San Bernardino Press MONDAY, JULY 21, 2014 - JULY 27, 2014
sanbernardinopress.com
Less trains will run in San Bernardino Metrolink line by Vickie VĂŠrtiz
al Rail Authority confirmed the changes with local papers. Starting October first, two trains that run mid-day and two late-night trains will stop running from the most widely used service of the commuter rail. The San Bernardino Sun reported that the following trains will be affected: Mid-day Train 310, that leaves Union Station at 12:20 p.m. arriving in San Bernardino at 1:50 p.m., and Train 327,
established a surcharge on long-distance telephone bills in 1997 that provides discounts to assist schools and libraries in obtaining affordable telecommunications and Internet access. “Our schools, society, and economy thrive on interPlease see page 4
Please see page 3
which leaves from San Bernardino at 2 p.m. and arrives at Union Station at 3:35 p.m. The late-night train that will be cut is Train 338, which leaves Union Station at 11 p.m. arriving in San Bernardino at 12:30 a.m., and Train 339, which leaves San Bernardino at 9:05 p.m. and arrives at Union Station at 10:40 p.m. Given the scheduled Please see page 2
State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson applauds FCC vote to expand Internet access for schools and libraries State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson applauded a ruling by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today that marks a major step toward preparing students for the global economy by expanding Internet access for schools and libraries. The FCC voted today to
modernize the E-rate program and boost support for wireless connectivity for schools and libraries. This action is designed to expand wireless access, make E-rate dollars go further, and deliver faster, simpler, and more efficient applications and other processes. Known formally as the federal Schools and Libraries Program, E-rate
Measure N funds improve security at San Bernardino City Unified Schools Thanks to the generosity of San Bernardino and Highland voters who passed Measure N in 2012, the San Bernardino City Unified School District has increased security across its schools and is preparing to make significant renovations at several campuses. The $250-million bond has funded a state-of-the-art security and alarm system at District schools that has already led to a decrease in theft. In addition, the District’s Police Department has eight new patrol cars and will soon begin using a new radio system that allows officers to communicate easier and without interruption. The radio system also makes it possible for District Police to communicate seamlessly with other law enforcement agencies in the region. Additionally, the bond has funded the construction of a new Community Day School at the former Center for Individual Development. The school is slated to open during the 20142015 school year. Measure N funds will also finance upgrades to Indian Springs High School. Other improvements are taking place across the District, such as the installation of new intercom systems at schools that previously did not have them and computer server upgrades that will make technology more accessible to students.
Metrolink train at the San Bernardino station -Photo by Jennifer Schlueter
The ride to Union Station from San Bernardino on the Metrolink takes anywhere between an hour and a half to two hours on a bad day, but it is a smooth ride with comfortable seats where riders can read, listen to music, work, or relax. While delays do occur and cause snags in the schedule, bigger cuts to service are on the way. Jeff Lustgarten, chief spokesperson for Metrolink and the Southern California Region-
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CBP intercepts 67 extremely invasive giant African snails at LAX Live mollusks arriving from Nigeria were destined for Los Angeles area U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) inspected an air cargo shipment declared as 67 live snails. Accompanying paperwork described them as Achatina Fulica for human consumption. They arrived from Lagos, Nigeria in two plastic basket packages weighing slightly more than 35 pounds in total and were destined for San Dimas, California. After submitting an urgent sample to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plant Protection and Quarantine entomologists, their acting national mollusk specialist in Washington, D.C., identified them as Giant African Snails - scientifically known as Archachatina (Calachatina)
marginata var. ovum (Pfeiffer) (Achatinidae). CBP received notification of this on July 7. Native to Africa, their other commonly known names are Giant African Land Snail, West African Snail, West African Land Snail, Banana Rasp Snail, and Margie. “This significant interception of Giant African Snails is the first time this pest has been encountered in such large quantity and as a consumption entry by CBP in Los Angeles. It exemplifies how CBP agriculture specialists protect our nation’s agriculture from the introduction of threatening foreign pests, plants and diseases,” said Todd C. Owen, CBP director of field operations in Los Angeles. USDA emphasized the im-
