Chartwell School gets interim head of school

Kate Mulligan has been appointed interim head of school at Chartwell School, a private, K-12 institution designed for students diagnosed with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia.

In the announcement, trustees say Mulligan has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to education, teaching, learning, and children.

Most recently Mulligan was the head of school of Westside School in Seattle, Wash. She holds a BA in English from Dartmouth College, and an Ed.M. in Teaching Curriculum and Learning Environments from Harvard University.

"I look forward to working in partnership with our very talented division heads and dedicated teachers and staff to do the amazing and transformative work with children that was envisioned by our founders," Mulligan said.

Chartwell programs include self-advocacy skills training, art, music, sports, and technology. Chartwell’s social/emotional program is effective at addressing students’ anxiety and frustration due to classroom struggles brought about by learning differences.

"During my first month at Chartwell, I have been impressed by the level of caring and commitment in this community,"  Mulligan said. "Current and past parents alike have expressed tremendous gratitude to Chartwell for 'saving the lives' of their children."

To learn more about Chartwell School, click here.

Boys & Girls Clubs to showcase STEAM projects

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County will have on display projects produced by its members at a STEAM Showcase at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 28.

Both Salinas and Seaside Clubhouses are participating in the STEAM Showcase at their respective locations. The showcase is a culmination of the clubs’ summer programming; curriculum designed to prevent summer learning loss and keep kids on track to succeed in school.

The showcase will feature projects focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), which includes member artwork, interactive games, tech and science projects, and more. Parents, educators, and community members are invited to attend the showcase.

The Seaside club is at 1332 La Salle Ave, Seaside.

The Salinas club is at 85 Maryal Dr, Salinas.

For more information about the STEAM Showcase click here or call (831) 394-5171 ext. 229.

Seaside middle and high school students: this event is for you

B.J Dolan Youth and Education Center of Seaside will be hosting an Open House on Friday, May 16.

Highlights of the Open House will include free swimming passes for the first 50 to attended, a photo booth, rock climbing and a mechanical shark. There will also be a BBQ which includes hamburgers, hot dogs, refreshments, chips and ice cream for all. This event is for middle and high school students.

Event will take place from 4:30pm to 7:30pm at 1136 Wheeler St. Seaside CA. 93955. Fifth grade students and parents all welcome. The event is free. For more information call (831)899-6800 or (831)899-6820.

Monterey Robotics clubs heading to national competition

Monterey Peninsula leaders stepped up to help the students of Carmel, Seaside, and York high schools so they could all go to the national FIRST robotic competition this weekend in St. Louis.

Donations came in big and small, and among the largest ones were $2,500 from Seaside Rotary going to their high school and $2,000 from the Yellow Brick Road Foundation to Carmel High School. An online fundraiser also raised about $2,500.

All schools are sending their teams to Missouri this weekend. Good luck, guys and gals! Can't wait to hear how you all do!

Seaside High cellist Robert Percell to play at Carnagie Hall

Robert Percell, a 9th grader at Seaside High School, made his solo debut performance with the San Jose Chamber Orchestra on January 18 in Santa Clara. Seaside High music teacher Theresa Hruby was there, and sent this picture of Percell playing.

"Robert's performance went exceptionally well. He played beautifully," she told me in an email message.

Robert began playing cello at age 5, and he has been a member of the San Jose Youth Symphony since age 8. He recently auditioned and was accepted into a National Honor Orchestra and will play in Carnegie Hall this February.

My colleague Dennis Taylor is preparing a story about Robert that will appear in the print edition of the Herald sometime soon. Keep an eye out for it. In the meantime, congratulations, Robert! All that hard work is paying off!

Marshall West presents Dual Language Charter Plan

It will be a double hitter: parents and supporter of the Dual Language school at Marshall West will host a celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 2 at Marshall West Elementary cafeteria, 225 Normandy Dr., Seaside

There will also present their plans to transform the school into a charter. There will be a potluck, music, and entertainment. Come meet the school's dedicated families, learn about the 2014-2015 charter school plan, and celebrate Hispanic Heritage month.

Monterey's Justine Ophanon returns home as a science teaching fellow

Justine Ophanon, a 2007 graduate of Monterey High, was recently named as a member of the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation's 2013 cohort of Teaching Fellows.

The Knowles Science Teaching Foundation is dedicated to improving science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the United States. Designed specifically to develop beginning teachers into teacher leaders, the five-year Teaching Fellowships offer support and guidance as fellows embark on the credentialing process and their teaching careers.

