California Standards Tests continue thru May 22
Beginning today, Monday, May 13, second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students at McGaugh will be taking the California Standards Test.
This test will measure their achievement in English-language arts, mathematics and, in fifth-grade, science.
Students will test every day through Wednesday, May 22. Your students have been preparing all year and I am confident that they will achieve great results on the test.
Here are some reminders about preparing for the test and the testing environment at McGaugh:
• It is critical that students are present at school and arrive on time for each day of testing.
Testing protocol starts promptly at 8 a.m. each day.
Please do not miss school or arrive late.
• Make sure your child is rested and has had a healthy breakfast before each day of testing.
It is difficult to concentrate on problem solving when you are tired and/or hungry!
• After you drop your students off on campus or at their classrooms, it is important that you exit campus immediately.
We want to create a calm, quiet environment and minimize any possible disturbances.
• Encourage your child to relax, focus, and do their best.
CST tests are not timed and so it is important for students to take their time and answer each question carefully.
This is an exciting opportunity where your child gets to demonstrate all that they have learned this year!
Thank you for your help and cooperation!
Bill MacDonald
Principal, J.H. McGaugh School
AES Alamitos generators disturb Leisure World
An extremely loud eruption of steam burst from the AES Alamitos generating station on Studebaker Road on the eastern city limit of Long Beach at about 10:30 a.m. on Friday morning, May 10.
The noise level at times was comparable to a jet aircraft revving its engines for take-off, and a large cloud of steam vapor emanated from the top of the structure housing the Alamitos station’s units 3 and 4, occasionally obscuring the upper half of the east side of the two units to as low as just 40 feet above the ground.
This does not appear to be the normal maintenance activity of “blowing the stacks” as the source of the steam was not from the stacks but from the top of the generating structure.
As of 12:10 p.m., steam was still flowing from the structure. However, the noise level was subsiding.
The last time that there was such a prolonged release of steam from the Alamitos generating station, a large pressurized steam pipe had burst due to factors of age, corrosion, and poor maintenance.
Dave Lyon
Seal Beach Leisure World
Reply to ‘Right to information’ letter
This is a retort to “Right to information” as posted on May 9, 2013 in the Letters to the Editor.
Mr. Joseph Estanislao has been trying for years to obtain draft information regarding carport assignments for Leisure World, specifically, Mutual 14, Building 24. Mr. Estanislao insists that the 50-year-old information still exists somewhere within the community.
Many people have spent exhaustive hours looking for original carport assignment information that could possibly still exist today.
After many months of searching, none was found. The Mutual Master Files contain carport assignments, which are updated periodically for new resident and telephone information.
To my knowledge and the knowledge of those I have spoken with in Leisure World’s Escrow Department, Administration Department, Engineering Department and all archive sources, the carport assignments have always remained the same.
Mr. Estanislao is a very nice gentleman who insists the draft allocation information still exists and refuses to accept that no material was kept after the initial carport assignments were completed in the 1960s.
Two years ago, three days of calculations and close measuring took place on Mr. Estanislao’s behalf.
A more logical carport assignment could have been approved by the Mutual Board of Directors.
Although I would acquiesce when the time was right, most other directors would not. This change would have brought Mr. Estanislao and his wife 31 feet closer to their carport. It was also noted that other carport assignments to the 12 units of building 24 could be shortened by an average of 9 feet if reassigned.
Each Mutual has the authority to change carport assignments.
It would be illogical and disruptive to reassign carports to settled residents, mostly because many have utilized the same carport for decades and have personal belongings stored in their carport storage cabinets.
Therefore, reassignment of carports should only be accomplished through attrition with a curative board. It is very disheartening to the many who worked feverishly to accommodate Mr. Estanislao to now be disavowed of their sincere efforts.
Respectfully,
Kurt Bourhenne
President, Mutual 14
The opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are not necessarily those of the Sun. The Sun welcomes Letters to the Editor. Letters should be 300 words maximum. Letters should be e-mailed, signed by the author and include the author’s address and phone number (the latter two are for verification, not publication). The Sun reserves the right to accept, edit, or reject letters for any reason. Unless otherwise indicated, all letters sent to the Sun are understood to be intended for publication. E-mail letters to: dennis@sunnews.org.
