Neighborhood Watch Meeting re: Recent Burglaries

On Wednesday January 18^th, the BRCC hosted a meeting with the police to address the recent burglaries in the area. Lt. Paul Rorrison and Officer Alan Alvarez presented information on the crimes as well as many ways to harden yourself, cars and home from being a target.

From Nov 1, 2011 thru Jan 17, 2012, there have been 9 burglaries that they spoke of in Bird Rock and Upper Hermosa.  Of the nine, 7 of the burglaries were entered thru an unlocked door or window.  One of the burglaries occurred while the resident was home (in the overnight hours).  In the last burglary occurring between 11am -1pm, the home was locked with the alarm on and a dog inside.  The burglar used a piece of firewood to break a window (the seal on that window was never broken so the alarm never sounded) and enter the home.  They also locked up the dog.

Many question were asked about the solicitors that seem to find their way into our neighborhood again and again.  The BIGGEST take away was that it was confirmed by the police that these people are casing our homes to steal from us later that same day or burglarize our homes later including identity theft from our mail.  These teenagers who knock on our doors at all hours of the evening, are generally runaways and homeless who are put up in a motel in other parts of SD by cons on parole and driven into the area in groups in exchange for solicitoing. They are extremely aggressive.  Often they work in groups; 2 knock on the front door while a 3rd goes around to the back of the house so, if the door is unlocked and the owner is preoccupied at the front door, they can steal purses, wallets, cell phones etc.  IT IS RECCOMENDED THAT YOU NEVER OPEN THE DOOR TO SOMEONE YOU DO NOT KNOW! As Officer Alvarez said, it is not a law that you have to open your door to these people. It has been explained by the police that if you open the door to a solicitor, they now have your time.  If they are casing your home, they know if you are a strong adult male or a little old lady, whether you have a dog, if there is a flat screen TV or if you keep your purse or wallet by the front door. If they intend to do harm to you, by opening the door, they are in your home.  NEVER OPEN YOUR DOOR TO SOMEONE YOU DO NOT KNOW!  If you do get caught at the front door by a solicitor,  ask to see their city issued permit, THEY WILL TURN AND RUN because they know that they are not allowed to go door to door without the permit.

As questions were asked, the response from the police was consistent…CALL THE POLICE!  The police want to be called if you don’t feel right about a situation, if you are feeling threatened.  They want to come out and see for themselves.  You never know who is in our neighborhood and what their past includes.  When in doubt, CALL THE POLICE!  It is a 911 call if you are being threatened or a crime is happening NOW.  All other calls are to the non-emergency number (619) 531-2000.  ALWAYS ASK THE DISPATCHER FOR AN INCIDENT NUMBER WHILE MAKING A REPORT. This is important and a number that you will use for insurance reasons or to reference the call to follow up.

There is a department in the police called “HOT” which stands for Homeless Outreach Team.  These are officers who are specially trained to deal with the homeless and know of services that many of the other officers may not.  If you have an on-going issue with a homeless person, please let the BRCC know via email.

Here is a list of ways to harden your home from being a target:

~Lock all doors and windows.  It is important to secure your home before you leave and at night.

~Leave your front porch light on overnight.

~Each house must have a PEEP HOLE on the front door to identify those at your door.

~Have your address clearly visible on the front of your house.  IF YOU HAVE ALLEY ACCESS, put your house numbers on the backside of the house or fence. You will have a quicker response from police and fire.

~If you have gates on the alley, use a combination lock to secure the entry.

~If you park your car on the street or driveway at night, remove your garage door opener.  In the past, criminals have broken into cars to then break into garages.

~If someone not known to you tries your door or rings the bell, CALL THE POLICE.

~Lock the door from your garage to your house if you have an attached garage.

~Lock the door to your garage nightly if your garage is detached.

~Put your trash out ONLY the morning of trash day.  Criminals have the cover of night to sort thru your trash to see a box for a new computer or electronic device.

~Shred all personal documents.  Never put them into your trash.

For your Car:

~Lock your car.

