Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Two Antioch School Board trustees forego reelection to take on Belle for County School Board

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Antioch School Board Trustees Debra Vinson and Walter Ruehlig will challenge incumbent Jeff Belle for County School Board. Photos from AUSD and CCCBOE.

By Allen Payton

Long-serving Antioch School Board Trustee Walter Ruehlig let it be known on Saturday, July 14 that he will not run for reelection and instead join fellow Trustee Debra Vinson and take on County School Board Vice President Jeff Belle in November’s election.

While Vinson, finishing her first and rather contentious term on the Antioch School Board, didn’t officially announce her campaign, she did ride in a car in the Antioch July 4th Parade with a sign indicating her decision to run for the county board. In 2017 Vinson was censured by her fellow board members for her interactions with district employees. (See related article). She was also passed over for the board presidency, following her year as Vice President. (See related article).

On one issue all three will most likely agree, which is approving private charter schools. Both Vinson and Ruehlig were two of the three board members who, earlier this year, voted in favor of the East Bay Tech Academy middle and high charter school petitions, and Ruehlig was one of the three who voted for the Rocketship elementary charter school petition in 2016. Belle has voted against one and approved five other charter schools while on the county board.

“I have decided definitely to run for Area 5 County Board of Education,” Ruehlig stated, following rumors of the possibility.

In his official announcement, he wrote:

I will be submitting my candidacy papers on Monday, July 16th to run for Area 5 of the County Board of Education, which covers Antioch, Bay Point, Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Clyde, Knightsen, Oakley, and Pittsburg.
In June of 1968, I dedicated myself to public service and youth education when I taught English for the Peace Corps in Sultandag, a rural village in Turkey that had no electricity.  Fifty years later, the idealism continues.

I believe that that my twelve-year service, with three years as President, on the Antioch School Board, and my experience with the Pittsburg Unified School District as a California Department of Rehabilitation Workability Program Director for adults with disabilities and as a career counselor, have given me useful insight into County Trustee duties.  I am excited by the challenge of overseeing career training programs, special education, community day schools, and facilities for incarcerated juveniles.

I was a late-bloomer myself but, fortunately, had teachers who didn’t give up on me. I eventually caught fire and worked my way through college.  My passion for sharing opportunity and persisting with high-risk, disadvantaged or under motivated students is my way of returning thanks.

Aside from counseling, teaching and administrative background, I feel I have the proven temperament and intangible skill sets requisite for good governance.

I enjoy communication and transparency. I am open, creative and innovative but believe in sober budgeting, no-nonsense classroom behavior standards and back to the basics core curriculum.  I am pragmatic and put my ego at the door to focus on getting the task at hand done one building block at a time.  In this age of divisiveness, I am proud to say that I can get along without always going along. I am a consensus-builder but no pushover. I cannot be bullied or bought.

I look forward to meeting the voters of Area 5, hearing their concerns, and presenting my vision. I welcome their scrutiny and would be honored by their support. I pledge not to let them, or their kids, down.

Walter Ruehlig

Candidate, Area 5

Contra Costa County Board of Education

Incumbent Jeff Belle

Elected in 2014, Belle has faced a variety of controversies before and during his term on the County School Board. In January 2016, Belle admitted to claiming he was a respiratory care practitioner even though he didn’t have a license and was fined $8,200 by the state. (See related article).

In December 2016, facing prosecution by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office for lying on his ballot statement, Belle admitted in court that he didn’t have a college degree which he claimed. He agreed to community service to avoid a trial and possible fine of up to $1,000. (See related article)

He and his wife had to move from their home in Antioch in spring of 2015 for failure to pay rent, due to a loss of his wife’s job and Belle not earning enough through his consulting business. They separated and Mrs. Belle moved to Sacramento. As a result, questions have arisen about Belle’s residency. He rented rooms in other people’s homes in the district. The two have since reconciled and Belle now splits his time between his wife’s place and a home in the district.

In 2017 Belle suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized. Recently, he posted a fundraising effort on his Facebook page to help him pay off his medical bills. The total raised was $50 from former County School Board Trustee Richard Asadoorian.

Recently, Belle has served as a producer for a TV show entitled Modern Ageless Beauty for women over age 40.

