LAUSD doing some things right
8:28 PM March 21, 2009
The Los Angeles Unified School District has been part of my life for nearly as long as I can remember. I went to Westwood Elementary School, Emerson Junior High, and University High School. My mother was the school nurse at Mount Vernon Junior High for more than a decade.
I believe in public education, and so it was with some sense of horror several years ago when my oldest daughter was leaving pre-school, an adviser told me that my neighborhood elementary school was excellent, the middle school good; and my alma mater Uni High was "no longer an option."
Well now my eldest is graduating middle school and will attend a public high school. This weekend, I received a mailer from Uni detailing the incredible progress the school had made. The concept of several small schools within the larger school; the partnership between Uni and local companies including United Talent Agency; and their impressive rate of graduates attending college; over 90% . It seems that the school that "was no longer an option," was really in the midst of an impressive turn-around.
My niece goes to Overland Avenue Elementary School in Rancho Park; and I have hosted their annual fund-raiser for years. Well there is no denying that 2009 is tough for anyone to raise money; but even still our heartstrings can control our purse strings.
Last Saturday night at the fund-raiser, a school mom, on her Mac, created a video-tape showcasing the school's accomplishments and the continued ambitions of the young students. The tape was GREAT. About the very best one of this ilk that I have ever seen. Literally there was not a dry eye in the house. Prodded by that tape, Overland took in more than $100,000 for one evening. In these times, that is amazing.
Last night, my middle daughter's elementary school had their annual talent show. Once again, a great group of dedicated parents made for a wonderful evening. More songs, dances and skits based on Taylor Swift and Mamma Mia than any other cultural influences. My daughter and her classmates are not likely to be contestants on "Idol" or "So You Think You Can Dance?" But they gave it their all; and their parents paid for the seats and $1 bags of popcorn and $5 bouquets of flowers. I am sure the school took in a few dollars with the talent show.
The real talent, of course, is that active and interested parents are elevating their local public schools to provide a first class education for their kids.
I have toured many of these high-profile local private schools and they are indeed jaw-dropping. Incredible grounds, classes you probably couldn't find in most colleges, and annual tuition bills that are sometimes more than 20,000 or 30,000 dollars. So for many of us, private schools are simply not an option.
It gratifying to know that in these tough times, with potentially even tougher budget choices on the horizon, I can see at least three local public schools doing things right.
How is your local school doing?
Posted by Sam Rubin | Permalink | Comments (52) | TrackBack (0)
Previous Entry
Box Office analyst Darren Miller says "high-brow critic" Sam Rubin's review of Hanna Montana (the movie) added millions to the weekend take, pushing the film to the 2nd best opening for an Easter week.
Hasn't this hard working movie commentator earned that steak dinner yet? Can I get a witness?
NOTE: The Cyrus' are on a cross-country tour promoting the film. Rubin may have to wait a while for that rib eye. Hang on, Sam.
Posted by: jozielee | 04/13/2009 at 02:39 PM
And Sam's steak dinner is still MIA.
Posted by: jozielee | 04/10/2009 at 11:26 PM
Looks to me like you've chased him out a town Paul. Shoot he may move to Vegas with the way he's talking. Shame on you Paul thats worse then having to move to the Valley. =;} lol
Posted by: Forrest | 04/07/2009 at 10:58 AM
Jozie wrote:
"LOL. Actually in Vegas with Billy Ray & Miley Cyrus trackin' down that steak dinner BR promised him."
Good luck with that. LOL.
Posted by: Paul | 04/07/2009 at 04:01 AM
PAUL: "He went on tour with the Jonas Brother as a roadie.
:-)"
LOL. Actually in Vegas with Billy Ray & Miley Cyrus trackin' down that steak dinner BR promised him.
Posted by: jozielee | 04/06/2009 at 05:48 PM
Forrest wrote:
"SAM HAVE YOU LEFT US???"
He went on tour with the Jonas Brother as a roadie.
:-)
Posted by: Paul | 04/06/2009 at 01:40 PM
SAM HAVE YOU LEFT US???
Posted by: Forrest | 04/06/2009 at 09:30 AM
Paul speaking of George Carlin..
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8683046848311681223
Posted by: Jared | 04/05/2009 at 05:15 PM
Happy Birthday Bette Davis
Bette Davis was born on April 5,1908
Posted by: Jared | 04/05/2009 at 05:12 PM
Jozie wrote:
"Name 3 of your favorite comedians?"
1) George Carlin
2) Chris Rock
3) Craig Shoemaker
Posted by: Paul | 04/04/2009 at 06:35 AM
PAUL WROTE: "What I find funny just happens"
Name 3 of your favorite comedians?
Posted by: jozielee | 04/03/2009 at 11:50 PM
Jozie wrote:
"So, Paul, what topic would make you laugh? Lemon trees, taxes, Hannah Montana doesn't do it. Give us a hint."
Hmmmm. What I find funny just happens, it's hard to put a label on it.
Posted by: Paul | 04/03/2009 at 04:48 PM
Thanks Mike,
Im interested to Paul give us a hint on cactus humor!!
Posted by: Forrest | 04/03/2009 at 10:43 AM
I'm finding the three of you pretty darn funny this morning. LOL.
