Self Study Chapter One
Delivered on Time! Please Review.
BPACE Blog
Powerless Program
BPACE is participating in the District's "Powerless " Program. Each school has a goal to reduce their electricity bill by 15%. Schools that meet the goal will receive additional funds in their budget.
We will receive monthly update on our progress. If the total is in the black on the chart below (it is), it means we are on the way to reaching the goal. If the total is in the red, it means we a falling behind.
Plans to reduce our usage could be as simple as flipping the switch when lights and computers are not in use or keeping classroom doors closed when the AC is on.
Student Placement Services Plan
Another Plan. Please review and comment.
Does this follow what we do? Any Suggestions?
Training for Work-Based Activities Plan
Here is our current DRAFT Training for Work-Based Activities Plan. Please review and comment.
Strategic Plan Draft
Here is our current DRAFT Strategic Plan (Based on our 2009 WASC Action Plan). It's here for you to review, so please comment.
It's in two parts due to the page layout.
Rep. Chu Announces 2011 Divercities Award Winners
EL MONTE – Congresswoman Judy Chu, D-El Monte, recently held her second annual Divercities Event, a discussion on diversity and minority development that included recognizing some of the outstanding and diverse business people, volunteers and non-profit organizations in the 32nd Congressional District.
This year's honorees included Grace Gonzalez, Executive Director of Volunteers of East Los Angeles (VELA) as Community Activist of the Year; Nancy Eng of Rosemead as Volunteer of the Year; Asian Pacific Family Center in Rosemead and Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education (BPACE) as Non-Profits of the Year; Harry Kazizian of Exxel Outdoors in Irwindale as Businessman of the Year; and Anita Ron, Founder of BrightWorks, Inc. of West Covina, as Businesswoman of the Year.
"Our incredible diversity here in the 32nd District is reflective of the masses of immigrants from all corners of the globe who have come to America since colonial times, those waves of immigrants who grew this nation into the mightiest economic engine the world has ever seen," said Rep. Chu. "The incredible entrepreneurial spirit of our Valley's small businesses and the business climate that draws large national and multi-national corporations to our communities shows that, despite our tough economic times, America's business ingenuity is alive and well here in the San Gabriel Valley.
"And the wonderful and amazing volunteers, community activists and non-profits of our communities live up to the American ideals of service, community involvement and generosity which also make us unique in the world," continued Chu. "So I felt that it was only right to honor and recognize these wonderful individuals, businesses and organizations today, to recognize the amazing commitment and accomplishments that they make every day for our communities. Our amazingly varied group of honorees this year is proof positive that our diversity is our strength."
It was the second annual Divercities event hosted by the Congresswoman, and was held at the Covina Women's Club in Covina on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011.
The Return of Mike Stephens
BPACE once again has a head custodian, Mike will return on Friday September 2nd to his head custodian position at BPACE.
Action Plan
It's time to review our our WASC Action Plan from 2008 to see if it is still pointing us in the right direction and if we can use it (with modifications in job titles, dates, etc) for our Strategic Plan.
Please comment.
Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education
Focus on Learning Schoolwide Action Plan
Action Plan #1: Institutional Growth and Expansion
Goal: 1.0 Meet the changing needs of students in our community, by increasing the number of Career Technical Education course offerings, and GED testing availability.
Rationale: Focus Group recommendations: The community profile indicated that the unemployment rate in Baldwin Park is significantly higher than Los Angeles. In addition, 34.4 % of the people 25 years or older living in Baldwin Park have less than a 9th grade education.
