John Muir

BURBANK — Administrators at John Muir Middle School jumped ahead of a few other schools this month by cementing plans to install new auditorium curtains by the end of November. Burbank Unified School District board members approved a list of purchase orders at their Oct. 18 meeting that included more than $15,000 for rigging, installation and materials for new stage drapes at Muir. The funds for the project are being taken out of the school’s share in a one-time grant from the state for physical education, art and music, per the wishes of its council and leadership teams, while other schools in the district that also need new drapes are waiting for district administrators and officials to research costs and find funding methods.

For most people, flying happens only on commercial airplanes or in their dreams. John Muir Middle School teacher Stacie Crowther has made dreams come true for hundreds of children while following her own as a volunteer pilot in the National Young Eagles program at Whiteman Airport in Pacoima. Crowther has been taking young people interested in learning more about aeronautics into the wild blue yonder once a month for the past two years as part of the program. She's now cleared to fly commercially but said she really loves donating her time helping youngsters realize their piloting potential.

Rabbi Richard Flom stood on the bema — the raised platform at the front of the synagogue and proceeded with a crash course in conservative Judaism. Addressing 115 John Muir Middle School students, he explained the 12 tribes of Israel, the ark, the presence of the Israeli flag and the Torah. “You will notice unlike the books you are used to this goes from right to left,” Flom said. “Hebrew is written right to left. You will see the Hebrew on the right-hand side and the English translation on the left-hand side.

Robert Blechl HILLSIDE DISTRICT -- Early registration for Burbank American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), Region 254, will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at John Muir Middle School. Children 4 1/2 to 8 years old are eligible to sign up for the 2000 season. The fee for those who sign up Saturday is $65. The fee for signing up during regular registration, which will be held Sunday through March 15, is $75. After March 15, registration is $85, officials said.

Tim Willert Bruce Osgood, a longtime Burbank resident and former Burbank High assistant principal, is returning after three years to become the school's new principal. The school board voted unanimously this week to reassign Osgood from John Muir Middle School, where he has served as principal since 1999. "As a parent and a longtime administrator, Bruce is committed to improving student learning achievement and supporting staff," Supt. Gregory Bowman said.

Gary Moskowitz BURBANK -- After more than four years of work and $50,000 in modernization spending, the school district is entering the third phase of its comprehensive construction program. New classrooms, parking, playgrounds, lunch shelters, amphitheaters and window replacements have been added to seven Burbank schools in the last two years. New windows, air conditioning, insulation and sound mitigation items are aspects of current modernization work underway at the Burbank Adult School.

The following incidents were taken from police reports. BURBANK VILLAGE Intersection of North Glenoaks Boulevard and East Palm Avenue: A 22-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of possession of drug paraphernalia after police stopped him as drove his car with the hazard lights on. MEDIA DISTRICT WEST 4000 block of Warner Boulevard: A woman at Warner Bros. returned to the office Wednesday to find a pair of Los Angeles Lakers tickets missing, police said.

The John Muir Middle and Burbank High schools string instrument musicians showcase their talents in a free winter concert at 7 p.m. Thursday in Muir's auditorium, 1111 N. Kenneth Road. It's the first time the two schools have given a concert only with strings, Muir Instrumental Music Director Steven New said. Joining New on the conductor's podium will be Dean Immel, instrumental music director at Burbank High School. Although the two schools have played together in concerts for the past three years, this is the first year the program is at Muir because of construction at the high school auditorium.

Gary Moskowitz BURBANK -- The school board officially recognized seven Burbank teachers as Teachers of the Year at the board's Oct. 18 meeting. The seven teachers, who were selected by their peers, were awarded for their exceptional service, teaching excellence and dedication to children and the profession during the 2001-02 school year. Pictured is Joe Peterson of Monterey High School, Randy Badders of Magnolia Park School, Carol Flesher of John Muir Middle School, Valerie Beidelman of Burbank High School, Joanne Naus of David Starr Jordan Middle School and Lisa Raluy of Luther Burbank Middle School.

Muir principal makes it official HILLSIDE DISTRICT -- Burbank Unified school board members recently named Dan Hacking as principal of John Muir Middle School. Hacking was named interim principal last year after then-principal Bruce Osgood was reassigned to Burbank High School. Hacking, a former John Burroughs High School social studies teacher, spent four years as a summer school administrator before being appointed assistant principal at John Muir in 1999.