~Remove everything from sight.  Each night there is someone in the area walking up our streets, trying the doors of cars and looking inside.  If it is open, they will enter.  If there is something of interest, the window will be broken for them to see if it is valuable.  It could be an empty computer bag, they get nothing and your have to pay for a new window.

December 2011 President’s Column

 Greetings. ’Tis the season for giving but I’d also like to do some thanking. In particular, I would like to thank the many people who support the efforts of the BRCC and the community at large.

As many of you know, the BRCC is a volunteer organization comprised of 11 board members and a number of “behind the scenes” volunteers. The BRCC’s primary function is to support the merchants and the community. Our fundraisers also focus on supporting Bird Rock Elementary, which needs our help. We don’t tax residents and merchants to raise operating capital. The BRCC is a private corporation funded by an annual $30 donation paid by its members. We have less than 600 members, despite a substantial population in Bird Rock. From time to time, we receive additional donations from merchants and the community. The remaining funding comes from a 6k Micro-Bid grant that we apply for every year on behalf of the merchants. We use that money to fund projects approved by the BID Council to support the business community. Simply put, your $30 donation does much to support the organization.

Of course, the majority of the “value add” comes from the many volunteers who dedicate their time supporting activities which are aimed at improving the quality of life here. Projects like Bird Rock Home Tour which supports the school, the Concierge Tour which supports the merchants, the Summer Picnic at Calumet Park, Birdstock, Halloween events and related security, and a host of Boulevard-related activities, all of which are conceived and staffed by locals. We also support grand openings when they occur, and actively seek out new operators to fill persistent vacancies in an effort to diversify what the Boulevard has to offer. We broadcast “shop locally” campaigns and rotate community meetings among the restaurants for better visibility. Taste of Bird Rock, for example, has traditionally highlighted the business community and also raises funds for the schools. We plan to bring Taste of Bird Rock or an event like it back next year, and planning is already underway.

We’re bullish on community spirit too. We provide merchant support for events which impact the Boulevard, like the Annual Fire Run and the Breast Cancer Walk, to name a couple. Last year, we brought Santa to the Boulevard for family pictures, and Studio M donated the proceeds to a local orphanage. We also enter a float in the La Jolla Christmas Parade every year. The float is built and funded by residents and Bird Rock Coffee Roasters. It highlights the delight of children during the holidays and includes a BRCC motorcade. Last year, Bird Rock won “Best Overall” in the parade. In prior years, we’ve won “Most Original” and “Most Community Spirit”.

We also have a strong connection to the Bird Rock Artist’s Guild and community art in general. Jane Wheeler, for example, has given and continues to give substantial time devoted to beautifying the Boulevard with her art-infused ideas. Our successful sponsor-a-bench program, doggie bag and trash can deployments have helped beautify the community. Our merchants also display the artwork of our children attending local schools such as La Jolla Methodist pre-school and Bird Rock Elementary. Our students get involved with local spirit projects and they also contribute articles and photographs for the newsletter. Birdstock is also an opportunity for the community to socialize and showcase local artists and musicians. Photographer Pearl Preis, and others capture these many happy moments and Philomène Offen, our Historian, makes it possible for us to publicly trace the evolution of Bird Rock from its humble beginnings.

We also generate a great newsletter thanks to the efforts of our editor, Anne Telford. Anne does a lot to bring our monthly publication together. She works closely with our merchants and residents in providing quality content, and still finds time to mentor our publisher, a young journalism student. In addition to resident-generated columns and articles of interest, the newsletter is also delivered by your neighbors and is funded by local ads. We keep the circle close by giving special pricing to Boulevard merchants because we like to support our own, many of who not only work here, but live in the community.

Our board members and volunteers also sit on other La Jolla committees that monitor and approve major infrastructure projects and other matters affecting our community. We have members on Traffic & Transportation (“T&T”), the Planned District Ordinance (“PDO”), subcommittee of the La Jolla Community Planning Association (CPA), and La Jolla Town Council to name a few. We also regularly interface with local government and La Jolla community leaders in an effort to improve communication and foster support with results you can see in your own neighborhood. We have the reach of [a] few but the influence of many.

