Schools : Education news : CYPRESS / Physics Has Leverage at Elementary Level

Science students at the city’s elementary schools are taking a practical approach to physics this fall, tackling such calculations as the caloric values of foods and the gear ratios of machinery.

The renewed emphasis on real-life situations is the result of a special summer training program for teachers at the district’s 10 schools.

The district has made a commitment to offer a strong science curriculum, officials said.

“This staff development effort and the resulting improvement in science instruction will . . . stimulate students to explore and learn more about their world,” said William Eller, district superintendent.

Training in the sciences is essential if students are to find good jobs later, said Sherry Hanson, science mentor for the district, adding that labor statistics show scientific-technical jobs to be one of the fastest-growing fields.

The summer program was especially helpful for faculty members who are teaching science but whose college degrees are in other areas, Hanson said.

LAKE FOREST / Serrano Opens Windows to Public

Serrano Intermediate School has new multimedia software that runs on the Microsoft Windows 95 operating system and is inviting the community to stop by and look it over.

On Wednesday, Family Technology Night, the school’s staff, students and their parents will demonstrate the latest computer programs available for education.

The free event begins at 7 p.m. at the school, 24642 Jeronimo Road.

Information: (714) 586-3221.

McPherson Dealers Donate $165,800

Five Team McPherson auto dealerships have donated $165,800 to more than 450 schools and educational organizations in Orange County to help make up funding shortfalls from the county’s bankruptcy.

Company founder Joe McPherson inaugurated the program in May by pledging to donate $50 for every car sold or leased by his dealerships through Labor Day.

CYPRESS / Commission Picks 7 High School Students

Seven high school students have been tapped for the city’s 1995-96 Youth Commission.

Panel members are Annie Liu, Nancy Chen, Olivia Chang and Sharon Do, all seniors at Cypress High School; Stephanie Wardle, a sophomore at Cypress High; Stephen Mealey, a junior at Cypress High; and Lena Kasahara, a senior at Brethren Christian High.

The commission, appointed by the City Council, acts as an advisory board on programs for and issues affecting young people.

--BY BILL BILLITER, JEFF BEAN AND RUSS LOAR