Education

Colton Joint Unified Board of Education bans “The Bluest Eye” for sexual violence

By CaliNews 3 days ago

Colton Joint Unified Board of Education voted to ban “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison on February 6. “Our Board of Education voted to remove “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison from our core and extended reading list for English Language Arts classes. However, the book still remains available to students in the libraries at our high schools as well as through the digital library that we offer to students and staff,” said Colton Joint Unified Communications Director Katie Orloff. The vote to remove the book from the high school level was supported by Board President Patt Haro, Board Members Frank A. Ibarra, Berenice Sandoval, and Joanne E. Thoring-Ojeda; while Vice President Dan Flores and Clerk Bertha Arreguin voted against the opposition; Board Member Israel Fuentes abstained. “There is some graphic sexual violence depicted in the book, which is concerning for some students and families. Our board was concerned about making it a required reading for students but at the same time, the book is still available to students,” continued Orloff. With the removal of “The Bluest Eye” many members of the community question if…

SBVC hosts first-ever Bowl Game before dominating conference selections

By CaliNews 3 days ago

San Bernardino Valley College hosted its first bowl game in known history, as the SBVC football team went to the American Championship Bowl for the second year in a row. Though the Wolverines lost to Chaffey College 33-20, record-setting quarterback Jeremy Moussa led the team in all-conference selections. Moussa was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year after appearing in four conference games, amassing 1,177 yards passing and 14 touchdowns. Overall, the freshman finished the season with the second-best single campaign in school history. Two Wolverines were honored twice by the all-conference selections. Sophomore Darrell Turner Jr. was a unanimous pick for first team honors at running back, while freshman Ben Falck, who has already received a scholarship offer from the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, was unanimously chosen as the first team kicker and punter by coaches. The Wolverines’ defense was also well represented in the first-team selections. Defensive tackle Jess Ybarra led the team with nine sacks, while defensive end Damen Studsill was third on the team with 48 tackles. Outside linebacker Montre Moore led the team with 58 tackles on the season, including five sacks…

Rebecca Lyons named University of Redlands Professor of the Year

By CaliNews 7 days ago

The University of Redlands Mortar Board Honor Society has named Rebecca Lyons as Professor of the Year. Lyons, a chemistry professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, has been teaching at the University of Redlands for nine years. “Being a teacher in the College of Arts and Sciences is a noble calling. It is noble to assist students in the liberating joy of discovering knowledge that restructures how they see the world. It is also noble to help students take the beginning steps in a profession that will provide lifelong satisfaction,” said Associate Dean of Student Engagement David Schrum. The Professor of the Year distinction recognizes faculty members’ outstanding teaching abilities and important contributions to the University community. While the Mortar Board Honor Society facilitates the voting process, the nominations for the award are student-driven. A graduate of University of Washington (B.S., biochemistry), the State University of New York College at Cortland (M.A., science education), and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (M.S., Ph.D., environmental chemistry), Lyons teaches nine courses in chemistry, including a May Term course in…

Bloomington High School Virtual Enterprise Team headed to National Competition

By CaliNews 1 week ago

For the second time, a Bloomington High School team will compete nationally at the Virtual Enterprise National Business Plan Competition in New York City. The school’s Mace Case Virtual Enterprise company will compete at the 2020 Youth Business Summit April 21-23 in New York. The team earned the spot after placing fifth in the state competition in Bakersfield earlier this month. Another BHS team, Life Cycle, also made it to the finals at the state level, placing 8th. The top six California teams are eligible to compete nationally. Two years ago, Bloomington’s High Rise Gardens Virtual Enterprise team participated in the National Business Plan Competition and placed among the top 6 teams in the nation. This year’s winning team is working hard to do even better than their successful predecessors, and hope to continue getting better and better. “It’s amazing how much we’ve changed and progressed,” noted team member Jeanne Gonzalez, who serves as the Mace Case CEO. “We never thought we’d make it this far, especially New York,” added fellow team member (and Jeanne’s twin sister) Jazmin Gonzalez. Virtual Enterprise Business Plan competitions involve…