Filing opens on July 16th and closes August 10th if Belle decides to seek reelection, which is expected. If not, the filing period will be extended to August 15th. The election will be held on Tuesday, November 6th.

Contra Costa College District career education programs recognized as “Strong Workforce Stars”

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All three Contra Costa Community College District (District) colleges have been recognized by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office as Strong Workforce Stars. Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College and Los Medanos College all had career education programs recognized as Strong Workforce Stars.

California Community Colleges Strong Workforce Stars is a leg of the state’s Strong Workforce Program aimed at recognizing and celebrating colleges’ career education programs whose students show significant gains in three key areas identified as essential for advancing social mobility: substantial increase in earnings, attainment of a living wage and employment in a job related to their field of study.

“At the Contra Costa Community College District, one of our main goals is to provide superior educational programs that lead to career ladder opportunities for our students. This recognition for our colleges affirms that what we collectively are doing yields successful outcomes,” explained Drew Douglass, Senior Dean of Workforce and Economic Development. “We have dedicated and passionate teams of faculty and staff that tirelessly and effectively serve our students. The fact that each of the colleges in the District received this level of recognition truly is a testament to that.”

“Strong Workforce Stars Career Education programs are proven to help Californians increase their earning power,” said Van Ton-Quinlivan, Executive Vice Chancellor for Workforce & Digital Futures at the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. “With the introduction of levels this year, we are able to highlight those programs that are seeing significant results, as well as those that are on the rise toward even greater success.”

The Strong Workforce Program is sustained by an annual recurring investment of $200 million in order to improve and increase career education outcomes in California Community Colleges. Now in its second year, Strong Workforce Stars receive awards in three categories: Gold Stars for graduates who achieved strong outcomes in all three key areas; Silver Star for graduates who demonstrated strong outcomes in two key areas; and Bronze Star for graduates who met a high bar in one key area. To see which college programs received gold, silver and bronze stars and to explore a list of all career education programs available, please visit our college websites:

Contra Costa College: https://www.contracosta.edu/career-education/

Diablo Valley College: https://www.dvc.edu/academics/programs.html

Los Medanos College: http://www.losmedanos.edu/cte/

For more information about the Strong Workforce Stars Program, visit http://www.dwmshowcase.com/workforce_stars.asp.

2018-2019 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year finalists named

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Two of the four will be chosen and announced at annual dinner in September

The following four teachers have been named as the 2018-2019 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year (TOY) Finalists: Shanna Gagnon, San Ramon Valley Unified School District; Kelly Perkins, Mt. Diablo Unified School District; Rosie Reid, Mt. Diablo Unified School District; and Andrea Salas, Martinez Unified School District. Two of these four finalists will be chosen in late September and will represent Contra Costa County in the California State TOY Program.

For the entire listing of the 22 Contra Costa County TOYs, class of 2018-2019, please see below.

Shanna Gagnon. Photo by SRVUSD

With a slight detour towards her teaching career, Shanna Gagnon started in the business world right after college. Though she was quite successful in her corporate work, as an accountant and later as a buyer, she felt it lacked purpose. Fortunately, for the six-year history/iQuest teacher and her students, she found her purpose in teaching. For the past five years she has been teaching at California High School, in San Ramon. Before coming to California High, she taught history for two years with the Martinez and the Acalanes School districts.

Kelly Perkins, a life skills and remedial math and language arts instructor, chose teaching special education classes because

Kelly Perkins. Photo by MDUSD

she enjoys guiding her students to become independent thinkers and learners. For the past 10 years, Perkins has been a special day class teacher at Ygnacio Valley High School, in Concord. In addition, her 27-year teaching career includes special education instruction for two elementary schools, as well as continuing to serve as an adjunct professor for the Education Specialist Program at St. Mary’s College, in Moraga, since 1988.

Rosanne “Rosie” Reid. Photo by MDUSD

Rosanne “Rosie” Reid was certainly destined to teach English, with her enormous appetite to read books from an early age. Reid was the best customer when the book mobile would come to town, and she would always walk away with a new tower of books to take on. For the past two years, Reid has taught English/ELD at Northgate High School, in Walnut Creek. Her 16 years of instruction includes teaching high school English courses at Piedmont High School, in Piedmont and John O’Connell High School, in San Francisco.