portance of safeguarding this shipment of one of the most extremely damaging snail species. Thereafter, CBP transferred the shipment to USDA’s local Plant Inspection Station for final disposition. These pests are a very serious threat to our agriculture, natural ecosystem, public health and economy. They can consume more than 500 types of plants and, if vegetables or fruits are not available, will even eat the paint and stucco off of houses. They can be carriers of several parasites which are harmful to humans, one of which can lead to meningitis. Being one of the world’s largest land snails, these mollusks
can reach up to about eight inches long, about five inches in diameter and may live up to 10 years. Suggested preventative measures include strict quarantine to prevent introduction and further spread. About CBP: U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Metrolink cuts Continued from page 1
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changes the first day of October, Train 336 will become the last Metrolink train leaving Los Angeles Monday through Friday. Train 336 leaves Union Station at 9:30 p.m. and heads east into San Bernardino. If train riders miss 336, the only transportation option would be a bus headed east. Currently, the transit system in Los Angeles has limited options. For instance, the Gold Line light-rail heads east, but while it runs through the east side of the city and is operated by Metro, it only goes as far out as Pasadena. The line between San Bernardino and L.A. has 12,000 daily boardings, which makes it the busiest line in the 21 years of the Metrolink system. The system recently added trains on the 91 line from Riverside, through Fullerton, Norwalk/ Santa Fe Springs and Commerce to L.A. Unfortunately, Wolfe said the four trains were ideal for elimination because they have low ridership. The Sun said that $600,000 will be saved once the trains are pulled off the line. Lustgarten explained in the Sun that the service cuts re-
sulted from the San Bernardino Associated Governments refusing the 8.8 percent increase Metrolink requested as a budget increase, settling instead at 3 percent increase. Ray Wolfe, executive director of SanBAG, said to the Sun that last year, SanBAG paid $11.8 million, up from $11.5 million in 2012. He said the SanBAG board requested that Metrolink find other lines in their budget to cut, such as administration, but they did not pursue that route. He said two years ago, the line added more express trains and that lightened the number of passengers on the mid-day and night trains. Even with the budget cuts, Metrolink, Metro and SanBAG are considering adding double-tracking to add more express trains from Rancho Cucamonga and Covina stations to the popular Union Station destination. Wolfe added that San BAG is putting away funds for a future Gold Line light-rail train from Claremont to Montclair, which is in San Bernardino County and would be their transportation responsibility.
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SBCUSD after-school programs receive grant funding The San Bernardino City Unified School District’s Creative Before- and Afterschool Programs for Success (CAPS) is receiving more than $750,000 in state grant funding for after-school programs. CAPS is one of dozens of programs across the state to receive After School Education and Safety grant funding. The grant program was created through Proposition 49, which was approved by California voters in 2002. The funds help schools provide literacy support, academic enrichment, and safe out-of-school-time alternatives for students in kindergarten through middle school. Inghram, Del Rosa, and Lankershim Elementary Schools will each receive between $7,000 and $58,500 to bring their afterschool programs to full state funding. King,Serrano, and Del Vallejo Middle Schools will each receive between $27,150 and $67,351 to
Security improvements
bring their programs to the maximum state funding levels. Full funding under the After School Education and Safety grant is $112,500 for elementary schools and $150,000 for middle schools. Five District elementary schools will each receive $112,500 to launch CAPS at those sites. The schools are Dr. Mildred Dalton Henry Elementary, George Brown Jr. Elementary, Graciano Gomez Elementary, Holcomb Elementary (formerly Little Mountain Elementary), and H. Frank Dominguez Elementary Schools. All of the schools, except Dominguez, opened during the 2013– 2014 school year. Dominguez Elementary School will open on August 4, 2014. Although the After School Education and Safety (ASES) grant provides funding for CAPS, it is not the only funding source. ASES provides funding to serve 86 students at each elementary school. CAPS administrators ac-
tively pursue additional resources to serve about 100 students at each elementary school. CAPS begins August 4 at District middle schools and August 5 at District elementary schools. The start date for CAPS at Dominguez has not been determined. Parents and guardians who would like to enroll their children in CAPS and have not already done so for the 2014– 2015 school year must complete and return the CAPS application to CAPS Central by July 18, 2014. CAPS enrollment is limited and is not based on family income levels. A lottery of all eligible applicants will be held to fill any available spaces. CAPS Central is located at the District’s West Highland Administrative Annex (WHAA), 1535 West Highland Avenue in San Bernardino. For more information about CAPS, contact CAPS Central at (909) 880-6843.
Change lives. Make wishes come true.
