At this month's school board meeting, Hanson Elementary students showed what they have learned by using iPods in their daily instruction.
Principal Shelagh Appleman and teachers Teri Burns and Sherry Torpin explained how the iPods provided by the school are used in the district-wide “Four Cs” program, incorporating communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.
The board also heard a report from Montecito High School teachers Sue Ketterer and Jeanine Hawkins on the continuing technology programs taking place on campus. These are also part of the “Four Cs” program, which is used for all grade levels at each of the district’s schools.
Ramona Unified School District's board honored six classified personnel who are making plans to retire from their many years of service.
Tony Dunkailo, who is a past board member, will be leaving Ramona High School after 18 years as campus security. Zandra Carmichael and Robert Mietus are retiring from maintenance and operations, as well as Peggy Owens from food services, Winifred Puckett from Hanson Elementary School and Linda Pryor from Ramona Elementary School.
Betsy Bargo, president of the classified employees union, and Peggy Tucker, former union president, urged the board to fill the positions being vacated by the retirees.
In other business, the board gave unanimous approval for accepting a grant of $148,000 from the San Diego Air Pollution Control District for the Lower-Emission School Bus Program. The district will supplement the grant with $25,000.
The grant to RUSD was approved by the county Board of Supervisors. The funds will be used to replace one of the district’s older diesel buses and to retrofit two other buses with new emission filters. Assistant Superintendent David Ostermann said the bus that will be replaced must be scrapped within 30 days of the delivery of the new bus. It cannot be sold, according to the requirements of accepting the grant.
The next meeting will be the annual organizational meeting for the governing board. It will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at Wilson Administration Center, 720 Ninth St., Ramona.
