(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— November is epilepsy awareness month. Join Epilepsy Education Everywhere for a month of education, support and a whole lot of fun!
They will kick off the month with the 6th Annual Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland on November 5th to November 7th. Tickets are available until Saturday, November 3 at 9 p.m./PST.
If you would like to join us for events, or learn more about epilepsy, visit epilepsyed.org.
(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— OAKLAND, CA—- As 39,000 University of California workers wrap up a 3-day strike over issues of inequality at the state’s 3rd largest employer, a bombshell of a research brief reported by CALmatters has revealed that Black and Latino workers employed at UC are more likely to be fired and get smaller raises when they are promoted.
Read the report: “Limitations on Career Advancement for Black and Latino/Latina Workers at the University of California,” click here to download.
The new report supplements Pioneering Inequality, a study released last April that revealed growing income, racial, and gender disparities at UC. The new research brief tracks promotions and separations for 25,000 UC service and patient care workers between 2013 and 2017 to highlight growing patterns of inequality within the University’s frontline workforce.
The new report supplements Pioneering Inequality, a study released last April that revealed growing income, racial, and gender disparities at UC. The new research brief tracks promotions and separations for 25,000 UC service and patient care workers between 2013 and 2017 to highlight growing patterns of inequality within the University’s frontline workforce.
“The data reveals that Black and Brown service and patient care workers are far more likely than white workers to be fired or otherwise forced out of their jobs,” said Owen Li, co-author of the reports. “When Black and Latino workers change jobs or get promoted, they receive far smaller pay increases on average than their white counterparts. Whether due to an implicit bias in UC’s employment practices or a real lack of structural career advancement opportunities, women and people of color who are employed in these job titles are clearly being short-changed.”
While more than 5,000 Service and Patient Care Technical workers left their University job during the period under review, the study found that white men were the most likely to leave voluntarily and that Black workers were involuntarily forced out at nearly twice the rate of white men.
Among the more than 3,000 Service and Patient Care Technical workers who changed job titles within the AFSCME-represented workforce during the study period, white workers received raises amounting to as much as $3,000 more per year—on average—than Black women.
“The absence of more equitable career development ladders for people of color likely contributes to the growing income gap at UC that was revealed in Pioneering Inequality,” Li added.
“In 12 years, I’ve taken several certification courses, put in countless volunteer hours for training and experience, trained co-workers for positions I applied for but did not get hired into, and applied for over 130 UC jobs to advance my career. I haven’t even received a call-back for any of those applications in those 12 years,” said Mshindi Cherry, a Black member of UC’s Patient Care Technical Unit at UC Davis Medical Center. “It seems UC would rather hand higher paying jobs to people who don’t look like me.”
Cherry—whose last call-back from UC was for the job he currently holds—has been told that he is not qualified for jobs that he already informally performs as an Operating Room Assistant.
The University is disproportionately firing Black workers and people of color in the same job titles that UC is outsourcing jobs to contract companies that pay workers lower wages and fewer benefits. Fully 71% of Black workers who lost their jobs during the study period were employed in food service or custodial positions, yet UC spent over $54 million per year outsourcing this work through 99 different contracts between 2013 and 2017.
The study notes that this trend is not limited to service work. At UCSF Medical Center, the single most outsourced job title is Patient Support Assistant (PSA). PSAs are 96% non-white at UCSF.
“The University of California has stopped investing in career ladders for its most vulnerable workers, and is instead outsourcing jobs,” added AFSCME Local 3299 President Kathryn Lybarger. “If UC is sincere about serving as an engine of economic mobility, it will actually work with us to address these problems, instead of pretending they don’t exist.”
In May, Service workers staged a 3-day walkout in protest of these issues and 53,000 UC workers joined them in solidarity. Today, nearly 6 months later, Patient Care Workers have decided to follow in their footsteps. Their 3-day strike officially ends at 4:00am on Friday morning.
The SBCUSD Board of Education presented Outstanding Student Awards to 12 elementary students, including students from Anton Elementary School.
(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—-VICTORVILLE, CA—- The San Bernardino City Unified School District Board of Education honored 12 students with Outstanding Student Awards at the October 16, 2018, Board meeting. The San Bernardino Symphony also recognized students by providing them and their families with free symphony tickets.
Outstanding Student Award winners are recognized for achievement in academics, athletics, fine arts, citizenship, or for showing significant improvement in these areas. Students are awarded and inspired to have hope for their future by thinking about long-term educational and career goals.
