. Grant Elementary staff wanted to not only celebrate student thinking but also wanted to have students examine diversity and social justice through the lesson plans. They support the constant contribution to the district that is made from the Hispanic/Latino community and wanted to show their gratitude. Mock explained, over the past three weeks, 30 students have learned about different Hispanic leaders. “The students learned and observed how to read and understand complex text through two different lenses. Fourth graders looked through the lens of change generates additional change,” said Mock. “While the fifth graders look through the lens of power has the
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INDEX: City's Wellbeing Index second draft results have been released, and findings showed life in Santa Monica is good but could be improved.
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