21st Century Technology Helping Students at Elementary School

Students at are moving ahead in 21^st century technology, a fact that Principal Pauline Leavitt emphasized in a PowerPoint presentation to the school board at its Oct. 20 meeting.

Students at all grade levels have access to technical tools in their day-to-day learning situations. Leavitt’s presentation included interviews with students and teachers, including a group of students singing the school’s new spirit song. It was written by a student.

“We believe every student is college bound,” Leavitt said. “Every teacher has committed to promoting a college. Every classroom has been adopted by a college.”

Students are adopting the motto “We are going to college.”

Teachers are following the “Four Cs” program, which develop creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking among the students.

“As a group, we’re learning the application of the program together,” teacher Laura Tiegs said.

In another presentation to the board, Assistant Superintendent David Ostermann reported that the official enrollment district-wide is 6,130 students. The cutoff date by the state was Oct. 5 and the number of enrollees on that date determined the district’s official count.

“Enrollment ties into average daily attendance, which translates into dollars,” Ostermann told the trustees.

Enrollment is down by 112 students since last year and down by 472 students since 2008.

“That represents (a loss of) $2.6 million in one year,” Ostermann said, adding that the majority of funding for the school district comes from the state through ADA (average daily attendance).

The board also heard a report from Assistant Superintendent Cathy Pierce and teacher-on-assignment Pat Ravin on the continuing Character Education program. Ravin works with all of the district’s schools “to encourage students and staff to treat one another with dignity and respect.”

In other business, the trustees approved the initial proposal between the Ramona Unified School District and the Ramona Teachers Association for contract negotiations to begin for the 2012-13 school year.

Approval also was given for three upcoming field trips. choir students will be participating in competitions in February at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz., and again in April in Anaheim. Olive Peirce Middle School seventh-grade science students will go to Catalina Island Marine Institute.

The next meeting of the RUSD Board of Education begins at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Wilson Administration Center, 720 Ninth St.