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Community Reacts to Racist Incident at North High School

By Breanna Reeves and Drew Nate

 

A JW North High School math teacher has been placed on administrative leave after a video of her mockingly chanting and dancing around the classroom in a fake headdress went viral on Thursday.

In the video, the teacher is seen chanting “SohCahToa,” a mnemonic device that is commonly used to teach trigonometry in classrooms. The video captures a scene that Native American students and community members are already familiar with — the misappropriation and mockery of Native American culture.

“How many students now seeing her react that way or even on the viral videos that are going on, are now mimicking her within their discussions in their own neighborhoods now?” asked Assemblymember James Ramos

who is Serrano and Cahuilla and the first Native American person elected to the California Assembly. “And how does that make the Native American students feel or the Native American community feel?”

The Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) released a statement in response to the incident, which read in part, “Her actions do not represent the values of our district.” RUSD is currently pursuing an investigation into the incident.

“We are deeply committed to implementing inclusive practices and policies that honor the rich diversity of our district and the greater region. We will be working with our students, families, staff and community to regain your trust,” the statement read.

While RUSD has initiated an investigation into the incident and the teacher, community members expressed outrage at an RUSD Board Meeting Thursday evening. A few attendees who spoke called for the teacher to be fired immediately.

A young girl in attendance at the meeting, spoke powerfully to the RUSD Board Members. “Me and my people, we still don’t have our rights. We’ve been fighting for it. I always feel so sad,” she said.

She went on to say, “They treat us badly, they bully us, and nothing has happened for so long.” She gave a call to action to RUSD Board Members. As she stated in the meeting, “[Y]ou can change things, you have the power to change things.”

Several members and supporters of the American Indian Movement’s Southern California chapter went to the podium to speak, demanding that the teacher be fired, an apology to the student who filmed the incident, and an apology to Native Americans affected by the video.

“We want that apology. We want something done. We heard what your statement said — you’re going to ‘look into it’. We’ve heard over and over ‘we’re looking into it.’ No. We want it looked into now,” said Dee Dee Manzanares Ybarra, director of the American Indian Movement SoCal chapter and tribal chair of Rumšen Am:a Tur:ataj Ohlone.

“We’re not going to wait. We asked for an answer within a week. We expect that answer. Something needs to be done. All the evidence is there.”

In response to the video, community members organized a protest on Thursday to let their voices be heard in Riverside.

President of JW North Alumni Association, Sammie Luna spoke at the RUSD Board Meeting and talked about how it was a difficult day for everyone in attendance. She began by saying she is a proud Husky and by thanking Dr. Horace Jackson who was one of the first principals at JW North High School to champion cultural diversity.

She spoke in front of the RUSD Board, saying, “diversity has always been North’s greatest attribute and treasure.” She spoke of the incident and mentioned how this was the perfect example of why Assembly Bill 101 regarding ethnic studies is needed which she credited to Assemblymember Jose Medina for introducing the bill. Luna went on to say that “this bill is not only good for our students but also for teachers.”

Jesse Ramirez, a community member who also spoke at the RUSD Board Meeting called for the JW North High School teacher to be terminated. Ramirez also went on to explain the importance of ethnic studies bill.

Earlier this month, California became the first state to require students to complete an ethnic studies course for high school graduation.

“America is shaped by our shared history, much of it painful and etched with woeful injustice. Students deserve to see themselves in their studies, and they must understand our nation’s full history if we expect them to one day build a more just society,” Governor Newsom said in a statement.

Last September RUSD unanimously voted to make ethnic studies a graduation requirement among high school students beginning with the 2024-25 school year. Prior to this vote, RUSD offered both African American Studies and Chicano Studies courses as electives to students.

The incident at North High School further emphasized the need for ethnic studies and cultural competency in the classroom. Assemblymember Ramos explained that his upcoming bill, AB 1554, the California Indian Education Act, outlines curriculum guidelines for educating both students and teachers on California Native Americans.

“There has to be some type of change that takes place to make sure that California Indian people, and Native Americans throughout the nation, are respected and taught appropriately when they’re being discussed inside the classroom,” said Ramos. “This is an issue that starts at an early age that continues to move forward into higher education.”

The student who took the video remains anonymous and does not wish to be identified for safety reasons, according to Akalei Brown, who is Kanaka-Maoli and Taos Pueblo and a Native History/ Culture consultant. Brown has identified herself as the spokesperson for the family of the student.