Neighborhood Watch also relies on direct community involvement. We are proud of our E-Blast system and the instant communication it provides in reporting events of interest to the community along with lost pets and property. Neighborhood Watch and the Safe Streets program helped our efforts to rid ourselves of the problems caused by Rancho Relaxo. Good communication is the key here—we are able to get the word out to you because YOU get the word out to us.

This time of year everyone has a “cog in the wheel” speech. Sure it sounds trite, but it’s true when it comes to identifying what makes a good community a great one. So once again, a big THANK YOU to all of our volunteers and caring merchants, educators and residents who put the “Rock” in Bird Rock. Happy Holidays from the BRCC!

May 2011 President’s Column

In January, I wrote an article in the La Jolla Light addressing the fact that the future of the La Jolla Recreation Center is in serious jeopardy. I write again on the same topic to raise the community’s awareness aboutsignificant challenges we face in the upcoming months, and to highlight the importance of preserving this treasured jewel.

By way of background, the Rec Center was built in 1915 by Ellen Browning Scripps whose residence was next door. It was dedicated that same year to the City of San Diego for the children of La Jolla. Equivalent in size to approximately two city blocks, the Rec Center features, among other things, two sand play areas with climbing structures, picnic tables, basketball courts, tennis courts, a recreation center with classrooms and an auditorium, and the La Jolla Tennis Club and Pro Shop. The Rec Center also serves as the primaryvenue for public meetings where generations of La Jollans have come together to vet important issues that affect all of La Jolla, including Bird Rock.

Impending budget cuts threaten the sustainability of the Rec Center and its many programs. As it currently stands, if it were not for the generous donations of local groups and citizens who “buy hours” to maintain the current schedule, the Rec Center would operate under morelimited hours. These privately purchased hours include keeping the facility open so that community groups can hold public meetings and invite your input on importantissues. Many of these meetings mustadjourn before completion of the agenda because staff has to leave andclose the building. We don’t want that to get worse. And rest assured, as budget cuts continue, so willthe availability of these meetings at this location.

As I have mentioned in the past, the BRCC is exploring ways to help the Rec Center increase its private donations and lobby our city representatives for their support. I’m not talking about committing BRCC monies, but rather finding a way support the fundraising and related efforts for this worthy cause. Some people have asked why Bird Rock should get involved in a center that is not in our neighborhood. Here is the answer: Bird Rock does not have a Rec Center, and many families from our neighborhood use the Rec Center ona regular basis. In addition, local organizations such as Community Planning Association (“CPA”), Traffic & Transportation (“T&T”) and Planned District Ordinance (“PDO”) hold their public meetings there. These organizations have made some very heavy decisions affecting the people of Bird Rock—it would be a shame if this process was given short-shrift by a further reduction of hours.

Here is another case in point. Like many families, my wife and I enjoy the tradition of bringing our children to the Rec Center for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. We look forward to it every year. The egg hunt is an entirely free event sponsored solely for the delight of our children, their parents and relatives. Where else can you go for that kind of free and memorable entertainment in such a beautiful setting? And here’s the kicker—the  majority of the families in attendance are from Bird Rock. So on top of having a good time, we get to see our neighbors and visit as if we were hanging out on the Boulevard. That kind of community interaction is priceless.

Now, the bad news. The two-year plan to fix San Diego’s troubled finances includes cuts that will leave recreation centers closed on most days. As reported by the UT, “…the likely  most jarring decision for city residents will be the plan to slash library and recreation center hours in half, a move that will shutter those facilities on most days and eliminate after-school programs at some locations.” This means that recreation center hours could be cut from 40 to 20 per week beginning Sept. 6. I’m still in shock over that news. This is a disaster.

