OC Political

As a graduate and resident of the Orange Unified School District, I am certainly familiar with OUSD having had some of Orange County’s most raucous elections in years past, and while things have died down (thanks, Capistrano Unified!), this year has proven to be one of the quieter OUSD campaigns anybody can remember.

Robert “Bob” Ausmus

However, in this weird quietness has been an oddly arrogant campaign being run by one of the challengers, Robert “Bob” Ausmus, who is seeking to unseat OUSD Board Member Dr. Alexia L. Deligianni in Trustee Area 3.

Bob Ausmus didn’t even bother to write a candidate’s statement in the sample ballot mailed out to all registered voters in the school district by the Orange County Registrar of Voters (check out page 14 of the PDF sample ballot to see where the OUSD candidate’s statements are), leaving voters with absolutely no information about him.  By the way, here’s a picture of the last guy to be elected to the OUSD board without a candidate’s statement:

Steve Rocco, OUSD Board Member, 2004-2008, Convicted Ketchup Thief

How are voters supposed to decide who to vote for when they have no information about a candidate?  Are they supposed to vote on signs?

Speaking of signs, Robert Ausmus supporters have acted ridiculously.  Some volunteers for Dr. Alexia Deligianni posted her re-election signs in Anaheim Hills.  Within hours, the signs were gone.  Ordinarily, lost signs are just part of the normal business of campaigns.  City crews, the weather, cheap garage sales hosts, etc. often take the signs.  However, the timing and systematic nature of the sign removals made it clear that people supporting Ausmus were targeting Deligianni’s signs.  First, the signs were posted on a Friday evening and removed within hours in the dead of night.  Secondly, nearly every Deligianni sign in Anaheim Hills was removed, but every single instance where a Deligianni sign was next to an Ausmus sign, the Ausmus sign was left untouched.  A witness driving by noted seeing a Deligianni sign being taken by a white male who resembled a “boxer” from behind.  Also, one of the rare Deligianni signs that survived in Anaheim Hills…well, I think this trio of pictures makes it clear what happened to the survivor signs:

Then, volunteers put out more signs on Sunday night.  The signs were still up as of 7 PM on Monday but most of them disappeared during the dead of night.  It wasn’t city crews because those guys aren’t out working that late.  Plus, you guessed it, the Ausmus signs were left untouched.

If one candidate’s side removed signs attacking their candidate, I’d understand if these were “Stop Ausmus” signs that were being removed because attack signs are a different animal.  However, removing an opponent’s signs that simply promote her candidacy is just plain anti-democratic and insulting to the voters.

In further sign abuse, this sign was placed on the campus of Canyon High School, violating the age-old regulation of campaign signs not being placed on school property:

In an abuse of school resources, this email went out from Team Ausmus from a school district email account over an official Orange Unified School District e-mail list sent to the families of the Canyon High School Class of 2015 (today’s sophomores).

From: “Ausmus, Leslie” <REDACTED@orangeusd.org>
Date: September 28, 2012, 2:57:36 PM PDT
To: “chsclassof2015” <REDACTED@listserv.orangeusd.k12.ca.us>
Subject: FW: 09.28.12 Listserv
Reply-To: “chsclassof2015” <REDACTED@listserv.orangeusd.k12.ca.us>

[EDITOR’S NOTE: Lengthy email message edited for brevity. Scroll to bottom of this post for full e-mail.]…

For the purpose of clarification, and because many of you (and your students) have asked, yes, the candidate running for our school board named “Bob Ausmus” is related to me. He’s my husband. :)

As always, if you have questions or concerns, let me know. The best contact is via email at: REDACTED@orangeusd.org . I hope you all have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Leslie Ausmus

Sophomore Counselor, Class of 2015

If it weren’t for the never-ending series of abuses from Team Ausmus, it might have been plausible that this was an innocent mistake, but taken in the totality of circumstances, it is clear that this was a flimsy excuse to announce the candidacy of Bob Ausmus to the entire list of families of Canyon High sophomores.  (Indeed, we didn’t know about this email until an angry parent passed it on.)  If some people ask you a political question, you don’t send a mass email to hundreds of people on a school district email list, you respond to them individually.

My father, who immigrated to the United States after fleeing from Communist Vietnam, expressed his outrage at the actions of the Ausmus side, noting that democracy is harmed when people try to suppress free speech, hide information from the voters, and abuse public resources.  He said, “I’m disgusted that he has to steal signs instead of letting everyone get their name out there.  That’s just wrong.  And then to use a school email list?  Unbelievable!”

