It was hello and goodbye at the latest meeting of the Claremont Unified School District Board of Education, held Thursday, June 21 at the Richard S. Kirkendall Education Center.
The school board and the community bid farewell to Interim CUSD Superintendent Gloria Johnston who stepped in after the previous superintendent, Terry Nichols, traded Claremont for the Duarte school district after less than 2 years in office.
“We were so fortunate to find you at this critical time in our history, at a time when morale wasn’t as high as it could or should be,” said board member Sam Mowbray, who said that Ms. Johnston had managed to “wow” the community.
The author Robert Louis Stevenson once said, “An aim in life is the only fortune worth finding.”
With this in mind, Claremont High School English teacher Kevin Glavin has written a children’s book encouraging young people to set goals and look to the future.
Called All The Things You’ll Do!, the story is written in the form of a song, which 2 new parents sing to their child in celebration of the landmark achievements in store, from walking to counting by 10s to adventures on the road and in the skies.
When 536 students graduated from Claremont High School on Thursday, June 14, it was easy to view those receiving diplomas as a sea of caps and gowns.
As any proud parent or loving family member knows, however, each young person participating in the timeworn ritual is very much an individual, with a story all their own.
For 2 of these new grads, the story includes a new chapter in the history of CHS, an innovative course of study called the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program.
Pranay Yeturu and Nicole Clark are among the second crop of students to receive diplomas from the 2-year program initiated at CHS in 2009.
While high school graduations tend to garner quite a bit of attention, the final days of the elementary school year are often overlooked.
Administrators at Claremont’s primary schools, however, do their best in the days leading up to summer vacation to plan exciting activities that reward students for their efforts during the past year.
The COURIER stopped by Vista del Valle Elementary School on Wednesday, June 13, the second-to-last day of school, and found a whirl of activity.
Claremont High School graduates from any era will find something for them in this year’s edition of El Espiritu, the school’s yearbook.
Though it boasts myriad changes that create a more dynamic and modern book, this year’s edition is also notable for its strong ties to the Claremont High School of years past, as it celebrates the one-hundredth anniversary of El Espiritu’s first publication.
“We wanted to tie the book back to its roots,” said Jack Shih, editor in chief of design and Class of 2012 graduate.
More than 500 students will grab a piece of the future in the form of a high school diploma during the Claremont High School graduation, set for Thursday, June 14 at 5 p.m.
It’s not easy to make a splash in the Class of 2012.
Many grads have been involved in honors, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes, which add extra weight to a student’s grades. GPAs of 4.0 and beyond are relatively commonplace. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff
In recent weeks, while the school board deliberated over the controversial firing and re-hiring of former Sumner Elementary School Principal Frank D’Emilio, verbal fireworks and big crowds were a common sight.
The exception to this rule was the board’s rejection of a petition for a new charter school. The author of that petition, Lynette Lucas, took a moment to address on its actions regarding the proposed Embracing the Whole Child Arts and Technology Academy.
After 29 years with the Claremont Unified School District, Chaparral Elementary School teacher Karen Corrette has been named Teacher of the Year. The only surprising thing about the honor, say her colleagues, is that it didn’t happen sooner.
“She’s someone who should have gotten this years and years ago,” said fellow Chaparral teacher Leanna Prokop.
Former Sumner Elementary School principal Frank D’Emilio kisses his wife Catherine at a special meeting of the CUSD Board of Education Wednesday in Claremont. The board voted unanimously to rescind their earlier decision to terminate Mr. D’Emilio offering him a position as a teacher with the district. This puts an end to a turbulent time for the district and Mr. D'Emilio, who admitted wrongdoing, but had tremendous community support. See our complete updated story.
When Oakmont Elementary School office manager Rosie Bister was told a colleague would be receiving the Classified Employee of the Year award, she brought flowers to the school board meeting.
Ms. Bister was embarrassed to be already holding a bouquet when her own name was called at the Thursday, May 17 gathering, recognizing her contributions among CUSDs non-teaching employees. The gesture, though, is indicative of her style.
Each month, the students of Mountain View Elementary School learn about a core value crucial to becoming well-rounded individuals. Throughout the month of May, the focus was on “confidence.”
It has been emphasized largely in conjunction with state testing, but the word also applies to the generosity shown by 22 students who donated hair at the Locks of Love event held at the school on Monday, May 21. The take added up to a veritable Rapunzel's worth of tresses—more than 32 feet—that will be used to make hairpieces for underprivileged kids who have lost their hair and need a boost of confidence.
Claremont Unified School District faculty, staff, teachers, students and parents are all relieved that the 2012 California Standards Tests (CST) have come to a close after months of preparation and 6 days of testing over the last 2 weeks. At Oakmont Outdoor School, however, everyone involved gnashed their teeth and tore their hair out a little less this year, thanks to the “CST Fairies” who flitted from class to class offering support, encouragement and treats to the test-takers.
According to the terms of his contract, signed at last week’s school board meeting, incoming Claremont Unified School District Superintendent James Elsasser, EdD will be paid $218,000 per year.
His paycheck is higher than that of his predecessor, Terry Nichols, notes CUSD board president Jeff Stark. However, because certain benefits were taken out of the current contract, the overall package is in line with past superintendents.
Heavy-hitting news like the presentation of the Classified Staff Member and Teacher of the Year awards, which went to Oakmont office manager Rosie Bister and Chapparal kindergarten and first grade teacher Karen Corrette, respectively, was overshadowed by the D’Emilio controversy.
So was the instatement of Jim Elsasser, EdD as the new superintendent of the Claremont Unified School District.
