CITY HEIGHTS: City Heights residents have two new recreation areas: A 600-foot-long pedestrian/bike path near Central Elementary School, and Cherokee Point Neighborhood Park near Cherokee Point Elementary School.
The city recently celebrated the completion of Teralta History Lane near Polk and Central avenues and Cherokee Point Neighborhood Park at 38th and Wightman streets. About $2.8 million in federal, state and local funds was spent on the two projects, which cover nearly 3 acres.
Teralta History Lane includes restrooms, benches, landscaping and security lighting. Cherokee Point park includes restrooms, pedestrian-and-bike paths, a children's playground, picnic areas and security lighting.
Freshman English classeswill be getting smaller
SAN DIEGO: Those high school discussions on “The Great Gatsby” will get a bit cozier come September.
The San Diego Unified School District will trim class sizes to about 20 students per teacher in freshman English classes. Superintendent Terry Grier said the change is part of a broader effort to engage ninth-graders and lower dropout rates.
The district will assign about 45 teachers to ninth-grade English classrooms to accommodate the reduced class sizes. The jobs will come from a pool of about 150 teachers who have yet to receive their assignments for September.
Tickets being sold forToast to Hillcrest event
HILLCREST: The nonprofit Hillcrest History Guild is selling tickets for its second annual Toast to Hillcrest charity event, set for Aug. 14.
Participants can enjoy wine, spirits and appetizers at numerous neighborhood restaurants and bars. A double-decker bus will provide transportation.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Hillcrest History Guild. Tickets are $19 per person before Aug. 1 and $25 after that date.
Visit www.hillcresthistory.org to purchase tickets.
Gang prevention coalitiongets $258,000 from feds
SAN DIEGO: The Coalition of Neighborhood Councils, a nonprofit that supports community-based organizations, has received $258,000 in federal funding to support its youth education and training program.
The grant came from the U.S. Department of Justice and was presented to the coalition Thursday.
The money is for gang prevention and intervention activities to reduce youth criminal activity in southeastern San Diego. Youths ages 14 to 21 are recruited to participate. They receive help to get a General Equivalency Diploma or high school diploma. They also get job-readiness training. In addition, they are encouraged to pursue higher education or advanced job training.
The coalition serves 21 diverse communities that make up southeastern San Diego. Its goal is to build cultural understanding, unity, community pride and civic engagement.
