Mathematics top honor goes to York School student

SALINAS >> Monterey Peninsula private and charter schools are heavily represented among the winners of the 49th annual Mathetics competition, which took place Saturday at Hartnell College.

The day's top honors went to Emma Cushing of The York School as the top scoring student in the advanced calculus exam. The highest scoring advanced calculus team went to students from Santa Catalina Upper school Audrey Bennett, Jayne Oentoro and Chloe Zhao, who received the Robert B. Balles Scholarship.

Students also competed in Common Core Standards Math 5, 6, 7, and 8, Math 1, 2, 3, math analysis/pre-calculus, calculus AB, BC, and statistics AP. Common Core Standards Math blend arithmetic, algebra and trigonometry. Math 1 is generally offered to high school freshman.

Calculus second top scorer was Teyam Birgani of Salinas High School, and third Jeffrey Jiang of Carmel High School. In calculus AB, first place went to Filip Zacek of Carmel High School, second to Henry Loh of Pacific Grove High School, and third to Kevin Barbard of The York School.

In math analysis/pre-calculus, first place went to Oscar Chen of Stevenson School, second place to Tristen Laney of the York School, and third place to Joanna Lin of Santa Catalina Upper School.

Mathletics is a math contest held each May to encourage excellence in math and recognize the achievements of individual students and the schools they represent. First, second, and third place winners in each level received gift cards, gift certificates and an Olympic-sized first, second or third place medal. Nearly 300 upper elementary, middle and high school students from Monterey County public and private schools participated in the event.

The Monterey County Office of Education and California State University, Monterey Bay Mathematics Department sponsor the event. For a complete list of winners, click here.

Students from Monterey Bay Charter school conquer MATHCOUNTS

Monterey Bay Charter School won first place at the MATHCOUNTS regional competition held Saturday at San Benancio Middle School. Monterey Bay Charter officials are delighted in the win, as it's the first time the school achieves this feat.

"We got the team award, and one of our team members got third place award," said Kristi Heath, the school's administrative coordinator. "It's pretty exciting. This was really a big win, specially as a small school."

In the past, the school has won individual trophies and a third place team award but it’s the first time the school will go on to the state competition, Heath said.

Members of the winning team -- coached by Sandra Boyd -- are: Pavel Hickman, Tomas Hickman, Eugene Pastor, and Andrew Simpson. The team will now advance to the state competition, to be held at Stanford University on March 21.

San Carlos School came in second place, followed by Santa Catalina School.

MATHCOUNTS is a national math enrichment, coaching and competition program designed to improve math skills among U.S. students. More than 6 million students across the U.S. have participated in MATHCOUNTS programs. Leadership at the local levels of the MATHCOUNTS Competition Series is provided by members of the California Society of Professional Engineers.

Math troubles brewing at MPUSD

At a recent meeting of the board of trustees of the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, top leader Ruben Zepeda proposed making changes in the required math courses for high school seniors to graduate.

Well, the proposal did not sit well with some folks. Already, a Math teacher sent a letter to trustees, saying there's not need for the changes being proposed and accusing Zepeda of lying. The letter writing also suggests no changes be made until a new superintendent is on board.

"Here we go again.  Another unnecessary drama within MPUSD," the teacher writes (whose name was edited from the letter I received).

Well, the drama is up and running. Accusations are flying, trustees are taking sides, you name it. It deserves a full-fledged story, as time allows.

A few good questions to ask. Is this really a race issue, as the letter writer claims? Or is it an issue of higher expectations for everyone? What are neighboring school districts require? And what will the Common Core require once it's in place?

Something to chew on as I find a way to tackle this thorny topic. Stay tuned. 

Hartnell's summer math academy wraps up with barbeque

Hartnell College feted about 200 students Friday as they wrapped up their Summer Math Academy. Students receive no college credit but participate simply to refine their math skills -- many of them to overcome their fears. Like Gloria Gutierrez, who's planning on studying kinesiology at San Jose State, and needs to get her math courses before transferring.

"It helped," she said. "But I'm not completely over it."

This is the ninth session of Hartnell's biannual Math Academy under the direction of Hartnell Math Professor Ken Rand. But it's the first time they have a barbeque!

Summer Algebra Institute at Greater Victory Temple

Have you finished fifth, sixth, seventh or eight grade? Are you interested in preparing for an Algebra I course? Then the Summer Algebra Institute is for you.

Students will explore algebraic concepts through culturally based hands-on activities and the integration of technology. The Institute is suggested for student enrichment and/or strengthening concepts. It is not a substitute for an Algebra I course.

The course will explore:
Algebraic Thinking Using Multi-Representational Math Approach – The Fourfold Way
Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice
Overview of Mathematics/Mathematicians of the African Diaspora
Polygonal Numbers
Online Technology to assist understanding

Classes run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. June 17 through July 26. There will be summer mentor/tutor program at Highland Elementary from noon to 4:30 p.m. following algebra institute classes.

Parent information meeting and pre-screening testing on Monday and Tuesday, June 10 and 11, at Greater Victory Temple, 1620 Broadway, Seaside, CA 93955.

No cost to students for the Summer Algebra Institute Program. Mentor/tutor program at Highland is $30.

Call Claudette Lockhart, CSU Summer Algebra Site Coordinator, 394-2774, or Martha Henry, Greater Victory Temple Director of Christian Education, at 394-0520 or mhenry@mpusd.k12.ca.us for more information.

Monterey Peninsula College gets funds renewed for minority outreach

Monterey Peninsula College will receive up to $1.85 million over the course of five years to continue the TRiO Math/Science Upward Bound Program, which seeks to encourage low-income and first-generation high school students to pursue math and science majors in college and eventually careers in the field.

 The program, a six week academy, simulates college by having students from all over the United States live at the University of California, Santa Cruz and study marine biology through classes in marine biology, mathematics, communications, foreign language, and computer skills. Students also attend a personal development class to increase their understanding of themselves, others and the college experience.

The program has been in place at MPC since 1990.

Attacking the boogiemath head on

So you're going into college and are afraid of the big math hairy monster? Well, I've heard the monster is actually as sweet as a pussycat, and that Hartnell teachers do wonders to help you tame it -- or your fears, which is just the same.

Enrollment is now open for the two-week Hartnell College Math Academy, and you only have about two weeks left! For more information, call 770-6162. Here here for their flyer.