Students Get in the Flow of Earth Day

While environmentalists fanned out across the Southland last week to clean up parks and beaches in observance of Earth Day, a group of John F. Kennedy High School science students waded through Piru Creek with nets and instruments to measure the stream’s health.

The 43 Granada Hills students from advanced biology and environmental science classes, along with the academic decathlon team, spent the day estimating the flow of the creek near Castaic. At day’s end, after conducting water-quality tests, the scientists had concluded that the stream was healthy.

“The kids were able to see about natural settings and learn how they can be maintained,” science teacher Willie Tamuri said. They learned how to do a field study, not just rely on the hypotheticals of the classroom.”

“The trip was fitting because of Earth Day,” said senior Elisabeth Daniels, 17. “I learned how to test the water and how to preserve the last of the unpeopled areas we have. The bugs and toads were cool too.”

PROGRAM NOTES

Biz Whizzes: Meadow Oaks School seventh-graders interested in learning about starting a business scored a coup recently. The Calabasas students attended a four-session workshop with Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) counselor Herb Rosencrantz, who helped the budding entrepreneurs devise mission statements and strategies for fictional businesses based on the students’ interests.

KUDOS

Big Win: Sierra Canyon School seventh-grader Marissa Ingrum walked away with first prize in environmental science, junior division, at the recent Los Angeles County Science Fair at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. She will take her project, “It’s a Worm’s Life,” to next month’s state science fair finals, also at the Sports Arena. The winning project, voted one of the top five at the fair, was nominated for the junior division Sweepstakes Award. Seven Sierra Canyon students took home awards.

Essay Winner: Belinda Kwan, a North Hollywood High School junior, is the first-place winner in an essay contest sponsored by Assemblyman Robert M. Hertzberg (D-Sherman Oaks). The winning essay answered the question, “If you were governor, how would you improve California’s schools?” Belinda, who won over 175 other contestants, will be flown to Sacramento to spend a day in the state capital. She is scheduled to meet with Gov. Gray Davis.

EVENTS

Local Bards: All the world’s a stage, at least at Hale Middle School, where thespians at the Woodland Hills campus, along with actors from St. Mel School and El Camino Real High School, will perform in the Los Angeles Shakespeare for Children production of “Comedy of Errors,” beginning Thursday. The students, ages 10 to 16, will dress in full Elizabethan costume and speak authentic Shakespearean dialogue. The play runs through May 8 and admission is free. For information, call (818) 884-7774.

Hit Play: David Mamet’s hit play “Oleanna” will be staged at Glendale Community College on Thursday, followed by a discussion moderated by the play’s director and one of the two lead performers. The play, which deals with sexual harassment, begins at noon in Kreider Hall. For information, call (818) 240-1000, Ext. 5461.

Class Notes appears every Wednesday. Send news about schools to the Valley Edition, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. It can be faxed to (818) 772-3338 or e-mailed to diane.wedner@latimes.com.