Jordan Middle School

Students, administrators and dignitaries joined in a spirited celebration Wednesday to officially dedicate the new athletic field and all-weather track at Burbank High School. Visitors of all stripes said the facility would serve as a source of excitement for student athletes after decades of low-quality playing conditions. Cheerleaders performed as former City Manager Mary Alvord and former Burbank Unified Supt. Gregory Bowman joined city and school district officials in dedicating a large placard that began with the promise: “Together for a better community.

Students, administrators and dignitaries joined in a spirited celebration Wednesday to officially dedicate the new athletic field and all-weather track at Burbank High School. Visitors of all stripes said the facility would serve as a source of excitement for student athletes after decades of low-quality playing conditions. Cheerleaders performed as former City Manager Mary Alvord and former Burbank Unified Supt. Gregory Bowman joined city and school district officials in dedicating a large placard that began with the promise: “Together for a better community.

BURBANK ? Football players at Burbank High are chomping at the bit to get a chance to practice on their new football field for the first time. However, the Bulldogs might only have to wait a few more days to get their first feel of the new facility. Some final preparations on the field itself were being taken care of on Tuesday, and first-year Burbank Coach Hector Valencia said he hopes to have his squad trying out the field by the end of the work week. However, Valencia said he hasn?

BURBANK — City and school officials set foot on Burbank High School’s new artificial turf field Wednesday, getting their first look at a product of their $18-million joint venture. The sight of a sweeping green mat of fake grass, which was part of a larger, three-pronged project, offered a sense of encouragement to the excited officials, who wanted to get an early glimpse of the field, they said. “It’s just impressive when you spend your whole life in Burbank and drive by and all you see is dirt.

A local school nabbing a California Distinguished School Award is always a cause for celebration. But when John Burroughs High School took the prize this month, it was particularly heartening after the rocky path the Burbank Unified School District has taken the last few weeks. The school board rescinded 25 teacher layoff notices at the end of March, but the possibility still exists that the district will have to make its first staff cuts in half a decade. And Jordan Middle School became the target of protests last week after teachers voted to cut seventh-period electives.

BURBANK — Dozens of Jordan Middle School students and their parents donned black clothing Tuesday as part of a demonstration of solidarity and sorrow, one week after faculty members voted to discontinue seventh period. Demonstrators chanting “Bring back seventh period” gathered at the campus after school to mourn the loss of music, art and creative writing classes. “We’re devastated,” PTA President Nikki Capshaw said. “It’s a case of, ‘you don’t know what you have till it’s gone.

CITY HALL — More than 70 teachers wearing pink shirts and buttons joined in protest of the Burbank Unified School District’s decision to send pink slips to 103 instructors, crowding the City Council chambers at Thursday’s meeting of the Board of Education. The district notified employees last week that 128 total positions could be slashed as part of cost-cutting measures to compensate for a loss of about $13.1 million over the next three years because of state budget reductions.

Send DATEBOOK items to Burbank Leader, 221 N. Brand Blvd., 2nd Floor, Glendale, CA 91203 or fax to (818) 241-1975. Submissions must be received two weeks before publication. ? TODAY The Creative Arts Center Gallery will host the annual Fine Arts Federation Membership Exhibit at the gallery, 1100 W. Clark Ave., Burbank. The juried mixed media exhibit represents more than 60 artists and includes painting, sculpture, pottery, collage and photography. Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and call the gallery at (818)

TODAY The Parkinson?s Support Group will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Joslyn Adult Center, 1301 W. Olive Ave., Burbank. Neurologist Dr. Zimani will discuss Parkinson?s medications. The group meets every second Wednesday of the month. For more information, call (818) 238-5353. ? ?Global Warming ? Facts and Solutions? a slide show and lecture will be presented by John Zavalney who has trained with Al Gore and a team of scientists and environmental educators to become a presenter of the ?