Local news in the classroom: Weekly roundup April. 9 – 15
Good afternoon,
I hope everyone had a nice and restorative Spring break last week. With the start of the Spring season, we want to highlight some changes we’ve made to the Student Stories section of the educator page.
If you don’t know, the Student Stories page is a place for students to write about projects they have been working on, things they want to promote like a school play, share a creative writing piece, or write an opinion article. And Student Stories is still the place to do all of those things, but now we are adding a monthly prompt to get students to write about. We believe the prompt will entice students to want to write and it will give them a focused topic to write about. We understand it is hard to write about almost anything, so we want to narrow it down for students and give them something to focus on. This month’s prompt is:
“If you can make any change to your community/city, what would it be? What sort of changes would you make and what would you like to see done? Shoot for at least one realistic idea and at least one idea that you think isn’t as realistic but you would still like to see at some point.”
I also have created a new news quiz for the month of April about the “Hands Off” protests that happened in Santa Cruz county. These news quizzes are completely free and available on the educator page or by clicking here.
Current events to use in your classroom
Explore the linked lesson plans below for simple ways to facilitate reflection on these local events. Interested in more stories? Browse all our recent coverage here.
LOCAL NEWS
Pajaro Valley nonprofits launch public forums about federal funding cuts
By Tania Ortiz
The Pajaro Valley Collaborative — a group of 23 nonprofits in south Santa Cruz County — is launching a series of educational public forums to inform the community about federal funding cuts and possible local impacts. The group’s first news conference will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the Watsonville city plaza.
Closing a street to cars may feature in Santa Cruz City Council downtown economic plan later this month
By Christopher Neely
Each week for nearly the past year, a grassroots group has met at a Santa Cruz beer house with one goal: closing some downtown Santa Cruz streets to cars. The group has gotten support from business owners, employees and downtown patrons, and now, city leaders are mulling whether to bring the idea up for a vote that could eventually reshape how locals and visitors experience the city center.
California takes up battle over Trump DEI memo on behalf of local schools as deadline looms
By Lookout Santa Cruz Staff
In a mounting confrontation over educational policy, California officials are moving to shield local school districts from Trump administration efforts to dismantle diversity programs, as billions in federal funding hangs in balance.
As powerful e-bikes gain popularity among young teens, Capitola urges state to adopt strict new rules
By Hillary Ojeda
Capitola’s City Council and police department are advocating for increased regulation at the state level for young e-biker users. They want more training for younger users and recommend that some of that education can happen in schools.
Let’s talk about funding the rail trail in Santa Cruz County
By Matt Farrell
Greenway founder and rail trail opponent Bud Colligan made incorrect claims in a March op-ed, asserts Matt Farrell, board chair of Santa Cruz County Friends of the Rail and Trail. Farrell explains how local taxpayers are expected to pay a small percentage of costs for passenger rail on the 32-mile rail line, thanks to federal and state funding. He also highlights the $1 billion cost for a 7-mile segment of Highway 1 widening. The public needs good information when it comes to the debate about rail and trail, Farrell says.
CALIFORNIA NEWS
License to Kill
By Robert Lewis and CalMatters
The California DMV routinely allows dangerous drivers with horrifying histories to continue to operate on our roadways. Too often they go on to kill. Many keep driving even after they kill. Some go on to kill again.
Other states do housing better than California; a new study shows how they do it
By CalMatters and Dan Walters
Terrible trio of a too small housing supply, too high living costs and too many homeless people plague California. A study says metro areas elsewhere are more pro-housing.
News Quiz
NEW: ‘So Many Issues, So Little Cardboard’: Thousands turn out waving flags and signs for ‘Hands Off’ rallies in Santa Cruz and Watsonville
This news quiz is about the “Hands Off” protests that happened in Santa Cruz county which have sparked much debate.
Student Opportunities
Student Stories
Student Stories is a place for students to have their voices heard by the community and the rest of Santa Cruz County. It is designed to showcase stories, events, clubs, and opinions authored by students in Santa Cruz County. Students can either submit ideas or completed stories. Learn more here and reach out if you have any questions.
EDUCATOR RESOURCES
Current Event Discussion Guide
- Our current event discussion guide is a great activity to engage with local news and can be used for any article. Below is the lesson plan and the bilingual guide.
- Current Event Discussion Guide Lesson Plan (PDF)
- Bilingual Current Event Discussion Guide (PDF)
Educator Page
- You can find more resources on our Educator Page, including a media literacy guide, specific new quizzes and more.
Reminder on student access
- If any of your students are having trouble with their free access, have them sign up for their free student membership with their personal email address at this link.
Thank you for all the hard work you do in the community and for supporting our educational programs, helping the younger generations learn media literacy skills, and become invested community members and democratic citizens. If you’d like to learn more about our school programs, get more involved or have any questions, please reach out.
Best,
Eetai