California’s child care workforce is still 10% smaller than it was before the pandemic, as low wages contribute to acute staffing shortages.
COVID K-12
Posted inHealth & Wellness
They stuck to their anti-vax beliefs. Now these teachers and school workers are out of jobs
All these school workers were willing to give up their jobs rather than submit to a COVID-19 vaccination.
Posted inK-12 Education
Half of the new SRO solution in place at Aptos High: Officer hired, mental health clinician still to come
A school resource officer started his second week working at Aptos High School after the Pajaro Valley Unified School District board of trustees voted in September to reinstate the position at two high schools. PVUSD officials didn’t respond to requests for information about Watsonville High’s implementation of the program.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
California plans ambitious effort to vaccinate young children
State officials are preparing to offer COVID-19 vaccine doses to California’s 3.5 million children ages 5 to 11 as soon as the end of next week.
Posted inCOVID Today
Questions about the vaccine for your 5- to 11-year-olds? Tune in to these town halls this week
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education will be hosting two webinars this week to answer questions about COVID-19 vaccination ahead of the expected emergency use authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11. The town hall offered in Spanish is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and in English for Thursday at 6:30 p.m., via Zoom.
Posted inK-12 Education
UPDATE: Approval one step closer for Pfizer vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds; here’s what to expect in Santa Cruz
As the FDA prepares to approve an emergency use authorization for the Pfizer vaccine for younger children, Santa Cruz county officials and parents are not only preparing for the influx of people seeking appointments, but they’re also adjusting to a new phase of the pandemic.
Posted inK-12 Education
In Sacramento and elsewhere, parents protest California student COVID-19 vaccine mandate, keep kids home
In Sacramento, people crowded onto the steps of the Capitol on Monday after two Californians organized the protest. One parent said she plans to home-school her children rather than have them get vaccinated.
Posted inK-12 Education
No fierce battles over masks at school around here: ‘Vast majority of parents’ content to play it safe
School officials report that the kind of harsh rhetoric being seen elsewhere around the country has not reared its head in Santa Cruz County. For that, school leaders who are already challenged on numerous other fronts give thanks.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
One loophole remains in student COVID-19 vaccination mandate
California’s recently issued COVID-19 vaccination mandate allows students and staff to opt out for religious or ideological reasons. While a small minority are expected to leave their schools over this mandate, a key lawmaker says he might push legislation to eliminate the personal belief exemption.
Posted inK-12 Education
Hybrid SRO program on its way: PVUSD chief says cop-clinician pairing to be in place by Nov. 1
Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Michelle Rodriguez says hires are imminent for both Watsonville and Aptos high schools and that the pilot program should be on its way by Nov. 1.