KHSD NEWS - KHSD Superintendent

KHSD NEWS
5801 Sundale Avenue - Bakersfield, CA - 93309 - 661.827.3100 - www.kernhigh.org
A Tradition of Excellence Since 1893
May 2015
Unprecedented Solar Project Underway
The Kern High School District (KHSD) has announced an agreement with
SunPower Corporation to design and build 22 megawatts of solar power
systems at 27 District sites. The agreement is the largest contracted
commitment to solar power by any school district in the United States.
Once the systems are operational, the District will save an estimated $80
million in electricity costs over 25 years.
“The Kern High School
District is leading the nation
with this very significant
commitment to solar power
at its schools. It is extremely
rewarding to partner with our
public schools to deliver
clean power with a SunPower system, while inspiring
teachers and students with
the great power and potential
of the sun.”
- Howard Wenger
SunPower President
Business Units
“As a result of the SunPower systems, Kern High School District will
significantly reduce the percentage of our budget allocated for electricity,
allowing us to enhance academic and extracurricular programs, and plan
additional facility upgrades,” said Dr. Scott Cole, Associate Superintendent
of Business for KHSD.
The solar power systems will be installed in phases beginning in late July,
2015. The entire project will be completed by the end of 2016, and will be
financed by SunPower through a power purchase agreement. For no
upfront capital investment, the agreement provides the District with
competitive electricity rates, and a hedge against potential utility rate
increases.
At the District sites, SunPower will design solar systems using the most
efficient and reliable panels on the market today, and will be installed as
solar carports in school parking lots, using underutilized space while
providing shade.
SunPower is also working with KHSD to expand the District’s commitment
to high quality science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM)
education. Currently, eight KHSD sites provide STEM curriculum through
programs offered by Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a leading provider of
K-12 STEM curriculum and teacher professional development. SunPower’s
in-kind contribution is expected to enable KHSD to include two additional
schools in these programs, and enhance the District’s existing programs
over the next 20 years.
In This Issue