What can you do? I’m asking folks to find a way to continue funding of the Rec Center (whether private or public) so that we can address the impending cuts. I’m also calling on all of the local groups in La Jolla to join this cause. One idea is for the BRCC to coordinate fundraising activity with other local groups in La Jolla so that we can jointly share the responsibility of saving this important resource. By banding together, we can empower a La Jolla-wide effort that everyone can be proud of.

April 2011 President’s Column

The Definition of Community

Greetings!

I’ve spent a fair amount of time talking about the fact that Bird Rock is not just a place, but also a community. That said, action speaks louder than words, and therefore I’d like to share some recent
experiences which evidence why Bird Rock is such a unique place to live and work.

Last year, Lorene LaCava, a teacher at BRE, decided that the Bird Rock Community Cookbook would be a wonderful way to bring the community together by re-creating a homegrown project that first surfaced in 1993. Her idea, supported by other dedicated volunteers, started inside of the school and then branched out to the community. The response was unprecedented: folks from Bird Rock submitted nearly 500 recipes. But the synergy did not stop there. People who had no vested interest in BRE began buying the cookbook in droves—so much so that Warwicks in downtown La Jolla stocked it on their shelves! The sales grew to such an extent that the project resulted in a donation of more $5,000 to the school.

This simple idea began inside of BRE, yet managed to make its way throughout all of Bird Rock and greater La Jolla, and eventually landed back at the school in form of a substantial benefit to our children. My point is that the power of one became the force of many, and that is how a community works to bring about the greater good.

The Grand Opening of Bird Rock Surf on March 12 at their new location has similar roots. The community
again turned out in droves to support these young entrepreneurs and celebrate the success of their unbelievable feat. It felt like a family picnic—I saw children, parents, teenagers, grandparents and generations of families, all of who spontaneously donned Bird Rock Surf T-shirts and other gear as if we had called each other in advance to plan the dress code. It was an incredible sight, and once again I was proud of the depth of this community.

I am also grateful for the efforts of Leo Wilson who brought the Safe Streets program to our neighborhood
to address the very serious and real problems caused by the now infamous “Rancho Relaxo”. At his direction, our neighborhood watch coordinator poured her heart and soul into organizing the successful action of the affected neighbors. She gave us the confidence to proceed, and gained the cooperation of local law enforcement, the assistance of Councilmember Sherri Lightner’s office, and the authority of multiple city and county agencies to support the process. The result was remarkable, and her brave determination managed to win a peace we thought we could never achieve. When the going got tough, she did not “Relaxo”.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

The community’s support and participation in two prior trash cleanups sponsored by the Environmental Services Department also continues to bear fruit. On April 17, the city will again canvas a portion of our neighborhood picking up unwanted trash and recyclables free of charge. Your positive responsive to this successful project has resulted in the collection of more than 10 tons of trash, and brought about a third phase of this free program. Please be sure to thank Gary Warren at the city as we sincerely appreciate his support. These are just a few examples of how individuals in our neighborhood have empowered others to bring about positive changes that benefit all of us.

In short, keep doing what you do Bird Rock—when you give, you will be surprised what you get back.

October President’s Column

If you build it, they will come.

Birdstock 2010 occurred on 9/11 at the athletic field adjacent to BRE. This free event, which consisted of a family-style concert, a fundraiser for BRE, welcoming of the incoming elementary school class, formal dedication of Waverly Gate, and presentation of an Outstanding Community Service Award to former BRCC president, Joe LaCava (whew!—we had a lot going on that day!) was a smashing success. Special thanks to Pamela Garvey who came up with the idea for the event, co-chair Felicia Parker, local artist Jane Wheeler, and the many, many volunteers who chipped in and made this event possible.

We celebrated peace, love and community 1960′s style and enjoyed a wide variety of activities and talents. After opening comments by Pamela and Felicia, Pastor Walt Dilg from La Jolla Methodist gave a special dedication in memory of 9/11. He was followed by Bird Rock resident, and former BRE music teacher, Aja Salter, who brought the house down singing the National Anthem, a cappella style. We then had a special visit from Council Member Sherri Lightner who formally dedicated the opening of Waverly Gate and presented Joe LaCava with a tile commemorating his service to the community (congratulations and thank you, Joe!). The tile, which was created by Jane Wheeler, will be affixed to the wall at the end of the Waverly Gate ramp, where it will be surrounded by other tiles dedicated by the community. We then kicked off the event with local bands, beginning with high school favorites, “Neveready”, followed by “Local Cheese”, and finally, “The Jones Revival”, who support many of our events, such as Taste of Bird Rock.

