Anything Scarier Than the School Funding Crisis? – Check out Two Recent Studies on Adolescent Brain Development

The mission of Community for Excellent Public Schools is to advocate for the protection and preservation of excellent public schools in Santa Monica and Malibu.  So, a posting on adolescent brain development doesn’t quite seem to fit the mission. However, every so often something comes along that is so startling that it demands attention.  The findings of two unrelated studies, coming out within a week of each other, are just that.

The first was deftly analyzed by The New York Times in a January 20^th article by Tamar Lewin entitled, “If Your Kids Are Awake, They’re Probably Online”.  In it, a new Kaiser Family Foundation study found that American kids aged 8 to 18 spend seven and a half hours PER DAY plugged into and consuming media from some sort of electronic device.  Even more startling, since most multitask while they’re consuming media, i.e. surf the web while talking on the phone, or texting while listening to music, the actual amount of digital media that is being consumed during those seven and a half hours is closer to 11 hours – each and every day.  In short, every waking hour that our kids are not in school, they’re plugged in.

This reminded me of an essay I had written for my then thirteen-year-old son about the importance of doing one thing at a time.  It was received with a gesture I have now come to understand as the urban teen-aged anthem -- the requisite blank stare.  At least at that time, he was doing only one thing, even if it was mocking his mother.  That was the first time I truly felt like a dinosaur. 

The second scary story about adolescent brain development came out just five days later.  On January 25^th NPR’s Morning Edition aired a touching little story by Michelle Trudeau called “Teen Drinking May Cause Irreversible Brain Damage.”    This story reported on a study led by neuroscientist Susan Tapert of the University of California, San Diego in which brain scans of teens who drank heavily were compared with the scans of teens who didn’t. Listen to the story on NPR.

“Tapert's team found damaged nerve tissue in the brains of the teens who drank. The researchers believe this damage negatively affects attention span in boys, and girls' ability to comprehend and interpret visual information,” Trudeau’s story reports.  Most startling to me, next to the fact that this damage could be irreversible, is the study’s threshold for how much drinking could cause this potentially irreversible damage to a teen’s brain.  The study tested the brains of teen “binge” drinkers – and their definition of “binge?”  “They were drinking on average once or twice a month, but when they did drink, it was to a relatively high quantity of at least four or five drinks an occasion," Tapert reported in the article. 

A couple of years ago, I was interviewed by ABC News for an article they were doing about “helicopter moms”.  You know, the ones who won’t let go.  The question was put to me, “Do you really think that kids today face greater dangers than you did when you were growing up?”  I answered, “absolutely, yes.”  And I still believe that now.

Comments anyone?

And tune in for the next CEPS blog entry, which will report on SMMUSD Superintendent Tim Cuneo’s Budget Reports to the Communities.

Rare Gems needing Protection

Tonight Superintendent Tim Cuneo makes the first of four addresses to school community members about the difficult SMMUSD must make in order to grapple with a $12 - $15 million dollar deficit over the next 18 months.  All of these budget meetings take place at 7pm.  Tonight’s takes place at Samohi.  Tomorrow’s will be at Malibu High School.  On Tuesday, January 26^th he’ll speak at John Adams Middle School and on Wednesday, January 27^th, he’ll be at Lincoln Middle School.

I applaud the Superintendent for taking this difficult news out to the public.  With Sacramento hacking off 15% of its funding for schools in the last two years, districts up and down the state have had to increase class sizes, fire employees, close schools and eliminate programs and student support.  While SMMUSD reduced its budget by $4.5 million dollars last year, it seems inevitable that more cuts are in our future. 

I’m sure that we’ll hear more news at these budget meetings.  However, I also hope the Superintendent and the community will take a moment in these difficult times to celebrate some of the many incredible successes in our schools. 

There’s a reason that our local schools outperform state and country schools by a wide margin.  That reason is commitment and passion for providing each student in our schools with a public education that will prepare him or her for a complicated future.  A commitment from educators, staff and administration – and just as powerful a commitment from parents, community leaders and even residents who don’t have children in our schools.  Santa Monica and Malibu community members appreciate the powerful contribution to their lives that comes from maintaining the excellence of our local public schools.