Solar Project

Seamless Summer
Food Program

PEAAK Awards

CTE Grant

Houchin Partnership

SHS Hall of Fame
A Service Of The KHSD Public Information Office
•
kernhigh.org
Career Technical Education Grant
Millions of dollars in grant money is headed for
local career and college preparation programs.
The California Department of Education recently
awarded $244 million throughout the state. $9.5
million of that money will directly benefit the
students of Kern County.
“This funding makes it possible for the Kern
High School District to begin six new programs
at various locations, and to enhance and
expand 33 programs already in place.”
- Dr. Bryon Schaefer, KHSD Superintendent
These funds are provided through the California
Career Pathways Trust. According to the Kern
Community College District, grants were awarded
to programs which specifically fulfill three critical
categories, including blending academic and
career technical education, connecting employers
with education, and training for students entering
high-demand careers.
For more information on Career Technical
Education Programs in the Kern High School
District, visit our website: kernhigh.org
Nutrition Doesn’t Take A Summer Break
The Seamless Summer Feeding Program makes it possible for all
students and children in the community (age 18 and under) to receive
a healthy breakfast every day during summer school, free of charge, at
qualifying sites.
For other sites offering Summer School, but not qualifying for the
community feeding component, breakfast is still offered and is $1.50.
If your student qualifies for free or reduced-price lunch during the
regular school year, they also qualify for free breakfast during Summer
School.
If you have not submitted a KHSD application, they are available at all
school sites or at the KHSD Food Service office.
According to the U.S. Department Youth
of Agriculture,
hunger
isGallery
one of the
Art Month at The
Younger
most severe roadblocks to the learning process. This organization
funds the Summer Nutrition Program.
Lack of nutrition during the summer months may set up a cycle for poor
performance once school begins again. Hunger also makes children
more prone to illness and other health issues.
Seamless Summer Feeding
Sites & Community Serving
Times:
ABLE
8:00-8:30
Arvin
9:00-9:30
Bakersfield
9:20-9:50
East:
9:00-9:30
Foothill
9:00-9:30
Golden Valley
8:45-9:15
Highland
8:45-9:15
Independence
8:45-9:15
Kern Valley
8:45-9:15
Mira Monte
8:45-9:15
North
9:00-9:30
Nueva
10:00-10:30
Ridgeview
8:00-8:30
Shafter
9:10-9:40
South
9:05-9:35
Tierra Del Sol
9:00-9:30
Vista
9:00-9:30
Vista West
10:00-10:30
West
8:40-9:10
COST - FREE to all students
and community children age 18
and under.
School Breakfast
Program Sites:
Centennial
Frontier
Liberty
Stockdale
The Seamless Summer Feeding Option is designed to fill that nutrition
gap and make sure children can get the nutritious meals they need.
School breakfast provides ¼ of your child’s daily nutrition needs and
research shows breakfast provides fuel for school and boosts brain
power.
This is an option available to schools already participating in the
federally funded National School Lunch Program, as authorized by the
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and administered in
California by the Department of Education (CDE), Nutrition Services
Division.
COST - $1.50 or FREE for all
students who have applied for
the NSLP and qualified as free
or reduced eligibility.
Celebrating
The Best Of
The Best
The Promoting Excellence in Athletics and Activities
in Kern (PEAAK) Awards ceremony was held
recently in the Harvey Auditorium, located on the
campus of Bakersfield High School.
“The students of the Kern High School District (KHSD) had tremendous accomplishments in fine arts,
sports, and community service this year. The PEAAK Awards is an exciting event that highlights the
best of the best.”
– Stan Greene, Director of School Support Services, KHSD
Students are nominated for these awards by KHSD staff members. Winners are selected by a vote from
Principals, Athletic, and Activity Directors throughout the District.
Hundreds of students, parents and staff members attended the exciting evening, and winners were
crowned in 30 different categories. This marked the fifth year of the PEAAK Awards celebration.
Local Students Shine In State Competition
The Fifth Annual Migrant Speech and Debate Competition was held at Monterey High School, recently. The
Kern High School District Migrant Education Program
was represented by twelve students who competed in
eight different events.
Two Kern High School District Migrant students won awards.
Vicente Reyes – Highland High School
1st Place – Extemporaneous Speech Spanish
3rd Place – Prepared Speech Spanish
José Bucio – Shafter High School
1st Place – Extemporaneous Speech Spanish
2nd Place – Prepared Speech Spanish
Bright Minds, Bright Futures
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) made a surprise visit to North High School and
dramatically changed the life of a 2015 graduate. Denise Newton, the PG&E Kern Division
Senior Manager, surprised Kelly Ayllon at the senior awards assembly with a Bright Minds
scholarship for $20,000 a year, for up to five years. Kelly plans to study biochemistry at
UCLA, before going to medical school to become a pediatrician, specializing in
endocrinology.
The PG&E Bright Minds Scholarship Program is part of the company’s larger commitment to
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. Since 1997, PG&E
has provided more than $60 million towards educational opportunities for students
throughout Northern and Central California.
District Office
Blood Drive
As part of our Community
Outreach Initiative, the
KHSD Office is hosting a
blood drive on Wednesday, June 10th for all staff
members.
The Houchin Community
Blood Bank (HCBB)
Blood Mobile will arrive
and HCBB staff will be
ready to take donations.
For more information on
donating blood, visit
Houchin Community
Blood Bank at
www.hcbb.com
Youth Art Month at The Younger Gallery
Student Blood Donors Recognized
Students in Kern County are responsible for donating about 20%
of our local blood supply. These generous donations are credited
with saving almost 20,000 lives.
At the end of each school year, Houchin Community Blood Bank