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INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
By law, funds generated by the San Bernardino City Unified School District Student Safety and School Repair Measure cannot be used for staff salaries or pay increases. Instead, bond money must be used for capital improvement projects, like school renovations and security upgrades. The community will certainly see tangible and lasting benefits from its investment, and students will be the ultimate beneficiaries, said Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden. “Education is the lifeblood of our community,” Marsden said. “The residents of San Bernardino and Highland spoke loud and clear two years ago when they passed Measure N, and it is our responsibility to ensure they receive a return on their investment.”
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Support high-achieving, YMCA to give free swim local young women lessons this summer As San Bernardino Coun- the YMCA is able to offer up through the ty grows, so does the need to to 100 free swim lessons to young children against those who qualify, on a first Miss Cardinal City pageant protect the risk of drowning. Thanks come basis. Free swim lessons to the generous receipt of a will be available at all three
San Bernardino High School is seeking sponsors for its 10th annual Miss Cardinal City pageant, scheduled for Saturday, September 20 at Sturges Center for the Fine Arts. Bilingual School Outreach Worker Jamie Rios founded the Miss and Mr. Cardinal City pageants to promote school pride and self-esteem among the students. The pageants have blossomed into a chance for students to develop leadership skills and become involved in their community. Miss Cardinal City contestants, all high school seniors, compete in both on- and off-stage events. A panel of community judges will rank contestants in the September 20 on-stage events, including evening gown, interview, and sportswear. Off-stage rankings include grades and attendance. Rios hopes local businesses will support the school and young ladies by sponsoring the event with cash or in-kind donations. “I am so grateful for the amazing support the Miss Car-
dinal program has received from the community,” Rios said. “Every year, the businesses and people in San Bernardino step up to show these young women that somebody cares about them and wants them to succeed.” Miss Cardinal City 20142015 will represent San Bernardino High School alongside reigning Mr. Cardinal Samuel Moreno and his court, Rosalio Cruz and Joseph Ortega. Sponsors for the Mr. Cardinal City 2014-2015 pageant, held in April, included Toyota of San Bernardino, Fairview Ford, D’Arca Formal Wear, San Bernardino Councilwoman Virginia Marquez, Pat Williams of Angels’ Closet Charities, First Presbyterian Church, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hickey, Trophy House, Mr. Jim Smith, The Way World Outreach, Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Arellano, The Sun newspaper, Dr. and Mrs. Michael A. Lawrence, San Bernardino High Class of 1952, and Stater Bros. Markets. To sponsor the Miss Cardinal City pageant, contact Jamie Rios at (909) 881-8058.
grant by the Ann Ray Charitable Foundation, the YMCA of the East Valley will now be able to expand its swim lesson program as well as offer financial assistance for swim lessons. The YMCA of the East Valley received a $3,000 grant entitled the 2014 Individual Swim Lessons Outreach Grant, with this grant
branches in Highland, Redlands and San Bernardino. To qualify the participant must; be approved for a financial aid program, never taken a swim lesson before, and be under the age of 18. Sessions throughout July and August, for more information contact Sarah Franklin at 909-798-9622 or sfranklin@ymcaeastvalley. org.
Internet access for schools and libraries Continued from page 1
connectivity,” Torlakson said. “Today’s action will not only help narrow the digital divide among students, but also help us reach and teach every child so they will be prepared for the world that awaits them.” Torlakson has championed efforts to update E-rate. In March 2012, he convened his Education Technology Task Force to bring 21st century tools into California’s classrooms so that no child is left offline. He has also brought together other state superintendents via the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) to work together on this issue. Last September, Torlakson went to Washington, D.C., to push for increased federal assistance to provide broadband access for all students and schools across California. While there, he co-chaired the CCSSO’s Digital Learning Task Force to discuss and meet with members of the FCC, the White House, and the U.S. Department of Education. He also met with U.S. Senators to discuss E-rate. In June of last year, President Barack Obama proposed modernizing the E-rate pro-
gram as part of his ConnectED initiative, which Torlakson at the time called “a huge step in the right direction.” The FCC opened a public comment period soon afterward. Torlakson encouraged local superintendents and other education stakeholders across California to weigh in, and the California Department of Education also submitted its comments. Among the state’s priorities are expanding the program; making it easier to apply for and receive funding; ensuring the flexibility to take advantage of future technologies; distributing funding according to highest-priority needs; and allowing for adequate bandwidth to support wireless access as schools continue moving toward a one-to-one computer ratio. For more information on today’s vote, visit the Federal Communications Commission’s Web site. For information on how the state uses the Schools and Libraries Program and the California Teleconnect Fund to provide telecommunications discounts to ¬¬schools in the state, visit the California Department of Education’s Erate Web page.