On Tuesday afternoon, Aptos High School was locked down for nearly three hours after a student was fatally stabbed and two others were taken into custody in an attack officials said was gang-related. County and school leaders convened in a virtual community meeting Thursday to discuss safety measures for the school moving forward.
K-12 Education
Posted inK-12 Education
A fearful Friday looms: Aptos High parents grapple with emotions of sending children back to school
With Aptos High students set to return to school Friday in the wake of this week’s fatal stabbing, parents are dealing with the inevitable trauma of whether the school environment is safe. Counselors say those emotions are very normal.
Posted inK-12 Education
Happy Masks became a COVID must-have. That sparked a back-to-school frenzy
Happy Masks’ face coverings for kids are a back-to-school sensation amid heightened COVID-19 anxiety — but good luck buying one. “It felt like I was trying to get tickets to the Rolling Stones,” said one mom after a recent failed attempt.
Posted inK-12 Education
Not enough subs: California schools face severe teacher shortage
Long underpaid and underappreciated, substitute teachers are key to keeping schools open this year. But a shortage of subs has created another layer of chaos to this pandemic school year.
Posted inEvents, K-12 Education
Pencils, paper, PCR testing: Start of school year in Santa Cruz County amid Delta brings hopes and concerns
Dozens of students and school staff members have tested positive for COVID-19, but county and district officials have markedly stepped up testing procedures while keeping steady with masking and hygiene protocols.
Posted inEvents, K-12 Education
What to know: Santa Cruz County high school safety plans
Lookout Santa Cruz is providing a summary of safety measures and protocols by high school. This list will be updated as more officials provide details and context to their plans.
Posted inK-12 Education
‘It doesn’t make sense’: County’s top cop decries PVUSD decision to break relationship with sheriff’s office
Santa Cruz County Sheriff Jim Hart says he doesn’t understand the Pajaro Valley Unified School District’s decision to sever ties with his office. “I hear the advocates for defunding the police and about the school-to-prison pipeline,” he said, “but with this county, we know that’s not true.”
Posted inK-12 Education
Watsonville police: 13-year-old brandished a knife at Cesar Chavez Middle School
The Watsonville Police Department reported Wednesday afternoon that a 13-year-old student at Cesar Chavez Middle School has been arrested, following an armed confrontation with another student. No one was injured in the altercation, and the suspect is currently awaiting processing at juvenile hall.
Posted inK-12 Education
‘Heartbreaking’: Student dead after stabbing at Aptos High, two other students to be charged with murder
Tragedy strikes Aptos High on Tuesday after 17-year-old is stabbed and killed on campus. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a 17-year-old and 14-year-old who Sheriff Jim Hart says will be charged with murder.