ALL are welcome! Services are at 8 am, 10 and 11 on Sundays. For youth activities and more information go to: St. John’s Episcopal Church

BlogBabel Tags: Aotos, christian, episcopal, Faith, Seacliff, services, youth activities

“So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord – for we walk by faith, not by sight….For all of us must appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil….

“From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view, even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ there is a new creation, everything old has passed away; see everything has become new! from 2 Corinthians 5: 6-17

For information about The Word Shop go to Company of Saints Alliee DeArmond is on Twitter

BlogBabel Tags: Aptos, St. John's episcopal church, St. Joun's

Here’s a society tongue “twister”: How much high density, taxpayer paid for housing can one small corner in Aptos be forced to absorb?

Answer: Plenty! And maybe even more! The Board of Supervisors will decide in early June the fate of Poor Clare’s property. That is the Catholic owned property near the entrance to Sea Cliff beach which currently houses Aptos Four Square Church located at 280 State Park Drive. And what organizations with clout support even more low income, high density housing on the Catholic owned property? COPA is one.

But is it FAIR to jam so many families together without any family resources? No park coming soon! No family resource building planned! No basketball courts or skate park! No sandbox and slides for small children!

Right by the freeway in Aptos, there will be 5 acres of high density family housing with no resources for those families. And now the Board of Supervisors may decide to allow even more high desity housing. And maybe a hotel.

Is COPA a pivotal force behind the scenes influencing government? COPA stands for Community Organized for Relational Power in Action. Locally about 30 + organizations and churches participate. It is based on Saul Alinsky’s social theories. It is my understanding that COPA supports even MORE low cost housing at 280 State Park Dr.

The Episcopal Church of St. John’s will soon occupy a 2 1/2 acre parcel next to the 5 acres of high density low income housing. The church opens its Aptos doors in June, 2009. Just to open its Aptos doors has cost the church roughly $3 million. The existing church structure will be a large area for both worship and community gathering. St. John’s wants to be a “good neighbor”. Is St. John’s acting as a “good neighbor” by seeking even more high density, low income housing on the Poor Clare property?

It is my understanding that COPA – of which the Episcopal Church of St. John’s, Temple Beth El and Resurection Catholic Church are members – supports MORE high density, low cost housing on the Catholic property. I would like to know more who funds COPA and who really “runs” the organizaton.

I wonder if COPA, who ever they are, has thought through the implications. Is it FAIR to crowd so many low income families into one small area of Aptos? Driving by the existing parcel of jammed together, high density housing, you can see teenagers bouncing basket balls on their stairs with no place to go. There is no park for youth within walking distance. The area that was to be a park is walled off.

To qualify for low cost housing, families have less money. They have fewer resources. Why jam even more low income families together in an area LACKING family resources? There is no plan to put in a family resource center such as Live Oak has. There are no parks for mothers with young children such as the Blue Ball park next to Soquel High School.

What if instead of low income families only clean and sober homes were located on those 5 acres next to the freeway in Aptos? Or what if only severely disabled persons could inhabit that area?

It is simply better that we encourage a diverse neighborhood. Before jamming more families into one tiny area of Aptos, the County of Santa Cruz needs to step up to the plate and create parks, tennis courts and family resource centers. And no, just because the beach is close by is not equivalent to a REAL park and REAL resource centers. And REAL basketball courts. All families need resources that allow youth to engage in healthy activities.

It would not be healthy to have one corner of the Santa Cruz County where all the clean and sober homes were located. Nor would society benefit were all the disabled housing located in one tiny area. And it is not healthy to educate largely autistic children in one school classroom. Likewise, it is not healthy to locate huge numbers of low income families jammed together in high density housing. Without family resources. All in one tiny corner of Aptos.

How best to use the Poor Clare property? Let the County buy it and develop it into a resource for the existing 5 acres of high density, low income families. And as a resource for all the families in Aptos, Seacliff and nearby areas. With a REAL park like the BLUE BALL park in Soquel. And basketball courts. How about a public swimming pool! And a skateboard park. And real, organic vegetables growing. And the sound of woodchucks chucking wood! Yes, how much wood can a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood? Answer: Lots of wood!

written by Cameron Jackson cameronjacks@gmail.com 831 688-6002

Easter Seals offers P.L.A.Y., a method that is softer and more gentle than Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Parents need to educate themselves about the different techniques available for assisting children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. Parents need to be in the driver’s seat as to what kind of therapy they think will be best for their child.

There are “squishy” softer methods such as P.L.A.Y. and FloorTime. And there are “prickly”, harsher methods in my opinon such as Applied Behavior Analyisis (ABA). Different methods for different severities and kinds of autistic symptoms. Each child is unique. Parents who have educated themselves will make the best decisions.

Call EASTER SEALS in Aptos for informantion about how to PLAYFULLY engage with children with social and communication delays. Go: Easter Seals

BlogBabel Tags: Autism, Easter Seals, Therapy

WATSONVILLE — “A proposed revision of Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s management structure is meeting with resistance.

