Belmont Beacon
MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2014 - DECEMBER 14, 2014
belmontbeacon.com
Record-Breaking Storm Still No Relief for California’s Drought by jennifer schlueter
VOLUME 1, NO. 32
Focus on Student Success Leads CSULB Alumna to Be Named 2015 California Teacher of the Year By Ken Swisher
time. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives Mark McGuire and Greg Krabbe at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may
Amy Laughlin, an alumna of California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) and a teacher at Hansen School in Anaheim, has been named a 2015 California Teacher of the Year by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. She was among five outstanding educators as a 2015 California Teachers of the Year. Laughlin has been teaching for 16 years, 13 of them at Hansen School—and the last six as a Title I Intervention Specialist there. In her role she ensures that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education. Her class, called Husky Time, is an intensive reading intervention program she created for struggling students in all grade levels. “I am honored to receive this award. I share this with the colleagues I collaborate with and the thousands of hard-working California teachers who are just as passionate about making a difference as I am. The courses I took at
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Monrovia residents brace for the storms with K-rails and sandbags near the Madison Fire area.
Last week, drought-stricken California finally received some much needed rain for two straight days along with delayed and canceled flights, traffic chaos, destroyed power lines, and mudslides. The subtropical storm that emerged south of Hawaii broke December 2 records of the past 50 years in “downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles International Airport, Long Beach Airport and communities such as Antelope Valley, Palmdale and Camarillo,” meteorologist Eric
Bolt from the National Weather Service told Voice of America (VoA). In Glendora and other mountain communities, residents and city departments feared mudslides resulting from desolated hillsides due to previous wildfires. A few evacuations were issued; though, soon lifted because the slides weren’t as bad as expected and cities and residents were well prepared with barricades and 18,000 distributed sandbags. However, despite last
- Photo by Terry Miller
week’s downpour, California is still experiencing a severe drought. “We certainly hope that the rainfall we have now pushes us toward normal — but we’re still below normal.… We’re just trying to get to average,” said spokesman for the California Department of Water Resources to the Los Angeles Times. Whereas downtown Los Angeles normally receives 15 inches of rain per year, 2014 only recorded a meager 5.89 Please see page 4
Young Man Shot; Motive and Suspect Unknown On Wednesday, November 26, 2014, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Long Beach Police responded to the 1500 block of Sherman Place regarding shots fired. When officers arrived, they discovered a male adult victim down on the street near 15th Street and Stanton Place who had sustained injury from gunshot
wounds. Long Beach Fire Department paramedics responded and transported the victim to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. The victim has been identified as 18-year-old Elias Daniel Aguirre of Long Beach. The motive for this shooting is still unclear and no suspect is in custody at this
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Increasing Use of Body Cameras and Improving Community Policing Top of Obama’s Priority List
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden meet with elected officials, community and faith leaders, and law enforcement officials to discuss how communities and law enforcement can work together to build trust to strengthen neighborhoods across the country. -(Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
The President has proposed a three-year, $263 million investment package that will: •Increase police officers’ use of body worn cameras •Expand training for law enforcement agencies (LEAs) •Add more resources for police department reform •Multiply the number of cities where the Department of Justice facilitates community and local LEA engagement Part of the proposal is a new Body Worn Camera Partnership Program, which would provide a
50 percent match to states and localities that purchase body worn cameras and requisite storage. In fact, the proposed $75 million, three-year investment could help purchase 50,000 body worn cameras. As noted in a recent report released by Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) and the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), evidence shows that body worn cameras help strengthen accountability and transparency, and that officers and civilians both act in a more
positive manner when they're aware that a camera is present. The President is planning to create a Task Force on 21st Century Policing, chaired byPhiladelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey, who also serves as President of the Major Cities Chiefs Police Association; and Laurie Robinson, professor at George Mason University and former Assistant Attorney General for DOJ’s Office of Justice ProgramsIn August, the President ordered a review of federal funding and programs that help equip state and local law enforcement agencies (LEAs). Over the course of the review, the White House explored whether existing federal programs: •Provide LEAs with equipment that is appropriate for what their communities need. •Ensure that LEAs have adequate policies in place for use of the equipment, and that their personnel are trained and certified on how to use this equipment. •Encourage LEAs to employ practices and standards that prevent misuse or abuse of this equipment. The final report, released today, finds inconsistencies in how these federal programs are structured, implemented, and audited. The report also identifies four areas of further focus that could help ensure that these programs help maximize the safety and security of both police officers and their communities: 1.Local community engagement. 2.Federal coordination and oversight. 3.The community-policing model. In light of this review, President Obama is planning to issue an Executive Order directing relevant agencies to work together and with law enforcement and civil rights and civil liberties organizations to develop specific recommendations within four months.