“I felt it necessary to share this video with the world so they could have a small glimpse into the type of abuses Native children face in US schools every day,” said Brown in a statement via Instagram. “This is reality for Native people in the US and we’re not going to take it sitting down anymore. We’re standing up for our children and setting a new standard for the treatment of Native people.”

To the student who filmed the incident, Assemblymember Ramos urged, “??Continue to stand up, stand up for your rights, don’t let no one take those rights from you. So, stand up, keep moving forward, and there should be no — there should be no retaliation against this student for recording what they did in that classroom.”

This district has not released the teacher’s name.

 

PCA Bulls win Big 48-0

SAN BERNARDINO, CA –PAL Charter Academy faced off against Lucerne Valley Saturday, October 23 at San Bernardino High School. PCA won 48-0, moving them to 2-0 in Agape League play.

The Bulls received a surprise visit from President Dr. Gwen Rodgers from the San Bernardino City Unified School District. She gave the team a boost before the game telling them she and the district were proud of them.

Dr. Rodgers then gave them a pep talk and encouraged them to bring it home for PCA and the city. The district extended PAL Charter Academy SBHS football stadium to play their season games while PCA builds their football field. PAL Charter is the longest operating and first authorized Charter school under the SBCUSD.

Head coach, Joseph Stanley, said the team played hard and followed the school’s 3D code, “Discipline, Determination, and Dedication equals winner on and off the field!” Tonight, they lived the code.

Executive Director Dwaine Radden Sr. said it was great seeing Dr. Rodgers out here supporting their players and school. It meant a lot to them and the staff. Radden noted the district has worked with him and the team to ensure they had a district facility to play their CIF games. Her visit was also coupled with making sure PCA received quality customer service from the district.

On Friday, October 29, the Bulls had a barn burner against Hesperia Christian, who is also 2-0.

Photo Recap: Rialto Halloween Hi-Jinks

RIALTO, CA— On Sunday, October 31, 2021, the City of Rialto held their annual Halloween Hi-Jinks at the Civic Center in Downtown Rialto.

Halloween Hi-Jinks is the city’s annual Halloween celebration. This year there was a New Orleans Masquerade Mayhem with free candy, games and live entertainment. Other festivities included Down in the Bayou with kid’s crafts, food vendors and Princess & the Frog movie, Mazes and a Masquerade Mask Contest.

“Another great success during our Halloween Hi-Jinks,”Mayor Deborah Robertson stated. “Thanks to everyone who participated in making this a wonderful night. Special thanks to the new Community Services Director Cynthia Alvarado and the entire supporting staff of Parks and Recreation, as well as the various City department heads in attendance. The crowd and turnout was awesome!”

“We’re Up and Running & It’s Not Too Late”: The Social Lites Inc. are Looking to Change Lives

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- With excitement in her voice Sheri Lewis, Social Lites Inc. President 2021 told the young men wanting to be a part of the 2021-22 Beautillion program that she is implementing great ideas this year.  “New structure, new ideas and a myriad of support from former Alumni and corporate sponsors will catapult this years’ program to greater heights,” she explained.

Edward Brantley, the father of the Sir Knight 2020 Kameron Brantley, kicked the program off with a great start by educating young men about how to retain information, knowledge and wisdom.

Also in support were former Alumni Chache Wright, Alumni 1999 and currently the President of the San Bernardino NAACP; Dr. Gregory Alexander, Alumni 1992 and Vice Principle of Arroyo Valley High School; Charles Brown, Alumni 1989, the Director of Equity for Riverside County Office of Education; Johnathan Moreno and Kamau Osonduagwuike Alumni 2018, Kameron Brantley, Alumni 2020 are hard-working and full-time students; Russell Ward, Alumni of 1984 and currently a Software Specialist for Konica Minolta, he also has been the Dance Choreographer for us for the past 25 years. Each Alum offered their overview and shared the long-lasting benefits of joining the Beautillion.

With 55 years of service and having blessed thousands of African American young men the Social Lites have collectively distributed over $2.5 million to our young men who want to attend college or a trade school of their choice. Through mentorship, leadership and character and life development skills we can help Elementary to High School students achieve their goals.

If you know of young men who fits the criteria and wants to be a part of this six-month extracurricular program, please contact the program director as soon as possible. The Beautillion Briefing is every Sunday from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Youth & Community Development Center, 468 West 5th Street in San Bernardino, CA.  92401.

Let’s be the help for our young men’s dreams of becoming better. Knowledge Is Power. If you have questions, please call Marlene Davis at (909) 709-5502.