After graduating from Monterey High, Justine earned a bachelor’s degree in aquatic biology and a master's degree in education, both from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Justine remembers days spent at the Monterey Bay Aquarium as inspiration for her chosen career. In the fall, she will begin teaching Earth Science at Seaside High School. For more information about Justine or the fellowship, click here.

Welcome back, Justine! 

Trouble in Seaside paradise

A little revolution is brewing at Seaside High after administrators apparently cut the school's digital media classes: Digital Photography, Multi-Media-Video Production, and Cinema Arts.

Instructor Hayward Perez was told the classes were being cut because student enrollment was not strong enough.

Perez was surprised because students were enthusiastic about producing "Spartan Vision" a digital magazine that turned out to be very popular in the school, she said. "It was a huge hit with students," she said.

So students did what any digitally creative person would do. They made a video.

They are also planning to protest at Monday's school board meeting. Stay tuned.

Seaside's Martin Luther King teacher arrested on child pornography charges

Administrators at King Elementary announced Wednesday that teacher Nathan Forstell was arrested by the San Jose internet Crimes Against Children Task Force as part of an on-going investigation concerning child pornography.

"MPUSD is committed to the safety of our students," the school announced in its website.

Principal Laurie Bloom-Sweeney and district staff will be available to parents throughout the day tomorrow to address any concerns. You may also call the School office at 392-3970 between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:30 pm if you have any questions.

Marina, Seaside JROTC students, a casualty of secuestration

For the first time in years -- ever? -- Marina and Seaside JROTC students qualified to compete in the Army National Drill in Louisville, Kentucky. Twenty student cadets were going to compete with other teams from around the nation and stay in the barracks at Fort Knox.

Imagine the excitement. The first time Marina and Seaside students make it to the national competition. Out of town. All expenses paid. A chance to show your stuff.

Except sequestration happened, and the trip will be no more.

Ruben Zepeda, assistant superintendent of secondary education, made the announcement at Monday's board meeting. Apparently, not even Seaside High Principal Mary White had heard about it.

 I have a feeling there's some very disappointed students right now :(

Seaside teen named Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs

Korina Garcia, a 17-year-old high school student, has been named Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Monterey County, the highest honor a Boys & Girls club member can receive.

As a recipient of both the Ron MacIntyre Memorial Scholarship and the Davis Love III Scholarship for her academic successes, Korina has earned this title an ambitious young lady. In May, she will be the first female in her family to graduate from high school. Until then, Korina will keep busy at the club planning fundraisers through Keystone leadership club, working on her college applications in the Teen Center, and speaking on behalf of BGCMC as she competes against other Youth of the Year honorees across California for the state title and a $1,000 college scholarship.

Youth of the Year recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as the member’s ability to overcome personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, leading healthy lifestyles and contributing to their communities.


If Korina wins at the state competition, she will compete for the title of Pacific Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship. Five regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C. to compete for the title of BGCA’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year will receive a scholarship of up to $50,000 and will have the opportunity to meet with the President of the United States at the White House.

MPUSD dual language program hosts magnet fair

 If you have a child who will enter kindergarten next year and would like your child to grow up fluent in two languages come learn about the Dual Language Program at Marshall School during the annual MPUSD magnet fair. 

The parent information meeting will take place at 5 p.m.,  Feb. 12, at Marshall Elementary, Room 10, 225 Normandy Ave, Seaside. For more info, contact Luisa Caballero at (831) 899 7052. 

A huge casualty of budget cuts -- and an unlikely hero

It's the second time in the last few months that I cover an event I feel would be exciting for young people to attend. The first one was a national telecast of community forums with filmmaker Ken Burns at the National Steinbeck Center about the Dust Bowl. 

Organizers expected 200 students. Only about 80 showed up -- mostly from private schools.

Today I covered an event in Salinas where many students were invited from all over Monterey County. Only 14 students from Seaside High made it.

It's so sad, really, to see students missing out on great opportunities because they can't get transportation. In these day an age when extra-curricular activities seem to take such importance on college entrance exams, it's crucial to extend opportunities to students, but sadly, something's falling through the cracks.

Transportation has always been deemed an "extra," almost a luxury item, but is it really in such a widespread community?

And the unlikely hero? The district that many love to bash: MPUSD, the only one to have the means to bring the students to Salinas. 

Or did AVID students fundraise for that?

Whoever paid for the trip, kudos! These kids were amazing!

Mary Claypool sworn into Monterey County Board of Education

Top Seaside community activists gathered at the Monterey County Office of Education last week to witness the swearing in of Mary Claypool as the newest trustee on its board.

