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VCCCD hosts appreciation luncheon for veterans

Ventura County Community College District executives and Veterans Resource Centers staff and student veterans at luncheon.

The Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees Chair Larry Kennedy, Chancellor Bernard Luskin and Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Rick Post, all United States Navy veterans, recently hosted a luncheon at the District Administration Center to express appreciation for the Veterans Resource Centers staff at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura Colleges.

Board Chair Larry Kennedy explained his role as Co-Chair of the Community College League of California Veterans Caucus. Vice Chancellor Post moderated a panel discussion for student veterans to openly share their opinions and feedback on the resources available to help them succeed at their prospective colleges.  The common theme highlighted the genuine care shown by the staff at each of the VRCs and the sense of community and friendship from fellow student veterans. The total veteran’s center experience serves as a pathway for healing and as a resource to assist with the transition from military to civilian life.

“The Ventura County Community College District is at the forefront in advocating for student veterans throughout the district and statewide,” said Chair Kennedy.  “We are working diligently in cooperation with the CCLC to secure funding at the state level for counselling for student veterans,” Kennedy added.

The meeting was historic as it marked the first time that all of the VRCs staff, along with student veterans across the Ventura County Community College District came together. VRC Coordinators Johnny Conley (acting on behalf of Moorpark College Dean Amanuel Gebru), Leo Orange (Oxnard College) and Bruce McFadden (Ventura College) expressed enthusiasm about meeting regularly to discuss best practices to advance the services at each center to better serve the needs of student veterans throughout the district.  Talk of a district-wide council focused on the needs of student veterans is also now planned. “Veterans are central to all we do and the majority of returning veterans who return to college come to a community college,” said Luskin.

 

An Hour of Code with DATA Students

DATA Coding student, Ethan Herrell, putting his knowledge to use. Photo by Zachary Leppaluoto, 7th grader at DATA

by Roxana Llano and Tomas Gaeta

Students at DeAnza Academy of Technology and the Arts (DATA) recently had a unique opportunity to collaborate with a nearby elementary school. A group of 35 middle schoolers enrolled in a Computer Science elective were able to teach coding lessons at EP Foster STEM Academy. Students in grades K-5, including students in bilingual classrooms, participated in the ‘Hour of Coding’. Coding is basically what makes it possible for us to create computer software, apps, and websites. In the simplest of terms, it is telling a computer what you want it to do.

Learning how to code is a very valuable skill for someone to have. This is because there are lots of career options that involve programming and you can check out these upskilled side hustle ideas to learn more about them. Coding really has changed the face of software development as we know it. For example, up until very recently, the benefits of code refactoring services were largely unknown. With coding showing no signs of slowing down, it is important that we educate the next generation about the potential of computers and technology. With this in mind, the children really enjoyed learning about programming and a few of them definitely took a shine to the idea of a future career in it!

For younger students, the lessons were conducted using plastic cups – an easy, fun way to grasp the basics of the step-by-step nature of writing computer code. While the younger students were learning the basics, older students were given the opportunity to write code during lessons taught by the DATA students. Lupe Gomez, Bilingual Kindergarten Teacher, stated that “the DATA students did a fantastic job teaching my kindergartners how to code. They were all engaged able to follow the directions. My students would love to invite them back soon!”

In most classrooms a video from Code.org was shown followed by a coding lesson. For many EP Foster students it was their first exposure to coding in the lower grades while the upper grades were able to build upon what they already know about coding and computer science. Additionally, for many DATA students, it was their first teaching experience. Logan Erickson, 7th grader at DATA, said that it was “a really cool experience to teach 3rd graders. The kids were really nice and it was a lot of fun. I wish I had learned coding in 3rd grade”. A 5th grader at E.P. Foster replied, “I’m so glad to have had this experience. I want to be an engineer and I need to learn how to do this kind of stuff!”

The “language” of code is taught in DATA’s Computer Science elective. DATA was the first middle school in the district to offer this elective and its impact has been positive campus wide. Students apply the skills learned in the course during their entire time at DATA in all subjects. Following the hour-long coding lesson, the students from DATA walked the short distance back to campus. As a magnet school with a diverse population from throughout the school district, for many it was their first time walking through the neighborhood and participating in a community event while providing the students at EP Foster a chance to experience the type of exciting, hands-on instruction that is taking place at DATA.

