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Troy High ranked among nation’s best At Troy High School in Fullerton, stories of success are hardly isolated incidents. Principal Maggie Buchan believes the 2,500-student think tank practically pulses with a “culture of high expectations.” For the fourth year running, Troy was ranked among the nation’s top 100 high schools in Newsweek’s annual evaluation of secondary schools. This year, Troy took 28th place in the survey that spotlighted schools with the highest percentages of students in high-achieving curriculums, namely Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes. “The expectation is that they can exit Troy with the opportunity to go to the most widely recognized and best universities in the country,” Buchan said. By design, the school naturally attracts go-getters since teens from four counties – Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside – must test and compete for one of approximately 1,700 coveted spots in accelerated academic programs. Troy is essentially a magnet high school for the area. Ironically, it was a dilemma of declining student enrollment in the early 1980s that inspired educators to transform Troy into a magnet school for science, math and technology. “It’s a well-oiled machine that’s evolved over a number of years,” Buchan said. Students who live within the school’s core attendance area near Cal State Fullerton are guaranteed a spot at the school, but to get into a magnet program they must compete with everybody else. The biggest ongoing challenge of running the premier tech institute is keeping its math, science and especially computer courses in step with the ever-changing tech-scape of the 21st century workplace. “Our staff are out attending AP conferences; they’re readers at AP tests. This helps us stay ahead of the curve with our curriculum,” Buchan said. “Staying on the cutting edge of computer technology is key.” Dads & violence Survey out; local support group in More than half of men think it is very or fairly likely that, at some point in their lives, they will know a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault. Most are willing to take action to raise awareness, help victims, and promote healthy, violence-free relationships, according to a poll released in time for Father’s Day this year. The poll was conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the Family Violence Prevention Fund, with support from Verizon Wireless. Efforts are being made in Orange County to bring heightened awareness to men. One such program supports Human Options, a nonprofit that helps battered women and their families and works to break the cycle of domestic violence. The support group is called the Men’s Task Force. More than 100 men contribute funds for violence prevention programs and to make a public statement against domestic violence. For information : humanoptions.org; on the home page, look for Darla Olson’s contact info. According to the national poll, 56% of men – and 60% of those ages 18 to 34 – have reason to believe a member of their immediate or extended family, a close friend or acquaintance has been in a domestic violence or sexual assault situation. More than half (57%) think they can personally make at least some difference in preventing violence, and 73% say they can make at least some difference in promoting healthy, respectful, non-violent relationships. And, the poll finds, men are taking action. Two in three fathers (68%) have talked to their sons about the importance of healthy, violence-free relationships, and 63% have talked to their daughters. Fifty-five percent of the men surveyed have talked to other boys who are not their sons. Some 1,020 men ages 18 and over were surveyed. Information: endabuse.org Spotlight on fitness Nominations for best schools point to poor habits An organization is looking for a few good schools and people who promote fitness in an era in which too many children are just the opposite. The nonprofit Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is sifting through its “2007 Spotlight Awards,” presented by the Blue Cross of California Foundation. This is the second year of awards honoring the state’s top individuals, organizations and events that impact the physical activity, fitness levels and well-being of California children. Principal of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Non-Profit Organization of the Year, Company of the Year, Event of the Year, and Park and Recreation Program of the Year are the categories. A seventh award, School of the Year, will be given to the winner of the Governor’s Challenge Competition – a contest among K-12 schools to see which school can get the highest percentage of students to be physically active 30-60 minutes a day, at least three days a week for four weeks. Only 40% of California teens meet minimum daily targets for physical activity, and close to 74% of California youth are unfit. Research shows that regular physical activity during childhood and adolescence helps build healthier bones and muscles, increases self-esteem, and reduces the risk of obesity and diseases such as type 2 diabetes. In addition, physical activity has been shown to help with academic success. Information: calgovcouncil.org. Color of skin Tolerance book helps parents teach children A new book to help parents teach children about the differences in people is now for sale online and also can be downloaded for free. The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance program has released the 32-page book, “Beyond the Golden Rule: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice,” to help address the difficult issues of bias, stereotypes and racism that children face in an increasingly diverse world. It is set up to answer questions from children ages 2 through the teen years and helps prompt a rejection of prejudice and intolerance. “What children learn from the behavior of adults and what they see and hear in the world around them during their formative years is critically important in determining their attitudes about race and diversity,” Jennifer Holladay, director of Teaching Tolerance, said in a statement. “This parenting guide will help parents teach positive messages to their children and deal with thorny questions about differences among people in a straightforward fashion.” There are three age-specific sections: 2-5; 6-12; 13-17. “Beyond the Golden Rule” is available for a $5, plus a $4 shipping and handling charge. Order forms, or a PDF, can be downloaded at tolerance.org/parents. The Southern Poverty Law Center is a nonprofit organization that combats hate, intolerance and discrimination. Information: splcenter.org. |
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