PLACENTIA
NEWS-TIMES
AN EDITION OF
THURSDAY, SEPT. 1 2, 20 1 3
OCREGISTER.COM/PLACENTIA
PLACENTIA WATER TOWER
50,688 GALLONS OR
41 6,000 POUNDS OF WATER CAPACITY
110 FEET TALL
31 FEET WIDE
19 FEET IN DIAMETER SOURCE: TANG STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS
ANGELA PIAZZA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A ladder leads to the top of the Placentia water tower at Chapman Avenue and Main Street. The red, white and blue structure declares Placentia an “All America City.”
TOWER SYMBOLIZES THE CITY PLACENTIA’S ICONIC 1 1 0-FOOT-TALL WATER TOWER IS HARD TO MISS AND HAS BECOME ‘A FAMILIAR PART OF THE LANDSCAPE.’
BY LOUIS CASIANO JR. ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
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lacentia doesn’t have a mall like Brea, a university like Fullerton, a sports franchise like Anaheim or a theme park like Buena Park. The city is known primarily for its family atmosphere and slow-paced
lifestyle. But one thing that stands out is the 110-foottall water tower at Chapman Avenue and Main Street that declares Placentia an “All America City.” “I have memories of walking to school and al-
ways remember that tower,” Councilman Joseph Aguirre said of the 78-year-old structure. “It’s just a familiar part of the landscape.” A fixture in the city, it’s hard to miss and not easy to forget. Because Placentia doesn’t have as much in terms of non-residential architecture as neighboring cities, the tower’s presence serves as a symbol of civic pride among its residents. “It really stands out,” Placentia Historical Committee member Larry de Graaf said.
Cal State Fullerton tests iSTEM program, gives technology to a Placentia-Yorba Linda elementary.
The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District is making efforts to enhance students’ learning experience at one of its elementary schools by partnering with Cal State Fullerton to use iPads in the classroom. This school year, the district launched iSTEM, a pilot program aimed at focusing on science, technology and math. Rio Vista Elementary School in Anaheim was given 137 iPads, three MacBook computers and three mobile carts donated by the university. About 30 teachers wrote
proposals at the end of last school year to be able to use the new technology in the classroom this year. They were given iPads over the summer to research any apps they may want to use once the program goes into full swing. The teachers will partner with student teachers from Cal State Fullerton to incorporate the technology in the classrooms, which serve students from Anaheim and Placentia. Even though science and technology are the primary subjects of the program, the tablets and computers will be used for all subjects. Jennifer Raya, who teaches fourth and fifth grades, said
GARY RICHARDS, 70, PLACENTIA, SENIOR CENTER VOLUNTEER
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Program puts iPads in classrooms BY LOUIS CASIANO JR. ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
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It’s Placentia. That is Placentia to us. We are an All America City.”
some teachers were initially skeptical. “I think there (were) a few teachers that were skeptical. But most of them are very excited to get going and start using some new technology with the kids,” she said. “I’m really excited about the program.” Raya said she has downloaded several math and language arts apps she hopes to use in her lesson plans. Teachers begin training next week and will start using the tablets
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Texting tip line offers teens easier way to report trouble BY DANIEL LANGHORNE AND LOUIS CASIANO JR. ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District have started a Text to Tip program that allows middle and high school students to send confidential text messages to police and school administrators regarding campus safety. The aim is to give students a way to tip off their school resource officer and principal, or the principal’s designee, about drugs, weapons, potential fights and students at risk
of committing suicide. The tips aren’t anonymous because police officers will be able to find and talk to the person who sends text, but officials won’t divulge the tipsters’ names to other students. Sheriff’s Department officials are working with the Placentia Police Department to put in the program at Placentia schools. Sgt. Quyen Vuong started one of the Sheriff’s Department pilots of Text to Tip at Mission Viejo High School in December 2011 to help students communiS E E T E X T I N G ● PA G E 4
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It will help reduce or eliminate any kind of bullying or behavior from other students that would cause other kids to not be able to learn.” R.A. HICKS PLACENTIA CHIEF OF POLICE