Dwyer Middle School

A day before parents and students plan to rally in front of Dwyer Middle School to oppose a solar-panel project, the school's former principal blamed himself for failing to inform the community of the project and said he supported the efforts to deter it. Don Ruisinger, who led Dwyer for five years before stepping down in June, said he had reservations early last year when he heard about the Huntington Beach City School District's plan to erect...

Cheers erupted at the Dwyer Middle School Sports Banquet as Mr. Lynn Arnold, a long time science teacher and athletics coach, received his award of appreciation last Thursday evening. This special award was presented by one of Arnold's former students, Alyssa Shapiro, who returned to Dwyer this year to be the assistant coach the girl’s basketball teams. This unique award, sponsored by Duke’s Huntington Beach and The Waterfront Hilton, was awarded to Arnold for his ongoing dedication and support to Dwyer Middle School over the past thirty years.

Beverly Findlay-Kaneko has used her memories of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan two years ago to start making a change in her new home of Huntington Beach. Findlay-Kaneko was in Japan when those natural disasters led to three nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant melting down in March 2011. Now she is using her experience to make an impact with students at Dwyer Middle School. She worked with members of the student council Monday to commemorate those who are affected by the aftermath of the tsunami.

Since the shutdown in 1992 of the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program in Huntington Beach schools, Shirley Carey has been searching for a way to rally the entire city in addressing what she sees as a growing problem. Carey moved to the city in 1969. It was a great place to raise a family, and the community needs to help it stay that way, she said. "You have to get a group of people to move forward to address issues like this," Carey said. She may have found a way to bring the city together in a fun and educational family event planned for Saturday at Dwyer Middle School.

Dwyer Middle School in Huntington Beach added another accolade to its storied surf program last weekend when Kyle McGeary captured an individual title at the National Scholastic Surfing Assn. Interscholastic Championships. McGeary joins a long list of athletes from Dwyer to win an individual title at the event. Other Jr. Oilers to previously capture titles are Shaun Ward; Chris Fowler, who did it twice (1998 and 1999); Ian Ekberg; and Alex Guillette. Dwyer athletes have won six individual titles in the 11-year history of the middle school championships.

Dwyer names new assistant principal The Huntington Beach City School District board appointed longtime Surf City resident Claudia Ross as assistant principal at Dwyer Middle School. She will begin on Aug. 18. Ross, who will be leaving El Rancho Middle School in Orange, has been an assistant principal in the Orange Unified School District for the past six years. She is especially familiar with the Huntington Beach area and is ready for a new endeavor, she said.

Brandon Loschiavo of Huntington Beach turned in a strong performance last weekend at the USA Diving Region 9 Championships in Scottsdale, Ariz., earning a trip to the upcoming USA Diving Junior West Championships. Loschiavo, a seventh-grade student at Dwyer Middle School, finished in second place in the 1-meter and fourth in the 3-meter springboard in the boys' 14-15 division. Other local youth competing at the Region 9 event were Jacqueline Cleugh of Goldenview Elementary School (girls' 11U division)

Name: Andrissa Dominguez Age: 40 Birth place: Copenhagen, Denmark How long have you lived in Huntington Beach? 40 years Occupation: full-time mom and a playground supervisor Education: associate's degree Previously elected or appointed positions: California Head Start Assn. Board of Directors; Orange County Head Start Policy Council chairwoman; Orange County Head Start Board of Directors; Smith School PTA (vice president of ways and means)

The Huntington Beach Independent went to Dwyer Middle School and asked seventh- and eighth-graders in Stacy Wood's physical education class, 'What makes a teacher a successful?' "To be nice to the students, not give them a lot of homework, to teach us and to give us As." JIMMY QUEEN, 12 "To teach well, understand the students and to be nice." DAVID PILECKI, 14 "A person who is passionate about what they teach, knows what they teach and enjoys teaching."

It's your chance to see "Hello, Dolly!" performed by the players of The Academy of Performing Arts in Huntington Beach. The musical will show at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays between March 15 and 24 at the Huntington Beach Union High School District Auditorium and Bell Tower, 1905 Main St., Huntington Beach. "Hello, Dolly!" is the story of matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi at the turn of the century as she tries to manipulate a match of her own. Tickets are $22 for adults, and $16 for seniors 65 and older and students.

Beverly Findlay-Kaneko has used her memories of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan two years ago to start making a change in her new home of Huntington Beach. Findlay-Kaneko was in Japan when those natural disasters led to three nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant melting down in March 2011. Now she is using her experience to make an impact with students at Dwyer Middle School. She worked with members of the student council Monday to commemorate those who are affected by the aftermath of the tsunami.

TILL JULY 22 'Spelling Bee' Comedy The Huntington Beach Playhouse presents "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee," the Tony-winning musical by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin, at 7111 Talbert Ave. Show times are 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday and tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students. For more information, call (714) 375-0696. TILL AUG. 4 Bulgarian Artist "Tomorrow Belongs to Me," an exhibit by Bulgarian artist Milko Pavlov, runs at OMC Gallery for Contemporary Art, Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave., Unit 32, Huntington Beach.

The first graduate class of Huntington Seacliff Elementary School gathered by the pool Tuesday afternoon to reconnect with old friends - not to mention reminisce on their childhood dreams of being rock stars, fashion designers or Olympic figure skaters. Furthermore, they celebrated being high school graduates. The Sea Star charter members of Seacliff's student body, who started there as kindergartners in 1999, are among Huntington Beach High School's Class of 2012 set to graduate Thursday.

I was happy to read that the Huntington Beach City School District expects to save more than $15 million over the next 25 years in electricity costs because of the solar panels installed on five campuses in the article ( "District slashes electricity costs," Jan. 26). Personally, I have always been in favor of implementing alternative energies to save money and improve the environment. I've also been interested in preserving the intrinsic and aesthetic environmental value of our local historic landmarks, like Dwyer Middle School.

If all goes well in Gary Arneson's class this year, soccer goalies won't be blocking kicks from their own teammates, basketballs won't be landing in the wrong nets and infielders won't be relaying throws to opposing baserunners. Arneson, a physical education teacher at Dwyer Middle School, recently applied for a grant through DonorsChoose.org to garb his students in team colors. The black and orange vests, which he introduced during first period Friday, will reduce confusion on the court and field — or so he hopes.

Students at Dwyer Middle School are testing their will power. They have shut television, video games and social media out of their lives. But only for 10 days. "Our goal is we want them to learn how to manage their time appropriately," said Assistant Principal Michelle Buckman. School Resource Officer Derek Young brought the challenge to the administration after reading that students who completed the challenge saw higher test scores and less bullying, Buckman said. The idea is to help students, who are still developing their habits, to learn to control their appetite for the 21st century's technology and lifestyle.

Regarding "School is going to the dogs" (Mailbag, March 31): If you think people are ignoring the "no dogs" signs at Dwyer Middle School, how about the "no skateboarding on school property" sign Dwyer has posted at its skateboard park, a.k.a. the amphitheater? While there was a time when school administrators actually tried to enforce the skating ban, they have since completely given up on that responsibility and now allow skaters unrestricted use of their facilities. And why shouldn't they?

Brandon Loschiavo of Huntington Beach turned in a strong performance last weekend at the USA Diving Region 9 Championships in Scottsdale, Ariz., earning a trip to the upcoming USA Diving Junior West Championships. Loschiavo, a seventh-grade student at Dwyer Middle School, finished in second place in the 1-meter and fourth in the 3-meter springboard in the boys' 14-15 division. Other local youth competing at the Region 9 event were Jacqueline Cleugh of Goldenview Elementary School (girls' 11U division)