Andrea Salas grew up with an absolute love for her time in school, so much so, she “held class” for her fellow neighborhood

Andrea Salas (right) with County Superintendent Karen Sakata. Photo by CCCOE.

kids on her front lawn, during the summers. Following college, Salas began her teaching career with Teach for America, where the Los Angeles native brought her education love and skills up north to the Oakland Unified School District’s classrooms for five years. Next, she began teaching mathematics, statistics and computer science at Alhambra High School, in Martinez, and has been there for the past 19 years.

The county’s TOY program is directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE). With such a high caliber of teaching professionals to draw from, the CCCOE’s TOY program uses a three-stage selection process, with a point and percentage system to determine the final candidates as follows:

I Application Screening:

On April 13, a committee of 10 judges, representing the county’s education, business, and public-sector partners carefully reviewed the TOY representative applications submitted by the school districts. This committee independently read and rated each application. After the application screening and scoring were completed, four teachers will be selected to advance to the next two phases as finalists.

II Classroom Observation and Interview:

April 24-May 25, a small committee of education specialists and business partners will observe the four finalists interacting with their students. Immediately following, the committee will interview the candidates, discussing topics such as their teaching philosophy and techniques.

III Speech Presentation:

On July 24, the four TOY finalists will each give a three- to five-minute speech to another panel of a dozen educators, business, and public-sector representatives who will judge the finalists on their speech and presentation skills.

On the evening of September 27, 2018, all 22 TOYs, accompanied by their families, friends, and co-workers (an audience of close to 500) will be honored at the annual Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Dinner Celebration, held at the Hilton Concord. Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata, who serves as master of ceremonies, will introduce all 22 TOYs to the attendees. This will be followed by the four finalists giving their three- to five-minute speeches (same speeches given in July) to the filled banquet room. Finally, the night will come to a dramatic conclusion with the announcement of the two 2018-2019 Contra Costa County Teachers of the Year.

Contra Costa County’s school districts 2018-19 Teachers of the Year

Currently, there are approximately 8,401 teachers educating more than 176,000 students in Contra Costa County’s public schools. To recognize their efforts and bring much-deserved honor to the teaching profession, the participating school districts in the county recently named their Teachers of the Year (TOY) representatives. (See list below.) The upcoming school year’s 22 TOYs represent 17 (of 18) Contra Costa County school districts, the Contra Costa Community College District, and the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE). Most of these representatives, those who teach grades K thru 12, are eligible to compete in the Contra Costa County TOY competition. The two top teachers in the county TOY program will represent Contra Costa County in the California State TOY Program this coming fall.

The county’s TOY program is directed by the CCCOE. With such a high caliber of teaching professionals to draw from, (21 teachers eligible), the CCCOE’s TOY program uses a three-stage selection process, with a point and percentage system to determine the final candidates as follows:

2018-2019 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Representatives:

  • Lynn Alamillo, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, Bella Vista Elementary
  • Glen Barker, Contra Costa County Office of Education, Northgate High School
  • Joanne Chen, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Mira Vista School
  • Shanna Gagnon, San Ramon Valley Unified School District, California High School
  • Cherie Giannotti, John Swett Unified School District, Carquinez Middle School
  • Elizabeth Gonzalez, Liberty Union High School District, Heritage High School
  • Bonnie Ha, Walnut Creek School District, Buena Vista Elementary School
  • Katie Halberg, Brentwood Union School District, Mary Casey Black Elementary School
  • Carol Levin, Orinda Union School District, Glorietta Elementary School
  • Cecil Nasworthy, CC Community College District, Los Medanos College
  • Barry Penning, Byron Union School District, Discovery Bay Elementary School
  • Kelly Perkins, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Ygnacio Valley High School
  • Erik Radkiewicz, West Contra Costa Unified School District, Pinole Valley High School
  • Rosie Reid, Mt. Diablo Unified School District, Northgate High School
  • Michael Ruibal, Pittsburg Unified School District, Black Diamond High School
  • Andrea Salas, Martinez Unified School District, Alhambra High School
  • George Seymour, Oakley Union Elementary School District, O’Hara Park Middle School
  • Michelle Stark, Antioch Unified School District, Deer Valley High School
  • Karlene Steelman, Moraga School District, Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School
  • Katherine Walton, Acalanes Union High School District, Acalanes High School
  • Scott Westphal, Lafayette School District, Burton Valley Elementary School
  • Melissa Anne Wunschel, Knightsen Elementary School District, Knightsen Elementary

