SJUSD Continues To Develop Master Plan

The San Juan Unified School District is still in the process of developing a facilities master plan for spending the Measure N Bond funds. On April 22nd, the DLR Group presented a preliminary document to the district that will eventually include site summaries for each school campus, field assessment data and photos, and an appendix of community input, staff surveys and supporting documents.

A grading scale of “A” through “D” for every school in the district is currently online. El Camino High School received the lowest grade of any school in the district. A sad state of affairs, but may work in our favor for actually seeing facility improvement.

The idea of “Signature Projects” at every high school is still on the table and appears to be a priority with a majority of school board members. El Camino High School’s wish and priority for a signature project remains the performing arts center.

At this time the school board and administrators are working with the DLR Group to finalize a facilities master plan and time line for implementation. The school board will essentially have the final say on how the Measure N Bond funds are spent and when.

ecARTS, Inc. continues to be an advocate for a performing arts center that will serve the needs of the entire district and the local community. Our mission continues to be to convince the school board and district administrators that this facility will open the doors for 21st century learning in the creative and business side of the performing and visual arts and will be an investment that will truly support the arts in our schools and community and will enhance public support for the school district.

We appreciate your continued support.

Remembering Jeff Rogers

On January 29^th, El Camino Band parent Jeff "Mitch" Rogers passed away after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer. Jeff was diagnosed three years ago, and fought the devastating odds through spirit, determination, and strength. He was a wonderful parent, husband and human being. A remembrance for Jeff appeared in the Sacramento Bee, and says in part: "Jeff believed in giving back to his community and did so in numerous ways...He was also passionate about the El Camino High School band program, of which his [twin] daughters are members. Watching the Pep Band in action at Friday night football games gave him great joy."  

In accordance with his wishes, the family requests that donations made in Jeff's memory be sent either to El Camino High School Performing Arts (ecARTS, Inc., Kevin Glaser, President, 4300 El Camino Avenue, Sacramento, CA, 95821 or the Fremont Presbyterian Church, 5770 Carlson Drive, Sacramento, CA 95819.

We thank Jeff and his family for their generosity in remembering El Camino and the performing arts center at this sad time. 

Please join us as we keep Jeff’s wife and daughters in our thoughts.

SJUSD Parents, Students, Employees, and Community Members Raise Their Voices at Community Forum

The January 13 performing arts center community forum hosted at El Camino High School was both informative and positive.  The current status of the “Facilities Master Plan” for Measure N was presented by the newly hired Bond Manager, Brett Mitchell.  Mr. Mitchell addressed the process and challenges of creating a facilities master plan for the school district, modernizing schools, and establishing 21st century “learning communities” and design standards for all schools in the district.

The bulk of the meeting (over one hour) was devoted to questions from the 140-member audience.  Audience members made very clear to Interim Superintendent Kent Kern, SJUSD Board Member Greg Paolo (also in attendance), and Mr. Mitchell their want, desire, need and passion for a performing arts facility that would serve all schools in the district and the surrounding community.  Neither of the district representatives could make a promise or commitment regarding a performing arts center, but Mr. Kern and Mr. Paulo both acknowledged they understand and agree with the need. 

Although audience members did not get the commitment they were looking for, the forum was positive in that our district administrators and school board member heard from an extremely passionate and loyal group of parents, students, employees and community members.  It was made perfectly clear that a performing arts center in this school district is the right thing to do and an investment in the future of our schools, the students it serves, and the community in which it resides.

Tonight's the night!

Ninety minutes of your time will go a long way toward showing Interim Superintendent Kent Kern how important a performing arts center is to our students and community.

Monday, January 13, 2014

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

El Camino cafeteria

Hope to see you there!

Haven't been following this thread? Read more:
Save Jan. 13 at 6:30 for community forum with superindendent
Save our performing arts center

Reminder: Jan. 13 community forum

Now that the holidays are behind us, help us start the New Year off on a positive note. Attend an open forum with Interim Superintendent Kent Kern and district leadership to show your support for our community-wide performing arts center. 