Unbelievable is right, Dad.  The arrogance of the Ausmus campaign of not providing information to voters, stealing/covering opponent signs, and then abusing school resources is utterly repugnant.

Here is the entire Ausmus email to the Class of 2015 parent mailing list:

From: “Ausmus, Leslie” <REDACTED@orangeusd.org>
Date: September 28, 2012, 2:57:36 PM PDT
To: “chsclassof2015” <REDACTED@listserv.orangeusd.k12.ca.us>
Subject: FW: 09.28.12 Listserv
Reply-To: “chsclassof2015” <REDACTED@listserv.orangeusd.k12.ca.us>

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       ***If you are receiving this message in error, please scroll to the bottom and unsubscribe ****

 

Good Afternoon, Parents and Families of the Class of 2015 ~

Hopefully you’ve noticed that Parent Portal is working, and you’re seeing some progress report grades. Please remember that these grades are for your information – to give you an idea of how your student is doing at this point in time – and will not be on the official transcript.  If you have specific questions about the grade or questions on teacher expectations, please email the teacher directly. 

• Attendance – It is imperative that we keep accurate records on attendance.  Students receive disciplinary consequences when absences are not cleared within 48 hours. (see page 9 of the CHS Agenda book)  If you call in (or your student brings a note) after the 48 hrs to excuse an absence, the excuse will be noted, however, your student will still be issued, and be expected to serve, the disciplinary consequence.
  • Teacher changes – The OUSD policy is no teacher changes.  As problems or concerns arise, however, you are encouraged to set up a teacher/parent/student conference to address those concerns.  If the issue is not resolved, an administrator will then attend the next conference and be involved with the resolution of the issue. 
  • Testing – Your student can sign up for the PSAT or PRA starting on Monday (see info below).  All colleges require either the SAT or ACT for entrance.  Your student has until December of their senior year to get this testing completed.  Many students take these multiple times to present the ‘best picture’ of themselves.  It’s up to the individual student/family as to how many times, what score is ‘good enough,’ and whether test prep is needed.  There are test prep materials available in the library, and at book stores.  Many professional tutoring companies offer test prep (I can’t recommend any specific courses), and Santa Ana College offers a 3-Saturday test prep as part of their community services program.  You can check out the particulars at www.sac.edu/cms
  • Online Driver’s Education –Santa Ana College community services (among others) offers an online driver’s education course that is required for a learner’s permit and driver’s license.   Call (714) 564-6594 for more details or visit the above listed website.
  • CollegeWeekLive – If you’re helping your student research colleges and/or scholarships, it can be overwhelming.  There is a free online channel that helps navigate this process.  There are live video presentations with admissions experts and chats with college reps.  Next Thursday, October 4^th , CollegeWeekLive is hosting University of California (UC) System day.  Check out the website:   www.collegeweeklive.com and get updated information on the UC campuses and their admission policies and requirements.
  • Helpful Website – Another great resource for college information is:   www.assist.org   This website helps students explore majors, understand transferring credits from one institution to another, including what courses are transferable from the community college to the UC/CSU stystems.
  • Credit Recovery – If enrolled, your student should have already attended the orientation and be working on their subject matter.  The expectation is 10% module completion/week.  The students have until the end of October to complete the course and take the final exam.   
  • Homecoming Dance is October 20^th – Detentions must be cleared prior to purchasing a ticket.  Detention schedule is listed below along with the particulars about the dance.

 

For the purpose of clarification, and because many of you (and your students) have asked, yes, the candidate running for our school board named “Bob Ausmus” is related to me.  He’s my husband.  J

As always, if you have questions or concerns, let me know.  The best contact is via email at:  REDACTED@orangeusd.org .   I hope you all have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Leslie Ausmus

Sophomore Counselor, Class of 2015

 

 

It’s not just about getting them INTO college

… it’s about getting them OUT!!

~ Register EARLY for guaranteed seating ~

Reserve your seats at http://www.GCFSeminars.org for your “ticket”

And your “ticket” will register you for a raffle for $1000 software program, and ALL REGISTERED attendees will receive a college planning guide.

