CHECK US OUT ONLINE: WWW.SJCCTIMES.COM VOL.2, NO. 4 4.12.11
Difficult decision to close doors SJCC president recommends the center be closed down in order to save money BY LEETA-ROSE BALLESTER TIMES STAFF
A recommendation that the Child Development Center must close at the end of June was announced to the college community in an email presented by San Jose City College President Barbara Kavalier on April 1. According to Kavalier’s email, a district review of the center was conducted last year. That review found that SJCC has “insufficient funds to cover all costs associated with the CDC.” Kavalier addressed the age and condition of the building, writing that it requires “significant maintenance with no funding to cover the costs.” SJCC received one licensing citation in fall 2010 indicating that the CDC “could become a risk to the health, safety or personal rights of children if not corrected.” Kavalier said the decision to close the CDC was “very difficult and distressful” and one that she “had not anticipated making so soon.” Kavalier wrote, “We are committed to bringing back childcare services to SJCC and have begun building a plan for the future of the center.” CDC supervisor, Marcia Chaves, said the CDC was built in 1979 and currently serves 64 children. “This is a service to our students who go to school full-time,” said Chavez. “Statistics show that college students do better when child care is on campus.” Monette Reyes, ECE instructor, said that closing the CDC will affect not only the parents who enroll their children for care, but also the early
childhood education program. “For students who are enrolled in the practicum and student teaching classes, these are our main labs for doing this,” said Reyes. “We rely on our classrooms for easy access. Some students have no resources to visit off campus. These courses are required for state licensing and for students to get their permits.” Reyes said she is unsure about SJCC’s plan for rebuilding the CDC and said, “It is incredibly expensive to start from the ground up, and with budget restrictions, I don’t think this is going to happen at this point.” “I know this decision is a done deal, but I want their promise of the future of CDC. We want discussion with the President to explain the importance,” said Reyes. Aristotle Aquinde, 19, accounting major, was surprised by the proposal to close the CDC. “That’s one of the best qualities our school offers.” Aquinde said. “They will be losing a good asset for the school.”
“Why is our school closing?” The Board of Trusteess will meet on April 12 to make the final decission. Read the follow up article on www.sjcctimes.com
STEPHANIE SMITH / TIMES STAFF
Child Development Center children celebrate ice cream day on April 5 with Mrs. Maria’s class (K-1).
SJCC Lady Jags excel on the field and in the classroom Softball team maintains high GPA while keeping focus, drive to preform at the highest level BY BRANDON BERTHELSEN TIMES STAFF
STEPHANIE SMITH / TIMES STAFF
Lady Jags freshman outfielder, Jacqueline Candelaria warms up to bat against Modesto Junior College on Feb. 22.
The San Jose City College Lady Jaguars softball team proved they can hold themselves on the diamond, taking the No.8 ranking for the NorCal region in 2010, but they play an even stronger game in the classroom. In 2010, the Jags ranked No.1 in academics state wide, with a 3.02 GPA team average, according to the San Jose City College JagSports website, as ranked by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. The Jags also ranked No.1 in 2009 and 2007, No.2 in 2008 and 2006
for California. Studying and training are a full-time job for every player on the team, aside from class time. “We pretty much (just) come to school, we’re here all day. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. sometimes,” Jaguar Vanessa Silva, 20, social sciences major said. The women keep this schedule five days a week, “except for when we have tournaments, then we’re here more.” Poor grades are not met with leniency by the team. After the four hours of daily training and practice, each team member is required to spend an additional three hours for studying on campus “if you have 3.0 or higher, if
you have lower than that you have six hours,” Silva said. Silva said her current GPA is 3.7. While some might find such a hectic schedule taxing, Jaguar Molly Vivo, 19, said that having such a schedule helps them succeed, “Team over self.” “It’s a privilege to be on the team,” and Jaguar Theresa Torres, 19, social sciences major said, “We take it to heart, we work hard nonstop.” “I didn’t know they were ranked so high,” MamaJaguar Bertha Torres, Theresa’s mother said. “I am so proud she is here, playing with such a hardworking, competitive and motivated team.”
NEXT NEWSPAPER: MAY 3 EMAIL US: citycollegetimes@jaguars.sjcc.edu CHECK US OUT ONLINE: www.sjcctimes.com