Local

Child Support Services job fair to promote family self-sufficiency

In collaboration with local employers, San Bernardino County Child Support Services is hosting the Fall Job Fair. The job fair will be Tuesday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Loma Linda Child Support office at 10417 Mountain View Ave. in  Loma Linda. The job fair highlights the department’s purpose of making a positive difference in the lives of children, supplying employment opportunities to help assist parents in supporting their children and the continued effort to help build stronger, healthier families.

Employers will be filling multiple positions in various fields. Select employers will hire potential candidates on the spot. Employers will be set up outside the Loma Linda child support office court yard.  Interview stations will be available for employers who want to conduct job interviews on-site.  Laptops will be available for candidates to complete applications online. All attendees should bring their resumes and dress for success.

Employment opportunities will be available from TMT Communications Inc., Staffmark, Saladino’s Foodservice, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health, California Conservation Corps, County of San Bernardino Real Estate Services, Riverside County Probation Department, FedEx Ground, Majestic Terminal Services, Dignity Memorial, US Census, Stater Bros. Markets, and the US Army.  West Coast University and Chamberlin University will also be providing information about their educational opportunities. 

“Many know us as the collectors of child support, we are much more,” Child Support Services Director Marie Girulat said. “Child support payments provide a measure of financial stability for families and create better outcomes for children. It is our job to help parents meet their medical and financial support and connect them to employment opportunities and other vital services to ensure they can provide for their children.”

San Bernardino County Department of Child Support Services is committed to serving the community by partnering with local employers to provide resources, educational opportunities and improve the quality of life for the customers served.

DCSS assists families by establishing orders for child and medical support, establishing parentage, locating parents, enforcing support orders, and collecting and distributing child support payments. DCSS is focused on helping the whole family with all aspects of services to gain self-sufficiency. DCSS is responsible for a caseload of approximately 106,000 cases with collections of over $189 million last fiscal year.

For questions, please contact Child Support Services at (909) 478-7182.

San Bernardino City Unified Empowers Students to Reduce School Bullying

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- October is Bullying Prevention Month, and San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) credits its innovative undercover anti-bullying teams with reducing student-on-student harassment.

The District’s Positive Youth Development Department, in collaboration with university professors, designed an effective, holistic system to respond to incidents of bullying centered around empowering students to encourage kindness and respect.

Known as the Bullying Intervention Team, the system involves a reporting process, tracking system, and a team of experts that assist school sites in conducting a Restorative Justice Practice called the Undercover Anti-Bullying Team (UABT) from start to finish. In place at more than half of the 72 SBCUSD schools, the UABTs have experienced success rates not seen with other bullying-intervention efforts.

“The traditional responses to school bullying, including suspensions, bullying contracts, or school policing, can make matters worse for the student being bullied,” said Marlene Bicondova, a former middle school principal who now leads the District’s Positive Youth Development Department. “What is very unique about this approach in particular is that influential students are empowered to do the work that has been deemed almost impossible for adults. Once the bullying issue is completely resolved, the team celebrates the success.”

Since the beginning of the UABT, 48 cases across the District have been resolved through this approach, while many more have been concluded at schools where counselors are trained to use the UABT intervention. Cal State San Bernardino professor Dr. John Winslade and Michael Williams, authors of the book Safe and Peaceful Schools, have been the catalysts in this groundbreaking work.

Although Bicondova and her team of experts agree that no single strategy is 100 percent effective, not one of the UABT efforts have failed to date. In fact, the Bullying Intervention Team has a bank of video testimonials from principals, parents, teachers, counselors, and students to prove that this is a highly effective and positive approach to eliminate bullying and restore relationships.

Join SBCUSD and the Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center in celebrating Unity Day on Wednesday, October 23 by wearing orange. Unity Day is about standing together against bullying and uniting for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Learn more at https://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/unity-day.asp.


Social Lites, Inc. Beautillion 2019-2020 Kick Off

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Social Lites, Inc. of San Bernardino 53rd Beautillion Scholarship 2019-2020 program under the leadership of Mrs. Tina Darling, Beautillion Chairperson is now in progress. Its’ not too late for young men seeking scholarship opportunities in addition to being mentored by leaders in the community to participate in this fabulous program.