Jane Wheeler and the Bird Rock Artists Guild closed the circle by celebrating our love of the community. Arts and crafts were on display, as well as the opportunity for participants to create their own tiles to be affixed to Waverly Gate, with proceeds donated to BRE. We also had participation from the 5th grade class who provided refreshments, and local restaurant, Rubio’s, who provided food to the participants. In addition to the commemorative events, the great music, art festival, and food, we also had games set up for the children.

Plainly, a good time was had by all.

There are so many great things I could say about this event and the people involved—but I can sum it up like this—it was quintessential Bird Rock, nothing more, nothing less. It was truly a “local” event from top to bottom, bringing miles of smiles, laughter and fellowship, all of which are the hallmarks of this great community. Indeed, Jane Wheeler’s “living” peace sign was a crowning moment for us. We embraced it in a community photograph (special thanks to local photographer Shirley Preiss), and it is a priceless treasure for all to see.

People say a picture is worth a thousand words, this one only needs three—”Love Your Community“—that’s how we do it in Bird Rock!

September President’s Column

Life is precious. The tragic accident on La Jolla Boulevard last month demonstrates that lives can change in the flash of a moment. This latest incident, which reportedly involved an impaired driver, also highlights the fact that traffic safety continues to be a serious and important issue requiring the community’s attention.

I’m angered by the incident and its apparent cause, and I wish the best for the injured children and adults, as well as the owners of the restaurant involved in the collision. I’m also grateful for the community’s quick response to support the families involved.

That said, I expected the sobering effect of this terrible accident would cause our residents to think twice about their driving habits not only on the Boulevard, but on our neighborhood streets and alleys. Not so. Less than 24 hours after the accident, it was back to business as usual in Bird Rock. On the day following the accident, I observed no less than a dozen residents over a period of 20 minutes speeding through our streets, running stop signs and entering blind curves with wild abandon, all with no apparent concern for the safety of others. I thought it was an anomaly, so later that evening I went for a walk with my wife and family. It wasn’t.

Three times we were accosted by speeding drivers apparently irritated that there was no sidewalk for us to negotiate while we shared the narrow street. And, after we did reach a sidewalk, another resident blew through a four-way stop sign, rushing over the same pavement that we had just been standing on less than two seconds before. Had I been a bit slower, I doubt I would be capable of writing this article. The week continued and so did the same behavior, which I witness over and over again.

Eight months ago, I posted a blog about these same concerns. I pleaded with residents (and many parents) to take a moment out of their busy lives to slow down and observe basic traffic rules. My sentiments were echoed by many, but unfortunately, the reactions of people were few.

One more thing. The driver who caused the accident was reportedly a transient, with a history of DUI’s and suspended license convictions and was allegedly staying in Bird Rock. One of the parents of the injured children raised the issue that the criminal side of vagrancy is on the rise in La Jolla. He’s right. You can do your part by continuing to report criminal activity to the police and being aware of who belongs in your neighborhood and who does not. You can also support the criminal proceedings to prevent this from happening again.

I appreciate those of you who get it. Now let’s work on the others. If you share the same concerns I do, take the time to heighten the awareness. In short, help us help ourselves before we have another accident.

September President’s Column

Life is precious. The tragic accident on La Jolla Boulevard last month demonstrates that lives can change in the flash of a moment. This latest incident, which reportedly involved an impaired driver, also highlights the fact that traffic safety continues to be a serious and important issue requiring the community’s attention.

I’m angered by the incident and its apparent cause, and I wish the best for the injured children and adults, as well as the owners of the restaurant involved in the collision. I’m also grateful for the community’s quick response
to support the families involved.