Carter High School students present Activism Through Art Show

By CaliNews 2 weeks ago

Homelessness, global warming and poverty were some of the social issues Carter High School 11th grade history students explored during the first Activism Through Art Show coordinated by U.S. History teacher Jessica Buckle. Projects were featured on campus on Friday, Feb. 7. According to Buckle the art show provided the opportunity for students to link history to current events and to get them active and involved with history. Photo MJ Duncan: One of the many social issues that were addressed by students. “Students are not apathetic, they’re uninvited,” is a quote that resounds with Buckle and has shaped the method in which she teaches. “My goal is to invite students to find their voices and share their voices,” Buckle imparted. Student groups, who were learning about the Great Depression and the photographers of the time who depicted the era, were tasked with selecting a social issue they wanted to raise awareness on and create an art installation around it. Components of the project consisted of 3 – 5 art pieces using an art medium of their choice, videos that explain their piece and its relation…

Cal State San Bernardino celebrates Black History Month

By CaliNews 2 weeks ago

In recognition of the contributions, heritage and culture of African Americans in the United States, Cal State San Bernardino will hold a number of events on campus during the month of February as part of Black History Month. To launch the month-long series of events was a talk by businesswoman, educator, author and one of America’s most successful female entrepreneurs, Janice Bryant Howroyd, who spoke at CSUSB on Jan. 30. “A Conversation and Book Signing with Janice Bryant Howroyd” featured Howroyd talking about her latest book “Acting Up: Winning in Business and Life Using Down-Home Wisdom” and sharing more about how she grew her multi-billion-dollar enterprise The ActOne Group. Howroyd’s talk was held at the university’s Santos Manuel Student Union and was sponsored by the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration. Throughout the month of February, the Pan-African Student Success Center and the Cross Cultural Center will hold “All for Blu,” a school/office/snack supply drive for the Blu Education Foundation, which provides educational and human services programming to youths, adults and organizations in order to build healthy, productive communities. In addition, on…

Donated aircraft makes its SBVC debut in spectacular morning crane lift

By CaliNews 2 weeks ago

Thanks to a generous donation, San Bernardino Valley College students studying aviation maintenance and pilot training have a new aircraft to work with during classes. Dr. Javed Siddiqi, a local pilot and neurosurgeon, recently donated a Beechcraft B60 Duke, a twin-engine fixed-wing aircraft, to SBVC because he wanted it to go to a good facility. The aircraft, which was parked in a hangar at the Redlands Municipal Airport, will replace a 1940s/1950s Beechcraft B50 that SBVC has had for decades. Because of the age of that plane, it has been difficult to find parts for it, and that won’t be a problem with the new Beechcraft B60. The $200,000 aircraft was towed 11 miles from the Redlands airport, then hoisted by crane over the fence of the SBVC Technical Building.Ted Gablin, an instructor with the college’s Applied Technology Department who has been managing the donation, said to the Redlands Daily Facts that the plane will be used to train future aviation maintenance technicians and pilots in the aeronautics programs. The plane, he said, “will be a valued teaching aid.”To learn more about San Bernardino Valley…

San Manuel Band of Mission Indians awards $5.9 million to support Native student programs at University of Redlands

By CaliNews 2 weeks ago

Building upon its long-established leadership commitment to Native students in the region, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians recently awarded the University of Redlands a six-year, $5.9 million grant to support Native student scholarships, programming, and outreach to prospective Native students throughout Southern California. “The University’s Native student programs exist to provide a safe, supportive environment for those seeking a high-quality education, while enjoying a campus community rich in opportunity,” said President Ralph W. Kuncl, University of Redlands. “This funding will allow us to continue to advocate, mentor, and advise these students prior to and throughout their educational journey at the University of Redlands.” The grant will enable the San Manuel – University of Redlands partnership to extend the San Manuel Excellence in Leadership Scholarship Program, which provides financial assistance and instruction for Native students, which is matched by Redlands. “The future of Native communities will require skilled and educated tribal citizens,” said San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena. “Our program efforts at the University of Redlands are a critical step for ensuring that Native American students have access to quality education and experiences with…