 

Canyon High School Guidance Dept presents…

College Planning Seminar

For Parents & Their Students

Thursday, October 4th, 6:30-8:00

10 Mistakes Families Make Planning for College …but Don’t Know Until It’s Too Late

 

Canyon High School- Library

220 S. Imperial Hwy.

Speaker:  Tom Bottorf

Founder of GetCollegeFunding

 

Some topics to be covered:

• Learn why it’s so important for your student to create a REALISTIC college list.
• What if your family WON’T qualify for financial aid?
• Beware of college “Sticker Price”.  For some families private colleges may cost LESS than publics!
• Learn how to improve the chances of getting IN and OUT of college in 4 years.
• Many families qualify for more “free money” than they would have thought possible – need-based and/or merit-based
• Home equity will have no impact on financial aid in about 90% of all the colleges across America
• In the unfortunate case of a separation or divorce most colleges won’t ask about the income and assets of the non-custodial parent
• Two students in college?  Your eligibility for university grants may increase!

Testing

PSAT: The PSAT will be offered at CHS on Saturday, October 20 from 8am-12pm. The fee will be $20 and registration forms will be available in the Counseling Office from October 1-17 . We do have limited availability.PRA:  The PRA is a practice test for the ACT and SAT and is used to compare the advantages of taking either test. This test is usually taken by Freshmen and Sophomores to help make a decision about whether to focus on the ACT of SAT. The PRA will be offered at CHS on Saturday, October 20 from 8am-12pm. The fee will be $20 and registration forms will be available in the Counseling Office from October 1-17. We do have limited availability. SAT: Canyon High School is not an SAT testing site. For SAT dates and testing information, please visit www.collegeboard.com ACT: Canyon High School is not an ACT testing site. For ACT dates and testing information, please visit www.act.org   Canyon High School supports, but does not recommend any specific test preparation company.

Detentions

CANYON HIGH SCHOOLDETENTION SCHEDULE 2012-20131.      Short Day Detentions:      Period 5 (not on Fridays)      Room  Chinese Rm        1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.                                                  Period 6 (not on Fridays)     Room   204                    1:00 p.m.  – 2:00 p.m.   2.      Afternoon Detentions:      Monday                               Room   205                    2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Wednesday                          Room   324                    2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.   3.      Late Start Day:                  Detention will be held in the cafeteria every Late Start Wednesday from 7:30 to 9:20.   *** YOUR DETENTION COUNT MUST BE AT 0 TO PARTICIPATE IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES OR TO GRADUATE **** ALL DETENTIONS NEED TO BE SERVED WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF RECEIPT OR THE DATE ASSIGNED BY COUNSELOR / ADMINISTRATOR

 Announcements

09.28.2012
All Students	HOMECOMING DANCE:  Homecoming Contracts and Guest Passes are now available in the Student Center.  All tickets will be sold as individuals.  The tickets will go on sale starting Monday, October 1st and will be sold before school, at nutrition, at lunch, and right after school.  The early bird prices will be $15 with ASB and $25 without ASB.  All fines and detentions must be cleared before purchasing a ticket.  The cost of the tickets will go up starting Monday, October 8th.  Get them early.  All cash must be exact change only.  Must have current ID to purchase a ticket.  All contracts will need to be stamped by Counseling and the Library.
All Students	LOCKER CHANGES:  For students wishing to change their locker, you may now come to the Student Center to pick up a form.  They must be returned by Monday, October 8th.
All Students	PROJECT GUTENBERG:  Need a book that is required reading for a class?  Need to get your own copy?  Did you misplace your copy before you finished the assignment? Project Gutenberg enables you to download more than 30,000 free electronic books to read on your computer, iPhone, Kindle, Sony Reader, or other portable device in a variety of file formats. You can search by title and author or browse their collection of classic works, many of which are available in audio editions as well.  See Mrs. Fisher in the Canyon High School Library for help.
All Students	WORK PERMITS:  All work permits that were issued last school year and over the Summer expired on September 1st.  If you have not already done so, please see Mrs. Kerkhof in the Career Center to obtain a new work permit at once!
All Students	COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS:  Summer Community Service hours are due on or beforeOctober 1st.  NO EXCEPTIONS!

