Ventura County Area Schools in U.S. News 2014 Ranking of Nation's Top High Schools

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In April, U.S. News & World Report published its 2014 ranking of the nation's best public high schools. The rankings were based on data from 31,242 public high schools and from that total, 19,411 schools with high enough enrollment and sufficient data to be ranked.

As in 2013 and 2012, schools were ranked based on: (1) how well students tested in state-level reading and math proficiency, taking into account disadvantaged student scores (who tend to score lower on tests); and (2) college readiness, based on how well schools prepare students for college-level work.

The median college readiness score, measured on a scale of 0 to 100, was 18.17 (it was 14.8 and 16.3 in 2013 and 2012). A readiness index of 100 means that all 12th graders took and passed at least 1 Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate test.

There were 2,026 California high schools and over 2 million students enrolled during the 2011-2012 survey period. To be ranked in California, schools must receive either a gold (top 500 nationally) or silver (top 501 to 2,019 nationally) medal. 415 Callifornia schools received gold or silver medals (down from 501 in 2013).

Rankings of local high schools in the Conejo Valley, Ventura County and adjacent areas and summarized in the table above. There were 14 local schools that received gold or silver medal status and thus were ranked nationally and in California. Last year, Moorpark and Fillmore High Schools were on this list but were not ranked for some reason this year.

Topping the local school rankings for the 2nd year in a row was Foothill Technology High School in Ventura, which moved up 3 places to the 35th top rated school in California. Rounding out the top 5 were Westlake, Malibu, Oak Park and Calabasas High Schools.

Overall our local schools performed quite impressively! 19 out of the 23 schools on the list scored at or above the median college readiness scores.

While the rankings and underlying detailed information are interesting and informative, before coming to any conclusions, do check out the detailed school information available at www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/california.

California's New "Three Feet for Safety" Bike Passing Law Takes Effect September 16th

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Beginning September 16, 2014, a new law takes effect that requires motorists that are passing a bicycle on a highway to have at least 3 feet of clearance from the bicycle. Violations of this new Three Feet for Safety Act (AB 1371) can result in a $35 fine. The fine increases to $220 if the driver collides with the bicyclist while in violation of the law (which if you think about it how would they not be violating the law if they collided...hmm).

This law basically clarifies the existing law, which says cars must pass bicyclists at a "safe distance."

Now let's say you're driving on a two-lane highway like Potrero Road in Thousand Oaks where there's no bike lane and cars are coming the opposite direction as you approach a group of cyclists. What should you do? Obviously slow down so that you can pass with at least 3 feet of clearance after cars coming the other way have passed. Just make sure you're not crossing a double yellow line.

Two lane Potrero Road in Hidden Valley

Two lane Potrero Road in Hidden Valley

According to the California Bicycle Coalition, this law does not prohibit a bicyclist from passing a car by less than 3 feet. But that's because bicyclists present much less risk to car drivers than vice versa.

One may think, how in the world will anyone know if it is 3 feet vs 2 1/2 feet, etc. Short of attaching a yardstick to the side of your car, I guess we'll have to use our best judgment.

Speaking of bicycles...click here for some fun bike paths in and around Ventura County.

Las Virgenes Municipal Water District Adopts Even/Odd Irrigation Schedule

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Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (LVMWD) provides water to over 65,000 residents in Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Westlake Village and unincorporated areas of western Los Angeles County.

In response to the statewide drought, LVMWD has adopted outdoor irrigation restrictions to three days a week. The LVMWD Board of Directors approved this restriction on August 12th.

Properties with even-numbered addresses may irrigate Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Properties with odd-numbered addresses may irrigate Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The restriction applies to potable and recycled water users.

Watering is permitted at any time using a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle, a 5-gallon bucket or a drip irrigation system. Customers will be given time to make adjustments to their irrigation controllers. Enforcement begins September 1st.

Customers violating the outdoor irrigation restrictions and conservation measures below can be fined. After a written warning for the 1st violation, additional violations within a 12 month period can result in fines of $100, $200 and $500. Fifth violations can result in the installation of flow restrictors or even termination of service.

The following conservation measures are in effect:

  • Potable water shall not be us
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City of Simi Valley Level 1 Water Shortage Restrictions Became Effective August 1st

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To comply with the State Water Resources Control Board emergency regulations requiring all water retailers in California to mandate water use reductions, a Level 1 Water Supply Shortage is in effect as of August 1, 2014. The Board of Directors of Waterworks District No. 8 (the Simi Valley City Council) has declared a Level 1 Water Supply Shortage, effective August 1, 2014.

(The Golden State Water Company is currently considering similar restrictions, their customers may reference www.gswater.com for updates. Note – City restrictions apply to Golden State Water Company customers also.)