Redlands wins Academic Decathlon title for first time since 2011

By CaliNews 2 weeks ago

Redlands High School is back on top in the San Bernardino County Academic Decathlon competition, winning its first title since 2011, after results were announced at the banquet for the 37th annual event on Friday, Feb. 7. With 45,395 points, Redlands (White) slipped past defending champion Rancho Cucamonga(Purple), which had 44,463.1 points. It was the second-closest finish in the competition in the past 12 years. For Redlands, which is coached by Donna St. George, this was the school’s record 14th Academic Decathlon crown, but first since the 2010-11 school year when it defeated Chaffey High School. By winning the county title, Redlands advances to the state championships for the sixth consecutive year. The state championships will be held March 27-28 in Sacramento. In this year’s county competition, the rest of the top five finishing schools behind Redlandsand Rancho Cucamonga included Etiwanda (42,173.2 points), Chaffey (41,860.1 points) and Rialto (38,647.7 points). Joining Redlands in qualifying for the state competition will be Rancho Cucamonga, Etiwanda and Chaffey. In this year’s county competition, there were 43 teams representing 25 high schools that participated. Teams, as well as about…

Countywide Teacher Recruitment Fair set for Feb. 29

By CaliNews 2 weeks ago

Twenty-eight K-12 schools and districts, as well as institutes of higher education, are scheduled to participate in the annual San Bernardino Countywide Teacher Recruitment Fair that will be held on Feb. 29 at the National Orange Show in San Bernardino. The event is a collaboration among the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools California Teachers Association and district superintendents with 23 K-12 schools and districts participating. In addition, five local colleges and universities will have representatives at the event, which will be held in the Valencia Room at the National Orange Show (930 S. Arrowhead Ave.) from 9 a.m. to noon on Feb. 29. Recruitment for applicant teachers is for all grade levels — as well as subject areas — of K-12 education, and districts may hold interviews on site. For applicants to register online for the event, go to: https://sbcss.k12oms.org/66-182092. The deadline for applicants to register is Feb. 28. Among the K-12 local educational agencies scheduled to have representatives at the event include: Adelanto; Apple Valley; Barstow; Chaffey; Chino Valley; Colton; Etiwanda; Fontana; Hesperia; Morongo; Mountain View; Ontario-Montclair; Oro Grande; Redlands; Rialto; Rim of…

Award nomination process opens for Education Medal of Honor

By CaliNews 3 weeks ago

The San Bernardino County Education Medal of Honor is looking for nominations for this year’s awards that honor outstanding contributions to public education by volunteers/service groups, business/government partners, educators and alumni. The deadline to submit entries is Feb. 20. Nominations for the 29th annual Education Medal of Honor can be made in six categories: Volunteer in Action/Community Volunteer; Volunteer in Action/Service Group; Partners in Education/Small Business or Franchise; Partners in Education/Corporation or Government Agency; Excellence in Education/Education Professional; and Excellence in Education/Student Alumni. Criteria for nominations should focus on ways in which an individual or organization make an impact or lasting contribution, serve as positive role models and create an awareness and support for public education in communities across San Bernardino County. Nomination forms for the award are distributed to all school districts in San Bernardino County. In addition, forms are available at the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools office at 601 N. E St. in San Bernardino. The nomination forms also can be downloaded from the County Schools’ website at: http://www.sbcss.k12.ca.us/index.php/superintendent/communications/medal-of-honor Entries need to be returned to the County Schools…

For 100 years, Inland Career Education Center has been helping improve lives through education, career development

By CaliNews 3 weeks ago

By Corina Borsuk, public relations technician, Communications/Community Relations, San Bernardino City Unified School District and Leticia Villa, principal, Inland Career Education Center, SBCUSD Nationally, about 2.8 million adults enrolled in for-profit colleges and technical schools during the 2014–2015 academic year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. For some, the benefits outweigh the large sums of money they pay for just the opportunity to earn a degree or certificate. But for many of the low-income adults who flock to these for-profit schools, the costs continue to mount until they are even deeper in debt. Sadly, most never learn they have other options in the form of adult education. Several years ago, the San Bernardino Adult School embarked on a strategic planning process to raise awareness of adult education and its lifechanging opportunities. As part of that, we changed our name to the Inland Career Education Center (ICEC). Regardless of the name we’ve used, ICEC has been providing opportunities for career advancement and a better life for 100 years. We offer free and low-cost courses that lead to a high school diploma or GED. According…