Schoolwide Student Goal Addressed: All: Effective Users of Technology, Effective Communicators, Active, Self-motivated Life-Long Learners and Self-Actualized Individuals.
|
Specific Steps |
Timeline |
Person(s) Responsible |
Resources |
Ways of Assessing Progress |
Means to Report to Stakeholders |
|
1.1 Compile the Job Market Survey |
· Biannually |
· Leadership Team · Job Developer |
· Surveys · EDD website · Occupational Outlook Handbook · Bureau of Labor Statistics |
· Analysis of survey results · Distribution of results |
· Publish information · Advisory meetings · Student Leadership Meetings
|
|
1.2 Utilize new CTE Auto shop Facility to offer training in all eight ASE Certification areas. |
· Sept 2010 |
· Leadership Team · CTE Teacher on Special Assignment |
· CTE Facilities Grant (funded March 2008) |
· Monitor number of students achieving ASE Certification |
· Publish information · Advisory meetings · Awards Ceremonies |
|
1.3 Utilize CTE HVAC Facility (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) |
· Sept 2011 |
· Leadership Team · CTE Teacher on Special Assignment |
· CTE Facilities Grant (funded Dec 2009) |
· Monitor enrollments · Monitor number of completers · Master Schedule |
· Publish information · Advisory meetings |
|
1.4 Expand Medical Occupation course offerings by 20%
|
· Sept 2010 |
· Leadership Team |
· Community Surveys · Research · Staff
|
· ADA/Enrollment · Certificates of completion |
· Publish information · Advisory meetings |
|
1.5 Expand GED Testing sessions by 20% |
· Sept 2009 |
· Leadership Team · Counselors and Staff · GED Chief Examiner |
· Market to Private Post Secondary schools · Market to other adult schools that do not give Spanish GED · Expand testing opportunities · GED Testing Schedule |
· Number of testers · Number of GED certificates earned |
· Publish data · SPARC · Graduation |
|
1.6 Increase the number of students transitioning to GED Prep and CTE Programs |
· Ongoing starting Feb 2009 |
· ESL, ABE, and HSS Administration · Teaching Staff · Counselors |
· Counseling Referral Process · Classroom Presentation · Marketing Tools |
· Track use of established referral process · Number of referrals and enrollments in GED Prep and CTE Programs |
· Annual report of referrals completed · ADA reports · SPARC |
Action Plan #2: Institutional Growth and Expansion
Goal: 2.0 Create a professional learning community whose goal is to examine student learning within BPACE programs and share ways to improve student learning.
Rationale: Focus Group recommendations: BPACE needs to be more sophisticated and self sufficient about our staff development needs to make up for the vacuum caused by the elimination of the CALPRO Resource Centers.
Schoolwide Student Goal Addressed: All: Effective Users of Technology, Effective Communicators, Active, Self-motivated Life-Long Learners and Self-Actualized Individuals.
|
Specific Steps |
Timeline |
Person(s) Responsible |
Resources |
Ways of Assessing Progress |
Means to Report to Stakeholders |
|
2.1 All BPACE Programs: Ongoing staff development on data collection and analysis for the purpose of lesson planning. |
· Ongoing, beginning Fall 2009 |
· Leadership Team |
· CASAS Implementation Trainings · Power Implementation Workshops · In-house study groups. · Development of in-house data collection materials. · Expansion of student portfolios. · CALPRO |
· Monitor data · Observation · Meeting minutes · Lesson Plans reflecting learning objectives related to findings of Tops and CASAS data. |
· TOPSpro Reports · SPARC |
|
2.2 Implement Professional Development Technology Plan which includes:
· IT Academy training online for teachers and staff to become familiar with Microsoft Office 2007 software. · Smart-Board training for each Career Technical Education teacher · Developing Wikis and Blogs to expand BPACE’s Learning Communities. |
· Ongoing/ beginning Summer 2008
|
· Leadership Team · Technology Planning Committee |
· Microsoft IT Academy
· OTAN On-line Staff Development
· BPACE faculty |
· Staff Survey · Paid in-service records.
|
· 2009-2010 Technology Plan Progress Narrative. |
|
2.3 Provide Professional Development to support expansion of Career Technical Education programs through: · Articulation workshops with local colleges · Specialized training for our Cosmetology teachers, to include guest speakers and, business visitation and tradeshows. · Specialized workshops for Cook Apprentice and Automotive services classes · Regional Advisory opportunities |
· Annually beginning Fall 2009 |
· Leadership Team
|
· Partnerships · Collaborative processes |
· Observations · College credit options for students · Certificates of completion. |
· Advisory Committees |
|
2.4 Adult Basic Education and High School Subjects: Development and implementation of professional development in the area of learner persistence using the Professional Learning Community model. (Focus On Success Project) |
· January 2008 to June 2009 |
· ABE/HSS Administrator and Program Staff |
· CALPRO · Learner Persistence Research · BPACE General Fund |
· AIM Attendance System · Student Portfolios and Surveys · Teacher observations
|
· Focus on Success Newsletter · AIM Data reports · Advisory Mtgs. · BPACE Website · Staff Mtgs. |
Action Plan #3: Institutional Growth and Expansion
Goal: 3.0 Establish and expand Advisory Committees to provide guidance and input to all BPACE programs and services.