Pair Charged with Attacking Actor on Thanksgiving Two men were charged today with attacking an actor on Thanksgiving Day in Hollywood, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced. Dusan Lilic (dob 3/1/88) and Nikola Ilic (dob 5/5/91) were charged in case BA431882. Lilic faces one count each of assault with a deadly weapon, driving under the influence causing injury, driving with a .08 blood alcohol content causing injury, battery with serious bodily injury and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury. Ilic is charged with one count of battery with serious bodily injury and assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury. Both men are scheduled to be arraigned today in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. Prosecutors said Corey Sligh was walking to a store on Nov. 27 with his girlfriend and a friend to deliver Thanksgiving dinner to another friend when they saw a car driving erratically in the parking lot. Sligh was concerned the defendants were going to hurt someone and he asked Lilic to stop and leave. Lilic opened the car door, striking Sligh, prosecutors said. Sligh was then hit by the car. The vehicle drove away, but Lilic and Ilic returned and began beating Sligh, who suffered a broken arm and other injuries, prosecutors added. If convicted as charged, Lilic faces up to seven years in state prison, while Ilic faces a maximum fouryear prison term. The case remains under investigation by Los Angeles Police Department’s West Traffic Division.
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be submitted by calling 1-800-222TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.
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CSULB Alumna named Teacher of the Year Continued from page 1
CSULB surrounded me with inspirational teachers and motivating peers who influenced me to fight for what I stand for,” said Laughlin. “The education I received at Long Beach sharpened my skills in teaching, learning and leading, which I will forever be grateful for.” Hansen School is part of the Savanna School District, whose Superintendent Sue Johnson calls Laughlin a “dynamic educator who has a desire to enhance teaching and learning with a heart for and dedication to the children she serves.” “Amy Laughlin is one of our shining stars in the Education Administration program. As coordinator, I have had many opportunities to observe Amy display remarkable insight involving key and crucial issues that challenge educators on a daily basis. Amy is truly a leader among leaders and inspires everyone with whom she collaborates. We are beyond proud of her accomplishments and know she will continue to make a significant difference in the lives of countless children,” said James Scott, distinguished faculty in residence and coordinator of the M.A. Education Administration/Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Faculty Doctoral Program. “It is an honor to recognize these five incredibly dedicated teachers who devote their energy, passion and creativity to helping all their students achieve inside and outside the classroom,” Torlakson said. “These teachers have made a huge difference in their students’ lives.” Traditional education does not always work for her students so Laughlin must offer something different. She nurtures confidence and instills a sense of pride and self-worth
into children who may have felt alone and unworthy. She calls herself their biggest cheerleader, “and they are my heroes.” It is her job, she stresses, to ensure every child succeeds. “Whether it is the child who has fallen so far behind that the teacher is at a loss on how to help, or the child who may be academically proficient yet inwardly battles social and emotional conflict,” she said. “Simply put,” writes Shannon D. Wyatt, principal of Hansen School, “Amy Laughlin is the most amazing educator I have ever had the pleasure of working with. Amy’s
greatest strength is her ability to motivate and build relationships with students.” Laughlin also earned the 2015 Orange County and Savanna School District Teacher of the Year awards. Laughlin earned an Administrative Services Credential in 2013 at CSULB and a master of arts in curriculum and instruction in middle school education at California State University, San Bernardino. She also earned a B.S. in elementary education from Illinois State University. Prior to Hansen, she taught at Cahuilla Elementary School in Palm Springs.