CTA Grant Funds Tools and Hands-on Experience for Students

SAN BERNARDINO – The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) and the San Bernardino County Teachers Association (SBCTA) are proud to be the recipients of an award grant aimed at enhancing, supporting and sustaining high-quality teaching for all California students.

The California Teachers Association (CTA) Institute for Teaching (IFT) award grant for $13,159.39 was used to purchase a new wheel balancer and a tabletop tire changer expandable for the Bob Murphy Community Day School’s Career Technical Education auto shop. Bob Murphy is one of 13 County alternative school placements for students grades 7-12 who are facing challenges in a public school setting.

“I am proud and grateful for the phenomenal work of our SBCSS staff and our collaboration with SBCTA. We strive to provide every one of our students the opportunity to learn and recognize their unique potential,” said County Superintendent Ted Alejandre. “One of the priorities at San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools is to ensure innovative and inspirational educational practices, and this is one of the many ways we are providing the tools and skills needed for students to succeed.”

The IFT grant project benefits up to 200 students at all of San Bernardino County’s alternative education programs. The auto shop class is currently attended by students both virtually and in-person by students from Community Schools in San Bernardino, Colton, Redlands, Yucca Valley and Victorville. Students will have hands-on experience and learn skills that they can apply to a career.

“This is who we fight for every day, and this grant will give our students all the tools they need and the extra layer of support so they can be on equal footing with their counterparts in comprehensive schools,” said Yvonne Molles, President of the San Bernardino County Teachers’ Association. “The grant opens up opportunities for our students. I was inspired by Superintendent Ted Alejandre’s leadership and support to help give our students the opportunities they might not have had otherwise.”

The 2021/2022 grant project team from SBCSS/SBCTA consisted of administration, union leaders, teachers and site staff as part of a multi-year plan.

Myrlene Pierre (Assistant Superintendent of Student Services), Rich De Nava (Assistant Superintendent of Business Services), Scott Wyatt (Area Director of Student Services), Yvonne Molles (President of SBCTA), Tony Alvarado (CTE Automotive Teacher), County Superintendent Ted Alejandre, and students from the auto shop class.

Students Share Struggles and Successes at Countywide Safety Summit

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — It is inspiring to see our community come together to keep our students safe. It is one of our top priorities here at SBCSS, and why it is so important to collaborate with our community partners.

This year’s San Bernardino Countywide Gangs and Drugs Task Force Safety Summit brought together law enforcement leaders throughout the County and our staff here at SBCSS. I had the pleasure of making the opening remarks alongside 47th District California State Assemblymember Eloise Gomez-Reyes.

This was an eye-opening and important discussion. Not only did we hear from the Chiefs of our law enforcement agencies, but our students. A panel of teens and young adults who have been in foster care or experienced homelessness shared their unique challenges. They also spoke about the people and resources that helped them.

One of the young panelists made a comment about the importance of including student voices at the summit. She shared she experienced homelessness and the foster care system and appreciated the opportunity to speak. She said, it “helps me know my voice is valued.”

County Superintendent Ted Alejandre and 47th District California State Assemblymember Eloise Gomez-Reyes made the opening remarks. The summit included a Chiefs’ Panel consisting of law enforcement leaders from throughout the area as well as San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) staff.

Panelists discussed safety issues within schools and the community at-large. Questions were also fielded from individuals who participated virtually.

A second panel consisted of teens and young adults who have been in foster care or experienced homelessness. They shared their unique challenges and spoke about the people and resources that helped them.

“I have experienced homelessness and the foster system,” said one young panelist. “I have always strived to achieve my goals and break my family’s cycle of poor choices. There are people I’ve met who genuinely want to help me, and I know who and where to go. I’ve had mentors who have guided me. I am so grateful for the opportunity to share my experiences. It helps me to know my voice is valued.”

The most common responses from recent student surveys were shared. A majority of students asked for mentorship and stability to overcome difficulties associated with being in the foster care system, adverse life experiences and the ongoing pandemic. They also pleaded for their voices and ideas to be heard and respected.

The keynote speaker, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Marc Bracco, spoke about the most important drug-related issues facing the region.

Over 160 people attended the summit, which was open to all community members including school administrators, counselors, and security personnel, as well as local law enforcement, faith-based and community organizations, parents and other community leaders. The annual event is designed to help participants network, collaborate and exchange effective strategies to help keep our communities safe.

The summit is organized by SBCSS Children Deserve Success and the San Bernardino Countywide Gang and Drugs Task Force, in partnership with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, San Bernardino County Probation Department and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.

