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School Boots Up for 'Adoption' Program

Posted on: Monday, 10 October 2005, 15:01 CDT

A company that recycles old computers has teamed up with a local elementary school that can surely use them.

Harbor City-based SoCal Computer Recyclers Inc. has paired with Torrance's Yukon Elementary School, forming the latest partnership in the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce's Adopt-A-School program.

Last week, the adoption was celebrated with a morning ceremony that featured student performances and an appearance by Torrance Mayor Dan Walker. SoCal, which takes in and resells used computers and other forms of e-waste, immediately donated two overhauled computers outfitted with Pentium 3 processors.

Yukon Principal Elaine Wassil said the company has offered to give more in the future, and that's welcome news considering much of Yukon's curriculum is computer-based. Desktops and special software, she said, are used to provide individualized instruction in reading, writing and math.

"(SoCal) said they would take care of the upkeep, and repair and replace the computers as we need them," Wassil said, "so, this is going to be a godsend for us."

The principal said each classroom now has about two computers, which can translate into long waits for kids. Down the road, she said she'd like to see four, five or six machines per room.

"This is the start of something big," Wassil said. "In the grand scheme of things, it's our vision to truly be a 21st-century school."

The future of LAUSD: Have an idea (or two, or three) about how to improve the way the Los Angeles Unified School District is run?

A commission of citizens, parents, researchers and business leaders has been appointed by the city and school district to come up with changes and solutions -- and it is inviting public comments at a series of upcoming neighborhood meetings.

For residents of Westchester, Playa del Rey and Marina del Rey, a meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight at University High School, 11800 Texas Ave., Los Angeles.

For residents of the South Bay and Harbor Area, a meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Nov. 1 at Gardena High School, 1301 W. 182nd St., Gardena.

The sole purpose of these meetings is to gather community input. For more information, call 213-922-9790 or e-mail GovernLAUSD@lacity.org.

Spirit night returns: Lawndale's Anderson Elementary School and the Larson School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will host their first Spirit Night of the new academic year Oct. 20 at the McDonald's restaurant at 15606 S. Hawthorne Blvd.

Parents and community members are encouraged to attend the event from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Usually, 15 percent of the profits earned during that three-hour window benefits both programs. This time around, however, the money will be donated to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts.

A 6:30 p.m. raffle, featuring a scooter as the grand prize, will be held for those who purchase food.

Above and beyond: For their unique merit, two local LAUSD campuses are among four citywide receiving awards today from the Getty House Foundation, the nonprofit that oversees the mayor of Los Angeles' official residence.

The $5,000 Professional Learning Development award goes to Carson Street Elementary, "for their effective use of ... a teaching model that improves classroom lessons by identifying an objective for personal growth."

The $5,000 Parental/Com-munity Involvement award goes to Harbor City Elementary, "for their many dedicated community partners and involved parents." The school plans to use the award money for parent workshops focusing on early literacy.

Preschool by the seaside: Seaside Parent Participation Nursery School in Torrance is holding an open house from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Since 1971, the nonprofit school at 4565 Sharynne Lane -- which also goes by the name Seaside Co-Op Preschool -- has helped prepare children for kindergarten, taught them basic concepts of math and science, and facilitated peer socialization.

For more information, contact Seaside at 310-375-0641.

Continuing education: Harbor Community Adult School is spotlighting two classes this month, for career-changers and curious minds.

One 60-hour course prepares students for work as custodians or groundskeepers for the LAUSD. Enrollment is ongoing, and classes are held Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the San Pedro Adult Learning Center at 950 W. Santa Cruz St., San Pedro.

And there's still room in a class on basic computer repair -- diagnosing problems, upgrading, removing viruses, protecting privacy and more -- at Narbonne High School's Adult Learning Center.

Enrollment is ongoing for this lab-style class, held from 5 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. The campus is at 24300 Western Ave., Harbor City.

For more information on either class, call Harbor Community Adult School, 310-547-4425.

History in the making: Parents and educators are being called to weigh in on which history and social science textbooks K-8 students in California will be reading for the next six years.

The State Board of Education is scheduled to adopt new materials Nov. 9 and 10, so the deadline for submitting comments is Oct. 31.

The instructional materials being considered are on display at Los Angeles Unified's Textbook Services offices, 1545 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 200, and at the County Office of Education's Library Services, 12757 Bellflower Blvd., Downey.

For more information, call Suzanne Rios at the California Department of Education, 916-319-0665.

Meetings and elections: Del Amo Elementary School will hold a parent orientation meeting at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Elections for representatives to the School Site Council and English language learners and Title I committees will be at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 26.

Both meetings will be held in the auditorium at the school, 21228 Water St., Carson, and translation will be provided. For more information, call 310-830-5351.

-- Ian Hanigan and Melissa Milios

Source: Daily Breeze

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