Ramona-Alessandro Elementary School Outstanding Students
Fifth-grader Jesus Echeverria is an excellent citizen. He is polite and respectful to staff and fellow students. He is also a good student. He completes all homework assignments and takes good notes in class. Jesus wants to attend college, but he hasn’t picked a career yet.
Kindergartener Rogelio Mercado has just started school and can already identify his numbers up to 31. He is eager to learn, even at this young age. Rogelio has lots of time to decide what career he wants to pursue, and the Alessandro staff thinks he will go far.
Fifth-grader Kartavya Singh is an excellent role model. He is responsible, excels academically, is active, and appreciates music. Kartavya reads at the 11th-grade level and is a creative and innovative writer. He aspires to study physics at MIT.
Anton Elementary School Outstanding Students
Fifth-grader Gonzalo Ahumada is an outstanding role model. He is a great classroom helper and is very reliable. Math is his favorite subject, so it’s no surprise he excels at it. Gonzalo wants to become a police officer after he graduates.
Third-grader Natalie Reynaga-Gil is polite and kind. She is also a hard worker who always tries her best in the classroom and the learning center. Natalie wants to attend college and become a veterinarian.
Fourth-grader Kaziana Williams is a sweet girl who does her best every day. She is friendly and kind and has a positive attitude toward learning. Kaziana wants to become a police officer someday.
Arrowhead Elementary School Outstanding Students
Fourth-grader Dominic Guevara is an outstanding person. She is empathetic and helpful. She takes her schoolwork seriously, always staying on task and working hard. Dominic wants to attend college and study medicine so she can become a doctor and help others.
Second-grader Aliyah Orozco is an outstanding citizen and positive role model. She believes in herself and knows she can be brave and strong enough to achieve her dream of being a police officer. She also wants to use her artistic talents and create video games.
Third-grader Michael Padilla is an avid reader who is reading at a 6th-grade level. He works hard and takes pride in his academic achievements. Michael wants to attend UCLA and serve his community as a police officer.
Barton Elementary School Outstanding Students
Fourth-grader Itza Arambula is in the top of her class, academically. She scores in the 99th percentile in English and the 90th percentile in math. Itza wants to attend college and become a teacher.
Sixth-grader Dayra Perez is a model student and the epitome of Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID). She is responsible and organized. Her attention to detail is present in everything she does. Dayra wants to attend UC Santa Barbara and open an eco-friendly business.
Sixth-grader Zechariah Saha is an exceptional role model and scholar. He scores in the 97th percentile in language arts and the 86th percentile in math. He understands the importance of perseverance and displays leadership skills. Zechariah wants to become a singer/songwriter.
(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Friends of the San Bernardino Public Library (SBPL) has received a $40,000 donation from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to purchase library books for the four city libraries of the San Bernardino Public Library.
“On behalf of the Friends of the San Bernardino Public Library, the Library Board of Trustees and the City of San Bernardino, we would like to thank the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for their generosity to help us provide more literary resources to the public. The donations go a long way to promote education and early literacy to San Bernardino youth and their families,” said Library Director Edward Erjavek. “This longstanding partnership with San Manuel is a noteworthy example of community organizations coming together to help San Bernardino thrive.”
The library plans to purchase an estimated 2,000 books for readers of all ages in various genres and subjects, including some in Spanish. Books purchased with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians donation can be identified by the name of the tribe stamped on the blank page when you open a book as well as in the library’s public access catalog where it will read “Purchased by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians” along with the first letter of the respective library’s name receiving that copy. The catalog can be accessed at the library’s website at www.sbpl.org.
“San Manuel is proud to have an ongoing relationship with the San Bernardino Public Library. Our goal is to support the community through a variety of non-profit partnerships that reflect our core values including the importance of education. Therefore, we are proud of our ongoing efforts with the library to provide access to books and information to all those who seek it in this region,” said San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena.
In 2015, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians donated $40,000 for library books and donated $45,000 in 2017.
Information about SBPL, directions to its four locations, hours and resources, Overdrive eBooks and audiobooks can be found at www.sbpl.org or at 909-381-8201. You can also follow the library including its various programs onFacebook, Instagram and Twitter.
(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—- SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The Salvation Army ARC has open treatment beds for alcohol and drug rehab. For those that are interested, they can call Jeff Campbell at (909) 899-9605.
For those that are referred to the program, they must be ready to change and be sober for 24 hours before entry. Currently, there are more than 12-beds available and there are new graduates every week.
