Tulare County Grand Jury Report 2013-2014 Classroom Beneath the Stars

School districts, communities and dedicated individuals rolled up their sleeves and went to work building student cabins, roads, hiking trails, instructional areas and a dining facility. Learning not from a book but from nature itself gives students a better understanding of the importance of nature, their environment and their world.

Students from Tulare County not only learn about nature; they learn to socialize and interact with students from other communities.

The Grand Jury organized into teams of two members each. These teams each investigated three schools by attending board meetings and visiting school campuses.

Reviewed relevant documents

Interviewed relevant personnel FACTS:

The Academic Performance Index is a measurement of academic performance and progress of individual schools. The Academic Performance Index range is 200 – 1000. The target for schools in California is 800.

The Revenue Limit is a formula developed by the state to fund school districts based on the number of students attending school. BUENA VISTA SCHOOL DISTRICT FACTS:

Buena Vista School has a safety plan in place and works closely with the Sheriff’s Department in the event of an emergency.

There is a surveillance system with cameras on the playgrounds, outside of the buildings and in the hallways of the school.

A tall chain-linked fence surrounds the school, but the entrance gate remains open during school hours.

The school has gone to an outside source for its water needs as the well is contaminated.

The School District spends approximately $7,000 annually of General Fund monies for bottled water. FINDINGS:

The school participates in Odyssey of the Mind, an international academic competition, and has a Science Olympiad Team, which participates in a science, oriented national competition.

The school has a sports team that competes against other small schools.

Columbine School District has new classroom computers available that are pending installation and are required for the Common Core testing. TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2013-2014

The Columbine School District lacks sufficient funds to satisfy both computer and textbook needs. FINDINGS:

A three way pledge is signed by the parents, teachers and students as a commitment to work together to help the students do their best academically.

As an annual fundraiser for SCICON and for other student needs, parents, students and staff all work together in sponsoring the annual Spring Chicken Dinner. The dinner serves as a bridge to unite the school and community. TULARE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT 2013-2014 FINDINGS:

The school has a gymnasium with fold-out tables and it doubles as the cafeteria. The gymnasium has two basketball hoops and a full size stage with overhead lighting.

The school has a music program consisting of the history of music for grades 3 – 5 and the marching band for grades 5 – 8.

Sundale School has a Gifted and Talented Education Program for grades 3 – 8. To enter the program all applicants must pass a complex intelligence test. Approximately 3% of the school’s population is in the program.

Sundale School has an Agricultural Science Program which consists of the following: a. A Farmer’s Market Program b. Work in the School’s Farmer’s Market Store on campus c. Herb garden products and garden flowers for arrangements are sold in the Farmer’s Market Store. d. Students raise chickens and rabbits. Eggs are sold in the Farmer’s Market Store. e. A garden section for grades K – 3 f. A garden section for grades 3 – 8 g. The cafeteria uses oranges, pomegranates, and persimmons as well as the vegetables grown in the garden. h. During the Annual Farm Show in Tulare, the agricultural students work each day selling what they have raised at the school. Their profit averages $50,000 to $60,000 each year. i. A portion of the profits from the Farm Show go to support the Band, the Art Program, and scholarships in Agricultural Science. The balance of the profits go to the Sundale Foundation, an after school and childcare program. FINDINGS: