Santa Monica, a Lifelong Learning Community
Lifelong Learning Community News - MAY 2008...
April saw the release of Lou Barber’s report on our school district’s special education department. The findings corroborate reports of a climate of fear and mistrust for some parents and students with special needs. The good news is that the report has been done, the problems have been clearly and forcefully exposed and recommendations have been proposed. Discussions and efforts can now move to correct the problems and improve the program. You can read the following reports at these links:
Lou Barber’s Special Education Review full report:
http://www.smmusd.org/brd0708/SpEdReviewFullRep.pdf
Executive summary:
http://www.smmusd.org/brd0708/SpEdReviewExecSum.pdf
Preliminary Draft Response from Superintendent Talarico:
http://www.smmusd.org/brd0708/agn041708up.pdf
The district has good news to report too. Franklin Elementary School has been recognized as a California Distinguished School, one of just 343 public elementary schools in the state to receive the award for 2008. This is a big honor. Congratulations, Franklin!
Congratulations also to the Samohi Choral Program whose students just returned from a competition in San Francisco. Chorale, Madrigals, and Chamber Singers all received Gold awards. Chorale placed fourth in their division, Madrigals and Chamber Singers took first place. All choirs received the Spirit of San Francisco award. This award was given to the choirs that best represent their school, their state, themselves, and the spirit of quality music education.
Santa Monica College has some good news to share:
For the second year in a row, Santa Monica College has finished 3rd in the nation among 179 community colleges competing in the 2007-08 national Student Math League competition. SMC's top individual performer was Ke Qu, who finished 5th nationally among 2,658 competitors. Altogether, 125 students from SMC participated in the math league.
Santa Monica College student Brandon Wise – who never owned a camera until two years ago – has been named winner of the College Photographer of the Year competition by the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles. The honor came with a $1,000 award and a brand new Nikon digital camera with lens.
Wise, photographer and managing editor of the student newspaper Corsair, beat out competitors from four- and two-year schools throughout the L.A. area. It was the first time an SMC student has won the contest, though SMC students have been named runners up in the past.
And, last but not least, Santa Monica College Executive Vice President Randal Lawson – a 29-year veteran of the college who rose from music professor to the second-highest ranking senior administrator – has been named the 2007-08 recipient of the Carter Doran Leadership Award. The prestigious award was given by the California Community Colleges Chief Instructional Officers.
May is Older Americans Month in the City of Santa Monica.
Senior Adult ID Registry
The Santa Monica Police Department maintains a database of registered senior adults so that if someone is lost and/or unable to communicate they can be identified. If you are concerned about this issue for someone you care about, please contact Ana Montalvo at 310-458-8774 to make an appointment to take a photo and sign up for the Senior Adult ID registry. This service is for Santa Monica residents and others who spend a lot of time here.
Special May Events:
Saturday, May 3, 2008, 10:00am-noon
Career Workshops
Fairview Branch Library
2101 Ocean Park Boulevard
Free
The Fairview Branch Library is offering a series of three workshops covering resume writing, interviewing, and job search strategies. Whether you are looking for that first job, hoping to make a career change, or re-entering the job market, these workshops will give you the skills you need to navigate today’s rapidly changing marketplace.
The programs will be presented by Marcia Lewis from Santa Monica College’s Career Center and by an experienced employment counselor from WorkSource in Marina Del Rey, an affiliate of Jewish Vocational Services.
Sunday, May 4, 1 – 5 p.m.
Tour of Historic Adelaide Drive Landmark Homes
Santa Monica Conservancy Members: $35
General Public: $40
Residents will get a rare opportunity to visit the interiors of some of Santa Monica’s most important historic homes along one of the storied Adelaide Drive during this tour to benefit the Santa Monica Conservancy.
To purchase tickets and for more information, including information about limited street parking and a free shuttle, please go to http://www.smconservancy.org/mtpages/events.shtml. Reservations are advised.
Sunday, May 4, 1- 5:30pm
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Virginia Avenue Park
2200 Virginia Avenue
Free
This year’s Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Virginia Avenue Park includes a Classic Car Show, Danza de la Pluma OaxacanDance, Mariachi Estrella de Jalisco, Ballet Folklorico, Westside Crew, Latin, R & B, Funk, food, carnival games, and arts & crafts. Additional free parking and shuttle at Santa Monica College at 17th and Pico. For more information, please go to http://www.smgov.net/home/index.asp
Monday, May 5, 6- 9 p.m.
The Transition to College for Learning Disabled Students
Santa Monica High School Library
601 Pico Boulevard
Free
In this workshop for students, their parents and teachers, spend an evening with two experts who can provide information on the application process and what you will need to succeed in college:
Jennifer Zvi, Director of the Center on Disabilities, Cal State University, Northridge and Beth Wasserman, independent college counselor specializing in students with learning disabilities, on staff at Bridges Academy.
Sponsored by the SMMUSD Special Education District Advisory Committee
Thursday, May 8, 5-6:30pm Opening Reception
Show runs from May 8 through June 27
Emeritus College Art Exhibition: Subjects That Matter
SMC’s Emeritus College Art Gallery
1227 Second Street
Free
Santa Monica College's Emeritus College Art Gallery is pleased to present the juried student art exhibition "Subjects That Matter" featuring 21 pieces selected by juror Peter Mays, executive director of the Los Angeles Art Association. The show is curated by Myung Deering.
Emeritus College is Santa Monica College's widely praised program founded 32 years ago and currently serves about 3,500 older adults with 150 classes and special programs.
For more information, please call (310) 434-4306 or visit www.smc.edu/emeritus.