(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— The 37th annual San Bernardino County Mock Trial competition starts on Thursday, October 30 with the first of four preliminary rounds, and 32 teams from 28 high schools are scheduled to take part in this year’s event.
The Mock Trial competition simulates a criminal case where students portray the principal courtroom characters on the defense and prosecution sides of a case before a real judge. This year’s trial is People v. Klein, a cyberbullying case.
The preliminary rounds of the competition will be held at the county courthouse in Victorville, the Foothill Law and Justice Center in Rancho Cucamonga and the San Bernardino Justice Center. All four rounds of the preliminaries will be held at 5 p.m. on October 30 and November 7, 13 and 27.
The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office are co-sponsors of the competition.
After the prelims, the top four teams will advance to the semifinals on Dec. 4 and 5 at 5 p.m. The semifinals will be held at the San Bernardino Justice Center at 247 W. Third St.
The finals are scheduled for 9 a.m. on Dec. 8 at the Foothill Law and Justice Center in Rancho Cucamonga (8303 N. Haven Ave.).
The winner of the county competition will advance to the state finals in March.
(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)—-VICTORVILLE, CA—- In his regional State of Education Address for the High Desert, San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre applauded local school districts for their collaborative spirit and highlighted student performances and programs that spur innovation and create educational opportunities.
“Preparing a rising generation for the new global economic and civic environment is a shared responsibility,” Alejandre said during his fourth annual State of Education Address. “In the county, we have joined together to create a countywide vision where all sectors of the community support the success of every child from cradle-to-career.”
Delivering his address entitled, “Impact the Present. Transform the Future,” at the High Desert Church, Alejandre was introduced by Caroll Yule, owner of Shear Realty in Apple Valley. This was the second of two regional addresses made by Alejandre, who also presented in San Bernardino on September 27.
Focusing on collective impact in the High Desert, Alejandre touted the Mountain/Desert Career Pathways Joint Powers Authority (JPA), which brings together the school districts of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Hesperia, Silver Valley, Snowline, Victor and Victor Valley. The JPA is designed to develop higher education and skill levels that benefit students and the region’s workforce.
“The Mountain/Desert Career Pathways JPA is an outstanding example of providing students with the opportunity to earn credit for college coursework while completing their high school education,” Alejandre said.
For the more than 403,000 students who attend public school in the county, Alejandre sited the need to develop a more highly skilled and educated workforce. Right now, more than 700 county school students and 50 teachers are taking part in an AP Readiness program through the University of California, Riverside. The program is made possible through a Growing Inland Achievement (GIA) innovation grant and will offer supplemental teaching and support for Advanced Placement (AP) students countywide, joining Riverside County students and teachers who have participated in the program during the past two academic years.
“GIA is geared toward improving educational attainment rates throughout the larger Inland Empire region as a means of furthering economic progress,” Alejandre said.
In an effort to boost literacy rates among early learners, county preschoolers have read more than 895 million words and more than 2.8 million books with a 79 percent reading comprehension level since the inception of Footsteps2Brilliance, a collaborative among County Schools, County Preschool Services, Children’s Fund and First 5 San Bernardino.
“Footsteps2Brilliance is impacting an entire generation of county preschoolers who will begin kindergarten prepared with literacy skills to jump-start their success,” Alejandre said.
Another countywide effort, Vision4Safety, aims to bring county residents together to create safer neighborhoods, schools and workplaces.
“Often when we think about safety, the first thing that comes to mind is crime and violence, including the unfortunate reality of violence on school campuses,” Alejandre said.
This past year, County Schools brought on board a highly experienced safety officer to support our classrooms and school districts in school safety planning, including equipping school communities for active shooter response should such an emergency arise.
In the area of students’ social and emotional wellness, there is a countywide focus on multi-tiered systems of support and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), which debuted in the county in the High Desert in 2009.
“Mental and emotional health are extremely complex issues, so it’s all the more critical that we are prepared to respond to the needs of students, so they can look to our schools as safe harbors,” Alejandre said.
The State of Education Address also featured several student performances from county school districts including:
In conclusion, Alejandre called for public education not to just reform, but be transformative as it provides opportunities for all students. “Choose each day to make an impact … and transform lives through education,” he said.
(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— SAN BERNARDINO, CA— This weekend marks the last weekend of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And to end things off on a bang, the 2018 Queens Brunch will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shandin Hills Golf Course located at 3380 Little Mountain Drive in San Bernardino.
The Queens Brunch is an annual event where women come together in fellowship to empower one another. At this year’s event the ladies will be celebrating those who are Breast Cancer Survivors and those who have left their legacy.