It is great to have leaders such as Dr. Rose Culpepper and Bessine Little, City Council Woman, 6th Ward mentor young men this past Saturday.

The next meeting will be on Saturday, October 12, 2019 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Center for Youth & Community Development (formerly Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino) located at 1180 W. 9th Street, San Bernardino, CA 92411.

For more information, please telephone chairperson, Mrs. Tina Darling at tribicu2@msn.com or Ms. Lisa Blacksher, President at lisasocialities@gmail.com or Mrs. Bettye Brewster, Business Manager, bettyebrewster@yahoo.com

Three Local Nonprofits join forces to host the largest Inland Empire’s “Teacher Appreciation Day”

(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK—ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County (CAPSBC), Young Visionaries, and Family & Kids Foundation will be hosting a “Teacher Appreciation Day” on Saturday, October 26, 2019 for all teachers in the Inland Empire. Teachers will be able to “shop” from a wide assortment of age-specific educational materials for their classrooms at no cost. This event is made possible through a generous donation from Family & Kids Foundation and their corporate donor, Teacher Created Resources. Teachers will have access to choose from thousands of various school supplies such as text books, bulletin board materials, charts and student guides for all grades. 

Community Action Partnership of San Bernardino County will also supplement school supplies with 3-ring binders, glue sticks, pens, pencils and many other items.

“A recent article published by Business Insider on August 15, 2019 stated that while the federal government reports that teachers spend an average of $500 out of pocket on school supplies, some public school teachers who were interviewed reported that they spend as much as $1,000. As a collaboration, we’re honored to support local school teachers and help alleviate some of their out of pocket spending. We value every teacher’s dedication and commitment to  ensuring the academic success of their students, and we believe that if we work together we can create a greater impact and provide a brighter future for the students.” – Patricia L. Nickols-Butler, CAPSBC President/CEO

National Novel Writing Month: Discover the Writer Inside You

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Imagine writing a 50,000-word novel in a single month. That means writing approximately 1,667 words each day of character dialogue, scene descriptions, and plot. It might sound impossible, but it isn’t because hundreds of thousands of people all over the world have done it, some multiple times. That’s the magic of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).

NaNoWriMo celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, inspiring writers online and in person to get their ideas down on the page to share with the world. For everyone who has ever dreamed of being a writer, ever dreamed of completing the novel that has been playing out in their head, November becomes a call to action to start writing and keep writing.

By joining the NaNoWriMo website, writers can declare their novel to the world, earn badges for their writing achievements, and join a worldwide community of writers all working in November towards the same goal—50,000 words.

Supporting Writers of All Ages

This is the 14th year of the Young Writers Program (YWP), which brings NaNoWriMo’s unique style of creative writing into classrooms. The YWP helps young writers—participating both in classrooms and independently—set individual word-count goals and divide their work into daily, achievable milestones.

NaNoWriMo’s Young Writers Program website features an interactive, youth-friendly writing space, a robust suite of admin tools, and the ability for educators to create multiple virtual classrooms. Resources such as Common Core-aligned lesson plans and Young Novelist Workbooks are also available. In addition, NoNoWriMo sends out free classroom kits each year filled with posters, stickers, and other offline resources.

An Entire Community With You As You Write

This November, Municipal Liaisons (MLs) will coordinate hundreds of local, in-person writing events, working with local businesses, libraries, and community centers to bring creative writing into cities and regions across the globe. In San Bernardino County alone, a team of two MLs will be holding meet-ups during October to help potential novelists prepare and schedule write-ins during November to offer support, inspiration and free swag to participants. The Come Write In program (CWI) includes partners at more than 1,000 libraries, book stores, and community spaces around the world. This year, that includes the Feldheym Central Library in San Bernardino.

SanBerdooNaNo

The San Bernardino County region of NaNoWriMo, known as SanBerdooNaNo, has its own social media accounts and a special area on the official NaNoWriMo online forums. The local MLs will also be hosting NaNoWriMo prep sessions across the county in October. Drop by one or more prep sessions to learn about NaNoWriMo, get some tips on planning for your novel, and get access to some amazing resources.