Note regarding eligible participants:

  • Seventeen of the eighteen Contra Costa County school districts represented, and the CCCOE are participating in this year’s TOY program.
  • Each year, one instructor from Contra Costa Community College District is submitted to the TOY program for his/her outstanding body of work with their designated college. The colleges rotate each year between Diablo Valley, Los Medanos, and Contra Costa. (These instructors do not compete in the State Teacher of the Year competition.) This year is Los Medaonos College’s turn.
  • Due to the larger number of students and teachers in their districts, West Contra Costa USD, Mt. Diablo USD, and San Ramon Valley USD are allowed to submit two TOY candidates

“We are extremely proud of these tremendous educators,” said Karen Sakata, Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools. “They were thoughtfully chosen to represent their schools and districts, and truly represent what is best about public education.”

Follow Contra Costa County’s Teacher of the Year program on Twitter: #cocotoy

Contra Costa DA charges Vallejo teacher with possession of child porn, other child sex related crimes

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Also charged with attempted lewd acts with a child and online enticement of a child

Andrew Lund from the Glen Cove Elementary School website.

On Friday April 20, 2018, Andrew Lund, a 36-year-old Vallejo elementary school teacher, was formally charged by the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office with possession of child pornography, arranging to meet a minor for sex, enticing a minor online, sending harmful material to a minor and attempted lewd acts with a child.

Between April 7, 2018 and April 17, 2018, Lund communicated with an undercover police officer, believing he was talking with a 14-year-old girl. Lund sent harmful material to the undercover officer, with the intent that it be seen by a minor and made arrangements to meet the minor in Concord, California for sex.

On April 19, 2018, a search warrant was executed at Lund’s residence in Vallejo. Investigators seized electronics from his home, and after an initial review, determined at least one item contained child pornography. Lund was arrested during the service of the search warrant. Lund as booked at the Contra Costa County Detention Facility in Martinez and he is being held on $3 million bail.

Investigators immediately notified the administration at Glen Cove Elementary School. Additional electronic devices were seized from Lund’s classroom and office at the school pursuant to a search warrant. Lund currently serves as a teacher supervisor for the school and teaches two classes a day to fifth graders.

Lund will make his initial appearance in front of the Honorable Christopher Bowen on Monday April 23, 2018 at 8:45 a.m. in Martinez. Lund remains in the custody of the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy District Attorney Jay Melaas is the lead prosecutor on behalf of the People in this case.

Lund has previously taught in Wisconsin, Glenn County (California), Shasta County, San Diego County and Solano County.

This investigation in ongoing and includes determining if Lund acted inappropriately towards any current or former students. Anyone with information can contact Senior Inspector Darryl Holcombe at 925-957-2263 or by e-mail at dholcombe@contracostada.org. Information regarding Lund’s employment with the Vallejo City Unified School District can contact their administrative offices at 707-556-8921.

The investigation was conducted by a multi-agency Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is managed by the San Jose Police Department. In Contra Costa County, detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Martinez, San Ramon, Concord and Moraga Police Departments, the Sheriff’s Office, Contra Costa County Probation Department and Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office participate in the task force. Substantial assistance was provided by the Vallejo Police Department.

Parents are encouraged to discuss online safety with their children, and can visit the website www.kidsmartz.org for further information.

Case information: People v. Lund, Dockett Number 01-185460-3

College district, Los Medanos College hold groundbreaking ceremony for new Brentwood Center campus

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Los Medanos College Associated Students (LMCAS) president, Marco McMullen, college district trustees Gary Walker-Roberts, Vicki Gordon, Greg Enholm, with Chancellor Fred Wood (grey tie), Board President John Marquez and LMC President Kratochvil (far right) dig in for the ceremonial groundbreaking of the new LMC Brentwood Center, Wed., April 18, 2018. Photo by Timothy Leong.

