By Mickey Zeichick, President

Our January guest speaker was Mr. Kevin Beiser, board member for the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) and a middle school math teacher in Chula Vista. Questions and concerns were solicited and presented to Mr. Beiser prior to the meeting. Topics ranged from Common Core to bullying to how the district spends bond money.

Mr. Beiser explained the rollout of the Common Core math program was not done in the most effective way. He said teachers, parents and students were not adequately prepared for it. Teachers (and parents) know not everyone learns at the same rate or the same way. Common Core combines art with math and gives students a “hands on” approach.

Charter schools are reviewed every five years by the school board.

School bond money can only be spent on schools. The bond measure passed a few years ago has provided upgrades to many facilities, by providing air conditioning, technological modernization, and replacing asphalt playgrounds with grass. In some areas, there will be park-type benches that will allow a resting place for us older walkers during non-school hours.

Standards for career and technical schools are being adopted. SDUSD is rated in the top four school districts in the United States. The graduation literacy rate is very strong for the third year in a row. There is a strong partnership with parents, school board, and teachers. The arts continue to be taught in our schools and students in the fourth grade still can learn how to play an instrument. The Kennedy Center for the Arts has recognized SDUSD for their music programs. SDUSD has a very high graduation rate. Graduation coaches are now in all SDUSD high schools. Marvin Elementary School has a transitional kindergarten program, which has been recognized for its success. Forty-four school libraries were closed — all are now reopened. Bullying: The definition of serial bullying has been changed. For more on Mr. Beiser’s presentation, contact me and I’ll send you my “notes.”

What is Moodle? Moodle is an open source learning management system (LMS) used by SDUSD for more than three years to deliver online courses and to supplement traditional face-to-face courses. It is an open source, web-based software package designed using sound pedagogical principles to help educators create effective online, constructivist, learning communities. It is currently used by more than 1,000 teachers and 55,000 students.

Navajo Community Planning Inc. Living Green Medical Marijuana Consumer Cooperative Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a Medical Marijuana Consumer Cooperative at 4417 Rainer Ave. (existing facility). The facility will be closed until the CUP has been granted. Among other concerns are parking, cash on premises, and hours of operation. [Editor’s note: See the page 1 article in this issue for more on Living Green.]

Golfcrest Drive on-street parking. The City’s Traffic Engineering Department looked into the removal of the red striping and found no adverse effects to either safety or traffic. Removal of the red curb along Golfcrest Drive will provide for 17 additional parking spots. The next NCPI meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Jan. 26, 2015. Visit their website for a copy of the agenda and past minutes: navajoplanners.org. Items are available three days before the upcoming meeting.

Community Room at the San Carlos Branch Library. This room has been redecorated and is very welcoming. The library is being used throughout the day and evenings by such events Tai Chi, yoga, Book Reading Club, San Carlos Area Council (SCAC) meetings, etc. New participants are welcome to join these activities and if you have an idea on other uses please contact our librarian, Rita Glick, who welcomes your suggestions on making our branch the “Best Branch Ever!” Submit your ideas and help Rita make our branch become the BBE. Incidentally, when the Community Room is not being used for a scheduled event, sit down and relax with a good book and a cup of coffee or tea.

I have been asked if there is there any chance that the SCAC meetings are audio or video recorded and posted online. Please send me your thoughts about this.

To find out what is happening in our San Carlos neighborhood go to nextdoor.com. If you would like to discuss a matter, please call me at 619 461-6032 or email me at [email protected].

Our next SCAC meeting will be Wednesday, March 4 at 6 p.m. in the San Carlos Branch Library, 7265 Jackson Drive. Our guest speaker is Councilmember Scott Sherman and his topic will be the state of the City. After the councilman’s presentation he will answer questions. To help manage the time, please send me items you wish Councilman Sherman to address and I will compile a list and send it to his office prior to the meeting.

—Mickey Zeichick is president of the San Carlos Area Council