Snow in Big Bear

Traditionally spending New Year's in Big Bear with numerous close
friends and family.

Charterland Ahead

Today, a representative of the charter association came to talk to our school staff about details for switching to a charter school. While our school has significant community support for this to happen, the majority of the staff has numerous unanswered questions and feels uncertain about charterland. In order to start the ball rolling, over 50% of the staff will need to sign a petition. If they want the possibility by next fall, the vote will need to happen in just a few weeks. Doesn't seem like enough time for the staff to make a confident decision!

Work Lunch

You know when a project is due around here when students flood my room morning, noon, and night. Very busy project season.

Correia Guitar Jam Part 2

Here's a clip from our blues guitar assembly on Friday. The kids are in the back jamming the rythm.

Correia Guitar Jam

A blues band worked with our guitar students this week. The guitar course was so popular that they found a way to add a second section AND create a mini-elective for more students. The kids are jamming with the band. I need a phone that can handle low-light shots! I can't remember the band or artist but they sounded outstanding.

Trick or Treat!?

While the colors resemble Halloween goodness, fiery trick lies in this platter of our fall pepper harvest. I'm certain there's enough capsaicin here to melt through the platter! While the cayenne died out after fruiting, our habenero plant is intensely flowering again. The second season for this plant is in overdrive. Producing the hottest pepper on the planet is fun though I have no clue what to do with all of it. Perhaps, I could make an intense acid cleaner or a salsa only Mexican locals can handle. Any ideas? As for trick or treaters, beware! Muahahaha!

Joshua Tree Serenity

Wilderness in Joshua Tree is awesome! Different flora and a plethora of cool rock formations. Hooray for plate tectonics, weathering, and geologic time!

Desert Dance Moves

This Joshua Tree seems to be in motion to the music of the desert!

J Tree Hike

Hiking out on Boy Scout Trail. I recall doing this backcountry hike as a young tenderfoot! Half-way, Dana lost her sole on this hike. Sole not soul!!!

Joshua Tree Weekend

Enjoying a weekend of exploring and camping at Joshua Tree National Park.

Sunday Ride

Jay has a route planned for us today.

Adams Street Fair

A short walk from our house, the Adams Street Fair is an awesome experience featuring some Punk Rock, art, and numerous booths of goodies!

The Killers

Michelle and I are enjoying an evening with The Killers at the Viejas Arena at SDSU.

Angel Win

Michelle and I at Angel stadium ;-) Angels win 3-2 to the White Sox.

Angels in the Outfield

After a 90 minute bike ride along the wash from Costa Mesa, we finally arrived at Angel Stadium with seats in the outfield. Got here around 5th inning, enough to enjoy the sun and America's favorite past time. Umm, go Dodgers! I haven't been to an Angel's game since I was really little. I did, however, experience numerous Dodger games during the days of Tommy Lasorda, Steve Sax, and Fernando Valenzuela.

Biking to the Angel Game

Great day for an afternoon ride and ballgame.

Let Freedom Ring

Michelle points the way to our Liberty Bell. Neat to see and cool exhibit. A national treasure in all respects.

Independence Hall

Michelle and I are exploring Philly today, about to jump in to see the Liberty Bell.

Philly Hitch!

Mr. Ozeni, an awesome teacher buddy, is now officially married. Here's Michelle an I with Go and Mary at North Hills Country Club (about an hour from Philly). Go and I are in our traditional pose. Tomorrow, Michelle and I plan on hitting the city for some Philly Phun.

Closing the Achievement Gap

Our superintendent, Dr. Terry Grier, shared a number of important points during today's press conference at my school. The central theme was to continue raising test scores while closing the achievement gap between students of color and white and asian populations. He also mentioned that budget cuts do matter but so does everyone's commitment to improving education. He invited businesses and community members to assist public schools, ensuring that together we can continue to see improvement.
As for my students, they rocked the test last spring with 96% scoring above proficiency and 66% scoring advanced. I also had about 8 students who scored perfect or near perfect on the algebra CST. Not all bad considering that these kids skipped a year of math.
From our district news: San Diego Unified STAR Test Results Reach All Time High

Press Conference!

California Standards Test results are being officially released today with a press conference at my school, Correia Middle. The media is here to hear Jack O'Connell , State Superintendent of Public Instruction, explain the current trends in test scores.

Emerald Bay Alumni Weekend

Enjoying my old Boy Scout tromping grounds for the Emerald Bay Alumni weekend.

Del Mar Races

Enjoying a day at Del Mar. Wahoo, just won a pony to win bet! I'm still having a tough time with the latitude change from the big island.

Koastal Hike

Another day and another adventure on the big island.

Thurston Lava Tube

A bit crowded here with national park tourists but cool to see. The Kilauea Iki trail does a large loop and the Thurston Lava Tube is at the end (or start).