This event represents just one of the many opportunities available at DATA to learn through technology integration, to incorporate visual thinking strategies, and to use project-based learning to foster creativity and critical thinking so that students are ready for the fast-changing, connected future. The school looks forward to collaborating on more fun projects in the future and showcasing their innovative programs to families during the ‘Schools of Choice’ window from January 6th through the 20th. If a family is interested in learning more about DATA they can schedule a tour by calling 641-5165 or by visiting www.dataschool.org.

Winner of  “Fire Hydrant Award” Essay Contest is Brody Daw

Brody’s very proud parents , her brother and Fire Chief David Endaya were all smiles at the presentation. Photo by John Ferritto

The Ventura City Fire Department announced the winner of the 4th Grade “Fire Hydrant Award” essay contest in a surprise presentation, Monday, Dec. 12 at Mound Elementary School. Brody Daw whose winning essay was selected received the “Fire Hydrant Award” presented by Fire Chief David Endaya and firefighters from Ventura City Fire.  The Fire Hydrant Award remains on display year-round at the winning school, and includes a plaque engraved with the names of current and past award recipients.

More than 1,400 students from Ventura Unified Elementary Schools attended the 4th Grade Fire Safety Days event in October 2016, where they experienced hands-on demonstrations, fire science, and fire safety lessons from members of the Ventura City Fire department.  Students then wrote essays about the important safety lessons they learned at the event. Teachers selected the top essays from their school, and submitted those to Ventura City Fire Chief David Endaya.  Chief Endaya reviewed the student’s works and selected the winning essay, along with two honorable mention essays.

Todd Tyner, Principal of Mound School told the Breeze.

“Fire Safety Days is designed to be a day of learning how professional firefighters apply math and science concepts that are generally introduced to students in 4th grade, such as conversion formulas, time/rate/distance, mass/volume, transfer of energy, resource conservation, natural hazards, and the influence of modern engineering and technology. When students return to classrooms, they are invited to write what they’ve learned in an essay. The essays are collected and turned over to the Fire Chief, where his team begins the difficult process of narrowing down several hundred entries to declare a winner.”

“ Mound School is proud to have a student who produced the winning essay this year, and Elmhurst School is equally proud that the two runner-up essays were from their students. Past winners have come from Pierpont, Lincoln, Portola, Junipero Serra and Sunset School. In actuality, several essays could potentially be chosen as the winning essay because VUSD students have proven to be fantastic writers with much to say about their experience with the firefighters. We applaud Chief Endaya and the Ventura Fire Department for their effort and commitment to the students in Ventura. This has become a valuable partnership for our community.”

 

 

 

 

 

Zumba Gold class for active adults 50+

Curious about taking a Zumba Gold class? Marty Miller, a licensed Zumba Gold instructor, along with the City of Ventura Parks and Recreation is offering a free Zumba Gold series at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center from 12:00-1:00pm every Monday and Wednesday January 4-19, .

Zumba Gold is perfect for all active adults, 50+, looking for a Zumba class at a lower-intensity level. This easy to follow class focuses on heart rate, balance, range of motion, and coordination.  Come ready to sweat, leave feeling empowered, strong.  Regain flexibility and strength while having fun learning a dance step or two! Having two left feet is no problem.

Participants should wear workout shoes, comfortable clothing and bring water to keep hydrated.

Space is limited and participants must sign up for the free classes through the city. For more information call (818)515-8590. To sign up phone 658-4726 and request Zumba Gold Barcode 8242.

Catholic Charities/Oasis-Family Caregiver Resource Center

by Connie De La Rosa

Since the opening of the Family Caregiver Resource Center for those caring for a loved one aged 60 and over or raising grandchildren, several home modifications for the aged, assistive devices and respite care services have been approved and paid for through a grant issued from the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging.

In addition, we would like to invite all family caregivers to the workshops and support groups available which are no cost for attending these evidence based workshops in collaboration with EBWS (Elderly Behavioral Wellness Services) along with Kids and Families Together in providing these services to assist family caregivers in the Ventura County Area.  For more information in finding  a workshop or support group in your area, please call 420-9608.

Free community education classes and events

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association supports the total well-being of our community.  As part of their services, they host free monthly education classes throughout the county which include the following:

Ventura: Adult Bereavement Support Group Wednesdays, January 4, 11, 18,  and 25, from 6:30-8:00 pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association office, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 109.    These groups are open to individuals who have experienced loss and are free of charge. Call 642-0239 for more information or email [email protected].

