Muratsuchi proposes mandatory kindergarten
South Bay State Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), chair of the education committee, introduced a bill last week to require children in California to attend one year of kindergarten before first grade. State Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) introduced a similar bill in the Senate.
Today, compulsory education begins at age 6, when parents must enroll children in school. It is a local decision, with parental input, on whether a six-year-old is enrolled in kindergarten or first grade.
“We know the achievement gap is present before children attend first grade,” Muratsuchi said in a statement. “California is making substantial investments in pre-kindergarten programs, including transitional kindergarten (TK) and the California State Preschool Program (CSPP), providing opportunities for children to have two years of high-quality early education before entering first grade.”
Senator Rubio is a former public school teacher of 17 years.
“I have witnessed firsthand the detrimental impact on young students who miss out on fundamental early education,” she said. “… Recent data from the California Research Bureau shows that the majority of students who are not enrolled in kindergarten are Latino, creating an equity issue throughout the state and worsening the already troubling achievement gap.”
Muratsuchi represents the 66th assembly district, including all of the South Bay.
RUHS PTSA approaches elections
The Redondo Union High School Parent Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) collected nominations for its executive board Feb. 5. The nominating committee will post the slate of names in the RUHS front office Thursday, Feb. 15. Elections are March 14. Positions include president, executive vice president, secretary, treasurer, vice president-programs, vice president-ways and means, vice president — membership, financial reviewer, financial secretary and historian.
City to invite submissions for new logo
The City of Redondo Beach will hold an open contest to create a new city logo, part of a process that began last year and culminated in an existing option, which city councilmembers voted to put on hold Tuesday night, Feb. 13.
The design, created by Jordis Small of Stellen Design, working with a five-member city committee, depicts a sailboat on the ocean. Councilmembers voted 5-0 to open a six-week invitation for others to submit ideas. Small’s design remains in consideration.
“It’s going to be a very simple solicitation, and we’re going to hit ‘send’ to anybody and everybody,” said Mike Witzansky, city manager. ER