Last June I completed a two-year term as President of the Santa Monica Malibu Council of PTAs, and during my tenure, I had the opportunity meet with other PTA Council Presidents throughout the state.  Almost immediately I came to understand that our community is special.  Its commitment toward protecting our schools is special.  I was shocked to meet Presidents in districts whose leadership had responded to state cuts by cutting music and arts programs so long ago that those programs weren't even a distant memory.  Here in Santa Monica and Malibu schools, music and arts is alive and well.  Rigorous college-bound education is available for all, as well as intervention services – and many more programs.

I believe it’s important during this current funding crisis to remind ourselves and our friends -- at every opportunity -- of the minor miracles that are still possible every day in SMMUSD schools.  It would be a shame for any of us to think of any of the many extraordinary programs at Santa Monica and Malibu schools as anything other than very rare gems requiring fierce protection from the ravages of relentless state budget cuts.

Santa Monica Mourns the loss of Mayor Ken Genser, Friend & Education Activist

Santa Monica Mayor Mayor Ken Genser passed away today at the age of 59.  A fourth-generation resident of the city, Mayor Genser was a beloved, much-admired champion for all Santa Monicans.


His work around land use and traffic issues is well known here in his hometown. What might be less known is his strong advocacy in support of our local public schools. Ken Genser understood that excellent public schools are an integral component of a strong, healthy city.

Santa Monica is one of just a few California cities that makes a direct financial contribution to its public schools. When that idea was first floated by Community for Excellent Public Schools, it was met with significant resistance. However, Ken worked with his colleagues to help formalize the City’s support.

Helping forge the agreement to provide stable, predictable local funding for public schools in the face of unstable and shrinking state funding should be considered one of Mayor Genser’s many enduring legacies.

Santa Monica Mayor Pro Tempore Pam O’Connor said of Genser's passing:

"It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of our Mayor Ken Genser, an indefatigable champion for quality of life in Santa Monica. Ken distinguished himself with a fierce intellect, passion for progressive social policy and compassion for people. He served the Santa Monica community throughout his lifetime and will be greatly missed."

Louise Jaffe, Santa Monica College Board of Trustees member and former CEPS co-chair says in her Lifelong Learning newsletter, "The local press is writing about Ken’s decades of service to Santa Monica and about his strong role in supporting affordable housing, protecting rent control, and restraining overdevelopment.  Ken also proved himself to be a strong supporter and key partner for our public schools. He played a key role in bringing about a new constructive partnership between our schools and our city; our lifelong learning community is stronger because of his leadership.

As a City Council member, Ken was accessible, intelligent, and articulate. He was responsive to public concerns and public opinion and he did his homework thoroughly. He was deliberative and thoughtful and honest and respectful.  And he has been one of the most influential City Council members in recent history.  Ken’s life has been Santa Monica and Santa Monica reflects his work.  He leaves a legacy and a record of service and professionalism; he too will be deeply missed."

For more information about Mayor Genser, please go to www.surfsantamonica.com.  Funeral and memorial service arrangements have not yet been announced.

CEPS Wishes for Warm Happy Holidays -- Then Roll Up Our Sleeves to work to protect SMMUD’s Excellent Public Schools in the New Year

December 2009 brought some interesting juxtapositions in the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District.

The Santa Monica Malibu Council of PTAs, the ever-vigilant champions of and advocates for all students, held its annual Holiday Breakfast at Duke’s restaurant in Malibu bright and early Tuesday morning, December 9.  PTA’s breakfast is always a cozy gathering of leadership from within our schools and two cities.  The tone is one of congratulations for difficult jobs well done in challenging times, coupled with celebrations of remarkable work being done by and for the students in SMMUSD.

Just two days later, the Santa Monica Malibu Board of Education was presented with a staggering list of emergency budget cuts to consider, each of which would cause pain for our families, diminish the educational experience for our students, and make teachers jobs more difficult.  Collectively, these cuts, which include  lay-offs of as many as 114 teachers and staff, could dismantle the excellent public schools we rely on here in Santa Monica and Malibu.  Download three important 2010-2011 budget documents here. 

Education funding cuts caused by California’s devastating budget crises haven’t made as much noise here in Santa Monica Malibu, as they have in neighboring communities, many of which have already dismantled public education in their K-12 schools.  Of course, the most fundamental reason that our schools have not been hit quite as hard as neighboring districts, is the sizeable local financial support that our communities make.  Local parcel taxes, direct contributions from our cities, and individual contributions provide nearly a quarter of SMMUSD’s income.

