Melissa Ramirez, an initial quality educator at Lockeford Elementary in Lodi, stands up a flashcard while pupils state as well as lead to words ‘water.’
Credit Score: Andrew Reed / EdSource
Melissa Ramirez, an initial quality educator at Lockeford Elementary in Lodi, stands up a flashcard while pupils state as well as lead to words ‘water.’
Alice Campbell is just 7 years of ages however currently has guaranteed point of views regarding publications. Her fave is “Pet cat in the Hat,” complied with carefully by “One Fish 2 Fish Red Fish Blue Fish” as well as “Fox in Socks.”
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“I enjoy analysis as well as I’m extremely, excellent at it,” she claimed throughout a current break at her very first quality class at Lockeford Elementary, amidst the wineries, almond orchards as well as equine cattle ranches northeast of Lodi in the Central Valley. “It’s super-duper enjoyable.”
Credit Score: Andrew Reed / EdSource
Alice Campbell locates reviewing “super-duper enjoyable.”
Alice is not an outlier. Many thanks to government Covid alleviation funds, she as well as a number of her schoolmates are currently joining an analysis program initially presented in the area in 2014.
A lot of the pupils read at quality degree or past, also after a year of range discovering that saw youngsters throughout The golden state fall back academically.
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Each day, Alice as well as her schoolmates find out brand-new words, technique letter appears as well as function their method with basic publications.
With $131 million in government as well as state Covid alleviation funds, Lodi Unified selected to focus on proficiency as well as social-emotional discovering in its strategy to aid pupils recoup from the pandemic.
Until now, the area has actually invested almost $500,000 on educator training as well as products for an analysis program called Systemic Guideline in Phenome Recognition, Phonics as well as View Words, or SIPPS, which at first was just made use of at 2 of the area’s 32 primary schools in Lodi, north Stockton as well as bordering locations.
This is Sequel of EdSource’s consider just how one The golden state institution area, Lodi Unified in the Central Valley, is utilizing a part of its $131 million in Covid alleviation financing to broaden its proficiency program. We selected to concentrate on Lodi since its demographics carefully mirror those of The golden state as a whole, as well as its obstacles are regular of various other areas of its dimension. Component Among the collection, “Exactly how one The golden state area is utilizing its Covid alleviation cash to aid pupils,” concentrated on the area’s financial investment in social-emotional discovering as pupils went back to in-person institution.
Generated by EdSource: Carolyn Jones, press reporter; Yuxuan Xie, information visualization professional; Daniel J. Willis, information expert; Andrew Reed, photographer/videographer as well as social media sites; Shannon Tilton, internet developer; as well as Rose Ciotta, editor.
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SIPPS had actually revealed wonderful success in improving proficiency examination ratings at those 2 institutions. At Leroy Nichols Elementary, the portion of 3rd that satisfied or went beyond the state basic increased from 2014, when SIPPS was presented, till 2019.
At Borchardt Elementary, the portion leapt drastically, also. In 2019, prior to institutions shut as a result of Covid, almost 53% of area 3rd satisfied or went beyond the state requirement for English language arts, 4 factors more than the state standard.
Covid funds permitted Lodi to broaden the program to every primary school. It was a very easy option, claimed Susan Petersen, the area’s supervisor of primary education and learning.
“In order to have a healthy and balanced, prospering neighborhood, our institutions’ No. 1 concern is to send out every youngster right into the globe recognizing just how to review. If you can review, after that you can access every little thing else available,” Petersen claimed. “It’s impressive what’s occurred. Its favorable effect has actually spread out like wildflowers.”
Lockeford Elementary, a 500-student K-eight institution, invested $40,000 in Covid funds for SIPPS publications, flashcards as well as various other products, along with training for educators. It’s currently made use of in all preschool with 3rd quality class along with after-school programs.
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Principal Michael Rogers claimed the effect was nearly prompt.
Credit Score: Andrew Reed / EdSource
Lockeford Elementary major Michael Rogers assists an initial quality pupil with view words on the computer system.
Checking out ratings skyrocketed – initially of the year, just 18% of very first excelled or progressed in analysis, however by midyear, 44% were. Amongst kindergartners, the portion of pupils that excelled or sophisticated almost increased.
However the advantages extended much past scholastic, he claimed. School environment enhanced, as well as pupils began to do well in various other topics, also.
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“We simply saw an increase in self-confidence throughout the board,” Rogers claimed. “Exactly how do you understand when a trainee achieves success? When they’re happy. You can simply see the stress and anxiety training from their shoulders.”
