Stone Steps Contest 2014

Nice gallery online of the 2014 Stone Steps Contest: clicky clicky

Jasper St Dragon Tree Slain

You say you want a little shade break on your walk up Jasper St to Beacon's Beach?
Fuck You, that's why. 

Jasper St "Dragon Tree" to be cut down

The famous "Dragon Tree" (or sometimes called Godzilla Tree) of Jasper St in Leucadia is scheduled to be cut down by the city, citing beetle infestation as the cause of removal.
The city cut off the top of the tree last week which resembled a dragon's head, causing anger and confusion, especially for local children.
This unusual looking tree will be missed by many appreciators.

Dragon Tee watching over the coast hwy upper left

Dragon Tree humble beginnings and friends long gone.

Urban Forest Management Program
Encinitas Has Been Named a Tree City USA
City of Encinitas Tree Tracker  

2nd Annual Leucadia Used Surfboard Swap Sat Sept 13th

2nd Annual Leucadia Used Board Swap this Sat Sept 13th 8am-noon
Leucadia Roadside Park on the coast highway 101 and Leucadia Blvd.
Free to attend and sell Sellers may park in the Encinitas Tax parking lot.
Bring your used surf junk.
Buy, Sell, Trade with your fellow aquatic apes.
Hooray!

Local Historic School needs decades old infrastructure update

Paul Ecke Central School was established in 1927.
It is one of nine elementary schools in the Encinitas Union School District.

The communique below has been making the rounds:

Thirteen of our classrooms do not have A/C and temps can be in the 80’s.  Tim Baird is not interested in providing it as he see’s it we never had it in the past, so not now.
We also never had iPads, or many other things we have now.
I bring this us as most parents at our school are unaware of the lack of A/C or of the other things happening at the other schools.  ECC got new furniture, garden, solar tubes and panels, OPE got solar as well.

I have emailed the board, with a lack of response.  Just they usual ok, thanks.

Our kids are entitled to a comfortable learning environment.  Our school is the ONLY school without A/C in all the classes.  PEC is last for many things and this basic can not be overlooked.  It would only be about $6500 to remedy the situation.

As Tim is up for review next Tuesday and is asking for a raise, I’d like to urge parents to contact the board and let them know your opinion/concerns about ANY item, but this in-particular   Following this will be all 5 board member e-mails as well as Tim Baird's, Leighangela Brady and our principle. Just copy any paste into a new email.  I will also include a quick blurb you can cut and past as well.  

Please feel free to forward to anyone at school you think might help.

Thanks!

Elizabeth Shany

Parent of 2 5th graders and a 4th at PEC

EMAIL ADDRESSES -  Timothy.Baird@eusd.net, maureen.muir@eusd.net, Marla.Strich@eusd.net, carol.skiljan@eusd.net, emily.andrade@eusd.net, gregg.sonken@eusd.net, Leighangela.Brady@eusd.net, adriana.chavarin@eusd.net

SAMPLE EMAIL - 

Dear School Board-

As a parent I feel it important that ALL the children in EUSD are provided a comfortable learning environment.  I urge you to remedy the A/C issues at PEC.  Other schools without basic need issues are being upgraded/remodeled, while this issue is pressing for our children.  As you know it’s only getting warmer, for longer periods of time. 

Thank you,

BELOW IS WHAT I ALREADY SENT TO THE BOARD

Good Morning-

I would like to invite you ALL to visit PEC today and work for 30 minutes in any of the 13 classrooms without A/C.  Yesterday I took a photo of the classroom temp at pick up (79 degrees) and another class at  Back to School Night (78 degrees at 7 pm).  I understand the district has sent a fan for each classroom.  This fan is so loud that the teachers can not use while they are giving instruction.  Also, in the old buildings, window's don’t all open to give a cross draft, so the fans can move cooler air instead of the hot air in the class.  We have already had 2 hot weeks starting the year and my kids leave the school, red, sweaty and tired, not the most optimum conditions to learn in.  The district was aware of this problem from last year and it is sad it has not been fixed.  I know the district is proud of it’s solar tubes, panels and new furniture at other schools, but this is a joke, PEC is always overlooked when it comes to basic necessities.

On Amazon you can buy portable AC units that will cool up to 500 sq./ft for $500 with free shipping.  That would be $6500 to keep PEC cool and learning.  I urge you to remedy this situation.  If the classrooms stay so warm, I am certain you are losing much needed teacher instruction time.  $6500 is not an unreasonable amount of money to ensure ALL kids in EUSD are able to learn in a comfortable environment.

Again, please go visit the classes to see for yourself.

Thanks,

Elizabeth Shany

Leucadia Blog Casual Observations:
*The childless anonymous haters who frequent the local blogs will not be sympathetic on this issue. *This is another example of why starting school in August before Labor Day is a bad idea.
*It's 2014, the classrooms need to be climate controlled.
*It's hard to believe Paul Ecke Central made it to year 2014 with A/C in only some of it's classrooms. 
*There are better 21st century design options to A/C to keep classrooms cool. 
*Turn off the A/C in the main office until this is resolved.
*Tim Baird, you are on notice buddy.

 See also: Commentary: Who paid for Encinitas school officials' pricey retreat?