The latest entry in the Life in College Series is a two part article contributed by Dublin High School Class of 2014 graduate and University of California – Berkeley sophomore Joshua Price.
A few months ago, I heard a description of what it’s like to be a member of the UC Berkeley community that has really resounded with me. I’m not sure exactly who it came from… probably either Cal’s chancellor or one of its Nobel professors. Regardless, they described Berkeley along these paraphrased lines:
If you’re looking for a place to be comfortable, don’t come to UC Berkeley. This place never rests, never lets a mistake or injustice slip by unnoticed. Your beliefs will be questioned from all sides and you’ll be forced to face ideas you wish you never had to think about. So long as there’s one problem in this world, Berkeley will not rest.
Any Berkeley student, professor, or community member immediately understands what this lack of “comfort” means. When you walk through Sproul Plaza, people yell at you about problems around the world: warfare in the Middle East, income inequality, institutionalized racism, climate change… the list never ends. There are multiple protests each week, some of them even turning violent and resulting in tear gas that you can sense walking to class the next day. Walking around town at night you’ll see homeless people sleeping in doorways or scrounging for food.
DUBLIN, CA–Imagine this household scenario from a mere 10 years ago. An entire family would be sharing a single personal computer. Internet access could be a bit “choppy.” And a cell phone would be most useful for just making phone calls. Today, a household may be running anywhere from five to seven devices that require WiFi and supplementary power. Most people are utilizing their smart phones to conduct commerce, research and their social lives. While this may seem like an extreme comparison, it is a simple reminder of how much are lives have been impacted/improved by technology. And, what will the next ten years provide?
While technological advances in business are typically at the forefront, the academic environment is frequently not that far behind. While we want our young people to have as much access as possible, society often demands that we provide them with as many protections from potential harm. Equally relevant is how the roles of technology management have evolved within school districts. A decade ago, a Director of Information Technology would function unseen and “behind the wall” to serve the organization’s needs. Today, that role has evolved into a much more visible role. Even the title has changed to Chief Technology Officer. Just over a year ago, the Dublin Unified School District approved the changes to this function and ultimately hired Ms. Traci Bonde. Traci possesses the unique combination of studying Special Education as a younger student and then developing a successful career in technology. Ultimately, she attained a B.A. in Political Science and then she completed a M.A. in Management and Organizational Development from John F. Kennedy University. OneDublin.org recently had the opportunity to sit down with Ms. Bonde and she shared her thoughts on her current role.
OneDublin.org: Coming from your previous position and into the role of Chief Technology Officer for DUSD, you described your professional background as a “natural fit” between education and technology. Please explain.
SACRAMENTO, CA–Advocacy efforts on behalf of Dublin Schools continued on Wednesday with another trip to the California State Capitol in Sacramento. Three Trustees – Megan Rouse, Amy Miller and Sameer Hakim – represented the Board along with Dr. Hanke in a second appearance in front of the State Allocation Board in two months. The SAB is responsible for allocating school construction funds around the state.
DUSD Representatives once again advocated for a discussion on the topic of Level 3 Developer fees – the highest fees allowed by law. Currently, the SAB has not permitted school districts to levy Level 3 fees on developers building housing in their communities.
Dr. Hanke introduced the Board members during public comment. Trustee Rouse spoke to the rapid rate of growth in Dublin schools and the steps already taken to meet the challenge it presented, including the Facilities Master Plan process, which yielded the recommendation for a second high school.
State of California to Release Personal Information on 10 Million Students due to Lawsuit
DUBLIN, CA–Due to a lawsuit by the Concerned Parents Association (and others), an organizations focused on special needs students, the California Department of Education will soon be releasing information regarding 10 million students dating back to 2008.