However, another huge reason that we haven’t heard as much about State funding cuts in our local schools comes, in great part, from the wise fiscal management of SMMUSD district funds.  When Sacrament pulled the rug out from under K-12 education funding, SMMUSD had sizeable reserves, which have tided us over the worst of the cuts last year, even though the district made cuts in the 2009-2010 school year of more than $4.5 million.  However, because of the magnitude of cuts coming from Sacramento, SMMUSD reserves are coming to an end.

Last month’s State of Our Schools events provided the community of the first glimpse of the size of the problem facing our schools in the upcoming school year.  Check out the articles about that event in the Malibu Times and Santa Monica Daily Press.

And finally, the last week of school in December held a multitude of holiday celebrations and performances.  Students in every one of our schools across our district were able to shine, proudly displaying the hard work and accomplishment offered to them in the numerous, and acclaimed arts programs offered in our schools.  I found it difficult not to wonder, as I watched my son’s orchestra performance at Santa Monica High School’s Winter Concert, how long this nationally and internationally renowned program would be able to survive.  And should this program be one of those fortunate enough to continue, how many other programs would fall away in its wake?

Superintendent Tim Cuneo’s wishes for those attending the PTA Council breakfast were heartfelt and grateful.  However, he also told the education community to roll up their sleeves and get ready for a lot of hard work in the new year ahead.  It will require everyone working together in 2010, he said, to help preserve and protect the excellence of Santa Monica and Malibu schools – to help maintain opportunities for all students – and to get to the holiday season this time next year, with our schools still in tact.

THE STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS - California's Sinking Ship Saves Teachers & Students Last

The State of Our Schools events (in Santa Monica and Malibu, November 17 & 18) were created four years ago to celebrate incredible students and teachers -- their successes and achievements. This fourth-annual presentation felt like a wake – in advance.  The same incredible achievements were there --  the passion and commitment to help all students succeed -- but it felt like that might not be able to continue for longer.

It’s no surprise to any of us who are involved with education that California’s crumbling economy is decimating public education up and down our formerly Golden State. In most counties, schools are being shuttered, intensive services for struggling students forgotten, and programs like PE, arts and college prep fading into distant memory.

Because of careful fiscal management,  local support from our cities of Santa Monica and Malibu and the extraordinary support of community residents in the form of local taxes, our Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District has been able to stave off most the draconian cuts that our neighbors have already suffered.

“Not for long”, however, was the message I heard loud and clear at the State of Our Schools events, co-sponsored by the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District, the Santa Monica Malibu Council of PTAs and the political action committee, Community for Excellent Public Schools. On November 17th, the event took place at the Malibu High School Library and was attended by about 50 people, and on November 18th, it was held at the SMASH/John Muir Elementary School cafetorium and was attended by about 100.

SAMOHI MADRIGAL SINGERS AND CHAMBER CHOIR

The November 18th event in Santa Monica opened with a classical choir performance by Santa Monica High School’s two top vocal ensembles. Under the direction of Samohi Choir Director, Jeffe Huls, the extraordinary group of more than twenty students enchanted and inspired.  CLICK HERE to listen on You Tube.

SMMUSD ALUMNI PRESENTATION

Opening the evening, SMMUSD Board of Education President, Ralph Mechur presented a look at some inspiring SMMUSD alumni, during which he sought the help of the Board of Education’s two youngest members, themselves SMMUSD alumni, Ben Allen and Oscar de la Torre.

CLICK HERE for the presentation, which is viewable as a terrific online slideshow. It features Atlantis Space Shuttle Mission Specialist, astronaut Randy Bresnick, Samohi grad ’85, whose wife is due to give birth to their second child as he orbits Earth.

CALIFORNIA PTA PAST PRESIDENT PAM BRADY GIVES KEYNOTE

Immediate Past President of the California State PTA and SMMUSD alumnus, Pam Brady gave an inspiring, if very gloomy keynote speech. In it, she accused the State of California of abdicating its responsibility to an entire generation of children as it balanced its budget woes on the backs of their education.

PTA, being the largest all volunteer organization and lobbying group in the country, Ms. Brady urged all Californians to never give up on advocacy.

THE STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS ADDRESS

Superintendent Tim Cuneo’s State of Our Schools address was a comprehensive presentation detailing Santa Monica and Malibu Schools' mission, 2009-2010 priorities, achievement and financial challenges.

