Numbers growing of kids in need of free, discounted meals at some Walnut Creek schools

An interesting bit of data popped up at a meeting earlier this month between Walnut Creek School District and Walnut Creek City officials. In talking about the need to preserve the counseling program at Walnut Creek elementary and middle schools, despite budget cuts, Superintendent Patty Wool noted that a growing number of students might be in need of help, possibly because their families are facing financial hardship in this down economy.  As evidence of this financial hardship, she noted that a growing number of students in the district are qualifying for free or reduced-priced lunches.  

Since 1946, the National School Lunch Program has provided free and reduced-priced lunches to school children from "economically disadvantaged" families. Public and nonprofit private schools can participate and get subsidies from the US Deaprtment of Agriculture. 

Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals.Those with incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduced‐price meals. The 2009 federal poverty level for a family of four is $22,050. 

The numbers of students in school receiving free or reduced-priced lunches can offer an economic picture of the neighborhood or community that school serves. To Wool, the increasing number of students in her district needing this help shows that a growing number of people in Walnut Creek are hurting from the economy. 

But these sorts of numbers are going up in most places. Between 2005 and 2009, the number of meals served under the National School lunch program increased by 7 percent in California, and by 4 percent in the United States. In 2009, 574,619,337 meals were served to California students; nationally that number was 5,185,316,342.


This first chart (Soccer Mom trying to play with Google graphs) shows schools and districts that experienced the most notable increases in the percentage of students in their populations who qualified for free or reduced-priced meals. The school years covered are 1998-99, 2003-04, 2005-06, 2008-09.

This second graph shows percentage of students in Contra Costa County, the three Walnut Creek school districts, and individual schools who qualified to receive free and reduced priced lunches. The region, district and schools are listed in the order (top to bottom) of those with the highest percentages. This data, from the California Department Education, shows percentages for the school years 1998-99, 2003-04, 2005-06 and 2008-09. The numbers in some schools stayed steady, some went down, but a fair number increased a little or a lot. 


Special note: In my playing with charts, I left off the percentages for Walnut Acres Elementary, which consistently had the lowest percentage of students in this program. No disrespect to Walnut Acres. Those numbers are: 1998-99, 1; 2003-04, 1; 2005-06, 2; 2008-09, 2. 

Walnut Creek Intermediate deals with another drug possession issue

A seventh grader at Walnut Creek Intermediate was caught this week in possession of a small amount of marijuana, suspended by the school for five days, and issued a citation by the Walnut Creek police.

This information came in the form of a notice e-mailed out to parents by Principal Kevin Collins. This notice appears to be another example of the school's "conscious decision to inform the community if there were any incidents or threats to our students, either on campus or to and from school," according to Walnut Creek School District Superintendent Patricia Wool.

She explained this effort to keep the community informed about safety issues in an e-mail she sent out earlier this week. Her e-mail went out, no doubt, in response to concerns being raised recently that the loss next year of one of two vice principal's positions, due to budget cuts, would compromise the safety and well-being of the more than 1,100 students on the downtown campus. "We are committed to providing a safe environment regardless of WCI administrative staffing levels," Wool said.

She also said that since the beginning of the 2009-10 school year, there have been two incidents of students being caught in possession of marijuana. There was also a student caught with alcohol and two students who brought knives to school.

Here is a note from Principal Collins about the latest marijuana-possession incident at WCI:

I want to advise our community about a student discipline issue that occurred at WCI during seventh period today.

A seventh grade student was found in possession of a small amount of marijuana. I suspended the student for five days and called the Walnut Creek Police Department. The student received a juvenile citation and was released to the custody of a parent.

We are asking that parents again take this opportunity to speak with their children about drugs and about making good decisions. The safety and security of our students and campus remains our top priority.

Walnut Creek district superintendent recommends “no” on Walnut Heights school wireless antenna proposal

Following what was described as a raucous community meeting last Wednesday-- crowded with 100 parents and residents, concerned about a proposal to build a wireless antenna near the Walnut Heights playing field--Superintendent Patty Wool is recommending that the school’s board reject the proposal.

In an e-mail to the district community, she explains her reasons:

Dear Walnut Creek School District Parents and Community Members,

On January 20, a meeting was held at Walnut Heights Elementary to discuss the possibility of erecting a wireless antenna tree at the school. The Board wanted to hold a meeting so that the public could receive information and make comments concerning the potential tower. I plan to recommend that the Board reject this antenna tree at Walnut Heights for the following two reasons:

 --Clearwire's representative who spoke to the Board in December was clear and cogent.  However when this gentleman was not available, the company flew in a substitute presenter from Chicago.  He met with Stuart House, our Director of Facilities, and felt that he and his fellow Clearwire representative were ready for the meeting.  Clearly, they were not:  the Clearwire men were ill-prepared and offered no concrete information that facilitated the discussion.  Therefore, Clearwire is not a company that I can recommend to the Board that the district should do business with.

--At the meeting three key issues from the community/parent speakers surfaced:

a)    The aesthetics of the tree,

b)    The concern for the health of students and adults, and

c)     The antenna tree's effect on property values.

Whether these issues were confirmed or not, the Walnut Creek School District is cognizant of the apprehension expressed by many at the meeting.

Therefore, the item will appear on the February 1 Board Agenda with a recommendation to reject this antenna tree.

Again, thank you to parents and community for taking the time to offer your comments.

Wireless antenna at Walnut Heights "contingent" upon Wednesday's meeting

Here's a notice from Superintendent Patty Wool about Wednesday evening's meeting, regarding the proposal to construct a wireless antenna behind the nature area at Walnut Heights Elementary... She's inviting the entire Walnut Creek School District community to join in the discussion.

Is it just me, or is there something contradictory about using "wireless antenna" and "nature area" in the same sentence? ... Not that I've formed any opinion about this issue.

Others, who commented on my earlier post, are much better informed than me, and I would suggest you read what they have to say.  Basically, some Walnut Heights school parents are concerned that this wireless tower would pose health risks and create an eyesore, thereby lowering property values.

Here is what the superintendent has to say:

Dear Walnut Creek School District Community,

Tomorrow night, January 20, at 6:30 p.m. in the Walnut Heights Multi-purpose room, we will hold a meeting to offer information to the community and parents about a possible wireless antenna being installed behind the nature area at Walnut Heights. The superintendent will facilitate. Stuart House, WCSD Director of Facilities & Maintenace, and Brian VanAsten from Clear Wire will give information. We will then hear thoughts and concerns from parents and community.

The Board, in the last board meeting, stated that the construction of a wireless antenna would be contingent upon the outcome of this meeting. We would invite anyone who is interested to attend.


Sincerely,
Patricia Wool, Ed.D.
Superintendent, Walnut Creek School District