The extensive personal information to be released includes the “name, social security number, home address, demographics, course information, statewide assessment results, teacher demographics, program information, behavior and discipline information, progress reports, special education assessment plans, special education assessments/evaluations, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), records pertaining to health, mental health and medical information, student statewide identifiers (SSID), attendance statistics, information on suspensions and expulsions, and results on state tests”, for “every student who attended public school in California since Jan. 1, 2008” (sources: court notice and USA Today). The data will be provided to a data analyst to help assess whether or not “the California Department of Education (CDE), has violated the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”), among other related laws, by failing to monitor, investigate, provide services to, and enforce the rights of children with disabilities consistent with its obligations under the law” (source).
Dublin School Board Approves Plan for 2nd High School
DUBLIN, CA–The Dublin Unified Board of Trustees unanimously approved a recommendation at Tuesday night’s regular meeting to initiate planning for a second high school to be constructed on the east side of the Dublin community. The Board also discussed the near-term temporary housing requirements triggered by rapid enrollment growth including addressing the current shortage of lab space at Dublin High School that is impacting junior and senior STEM students.
The recommendation was presented by Superintendent Stephen Hanke following six months of work by the Facilities Master Plan Committee, which reached consensus on the plan at their February 16 meeting, setting the stage for Tuesday’s Board approval. The approved plan for the second high school is contingent on land acquisition and available funding.
The approved recommendation includes a master plan for a new second high school site for up to 2,500 students. The planned high school will be a non-satellite, self-contained program. Construction should be done in phases with the first phase targeting 1,000 student capacity with a completion date of the first phase no earlier than fall of 2021.
“The numbers are clear, Dublin needs a second high school,” said Superintendent Stephen Hanke. “We are excited about putting plans in place to make it happen in phases. We thank the FMPC for the hard work put into this plan and to our community for the continued support of our schools.”
Life in Harvard University – Dublin High School’s Grace Li Takes a Passion for Writing to the Ivy League
Photo credit: Cynthia Guo
CAMBRIDGE, MA–The next entry in OneDublin.org’s popular Life in College Series puts the spotlight on OneDublin.org contributor, and Dublin High School Class of 2015 graduate Grace Li. We recently caught up with Grace to ask her about her experiences at Harvard University (including serving as an Arts Editor for the Harvard Crimson) since graduating from Dublin High School.
OneDublin.org: You have chosen to pursue a degree in English Language and Literature at Harvard University. What sparked an interest in writing?
Grace Li: “It’s hard to pinpoint a start because I don’t think there was one. It was more of a gradual realization—I’ve always loved make-believe and reading and writing silly poems and short stories. Then in high school I started taking this affinity for writing more seriously. I was lucky enough to attend summer creative writing programs that solidified my intent to major in English and study fiction in college. My creative writing teacher at the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio, Naomi Jackson (check out her novel, The Star Side of Bird Hill! It’ll make you cry in a good way), taught me a lot about characterization, which helped me understand why I enjoyed writing so much. I love finding interesting characters to break down and build up. There’s so much to learn from them.”
OneDublin.org: How did you end up choosing Harvard?
Li: “I was deciding between Harvard and Stanford at the time, and I think had three main reasons that made me choose the first:
- I needed to experience a life outside of the Bay Area. California is home, but I didn’t want safety. I wanted excitement—something new.
- If I could describe the general “feeling” I got from researching and visiting both schools in a few words, it would be “liberal arts education” for Harvard, and “entrepreneurial spirit” for Stanford. I preferred the former.
- I love red brick. I think Harvard’s campus is beautiful.”
OneDublin.org Of all the experiences at Harvard you’ve had so far, what’s been the most unexpected?
Dublin High School Alum Ina Deljkic to Compete for Georgetown in the Copenhagen Business School Case Competition 2016
Team Georgetown
WASHINGTON, DC–On February 28th, three other Georgetown students and I will be on our way to Copenhagen, Denmark to represent Georgetown University in Copenhagen Business School’s annual case competition. The competition brings students from top undergraduate and graduate universities around the world to one place for a full week of events. This year, schools from Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Asia, Australia and more will also be in attendance.
What is a case competition?