Monday, January 13, 2014

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

El Camino cafeteria

Need a refresher on why it's critical that you attend? Read our Dec. 16 blog post. 

Planning to attend? Please send us an email at performatec@yahoo.com. Come with questions.

Save Jan. 13 at 6:30 for community forum with superintendent

We are very excited about our potential state-of-the-art performing arts facility serving all students and campuses on the west end of the San Juan Unified School District. But at this point in time, we are only a potential project and not yet a reality. We need your help:  please attend an open forum with Interim Superintendent Kent Kern and district leadership to show your support for this needed project:

Monday, January 13, 2014

6:30pm – 8:00pm

El Camino cafeteria

The recent passage of Bond Measure N will be a huge benefit to this and other needed projects around the District, but it presents some management issues for the District and the school board--the most significant problem being that there are roughly $1 billion in identified projects competing for about $275 million in Measure N funding.

Nonetheless, with ecARTS, Inc. at the helm, the performing arts center project enjoys an existing volunteer team that has worked closely with the District for several years.  It was the result of that relationship which prompted Superintendent Kern to offer to address our community and provide the latest and most accurate information on the subject of a performing arts center.  There will also be a question and answer session at this forum.

Why should you attend?

On October 14^th, a community forum was hosted by DLR, the company hired to produce the SJUSD Facilities Master Plan.  In attendance were El Camino and its feeder middle and elementary schools.  The performing arts center was at the top of the list of projects for our community.   Each high school will most likely receive one “signature project” through Measure N funding in the neighborhood of $10-$12 million.

However, the School Board has already approved all-weather tracks and athletic fields for El Camino and Del Campo—at $2 million each.  It is proposed that funding for the athletic facilities will come from the $10-$12 million for the El Camino community’s signature project—the performing arts center.  We disagree with that logic, especially since the football field at El Camino is a District field that serves four high schools.

More importantly, other high schools have received upgrades and new structures from previous bond measures so the idea that all nine high schools will receive an equal share of the Measure N Bond is an issue on the table.

It is for these reasons that we need you to attend this forum meeting on January 13^th and impress upon the District leadership that we are united behind our performing arts center and that we want it to receive the funding necessary to get this sorely needed facility built.

The San Juan School Board is an elected body and therefore sensitive to public sentiment. Our united presence will have the added benefit of reminding them of what they might hear from the voters should they feel that their Measure N vote was in vain. Our presence is the strongest way to show our level of commitment to and expectation for the performing arts center. Please take the time to attend.

Once again, save the date, Monday, January 13, 2014, 6:30 – 8:00pm in the El Camino cafeteria. Planning to attend? Please send us an email at performatec@yahoo.com. 

Save our performing arts center

The Problem:  Several school board members have expressed concern about the cost of a performing arts center along the lines of the facility outlined by our survey respondents. A facility that will have tremendous positive impact on the District and the community! A curriculum area linked to academic achievement! We need to act quickly to prove to the board that students, alumni, and faculty from area schools AND the community want this project to happen.

Pressing need: Get our performing arts center on the District’s Facilities Master Plan. To help us, please complete the information at this ONLINE FORM. In the comment boxes at the bottom, please identify the performing arts center at El Camino as a specific project for the board to support. Then share the link with a friend. The information collected by the District will be shared with the DLR Group, the firm producing the master plan. 

Background:

• Summer 2012:  ecARTS members volunteer to help the District ensure Measure N’s passage (which included handing out election flyers for some of our board members).
• Nov. 2012: Measure N passes and a District employee attends an ecARTS meeting to tell us our performing arts center is a sure thing.
• Spring 2013: ecARTS tabulates survey results from SJU schools and community organizations and creates a list of features our new performing arts center must have. ecARTS hires LPAS to produce a conceptual drawing (below).
• Summer 2013: ecARTS and LPAS representatives present the plan to SJUSD board members Lucinda Luttgen and Pam Costa. While the board members seem to support the concept, the cost of the facility is prohibitive in their opinion.
• Oct. 2013:  ECHS, Starr King, Cowan, Mission, and Arcade vote unanimously for a performing arts center. DLR is impressed by an idea that serves thousands of students, and the “signature project” aspect they believe the District needs.
• Nov. 2013:  School board members continue to express reservations about the cost of a facility and are not convinced that several schools will use it. Help us convince them!
• 
  
  

HELP! We need 5 minutes of your time...