The day will consist of brunch, speakers and vendors. Some of this year’s vendors include: Beauty and the Busy Life with Hannah Cook; Royalty Wells Hair; Many Hats with Lady Sharon Square; Paparazzi Jewelry; Aiyeloja Davis with her artwork; RCM Photobooth; Breast Cancer Awareness with Rusty; Purses by Gwen Russell; Jewelry by Francais Foster; and many more.
This year’s speakers include: Lady Edna Herring Young; Lady Nichelle Gage; Lasy Queen Esther; Lady Gina Negrete; Lady Adrienne Braxton; and Lady LaNette Davis.
For tickets, please visit 2018queensbrunch.eventbrite.com. Don’t forget you hats ladies!
(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— ONTARIO, CA—This Saturday, October 20, from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., join Stephanie Wiltz Events located at 215 N Laurel Avenue in Ontario. Please join them for this year’s Cancer Awareness Photoshoot. If you attended last year, you will be blown away this year.
There will be photographers, music, Horderves, raffles, a Real men wear pink booth operated by Ava Hooks. Men are welcomed to take photos and encouraged to wear pink. Dress in what makes you feel beautiful, although jeans and heels work just fine.
There is a minimum of a $25 donation at the door or online. You’ll be supporting the work of Knock Knock Angels, Community Makeover. They are raising money to further their work in the community. If you can’t attend and would like to make a tax-deductible donation, please do so by visiting https://www.eventbrite.com/e/knock-knock-angels-annual-cancer-awareness-photoshoot-fundraiser-tickets-51226605155.
By Tracey Ritchie
(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)— One of the most successful and bipartisan programs in United States history is the National School Lunch program – and today as we celebrate National School Lunch Week this October 15 – 19, it’s important to reflect on the millions and millions of children who have benefited from this program over the years.
This year schools will celebrate National School Lunch Week with the theme “Lots 2 Love”, intended to encourage students and school nutrition professionals to share what they love most about school lunches.
For many kids, school food is the main source of nutrition they receive on a daily basis. In fact, 30 million children are served lunches daily and more than 5 billion meals are served annually according to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
The school lunch program has evolved over the years. The program was set into place by Gen. Lewis B. Hershey in 1945 when he testified before the House Agriculture Committee that as many as 40 percent of draftees were rejected due to poor nutrition. The National School Lunch Act in 1945 called for a national subsidized school lunch program to ensure that students during their developmental years receive lunch regardless of their ability to pay.
Since then, our knowledge of nutritional needs and healthy lunches has evolved from an emphasis on meats and grains to a more balanced approach emphasizing fruits and vegetables. Even our definition of protein has grown from meat, to lean meats, and now to plant-based options that provide nutritional value and variety.
For decades, Earth Day Network has worked to make school lunches healthier. In 2010, Earth Day Network was part of a coalition to fund the DC Healthy Foods Act, which became a model for the federal Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, passed with bi-partisan support to increase access to healthier food especially for low-income kids. Administered by USDA this legislation encourages schools to increase servings of fruits and vegetables offered as part of their lunch program by imposing weekly caps on grains and proteins.
Since the introduction of the Healthy-Hunger Free Kids Act kids are now eating healthier than ever in schools eating more fruits and vegetables, more salad bars and smoothie bars opening in schools as well as revenue from lunches being up due to more kids eating cafeteria food as opposed to bringing in lunch.
Our whole way of thinking about nutrition has changed. The USDA has issued new guidelines replacing the old food pyramid with new recommendations that focus on increasing servings of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and moderate portions of protein and dairy while limiting salt, fat and sugar. These food changes are now reflected in meals students receive at their local schools.
But there is more to do.
Food choices can have a big impact on the planet, too. By increasing plant-based foods and decreasing animal protein we can cut our ecological footprints dramatically. Even small steps, like Meatless Mondays which encourage school cafeterias to serve plant-based meals one or more days per week, can help the environment and at the same time introduce kids to new healthy food options.
For many kids across the country school lunch (and breakfast) may be the most nutritional meal they get each day. By promoting healthy eating and providing kids with more choices not only can we create lifelong habits of healthy eating, we can also show our kids that what they eat impacts their health and their planet.
There’s really “Lots 2 Love” about this new approach that recognizes the importance of providing plant-based foods and instilling nutritional practices that will lead to healthier children and a healthier world now and in the future.
Tracey Ritchie is director of education at Earth Day Network.
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