Claypool, a business consultant, former executive director of the Monterey County Business Council, and columnist for The Herald, was appointed to fill the Trustee Area 6 seat left vacant in September with the resignation of Byrl Anderson-Smith.

Claypool will serve the remainder of the term, which expires Nov. 2013.

Claypool has served on various parent-teacher associations, worked directly in classrooms, and currently serves as a member of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Bond Oversight Committee. She has 42 years of experience working as a budget/management analyst for local government, including the City of Seaside and County of Monterey. She holds bachelor and master degrees from La Salle University.

In the picture, Monterey Peninsula Unified Trustee Helen Rucker swears in Claypool in under the watchful eye of Mel Mason, president of the Monterey County chapter of the NAACP. 

Mary Caypool appointed to Monterey County Board of Education

Seaside business leader Mary Claypool has been appointed to fill the seat in Trustee Area 6 of the Monterey County Board of Education effective immediately.

The seat became vacant in September with the resignation of Byrl Anderson-Smith. Claypool will serve the remainder of the term, which expires Nov. 2013.

Claypool has served on various parent-teacher associations, worked directly in classrooms, and currently serves as a member of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District Bond Oversight Committee. She has 42 years of experience working as a budget/management analyst for local government, including the City of Seaside and County of Monterey. She holds bachelor and master degrees from La Salle University.

A culture of high expectations

In the education beat you often hear the word "expectations." You frequently hear educators claim it's all about expectations: if you hold students to high standards, they'll rise to the challenge and show you what they're capable of.

Given other realities such as poverty -- a child who comes to school hungry is going to have a hard time concentrating, and learning -- I've been always skeptical about the concept. How are expectations alone going to help improve children's education?

Well, this morning I heard a report that definitely got me thinking. NPR journalist Alix Spiegel interviews a Harvard professor who's been doing long-term research on the topic. Check it out!

The report made me think of Seaside Principal Mary White. The entire MPUSD community's been raving about Dr. White and the miracle she's performed at the previously troubled school. Whenever you speak with Dr. White, she'll tell you the secret: expectations. And a lot of work.

Sounds like Dr. White's onto something.

Good luck, Seaside's Monserath Espinola

Eight year old Monserath, who will start third grade in the fall at Del Rey Woods Elementary, will represent the state of California in the 12th Annual National Braille Challenge.

The all-day event on Saturday in Los Angeles will test students on their abilities to read, write and spell in Braille. Quite a challenge for such a young girl!

Monserath was born legally blind duet to congenital glaucoma.

Monserath will compete in the "apprentice" category for students in the 1, 2 and 3 grades. Last year, she won second place at a competition in Oakland, and this year she won her pass to the national event by winning first place in the state competition in Santa Clara, her father Bernabe Espinola said.

"She's excited," Dad said. "She's been preparing for two weeks."

Good luck, Monserath!

Seaside High graduation

It's always touching to be at graduation ceremonies. All that excitement, accomplishment, ceremony. Not sure about the "wave" as the keynote speakers delivered their addresses (is that why you faced the graduates, Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera?) Yeah, I'm a boring adult, but isn't that a bit disrespectful?

In any event, here's some images and videos from a memorable day for the class of 2012. Go Spartans!

Seaside honors their high achievers

Fresh from spring break, Seaside feted their honor students at a mid-year achievement ceremony on April 2: students in the honor roll, students who earned second honors, students who've made a turnaround. The school also recognized Mel Mason for his contributions to the school and the community in general.

"It’s part of the shifting of the culture of Seaside High," said Principal Mary White. "We have a strong community, great kids, and we're putting focus on what this is all about, which is having success in school."

Students in the "Imagine College" program, which guarantees them $4,000 for their college education if they meet a slew of conditions, also were recognized. In total, about 300 students were honored at the much-talked about ceremony.

"It’s one big great day, the kids love it, kids now now it's possible" to go to college, White said.

So long, Mr. Sperry!

Fifth grade Ord Terrace teacher David Sperry, a commander in the Navy reserves, was called for a tour of duty in Afghanistan, and he'll be leaving March 9. His colleagues and students at the Seaside Elementary went through great lengths yesterday and today to surprise him with farewell parties. On Thursday, all fifth graders gathered at Cunninham Park -- without his knowledge- and feted him with hot dogs, cake and games.

Sperry has been at the district for eight years, and this year's group is been his favorite so far, he said. And the children seem to
"
Gospeed, Mr. Sperry!