Rationale: Focus Group recommendations: BPACE must continue to increase student and community involvement in the development and planning of the school and academic achievement.
Schoolwide Student Goal Addressed: All: Effective Users of Technology, Effective Communicators, Active, Self-motivated Life-Long Learners and Self-Actualized Individuals.
|
Specific Steps |
Timeline |
Person(s) Responsible |
Resources |
Ways of Assessing Progress |
Means to Report to Stakeholders |
|
3.1 Form Advisory Committees for all programs and establish regular meeting schedules.
New Advisories for these programs:
Older Adult Parent Education Restaurant Occupations Automotive Services Air Conditioning and Heating Cosmetology |
· Fall 2010 |
· Leadership Team |
· Local Universities · Unions · Facility Owners · Local Businesses · Service Agencies · City Government |
· Meeting agendas · Meeting minutes · BPACE Monthly Calendar |
· Meeting minutes · Website · Newsletters
|
Action Plan #4: Institutional Growth and Expansion
Goal: 4.0 Student Services
Rationale: Focus Group recommendations: To expand support services to keep pace with the growth of the CTE Program.
Schoolwide Student Goal Addressed: All: Effective Users of Technology, Effective Communicators, Active, Self-motivated Life-Long Learners and Self-Actualized Individuals.
|
Specific Steps |
Timeline |
Person(s) Responsible |
Resources |
Ways of Assessing Progress |
Means to Report to Stakeholders |
|
4.1 Reevaluate role of Job Developer and Financial Aid Officer. |
· Summer 2009
|
· Leadership Team · Assistant Director |
· Staff · Surveys · Research · Job Description |
· Number of Pell Grant students · Follow-up with graduates · Revised job duties |
· Website · Advisory Committees
|
|
4.2 Identify criteria for student follow up in all programs related to job placement, transition to college etc. |
· Summer 2009
|
· Leadership Team · Assistant Director · Teacher on Special Assignment |
· Staff · Tracking system · Alumni association · Collaboration with colleges and businesses |
· Post completion tests · Contact with graduates · Database |
· Website · Advisory Committees
|
|
4.3 Develop an orientation packet for all students
|
· Summer 2009
|
· Leadership Team · Counselors |
· Teacher on Special Assignment · Counseling · Financial Aid Office · Library · Student Leadership Committee |
· Student Surveys · Student Leadership Minutes
|
· Website · Advisory Committees
|
|
4.4 Develop a student handbook
|
· Summer 2009
|
· Leadership Team
|
· Teachers · Counseling · Financial Aid Office · Library · BPACE Resource Center |
· Student Surveys · Student Leadership Minutes · Published Handbook |
· Website · Advisory Committees · Dissemination of H  |
Benchmark Update!
This year, thanks to the hard work of the BPACE teachers, counselors and
support staff we have passed last last years benchmark total of
1470 by two benchmarks, although we had 400 fewer eligible students in
our academic programs and a shorter school year.
support staff we have passed last last years benchmark total of
1470 by two benchmarks, although we had 400 fewer eligible students in
our academic programs and a shorter school year.
Congratulations!
BPACE Core Values
This year we will be working on a strategic plan for BPACE. This will be an opportunity for us to reexamine our mission, vision and core values statements.
Please read the current (more or less) BPACE Core Values below and comment. What do we need to add, change or delete?
WE BELIEVE that our first responsibility is to our clients; we must act in their best interests in terms of their educational and individual well-being.
WE BELIEVE in addressing diverse, individual needs by providing client-centered programs and services.
