Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County’s superintendent of schools, fled Iraq at age 9 and is worried about the growing authoritarian tactics he sees in the U.S. He draws chilling parallels between his life under Saddam Hussein and current government immigration crackdowns.
Faris Sabbah
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Faris Sabbah: Mi familia huyó de la dictadura iraquí; me preocupa lo que la América de Trump está enseñando a nuestra juventud
Faris Sabbah, superintendente de escuelas del condado de Santa Cruz, huyó de Irak a los 9 años y le preocupa el creciente uso de tácticas autoritarias que observa en Estados Unidos. Encuentra paralelismos escalofriantes entre su vida bajo Saddam Hussein y las actuales redadas migratorias del gobierno. Los niños, escribe, viven con miedo, no pueden concentrarse en aprender y cargarán con este trauma en su vida adulta. Por temor a la deportación, las familias no asisten a ceremonias de graduación importantes y evitan servicios como distribuciones de alimentos. Nos insta a proteger los valores democráticos y ofrece una lista de servicios para ayudar a quienes se ven afectados o preocupados.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Santa Cruz County families haven’t claimed more than $12 million in free college money — here’s what to know
More than $12 million in free college funds for Santa Cruz County students is sitting unclaimed. Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County’s superintendent of schools, wants that to change. He has organized a workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at 5:30 p.m. at Sequoia Schools in Watsonville to help families access college funds for their kids. Here, he explains where the money is and makes a plea to bridge awareness and access gaps.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Las familias del condado de Santa Cruz no han reclamado más de $12 millones en fondos universitarios gratuitos — esto es lo que debes saber
Más de $12 millones en fondos universitarios gratuitos para estudiantes del condado de Santa Cruz están sin reclamar. Faris Sabbah, superintendente de escuelas del condado de Santa Cruz, quiere cambiar eso. Ha organizado un taller el miércoles 25 de septiembre a las 5:30 p.m. en las Escuelas Sequoia en Watsonville para ayudar a las familias a acceder a los fondos universitarios para sus hijos. Aquí, él explica dónde está el dinero y hace un llamado a cerrar las brechas de conciencia y acceso.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Cannabis dispensaries don’t belong near schools: We are Santa Cruz’s educational leaders and we are worried for our kids
Kris Munro, Santa Cruz City Schools superintendent, and Faris Sabbah, Santa Cruz County superintendent of schools, believe a proposal to put a cannabis dispensary close to local schools is a mistake and could be detrimental to students’ health and safety. They urge city planning commissioners to reject the proposal Thursday and they urge city leaders to “reevaluate current zoning regulations and expand designated areas where dispensaries are prohibited near schools.”
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Pajaro Valley Health Care District needs solid, continued leadership of Pimentel and Nájera
The fledgling Pajaro Valley Health Care District — cobbled together to protect the bankrupt Watsonville Community Hospital from closing — still has a momentous task ahead to reach stability for our community and its staff. A group of 10 well-respected public service professionals argue for the election of two current health care board representatives. Marcus Pimentel and Jasmine Nájera, both appointed by the board of supervisors to the jobs last year, are pivotal to the district’s future success, they write.