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The following colleges will have a representative on campus, during lunch:   Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) – October 1st University of Southern California (USC) – October 4th Point Loma – October 5th  University of Massachusetts Institute of Pharmacy and Health Sciences – October 8th New York University (NYU) – October 9th University of Calif. Riverside (UCR) – October 10th  Hawaii Pacific University – October 11th High Point University – October 12th Boston University – October 16th Cal State Fullerton – October 17th (newly added) St. Katherine College in Encinitas– October 18th (newly added) Columbia University – October 19th Clarkson University – October 22nd University of Massachusetts, Amherst – October 23rd Pomona College – October 24th St. Louis University – October 25th Rider University – October 26th Cal Poly Pomona – October 29th UC San Diego – October 30th   The following colleges have preview days:   Christian College Fair – Wed., October 3 from 6 -8 p.m. @ Whittier Christian High School, 501 N. Beach Blvd., La Habra 90631 University of Pennsylvania – Thurs., October 4 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Irvine Marriott, 18000 Von Karman, Irvine 92612 Tufts University – Sunday, October 7 @ 2:00 p.m. at the Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City Duke University – Tues., Oct. 12 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Tiger Woods Learning Center, One Tiger Woods Way, Anaheim 92801 Purdue – Sunday, October 14 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. @ the Anaheim Marriott Suites in Garden Grove Boston University – Tues., October 16 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana Cal State Chico – Sat., October 20 from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Cal State University Chico Loyola Marymount – Sun., October 28 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. @ LMU University of La Verne – Sat., Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. @ 1950 Third St. in La Verne

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Community Service hours that were performed over the summer (between May 15 and September 30) are due, with a business card attached, on October 1st.  Hours that are turned in after the due date will not count toward the silver cord at graduation.  See Mrs. Kerkhof, in the Career Center, for more information.

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Wendy’s Heisman	Seniors Only	10/2/2012	Wendy’s Gift Cards and up to $10,000 for your school	Excel in academics, participate in sports, be involved in your community & extracurricular activities.  Visitwww.WendysHeisman.com for more information.
Horatio Alger	Seniors Only	10/25/2012	$5000 -$20,000	Students must have financial need and have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity.  Visit www.horatioalger.org/scholarships for more information.
California Scholarship Foundation	Female Student, ages 13-19	1/26/2012	$10,000	Miss Teenage California.  See Mrs. Kerkhof to have your name listed as a nominee.
Prudential Spirit of Community	Seniors Only	11/6/2012	$1000 – $5000	Awards are based solely on volunteer work.  Visithttp://spirit.prudential.com or www.nassp.org/spirit for more information.
Civil Rights Defense Fund	Grades 9 – 12	12/1/2012	Up to $1000	Essay on “The Second Amendment to the Constitution:Why it is Important to our Nation.”  Visithttp://www.nradefensefund.org/media/362/entry_form.pdf  for more information.
Elks National Foundation	Seniors Only, US Citizen	12/1/2012	Up to $60,000	Applications are available at www.elks.org/enf/scholars or see Mrs. Kerkhof (limited number of apps. available) in the Career Center.
Con Leche Scholarship	Seniors Only,of Hispanic heritage	12/15/2012	$4000	Must have 3.0 GPA.  US Citizen or legal permanent resident. Must apply for FAFSA and be eligible for Pell grant.  Visit www.hsf.net/FuturoConLeche for more information.
College Prowler	Grades 9 – 12	12/31/2012	$1000	The winner will be determined based on the quality of responses to the short answer prompt. Visithttps://collegeprowler.com/scholarship/los-angeles/ for more information.
John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage	Grades 9 – 12	1/5/2013	$10,000	In 1,000 words or less, describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. official who served during or after 1956.  For complete guidelines, curriculum materials, and a link to a video, please visit www.jfklibrary.org.
California Association of Collectors, Inc.	Seniors Only	1/15/2013	$2500	Write a 700-1000 word essay on “The Importance of Establishing and Maintaining Good Financial Credit During Your College Years.”  Visit www.cacesf.org for more information or see Mrs. Kerkhof for an application (limited number available).
The Christermon Foundation	Seniors Only	2/1/2013	Up to $5000	Must have affiliation with the CA licensed beverage industry through a parent or grandparent’s full-time employment.  Visit www.christermon.com for more information.
Visioary Scholarship Program	Grades 9 -12	4/1/2013	$1000 – $5000	Application and 500 word essay on “Why College Is Important to Me.”  See Mrs. Kerkhof for application
Directron.com	Seniors Only	5/1/2013	Up to $800	Essay, at least two single-spaced pages long, on a topic related to computer technology. For more information, see http://www.directron.com/scholarship.html

 

 

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(In the interest of full disclosure, before there was a Custom Campaigns, the partners of Custom Campaigns ran the 2008 campaign that got Alexia Deligianni elected to the Orange Unified School District board.  Custom Campaigns is the consultant on Dr. Deligianni’s 2012 re-election campaign.)