Luther Burbank Middle School

Here are some of the items the Burbank Unified School District Board will discuss on Thursday: MODERNIZATION PROJECTS The board will review the remaining funding for the modernization of Luther Burbank Middle School, Monterey High School and William McKinley and Providencia elementary schools. WHAT TO EXPECT No action will be taken since this is an informational report. BOND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE The district will report to the board concerning the Bond Oversight Committee's roles and responsibilities on the current state of modernization.

Burbank Police secured and evacuated three schools as a precautionary measure Thursday afternoon when a shooting was reported in the area. Witnesses reported at 12:50 p.m. that an argument between two men at the corner of Burbank Boulevard and Hollywood Way resulted in one shooting at the other. Police Sgt. William Berry said both men ran away, and it was unclear whether anyone was injured. Police secured the campuses of Luther Burbank Middle School at 3700 W. Jeffries Ave., Brett Harte Elementary School at 3200 W. Jeffries Ave. and Burbank Adult School at 3811 W. Allan Ave. about 15 minutes later to search for the suspects, Berry said.

GUNN -- NORTON Christina Marie Gunn and Chris Raymond Norton announced their plans to marry in May at the First Christian Church of Burbank. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gunn of Burbank. She is the granddaughter of June Thompson, noted piano teacher in Burbank, and the great-granddaughter of Walter David Thompson, the first mailman in the San Fernando Valley, and grand niece of Rankin Thompson, the first pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Burbank.

Gary Moskowitz BURBANK -- Les Abramson loved the game of backgammon. He'd wake up early before work and play the game online against players all over the world. He even taught most of his students how to play. Abramson, 52 and a former math teacher at Luther Burbank Middle School and John Burroughs High School, died Sunday of lung cancer. About 300 people attended a memorial service for him Wednesday in Simi Valley. Mike Krose, an algebra and geometry teacher at Burroughs High, often met with Abramson during lunch for quick games when the two taught at Luther Burbank Middle School.

Irma Lemus CIVIC CENTER -- Three local teachers were honored as the Burbank Masonic Lodge held its 81st Annual Public School Observance celebration to kick off public schools month, which is recognized in April. Martha Hankins from Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary School, Glen Jaffe from John Muir Middle School, and Dave Thomson of Burbank High School were honored at the event, which was held at the Masonic Lodge on Tuesday evening. All three teachers received plaques and certificates for their classroom work.

Paul Clinton AIRPORT DISTRICT -- Federal Aviation officials indicated the agency will approve Burbank Airport's request to insulate additional rooms at Luther Burbank Middle School to aircraft noise, airport officials said. Commissioners of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority voted Jan. 18 to apply for a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to pay for the bulk of the work. The Airport Authority requested the grant after Luther Principal Marilyn Ramsey wrote a letter in October asking for insulation for the school's auditorium and music room.

Gary Moskowitz SIMI VALLEY -- Former John Burroughs High School teacher Les Abramson, 52, died Sunday of lung cancer. A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. today in the chapel at Mt. Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries, 6150 Mt. Sinai Drive in Simi Valley. The service is open to the public. Abramson taught advanced placement calculus, pre-calculus and algebra and sponsored a backgammon club at the school from 1984 to 2001. Abramson also taught at Luther Burbank Middle School from 1975 to 1984.

Laura Sturza NORTHWEST DISTRICT -- Residents are invited to a town hall meeting Thursday to meet with City Council members in an informal setting. A discussion period will allow residents to ask questions or voice concerns to council members, who will respond. In addition, staff from city agencies will have information tables set up where people can learn more about everything from parks and recreation activities to home remodeling. Information tables will be set up from 6 to 8 p.m. and the meeting will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at Luther Burbank Middle School, 3700 Jeffries Ave. For information call 238-5800.

Maya Kukes BURBANK -- Eighth grader Bailey Porter's vision of world peace earned her a first runner-up award in the third level of judging in the Lions Peace Poster Contest. Her poster features a group of international citizens holding hands around a brilliant, glowing planet. More than 50 entries were submitted in the initial level of judging from three Burbank middle schools and the Boys & Girls Club. Bailey's poster was selected from entries throughout California and Nevada.

Students raise money for hospital patients Burbank High School is entering the last week of its “Pennies for Patients” fundraiser, which collects money for children who are sick with blood disease. In the first two weeks, students donated $3,839.64 in spare change. The school’s goal is to reach $8,000 in donations. Burbank High is currently ranked third in the state for its fundraising activities. School upgrades moving forward Modernization efforts at William McKinley Elementary School and Luther Burbank Middle School are moving forward, with McKinley entering the last phase of renovations for its classrooms, computer labs and administration buildings.