As we reported last week, the SJUSD Board is presently awaiting the completion of a Facilities Master Plan (FMP) before it makes any public announcements regarding Measure N-funded projects. The DLR Group has conducted a series of public meetings where it received input from the community regarding improvements and/or enhancements at each school in the District.

The District is also seeking public input for the FMP via an ONLINE FORM. The intent was to have a form for each campus but as you can see, the form is generic.

How you can help (we need only 5 minutes!)

1. Click the above link.
2. Complete your name and select the appropriate radio buttons for questions on safety, academics, athletics. etc. (all fields are required). 
3. In the comment boxes at the end, PLEASE BE SURE THE NAME THE SAN JUAN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (at El Camino High School) AS YOUR #1 DESIRE!

It takes all of 5 minutes but the results can last a lifetime. When you're done, please forward to a friend.

Thank you for your continued support to help us build a first-class visual and performing arts center that serves the students in the west end of the District and the community at large.

Focused and positive!

As the President of ecARTS, part of my "job description" is to make sure this organization remains focused on our goal and positive in our actions. Over the past couple of months I often had to remind myself of my own philosophy of "Attitude is Everything"!

Since August, we have experienced some setbacks that took us by surprise. However, in the past week some very positive things have occurred in our favor. Specifically, at the recent community forum administered by DLR, the company hired by the San Juan School District to present a master plan for measure N funding.

• El Camino staff, administration, students, parents, PTSA, and Athletic Boosters bonded together to inform DLR (and the San Juan School District) that our number one priority at El Camino is to build a state of the art 600 seat performing arts center with measure N funds.
• In addition, each of our feeder schools (Starr King, Arcade, Cowan, Mission Avenue) also desire a performing arts center that serves their student arts programs.
• El Camino’s presentation at the community forum was received with applause and cheers by our feeder schools.

It makes perfect sense that the district build a single facility to serve the needs of the entire west end of our district. This has always been our intention! El Camino has the space and is in a logical location.

With the support of our school community, ecARTS is in a powerful position to see our vision come to fruition. As discussed at our meeting on Tuesday, we will invite the DLR team to the fall band concert and winter madrigal dinner concert to allow them to actually see why there is a need for a new facility.

So, the point of this communication is to remind us all (including myself) why we came together and to keep our eye on the prize! Attitude really is everything!

Thank you all for everything you have done and continue to do for our cause.

Kevin Glaser

Architect hired to create concept drawings

You've probably been wondering what we've been up to the last several months. The answer? A lot!

First, our hard work on Measure N paid off! The district now has $350 million of breathing room with respect to much needed improvements for all schools in our district.

Second, it was announced to ecARTS by the school district that money is being earmarked for our long-awaited performing arts center on El Camino's campus. 

In the last several months, the design committee met and developed a rough outline of necessary features for our performing arts center, based on surveys conducted with district elementary, middle, and high schools, and community performing groups.

Next, we submitted requests for proposal to three well-know area architects for concept drawings and project estimates. LPAS submitted the winning proposal -- designer of the Three Stages at Folsom Lake College and several other performing arts centers in the western U.S.

Between now and the end of May, ecARTS together with LPAS will prepare a design concept for district approval.

It's going to happen, folks! The Performing Arts Center at El Camino High School will soon be a reality.

Measure N is good for kids and taxpayers

A letter from Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones and Sacramento Metro Chamber CEO Roger Niello:

Dear Taxpayer-

There’s a good reason why taxpayers support Measure N. Investing in upgrading our schools today means a large cost savings tomorrow.

We also know where all the money will go – directly to help our kids and schools right here in the San Juan Unified School District.

By law, Measure N money can only be spent on critical projects like modernizing our local schools, replacing leaky old portables, adding and upgrading science labs, and for improving technology throughout the district. Measure N prohibits any funds from being used for administrators’ salaries or pensions and no expensive capital appreciation bonds will be issued.