NaNo Prep Highland!Wednesday, October 16, 5 p.m.Highland Branch Library7863 Central Avenue, Highland 92346Informational and plotting session at the Highland library

Get Ready to Novel!Sunday, October 20, 4 p.m.Starbucks Coffee4365 University Parkway, San Bernardino 92407Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while you learn about NaNoWriMo, get familiar with the new website and forums, and have your burning novel prep questions answered
San Bernardino City Prep EventTuesday, October 22, 6 p.m.Feldheym Central Library555 West 6th Street, San Bernardino 92410Learn about NaNoWriMo and the new website and forums and get access to resources for planning your novel

High Desert Planning NightThursday, October 24, 5:30 p.m.Comic Cult HD9594 I Avenue, Suite F, Hesperia 92345Hang out with local High Desert writers and get help planning your NaNoWriMo project.

NaNoWriMo Kick Off PartySunday, October 27, 2 p.m.Comic Cult HD9594 I Avenue, Suite F, Hesperia 92345A social and motivational event before you start your novel

Requiem, Addendum: Emma Shaw…..Legacy

By John Coleman, Community Photographer

Depending on who you were and on how you knew Emma (Armstrong) then  Mrs. George Bernard Shaw, and possibly more importantly,  how she knew you,   you may have known and called Mrs. Emma Shaw by many different names and titles.  

Her titles were simple: daughter, sister, aunt,  wife,  mother;  Mrs Shaw,  etc.   None of us grew up with her during her early years, but we can see the evidence of  her strength,  honor,  charity,  faith,  and  LOVE  that was baked into and built  into the 300 or more Shaw children, grandchildren,  grandchildren,  and Great-Great-grandchildren. and beyond.  

Mrs. Emma Shaw was born in Louisiana in 1912.   She and her family moved to San Bernardino, California  in 1944 where she found jobs, including work at Norton Air Force Base and the National Orange Show.

Emma Shaw

The Shaw family,  now estimated to include more than 500 members,  reside throughout the U.S., but primarily around the Inland area.

Mrs. Shaw  passed on  September 18, 2019, at the age of 107 years old.  The Funeral Services were held on October 4, 2019, at Ecclesia Church in San Bernardino and were followed by a burial at Mt View Cemetery in San Bernardino.

County Schools’ Dowdy To Receive National Lifetime Achievement Award

SAN BERNARDINO – Brenda Dowdy, homeless education project manager for San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, will receive the 2019 Sandra Neese Lifetime Achievement Award at a national conference in Washington, D.C., in November.

Dowdy will be honored at the 31st annual National Association for the Education of Homeless Children Conference on Nov. 3.

For the past 13 years, Dowdy has worked in County Schools’ Children Deserve Success program, working with liaisons of the county’s 33 school districts in homeless education to provide services for students and families.

San Bernardino County is home to more than 33,000 students identified as homeless as defined by the federal McKinney-Vento Act.

Dowdy has led efforts through County Schools to provide backpacks with school supplies, clothing and personal hygiene items for students. She also has helped raise and coordinate distribution of college scholarships for high school graduates annually.

Crafton Hills College Invites the Community to Legacy Society Wall Unveiling

Philanthropic support of higher education is a time-honored tradition, one that grows in importance with every passing year.

The Crafton Hills College Foundation invites you to an appreciation ceremony to honor donors for their generosity.

The Legacy Society Wall in the Crafton Center provides recognition to individuals who have given cumulative gifts, estate planned gifts or irrevocable life income gifts of $10,000 or more to the Crafton Hills College Foundation.

