Blog Topic #11

Blog Topic # 11: Does your CP rely on money or services provided by any public entity? Are the money and services provided in a consistent and reliable manner or is the CP subject to periodic application, approval, re-application, etc? How does this consistency, or lack thereof, affect your CP's operations? Do other people or organizations rely on your CP to provide funding?

Does your CP rely on money or services provided by any public entity?
Yes, my CP relies on the state government to fund the ASES program. The people of California approve this program to schools that meet certain requirements, and the money is provided as a school grant. The San Bruno city is servicing the school to maintain the eligibility of the program.

Are the money and services provided in a consistent and reliable manner or is the CP subject to periodic application, approval, re-application, etc?
The grant renewal for the ASES program is every three years. At the end of the third year my CP has to fill out a form and include many data about the attendees of the program and their progress. For example, if there is low attendance of students then the grant will not be re-approved. It is very important to make sure all the students attend. Students get three misses and the fourth miss will result being kicked out of the program to not ruin the fate of the other children who attend. Attendance is always maintained and sent to officials twice a month. If children are picked up past 6 pm the parents pay a dollar to every minute late. The late fees are then used to fund the ASES program.

How does this consistency, or lack thereof, affect your CP's operations?
As long as everything is consistent then the CP doesn't have to worry, however lack of consistency will result in the riddance of the program. There would be no after school program for the children and therefore my CP's reputation will not be likely well. The school still runs in good shape, but not the program.

Do other people or organizations rely on your CP to provide funding?

My CP does not provide funding, so no one relies on my CP. However if my CP fails to have another grant in three years my CP could cost some of the teachers at the program their jobs.

Blog Topic 10

Blog Topic Ten: Blog about your participation in Call to Action Day. In what ways did the activity reflect one of the themes of we have explored this semester? In what ways did it reflect the hallmarks of the Sisters of Notre Dame? 

I wasn't able to sign up for Call of Action Day because of my work. I was working on that day and didn't have the time to attend an activity. I felt really bad because this would be the first Call to Action Day that I would miss. So I created my own activity to participate in.

At the elementary school where I am currently am volunteering, my CP mentioned that every Wednesday there is a small seminar to third graders and fourth graders about how to code. This is my specialty and degree, so I decided to come in on Wednesday March 25. It was a fun experience because I got to teach some basic code, something I love to do. The teachers had simple handouts and I just went around the classroom and offered advice to struggling children who did not understand. I was happy because when I first started to code it was very hard. It takes time and practice, it is basically learning a new language. I am very happy that teachers are having seminars about code. In my school years I wish I had a little understanding of code and other education options. 

This activity reflects the subsidiarity theme because it is way to spread goodwill to all humans. I gave back to my community by attending their seminar and doing it with the students. I am not doing this for charity, I am committing to this activity and showing the students that code is fun. I even worked on the handouts the children were using. 

This activity reflected the seventh hallmark, which is "We develop holistic learning communities which educate for life". This hallmark reflects how this elementary school is educating children information that is needed for life. Technology is surrounding us, an its very important to be educated on how technology is formed. 

Blog Topic #8

Blog Topic 8: Does your CP ever have recourse to judicial processes as a way of resolving problems or does your CP's work involve the prison system in any way? Describe an example.

My CP does not involve the prison system or has recourse with any judicial processes. My CP works with the school district and the city regarding these matters. However my CP deals with children. One example might be the recent budget cuts for the following year.

During my volunteering times teachers after school were giving out flyers to protest and that same day teachers did not give students homework as a protest. Also, students were making posters stating "Haircuts not paycuts". Judicial processes would be seen as the members of the school district voting for the school budget cuts.

Blog Topic 9

Blog Topic 9: How does your CP interface with local government units? Are there any leaders in particular who've had a key impact on the success or development of your CP?

My CP is the principal of the elementary school. School districts are a type of local government used for a single purpose. The school board is the holder of power and authority of the school district. The school board creates the policies for the district, and the schools in that district must follow the policies.

The principals, in this case my CP, must implement and is responsible that the policies are being placed and followed. The leader or chief of the district is the Superintendent. My CP attends school board meetings and tries to make sure that her school receives the funding and support it needs to benefit teachers and students. One very good recent example that my CP told me about was the latest meeting where the Superintendent of the San Bruno school district decided to give teachers a 20% pay cut. This is a big loss for teachers especially since getting a raise not too long ago. The meeting and decision took place at Allen School. I wish I attended but this happened about two weeks before I knew that I will volunteer for the ASES program.

My CP must have great relationships with the school board. The school district is a great impact on the development and success for the school. When parents see that the school is getting better test results it makes my CP take a proud stance on the work she had done with the school board to provide funding for supporting the students' education. There is not one particular leader, becuase the school board is designed of many members who vote on policies regarding the school distirct and individual schhols.

Another local government is the City of San Bruno. The people of the city of San Bruno helped fund the ASES program through voting. The City of San Bruno plays a big role in how the district recieves its funding and how some policies should take effect.