Fontana Unified students earn certifications in Construction Career Tech Pathway

By CaliNews 3 weeks ago

Nine Citrus High School students are on their way to mastering a trade, equipped with a core certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER). Citrus High, one of Fontana Unified’s continuation schools, offers the certification as part of its Building and Construction Trades career tech pathway, which launched in 2017. Students complete hands-on construction projects, employing safety strategies, using hand and power tools and applying mathematics and measurement skills, all of which help them emulate careers in construction trades. “We are proud to offer a pathway that addresses a need in the community and prepares students to graduate as employable professionals,” Citrus High School Principal Mike Bunten said. “Congratulations to the students who have worked hard to earn their certifications and to those who will earn them later this year.” Photo FUSD: Citrus High School’s Building and Construction Trades pathway students gain hands-on experience in the school’s workshop. The pathway, which can be completed in one to two years, contains two parts – one unit of core curriculum from NCCER and one unit of instruction in industrial maintenance electrical and instrumentation…

County Honor Bands, Orchestras to perform in February, March

By CaliNews 3 weeks ago

In February and March, two regional San Bernardino County honor bands and a countywide orchestra will hold their annual performances. The events, which feature musicians at the elementary, middle and high school levels, are organized by the County Music Educators’ Association, in conjunction with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. The first performance — featuring three honor bands representing the San Bernardino Basin region of the county — will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 1 at the University of Redlands’ Memorial Chapel. On Feb. 15, the honor bands representing the High Desert will perform at 7 p.m. at Barstow Community College. The final performance will take place at 7 p.m. on March 7 with the countywide honor orchestras playing at the University of Redlands’ Memorial Chapel. Several hundred county students at the elementary, middle and high school levels participate each year in the performances, and guest conductors work with the students to perform their music selections. The post County Honor Bands, Orchestras to perform in February, March appeared first on Inland Empire Community News.

CSUSB criminal justice and MBA online programs ranked among best in the nation

By CaliNews 3 weeks ago

Cal State San Bernardino’s criminal justice and MBA online programs have been listed among the best in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 rankings of online academic programs. The university’s criminal justice program, which is housed in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, was listed 35th of 80 ranked colleges and universities. CSUSB was tied with St. Joseph’s University. CSUSB’s MBA program, which is housed in the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration, was listed 112th of 321 ranked colleges and universities. CSUSB was also tied with five other institutions: Arkansas State University – Jonesboro; Louisiana Tech University; New Jersey Institute of Technology; Portland State University; and the University of Texas-Tyler. The deans of both colleges that each house one of the programs said the rankings recognized the commitment and dedication of faculty and staff. “This ranking is a tribute to the outstanding work and accomplishments of the faculty and staff in our criminal justice program,” said Rafik Mohamed, dean of the CSUSB College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, where the criminal justice program is housed. “Our…

Colton High unveils renovated library

By CaliNews 4 weeks ago

The newly renovated Colton High School library celebrated its grand re-opening on Friday, Jan. 17 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house. The library renovation was completed this year with a $40,000 2018-19 CJUSD Future Ready Library Media Center Grant, which the school earned in a competitive application process. Smith Tech Academy also earned a library grant and work is currently underway at that site. Cooley Ranch earned the district’s first library grant and opened its new Learning Commons in 2018. Colton High’s new library has been transformed into a vibrant and inviting new space with plenty of natural light, a welcoming color scheme (crimson and gold) new floors and flexible seating, a maker space, a media/ video production room, several computers, a coding center, game area, mental health resource center, and much more. Librarian April Geltch said she hopes the welcoming space will encourage more students to visit and use resources available for research. “The library is a place for lifelong learning,” she said. “We want everyone to feel welcome here.” “We’re very excited,” added Assistant Principal Jorge Alvarez, who said that it…