And there’s a little “insurance policy” written into Measure N called “The Citizens Oversight Committee” with people on it we can trust; retirees, taxpayers and business people who live here in the San Juan School District.

Quality schools help create a safer community, where children are encouraged to stay in school. We believe Measure N is a great investment in our kids and our community.

 

Please join us in voting YES on Measure N.

Bipartisan Support of Measure N

Republicans of River City

Democratic Party of Sacramento County

San Juan Teachers Association

Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce PAC

Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce PAC

Supervisor Susan Peters

SMUD Director Bill Slaton

California League of Bond Oversight Committees President Mike Day

Former California State Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell

Taxpayers League of Sac County Former Executive Director Carl Burton

 

Courtesy of San Juan Schools First / Yes on Measure N

Sacramento Bee Endorses Measure N

"San Juan schools have been a good steward of past bond funds...It has won deserved praise across the political spectrum. Measure N has drawn support from taxpayer and chamber of commerce groups to the teachers union and labor groups."

"[San Juan Unified]...has aging schools...El Camino High School is 62 years old. Many of the district's 65 schools were built during the Roosevelt era."

"Measure N's estimated annual cost to property owners would be $60 per $100,000 of assessed valuation."

"Now is a good time for borrowing. We are at historically low interest rates."

"Now is a good time for building. With the downturn in the construction market, SJU gets many, many more bids per project than in pre-recession 2007, providing good deals for taxpayers."

"The District will use traditional general obligation bonds." NOT a capital appreciation bond structure!

Read entire article, and Vote YES on MEASURE N


FIND OUT MORE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

· Facebook

· Twitter

Measure N to build ecARTS PAC

I am Kevin Glaser, President of ecARTS, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to building a state-of-the-art performing arts center and gallery on the campus of El Camino High School that will serve the entire San JuanUnified School District and Sacramento community.

 

The SJUSD Board of Education unanimously approved Measure N for this November's ballot asking voters to authorize $350 million in bonds to support modernization and repair of schools that are now more than 50 years old.

 

WHY ecARTS CARE ABOUT THIS BOND MEASURE:

In addition to modernization and repair, Measure N will provide the necessary funding to build a performing arts center on the campus of El Camino High School that will serve the entire San Juan UnifiedSchool District and the greater Sacramento area. The performing arts center perfectly aligns with Measure N’s guidelines to meet the academic, technological, creative, and career needs of today’s K-12 students. 

 

Thanks to Measure N, future generations of students, staff, administrators, and community groups will have the opportunity to hold public forums, graduations, music and drama performances, lectures, and art exhibitions in a modern facility with state of the art lighting, sound, comfortable seating, and a pleasing environment. A far cry from the gyms, cafeterias and libraries upon which we currently rely.  

SUPPORT SAN JUANSCHOOLS AND MEASURE N  

ATTENTION former, current, and future EC Arts parents and students!

·         Please volunteer just 2 hours of your time to work a phone bank or neighborhood walk.

·         To sign up, got to: http://www.yesonmeasuren.org/get-involved/

·         High school students – receive credit! If you volunteer, you may receive credit with the approval of your political science instructors.  

FIND OUT MORE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER

·  Facebook

·  Twitter

ENDORSE MEASURE N

·  Email: alyson.willey@yesonmeasuren.org to confirm that your name may be used publicly to endorse Measure N.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT BY VOTING YES ON MEASURE N ON NOVEMBER 6^TH

·  Encourage your friends and family to vote yes as well.

·  You may request a lawn sign at: alyson.willey@yesonmeasuren.org to show your support of Measure N and local schools.

MEASURE N SPECIFICS (Ö indicates where the performing arts center fits into Measure N's criteria):

ü  Modernization of classrooms with current learning technology to support teaching and improve learning.

ü  Installation of other technology infrastructure to support classroom tools.

ü  New, energy efficient, classrooms.

ü  Repair and renovation of bathrooms at campuses to continue providing healthy and safe facilities.

ü  Installation of energy efficient equipment at schools to save on utility bills.

ü  Renovation and construction of physical education and career tech facilities that provide needed job skills for students and our economy.