Lava Steam Vent

Iki iki saawing! wallawallawing! Andrew climbs a lava mount steam vent in the Kilauea Iki crater.

Kilauea Iki

We're currently in the middle of Kilauea Iki crater where lava pools have blackened the landscape.

South Kona Fruit Stand

This is our favorite fruit stand on the island.

Kona Sunset

Too many clouds on the horizon to see a green flash this evening but we got to see one two nights ago. Andrew and Lindsey here enjoying the sunset. Aloha!

Wahoo!

Michelle and I on the dive boat heading out to witness the majestic flight of the manta ray.

Safety First!

Dana, Larry, and Lindsey listen attentatively to the boat and safety orientation.

Kona Boat Dive

Heading out this afternoon for a couple of dives with Jack's Diving Locker in Kona. The first dive will be nearby and the second will be during the evening with manta rays. Andrew is stoked to get some footage with his new camera and housing.

Pololu Valley

Had a nice day today on the big island. We all went on a hike down to Pololu Beach in Kohala. This is the north end of the island. At the beach we spotted numerous Portugese Man of War jellyfish that washed up on shore. We also witnessed a rescue operation for an injured hiker.

Kona Koast

Kukio Beach is very relaxed and not visited by many ithers besides those staying at the adjacent Four Seasons Resort. Turtles are swimming just below Lindsey and my long lost brother from Oahu, Bryan. What a crappy place, huh!?

Tank Swap

We did a dive this morning at Makukona and now we're back in Waikaloa swapping out tanks for an afternoon dive south of here at Two Steps (Place of Refuge/Honauana Bay). Here's Larry, Michelle, and Andrew loading the tanks from a found shopping cart.

Hapuna Bay

On the Big Island for a couple of days now. Yesterday, we spent some beach time just north of where we are staying.

Rob Padilla 'Sweet 17'

I've been working on a number of projects this summer and this is one that had to get done. This is an original painting by Rob Padilla titled, "Sweet 17". The painting was once stretched but we got it from Rob as a rolled canvas. I built a wooden frame and restretched the piece. Michelle and I really enjoy this particular painting of his. We went through a number of Rob's awesome paintings and were torn between this and another painting. We walked away with both! The other one, I stretched first and will hang in another room of our house. One project complete and many more to go this summer.

Big Bear Boating

Enjoying an afternoon on the lake with friends. Happy Summer!

Punk Rock the Car Wash

Art Around Adams is this weekend. These guys setup shop at the Adams Ave Self-Serve Car Wash. Look closely at the sign behind them! Punk rock.

Caroline's Graduation

At Cal State Fullerton for my sister-in-law's graduation. Congratulations Caroline!

Songs & Banter

Cheeks are sore from smiling and laughing for 2 hours straight. 2 hours with the Conchords is better than 1 hour with the Conchords! New Zealand rocks the party!

Flight of the Conchords in San Diego

Michelle heard earlier today that the Conchords are in town and foux du fafa, we're here! Rumored to be a sold out show, we somehow scored great seats for an evening of banter and folk parody. Its Wednesday and conditions are perfect!

Balboa Park Lunch

Body Worlds is really more like body-parts! Amazing that so many of my students can take down lunch so readily after an experience like this.

Field Trip to Body Worlds!

We're headed to the San Diego Natural History Museum to see the Body Worlds exhibition.

Jimmy Buffett in Vegas

Celebrating Michelle's birthday this weekend, we're in Las Vegas with friends and family to see Jimmy Buffett. The arena is a sea of Hawaiian shirts and beach balls.

Alpine Wright Field

Our IT-E3 group met at UCSD to introduce sensors to potential new teachers to the program. After, we headed out here to Alpine to visit Wright Field. The natural preserve area, part of land trust, is adjacent to their middle school. They are using the area for science and enviironmental studies (an elective class). Pictured are our teachers examining a vernal pool. These rare seasonaly wet habitats are home for unique flora and fauna adapted to a short wet season within an otherwise dry ecosystem.

CST Testing

Last day of testing for our 7th graders but the 8th graders have another 4 days. Testing is one of those necessary evils of our educational system. Recently, our school cluster has been directing more responsibilty toward the students to do well by assigning more courses and even a shorter lunch to those who score below proficiency.

Cancer Forum

In science class, my students are currently working on a cancer research project. We invited family and friends who have experienced cancer.

Disc Golf

Enjoying a round of disc golf at Morley Field in Balboa Park with our friends staying with us from New York and my brother-in-law, Ed.

Sing Us a Song

Billy Joel and Elton John

At the Billy Joel and Elton John concert. Andrew invited us to see his work, we watching the show from the lighting booth. Awesome!

Futbol!

Took my students to our local soccer arena for some well deserved afternoon play! I've worked them very hard in algebra the past month and the road ahead will be just as tough. They have worn me out in soccer in return.