The San Bernardino Countywide Gangs and Drugs Task Force provides a leadership role in advocating the prevention and suppression of gang membership and drug use. The task force is a coordinated partnership among education, law enforcement, criminal justice, elected officials, private enterprise and community members across the county.

SBCSS eSports Program “Ups” the Game for Student Competitors

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Students at Curtis Middle School in the San Bernardino City Unified School District are leveling up their budding eSports team. The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) delivered game consoles for their team to use.

County Superintendent Ted Alejandre expressed his pride in SBCSS eSports, saying, “I am impressed by the tremendous growth we have seen in just a couple of years. There has been an overwhelmingly positive response from students. It’s proving to be a powerful way to keep them engaged.”

The equipment will give the Curtis Middle School team the capability for up to nine players to participate in Super Smash Bros. tournaments. Previously, the team was only able to join Rocket League tournaments on their computers, which greatly limited their opportunities to compete.

The setups provided by SBCSS eSports will allow the team to grow and compete in all types of tournaments the SBCSS eSports League offers.

“I’m excited to start playing on the Switches because I’ll get to see what skills my teammates have in other games, and they will have the chance to show off,” said Andy Morales, an eighth-grade student at Curtis Middle School. “Playing eSports at school inspires me to keep my grades up so I can stay on the team, and it has given me the confidence to try out for soccer in high school next year.”

SBCSS recognizes eSports can transform the lives of students. Aside from the possibility of playing at a collegiate or professional level, students can leverage their eSports experience in many sciences, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) fields.

Students are encouraged to explore careers in computer science, streaming, video game development, animation, programming, marketing and production. Gaming also allows children of all abilities to experience the sense of belonging and accountability that comes from being part of a team sport and can engage students who may not feel as connected to traditional extracurricular offerings.

“I was really surprised that eSports was available [at school].” said Rae’Quan West Corbett, a seventh grader at Curtis Middle School. “I was excited when I heard about it during morning announcements and me and my cousin went right after school to sign up. I want to be on the team next year too!”

This is the second year SBCSS Digital Learning Services is facilitating district participation in the growing field of competitive gaming. They provide a simplified pathway for eSports adoption at San Bernardino County schools with an emphasis on ensuring the programs established are equitable and accessible for all students.

SBCSS eSports empowers districts by providing guidance and resources for administrators who are interested in starting their own programs, as well as providing ongoing support for established teams.

They also host the virtual SBCSS eSports League, which is a comprehensive, yet flexible, series of tournaments that can accommodate teams who are just starting out in addition to well-established teams.

Competition in the SBCSS eSports League is on an ongoing basis and there is no deadline to establish a team. To maximize play time however, teachers, schools and districts are encouraged to register as early as possible to allow time to complete all necessary paperwork ahead of the tournament dates.

Students aged 13 and older are eligible to register for the SBCSS eSports League and can compete on any of the following gaming devices: Nintendo Switch, Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, or on a PC or Mac computer.

If you or your student are interested in participating in scholastic eSports, contact your administrators to find out what opportunities are available at your school site or district.

For more information on SBCSS eSports, resources to help create a program at your school, to view the tournament schedule or to register for the SBCSS eSports League, please visit esports.sbcss.net.

To receive updates and information about the league, follow @eSportsSBCSS on Twitter.

 

Saturday, October 30: Twelve-Year-Old Author Signing Books at Barnes & Noble Montclair

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Alyssa Holmes was a special guest on Wallace Allen’s “Empire Talks Back” radio broadcast on Sunday, October 24. She wrote her Halloween appropriate book, The Bat Blues, when she was nine years old. She is an elementary school student in Highland that is very excited about being back in a classroom. Alyssa will be at the Barnes & Noble Book Store in Montclair beginning at 1 pm on Saturday, October 30th.

Allysa is enthusiastically supported by her mother, Tracy, who has written and published five books and now has her own publishing company, All Home Publishing. You can contact Tracy for more information at 909-745-3763.

The Empire talks Back radio talk show is broadcast each Sunday morning at 10:05 on KCAA 1050 AM, 102.3 & 106.5 FM streaming live video via http://www.kcaaradio.com .

Here is the link to Sunday’s show with Allysa: http://podcasts.kcaastreaming.com/empire/20211024.html

Assembly Majority Leader Reyes and Assemblymember Cervantes Welcome the Assembly Housing Working Group to the Inland Empire

INLAND EMPIRE—As part of the statewide tours, Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-San Bernardino) and Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) hosted the Assembly Housing Working Group in the Inland Empire this week. The group — comprised of legislators from throughout California— spent the day meeting with local elected officials, housing experts and other stakeholders to tour affordable housing in the Inland Empire and to discuss the unique challenges and solutions being used by local governments, not-for-profit organizations and developers.

