This Tuesday and Wednesday, June 16-17, students at Ridgemoor Elementary School will be performing a musical called, "Pirates of Grammar Island". The performance is designed to teach the actors and actresses proper grammar.

The company that produces the play, "Bad Wolf Press", describes it as follows...

Your students will love instead of hate antonyms. No more confusing or confounding synonyms. They'll sell their cell phones and exchange them for homophones. They'll know declarative sentences. How can they ever fail again to identify interrogative sentences? They'll thrive on exclamatory sentences! Go ahead, let our Pirates from Grammar Island teach them imperatives!

You can read the full script, and listen to some sample songs here...

http://www.badwolfpress.com/pirates_grammar.htm

There will be four performances, at 8:15 and 9:00 am on both days in the multipurpose room.

Contact Angela Stogner 672-6450 for details.

Labels: Music, Ridgemoor-Elementary-School

This June 3rd, on election day, the entire Menifee Valley is invited to hear a free concert performed by our very own Menifee Strings.

This will be the first ever performance of Menifee Strings, and is the result of four months of violin and cello classes, led by Juanita Jackson and Bernard Jones, music teachers at Ridgemoor Elementary School.

Menifee Strings Ensemble
Tuesday, June 3rd
4:00 pm in the Ridgemoor Multi-Purpose room.

Refreshments will be served afterwards.

So first cast your vote, and then head over to Ridgemoor and witness Menifee music history in the making.

Contact Juanita Jackson for more info...
violinjj@gmail.com

Labels: Concerts, Menifee-Strings, Music, Ridgemoor-Elementary-School

At the MUSD Board Meeting this evening, the board of trustees voted to adopt a modified version of the boundary changes.

Basically, the boundary changes will take effect for all elementary schools except for Ridgemoor Elementary. Ridgemoor's existing boundaries will remain in effect for at least the 2008-2009 school year.

The board chose from a total of four options...

• Proposal 1 - which has Menifee Hills students living south of Honey Run Rd to attend Quail Valley Elementary School



• Proposal 2 - which allows Menifee Hills students to stay at Ridgemoor, but move students living behind Stater Bros to Evans Ranch Elementary



• Proposal 3 - which adopts boundary changes for all schools, except leave Ridgemoor's boundaries unchanged



• Proposal 4 - postpone boundary changes until after they discuss budget changes this March

All five Trustees voiced their favor for Proposal 3, however Trustee Peters noted that Proposal 4 would be best since the upcoming budget changes could result in a loss of school busing for some students. Trustee Giardinelli responded that he has seen the budget proposals and he doesn't see anything that would change his preference for Proposal 3. Trustees Irey and O'Donnell noted that the heavy turnout and high emotions running at the Jan 14 meeting at Ridgemoor, could not be overlooked.

Trustee Twyman asked Assistant Superintendent Wood about the feasibility of the "attrition plan" that Todd Reed suggested here on Menifee 24/7 (link). Mr. Wood responded that it's not clear that an enrollment reduction by attrition would occur because of some unknown factors, primarily student growth in the community. Trustee Giardinelli responded that Ridgemoor's attendance is pretty much grown out with Sun City and Menifee Hills already being fully built. Mr. Wood noted that there's actually more construction on the way in the north-west sector of Sun City.

It's also worth noting that what the Trustees voted on today are the boundaries for the 2008-2009 school year, and that the year after that it'll probably change again.

At the end of the board meeting, Superintendent Linda Callaway announced that Callie Kirkpatrick and Menifee Elementary Schools have been nominated for "California Distinguished School".

Labels: Menifee-Union-School-District, Ridgemoor-Elementary-School

Greetings All,

It has been quite some time since I posted anything other than the occasional comment or two, as was politely pointed out to me after the Public Hearing on the school boundaries Monday night. Quite coincidentally, I was thinking exactly about posting here on Menifee 24/7 during the hearing.

As my wife and I were walking out to the parking lot after the hearing, I thought of something that I wasn't sure the district had considered or even thought of. I immediately wished I had thought of this during the hearing, because I certainly would have voiced my opinion during the hearing more than I already had. And since Steve has already done an outstanding job of detailing what happened at the hearing in his post, I won't elaborate specifically on the hearing.