So, Paul, what topic would make you laugh? Lemon trees, taxes, Hannah Montana doesn't do it. Give us a hint.
Posted by: jozielee | 04/03/2009 at 08:30 AM
Mike wrote:
"Oh my!" As Jozielee would write. YIKES! We didn't realize all this time we were dealing with "Nice Paul." lol... Sorry Paul, but that was very funny on your part. See humor is a good thing."
I never said humor wasn't a good thing. Believe it or not, I happen to be a very funny person . . . for a curmudgeon.
I just don't get to do much here. Most of the subjects here don't lend themselves to my funny side. :-)
Posted by: Paul | 04/02/2009 at 12:48 PM
Forrest - do you comment on this or do I???
Paul wrote:
" ...That would really put me in a bad mood."
"Oh my!" As Jozielee would write. YIKES! We didn't realize all this time we were dealing with "Nice Paul." lol... Sorry Paul, but that was very funny on your part. See humor is a good thing.
-m
Posted by: mike | 04/02/2009 at 11:27 AM
Forrest wrote:
Paul,
"I've got a lemon tree at my house sweeter then your disposition. leave Sam B do what Sam B do and let Linda B who Linda B. Can't U C its plain to me."
Well, I have cactus in my yard, go figure. My disposition is what it is for a curmudgeon. I have no reason to be the fraking ray of Sunshine of blog boards.
And I will stop complaining about Sam's reports when he starts doing REAL reports, not this Disney crap. If Ross can do it, so can Sam.
And to the powers that be at KTLA. Thanks for not putting Michalea on the news desk at the new 4:30AM show. I would hate to start my day with her. That would really put me in a bad mood.
Posted by: Paul | 04/01/2009 at 02:01 PM
Paul,
I've got a lemon tree at my house sweeter then your disposition. leave Sam B do what Sam B do and let Linda B who Linda B. Can't U C its plain to me.
Posted by: Forrest | 04/01/2009 at 10:43 AM
Linda wrote:
"On the topic of disney Sam seems to be right about all their movies.
No, he's not right. His title is Entertainment reporter. Not the Disney reporter. There are many viewers who do not go to Disney films or have tweens under foot. Was the reason he didn't talk about the Oscar's was there was no Disney film in the major categories? If that is the case, that's wrong. If Sam wants to do that kind of reporting, then he should work for the Disney Channel not KTLA.
If he wants to promote his daughter's career, then he should do it on his own time. You don't see Frank or Eric sticking their kids in front of the camera at every chance the get to the point that it's nauseating. They talk about them as proud normal parents should.
His bosses shouldn't allow this. I know I have complained enough. But like everything else they don't listen.
And as for the LAUSD. It sucks and I would NEVER put a child into it. And IMO, it's a waste of this tax payers money.
Posted by: Paul | 03/28/2009 at 08:39 AM
I'm a long time viewer of KTLA and am thrilled that Sam is talking about the major improvements to LAUSD. On the topic of disney Sam seems to be right about all their movies. No one should be picking on him or his family. His daughter is a stunning young woman who I thought was incredibly talented. I really appreciate your support of the public school system.
- Linda
Posted by: Linda | 03/27/2009 at 10:54 PM
Craig wrote:
"My wife thinks he is trying to get a job at Disney. I think he is trying to get a gig for his daughter by kissing up to Disney!!"
I think your wife is correct.
I see no other reason for him to kiss up to Disney.
I catch Ross's report at 4 AM rebroadcast of the 10 PM news. He reports on stuff that Sam never does. Ross does a report for adults, not tweens.
Posted by: Paul | 03/27/2009 at 07:19 PM
Thank you very much for your comments. Two of my children graduated from Westwood Charter School (Westwood Elementary) and one still attends school there. I am a graduate of University High School and I now have the privelege of teaching at Uni. It is, without a doubt, the Uni we all love. There is a culture at Uni that reflects the hope and the promise of the day. Uni, as it did in years past, offers students options that will insure them a prominent place in our 21st Century global community. Teachers are passionate about providing the kind of education that represents a solid foundation for our students' postsecondary education and beyond. Uni students take pride in taking responsibility for their futures and the future of the broader community.
Posted by: Dayle Fuqua-Caballero | 03/27/2009 at 03:04 PM
Sam,
Thanks for helping bring positive light to public schools, especially University. I have worked at Uni for that past 8 years and believe our progress will continue to grow exponentially as we encourage parents and community to partner with us as we transform into 5 small schools.
Posted by: Kerri | 03/27/2009 at 03:03 PM
Paul - I totally agree about an intervention! If that doesn't work, then maybe KTLA should just run Ross King clips in the morning so we can get some "real entertainment news" in the morning with someone that actually will watch mature movies without falling asleep. C'mon Sam, Hannah Montana, best film to date in 2009! Get Real!!
My wife thinks he is trying to get a job at Disney. I think he is trying to get a gig for his daughter by kissing up to Disney!!
What do you guys think? There has got to be an agenda to this? Otherwise, Sam is bordering on the creepy with his obsession of Hannah and the Jonas Brothers and other pre-teen idols from Disney.
Posted by: craig | 03/27/2009 at 08:03 AM
So.......How do you twitter? We watch you every day from out of state and would like to know the program.
Posted by: Nina | 03/26/2009 at 06:07 PM