by Richard J. Riehl on May 31, 2012
No Child Left Behind and the rise of charter schools have been the primary drivers of school reform in the last decade. But while NCLB promised school accountability, it got it by labeling students and schools successes or failures based on test scores alone. It failed the promise implied by its title, to close the learning gap separating students by income and ethnicity.
California’s charter schools, on the other hand, freed of state bureaucracy and teachers unions, were meant to help left-behind students bloom by using innovative methods traditional schools could adopt. But with a few exceptions, North County charters have served mostly as havens for families not quite wealthy enough to afford private schools. Home schooling is a feature of the largest of them, a popular choice for those who’ve lost faith in traditional schools. Low income and single-parent families are left behind when parents are required to take the place of trained professionals.
Follow the jump for the rest of the story. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 25, 2012
On Father’s Day (June 16, 2012) the West Coast Funnies is presenting Wayne Cotter at the Carlsbad Village Theater.
The West Coast Funnies is San Diego’s longest running comedy variety show. The one of a kind show successfully blends sketch, satirical, video and stand-up comedy. The show is part Saturday Night Live, part Daily Show and part Tonight Show. The monthly event’s centerpiece consists of an amazing list of comedians that have graced the stage. The show has boasted some of the best funny men and women from late night network television to premium cable specials. It truly is the best kept secret in San Diego comedy.
Do something that will make Dad smile on Father’s Day and buy him tickets. The show begins at 8 PM June 16, 2012. Tickets are only $20. To order tickets online click here for more information call (619) 997-3033.
[Link: West Coast Funnies] [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 21, 2012
On June 2, 2012 Carlsbadistan’s New Village Arts Theatre is presenting the world premiere of Brilliant Mistake a play written and directed by Suzanne Bachner.
Brilliant Mistake follows a Finder of Lost Loves, named Mitzi Jackson (Kristianne Kurner), who is hired by Cameron Nolan, an Autobiographical Graphic Novelist (Daren Scott), to help find his birth mother. BRILLIANT MISTAKE is Cameron’s graphic novel presented live on stage. . . The majority of the play takes place right here in North San Diego County and includes all fourteen actors in NVA’s The Ensemble Project.
Brilliant Mistake runs from June 2 to June 24, 2012. For more information or to buy tickets click here.
[Link: New Village Arts Theatre]
by The Editors on May 18, 2012
(Back Row L to R): Rancho Carlsbad Residents Susan Abentul, Ruth Brown, Jennifer Correia, Sandra and John Hunsicker, Becky Murillo. (Front Row L to R): Boys & Girls Club members Jake Woldman, Drew Jones, Jose Ornelas, and Christopher Forman
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad have been cooking up a storm with the foodies at Rancho Carlsbad Estates lately:
At their recent first Cooking Club meeting, they made pizza from scratch – even the dough! The children not only learn how to prep ingredients and clean up, but recently etiquette lessons have been thrown into the mix. “Perhaps the best part of the class is sitting down together and bonding while enjoying what their hard work produced,” observed Club Director Jim Salvia. “We limit the number of kids who can attend, so the children and seniors can form an on-going relationship.”
Sounds like a match made in the kitchen. For the rest of the story follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by Richard J. Riehl on May 17, 2012
Americans have loved the underdog ever since a ragtag bunch of patriots whipped a king’s army. But a darker side of our history reveals how often we label individuals who don’t fit the norm; creating the very obstacles to success we praise them for overcoming.
Newspaper opinionators can do a lot to expose the damage done by stereotyping. That’s why it was disappointing to read local columnist Thomas Arnold’s take on Carlsbad Village Academy students, (“Decision jeopardizes student safety,” May 2).
Budget cuts have forced the closure of the CVA campus next year, requiring its students to move to Carlsbad High. That spurred Arnold to suggest CHS student safety will be at risk from those who “couldn’t cut it in regular school because they got pregnant, were expelled, or have behavioral problems.”
After quoting a Carlsbad High student who’s afraid his new classmates might establish a “turf” and “start fights,” Arnold concludes, “I’d be every bit as alarmed as this 10th grader is.”
