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• EVERY STUDENT, EVERY CHANCE, EVERY DAY •
Dr. David E. Cash, Superintendent • 720 Santa Barbara Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 • (805) 963-4338
December 2004 News Archive
Thursday, December 2, 2004
The Year’s Coolest "Scoop"
Local boy recognized nationally for his cool and creative kitchen contraption
What are the odds? In mid-July 2004, Cleveland Elementary School’s Michael Grossman, a fourth grader, turned an ordinary egg beater into a spiffy ice cream "Heli-Scoopter" and went on to win first place in Dreyer’s Ice Cream’s "Most Unbelieveable Spoon" category in the company’s De-LIGHT-ful Spoon Contest. Michael is now the lucky recipient of an all expenses paid, three-day/two-night trip for two to Florida’s Disney World, a vacation he will enjoy in early April. Dreyer’s will also be supplying the young inventor with a year’s supply of ice cream – not bad for a young man whose favorite flavor is cookie dough – as well as an ice cream party for eight.
The adventure started when Cleveland Elementary School teacher Leon Lewandowski informed his students about the contest. Michael accepted the challenge. After two months of working with his father, Michael developed an incredibly ingenious creation. Using a rustic hand-held egg beater, spoons twisted on a vice, and antique measuring spoons salvaged from local thrift shops, he completed his entry, which looked more like a helicopter than a kitchen utensil. The concept: crank the handle and four spoons take turns scooping the cold dessert.
The contest was part of Dreyer’s campaign to celebrate their new Slow Churned Dreyer’s Grand Light ice cream. According to the company’s web site, the contest was open to youngsters, ages six and above. Entrants could create an original spoon in one of three categories: lightest, richest, or most unbelievable. Judging was based on how the entry fit the specific category, quality and creativity of design, and originality. Dreyer’s spokesperson, Sharon Foldes, said that there were hundreds of entries from across the country and the judges enjoyed Michael’s so much that they awarded him first place for the "Most Unbelievable Spoon."
Tentative Agreement Reached with the Teachers Association
The Santa Barbara School Districts have reached a tentative agreement with the Santa Barbara Teachers Association. The agreement is being reviewed by the membership and is subject to ratification, likely the second week of December. It must also go before the Board of Education. The agreement will appear on the board’s agenda twice: December 14, 2004 (first reading) and January 11, 2005 (action item).
The tentative agreement stipulates the following:
- 3.5% salary increase for one-half of the 2004-05 school year (effective February 1, 2005);
- $250 one-time bonus for each full-time certificated employee represented by the teachers’ association; part-time certificated employees will have this one-time bonus pro-rated;
- a modified calendar for all elementary schools, with an August 29, 2005 start date for students, a three-week winter break, and a two-week spring break, (except the Santa Barbara Community Academy and Cleveland Elementary as both are year round schools);
- a similar calendar for all secondary schools with an August 29, 2005 start date for students, however only a two-week winter break, a two-week spring break, and an earlier end-of-school date of June 16, 2006;
- language changes regarding complaint procedures.
"I am very pleased that we have reached agreement and can continue focusing on the needs of our students," states Interim Superintendent Dr. Brian Sarvis. "Each day, our teachers, administrators, and support staff work incredibly hard to meet the needs of almost 16,000 students. I look forward to the day that our state economy rebounds, which we hope will mean more money for education, and we see increases in local enrollment that will allow us to offer higher wages to these dedicated public servants."