Superintendent Dorma Baker presented the plan to reduce the number of assistant superintendents from four to three and manage the district by grade levels rather than the current geographic zones Wednesday.

Though the plan eliminates district office oversight of zones, Baker said she hoped to keep the concept alive in the community.

“There has been lots of conversation and concern about zones,” Baker said, adding she had been flooded with e-mail about the plan. “We need to listen to those voices so we don’t have people standing outside.”

The zone system, established in 2000 in the wake of an unsuccessful attempt by Aptos parents to split the district along north-south lines, is in trouble due to a fiscal crisis.

As district leaders hacked $14 million from next year’s spending, critics called for more administrative cuts. When Catherine Hatch, assistant superintendent for the central zone, subsequently announced her retirement, Baker and school board President Leslie De Rose recommended freezing the position.

But Baker’s plan to put 16 elementary schools under one assistant superintendent has raised concerns.

Trustee Willie Yahiro, who has served on the board for more than 16 years, worried that academic progress would be stymied by such a large grouping of schools with disparate needs as evidenced by widely divergent levels of achievement.

“When I first came on the board, everyone said everything is fine,’” Yahiro said. “When the first state tests came out, it was shocking to find the south zone was so far behind. This was the system we used.”

Assistant Superintendent Ylda Nogueda said a lot had changed since then. The state not only implemented a new testing scheme about the time the zones were established, it has since developed academic standards and textbooks to support them.

“In the 1980s, the state did not have curriculum defined. All of that is in place now,” Nogueda said. “With that you will see student achievement continuing to go up.”

Trustee Kim Turley said though the plan was created on the assumption that Hatch’s job would not be filled, trustees had yet to vote on the freeze.

“Parents right now, as they go through the system, have one person they deal with whether elementary, middle school or high school,” Turley said. “With this that is going to shift.”

Baker stressed that her plan was a draft, and there likely would be changes during and after implementation to get the bugs out.

Trustee Doug Keegan called the plan “bold” and “creative.”

“The people on whom the burden of this new plan will fall are among the most dedicated and talented people,” Keegan said. “That gives me confidence.”

De Rose urged parents to attend an all zone meeting set for Monday at Pajaro Valley to discuss the plan.”This is going to be a yea or nay to it,” De Rose said. “If you have a strong opinion, show up.”

PVUSD zone system debated
By DONNA JONES
Posted: 05/29/2009 01:30:41 AM PDT

WATSONVILLE — A proposed revision of Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s management structure is meeting with resistance.

Superintendent Dorma Baker presented the plan to reduce the number of assistant superintendents from four to three and manage the district by grade levels rather than the current geographic zones Wednesday.

Though the plan eliminates district office oversight of zones, Baker said she hoped to keep the concept alive in the community.

“There has been lots of conversation and concern about zones,” Baker said, adding she had been flooded with e-mail about the plan. “We need to listen to those voices so we don’t have people standing outside.”

The zone system, established in 2000 in the wake of an unsuccessful attempt by Aptos parents to split the district along north-south lines, is in trouble due to a fiscal crisis.

As district leaders hacked $14 million from next year’s spending, critics called for more administrative cuts. When Catherine Hatch, assistant superintendent for the central zone, subsequently announced her retirement, Baker and school board President Leslie De Rose recommended freezing the position.

But Baker’s plan to put 16 elementary schools under one assistant superintendent has raised concerns.

Trustee Willie Yahiro, who has served on the board for more than 16 years, worried that academic progress would be stymied by such a large grouping of schools with disparate needs as evidenced by

——————————————————————————–

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——————————————————————————–
widely divergent levels of achievement.

“When I first came on the board, everyone said everything is fine,’” Yahiro said. “When the first state tests came out, it was shocking to find the south zone was so far behind. This was the system we used.”

Assistant Superintendent Ylda Nogueda said a lot had changed since then. The state not only implemented a new testing scheme about the time the zones were established, it has since developed academic standards and textbooks to support them.

“In the 1980s, the state did not have curriculum defined. All of that is in place now,” Nogueda said. “With that you will see student achievement continuing to go up.”

Trustee Kim Turley said though the plan was created on the assumption that Hatch’s job would not be filled, trustees had yet to vote on the freeze.

“Parents right now, as they go through the system, have one person they deal with whether elementary, middle school or high school,” Turley said. “With this that is going to shift.”

Baker stressed that her plan was a draft, and there likely would be changes during and after implementation to get the bugs out.

Trustee Doug Keegan called the plan “bold” and “creative.”

“The people on whom the burden of this new plan will fall are among the most dedicated and talented people,” Keegan said. “That gives me confidence.”

De Rose urged parents to attend an all zone meeting set for Monday at Pajaro Valley to discuss the plan.”This is going to be a yea or nay to it,” De Rose said. “If you have a strong opinion, show up.”

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PVUSD zone system debated
By DONNA JONES
Posted: 05/29/2009 01:30:41 AM PDT

WATSONVILLE — A proposed revision of Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s management structure is meeting with resistance.