The pandemic was difficult for several pupils in the tight-knit neighborhood of Lockeford, where several are from low-income family members that deal with the bordering ranches as well as cattle ranches. Some pupils were left by themselves to browse range discovering while their moms and dads functioned, as well as others had close loved ones drop seriously ill from Covid. Every person needed to come to grips with irregular as well as undependable net solution.
Rogers aspired to buy something that would certainly bring pupils some pleasure as well as make them intend to come to institution everyday. Developed by the not-for-profit Collaborative Class, SIPPS concentrates on repeating as well as patterns, with pupils discovering a couple of brand-new words daily – either by remembering the view of words or by seeming it out phonetically – that show up in basic, amusing tales they’re able to review. The suggestion is that pupils understand what to anticipate as a result of the repeating as well as gain self-confidence by understanding words at a degree they can comprehend.
“It’s merged the children. I see them watching out for each and every various other, motivating each various other,” Rogers claimed. “It’s like they have an usual objective. They’re succeeding, as well as they’re being awarded, that makes them really feel excellent regarding themselves. It’s wonderful to see. … I seem like a rock celebrity everyday.”
In Alice Campbell’s very first quality course, educator Melissa Ramirez separates the course right into 2 teams based upon their analysis degree for half an hour of SIPPS guideline every early morning. One team rests at their workdesks as well as reviews silently while paying attention to earphones, while the various other team collects around Ramirez while she presents them to brand-new words as well as appears utilizing flashcards as well as a white boards.
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On a current early morning, she showed them words that have a soft “a” audio, such as “water,” “talk,” “desire” as well as “dad.” She revealed them a word on a flashcard, they stated it with each other, meant it, after that stated it once again.
“I was unsure initially since it’s a little challenging; there are a great deal of actions,” Ramirez claimed. “However it’s repeated, so it remains the exact same, as well as the children like that since they understand what to anticipate. Currently they ask, ‘When can we do SIPPS?’”
As the year has actually endured, Ramirez has actually discovered considerable enhancements in pupils’ actions. They appear better as well as calmer, she claimed, as well as supposed “trouble” pupils have actually not positioned problems whatsoever.
Credit Score: Andrew Reed / EdSource
Melissa Ramirez, an initial quality educator at Lockeford Elementary, collects her pupils in a circle to exercise letter audios in a team setup.
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Ramirez wrecked when she defined a woman that began the year not recognizing her ABCs, and now she’s reading tales on her very own.
“When you can review, it opens the whole globe,” Ramirez claimed. “If you can review, there’s absolutely nothing you can’t do. It’s like having a strong structure on a residence – you require that prior to anything else.”
Alice Campbell as well as her close friend Scarlett Shates, 6, claimed analysis is the most effective component of the institution day. They enjoy discovering brand-new aspects of the globe as well as chuckling in addition to Dr. Seuss. They additionally such as just how analysis obtains much easier the a lot more you do it. Scarlett’s preferred publication is “Eco-friendly Eggs as well as Pork,” she claimed, due to the shock finishing.
“In 2015 we couldn’t review that well,” Scarlett claimed. “However this year we’re discovering brand-new words as well as audios. … It seems like it’s good for your mind as well as all that things.”
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A hiker was killed near Mt. Whitney on Sunday after being struck by a falling rock, marking the third fatality within a week near California’s highest peak, authorities said.
The hiker was in the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek Trail when bystanders reported that a rock fell and severely injured the individual, the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office said.
Search and rescue crews immediately responded to the scene via helicopter and lowered a team member down to the site of the accident. Rescuers determined the injured hiker had died from their injuries, the sheriff’s office said.
The hiker’s body was then airlifted to Lone Pine and turned over to the Inyo County Coroner. Officials did not immediately release the identity of the hiker or provide additional details.
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BODIES OF MISSING HIKERS RECOVERED, IDENTIFIED AFTER DISAPPEARING ON HIKE UP CALIFORNIA’S HIGHEST PEAK
A rescue helicopter responded to the injured hiker’s location in the North Fork of Lone Pine Creek Trail. The hiker was pronounced dead at the scene.(Inyo County Sheriff’s Office)
It was the third hiker fatality in the Mt. Whitney region within a week.
The bodies of two missing hikers were recovered from the north face of Mount Whitney on Thursday. The hikers were identified as Andrew Niziol, 28, a resident of South Lake Tahoe, and Patty Bolan, 29. The pair were on a long-term hiking trip across the state of California.
The two previous fatalities were Andrew Niziol, 28, and Patty Bolan, 29. Their bodies were found on the north face of Mount Whitney after the couple went missing. (iStock/Andrew Niziol Facebook)
UTAH HUNTER FINDS SKELETAL REMAINS OF MAN MISSING SINCE 2019 IN REMOTE MOUNTAINS
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Officials cautioned those visiting the area to be aware of the changing weather conditions as the seasons shift.