At the CBS case competition, each team of four students will be given the same Danish case company and real-life business problem to analyze. Teams take on the role of consultants – each is required to dissect the case materials and prepare a comprehensive solution. After 32 hours, teams presents their recommendations to a panel of judges. The judges select one team from a pool of three to qualify for the final round. During the final round, teams present their recommendations in front of key Danish executives. Soon after, the panel of judges selects the winning university of the case competition.
The competition
Unique to CBS’s case competition, the event includes talks from top Danish and American companies, including Nordea, Velux Group, Boston Consulting Group and Dong Energy. There are multiple opportunities to attend career-building workshops and learn about the Danish business environment.
Our team
Superintendent Dr. Hanke Reflects on 10 Years in Dublin and the Challenges of Rapid Growth
DUBLIN, CA–OneDublin.org recently sat down with retiring Dublin Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hanke to reflect on his ten years as DUSD Superintendent, and share learnings from the challenges posed by rapid growth.
OneDublin.org: Let’s start ten years ago – what attracted you to join the Dublin Unified School District?
Superintendent Dr. Stephen Hanke: “Ten year ago I was an assistant superintendent in a district a bit larger than we are today, and much like Pleasanton. It was fast-paced, high performing and similar to what we’ve achieved now. I was looking for a superintendency and had thrown a wide net across the state to look for opportunities, and I felt Dublin was one of those great opportunities. Dublin was a growing school district that had a good reputation with lots of opportunity to make changes and bring improvements to the community, building on my background.
OneDublin.org: What are you most proud of, looking back over your time in Dublin? Read more…
DUBLIN, CA–Dublin parents and community members are being asked to help petition the State of California to support state funding of needed school capacity to address the current overcrowding crisis facing many Dublin schools. Governor Brown recently publicly came out in opposition to the proposed $9 billion school bond measure scheduled to go on the ballot in November. Governor Brown speaking to the Los Angeles Times, “It’s a blunderbuss effort that promotes sprawl and squanders money that would be far better spent in low-income communities.”
In response to the funding crisis, Dublin School Board members recently travelled to Sacramento to share Dublin’s funding challenges.
The Dublin School Board is also asking Dublin parents and community members to read, sign and return the following letter (printable version here) to any Dublin public school office or the District office.
Here is the text of the letter (a ready to print version is available here):
Dear Governor Brown:
We are proud of our schools in Dublin. Our students are thriving. Over the last decade, we have improved the quality of our educational program and facilities and are now among the top districts in the state.
At the same time, Dublin schools have experienced unprecedented growth. Our student population has nearly doubled in size over the last decade. The rapid influx of new residents and the high quality of our schools is creating demand for up to 5,000 additional seats in the next decade. In buildings we don’t have. On land we don’t own. Read more…
Life in Cardiff University – Jin Hyun’s Journey from Dublin High School to Welsh Castles
CARDIFF, UK–As I peered out of my airplane window, the only words my mind could conjure up were “how did I get here?”. There was no bitterness behind my thoughts; only happy confusion. I grew up in Dublin, California and moved to New York shortly after my high school graduation, and then all of the sudden there I was; watching the sun rising over the city of London as the plane began its descent to Heathrow.
I chose Cardiff University because of its location, reputation, and affordability. The university is located at the center of a thriving city but also footsteps away from castles, fields, and forests. The school’s journalism course was named the best in the UK and the institution belongs to an exclusive group of universities called the Russell Group (often called the UK equivalent of the US Ivy Leagues). Films and television series such as Doctor Who and Sherlock are being filmed on campus, making it easy to run into actors from these shows from time to time.
When I received my unconditional acceptance to Cardiff University along with the International Dean’s Scholarship, I wasn’t completely sure whether or not I would accept the offer. Going to Cardiff would mean abandoning all of the classic American college rites of passage I’ve dreamt of all my life. But in the name of being spontaneous, I made the decision to move to Britain.
OneDublin.org 