·         Repair and replacement of deteriorated roofs for improved energy efficiency and longevity.

·         Repair and replacement of deteriorating underground sewer and water lines.

·         Improvements to ensure campus security during and after the school day.

·         Repair and upgrades for safety alarms at schools to protect learning materials and the community's investment.

ecARTS Spearheads El Camino Alumni Association

In 2014, El Camino High School will celebrate the 60^th anniversary of its first graduation! As a gift to the school, ecARTS spearheaded the creation of the El Camino Alumni Association to allow alumni and retired staff members to maintain a connection to their past while simultaneously staying abreast of the ECHS of the future. The ECAA is a ground-breaking development for a school with a long history of talented, community-oriented alumni and staff.

Since its first class graduted in 1954, El Camino High School has never had an organized alumni association. This summer ecARTS, with help from Athletic Boosters, PTSA, students, faculty, and alumni, brainstormed ideas for the creation of a formal El Camino Alumni Association. The current Strategic Plan of the San Juan Unified School District mandates stronger alumni ties to its schools. The school district not only supports our alumni association idea, but may use it as a model for other schools in the district.

A soon-to-be-unveiled website will be the portal to an interactive forum that allows members to stay informed of current activities around the campus as well connecting graduates with reunion committees. An event calendar, school merchandise, and access to ticketed events will also be available. Additionally, the current administration at ECHS recognizes the benefit of the unique contributions of El Camino’s alumni as valued partners in support of learning and hopes to invite community professionals to share their experiences and talents with students.

Watch for our fall launch announcement! The El Camino Alumni Association hopes to usher in a new age of communication between campus and community.

Happy Anniversary, El Camino High School. From ecARTS.

Status update

Our last blog post was May of 2011, but rest assured we have not been idle. In fact, quite the contrary! We hired a fund raising consultant to conduct a feasibility study to determine the viability of a performing arts center on the campus of El Camino High School. First, we have a new website which fully outlines our vision.

Feasibility study results
The consultant conducted private interviews with alumni, business leaders, and community members selected based on their potential ability to donate $100,000 or more to the campaign. The findings of the study indicate that the need is real and the community is intrigued, but the facility must serve the entire San Juan Unified School District—one of ecARTS’ original stipulations. So we’re definitely on the right track.

Lack of performance space
As a follow-up to the feasibility study, we created an exhaustive list of available performance venues within a 10 mile radius of El Camino High School. The results point to a lack of affordable theater space with 500-600 seats for San Juan Unified students.

Arts programs surveys
Additionally, we surveyed the leaders of SJUSD arts programs and community-based arts programs. The overwhelming findings of these surveys indicate that groups are more than ready for a state-of-the-art theater with a professional stage, sound system, dressing rooms, reception area, and enough seats to accommodate audience members.

Where do we go from here?
Divide and conquer is our new mantra.

1.       Based on survey responses, the Design Committee has created a list of features to be included in the performing arts center with relative square footage requirements. Area architects are providing valuable input and cost estimates.

2.       The Communications Committee is working with the Boosters and PTSA at El Camino High School to develop a comprehensive database of alumni and friends.

Tell your friends, SJUSD alumni, and community businesses about ecARTS’ plan to become a hub for the arts in the Arden-Arcade area.

San Juan School Board Pledges Support for New Performing Arts Center

The San Juan Unified School District Board of Education pledged its support in a recent board meeting for the ecARTS Visual and Performing Arts Center at El Camino High School. The Board’s vote of support is a significant milestone and comes as ecARTS celebrates its first anniversary as an official nonprofit organization.

Although school and facility construction is traditionally funded by local taxes or special bond measures, ecARTS is relying instead on private donations and grants from individuals, corporations and foundations.

“Research has conclusively linked participation in the visual and performing arts with higher achievements from students. Moreover, it enhances cognitive abilities which serve students throughout their lives,” said Kevin Glaser, President of ecARTS and the Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair at El Camino. “This performing arts center will not only provide a necessary state-of-the-art facility for El Camino students, but it will be an asset for all students in the San Juan School District and the community at large. We intend to offer educational clinics and summer programs for all community members with a desire to experience the arts. That is our vision; that is our goal,” Glaser said.

