More than 50 teachers of the Soquel Education Association asked the five-school Soquel Union Elementary School District to rapidly bring up their wages. Their pay ranks at the bottom of the local districts, in one of the nation’s least affordable markets.
K-12 Education
Posted inK-12 Education
How do Santa Cruz kids and parents feel about the end of mask mandates?
Mask mandates are set to end in schools after Friday, and Santa Cruz parents and kids have mixed feelings about the return to normalcy following two years of pandemic-induced restrictions. Kids are ready to see each others’ faces, but remain worried about catching COVID-19. Lookout talked to students at Santa Cruz High and Gault Elementary schools.
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Q&A: School superintendent Faris Sabbah says parents need to stop bullying teachers over mask mandates
Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah says Santa Cruz County parents are bullying teachers, upsetting staff and filing claims against school districts for enforcing mask mandates. Parents have bombarded schools with hundreds of “threatening messages” and angry emails and have had heated, in-person exchanges with teachers and office staff. How tough a response are the schools mounting? Sabbah describes it in detail.
Posted inK-12 Education
Is it safe to lift indoor mask rules in California schools? Here’s what health experts say
California’s strict indoor mask rules at schools have helped prevent major coronavirus outbreaks on campuses.
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California lifts school mask mandate after March 11; still ‘highly recommended’ in Santa Cruz County
After Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the relaxing of mask mandates for K-12 schools after March 11, Santa Cruz County schools said they would follow suit, with masks no longer required but “highly recommended” after that date amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Posted inK-12 Education
California voters strongly support mask and vaccine mandates in K-12 schools
The poll suggests broad public support for policies aimed at reducing the spread of the coronavirus in schools, even as protests against mask and vaccine mandates garner attention.
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Proposed bill would exempt UC, Cal State from environmental review for new student housing
The bill is designed to address the state’s “massive student housing crisis,” Sen. Scott Wiener said.
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San Francisco is usually seen as a lefty outlier. The school board recalls could make it a bellwether
The overwhelming vote to recall three San Francisco school board members was a forceful show of parents’ frustration with local circumstances. But the proponents think other politicians should take heed of families’ fury over long school closures due to COVID-19.
Posted inK-12 Education
California school mask mandate will remain in place through at least Feb. 28
The state will reassess conditions at the end of the month before making a decision on school masking rules.
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As mask mandates ease, should California schools be next?
The next step for schools is under discussion as indoor masking is set to ease on Feb. 15 in many settings in California.