hosts a special luncheon to recognize local high schools. The
High School Appreciation Luncheon was held on May 15th this
year at Stockdale Country Club.
Based on senior class size, the schools in the Houchin
Community Blood Bank High School Challenge are divided into
four categories. The Medium School winner this year was North
High School which collected 406 total units. The Large School
winner was West High School, collecting a total of 508 units.
The “Extra Mile Award” was presented to Liberty High School,
and Stockdale High School was recognized for bringing in the
most units during summer months.
High Schools in Kern County held 53 blood drives and donated
6,617 units of blood!
Principals, Advisors and The Houchin Ambassadors in each
participating school, were also thanked for their hard work. Two
students received scholarships from Kern Schools Federal Credit
Union.
Foothill Faculty Honored
Foothill High School Counselor, Dr.
José Garza, has been awarded a
Fulbright Scholarship, and is one of
only of 49 educators to receive this
honor in the United States, this year.
Dr. Garza will be working in the United
Kingdom on a research project to
develop a counseling intervention
curriculum to help at risk boys be
successful in school.
West Goes Gold
Congratulations West
High School Vikings!
The school was awarded the
2015 California Gold Ribbon
Schools Recognition.
He will study, conduct original
research, and lead seminars and
workshops for teachers in the UK beginning in the Spring of 2016.
Dr. Garza is a Foothill graduate whose father was the custodian at
Foothill for decades. Dr. Garza is also a graduate of Harvard University
and University of California, Berkeley.
South High School Hall of Fame
The 2015 Rebel Hall of Fame Inductees have been announced!
Grant Jensen: First Principal at South High School (SHS)
Bill Ver Heul: Teacher, Athletic Director, District CIF Representative
Ron Fontaine: Teacher, Counselor. His Memorial Run benefits SHS
Students
Bruce Pfutzenreuter: Wrestling Coach at SHS and Bakersfield College
Joe Seay: Wrestling Coach at SHS, CSUB, Oklahoma State and the
Olympic games
Rick Mears: SHS Graduate, World Famous Indy Car Driver, won the
Indianapolis 500 four times
Lyle Martin: SHS Graduate, Assistant Police Chief, Bakersfield City Police
Department
John Lathrop: SHS Graduate, Colonel, United States Army
Doug Miller: SHS Graduate, Former Superintendent Panama Buena Vista
School District
Steve Barnes: SHS Graduate, Chief Financial Officer, Grimmway Farms
A ceremonial dinner is being planned for the Fall of 2015.
For more information, contact South High (661) 831-3680, or visit
http://south.kernhigh.org/south-high-hall-of-fame/
West High School is one of only
373 California Gold Ribbon
Schools named for 2015.
Tom Torlakson, the State
Superintendent of Public
Instruction, calls this award a
direct reflection of the
dedication, hard work, and
vision of the educational
community at West High
School.
2015 Skills Olympics
The career and technical
skills of more than 500 Kern
High School District (KHSD)
students were tested during
the 18th annual Skills
Olympics competition at the
KHSD’s Regional
Occupational Center (ROC),
501 S. Mt. Vernon Avenue.
Opening Ceremonies
featured remarks from
KHSD Superintendent, Dr.
Bryon Schaefer, the
presentation of colors, and
the singing of the National
Anthem.
Students competed in 16
different Career and
Technical Education (CTE)
areas and were judged by
local business
professionals.
A barbeque lunch and
student talent show followed
the competition.
Gold, silver, and bronze
medals were awarded to the
top three places in each
category.
Recycling Recognition
The Kern High School District Food Services Department and the Central Kitchen staff participated
in the 2015 Keep California Beautiful, The Great American Clean Up/K-12 Recycling Challenge.
“The Central Kitchen staff separated cans to keep them from the land fill in the month of March,
and have continued their efforts by also starting to recycle cardboard boxes.”
– Lynn McGee, Food Services Director, KHSD
The group took third place in the category of metal cans, and received certificates of recognition
from the State of California, Jean Fuller, Senator 16th District, and the Kern County Board of
Supervisors, for exemplary public service and civic contributions to the community and Kern
County.
The Kern Agricultural
Foundation was founded in
1986 as a non-profit
organization by leaders in
agri-business and
education, to serve as an
industry advisory
committee.
The foundation assists with
agriculture curriculum
development, as well as
soliciting and distributing
funds to promote
agriculture education,
training, student activities
and scholarships.
Scholarship Spotlight
The annual Kern County Agricultural Scholarship Awards Banquet,
hosted by the Kern Agricultural Foundation, was a huge success this
year.
Students were awarded scholarships, through the generosity of
several local businesses, and educators were recognized for their
hard work and dedication.
2015 Scholarship Donors
The evening included dinner and the awards presentation by Doug
Starr, the Kern Agricultural Foundation President.

California Women for Agriculture
Kern County Chapter
Paul Loeffler, host of the Hometown Heroes Radio Program, was the
featured speaker. Congratulations to all the recipients.

Kern Agricultural Foundation

Kern County CAPCA

Kern County Farm Bureau

Kern County Junior Livestock
Committee

Kern County Young Farmers &
Ranchers

The Bakersfield Californian

WM Bolthouse Farms

National Exchange Club
Upcoming Events
June 22
KHSD Board Meeting
KHSD EOC - 7:00 PM
Aug 3
KHSD Board Meeting
KHSD EOC - 7:00 PM
Aug 19
Instruction Begins
Sept 7
Labor Day
Kern High School District
Mission Statement
The mission of the Kern High
School District is to provide
programs and services to allow
ALL students to graduate from
high school prepared to succeed in the workplace or at the
post-secondary level.
Contact Us
For more information about
Kern High School District
schools and programs, visit
us on the web at:
www.kernhigh.org
Kern High School District
5801 Sundale Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93309
(661) 827-3100
Lisa Krch
Public Information and
Communications Manager
[email protected]