WE BELIEVE it is our responsibility to make programs and services as accessible as possible to all clients.
WE BELIEVE that diversity in staff and clients strengthens and enhances the organization. This diversity includes, but is not limited to: ethnicity, race, gender, age and disabilities.
WE BELIEVE in flexibility and innovation in meeting the needs of the community in a changing and complex society.
WE BELIEVE in conducting our business with honesty and integrity.
WE BELIEVE in providing a dedicated, well-trained, effective staff.
WE BELIEVE that every client is capable of learning and should be provided with opportunities to set and achieve realistic, meaningful goals.
WE BELIEVE in encouraging and empowering employees and clients to attain their personal and professional goals by identifying their potential and building on their successes.
WE BELIEVE in treating our employees and clients with respect, recognizing that they are a valuable and essential part of a team.
WE BELIEVE in, and are committed to, life-long learning.
WE BELIEVE in quality management through effective communication and teamwork.
WE BELIEVE in providing a clean, orderly, safe environment and atmosphere conducive to working and learning.
Professional Learning Communities
BPACE has been selected to be one of only twelve Adult Schools in the
state to participate in the California Adult Literacy Professional
Development Projects' (CALPRO) Professional Learning Community
Institute.
This four-day professional development event will take place in two
sessions. The first two-day session will take place on December 9 and
10, 2010, and will be held in Sacramento. The second two-day session
will take place approximately May 19 and 20, 2011.
The December session will provide agencies the framework and the
training needed to plan and start a PLC process of school improvement
focusing on student learning through embedded professional development.
The two days in May will be devoted to feedback, evaluation and problem
solving with the participating agencies.
The twelve schools are required to send a team of two, their Director/
Principal and one teacher or professional development staff person, to
participate in the Institute. All travel, lodging and training costs are
covered by CALPRO.
BPACE's application focused on the use of data to improve student
learning (and as a result Federal paypoints) in ABE, ESL and High School
Diploma programs.
Canned Food Drive
Please thank all students and staff for their support in the collection of canned goods. We have collected as of today 1,619 from BPACE. This is more than last year and considering the economic times, I think this is just wonderful that we are sharing with so many less fortunate. Many thanks
Denise A. Tornatore
BPACE Student Art Exhibit
From the Baldwin PArk Highlander:
When Stan Klausner works with clay, his mind drifts into a dream state and the end result is a display of the different influences he touches on for inspiration.
"It's very Zen-like in how I approach (starting a piece)," said the 63-year-old of his art pieces.
Klausner opened his first solo exhibit, "Celadon Dreams: Traditional Ceramic Forms Revisited," on Saturday, Oct. 15, in the Fo Guang Yuan Hsi Lai Art Gallery at the Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights.
Celadon is the glaze he uses for his artwork.
Different cultures, as well as different living things, are featured in Klausner's more than 100 pieces on display.
"I'm mixing a lot of different cultures - Celtic, Asian, Indian, German ...," he said.
Klausner attends the Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education Older Adult Ceramic class and lives in Pomona, but his journey here started in the east.
Growing up in the Bronx comunity of New York, Klausner said he always had an interest in art. But it wasn't until his senior year in college that he discovered his passion.
"I was earning my bachelor's in math and I took a ceramic class as an elective," he said.
The class opened him up to the world of ceramics, Klausner knew he "didn't want to be a starving artist."
He taught high school math for a few years and worked on ceramics on the side. In 1973, with some funds stashed away, he headed west and in 1976 earned his master's degree in ceramics from Cal State Fullerton.
Almost tapped out financially, Klausner went back to teaching math at Santa Ana High School. But he couldn't completely abandon ceramics.
"I convinced the principal (at Santa Ana High) to start a ceramics program, and we did," said Klausner.
In 1980, he moved from teaching to aerospace engineering and worked on various projects, including one at Northrop Grumman.
While he found math and aerospace satisfying and challenging, Klausner missed his art. He began taking classes and working on different art mediums but still kept coming back to his passion.
"I missed clay," he said.