Superintendent Cuneo said that SMMUSD receives nearly three-quarters of its operating revenue from the State and yet and new Pew study found California, “on the brink of insolvency, in great part due to the supermajority needed to pass any funding increase, effectively allowing a small minority of hardliners to hold our kids’ futures hostage. 

In fact, the next day, the Los Angeles Times published this story:

State's school funding process is failing

STUDENT AND TEACHER PANELS

The most remarkable part of the presentation came from dedicated teachers and eager students, telling their stories. The theme of the specialness of Santa Monica Malibu schools emerged again and again.

At the end of this inspiring and, ultimately, heartbreaking presentation it seemed clear; advocacy is the only game in town – and we had all better start playing as hard as we can.

State of Our Schools -- Fourth Annual Report to Community

              

COMMUNICATION -- A CORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SCHOOLS

Fourth Annual STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS Events

November 17^th (Malibu) & November 18^th (Santa Monica)

The institution of public education, along with local governments and police and fire services are public trusts.  Their ability to succeed in their missions to serve their public lies, in great part, in the public’s trust in their ability to provide that service.  Public education, like other public services has been hit hard by California’s State Budget crisis.  However, Santa Monica-Malibu schools also have many successes to report.

On November 17^th (Malibu) & November 18^th (Santa Monica), the Santa  Monica-Malibu Unified School District, in partnership with co-sponsors, the Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs, and the political action committee, Community for Excellent Public Schools (CEPS) will present the Fourth Annual STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS report.  These events will showcase and highlight SMMUSD accomplishments and challenges, providing a comprehensive report to its communities.

The programs will feature Ms. Pam Brady, Immediate Past President of California State PTA, presenting a State perspective.  SMMUSD Board of Education President Ralph Mechur and Vice-President Barry Snell will highlight alumni.  Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District Superintendent Tim Cuneo will then provide the State of Our Schools report, touching upon most current information on student achievement, district funding and upcoming initiatives.  The presentation will conclude with a panel of students and teachers from Santa Monica High School and Malibu High School sharing their experiences. Entertainment will also be provided by SMMUSD high school musicians.

After the presentation, refreshments will be served.  Superintendent Cuneo, Board of Education members, Santa Monica-Malibu Council of PTAs President Shari Davis and other school leaders will be on hand to answer any questions.

The events will run from 6:30 – 9:00pm.  November 17^th, Malibu High School Library.  30215 Morning View Drive, Malibu.  November 18^th, SMASH/John Muir Elementary School Cafetorium, 2526 6^th Street, Santa Monica.

CLICK HERE to download a complete event flyer.

For more information:

www.excellentpublicschools.org

www.smmpta.org

www.smmusd.org

School Funding and Advocacy for 2009-2010 and Beyond

The beginning of the school year is such an exciting time, so filled with promise for the future and new horizons just waiting to be conquered by bright and eager budding adults.  As a brand-new SAMOHI parent, with my oldest child entering 9^th grade and many years as an SMMUSD parent ahead -- those new horizons seem endless.

 
On vacation this summer on the Oregon Coast this summer, I struck up a conversation with another new high school mom, who had just finished registering her daughter for 9^th grade.  However, early in our conversation, I realized that her experience couldn’t be more different than the one I just had at SAMOHI.  Her child’s high school has lost more than half of its students to the national dilemma of declining enrollment.  With only 255 students, more than 50% socioeconomically disadvantaged, this school offers only one foreign language, two AP courses and six athletic options.  Fewer than 15% of graduates move on to college, and acceptance at a four-year college or university is a rarity.   In fact, this high school doesn’t offer the coursework necessary to meet rigorous UC or four-year university requirements.  Struggling students have even fewer resources, with no special education or intervention offerings and, not surprisingly, this school has a drop-out rate just under 50%.

I started to have a familiar feeling, one that I had first felt a few years before when speaking with PTA leaders from other California school districts -- a sort of "embarrassment of riches" when thinking of the array of choices presented to our SMMUSD students. Having spent the last decade of my life advocating to protect the integrity of our own Santa Monica – Malibu public schools, I was well aware of the rigorous college-prep classes at our high schools; the multiple foreign languages, Advanced Placement courses across every discipline, sports and arts groups that routinely win State and National honors, and annual college acceptances at the most prestigious colleges and universities worldwide.  Students who may not be college-bound also find an extraordinary range of support, intervention and, award-winning technical education.

