Local news in the classroom: Weekly roundup Feb. 12 – 18
Good afternoon,
Happy Tuesday, I hope everyone’s weeks are off to a great start. The days are getting longer and the sun is shining through those clouds which is always a nice sight to see. I want to make one final announcement in this format for our Unsung Hero Journalism Scholarship. This is the last week to work on and submit stories (deadline: 2/23/2025). If you know a student who is thinking about writing a story, let them know that there is still this week and they can write a great story in just a week’s time!
I have also made a brief survey for you to share your thoughts about this resource so we can ensure it is meeting your needs and expectations.. The survey takes about 2 minutes to complete and will be very constructive to the future of this newsletter. I sincerely appreciate your time! You can access the survey by clicking this link.
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
1,000 turn out in Santa Cruz to protest Trump, Musk and what is being done in Washington
By Wallace Baine and Kevin Painchaud
An estimated 1,000 people took to the street in front of the Santa Cruz County courthouse Monday to express their anger at President Donald Trump, Elon Musk and all the chaos in Washington. Protests took place all around the country on Presidents Day.
The women’s walkout: Lessons from the 1980s Watsonville cannery strike
By Wallace Baine
The Watsonville Film Festival will mark the 40th anniversary of the Watsonville cannery strike with a re-screening of Jon Silver’s 1989 documentary on the strike, and Silver’s new short film on the strike’s effect on one family.
Local lawyers speak to immigrant fears, the rights they have — and what they should do right now
By Max Chun and Tania Ortiz
Santa Cruz County immigration lawyers and public defenders have their hands full with cases and frequent changes to immigration enforcement as the Trump administration continues to target undocumented immigrant communities across the country.
No warning, no goodbye: ICE quietly deports Santa Cruz resident after 22 years
By Christopher Neely and Tania Ortiz
In what appears to be the first known case of a deportation in Santa Cruz County since Donald Trump returned as president, ICE agents last month arrested Adolfo Gonzalez of Santa Cruz, a handyman who had lived locally for 22 years.
Santa Cruz County needs a reality check on the rail-trail project
By Matt Farrell
Matt Farrell, board chair of Santa Cruz County Friends of the Rail and Trail, takes issue with a Feb. 4 op-ed questioning the feasibility of passenger rail in Santa Cruz County. Here, he explains why our community wants a rail system, revisits what voters have previously decided and provides an update on the segments of the trail already being built.
CALIFORNIA NEWS
Fewer California high school seniors are applying for financial aid. Some blame Trump’s immigration policies
By Mikhail Zinshteyn / CalMatters
Applications for financial aid by high school seniors in California are down 25% compared to this time last year. Although financial aid application information has not been shared with immigration or other agencies in the past, many fear that will change.
How Trump’s drastic K-12 plans will — and won’t — change California schools
By Carolyn Jones / CalMatters
Despite Donald Trump’s plans, federal funding is a small part of California’s education budget – and the state oversees curriculum.
Big homeowners insurance rate hike from State Farm shot down by California regulator
By Levi Sumagaysay / CalMatters
In the wake of the Los Angeles fires, State Farm asked for an “emergency” premium increase of 22% on average for California homeowners. On Friday, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara denied the request pending more information.
Student Opportunities
Journalism Scholarship
Our annual Journalism Scholarship is back! Lookout’s journalism scholarship invites all high school students in Santa Cruz County to apply. The top three winners will each receive $500, and the top 10 will be featured on our site. Students can enter individually or as part of a class project if you want to learn more click here. Teachers interested in having their class participate this year should contact me, Eetai Shwartz, at eetai@lookoutlocal.com
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
How do educators approach some of the most complex and potentially divisive topics of our time? Learning for Justice gives teachers a structured way to engage their students in conversations about race, bodily autonomy, social justice and environmental issues while leaving space for differing viewpoints. Aligned with the mission of the Southern Poverty Law Center, Learning for Justice focuses on Southern American educational systems, but is applicable to school districts nationwide.
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