Board Vice President takes shots at fellow trustee

By Allen Payton

Contra Costa Community College District (4CD) board members were joined by college district staff, City of Brentwood and other officials, and education supporters on Wednesday, April 18 to celebrate the official groundbreaking of the new Brentwood Center campus of Los Medanos College (LMC). The new site is located at Pioneer Square and Miwok Place in Brentwood (near the intersection of Vineyards Parkway and Marsh Creek Road, just off of Highway 4).

Dr. Bob Kratochvil, President of LMC opening remarks and offered introductions, including Board President John Marquez who in turn introduced Board Vice President and Ward 4 Trustee Gary Walker-Roberts whose ward the new campus will be located.

Without naming Ward 3 BoardTrustee Greg Enholm, Walker-Roberts took a dig at him for his opposition to locating the center in Brentwood, saying it will be built in spite of “resistance from a particular board member.” Enholm campaigned twice on locating the new campus near the Laurel Road interchange with Highway 4, closer in either Antioch or Oakley. However, the college district didn’t own that land and was donated the land on which the new campus will be built.

Walker-Roberts gave credit to former Student Trustee Debora Van Eckhardt, who used to live in Brentwood, for her efforts, as well as the students who spoke out in favor of the Brentwood location.

Only four board members were in attendance including Board Secretary and Ward 2 Trustee Vicki Gordon. That’s because the fifth member, former Board President and Ward 5 Trustee, Tim Farley resigned in February, following the revelation of sexual harassment allegations from five years earlier and an impending investigation. (See related articles, here and here). The board will appoint his replacement to fill the vacancy.

Walker-Roberts paid tribute to the Native Americans in the area, the Miwoks, and then the “Latinx” (which according to the Oxford English Dictionary is “used as a gender-neutral or non-binary alternative to Latino or Latina”) community, who lived in the area.

“There was a last-minute attempt, yes by the same trustee, to delay the shovels,” Walker-Roberts said, taking another not so subtle jab at Enholm.

He then thanked Student Trustee Jessica Cisneros for her efforts to make sure “the shovels were in the ground.”

“This has been an exciting time for the 4CD…to see this dream become a reality, today,” Walker-Roberts concluded.

College district Chancellor, Dr. Fred Wood was next to share his thoughts.

“Raul Rodriguez started the Brentwood Center and former President Pete García continued the effort,” he said, giving tribute to the two former leaders of LMC.

“You couldn’t have a more beautiful site…with the views of Mt. Diablo,” Wood pointed out.

View of Mt. Diablo from the new LMC Brentwood Center campus. Photo by Allen Payton

“I want to thank President Bob Kratochvil,” he said. “Without him and his staff we wouldn’t be standing here, today.”

Wood ended his remarks by saying “At the end of the day, it’s for you. We want to thank you for your patience in getting us through the process. It’s going to be an absolute wonderful facility for East County.”

The new one-story Center, designed by Ratcliff Architects, will be approximately 55,000 square feet.  The project will be constructed on a 17.5 parcel purchased by Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) in 2011.  It will feature instructional classrooms, science labs, student support services, library resources, tutorial labs, bookstore and food service areas, “linger and learn” space, faculty/staff offices, and more than 700 parking stalls.  The current Brentwood Center, located in a leased facility at 101A Sand Creek Road in Brentwood, first opened in 2001.  The existing space consists of 22,000 square feet and serves approximately 2,800 students – accounting for about one-third of LMC’s enrollment.

The permanent $65 million facility is made possible through funding from CCCCD Bond Measures A (2006) and E (2014), thanks to support from voters in Contra Costa County.  Construction is expected to be completed in 18-24 months, with the new Brentwood Center projected to open in Spring 2020. It will replace the current Brentwood Center located on Sand Creek Road near Brentwood Blvd.

Los Medanos College to hold groundbreaking ceremony for new Brentwood Center

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Los Medanos College (LMC) will be holding a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Brentwood Center on Wednesday, April 18, at 1:00 p.m. at the site of the future facility.  The new site is located at Pioneer Square and Miwok Place in Brentwood (near the intersection of Vineyards Parkway and Marsh Creek Road, just off of Highway 4).  The public is welcome to attend and the event is free; RSVPs are not required, and complimentary parking will be available.

This groundbreaking ceremony celebrates upcoming construction of a permanent Brentwood Center, which will expand and enhance learning opportunities for LMC students and Contra Costa County residents in the easternmost part of the College’s service area.  The new one-story Center, designed by Ratcliff Architects, will be approximately 55,000 square feet.  The project will be constructed on a 17.5 parcel purchased by Contra Costa Community College District (CCCCD) in 2011.  It will feature instructional classrooms, science labs, student support services, library resources, tutorial labs, bookstore and food service areas, “linger and learn” space, faculty/staff offices, and more than 700 parking stalls.  The current Brentwood Center, located in a leased facility at 101A Sand Creek Road in Brentwood, first opened in 2001.  The existing space consists of 22,000 square feet and serves approximately 2,800 students – accounting for about one-third of LMC’s enrollment.

The permanent $65 million facility is made possible through funding from CCCCD Bond Measures A (2006) and E (2014), thanks to support from voters in Contra Costa County.  Construction is expected to be completed in 18-24 months, with the new Brentwood Center projected to open in Spring 2020.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Adams, jadams@losmedanos.edu or (925) 473-7302.

County Interfaith Council makes preparations for impending Westboro Baptist Church protests

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Westboro Baptist Church protesters. Photo: Westboro Baptist Church website.

Controversial Kansas church to protest churches and a school in Contra Costa

In their public statement in response to an announcement by the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) of Topeka, Kansas to target four churches and a school in Contra Costa County this weekend, the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County stands in solidarity with those congregations and schools in our county that the WBC plans to visit this weekend.

Four press releases on their Picket Schedule page of their website state, “WBC to peacefully preach Jesus Christ, with great zeal, love & fervor at four locations in Walnut Creek, CA on Sunday, March 25th”. A fifth press release states, “Lord willing, WBC will bring the name & message of Christ Jesus to Rancho Romero Elementary School” in Alamo, on Tuesday, March 27th.

That last press releases gives an explanation for the protest stating, “A horrible thing has happened in the land and we must warn the children at Rancho Romero Elementary School, because they deserve to hear the truth for once in their lives! ‘A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?’ (Jeremiah 5:30-31)  From the cradle, your parents, teachers, preachers and leaders have all lied to you. They all told you that there is no standard in the earth, and that God’s commands are merely suggestions, if they spoke of them at all. The worst part is that they did this horrendous thing to you to justify their own sins. The result is that you are left rudderless and without a polestar in this sea of lies with absolutely no hope in life, nor any hope of heaven when you die.”

The school is part of the San Ramon Valley Unified School District.

The WBC is listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks such groups nationally.  They proselytize all those groups who don’t believe like they do.  They have been known to attempt to entrap municipalities or counter protesters for “not protecting their first amendment rights of free speech” in order to bring law suits against them.

A press release from the Interfaith Council and East County Shared Ministry, offered the following information about the protests and proposed response:

The Interfaith Council stands with all of those who peacefully use their first amendment rights of the freedom of religion and the freedom of association and assembly as they attend the faith community of their choice.  We call all Americans to honor the choices others make as to how, when or where to worship according to their own consciences.  We call not only for tolerance of other people’s religious freedoms, but for respect, care and love for our fellow Americans as they do so.

The four congregations in Walnut Creek (St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist; First Church of Christ, Scientist; and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception) being targeted by the WBC ask that people who join them in solidarity focus on our common love, whether it be with those with whom you agree or those with whom you disagree.  Most congregations won’t have a direct response and are encouraging members not to respond to the protesters directly, but to have a gentle, peaceful or silent response if at all.  Another way to support these congregations in this peaceful witness is to join them inside for their services, where you will be most welcome.

The churches and the school are most interested in being able to be left alone to worship and carry on normal school functions, so we are not encouraging a large crowd. The idea is not to give WBC the attention they crave.

WBC has contacted the police in each city, who have created plans for where the protesters will be allowed to stand.  The police will keep the driveways and walkways open.  The police have been told it will be four people with many offensive signs, but we don’t know how many local protesters they may have recruited so it could be more.

If anyone comes to counter protest, please know that the congregations are united in responding with love, peace and grace and ask you to honor and follow their approach.  Parking will be quite limited near some congregations, especially those on the dead-end street of Eckley Lane, where only street parking may be available to preserve enough space for congregation members.