After retiring, Klausner began creating his various pieces, many featured in the art exhibit. Some of the pieces on display were created during the seven years he was back in New York to care for his mother.
Upon returning to California, Klausner found Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education's art classes.
"They allowed me to work here and it allowed me to see if I can still do it," said Klausner of the school. "It took me about a year to say, `OK, I'm starting to remember how to do this."'
Klausner admits there were mishaps while creating pieces but he said he just had to keep working at it.
"When I work, I keep asking, `Does it look right to my mind's eye'," he said. "Some pieces have a dream-like quality. I come with a starting place, maybe one image and go from there."
The shape of the cylinder determines what images will fit well on each, he added.
He draws inspiration from various things, including art history.
"I go to the library and look at a lot of pictures, sometimes I get ideas from a vinegar bottle," said Klausner. "I went to school to learn the visual (part of art) but it's a very inward journey, very personal."
Another big inspiration for Klausner is ritual vessels.
"They have very strong visual images that are meant to impress," he said. "It doesn't matter the religion they're all there to visually grab you."
His art pieces are made of porcelain and stoneware and while some are made with a pottery wheel, most are hand-built.
"I prefer hand building because you get a more human feel (to the pieces)," said Klausner. "Most of the forms (pieces) are asymmetrical, bringing life to the pot."
Klausner created his own plaster mold for his plate pieces. He also has fun using dental tools to create the carvings on the ceramic.
"I tend to make things complex, adding layers upon layers. You can't grasp everything all at once."
The images on his ceramic pieces are like paintings and "a reflection of how I felt at that moment," Klausner explained.
Although he has been involved in other art showings, this is the first solo exhibit and the first since his "reincarnation."
"This is about six to seven years of work that I've been saving," said Klausner.
His first visit to the Hsi Lai Temple and the gallery was to see the work of a Baldwin Park classmate. Klausner fell in love with the space and sought to bring an exhibit there.
"When I saw this place I thought this would be perfect," he said. "I love the way my pieces fit in here. (Putting together the exhibit) is kind of an overwhelming process but I'm happy."
Klausner's work will be featured amongst the gallery's collection of Buddhist artifacts from around the world, Chinese art and works from other local artists.
"It's beautiful, very different. You can see (the Asian influence in his work)," said Venerable Miao Hsi, director of the International Buddhist Progress Society. "We're really happy to have such diversity. Art is universal, it transcends."
Klausner decided to number each piece instead of naming them to allow visitors to interpret them their own way.
"I want people to come with an open mind and let them experience (the pieces) and interact with them," said Klausner. "It should be different for each person and they're right. I want them to come back two weeks later and see something different."
The pieces displayed at the beginning of the exhibit show the first ones Klausner worked on when getting back into working with clay, while the final piece "represents how I work - kind of like a dance between me and the clay and gravity," said Klausner.
The exhibit will run through Jan. 9. The temple is at 6456 S. Glenmark Dr., Hacienda Heights. Gallery hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
For more information, call 626-961-9697 or visit www.hsilai.org. For more information about the Baldwin Park Adult and Community Education, visit www.bpace.k12.ca.us.
626-962-8811, Ext. 2110
Canned Food Drive
With the Holidays just around the corner, we are again participating in the City of Baldwin Park’s Annual Canned Food Drive. Beginning Monday, November 1, 2010 through Thursday, December 2, 2010, BPACE will have the opportunity to provide canned and packaged food for needy families in Baldwin Park. The morning of December 3rd, BPACE Custodians will collect all of the donated food items from the classrooms so that they will be ready for City pick up on Monday, December 6th.
Boxes will be delivered to your classroom as soon as they are available. Please feel free to decorate the boxes, but make sure there are no exposed staples that may cause injuries when the boxes are handled.
Please know that your participation will add to the holiday spirit for those who are less fortunate. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Denise Tornatore at (626) 856-4108.
St. Jude Hospital Fundraiser
The ABE classes on both campuses, along with the ceramics class at the Fine Arts Center participated in Chili's fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.The combines classes raised close to two hundred dollars. As a thank you each class room were treated to Chicken Sliders and Chips party courtesy of Chili's Chino Hills.