All residents and businesses provided water by the City of Simi Valley, must immediately:

  •  Reduce landscape irrigation, limiting to 45 minutes per week per irrigation station/zone through October 31 (with exceptions for “smart” controllers, drip or low water emitting fixtures, and stream rotors with 70% efficiency)
  • Fix leaks, breaks, or malfunctions promptly, in no case longer than 72 hours.
  • All residents and businesses within the City of Simi Valley must:
  • Irrigate before 9:00 a.m. or after 5:00 p.m., no more than 15 minutes per irrigation station/zone;
  • Cease any excessive irrigation flow and/or runoff;
  • Cease washing or spraying pavement (or any exterior hard surfaces) with exceptions when necessary, to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards;
  • Only wash a vehicle using a hose with an automatic trigger shut-off nozzle;
  • Use only recirculated water in decorative fountains or water features.

Commercial restrictions within the City of Simi Valley include:

  • Restaurants and bars may only serve water upon customer request;
  • Lodging establishments must provide guests the option to decline daily linen service;
  • Commercial car washes and decorative fountains must use recirculated water.

And irrigation restrictions to customers provided water by the City will change November 1:

  • Further reduce irrigation beginning November 1, 2014 to only 30 minutes per irrigation/zone, through March 31, 2015.

Visit www.bewaterwise.com for water supply updates, water conservation resources, rebates, incentive programs and more. For local information and resources such as Water Wise Gardening in Ventura County, visit www.simivalley.org/waterconservation.

Help Track Recovery From Springs Fire in Point Mugu State Park and Rancho Sierra Vista with Your Cameras

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If you're out and about in Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa and Point Mugu State Park, you may come across one of these photo stands on the trails.

The sign, sponsored by the National Park Service and California State Parks, says the following:

Much of Point Mugu State Park and Rancho Sierra Vista burned in the May 2013 Springs Fire. We are monitoring how the ecosystem responds. YOU CAN HELP!

Place your camera or camera phone on the L-shaped bracket and take a photo of the view (no zoom or filters).

Post your photos using hashtag #springsfire__ to Twitter and flickr.

Photos will be used to create a time-lapse of the recovery. See your photos come to life on our Springs Fire Recovery Map!

While I don't know exactly how many of these photo brackets are out there, I've come across three of them on the Hidden Valley Overlook trail in Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa.

View from SpringsFire03View from SpringsFire04

I'm not the only one that noticed these contraptions. Some folks have posted photos to Twitter already. Like these #SpringsFire04 photos.

City of Oxnard Mandatory Water Conservation Measures Effective 7/29

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The Oxnard City Council declared a Stage 2 Water shortage condition within the City and adopted mandatory water conservation measures to address the ongoing severe drought conditions.  The resolution was adopted during the July 29, 2014 council meeting and became effective immediately.
 
The State Water Resources Board (SWRCB) adopted resolution No 2014-0038 on July 15, 2014, in which SWRCB imposes emergency regulation for statewide urban water conservation. This resolution required that water suppliers, such as the City of Oxnard, implement mandatory conservation measures by August 1, 2014.      
 
The City’s resolution, prohibits and imposes a range of water conservation measures that are designed to reduce consumption of potable water in a variety of uses. Residents, commercial establishments, municipal and schools are required to implement the following water conservation measures:

  1. The use of running water from a hose, pipe, or faucet to clean buildings, pavement, tile, wood, plastic, driveways, parking lots, and other paved surfaces, is prohibited, except for compelling public health and safety reasons. If allowed, a hose with a positive shut-off nozzle must be used;
  2. All restaurants that provide table service shall post, in a conspicuous place, a notice of water shortage conditions and shall refrain from serving water except upon specific request by a customer;
  3. Use of potable water to fill or refill recreational or ornamental lakes, ponds or fountains is prohibited;
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California State Water Board Emergency Conservation Regulations Effective 7/28/14

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In response to the ongoing severe drought, last month the State Water Resources Control Board approved an emergency regulation to ensure water agencies, their customers and state residents increase water conservation in urban settings or face possible fines or other enforcement.

The new conservation regulation is intended to reduce outdoor urban water use. The regulation mandates minimum actions to conserve water supplies for 2014-2015. Most Californians use more water outdoors than indoors. In some areas, 505 or more of daily water use is for lawns and outdoor landscaping.

Many communities and water suppliers have taken bold steps over the years and in this year to reduce water use; however, many have not and much more can and should be done statewide to extend diminishing water supplies.

With this regulation, all Californians will be expected to stop: washing down driveways and sidewalks; watering of outdoor landscapes that cause excess runoff; using a hose to wash a motor vehicle, unless the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle, and using potable water in a fountain or decorative water feature, unless the water is recirculated. The regulation makes an exception for health and safety circumstances.

Larger water suppliers will be required to activate their Water Shortage Contingency Plan to a level where outdoor irrigation restrictions are mandatory. In communities where no water shortage contingency plan exists, the regulation requires that water suppliers either limit outdoor irrigation to twice a week or implement other comparable conservatio

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