“I wish to thank Superintendent of Education, Dr. Pat Jaurequi, whose leadership and encouragement throughout this process has been exceptional; Mr. Kent Kern, SJUSD Interim Senior Director, Facilities and Planning for his oversight and input to the resolution process; and the entire San Juan Board of Education for its unanimous support of ecARTS in adopting Resolution 2564,” added Glaser.

Media Contact: performatec@yahoo.com

1,200 Surprises from El Camino's Student Government Students

April 8 was a BIG day for ecARTS. Members of El Camino's Student Government presented a check in the amount of $1,200 to the El Camino Band specifically designated for the ecARTS theatre project. The entire student government class visited the band room and sang at take-off of Cee Lo Green's "Forget You." The lyrics to the song were re-written specifically for the EC Band and their participation at the recent Powder Puff football game and all the other events the band does on the campus at El Camino. To watch the presentation, click the video link below.

Thank you Student Government!

The "Who Do You Know?" Game

We are looking for connections to major companies such as Smart Water, Geico Insurance, Capitol Coors, 7UP, Raley's, and Coke. If you know someone (or know someone who knows someone), we would love to hear about it. Please email us at performatec@yahoo.com.

On a performance-related note, spring is performance time across the San Juan Unified School District (visit the district's Artsworthy newsletter for a full line up.) On tap this weekend:

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
El Camino High School
March 11, 12 at 7:00 pm
Does losing make you a loser? This hilarious musical will take you through the twists and turns of the lives of six young spellers who struggle with puberty and their group of adult advisors mired in their own childhoods.

Tickets available at the door.
$7 students, children, seniors; $9 adults
Contact Sheryl Lee with questions: shlee@sanjuan.edu or 916.971.7996 x 4377

The Magic of Music

Think back to your high school teen years. Remember hearing that song that captured so perfectly the relationship with your significant other? Or the trademark song for your class? Or the music that pumped you up before a big game?

In Sunday’s Sacramento Bee (Feb. 13, 2011), Bruce Maiman discusses the personal and universal magic of music (“Music and its transformative power”). According to Maiman, “Part of music’s magic is that its effects are very personal. Music has the power to cause emotions to well up within us– peaceful, relaxing, exciting, festive, foreboding, unsettling, stimulating, invigorating, and more. These feelings are gripping—often irresistible—and they seem to emerge from nowhere. The color our moods, affect our perceptions and generate a behavioral pattern.

“We now know that music increases the release of endorphins—the body’s feel good chemical—hence soothing the savage beast (or reducing your blood pressure. Newer research also suggests musical training enhances the brain's cognitive abilities. Children taking music lessons have experienced higher IQ scores, increased literacy and mathematical skills, even greater sensitivity to emotional cues in social contexts, two skills critical to emotional intelligence.”

The magic of music lives in these emotional responses. The academic subjects like math and science educate us, while the arts help us make sense of our world. And where better to explore the magic of music than in school band or choir?

Support ecARTS. Educate. Inspire. Entertain.

Last Day for Showcase of Talent Tickets

Today is the last day to purchase your Showcase of Talent tickets to support ecARTS and the student groups who make up the evening's entertainment. Bring friends and family! Munch on delectable creations by Hannibals Catering.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

7:00 - 9:30 pm

Citrus Heights Community Center

The playbill  includes:

• Rio Americano High School Jazz Combo (under the direction of Josh Murray)
• Deterding Elementary School Choir (under the direction of George Dozet)
• Arden Middle School: Choir (under the direction of Pam Mitchell)
• Solo Piano Performance by Justin Eccleston of Orange Grove Adult School
• Del Campo High School Choir (under the direction of Pam Mitchell)
• Solo Dance Performance by Encina High School student Leo Maldonado-Ramirez
• Monologues and Scenes by El Camino High School Theater Students (under the direction of Sheryl Lee)
• El Camino High School Carter Trio Jazz Combo (under the direction of Kevin Glaser)

Tickets, details and directions available at: