A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL, |
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A very special event took place in the Wiseburn School District on Saturday, February 28, 2009 –the Grand Opening of the brand-new, beautiful, Juan Cabrillo Elementary School! Over five hundred people—students, staff members, parents and grandparents, former staff and students dating back to 1949 (when Cabrillo School first opened)—were in attendance, enjoying a beautiful, sunny day. We were honored to welcome many state, county, and local officials including the Superintendent of Public Instruction of the State of California, Mr. Jack O’Connell; State Senator Roderick Wright; Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas; Representatives of Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, Assemblyman Curren Price, and Senator Jenny Orepeza; City of Hawthorne Mayor Larry Guidi representing the Hawthorne City Council; 61st Air Base Wing Vice Commander, Colonel David Raths and Space and Missile Command Chief Stephen Ludwig from the Los Angeles Air Force Base. Cabrillo received many Resolutions, Proclamations and Certificates of Recognition from these dignitaries which will be framed and put on display in Cabrillo’s Administration Building. The Patriotic Observance, led by Kindergarten teacher Mr. Michael Spiwak, included the Hawthorne Police Explorers Honor Guard and Cabrillo students. The theme of Mrs. Jane Comitz’ speech was “Then and Now”, emphasizing the fact that the Wiseburn School District is still operating under the philosophy of the “3 P’s”—good philosophy of education, sound policies and correct practice. She thanked and recognized those responsible for building the new Cabrillo—members of Flewelling and Moody Architects and C.W. Driver Construction Management Company. She thanked Caldwell, Flores, Winters, Inc. for helping with the Bond campaign and Wiseburn Board of Trustees, Administration and Maintenance. Last but not least, she expressed her gratitude to the Wiseburn community for passing the Bonds with an 83% approval rating. Following through with her theme, she had invited former students and staff members of the classes from 1949 to the present and gave them special recognition. Speeches were given by Mrs. Jeanne Smiley, second grade teacher, who has been at Cabrillo over 30 years, Dr. Donald Brann, Wiseburn Superintendent from 1993 to 2008 and former student in the 1950’s, and Mr. John McCarthy, former Cabrillo Principal. A musical interlude by the Wiseburn Chorus, under the direction of Ms. Nicole Mancini, was enjoyed by all. Mr. Jack O’Connell commented on the quality of the performance and stated that this is a reason why we should not take Visual and Performing Arts out of the curriculum. In conclusion, Mr. Israel Mora, President of the Wiseburn Board of Trustees, conducted a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony along with present and former board members and the dignitaries on stage. Holding the ribbon were students Diego Almendariz, Gabriella Diaz and Olivia Bautista. After the formal ceremony concluded, guests were invited to tour the classrooms, the Administration Building, Performing Arts Center, and Library/Media Center. All classroom teachers held an Open House so that guests could see the learning centers provided for our students and for the generations to come. In the library, memorabilia from the early years of Cabrillo was put on display along with a media presentation of slides from the old Cabrillo and the new. This was a day when the 4th P was in evidence: PRIDE
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