I just read an article in the Press Enterprise from a link on The Banning-Beaumont Patch about the changes at Calimesa's Mesa View Middle School, click here to read the article. Mesa View is now offering a STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) program for the district's sixth graders and STEM classes for 7th and 8th graders.
I have friends who have pulled their kids from Beaumont Unified to send them to Mesa View before the school began offering STEM curriculum. They were moving their kids because Beaumont had discontinued their GATE program and Mesa View was offering the AVID program. AVID , Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college readiness system for elementary through postsecondary that is designed to increase school wide learning and performance. Beaumont students don't have the opportunity for the AVID program until they reach high school.
All school districts are very concerned during these lean budget times about their ADA (Average Daily Attendance). ADA determines how much money the district receives from the state and is based on the number of students attending the district's schools. Yucaipa-Calimesa school district hoped the new program would attract students, and their ADA, to Mesa View from outside their district. It appears to be working, about 1/4 of the 820 students at Mesa View are from outside Yucaipa-Calimesa.
I have been arguing for a couple years that we should offer something special, such as STEM, for our kids and reverse the flow of Beaumont families moving their kids to neighboring school districts. We can't wait any longer, it is time to do something.
If you agree, please support my candidacy to the BUSD school board. I'm not asking for money or endorsements, I just need help getting my message out. I need to reach Beaumont parents directly. If you are a member of your kids' school site council or PTA organization, I could use your help. Let me know what time and where your upcoming meetings are scheduled, I'd like to come and speak to parents who might be interested in bringing something special to Beaumont.
You, or your organization's representative, can email me at OurFocusOurKids@gmail.com.
