SUPERINTENDENT LAUDS FENTON PUPILS AT EASE WITH VIP GUEST.

Byline: Alicia Doyle Daily News Staff Writer

Sixth-grader Delacy Watts had pictured an impersonal, Amazon blonde before meeting California's superintendent of public instruction face to face at Fenton Avenue Charter School on Thursday.

The 11-year-old was pleasantly surprised when Delaine Eastin - a smiling brunette - introduced herself during a tour of the San Fernando Valley elementary school and its unique on-site broadcasting studio.

``She's like my mom,'' said Delacy, impressed by the talkative administrator who wears an apple charm around her neck for luck. ``She wasn't anything like I thought.''

Fenton was the 150th school Eastin has toured since she took office in 1995. Part of her commitment when she first took her Sacramento post was to visit two to three schools a week throughout California.

During Thursday's tour, the superintendent was the featured guest on a live broadcast hosted by Delacy and his co-anchor, 11-year-old Carla Lopez.

The youngsters presented the inaugural show to 1,300 students in 45 classrooms via satellite from Fenton's studio, which is the first of its kind in a California elementary school.

``You can feel when things are working at a school - I can see things are working here,'' said Eastin, praising Fenton's commitment to give students the technology tools needed to prepare them for the 21st century. ``Every school in California should be given these tools. . . . One day, when I see Delacy as Dan Rather's replacement and Carla as Barbara Walters' replacement, I'll know it all started here.''

After touring eight classrooms in preschool through sixth grade, Eastin rated Fenton's technology, leadership and teamwork between staff and parents a perfect ``10.''

She rated the facility itself an ``8'' - only because Fenton was built four decades ago and is in need of some structural repairs, Eastin explained.

Joe Lucente, the charter school's co-director, was not surprised by Eastin's overall approval.

``We're very likable,'' boasted Lucente, who attributes the school's success to its charter status. In 1994, Fenton became one of 10 charter schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District, giving its administrators freedom to establish programs and curriculum tailored to their students.

This freedom allows Fenton's educators to spend their annual budget in ways they believe would best benefit the school and its students, Lucente said.

``It's not the work of just one person. It's a team effort of a community - a group of dedicated educators who are here because they want to be,'' Lucente said. ``When you have a group like that, miracles can happen. All the things you see here today are things people told us we would never have.''

For instance, the staff ``creatively redirected'' funds from this year's $6 million budget to spend roughly $1.3 million on technology programs this year, Lucente said. The school now has two ``virtual learning'' classrooms, each with 25 computers featuring more than 350 educational programs.

Irene Sumida, Fenton's co-director in charge of curriculum, said she was pleased that Eastin got a first-hand look at how dedication and teamwork can make a school thrive.

``I'm excited that the superintendent got a chance to see how hard the staff works out here,'' Sumida said. ``Everyone is very committed to this charter school. That's why so much has happened in so little time.''

A strong supporter of charter schools, Eastin hopes other schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District will follow in Fenton's footsteps.

``I want to make sure education is a joy for every kid in California the way it is at Fenton Avenue Charter School,'' Eastin said. ``They're constantly reaching out to make the future bright for their kids.''

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1) Sixth-grader Jose Martinez shows Delaine Eastin, the state's top educator, a computer program.

(2) State Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin is interviewed by Delacy Watts, left, and Carla Lopez.

Gus Ruelas/Daily News