MyBlog

by Parent X –

Apparently California State University, Sacramento did a study on DJUSD’s Gate Identification Procedure back in 2005

Among the findings:

“…A significant challenge Davis faces is related to the ranking of students who meet identification criteria but are put on waiting lists because of space limitations. This challenge is exacerbated by a lack of clarity in what determines a child’s rank. OLSAT scores, for example, determine some children’s ranking, but when rescreening occurs and alternate test scores replace sub-test scores, this presumably changes the rank. Further, some students are tested privately which has raised questions of inequity with some parents, and expectations of assured program placement by others

By Jack D. Forbes –

by Alan Pryor –

by Barbara Sommer
Foreperson 2009-10 Yolo County Grand Jury

Yolo County is currently seeking members for the 2010-2011 Grand Jury. Nineteen citizens, selected by an interview and random draw, comprise this arm of the judicial system. It is a watchdog organization whose civil job is to investigate corruption, malfeasance, or simply inefficiency in the agencies and offices in its jurisdiction that receive public funds. Are local agencies doing their job? Are they following the rules? Problems are identified on the basis of complaints submitted from the public or from investigations initiated by the Grand Jury itself.

To All Davis Neighbors,

Next Tuesday (Feb. 2nd) the Westlake IGA Market is having their 1st Annual Groundhog Day Grand Opening . . . headlining the event will be the Aggie Band-uh in their finest Groundhog Day attire and set to perform at 4 PM!  The Market is giving 2 bicycles away in a drawing at 10 AM and from 12 noon until 6 PM they will be selling a tasty Oscar Mayer hot dog with a soda and a bag of chips all for $1 . The proceeds from the hot dog sale are going to the Davis Schools Foundation, which helps retain Davis school teachers . . . 88 of whom are currently in danger of layoffs because of a lack of funding. The Davis Schools Foundation will have an informational booth set up along with their donation bucket. We hope The Vanguard readers will come out to West Davis and buy a ton of hot dogs!  Or at least stuff a few dollars into the Davis Schools Foundation donation bucket . . .

By Chris Dietrich, Commission Chairperson

The City-UCD Student Liaison Commission met on Wednesday January 13th, 2010 for its normal monthly meeting.  At this meeting many issues were discussed that carried over from its December meeting.

Among the items discussed was a possible ordinance that would require the return of interest earned on rental security deposits in the city of Davis.  The ASUCD Senate passed a resolution in November supporting such an ordinance and submitted this resolution to the Commission.  After discussion both in support and in opposition to this proposed ordinance the Commission decided to not make a formal recommendation to the City Council at this time while other options could be explored.

The Vanguard donation system after much prodding and headaches can finally accept recurring payments made on a weekly, monthly, twice yearly, or annual basis.

Imagine this for a moment, there are over 1000 people on this list.  Now imagine that each one of them commits today to donate at least $10 per month just as they would pay for a month newspaper subscription.  

By E Roberts Musser –

YOLO COUNTY TOWN HALL FORUM INVITES YOU TO : “PROTECTING OUR CHILDRENS PUBLIC SAFETY “ A Yolo County…

Yolo County Supervisor Matt Rexroad took on host David Greenwald in a civil but spirited debate.  At…

By Alan Pryor –

By Chris Dietrich

by Diane Evans –

Davis MoveOn Council joined 700 cities across America when they organized  a high impact Stand Up for Health Care Rally at the  Amtrak Train Station Tuesday November 3, 2009 at noon.

Davis residents greeted people coming off the Amtrak Train with chants demanding Health Care for All Now. They flooded the Davis restaurant area with more chants calling for the Public Option. Under bright sunlight,  the public saw the determined and compassionate faces of those who need health care and those who support health care for all.

By E. Roberts Musser –

By Alan Pryor –

Editor’s Note: The Vanguard will be covering a variety of City Commission meetings in order to keep the public more informed as to what is going at the commission level.  Mr. Pryor attended the NRC meeting on Monday night, this is his report.

On October 26, the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) met in City Chambers for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting. The two items on the agenda were informational reports from staff to the NRC. Staff initially presented an update on implementation of the Yolo Solano Air Quality Management District’s (YSAQMD) newly revised voluntary wood burning restrictions and initial plans for continuing research on air quality in Davis in collaboration with Dr. Tom Cahill of the UC Davis Delta Group. The current status of the city’s Climate Action Plan was then presented and discussed.

VIGIL MARCH

LUIS GUTIERREZ

KILLED UNJUSTLY !

Please join us for the Woodland or Davis screening of Immersion: A short fictional film about a recent immigrant child struggling in an English-only classroom.

Synopsis:“Immersion” shows a bright boy who, through no fault of his own, is sinking in the classroom at the hands of California’s “structured English immersion” policy. The film’s intent is to spark a conversation about educating immigrant children. The film also gives people, who may have no experience with the struggles of learning another language, an insight into how daunting this process can be. A panel discussion will immediately follow the film’s showing. Included in the panel will be the film’s director and other experts on this topic.

By Elaine Roberts Musser (private citizen) – October 8, 2009 PUBLIC COMMENT There was a brief presentation…