Magnets must search for identity
By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspaper IN A STATE OF FLUX- Los Primeros School could become a visual and performing arts magnet.

In transition- that's how principals of Los Primeros and Rancho Rosal Open Magnet schools described their programs to the Pleasant Valley school board last week.

Esther Winkelman, Los Primeros principal, said her school could become a visual and performing arts magnet soon.

Teachers and administrators will explain to parents what the change would mean to the Los Primeros curriculum at a workshop scheduled for Oct. 10.

Winkelman told the board that the school's staff had leaned toward a liberal studies focus but decided against it because it would spread school resources too thin.

"We're trying to look at some of the strengths we already have and build on those strengths," said Winkelman, who is new to the school district.

Earlier this year, the school board voted to change the 30year-old Los Primeros Structured program into a magnet program and reopen it on the Los Senderos Open School campus in the fall. Trustees closed Los Senderos in June.

Over the summer Los Primeros administrators, teachers and parents met to craft the new magnetprogram.Win k e l m a n said some parents are excited about redefining the school's focus but admitted others are reluctant.

"I think it comes from a lack of knowledge and that's why I think education is going to be a big part of it," she said, referring to the workshop.

According to a district report, Los Primeros enrollment stands at 591 students, 43 more than last year.

Sue Sigler, principal of Rancho Rosal Open Magnet School, also told the board that teachers and parents met during the summer to hammer out what their open philosophy would be.

They decided to continue with Los Senderos' tradition of encouraging high parental involvement, curricula that teach students to problem solve and teachers to collaborate among themselves, she said.

"We have a much clearer focus in the direction that we're going," Sigler said after speaking to the board.

The school board included among the changes approved earlier this year closing Los Senderos and designating Rancho Rosal elementary an open magnet school.

While the board's move prompted many Los Senderos parents to leave the district and open a charter school, Sigler said about 40 former Los Senderos students now attend Rancho Rosal Open Magnet.

Although the name on the outside of the school building doesn't reflect the official name, it will after ownership is transferred to the school district, she said.

Developer D.R. Horton built the multimillion-dollar school last year for the district as part of a deal with the city.