The Rancho Romero Elementary School in Alamo, where the WBC will be protesting on Tuesday morning, March 27, is in a residential neighborhood without enough room to park and is usually quite crowded as students are being dropped off for school.  Those wishing to be a peaceful presence will be dressed for the weather and using rainbow umbrellas to block the hateful message of the protesters.  They will be meeting early to park a mile to the north in the Safeway shopping center parking lots and walking south on the Ironhorse Trail as there are no safe sidewalks on Danville Blvd to walk there upon.

East County Shared Ministry (Community Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg and First Congregational Church of Antioch) stands in solidarity with those congregations and schools in our county targeted by Westboro Baptist Church (WBC).

Again, parents are asking that no counter protesters attend unless you make a commitment not to verbally or physically engage with WBC and be a part of their peaceful, protective presence.  A large crowd will not be necessary to ignore them and protect the children.  If you must attend, please follow these guidelines they have laid out:

The Rainbow Umbrella Mindset

  1. Focus on Loving Kiddos & Ignoring WBC
  • #1: Do not engage with WBC.  If you find ignoring WBC challenging, please stay home.
  • Show up in solidarity for all kiddos in our community.
  • Turn your back on hate. Get to know your neighbors.
  • Model positive adult behavior, not only for the small kiddos but also especially for the high school students, who may attend. Fold in the young adults, keeping things under control. Take this opportunity to talk to them.
  1. Love in Action is Safe, Not Angry or Scary
  • Think quiet, calm, reassuring, warm, and relaxed.
  • Think smiles, waves, laughter, and singing.
  • No yelling, no chanting, and no anger. (If this sounds hard, please stay home.)
  • Send loving messages (verbal/clothing/signs), telling all children that they are safe and celebrated.
  1. Protect the School by Staying Off School Property
  • Be a barrier of love that shields the school.
  • Be aware. Please do not go on school property for any reason.
  • We are not guests of the school. They are not hosting us.
  • Keep cars parked far away, using trail access to avoid Danville Blvd.
  1. Leave the Area Better than You Found It
  • Backpacks are best.
  • No bathrooms will be available.
  • Be a good neighbor by bringing a trash bag to clean up litter at the end.
  • Help minimize any disruption or additional clean up for the school, the law enforcement support, and the surrounding neighborhoods.

About the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County

The Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County (ICCCC) is an autonomous local organization solely governed by its own Executive Committee, elected by the membership at the Council’s annual meeting. There are over 100 congregations and organizations holding membership and affiliation from a wide range of Christian and other faith traditions throughout Contra Costa County, including Jewish, Buddhist, Baha’i, Unitarian, Islamic, Sikh, Unity, Latter-Day Saints, and Religious Science.

About East County Shared Ministry

East County Shared Ministry consists of Community Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg and First Congregational Church of Antioch. ECSM recognizes, celebrates and gives thanks for the many diverse gifts of God among us. All are invited to participate in community and worship life including, but not limited to, believers, seekers, agnostics, women and men, those of all sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions, those of all races and cultures, those of all classes and abilities, those who hope for a better world and those who have lost hope.

Diablo Valley College – Pleasant Hill Campus closed due to threat Thursday will reopen Friday

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The Diablo Valley College-Pleasant Hill Campus will reopen and resume all scheduled classes, student services, and activities on Friday, March 23, 2018.  The San Ramon Campus will resume its regular schedule of Friday closure.

As a precaution, all classes and college activities at the Diablo Valley College (DVC)-Pleasant Hill Campus were cancelled today, March 22, 2018, due to a potentially serious threat made against the campus.

The college found graffiti threatening the use of a firearm on the DVC-Pleasant Hill Campus.  The situation is under investigation and so we are unable to share any further details at this time. DVC staff and students have been notified of this decision. All classes at the Diablo Valley College-San Ramon Campus, Contra Costa College, and Los Medanos College, are continuing as scheduled.

The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority.  Additional information will be placed on the college website at www.dvc.edu as it becomes available and so we are unable to share any further details at this time. DVC staff and students have been notified of this decision. All classes at the Diablo Valley College-San Ramon Campus, Contra Costa College, and Los Medanos College, are continuing as scheduled.

 

The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority.  Additional information will be placed on the college website at www.dvc.edu as it becomes available.