Superintendent Dorma Baker presented the plan to reduce the number of assistant superintendents from four to three and manage the district by grade levels rather than the current geographic zones Wednesday.

Though the plan eliminates district office oversight of zones, Baker said she hoped to keep the concept alive in the community.

“There has been lots of conversation and concern about zones,” Baker said, adding she had been flooded with e-mail about the plan. “We need to listen to those voices so we don’t have people standing outside.”

The zone system, established in 2000 in the wake of an unsuccessful attempt by Aptos parents to split the district along north-south lines, is in trouble due to a fiscal crisis.

As district leaders hacked $14 million from next year’s spending, critics called for more administrative cuts. When Catherine Hatch, assistant superintendent for the central zone, subsequently announced her retirement, Baker and school board President Leslie De Rose recommended freezing the position.

But Baker’s plan to put 16 elementary schools under one assistant superintendent has raised concerns.

Trustee Willie Yahiro, who has served on the board for more than 16 years, worried that academic progress would be stymied by such a large grouping of schools with disparate needs as evidenced by

——————————————————————————–

Advertisement

——————————————————————————–
widely divergent levels of achievement.

“When I first came on the board, everyone said everything is fine,’” Yahiro said. “When the first state tests came out, it was shocking to find the south zone was so far behind. This was the system we used.”

Assistant Superintendent Ylda Nogueda said a lot had changed since then. The state not only implemented a new testing scheme about the time the zones were established, it has since developed academic standards and textbooks to support them.

“In the 1980s, the state did not have curriculum defined. All of that is in place now,” Nogueda said. “With that you will see student achievement continuing to go up.”

Trustee Kim Turley said though the plan was created on the assumption that Hatch’s job would not be filled, trustees had yet to vote on the freeze.

“Parents right now, as they go through the system, have one person they deal with whether elementary, middle school or high school,” Turley said. “With this that is going to shift.”

Baker stressed that her plan was a draft, and there likely would be changes during and after implementation to get the bugs out.

Trustee Doug Keegan called the plan “bold” and “creative.”

“The people on whom the burden of this new plan will fall are among the most dedicated and talented people,” Keegan said. “That gives me confidence.”

De Rose urged parents to attend an all zone meeting set for Monday at Pajaro Valley to discuss the plan.”This is going to be a yea or nay to it,” De Rose said. “If you have a strong opinion, show up.”

ReprintPrint Email Font ResizeReturn to Top

PVUSD zone system debated
By DONNA JONES with comments by Cameron Jackson in brackets

WATSONVILLE — A proposed revision of Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s management structure is meeting with resistance.

“Superintendent Dorma Baker presented the plan to reduce the number of assistant superintendents from four to three and manage the district by grade levels rather than the current geographic zones Wednesday.

Though the plan eliminates district office oversight of zones, Baker said she hoped to keep the concept alive in the community.

“There has been lots of conversation and concern about zones,” Baker said, adding she had been flooded with e-mail about the plan. “We need to listen to those voices so we don’t have people standing outside.”

The zone system, established in 2000 in the wake of an unsuccessful attempt by Aptos parents to split the district along north-south lines, is in trouble due to a fiscal crisis.

As district leaders hacked $14 million from next year’s spending, critics called for more administrative cuts. When Catherine Hatch, assistant superintendent for the central zone, subsequently announced her retirement, Baker and school board President Leslie De Rose recommended freezing the position.

But Baker’s plan to put 16 elementary schools under one assistant superintendent has raised concerns.

Trustee Willie Yahiro, who has served on the board for more than 16 years, worried that academic progress would be stymied by such a large grouping of schools with disparate needs as evidenced by
widely divergent levels of achievement.

“When I first came on the board, everyone said everything is fine,’” Yahiro said. “When the first state tests came out, it was shocking to find the south zone was so far behind. This was the system we used.”

Assistant Superintendent Ylda Nogueda said a lot had changed since then. The state not only implemented a new testing scheme about the time the zones were established, it has since developed academic standards and textbooks to support them.

“In the 1980s, the state did not have curriculum defined. All of that is in place now,” Nogueda said. “With that you will see student achievement continuing to go up.”

Trustee Kim Turley said though the plan was created on the assumption that Hatch’s job would not be filled, trustees had yet to vote on the freeze.

“Parents right now, as they go through the system, have one person they deal with whether elementary, middle school or high school,” Turley said. “With this that is going to shift.”

Baker stressed that her plan was a draft, and there likely would be changes during and after implementation to get the bugs out.

Trustee Doug Keegan called the plan “bold” and “creative.” (Oh reallly?)“The people on whom the burden of this new plan will fall are among the most dedicated and talented people,” Keegan said. “That gives me confidence.”

De Rose urged parents to attend an all zone meeting set for Monday at Pajaro Valley to discuss the plan.”This is going to be a yea or nay to it,” De Rose said. “If you have a strong opinion, show up.”

hhhhh

BlogBabel Tags: charter schools, pacifica collegiate