Principal for a Day at Emerson Parkside Academy Charter School

Just thought you'd like to know that I had the privilege to serve as a Principal for a Day (again), this time at Emerson Parkside Academy Charter School at Josie and Willow in the 5th District.

Emerson Parkside Academy Charter School is one of 63 elementary schools in Long Beach Unified. It is a charter school that serves 628 students in grades K-5.

What a great school. Dedicated principal (for real) Mark Andreatta who loves the students and took me to every class on the campus. The teachers are fantastic and everyone of them had the kids totally engaged in learning.

It was a treat to meet everyone and to talk with the 3rd graders who met in the auditorium to ask questions of both principals for a day. I have to admit I was outclassed by Sgt. Scott Minkus who came in full police uniform. So thank you for the experience.

Three of my staff also served at other schools: Patrick Henry Elementary, Cubberly Elementary and Helen Keller Elementary.

We had a scare..

The newest member of my extended family, Layne Mancini, had to be hospitalized shortly after her birth.

Haven't prayed in a while, but I did this time.

Fortunately, all is well and baby is home.

Press Telegram Does Excellent Analysis of Benefits of Tesla Motors vs. LB Studios

Click here to read a great article in Press Telegram today about Tesla Motors vs. LB Studios coming to the Boeing property.

My biggest concern at this point is that neither a movie studio nor Tesla Motors will locate in Long Beach.

The Mayor of Downey called me and told me the very same story of why Downey would prefer Tesla Motors over the movie studios that are there. Bottom line: Tesla can create jobs in a very short period of time. He's pretty confident that Downey will get Tesla. Afterall, he and his City Council assembled a "red team" and aggressively marketed Tesla Motors. (Sadly, I couldn't get the City Council, Mayor nor the Chamber of Commerce to assemble a "red team" on this one.)

So when the dust settles and Tesla and LB Studios become (or don't become a reality for Long Beach) I do hope the Press Telegram will do an in-depth analysis of what went wrong so it doesn't happen again.