That said, I expected the sobering effect of this terrible accident would cause our residents to think twice about their driving habits not only on the Boulevard, but on our neighborhood streets and alleys. Not so. Less than 24 hours after the accident, it was back to business as usual in Bird Rock. On the day following the accident, I observed no less than a dozen residents over a period of 20 minutes speeding through our streets, running stop signs and entering blind curves with wild abandon and no apparent concern for the safety of others. I thought it was an anomaly, so later that evening I went for a walk with my wife and family. It wasn’t. Three times we were accosted by speeding drivers apparently irritated that there was no sidewalk for us to negotiate while we shared the narrow street. And, after we did reach a sidewalk, another resident blew through a 4-way stop sign, rushing over the same pavement that we had just been standing on less than two seconds before. Had I been a bit slower, I doubt I would be capable of writing this column. The week continued and so did the same behavior, which I witness over and over again.

Eight months ago, I published an article in the La Jolla Light addressing my concerns. I pleaded with residents (and many parents) to take a moment out of their busy lives to slow down and observe basic traffic rules. My sentiments were echoed by many, but unfortunately, the reactions of people were few.

One more thing. The driver who caused the accident was reportedly a transient, with a history of DUI’s and suspended license convictions and was allegedly staying in Bird Rock. One of the parents of the injured children
raised the issue that the criminal side of vagrancy is on the rise in Bird Rock. He’s right. You can do your part by continuing to report criminal activity to the police and being aware of who belongs in our neighborhood and who does not. You can also support the criminal proceedings to prevent this from happening again.

I appreciate those of you who get it. Now let’s work on the others. If you share the same concerns I do, take the time to heighten the awareness. In short, help us help ourselves before we have another accident.

August President’s Column

Greetings. We’ve had a busy summer and therefore I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some important developments occurring in Bird Rock.

First and foremost, I’d like to welcome Barbara Dunbar, our newest board member. Barbara has been an instrumental volunteer in organizing the delivery of our newsletter and a leading member of our beautification committee. Barbara will also support our Maintenance Assessment District (MAD).

The replanting of medians along La Jolla Boulevard not only look great but also provide increased visibility for oncoming traffic, an important safety issue for the community. Take note that as of July 1, the city has implemented new restrictions that limit watering to 5 minutes per station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during early morning hours. Watering cycles generally begin at the south end of La Jolla Boulevard and progress to the north end beginning at midnight and ending at about 5 a.m. Anyone noticing a watering problem is requested to notify the BRCC Board.

We’ve also received notice that the city will commence Sewer Main Replacement Group Project #714 in August 2011 affecting residential areas throughout Bird Rock. This repair and replacement project will last approximately eight months. The work will take place on Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will include daily traffic control and clean up at the end of each day. Residents will receive a 30-day notice prior to the time when their street will be affected. Please note that although the map distributed by the city indicates that the project includes portions of La Jolla Boulevard, that work was completed when the roundabouts were constructed.

Our traffic calming efforts also continue. We are working on a four-prong approach to slowing traffic on neighborhood streets, and to make people more aware of laws regarding cell phone use and distracted driving. Plans include (1) educating the public; (2) traffic enforcement; (3) minor infrastructure solutions such as striping and painting of roadways; and (4) the possibility of more major infrastructure, to the extent necessary. If you are aware of a specific problem on a residential street in Bird Rock, please let us know at info@birdrock.org.

Lastly, our summer concert and family event, “Birdstock,” will take place on Sept. 11 at the park located at Bird Rock Elementary -s tay tuned for more information and details – it is sure to be a fun-filled event! The successful “Sponsor a Classroom” project for Bird Rock Elementary is also back this year, and we look forward to helping to support BRE as the new school year begins.

Thank you to our volunteers for their hard work and dedication. We appreciate all you do to make our community a better place to live!