Unbeknownst to me at the time, the idea I had was mentioned in an earlier comment to another blog entry. I learned of it as I was catching up on recent entries last night. So I took the idea, that at least one other person shares, and decided to elaborate on it. Essentially, this idea is to realign the school boundaries based on a system of natural attrition. I sent the following e-mail to the School Board this morning:

MUSD School Board members,

I was at the public hearing at Ridgemoor Elementary School last night (January 14). I'm sure it was quite obvious from the questions and comments of parents, me included, that we don't want our children moved for various reasons.

I completely understand (and in fact support) the desire to convert the district to a traditional, (or modified traditional), single track system versus the current year-round four track system. It makes sense both fiscally and educationally. For instance, my child is on track "B". Her school year starts in July, and she is immediately given a month "off-track" in August. This, in my opinion, is counterproductive for a number of reasons in my opinion. I won't get into my opinions because that is not the point of this e-mail.

Unfortunately I didn't think of this until after the meeting ended, but I would like to know if anybody in the district office has thought about re-aligning the school boundaries based on a system of natural attrition. This would be similar to the system that is used by districts when new high schools open. With very little impact, if any, it could work in this scenario as well. In fact, since I don't think Ridgemoor families are the only families that will be impacted by boundary changes, it will work for all scenarios. I think what I am about to propose should be given some thought. An outline of my proposal is as follows:

• This proposal is based on Proposal 1 and the boundaries defined within it


• A specific date would need to be set for the new boundaries to take effect


• Parents of Ridgemoor students would be given the OPTION of moving their children to Evans Ranch or keeping them at Ridgemoor


• Students already enrolled would be allowed to stay at Ridgemoor until they complete the 5th grade if they so desire


• Younger siblings of current Ridgemoor students would be allowed to attend Ridgemoor through the 5th grade provided the older sibling is still enrolled at Ridgemoor at the time the younger sibling reaches school age


• Younger siblings of students currently enrolled at Ridgemoor would be sent to Evans Ranch if the older sibling completes the 5th grade before the younger sibling reaches school age


• New students already living in the area defined by Proposal 1 that have not reached school age will be sent to Evans Ranch


• New students moving into the area defined by Proposal 1 would be sent to Evans Ranch

Obviously, these are just the basics. But please give this proposal some serious consideration. With a little effort and cooperation between parents and the school district, this would work. Although it wouldn't have the immediate impact of enrollment reduction, the district would still be able to reduce the enrollment at Ridgemoor, family lives would not be disrupted and, most importantly, our children would not be forced to go through what can be, based on personal experience, a very traumatic experience for a child.

Please feel free to contact me via e-mail or telephone if you would like to discuss this with me personally or if you would like further explanation of what I am proposing.

Now, I realize there may be people that disagree with what I have recommended. I also realize that Ridgemoor students and families aren't the only ones that will potentially be affected by re-aligning the boundaries, but to me this seems to be the most amicable way to achieve the goals of the district with the least amount of inconvenience to families and, more important, students.

I'm also happy to announce that I have received a response from at least one of the board members and my recommendations have been forwarded to the district office.

More to come....
Todd

Labels: Menifee-Union-School-District, Ridgemoor-Elementary-School

I attended the meeting this evening for Menifee Union's proposed boundary changes at Ridgemoor Elementary.

This was a very well attended meeting, I'm guessing about 400 people. It definitely fit the bill as a community meeting because a lot of parents, teachers, and students themselves spoke. And not just asking questions either, but walking up to the microphone and stating their arguments. Two third-grade girls walked up to the microphone and addressed everyone with their plea to remain at Ridgemoor.

Dan Wood, the assistant superintendent, started out as the presenter of the proposed boundary changes, but after the onslaught of public questions, comments, and speeches, ended up as the district's whipping boy. As he fielded questions towards end of the meeting, his frustrations became apparent as his answers became more blunt. Those who remained until the end of the meeting gave him an applause for hanging in there.

Boundary Proposals

The district presented two proposals, one that they've named, "Proposal 1", and the other "Proposal 2". It's worth noting that Proposal 2 is the old proposal, and Proposal 1 is the newer.

