Cluster Brings Teachers Together
1/19/12
About 85 public school elementary teachers in La Jolla came together Wednesday (Jan. 18) to learn new strategies for teaching mathematics, at a training supported by the La Jolla Cluster Association (LJCA).
The gathering marked the first time that different public schools in La Jolla brought their educators together for professional development. The principals of La Jolla, Bird Rock and Torrey Pines elementary schools organized the event. San Diego Unified School District math experts showed a video and led grade-level group discussions.
The LJCA provided a delicious lunch, courtesy of Girard Gourmet, which gave the group a discount rate.
LJCA represents the five public schools in La Jolla (La Jolla High, Muirlands Middle, and the three elementary schools). The five principals sit on the governing board, along with 10 teachers and 10 parents. The board meets regularly at the Muirlands Middle School library.
At its most recent meeting, the LJCA board heard an update on efforts by the community education committee to start a speaker series. Sharon Jones, a parent who heads the community education committee, shared information about two events that have been scheduled this spring. The events are:
Warwick’s Book Store will be selling copies of O’Shaughnessy’s book after her talk, Jones said.
At the recent LJCA board meeting, the financial woes of the district were discussed briefly. John May, a parent who chairs the finance committee, described a recent meeting of all the campus foundation leaders in the cluster. He said that the group discussed the district’s financial situation and shared information about what programs the various foundations are supporting.
Governance is another priority of the cluster. The cluster is moving forward with its efforts to create a partnership agreement with San Diego Unified School District, said Rob Tindall, a teacher at Muirlands Middle. After a year of surveying teachers and holding open meetings, the agreement committee is now preparing to contact labor union and district representatives, he said.
Student safety is always a cluster concern. To relieve traffic around Muirlands Middle and La Jolla High, the LJCA is working with the La Jolla YMCA to create a neighborhood bus service. Parent Fran Shimp explained how the busses will begin to transport students to Muirlands Middle and La Jolla High School starting Jan. 30th. The cost is $75 a month. The application form is available at the YMCA or you can download it at LaJollaCluster.com.
SCHOOL FINANCES BACKGROUND