Latest news with #Newport-MesaUnifiedSchoolDistrict
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Early College High School seniors ready for future, with college credits in the bank
Academically, Newport-Mesa Unified School District's Early College High School tends to be ahead of the curve, so it's no surprise this year's class of 2025 would be among the first seniors to fly the nest. A group of 51 graduates from the small but mighty Costa Mesa campus gathered in a May 29 ceremony at the district's Newport Harbor High School to reflect on their time together, celebrate extraordinary achievements and look with anticipation toward the future. For many, the path toward completion of a college degree has been shortened by their participation in a dual-enrollment program that allows the high school students to earn credits at Coastline College. ECHS Principal Dave Martinez shared with family members and other loved ones that this year's graduates completed an average of 44 college units, or the equivalent of 1.5 years of college education. Thirty-five of the seniors will head to four-year colleges and universities, while 14 plan to attend two-year colleges. This year's group of graduates hail from seven different countries, with 26 students — more than half — having earned California's State Seal of Biliteracy, signifying their proficiency in English and a second language. A cohort of 37 graduating seniors managed to secure more than 75 scholarships collectively worth $500,000. Nearly 40% have individually logged more than 250 hours of community service. 'The Class of 2025 is a strong academic class that took community service and engagement to a whole new level,' Martinez said ahead of the ceremony. 'Their accomplishment over the past four years is inspiring.'
Los Angeles Times
29-05-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Newport-Mesa's STEP grads celebrate ‘seamless' transition to adulthood, independence
Stepping up to the podium Wednesday evening, and into the next chapter of their lives, students of Newport-Mesa Unified School District's STEP program celebrated hard-won victories with the instructors who helped get them graduation ready. Friends and loved ones gathered at the district's Harper Assessment Center in Costa Mesa to celebrate the accomplishments of 18 graduates from the adult special education program, while proud faculty members and administrators passed out certificates of completion and congratulations. In lieu of applause, which can upset individuals with hearing sensitivities, the small audience waved their hands over their heads and wiggled their fingers as a silent but visual cue of collective enthusiasm. To know STEP's mission one need look no further than the acronym itself. The Seamless Transition Enrichment Program does just that — providing work and life skills to adults through age 22 designed to help them segue into jobs and living situations that foster independence. Some of this year's class of 2025 will move on to other post-secondary studies, while others leave school for jobs and various career avenues they learned about or explored as students of STEP. Although many will continue to be served as adults through Southern California's network of regional centers, the skills they've obtained and the relationships they've forged during their time at the Newport-Mesa Unified program will enrich their lives forever.
Los Angeles Times
23-05-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Gold Star mothers help Newport-Mesa fifth-graders understand the meaning of patriotism
Two mothers whose sons died while serving in America's armed forces helped hundreds of fifth-graders from Costa Mesa and Newport Beach understand the meaning of patriotism Thursday ahead of the Memorial Day weekend at Castaways Park. About 520 students from nine Newport-Mesa Unified School District elementary schools attended the special presentation hosted by the Exchange Club of Newport Harbor as part of the 16th annual Field of Honor, said Cynthia Strasmann, the club's chair of youth programs. The 10-day exhibition features 1,776 American flags, which are a nod to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The flags are installed alongside the trails running through Castaways Park. Also on display are more than 200 pieces of student art inspired by the question 'What does America mean to me?' 'To get them involved as patriots of our country at a young age, I think, is so important in our nation right now,' said Richard Swinney, Exchange Club of Newport Harbor secretary and head of its Field of Honor committee. 'Our nation is really divided, and we're hopeful students will become more patriotic because of this event and bring our country together in the future. They are our future, and we're counting on them.' Newport Beach firefighters hoisted Old Glory, as children took selfies alongside their drawings and walked up the path leading to a clearing overlooking Newport Bay. They were accompanied by horse-mounted police and S.W.A.T. officers in an armored vehicle. The event kicked off with renditions of 'Yankee Doodle' and 'America the Beautiful' by the Paularino Elementary Band and Sonora Elementary Choir. Kids also watched a parade of flags representing each branch of the armed forces, a demonstration of how to properly fold an American flag by Girl Scout Cadette Troop #5388 and a presentation of colors by the Sons of the American Revolution. The latter is a nonprofit whose members don the traditional garb worn by Americans who fought in the American Revolution at events celebrating U.S. history and the military across the country. Members said they were proud to take part in Thursday's educational gathering. 'It's quite an honor,' said John Ferris, president of the organization's California Chapter. 'It's not even something we feel like we're personally doing, but we're almost inhabiting the people who went ahead and did this 250 years ago. It's very special to each one of us. We look forward to it each year, especially to share it with children.' The morning's featured speakers were Lisa Moncur and Karen Curreri, mothers of two soldiers who died while serving in the U.S. Army. Moncur's son, Sgt. John Christian Barcellano, served two tours as a tank gunner. Curreri's son, Sgt. Joseph F. Curreri, was a Green Beret aiding humanitarian efforts in the Philippines. Moncur explained the difference between Armed Forces Day, a holiday recognizing all current and past service members, Veterans Day, which celebrates former members of the military, and Memorial Day, which honors those who died while enlisted. 'It is not really appropriate to say 'Happy Memorial Day,' because this holiday is not a happy occasion,' Moncur said. 'It doesn't mean you have to feel sad on Memorial Day, but we should feel grateful for all of those who sacrificed so much for us, and we can and should celebrate the many freedoms we have because of their sacrifice. So, instead of wishing people a happy Memorial Day, wish them a meaningful Memorial Day.' Moncur encouraged students to sing patriotic songs, learn about American history and attend events commemorating Memorial Day. One such event caps the Field of Honor presentation that is scheduled for noon on Monday. 'We've got pipers and drummers and just a lot of pageantry,' Swinney said of the upcoming ceremony. The Field of Honor wouldn't be possible without the help of Marines from Camp Pendleton who trek up to Newport Beach twice each year to help install the 1,776 flags waving at Castaways Park, Swinney said. He also thanked the city of Newport Beach as well as the fire and police departments for their support and participation. The event is the largest event organized by the Exchange Club or Newport Harbor, and accounts for a majority of their fundraising, Swinney said. It has helped them provide around $60,000 in scholarships for Newport-Mesa seniors last year, and $15,000 in grants for organizations supporting families of Marines, among other charitable endeavors.