Ventura: Newly Bereaved Support Group Thursday, January 12th from 6-7:30 pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association office, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 109.  This monthly group is designed for adults who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one and is free. Call 642-0239 for more information or email [email protected].  These groups meet every 2nd Thursday of each month.

Diabetes Classes

Ventura: Tuesday, January 3rd from 1-2:30pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, 1996 Eastman Ave, Suite 109.  These meetings are held on 1st Tuesday of each month.  General information is provided about Type 2 Diabetes including prediabetes, with emphasis on meal planning, medication, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and new developments in diabetes.  Call 642-0239 for more information.

Ventura: Thursday, January 5th from 1:00-2:00pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association offices, in the Community Room at 1996 Eastman Avenue, Suite 109 in Ventura. You will learn what to expect before, during and after knee or hip replacement surgery and how to be an active participant in your care. These meetings are 1st Thursday of each month.  For information or to RSVP call Dinah Davis at (805) 642-0239 ext. 739.

Ventura: Monday, January 9th for both English and Spanish speaking.  English 4:00-5:00 pm and Spanish 5:30-6:30 pm at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association offices, in the Community Room at 1996 Eastman Avenue, Suite 109 in Ventura. You will learn what to expect before, during and after knee or hip replacement surgery and how to be an active participant in your care.  For information or to RSVP call Dinah Davis at (805) 642-0239 ext. 739.

 

 

The NALA goes global with charity partners

CEO Jeffrey Rosenthal traveled to Hawaii with veterans who were at Pearl Harbor.

By Dale Myers

There is an adage that says “Think locally, act globally,” which the NALA, a Ventura-based boutique marketing agency, takes to heart. On the business side, the goal of the NALA is to help businesses flourish in their local community. However, through its Charity Branding program, the NALA also enables businesses to align with great causes to increase awareness and position them as a leader who cares about making the world a better place.

On a worldwide scale, the NALA is partnered with Soles4Souls, a nonprofit global social enterprise committed to fighting poverty through the collection and distribution of shoes and clothing. Soles4Souls was founded as a disaster-relief organization after philanthropists and shoe executives provided footwear to those most impacted by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Today, it still acts as a second-wave responder during times of disaster, such as the recent historic floods that struck West Virginia. Since its inception, Soles4Souls, with the help of companies such as the NALA and its business partners, has collected and distributed more than 26 million pairs of shoes to those in need in 127 countries around the world and all 50 states in the U.S.

The NALA also thinks locally, which it did when it partnered with the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization providing financial and emotional support to families of children with cancer living in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties. The NALA this year hosted a Thanksgiving food drive in support of the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation that resulted in four boxes of donated food.

Most recently, the NALA’s CEO, Jeffrey Rosenthal, traveled to Hawaii with thirty veterans who were at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, “a date which will live in infamy,” for the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor to support The Greatest Generations Foundation (TGGF), another NALA charity partner. The NALA has been supporting TGGF, which is dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of veterans by returning them to their former battlegrounds, cemeteries and memorials, for over ten years, and to date has helped bring back 3,600 veterans to Europe and Asia.

“The 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor was an opportunity to honor the sacrifice and dedication of our ‘Greatest Generation,’” said Rosenthal. “Many of these men have not been back since the war.”

A key focus of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor was to bridge the gap between the generations to better understand and learn directly from those that endured December 7, 1941. “Through our charity partnerships, the NALA aims to bridge the gap between the more fortunate and people in need,” concluded Rosenthal, “while raising awareness of altruistic causes.”

For more information about the NALA, please visit www.thenala.com or call ​(866) 767-3238.

Ventura Surf Club donates over $10,000 to local groups

The Ventura Surf Club makes annual donations to local groups that meet their club credo; “To preserve, promote and perpetuate the values, beliefs and essence of surfing”.  The donations are funded primarily from the annual California Street Classic surf contest, which runs in conjunction with the Aloha Beach Festival in Ventura every September.

This year’s donations are the highest amount in the history of the surf club.  “I am proud to be the president of a club that shows so much aloha.  The hard work of our members make these donations possible.  It’s great to give back to the community” said Andy Sassen, surf club president.

This year’s recipients include The Boys and Girls Club surf program, Junior Lifeguards Scholarship fund, Best Day Foundation, Stream-keeper, Ventura Scholastic surf team.  The Ventura Surf Club is open to surfers of all skill levels and welcomes families.  For more information, visit www.venturasurfclub.org.