The Oregon public schools began their downward spiral more than 50 years ago, as voters repeatedly failed to support public school funding measures.  Sadly, California public schools are not too far behind.  The passage of Proposition 13 in 1978 initiated our own state’s fall from national leadership in achievement and school funding, to its current position as 47^th in the nation.  However, this year’s state budget crisis has slashed education funding even more deeply, forcing districts up and down the state to close schools; to eliminate programs, class offerings, student services, and to increase class sizes.

The Difference is Local

So, what explains the difference between SMMUSD schools and other schools withering under the stress of decades of inadequate education funding?  Simply put, the integrity of our schools has been protected to a large degree by local funding.  Local voter-approved education funding measures, and direct funding agreements with the cities of Santa Monica and Malibu account for nearly 20% of SMMUSD’s general fund operating budget – 20% that makes the difference between preparing our kids for the complex future that awaits them …and not.

In reality, SMMUSD’s offerings are anything but “riches”, but are the bare minimum that should be offered to all students for a well-rounded, college-bound education.  The curriculum and services offered to our SMMUSD students now, in 2009, are far less than what we received in California public schools a generation ago.  This educational erosion has been going on for decades, as K-12 public school funding was always the first stop for legislators looking for cuts to balance state budget shortfalls.    In the face of relentless and crippling declines to education funding, basic comprehensive public education, which can allow each student the opportunity to reach his or her potential, may feel like riches in comparison to some other districts, but we as parents know it is not.   SMMUSD’s ability to provide this “bare minimum”, is really quite extraordinary -- and is possible only because our community voters and leaders have made the hard choice to dig deep into their own pockets to make public education a top community priority.  Our communities’ generosity and commitment to public education makes it possible for our schools to retain some of the integrity that had been expected in years past.

Our Schools Today

California’s State Budget was passed this summer and, once again, puts our local schools in jeopardy.  We all know that K-12 education was hit hard by the most recent California State budget.  In response to massive cuts in State funding to our schools, our district’s primary funding source, SMMUSD already cut $4.5 million from its 2009-10 budget. 

But those cuts are just the beginning.  In addition, SMMUSD faces shortfalls of $11 - 12 million over the next 18 months.  To close this shortfall with cuts alone would truly decimate our schools, so Superintendent Cuneo, Chief Financial Officer Jan Maez, all of SMMUSD Senior Staff, the Board of Education, the Financial Oversight Committee and other concerned groups are pulling together to examine all possible solutions. 

What Can You Do?

1. Stay Informed -- The most important thing that every parent can do is to be aware and to stay informed.  Below are some websites that can keep you abreast of current and important information about education funding for SMMUSD and for the State of California.

·      SMMUSD’s District Website page on budget development: http://www.smmusd.org/fiscal/0910BudgetInfo.html

·      State Budget analysis from California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr09/yr09rel86.asp

·      Edsource: http://www.edsource.org/school-finance.html

·      Santa Monica Lifelong Learning Community http://smllc.org/newsletter.html
       Community for Excellent Public Schools: www.excellentpublicschools.org

2. Stay Engaged – Great advocacy creates laws, saves lives, and truly changes the world.  Advocacy on behalf of Santa Monica and Malibu schools has a great tradition and impressive track record.  Participate in and join one of the many groups or organizations that support our schools:

·      Join PTA!  Santa Monica Malibu Council of PTAs (serving all schools) http://www.smmpta.org

·      Attend SMMUSD Board Meetings and read Board of Education Agendas http://www.smmusd.org/board/meetings.html

·      Attend Financial Oversight Committee Meetings http://www.smmusd.org/fiscal/financialDAC.html

  Join CEPS!  www.excellentpublicschools.org


3. Stay Positive – Budget cuts of $12 million over 18 months could have lasting impacts, not only for our students, but also for our communities.  However, SMMUSD is peopled with a unique coalition of activists, educators and students who have seen and weathered budget storms before. We have demonstrated the unique and enviable ability to join together in times of crisis.  Creative solutions, collaboration across every perceived barrier, and a commitment to create opportunities out of adversity, will help ensure that Santa Monica-Malibu schools continue to provide all students with the comprehensive public education that they need and deserve.