Los Angeles Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Mailbag: Half a million for Newport Beach kids gone? Taxpayers foot the bill
Who in heaven's name thinks it's a good idea to spend as much as $500,000 from the Newport-Mesa Unified School District's school and kid dedicated, tax dollars to hold the June 10 special election to fill a board vacancy, even after a well-qualified candidate, through an open and public application process, was appointed to fill the two-year vacancy? Just as unsettling, that near $500,000 loss happened only because the losing candidate's supporters had to get just 361 of the area's 19,000 voters to sign a special election petition. Regrettably, that's the law even though it feels just so wrong. Can you imagine such a thing in a democracy? Like a ballot measure proposing to spend hundreds of thousands in school tax dollars getting 285 votes out of 19,000 and winning? Because school district funds are generally given more respect, school board vacancy special elections are, mercifully, as rare as hen's teeth. But not this time. Not for the champions of the second-place finisher in that two-party race. Here's the key question: What kind of folks would be behind spending that much school and kid money? It would appear because they're peevish their preferred appointee wasn't selected. Did they know or ask before signing how the election would be paid for? More important: What kind of person would agree to be their candidate? What kind of person would accept this waste of school funds because they want to be a winner? And, the proverbial last, ironic, straw? In October 2022, their board choice, NMUSD candidate Andrea McElroy, wrote a stinging and published letter-to-the-editor criticizing a Newport Beach City Council candidate for spending '… more than $525,000 and counting of his own money in the race … to satisfy his wish to become an elected official.' Outrageous! Spending your own money when you can pilfer the school district purse to undo a lawful process. How much more principled is candidate McElroy, her ventriloquists and petitioners by causing a huge waste of school and kid money to vindicate her second-place finish in a two-horse race, and merely because of her '… wish to become an elected [school board] official?' Lynne RiddleNewport Beach Ballots for a special school board election — one costing taxpayers almost half a million dollars — are arriving now in Area 5 mailboxes of the Newport Mesa Unified School District (NMUSD). This should be a non-partisan election but the Orange County GOP, once a pillar of fiscal conservatism, has made this a political campaign. The promotional materials emphasize the political party connection rather than qualifications of the candidate. How did we get here? The board of trustees selected Harbor High School PTA President Kirstin Walsh, with 13+ years of leadership and volunteer experience in Area 5 schools, easily the most qualified to be on our school board of all those candidates that applied to serve until November 2026. But that wasn't good enough for an unverified petitioner. With just 361 signatures, this person was able to force this election to be held. As a retired high school and community college educator, I am both incensed and appalled by this unnecessary expense being forced on the school district when we had a great candidate already serving as the appointed trustee. Andrea McElroy's qualifications are simply not as strong as those of Kirstin Walsh. Make no mistake, this election is a power grab, not about who is best qualified to guide our children. Maureen RamerNewport Beach I had the privilege of listening to Kristin Walsh. She is a very qualified candidate running for Newport Mesa school board trustee Area 5. She is now in a very expensive special election. School Board is non political affiliation. It is to support, students and teachers. Kristin does both of these. Her opponent (Andrea McElroy) is sending fliers critiquing her independent political affiliation. Her opponent also lists endorsements from most current City Council members. It is not the right thing to do! She seems to have a disadvantage because she's not a conservative Republican? Please get out an vote for Kristin Walsh. Maureen MccartheyNewport Beach The words 'local control' are routinely used by the Huntington Beach City Council to stop state government interference. Measure A gives each parent and guardian local control over what books and materials their own children see at the Public Library. Measure B gives Huntington Beach residents local control over how the public libraries will be managed. If the H.B. City Council demands local control over its city government, shouldn't H.B. residents have the opportunity to have the same local control over how they use the public libraries? Vote 'yes' on Measures A and B for local control and the freedom to choose. Cathey RyderHuntington Beach One of the books currently relocated from the middle grade, non-fiction section of the children's library to the restricted fourth floor adult section of the Huntington Beach Public Library is the award-winning, 'The Way We Work,' by David McCaulay. Written in similar fashion to the classic, 'The Way Things Work,' the book is a beautifully illustrated anatomy book that children and teens find informative and absorbing. Many kids, ages 8-12, are attracted to books like 'The Way We Work' because of their interest in anatomy and human biology. My nephews, who are now in medical school, loved checking out similar library books when they were in elementary school. Why should this book be made inaccessible for browsing to minors? Published in 2008, 'The Way We Work' in no way can be considered sexually explicit even with its mild description of the reproductive system. There are absolutely no images of sexual acts. In their quest for ultimate control of our public library and our book choices, the extremist Huntington Beach City Council has gone too far with their cries of pornography and their proposed book-banning review board. Vote 'yes' on Measures A and B to keep our library free from political agendas and corporate takeovers. Carol DausHuntington Beach