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Southern California Students with Learning Disabilities Honored for Their Soaring Achievements Learning Ally award winners prove that dyslexia and related learning differences aren't barriers to successful education Outstanding students from Southern California who have succeeded in their educational goals despite challenges with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, were awarded the Winslow Coyne Reitnouer Scholastic Achievement Award in recognition of their accomplishments. The winners were honored at a reception on November 9th at the home of Winslow “Winnie” Reitnouer, who, along with her husband Lynn, has assisted students with learning disabilities in enriching their academic pursuits for many years. “What a special time it was to have so many remarkable students come together to share their stories,” said Mrs. Reitnouer. Each individual was chosen for the award because I believe in them, and I look forward to hearing of their successes in the years to come.” Students honored at the event included: -Kaitlyn Brown—Nineteenyear-old water polo player Kaitlyn has not let learning disabilities keep her from pursuing her dreams of being a firefighter. Though she still struggles in the areas of math, reading and writing, Kaitlyn has developed
fortitude and a strong work ethic, and is currently taking fire courses at Chaffey Community College with hopes of attending a fire academy. -Darlene Gray—It wasn’t until she was in college that Darlene discovered she had a learning disability, but despite her struggles, she set her sights on becoming a nurse. Several years later, with help from Learning Ally and the Reitnouer scholarship, she is working as a licensed vocational nurse and pursuing her passion. -Kate Guarino—Hailing from Washington D.C., Kate is a sophomore majoring in print and digital journalism at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School. Though reading has always been hard for Kate, she has developed the skills necessary to pursue her love of writing and storytelling. -Keenan Jones—A San Diego native, twenty-year-old Keenan has thrived in school despite his struggles with dyslexia and is now pursuing his love of filmmaking in the prestigious cinema program at the University of Southern California.
-Grace Kuhlenschmidt— Grace did not let learning disabilities hold her back from chasing her goals, and is now a high achieving student and community leader at Skidmore College. -Emma Lapin—Diagnosed with dyslexia in the fourth grade, Emma discovered a greater sense of independence as she learned to use assistive technology to complement her strong work ethic. She is now thriving at Washington University and headed toward a bright future. -Isabelle Osterholt—As a high school student, Isabelle felt as though she was “drowning in a jumble of text,”, but that changed in 2012 when she was diagnosed with dyslexia. Now equipped with the right support, such as audio textbooks from Learning Ally, Isabelle is thriving at the University of Redlands. -Peyton Pullen—Eighteen-year-old Peyton was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, and has had a difficult time reading her whole life. After years of hard work and encouragement from her supportive family, she is on a pre-med
track at the University of Miami in Florida. -Emily Shields—Diagnosed with dyslexia in the third grade, Emily had a difficult time sounding out words and struggled through spelling tests. Over time she developed strong study habits, learned to use her strengths to her advantage, and found the right tools for support. Now she is completing her freshman year at Northern Arizona University, where she’s studying business administration marketing. -Allison Stein—For as long as she can remember, Allison has known she was different because she struggled with language processing. Being formally diagnosed with dyslexia was a turning point for her, and she has since grown in her abilities and is currently on the honor roll at Chapman University. All scholarship winners are receiving cash awards and recognition for their scholastic excellence, exemplary leadership and service to others; and all have thrived in education with the help of accessible educational content and assistive technology that Learning Ally provides.
Record-Breaking Storm Continued from page 1
inches, according to VoA. The LA times quotes state water experts who claim “it would take 150% of the average rainfall for California to recover from the current drought. That would mean a total of 75 inches of rain from Oct. 1, 2014, through Sept. 30, 2015, recorded at eight stations in the northern Sierra.” Gov. Jerry Brown issued a
state of emergency in January due to the drought and asked Californians to reduce their daily water usage by 20%, because “most important [water] reservoirs contain just 39 percent to 60 percent of normal water levels,” according to abc. In August, Californians used 11.6% less water compared to the previous year, but in October that number shrank to 6.7%.