“The Inland Empire is one of the largest metropolitan regions in the United States and it is important that my colleagues in the State Legislature hear from our community on their housing needs and their challenges and see how unique our region is. I wanted them to see the solutions being deployed to tackle the issue of homelessness and affordable housing,” said Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Reyes. “This housing tour and discussion is just the beginning in what I hope will be a series of discussions to identify solutions and fund the models we know are working and being deployed by our community.”

The day included a panel and roundtable discussion hosted by Assembly Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-San Bernardino) and Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) and moderated by Maria Razo, Executive Director of the Housing Authority of San Bernardino County. Participants in the panel included Lorraine Kindred, Vice President of Public Affairs, National CORE; Kim Carter, Founder, Time for Change Foundation; David Kersh, Executive Director, Carpenters/Contractors Cooperation Committee and Tim Johnson, Chief Operating Officer, Quality Management Group/LaBarge Industries.  Sites toured in San Bernardino County: Phoenix Square, Pacific Village, Arrowhead Grove, Bloomington Grove & Lillian Court.

The State Assemblymembers completed their day touring Las Coronas Affordable Communities in Riverside County, followed by a panel discussion. The participants included Michael Walsh, Deputy Director, Riverside County Affordable Housing and Community Services; Michelle Davis, Housing Authority Manager, City of Riverside; Karen Roper, Manager of Homeless Solutions, City of Corona and Vice Chair, Riverside County Continuum of Care; Gabriel Maldonado, Executive Director and CEO, TruEvolution Inc. and Damien O’Farrell, Chief Executive Officer, Parkview Legacy Foundation and Steering Committee Member, Inland SoCal Housing Collective.

 

“The greater Riverside metropolitan area has the highest percentage of cost-burdened renters in the entire State, 30% of whom must spend at least half of their income on rent. Riverside County is currently at a deficit of 51,000 affordable homes for low-income renters, and the gap keeps growing every year, ” said Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Corona). “I was proud to join Assembly Majority Leader Gomez Reyes in welcoming our legislative colleagues on the Assembly Housing Working Group to the 60th District for the Inland Empire Regional Roundtable, highlighting the needs of our region. Coming together is the only way that we will find solutions to our housing crisis.”

 

“I was thankful to have been invited to this Assembly housing forum.  It was refreshing to see private and public partnerships working together showing successful outcomes here in the Inland Empire.  We have monumental challenges ahead as we address our housing crisis. This kind of engagement reminds us we must focus on fixes that are honest and real,” Assembly Member Tom Lackey, 36th Assembly District.

 

The Assembly Housing Working Group Inland Empire tour was attended by Assembly Members from across the state, including , Eloise Gómez Reyes (San Bernardino), Sabrina Cervantes (Riverside), Freddie Rodriguez (D-Ontario), Tom Lackey (R-Palmdale), Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), Tim Grayson (D-Concord), Mia Bonta (D-Alameda), Marc Levine (D-Marin County), Chris Ward (D-San Diego), Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), Laura Friedman (Glendale) as well as staff from the offices of Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood), Assembly Housing Committee Chair David Chiu (D-San Francisco), The Assembly Working Group, led by Assembly Members Grayson and Rivas, have conducted a statewide series of regional roundtables and site visits—including the Bay Area, Central Coast, Central Valley, and Southern California—to inform policy ideas that the working group may want to pursue in 2022.

 

 

Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes represents Assembly District 47 which includes the cities of Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Grand Terrace, San Bernardino and the unincorporated areas of Muscoy and Bloomington.

City of Rialto Declares “Eta Nu Omega Chapter Day!”

RIALTO, CA—-     On the evening of October 12, 2021, Mayor Deborah Robertson, City of Rialto made a presentation during the City of Rialto public meeting a proclamation to Eta Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in celebration of their 60th anniversary. Mayor Robertson along with the City Council declared October 28, 2021 “Eta Nu Omega Chapter Day!”

Members of Eta Nu Omega Chapter Birthday Committee where present to receive the proclamation, including co-chairs Erika Bennett and Linda Gaines-Brooks. Ruth Rembert, vice president accepted the proclamation on behalf of the chapter along with a beautiful birthday cake for the chapter and a gift to give to Rialto resident, Gwendolyn Heard Nelson who was among members responsible for the chartering of Eta Nu Omega chapter in the City of Rialto.