Mt. Whitney has an elevation of 14,505 feet.(Santi Visalli/ Getty Images, File)
“Early spring conditions prevail on the mountain, with treacherous steep snow, loose rock, and variable weather,” the Inyo County Sheriff’s Office said. “Parties venturing onto Mt. Whitney should stay together, turn around before deteriorating conditions become unmanageable, make responsible decisions, and be prepared and fit.”
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Mt. Whitney is the highest mountain in the contiguous U.S., reaching an elevation of 14,505 feet. More than 25,000 visitors per year seek to summit Mt. Whitney, according to the National Park Service.
Fox News’ Stepheny Price contributed to this report.
California’s wealthiest farming family threatens to reshape small town with new mega-warehouse for big-box retailers that will transform area into an international trading hub
The wealthiest farming family in California is planning to expand an industrial warehouse complex to transform a small town into an international trading hub.
Stewart and Lynda Resnick, the billionaires behind The Wonderful Company, already own a sprawling distribution center in Shafter, northwest of Bakersfield.
Now they are eager to expand the center to create an international hub to position the county at the forefront of the global shift to online shopping, according to a report in The LA Times.
The move would convert 1,800 acres of the company’s Kern County almond groves into additional warehousing space.
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The proposal has come under fire over environmental concerns with critics saying it will increase truck traffic and worsen air quality.
Billionaire owners of the Wonderful Company, Stewart and Lynda Resnick, own a distribution center in Shafter, northwest of Bakersfield
The development would transform Shafter from a small town, with a population of just 20,162, into a booming trade hub.
As part of the redevelopment, the company is proposing building a new highway that would divert trucks from the center of Shafter.
They also want to build an inland rail terminal – at a cost of at least $120 million – to funnel products from port by rail, reducing the reliance on State Route 99.
Wonderful already build and lease warehouses to huge online shopping companies for the storage of goods and processing of orders.
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They say that the expansion project and the accompanying infrastructure plans are different to a flock of giant distribution centers that have proliferated in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
While many residents welcome the plans and the new jobs but others are concerned about the environmental impacts.
Gustavo Aguirre, assistant director of the Delano-based Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment told the LA Times: ‘I understand that company says it will bring jobs; this is true to some extent.
‘But it is also true that it’s going to bring health and environmental impacts that are going to impact the neighbors who live near the industrial park.’
They want to expand the center to create a international hub to position the county at the forefront of the global shift to online shopping
The move would convert 1,800 acres of the company’s almond groves into additional warehousing space
The industrial park has generated about 10,000 jobs, including warehouse employees, truck drivers and services handling shipping logistics, according to Wonderful Co.
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They say that with the planned expansion the complex eventually could support 50,000 jobs.
But some are concerned that increased automation means the expansion won’t generate as many jobs as promised.
As technology develops and more companies use robotics to manufacture, process and deliver goods, some industrial jobs have been made redundant.
UC Riverside’s Ellen Reese told the LA Times: ‘Warehouses are both job creators and job destroyers.’
Wonderful build and lease warehouses to huge online shopping companies for the storage of goods and processing of orders
They want to build an inland rail terminal – at a cost of at least $120 million – to funnel products from port by rail, reducing the reliance on State Route 99
She added: ‘A lot of the research actually suggests that more automated warehouses have higher injury rates than less automated warehouses.’
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The Resnicks are known for their philanthropy, donating to climate research, scholarships and wellness centers in the area.
Through The Wonderful Company they own POM Wonderful, Fiji Water, Wonderful Pistachios and Almonds, Wonderful Halos, Wonderful Seedless Lemons, JUSTIN Wines, Landmark Wines, JNSQ Wines and the Teleflora floral wire service company.
Aguirre is helping negotiate with the company for a broader community benefits agreement to ensure the people who live near Shafter get more than jobs out of the expansion.
He said: ‘The residents recognize that [this project] could bring jobs, but they come with a price.
‘Because of this, they say, “What are you going to do for our community?”‘
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DailyMail.com contacted The Wonderful Co. for comment.
Traditional landlines could disappear soon. Here’s what we know.
Millions of Americans still use landline phone but phone companies are looking to drop the service. Here is what we know.
California utility regulators are proposing rejecting a request by AT&T to eliminate its responsibility to provide traditional landline phone service. That could have implications nationwide, a consumer advocate said.