Proposal 2 (the old one) would have had students living in the Menifee Hills community, south of Honey Run Rd, but west of Salt Creek, be moved to Quail Valley. Proposal 1 (the new one) now lets these students remain at Ridgemoor. However, Proposal 1 will take students who in the neighborhood behind Stater Bros, just east of Salt Creek, and move them to Evans Ranch Elementary.

This neighborhood behind Stater Bros. is bounded by Berea Rd, Catano Rd, Dorval Ct, Gifhorn Ct, Lazy Creek Rd, and Park City Ave. If you live within this area, your kids are now targeted to move to Evans Ranch Elementary.

So basically, the district is honoring the demands of Menifee Hills parents, but has
now set its sights on this "Stater Bros." neighborhood, effectively robbing Peter to pay Paul.

One big bone of contention that "Stater Bros." families raised at the meeting was that they were not given notice of this change. Dan Wood explained that they sent out notifications, however based on the responses of parents, it seems they missed some. Wood acknowledged that this change was made just days ago, and it's difficult to notify everyone on such short notice. He also went on to add they received a number of notices returned for bad addresses, and the audience groaned in disgust.

Still at this point, the district has not decided on new boundaries. Their official decision will be made in the days after the February 5 general election, once the final vote count for Measure B is made. Then they will present the official boundaries in a public meeting on February 12. The exact time and place for that meeting is not decided.

Wood also made a comment that the change in schools will not affect 4th grade students who will be returning to the same school for 5th grade. For them it will be an option.

The Move to Single Track

In my original announcement (click here) of the Ridgemoor Boundary Change meetings, I wrote that the change in school boundaries was caused by the opening of the new school in Quail Valley.

It appears I was wrong. What's necessitating the boundary changes is the district's desire to move to a single track year.

As Dan Wood presented the boundary changes and answered questions, he continued to stress that voters need to pass Measure B. In fact, he spoke of Measure B many times, even though technically, it didn't relate to Ridgemoor's boundaries. Measure B is the bond measure that will raise funds to build three more schools.

A single-track school year will increase student population because it results in multiple tracks merging into one. So to relieve the resulting overcrowding, the district wants to move students over to the new schools.

Oddly, Dan Wood explained that soon the district will be sending out questionnaires to parents asking them if they prefer a single track year, or would rather stay with the existing multi-track year. And that statement really got the audience riled up.

Many parents then stood up and asked why the district would first propose boundary changes, and then determine if parents want to move to a single-track year. They argued that the district should first ask parents if prefer a single track year. Then if they did, go ahead and propose boundary changes. Wood looked rather perplexed. I'm guessing that the district assumed all parents wanted a single-track year, but it became clear that many parents have built their lives around the multi-track calendar and have become comfortable with it.

Wood did explain that there is a slim chance that no boundary changes will be adopted, and I'm guessing he's referring to the chance that Measure B might fail to pass.

Many parents complained that they could not afford to pay the nearly $200 a year fee to let their kids take the school bus. Currently, these families live close enough to Ridgemoor that their kids can walk or ride a bicycle. But with having to change over to the Quail Valley school, their kids would have to take the bus. When asked if the district would waive this fee in lieu of forcing them to change schools, all Wood could do was shrug his shoulders and acknowledge that the parents would have to pay the fee.

Wood also explained carefully that the school board did not draw the proposed boundary lines, it was the district staff. The board simply gave the approval to move forward with the boundary change process. However, they will be the ones to approve the final boundary changes, after the Feb 5 general election.

Summary

From the way Wood seemed to explain things, everything hinges on Measure B. If it passes, we'll see new boundaries, and we'll likely see a migration to a single-track school year. If it fails, my guess is that the district will put another bond measure on the July ballot.

Unfortunately for the district, and perhaps no fault of Wood's, parents are now seeing the boundary change as being within their control, simply by voting "Yes" or "No" on Measure B. A "Yes" vote on Measure B will create the boundary change, while a "No" vote might keep the status quo. If the school district wants Measure B to pass, it's going to have to come up with a new strategy, and quick.