Thursday, May 8, 6 – 8pm
Westside Extension Transit Corridor Study
Santa Monica Public Library
Multipurpose Room, 2nd Floor
601 Santa Monica Boulevard
Free
Validated vehicle and free bike parking is available.
Please participate in the third round of community meetings to learn about progress on the Westside Extension Transit Corridor Study. This study is evaluating alternatives to address the growing traffic and congestion in the 38 square mile study area. For additional information, please go to www.metro.net/westside or contact the project information line at 213.922.6934.
Friday, May 9
Submission Deadline for Santa Monica Teen Film Festival
Calling all teen filmmakers! If you're a teen between the ages of 12 to 18 and have a film you'd like to share with your peers, then enter the Santa Monica Teen Film Festival! Any film, any genre from 30 seconds to 30 minutes will be accepted. For entry forms and more information, please go to www.santamonicateenfilmfestival.com. Entry forms are also available at the Santa Monica Main Library Youth Reference Desk and the Virginia Ave. Park Teen Center. For more information about the film festival or about film submissions, please call the Cultural Affairs Supervisor Justin Yoffe at (310) 458-8634 or email him at justin.yoffe@smgov.net.
Friday, May 9, 8pm
Saturday, May 10, 8pm
Testosterone: How Prostate Cancer Made a Man of Me
The Powerhouse Theatre
3116 2nd Street
General Admission: $20
Students/Seniors/Groups 10+/Cancer Survivors: $15
Producer Isabel Storey writes: “This play is written by Hal Ackerman, head of the screenwriting program at UCLA. In a touching and sometimes humorous performance, Ackerman faces his mortality and what it means to be a man. The show has been playing to enthusiastic audiences.” This is the last weekend. For more information and to purchase tickets please call 310-396-3680 or go to www.powerhousetheatre.com/
Saturday, May 10, 11am-6pm
Santa Monica Festival
Clover Park
Ocean Park Boulevard at 25th Street
Free
Now celebrating its 16th year, this free family festival features world music and dance on solar powered stages, recycled couture, earth friendly workshops, a free bicycle valet, a global marketplace, international cuisine and much more. For more information on this year’s festival, please go to www.arts.smgov.net/home.html
Sunday, May 11, 4:00pm
SMC Symphony Orchestra
Santa Monica College Main Campus Concert Hall
1900 Pico Boulevard
Tickets: $12
This May concert features the talented winners of the Music Teachers Association Concerto Competition for Instrumentalists. For more information, please call (310) 434-4323 or (310) 434-3000.
Friday, May 16, 7:30pm
Celebrate Asian/Pacific Islander Month with Music & Dance
SMC Concert Hall
1900 Pico Boulevard
Free
For the eighth consecutive year, Santa Monica College continues its tradition of celebrating Asian/Pacific Islander Month with an evening filled with lively dance and stimulating music. The event is open to the public, free of charge, and refreshments will be served. Seating is strictly on a first-arrival basis.
This year's celebration will feature performances from two critically acclaimed local groups: Kayamanan Ng Lahi, a Filipino music and dance ensemble, and percussionists Kodama Taiko.
For more information, please call 310-434-4303.
Saturday, May 17, 3:00pm
Citywide Reads: Author Jim Lynch of “The Highest Tide”
Santa Monica College Main Campus, Pavilion
1900 Pico Boulevard
Free
This year’s Citywide Reads culminates with author and journalist Jim Lynch presenting excerpts from his award-winning debut novel “The Highest Tide.” Discussion and book signing will follow.
For more Citywide Reads events, please go to visit http://www.smpl.org/cwr/
Thursday, May 22, 10:00am
Samohi Campus Tour
Santa Monica High School, Robert’s Art Gallery
601 Pico Boulevard
Free. Reservations required.
Come see Samohi for yourself! The tour begins at 10:00 a.m. in
Robert's Art Gallery. Reservations are required. To reserve your spot, please email Caroline Springer at springer@smmusd.org.
Thursday, May 22
Community Celebration: New Ferris Wheel on Pier!
The ferris wheel at Pacific Park on the Pier is being replaced with a new $1.5 million solar-powered wheel. Installation of the new wheel begins May 5 with a grand opening community celebration scheduled for the evening of Thursday, May 22. For more information, please go to For more information, please go to http://www.smgov.net/home/index.asp or
Sunday, May 25,
Santa Monica Symphony
Pre-concert talk at 6:30pm
Concert at 7:30 pm
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
Free
Parking entrance on Main St. just north of Pico
At this free concert, the Santa Monica Symphony will be performing music bycomposer David Newman with Gary Bovyer on clarinet. Allen Gross, conductor. For more information, please go http://www.SMSymphony.org
Saturday, May 31, Doors 6:30pm, Show: 8:00pm
Jackson Browne Concert with Venice and Special Guests
Santa Monica High School, Barnum Hall
601 Pico Boulevard
Ticket prices begin at $50
Join the Santa Monica Malibu Education Foundation for another “For The Arts” Benefit Concert featuring Jackson Browne! Tickets are on sale now. To get your ticket and more information, please go to www.smmef.org
Thank you for supporting For The Arts and arts education in our public schools.
Please check out the lifelong learning community calendar at http://smllc.org/calendar.html and use the links at http://smllc.org/links.html to keep up with different organizations’ and theaters’ regular special events.
Thank you for forwarding this email to others who may be interested.
Thanks, Cheers, and Onward,
Louise Jaffe
If you would like to receive Lifelong Learning Community eNews, please go to http://smllc.org/subscribe.html
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For more information about the Lifelong Learning Community, contact
Louise Jaffe
lcjaffe@aol.com
310-450-2487
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