July President’s Column

Public art is on the rise in Bird Rock. We’ve just completed our fourth mosaic bench located on La Jolla Boulevard, and there are more to come. These incredibly beautiful benches are the work of local artist, Jane Wheeler, who has spent painstaking hours crafting her intricate designs and incorporating the rich themes chosen by our sponsors.

The beauty of these benches and the amount of work required to create such masterpieces speak for themselves. We are grateful to benefit from such wonderful talent and perspective. But there is more – much more to these benches than meet the eye. Each bench carries an important theme, such as dedication to family, the arts, our children and the appreciation of our community. The newest bench, themed, “Love Your Community,” struck a chord with me because it highlights the importance of investing in your neighborhood to maintain and better the quality of our lifestyle and that of our most important asset – our children. (If you missed them, take a look at the photos in La Jolla Highlights: Love your community)

“Love Your Community” can mean many things. For me, it celebrates the spirit of volunteers and sponsors who steward the many private projects and events that enrich all of our lives. It is easy to get exhausted by the constant call to arms to support a fundraiser, chair a committee or join a work party to perform a beach cleanup. What is less obvious is the passion of these leading volunteers who must first raise the issue and then turn to the community for help. They do it because they love their community and recognize that “energy in equals energy out.”

What is your passion? Think about why you love your community and then take a moment (or more) to get involved. It can be as simple as a donation, helping to deliver the local newsletter, or just attending a community meeting to show your support. By doing so, you set a great example for others and our children, that investing in the community is the safest bet on the market. In other words, if you are sitting on the bench, you are missing out on the game!

June President’s Column

Greetings and salutations! Summer is here, providing our children, staff and educators a well-deserved siesta from their dedicated efforts during the school year.

In my first column as President, I mentioned that the people of Bird Rock are unique because they share a common goal of supporting the community in a variety of ways that greatly enrich our lives. Our educators share that same vision and our children substantially benefit from this outstanding stewardship. In a nutshell, our educators recognize that the legacy of every community are the youth of today who will become our leaders of tomorrow.

I’d like to close the loop on my comments in my first column about the importance of community spirt by congratulating Bird Rock Elementary on its receipt of the California Distinguished Schools Award from the State of California, something that is no easy task to accomplish. The California School Recognition Program (CSRP) directly focuses on California’s students and their entitlement to an equitable and rigorous education. Under the CSRP, the California Distinguished Schools Award identifies and honors those schools that have demonstrated educational excellence for all students and progress in narrowing the achievement gap.

In order to be invited to apply for Distinguished School honors, schools must meet a variety of eligibility criteria including designated federal and state accountability measures based on No Child Left Behind (NCLB), Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), and the Academic Performance Index (API) requirements. The criteria for school selection are based on the submission of an application, including a comprehensive description of two of the school’s successful signature practices, an application review, along with a site visit designed to validate the full implementation of the submitted practices. Applications are reviewed for completeness by teams of educators from across the state under the direction of the California Department of Education (“CDE”). Each nominee receives a site visit by a team of educators to validate the full implementation of the submitted practices. The site visits are conducted as a collaborative effort between the CDE and county superintendents of schools.

To say the least, the application process is exhaustive, and the administrators, educators and parents involved with this process are to be recognized for their strong efforts in bringing this award home. You make us proud and we are grateful to have such a wonderful school and support system that nurtures are most precious asset–our children!

Another salient feature of this award includes the measurement by decision-makers of community involvement by those who do not have a direct interest in the school, i.e., residents and merchants who don’t have children presently enrolled at BRE. Now here’s the cool part of this story for the community at large–most of us didn’t even think twice about this requirement because that is what Bird Rock is all about. We tend to support each another no matter what the individual interest may be, and that is the hallmark of this community as I pointed out months ago. The decision makers, however, were surprised by something we took for granted, so much so that we had them at “hello” when it came to this criteria. So in addition to congratulating the superior efforts of those directly involved with BRE in obtaining this milestone award, hats off once again go to the community for recognizing that there is no “I” in “Team”!

Have a wonderful summer, and to our educators, staff, administrators and supporters of BRE, take a well deserved break–You’ve earned it!