CHC Legacy Society

Visionaries $500,000 +

Stanley Krasovec

Benefactors $100,000 – $499,999

Raymond Pryke

Henry Stone & Elaine Rosen

Pacesetters $50,000 – $99,999

William and Gloria Harrison

Bill and Nelda Rankin

Founders $25,000 – $49,999

Diane J. Pfahler

James and Theresa Ramos

Jon and Laura Winningham

Donald and Carol Averill

Wayne and Doris Milloy

Donald J. Nydam

Scholars $10,000 – $24,999

Leroy and Marilyn Balch

Paul and Joann Barich

Bruce and Elizabeth Baron

Jane K. Beitscher

Nicolas Campos

Win and Bette Carl

Gordon and Sara Clopine

Cheryl A. Cox

Donna M. Ferracone

Robert B. Martin and Mary E. Goldsboro

Luis and Patricia Gome

Leon and Francine Hellerman

Douglas C. Heller-Taylor

Brent and Sherry Hunter

Sam Irwin

Nancy and Gary Kasin

Thomas and Josie Konzem

Steve and Rebeccah Marlatt

Patrick and Cheryl Marshall

Alaina Mathews

Brandon and Julie McKee

William and Linda Nassar

Charlie and Tommi Ng

David and Diane Raley

Michael and Amy Strong

Harvey Ricketts and Betty Jo Wood

June C. Yamamoto  

County Students Continue Growth in Statewide Testing Results

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – For the fourth consecutive year, San Bernardino County students across seven grade levels showed growth in both English language arts (ELA) and math testing, according to results released today by the California Department of Education.         

The results – the annual California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress – or CAASPP – showed 1 percentage point gains in both ELA and math for the 2018-19 academic year.         

“It’s encouraging to see that the number of students meeting or exceeding California’s academic standards continues to grow,” County Superintendent Ted Alejandre said.         

Fourth- and fifth-grade students from San Bernardino County had the most growth in proficiency standards among students in seven grade levels of testing in ELA and math. Fifth-graders improved 2 percentage points in both ELA and math from the previous year’s results. Fourth-graders improved 4 percentage points in math and 1 percentage point in ELA.         

For all students in ELA, the rate of proficiency reached 45 percent, an overall improvement of 8 percentage points since CAASPP testing results began in 2015. That compares with the overall state proficiency rate of 51 percent. In terms of ELA growth over the past four years, third- and fourth-graders have improved 11 percentage points, followed by seventh-graders with 9 percentage points of growth.         

In math scores, the percentage of county students meeting or exceeding standards in all grade levels reached 31 percent, the third consecutive year of 1 percentage point gains. Statewide, student proficiency in math was 40 percent.        

The CAASPP Smarter Balanced ELA and mathematics results are just one measure of performance the state has put in place to measure the progress of schools and form the basis for the academic indicator of the California School Dashboard.            

For additional information on CAASPP results, visit the California Department of Education’s CAASPP reporting website

Schools to Participate in the October 17 Great California Shakeout

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On July 4, the community of Ridgecrest was hit by a 6.4-magnitude earthquake, followed a day later by a 7.1-magnitude quake. Those were the largest earthquakes to hit California in two decades, and they were a sobering reminder that an earthquake can hit any time and you never know if the next one will be the big one.

That is why all San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) schools and offices will participate in the Great California ShakeOut on Thursday, October 17.

Beginning at 10:17 a.m., all SBCUSD students and staff will drop, cover, and hold on. Sites will also practice emergency response procedures, such as evacuations, and reporting and coordinating with the SBCUSD Emergency Operations Center. Visitors to SBCUSD schools and offices will be required to evacuate. As in a real emergency, SBCUSD sites may be unable to answer phones and emails during the drill and evacuation.

“The more we prepare as a community, the quicker we can recover following a disaster,” Eric Vetere, SBCUSD emergency manager, said. “That’s why it’s important to always practice and have a plan. The annual Great California Shakeout is the perfect time for our entire community to practice for an earthquake.”

The Great California ShakeOut is a statewide earthquake and disaster preparedness drill. Everyone in California, including private businesses and individuals, is encouraged to participate to better prepare for natural disasters. Earthquake- and disaster-preparedness materials are available at http://www.shakeout.org/.

Parents should take this opportunity to update emergency contact information with their child’s school.

To stay up to date on emergencies affecting SBCUSD schools and communities, follow SBCUSD OES on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SBCUSD_OES, on Instagram @SBCSUD_OES, or on Facebook by searching for “SBCUSD OES.” Parents can also receive emergency notifications by installing and configuring the free SBCSUD app. Search for “San Bernardino City USD” on the iTunes or Google Play stores.