Archive for September, 2009
by LeeAnne Jones on September 29, 2009 | 
1 Comment | Topics: City Hall · Profiles
When Tim Sbranti was in fifth grade, the playground rules suddenly changed, and the kids weren’t too thrilled with the new ones. “So, I filed a grievance,” he says. “I got a petition signed by the other fourth and fifth graders, and the principal sat down with me to discuss it.”
While not all the new playground rules were reversed, some details were negotiated, and Dublin’s future mayor got his first taste of making change in a community.
Sbranti has a relaxed but jovial personality. He greets several people by name as we order coffee at Peet’s on Tassajara, just a few blocks from where Sbranti lives with his wife, Stephanie. As he shares about his life growing up in Dublin, it’s easy to spot the pivotal moments and experiences that helped shape him into a leader.
Due to changes within the district, Sbranti attended three elementary schools without moving: the original Fallon (where the district offices are now located), Murray, and Frederiksen (when it transitioned from a junior high to an elementary school). By the time he reached Wells, he knew most of the students in his grade. As a student at Dublin High, Sbranti was editor of the school paper, a basketball and tennis player, and student body president—during which he helped create the student representative position on the school board that still exists today.
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by John M. Zukoski on September 28, 2009 | 1 Comment | Topics: City Hall · Schools
Dublin Mayor Tim Sbranti announced last week that he is working with the Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority (LAVTA) and Dr. Stephen Hanke of the Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) to create a more direct WHEELS bus route from east Dublin to Dublin High School.
The current bus route starting at the intersection of Bent Tree Drive and Fallon Road takes 34 minutes in the morning to arrive at Dublin High School and 32 minutes in the afternoon to arrive home on Bent Tree and Fallon Road. Additionally, there is only one bus in the morning that departs at 7:06am and two buses in the afternoon that depart at 2:52pm.
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by John M. Zukoski on September 27, 2009 | No Comments | Topics: Announcements
In the early morning hours of September 29, 30 & October 1, 2009, I-580 will be closed at the Fallon Road interchange for bridge construction work. The construction contractor will be removing formwork from the new barrier rail along the east side of the bridge.
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by John M. Zukoski on September 26, 2009 | 11 Comments | Topics: Opinions · Schools
BusinessWeek recently published an article of the 25 most affordable zip codes with the best public schools. San Ramon was ranked #20 in the top 25 for all of the United States. BusinessWeek noted that San Ramon is home to many large companies including the headquarters of Chevron. Additionally, nine out of 10 graduates of the San Ramon school system are admitted to college each year. About 39% of households in their zip code have children, and the median household income is $147,436.
For families with children in schools, the benefits of living in a top school district are obvious. However, many folks have wondered why schools matter for households without children. As this article and many studies have shown: Great Schools = Higher Property Values. In fact, economist Sandra E. Black noted that folks are willing to pay 2.1% more in school zones where test scores are 5% higher. This doesn’t even take into account all of the other factors that help property values.
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by John M. Zukoski on September 25, 2009 | 15 Comments | Topics: Schools
The California Department of Education recently published their 2009 Academic Performance Index (API) reports. The Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) had a gangbuster year by improving 16 points to a 2009 growth API score of 855. Other notable findings in the 2009 reports include:
- Dublin High posted the biggest improvement in the District by jumping from 798 to 842. Dublin High’s 2009 score is also 26 points above the benchmark for similar schools.
- Murray Elementary dropped from last year’s score of 860 to a 2009 score of 836 – falling 39 points below their similar school benchmark.
- Three DUSD schools all posted 2009 API scores above 900 – Dougherty Elementary (943), John Green Elementary (925), and Fallon Middle/Elementary (900).
- Wells Middle School dropped 19 points as compared to last year and fell 63 points below the average for similar schools.
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by Tassajara Prep on September 22, 2009 | 7 Comments | Topics: Announcements · Schools
Tassajara Preparatory High School hosted a contest at their Day on the Glen booth this past weekend that invited folks to guess the number of round-trip traffic signals between Lorenzo Court in east Dublin (in the magnificent Positano community) and Dublin High School. There are 61 total traffic signals from Lorenzo Court to Dublin High School: 31 going to Dublin High School and 30 on the return trip. The extra traffic signal is at Sybase Drive.
While none of the contest participants were able to guess 61 traffic signals right on the nose, three participants guessed 60 and another three participants guessed 62. With the six-way tie, all six tickets were thrown into a hat with five winning tickets randomly chosen. The first ticket randomly selected won the Grand Prize, the second ticket selected won the first 2nd place prize, etc. Here are the winning tickets:
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by John M. Zukoski on September 21, 2009 | No Comments | Topics: Local Businesses · Profiles
So you think you can dance? Does your child want to dance with the stars? Around Dublin can help you or your child get started for free (details below)!
Spotlight Arts Academy of Dance and Music is the premier performing arts school in Dublin. Spotlight Arts Academy is located at 6979 Sierra Court and offers a full range of dance classes such as classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Kinder-dance, Lyrical, Musical Theater, Pilates, Poppin’ & Lockin’, and Break-dance. Students of all ages and skill levels are welcome to Spotlight Arts Academy.
Spotlight Arts Academy award-winning Owner and Artistic Director Naja Gentry has danced with Paula Abdul, toured with MC Hammer, has been a member of both the Golden Warrior Girls and 49ers Gold Rush cheer leading teams, and has provided dance instruction for students throughout the United States. Naja believes that performing arts instruction should be accessible to all students.
This is why Spotlight Arts Academy works with parents and students to offer carpooling/ride sharing programs, a study area for kids to complete homework before dance practice, limited class sizes, and extremely reasonable tuition rates as low as $7.50/class.
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by John M. Zukoski on September 20, 2009 | No Comments | Topics: Schools
The Dublin High Class of 2012 is holding a fresh and innovative fundraiser to raise money for their prom and activities account. From now through October 6, the sophomores are selling “Eco Chic” reusable bags from Mixed Bag Designs. These bags come in four different sizes and many bold and beautiful designs. Made of 100% polypropylene, they are reusable and recyclable…. perfectly “green.” They are good for the school and great for the environment!
The four bags being offered are the Drug Store Bag ($6.50), the Grocery Store Bag ($10.50), the Department Store Bag ($10.50), and the Box Store Bag ($14.50). Each bag holds over 60 pounds, and they are a fun alternative to the bags offered at local grocery stores.
Those interested in purchasing the bags can view the many different sizes and styles at www.mixedbagdesigns.com. After choosing your favorites, you may place an order with Shari Jackman at 2oldblues@sbcglobal.net.
by John M. Zukoski on September 18, 2009 | 4 Comments | Topics: Announcements · Things To Do
The Dublin Rotary Club is often called the “world’s friendliest Rotary Club” and is involved with many local and international projects. Some of Dublin Rotary’s upcoming community projects and fundraisers include:
Free Child Fingerprinting Cards
The Dublin Rotary Club partners with Ilene Misheloff’s parents each year to provide parents with fingerprint cards of their children at the Day on the Glen festival held September 19th and 20th at Emerald Glen Park. Please click here for more information about the Ilene Misheloff case. Please stop by their booth for a quick and easy way to help protect your children.
Macy’s Passport Event to Benefit Local HIV/AIDS organizations
The Dublin Rotary Club will be selling Macy’s Passport coupons at the Stoneridge Mall all day on September 19th to help raise money for local HIV/AIDS organizations. Each $10 coupon provides:
- $10 off one regular, sale, or clearance priced purchase of $25 or more. Some exclusions apply.
- 10-20% off other regular, sale, or clearance priced purchases. Some exclusions apply.
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