Fewer telephone companies are offering basic landline phone service as the utilities say the copper-wire infrastructure is old and expensive to maintain and demand for landline phone service is low as consumers move to mobile and other services.
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But consumer advocates nationwide have cried foul, saying basic landline service is important for the country’s most vulnerable, including senior citizens who don’t want to rely on cell service, consumers who can’t afford cellular service and those in rural areas that may not have good access to cell or broadband internet services.
What happened in California?
Earlier this year, the California Public Utilities Commission opened public comments on an application by AT&T to waive its responsibilities to be what’s called “Carrier of Last Resort” (COLR), meaning the utility has to offer the copper-wire landline service.
The utility and many of its peers have been petitioning state utility commissions and legislators, asking to be relieved of the task.
On Friday, Administrative Law Judge Thomas J. Glegola wrote a decision proposing that the Caifornia commission reject AT&T’s waiver. The proposal will be voted on by the commission at its June 20 meeting. The judge also proposed that the commission look at the rules outlining the carrier of last resort service obligations.
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In a press release announcing the upcoming vote, the commission said public response to AT&T’s request “was extensive with over 5,000 public comments received into the record and eight Public Forums held in-person in three cities and virtually across the state, drawing more than 5,800 attendees.”
The proposed rejection “underscores the critical importance of ensuring universal access to essential telecommunications services for all Californians,” the commission said in its statement. “As the designated COLR, AT&T plays a pivotal role in providing reliable telephone service to communities across the state.”
The commission added that while the communications company said mobile wireless and other services could fill the void, “the CPUC found AT&T did not meet the requirements for COLR withdrawal. Specifically, AT&T failed to demonstrate the availability of replacement providers willing and able to serve as COLR, nor did AT&T prove that alternative providers met the COLR definition.”
Public commenters also highlighted the unreliability of voice alternatives such as cell service or Voice Over Internet Protocol services (VoIp) which are internet phone providers, the commission said.
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What is AT&T’s response?
AT&T in a statement said it was disappointed in the proposed rejection. Competition for other more reliable phone alternatives is robust, said Marc Blakeman, president of AT&T California. Blakeman said there are less than 5% of households in California that AT&T serves who still use copper-based landline phone service.
“We are disappointed by the CPUC’s proposed dismissal of our application for relief from Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) regulation, as we’d hoped the commission would allow us the opportunity to demonstrate why the number of options for voice service available to customers make the COLR obligation unnecessary,” Blakeman said.
Not surprisingly, Blakeman said, no providers were interested in bidding on the carrier of last resort service “with a declining number of customers given the competitive options available in today’s marketplace. We remain committed to keeping our customers connected to voice service and will continue working with state leaders on policies that allow us to bring modern communications to Californians.”
AT&T made the request in California for a waiver and has also lobbied successfully for legislative reform in 20 other states, which eliminated the utility’s requirement to provide traditional landline service.
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Blakeman said during climate disasters, when staying connected is essential, AT&T’s fiber network is more reliable “than our outdated copper network” and that old copper cables take significantly longer to repair following weather events, in some cases taking weeks to dry due to damage from extensive rain and flooding.
Consumer advocates point to the need for electricity for most alternatives to traditional landlines and note that when there is no electricity, consumers can still use their landlines.
Is the proposed rejection expected to pass?
While the rejection is a proposal and still needs to be approved by the commission, Regina Costa, telecommunications policy director for The Utility Reform Network (TURN) in California, said she fully expects the board to approve it.
“What AT&T really wants is to stop providing essential telecom service to 99% of its service area, without providing a shred of evidence that there are real alternatives. This includes many areas threatened by wildfires, earthquakes, floods and power shutoffs,” Costa said in a press release. “If AT&T gets its wish, it would significantly jeopardize public safety.”
In an interview with USA TODAY, Costa, who is also chair of the telecommunications committee for the National Association of State Utility Consumer Advocates, said California’s proposed rejection of the landline waiver is on top of a recent rejection in Utah for another utility to waive its obligation to provide landlines.
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“I think it’s very important for consumers nationwide,” Costa said. “I think that would give other states the impetus to look at the same thing.”
Loss of landlines? Phone companies want to eliminate traditional landlines. What’s at stake and who loses?
When deregulation took place in telecom, the assumption was there would be lots of alternatives to landlines, she said.
“I think California and Utah are stepping up to the plate and saying no, we need to think about this carefully,” she said. “We need to make sure that all of our people have service. How do you let the largest carrier in a state walk out the door and the markets that they want to abandon are the ones that are most at risk?”
Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at blinfisher@USATODAY.com or follow her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher. Sign up for our free The Daily Money newsletter, which will include consumer news on Fridays,
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