Follow the jump for the rest of the story. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 15, 2012
Relive the wild west days of Southern California at the Leo Carrillo Ranch on Saturday, May 19, 2012 as the City of Carlsbad celebrates Native American culture with the Wild West Fest.
This year, Wild West Fest celebrates the Native American culture with demonstrations, crafts, activities, and entertainment. There will be pony rides, a salsa tasting contest, and an Adventure Activity card taking you through Native American themed activities and projects. Bring the entire family out for an exciting afternoon at Leo Carrillo Ranch. Activity cards are required for some activities and can be purchased at the event. . . Food, beverages, and merchandise will be available for an additional cost.
Leo Carrillo Ranch is located at 6200 Flying L.C. Lane in Carlsbad. For complete information click here for the official website or follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 14, 2012
City crews are out this morning (May 14, 2012) on Garfield Street in the heart of Carlsbadistan adding four-way stops at the intersections of Garfield and Walnut Ave, and Garfield and Juniper Ave. These new stop signs will give speeding drivers the slow-down that neighborhood residents have been hoping for for years.
“I can’t believe how happy the residents are,” said one city worker. “Everyone who has come by has been glad we’re doing this.”
These improvements were made just in time for the summer traffic rush and are set to make Garfield a much safer street for people who live in the neighborhood.
Follow the jump for more photos. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 10, 2012
For those who spend several hours of each day on their bikes riding to and from work the idea of National Bike To Work Day (Friday, May 18, 2012) must seem kind of funny.
Yes, those who ride probably laugh a little with superior mustachioed smirks, at the quaintness of a day set aside when people who usually pilot their monstrous SUVs to work slum it out in the bike lane. But we’re guessing they also smile because they’re happy that “official days” like this get more people thinking about riding their bikes to work every day. And that’s good.
If you need a little encouragement the iCommuteSD website is offering up prizes for people who ride their bikes to work.
Those who register for Bike to Work Day will be automatically entered to win one of many great prizes, including the grand prize — a new bicycle! In addition, every time you bike to work in May, and log your trip in TripTracker at 511sd.com/iCommute, you will be entered for chances to win additional prizes. Register for Bike to Work Day to be automatically eligible for these weekly prize drawings in May. Weekly prizes include San Diego Zoo and Safari Park passes, spa gift certificates, free Car2Go memberships, transit passes, and much more.
Not only that, but if you bike to work on Friday, may 18, 2012 the City of Carlsbadistan is going to help you out with two “pit stops” that will provide free T-shirts, snacks, beverages and giveaways while supplies last. One pit-stop will be on the west side of Carlsbad Boulevard at Pine Avenue and the other at Zone 5 Park on Faraday Avenue and Camino Hills Drive.
For more info on Carlsbadistan’s Bike to Work Day follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 9, 2012
The Village now has a new place to grab a cup of coffee and some sweets. The Goodyvan will be parked near the corner of State Street in front of the New Village Arts Theater Tuesday through Saturday mornings.
The food truck offers cupcakes, cake pops, dipped pretzels and more. Flavors rotate daily and the truck’s menu and hotspot location is updated online at Goodyvan.com The truck is also available for weddings, parties and other special events. For more info, click the link or follow the jump for more photos. [click to continue…]
The Riehl World: Time For Hybrid Model Schools?
by Richard J. Riehl on May 31, 2012
No Child Left Behind and the rise of charter schools have been the primary drivers of school reform in the last decade. But while NCLB promised school accountability, it got it by labeling students and schools successes or failures based on test scores alone. It failed the promise implied by its title, to close the learning gap separating students by income and ethnicity.
California’s charter schools, on the other hand, freed of state bureaucracy and teachers unions, were meant to help left-behind students bloom by using innovative methods traditional schools could adopt. But with a few exceptions, North County charters have served mostly as havens for families not quite wealthy enough to afford private schools. Home schooling is a feature of the largest of them, a popular choice for those who’ve lost faith in traditional schools. Low income and single-parent families are left behind when parents are required to take the place of trained professionals.
Follow the jump for the rest of the story. [click to continue…]
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