One parent stood up and said that after hearing all of this, she doubts anyone will vote for Measure B. The audience roared in agreement.

Below are maps of the two proposals.


Proposal 1 - Click to enlarge


Proposal 2 - Click to enlarge

You can also see a map of the district's existing boundaries on their website (click here for link).

Labels: Menifee-Union-School-District, Ridgemoor-Elementary-School

I attended the meeting this evening at the School District Board Room, and the place was jammed with folks. It looked as if every parent in Menifee Hills showed up, probably about 250 people there.

The board room was over capacity. It has a sign that read "Maximum Capacity 58", and I'd say there was double that, maybe more. Good thing the fire department wasn't there, or they would've kicked everyone out. There was another 125 or so that had to stand outside.

Bruce Shaw, the director of facilities tried to accommodate everyone there despite not being able to. I heard one woman argue that this meeting needed to be rescheduled to give every concerned parent an opportunity to hear. Shaw couldn't respond.

The board invited folks to speak, including those standing outside, and several people did. Unfortunately, I couldn't hear any of it, being at the back of the room. There was just too many people. It seems the PA system the board uses is rather weak; I think they tried to turn up the volume, but it still couldn't project. It was just not designed for large audiences.

People eagerly waited to hear the board talk about the proposed boundary changes, but there wasn't any discussion. They explained that they would discuss the boundary changes next week, Monday, January 14, 2008, 6:00pm, at Ridgemoor Elementary School, Multipurpose Room.

A couple other people I talked to expressed pessimism, saying the school board already have their minds made up.

For a background on this subject, see my earlier article, "Ridgemoor School Boundary Change".

Just prior to the meeting.

Inside the board room.

Folks who couldn't get into the board room.

Labels: Menifee-Union-School-District, Ridgemoor-Elementary-School

The Menifee Union School District will be holding two meetings that affect students of Ridgemoor Elementary School...

School Board Meeting - to present the boundary change
Tuesday, January 8, 2008, 4:00pm
Menifee Union School District, Board Room
30205 Menifee Rd, Menifee

Boundary Meeting - for public input
Monday, January 14, 2008, 6:00pm
Ridgemoor Elementary School, Multipurpose Room

Right now, the district is proposing that all Ridgemoor students in the Menifee Hills community, living south of Honey Run Rd, attend the new elementary school in Quail Valley. The new Quail Valley school doesn't have a name yet, but officials refer to it as "School 8".

The proposal is not sitting well with parents whose children will be affected by this change. Some of these parents are urging the rest of the parents to attend to January 14 meeting, and let their voices be heard.

Matthew Denney, one such parent, is canvassing the neighborhood, and distributing flyers, while presenting his point of view. "Our kids can't be expected to walk to Quail Valley from this neighborhood, there are no sidewalks on Newport Rd and Goetz Rd, and traffic there is pretty heavy", says Denney. "And Ridgemoor is actually experiencing a drop in student enrollment due to home foreclosures; they had to lay off teachers there because of not enough students".

Last October, I published an article about the new elementary school in Quail Valley, and I reported that Ridgemoor students were NOT expected to transfer there. That information came from both Betti Cadmus and Bruce Shaw, the district's director of facilities. But after talking to Betti today, she informed me that the district is now proposing this change in an attempt to maintain enrollment balance between the two schools. They don't want one school near capacity, and another school too far below capacity.

Either way, nothing is official yet.

However, if parents don't attend the boundary meeting on January 14, it could very well be official.

"The district urges all Ridgemoor parents to attend this meeting", says Betti. "We need to know what they think of this boundary change".

It's like that old adage, "if you don't vote, you can't complain".

Labels: Quail-Valley, Ridgemoor-Elementary-School

You probably have already gotten the letter home stating the openings of new schools in our district. There also is going to be boundary changes. You should expect another letter explaining those. I have heard that Students at Ridgemoor Elementary who currently live south of Honey Run Road will be sent to the new school in Quail Valley. Ridgemoor staff will contacting those affected along with a letter from the district. I believe this will be for the 2008 new school year.

Labels: Menifee-Union-School-District, Ridgemoor-Elementary-School