Ninety-four percent of tenth graders at the Jordan High School academy passed the exam, far surpassing the school district average for that grade level.

Sept. 6, 2011 – Mayor Bob Foster praised the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) scores achieved recently by the students of the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (A.C.E.) Academy at Jordan High School. According to the California Department of Education, 94 percent of A.C.E.’s sophomore class passed on their first attempt. While 93 percent of LBUSD students district-wide pass the exam by grade 12, about 70 percent pass on the first attempt in grade 10. On average, the A.C.E. tenth graders essentially performed at the same level as the district’s twelfth graders.

“I’m delighted to see A.C.E. students perform so well in the CAHSEE exams,” said Mayor Foster. “So far, the A.C.E. model of incorporating hands-on trade learning and academics has shown to be a winning formula for students, teachers and administration.”

The A.C.E. Academy of Long Beach is a school-within-a-school supported by Mayor Foster, the Long Beach Unified School District, and multiple industry and community partners. This unique program provides guest speakers, fieldtrips, internships and partnerships with industry professionals and businesses. The A.C.E. Academy opened with 50 students in fall 2007 and now serves about 270 students. For more information visit www.aceacademyoflb.net.

California high school students must pass the CAHSEE to earn a high school diploma. The CAHSEE ensures that students graduate from high school with grade level skills in reading, writing, and math. Students first take this test during their sophomore year. If they do not pass, they are given additional chances to take the test during their junior and senior years.

LBUSD Superintendent Christopher J. Steinhauser also congratulated the A.C.E. students on their performance.

“We’re thrilled with the exit exam results at A.C.E.,” Steinhauser said. “We’re seeing A.C.E. graduates attend the School of Engineering at Cal State Long Beach, and they’re going directly into the trade workforce. I’m extremely proud of the A.C.E. Academy students and the faculty, and I deeply appreciate the exemplary partnership that we’ve enjoyed with Mayor Foster and the trades industry.”

A.C.E. was deemed a statewide model last year.  Click here to learn more.

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The Mayor along with volunteers from ACE Academy and Southern California Edison worked on the Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles’ Mayor’s Build on Sat., Aug. 20.  Mayor Foster recalled his trade skills by installing the carpet in the new home.  The new home for the Lopez family is expected to be complete in the next few months.

Mayor Foster with Southern California Edison volunteers Ben Harvey (Public Affairs), Melissa Amador and Les Starck (senior vice president)

Mayor Foster with Enrique and Sonia Lopez - the new owners of the Mayor's Build home.Mayor Foster installs the carpet in the Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles Mayor's Build home.

Mayor Foster installs the carpet inside the Mayor's Build home.

Mayor Foster, along with a dozen ACE Academy students, volunteered to work on Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles’ Mayor’s Build House on Saturday, July 30.  ACE students and ACE industry partners put up drywall for the new Lopez family home.

Mayor with Melissa Brookman of ACE Academy.

Mayor and Sonia Lopez. The Lopez family are the receipents of the Mayor's Build.

Congratulations to the Architecture Construction & Engineering Academy at Jordan High School (ACE) for their win at this past weekend’s HBC Design and Build Competition.  ACE instructors Mike Zeke and Tom Kelsey lead ACE students to win First Place in both the Design and Build Competitions.  There were several high schools competing in both events with ACE students coming out on top!

The students are given a set of plans and a bundle of materials required to complete a 6′ X 8′ Barn.  Students must submit all changes to City Hall (on-site) and observe all safety regulations. The students are awarded points in the following areas: utilization of manpower, safety, workmanship, ability to work with the building inspectors and judges, completed structure: stability, functional, appearance, and clean-up for a total of 100 pts.  ACE won first place with a total score of 127 points – additional points were received for achievement above and beyond!

About ACE

The Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (A.C.E.) Academy of Long Beach is a school-within-a-school supported by Mayor Bob Foster, the Long Beach Unified School District, and multiple industry and community partners. This unique program provides guest speakers, fieldtrips, internships and partnerships with industry professionals and businesses.

March 3, 2011 – Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster and Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) raised the first walls on the Mayor’s Build House for the Lopez family today. The construction of the house should be completed by the end of the year.

“Today is a great day to help a well-deserving family set new roots in Long Beach,” said Mayor Bob Foster. “I’m delighted to be part of today’s celebration and I’m looking forward to help build a new home for the Lopez family.”

Mayor Foster speaks to Enrique and his son Adan before the wall-raising ceremony.

The recipients of the Mayor’s Build are the Lopez family who are long-time residents of Long Beach. Enrique Lopez works for St. Mary Hospital in Long Beach and his wife Sonia works for the Long Beach Unified School District. Their children, Angel (15) and Anthony (8), are currently students in the Long Beach Unified School District and their youngest son, Adan, is one-year old.

“We can’t thank Mayor Foster and his staff enough for their dedication in helping us transform the lives of our partner families and revitalize neighborhoods in Long Beach,” said Erin Rank, President and CEO of HFH GLA. “Mayor Foster was with us to notify The Lopez family of their selection and will be with us to build alongside the family throughout the entire process.”

Mayor Foster with Sonia Lopez.

Several Mayor’s Build sponsors were present to help raise the walls, including the Gold Hammer Sponsor Southern California Edison.

“Our company is proud to play a role in this worthy home building project,” said Ronald Litzinger, President, Southern California Edison. “This extraordinary effort is another example of how strongly we value our commitment to the customers and communities we serve.”

Ron Litzinger (Southern California Edison President), Mayor Foster, Veronica Gutierrez (Southern California Edison Vice President Corporate Communications) and Les Starck (Southern California Edison Vice President Local Public Affairs). Southern California Edison is the Gold Hammer Sponsor for the Mayor’s Build.

Also on hand were students from the Long Beach Unified School District’s Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Academy. More than 100 ACE students will be working on the Mayor’s Build to apply their school training in this real-life construction project including reading the building plans, pouring foundation, installing electrical work and painting.

The Lopez family qualified for homeownership by meeting income guidelines, demonstrating need and agreeing to give 500 hours of “sweat equity,” which will include building their home and volunteering at other Habitat for Humanity locations. Mayor Foster led the fundraising efforts and will also help build the house alongside volunteers from the community and corporate sponsors, which includes: Southern California Edison; Union Bank; Oxy Long Beach, Inc.; AECOM; BNSF Railways; Jet Blue Airways; Meridiam Infrastructure; SA Recycling; and Keesal, Young & Logan. In addition to Mayor Bob Foster and HFH GLA staff, Long Beach Housing Development Company (LBHDC) Commissioner Stacy McDaniel, City of Long Beach staff and LBHDC staff also attended the wall-raising celebration.

About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) strives to eliminate poverty housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families in need to build simple, decent, affordable and sustainable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built and renovated over 630 homes locally and worldwide, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. HFH GLA is a GuideStar® Valued Partner. For more information, please visit http://habitatla.orgor call 310-323-4663. Visit our blog at http://buildingagreaterla.blogspot.com.

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