A previous incident involving one of the suspects in the Aptos High murder case has been confirmed by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office. The Pajaro Valley Unified School District has not disclosed any information about that incident to the public — nor did it to the sheriff’s office prior to the killing of a 17-year-old student on Aug. 31.
K-12 Education
Posted inK-12 Education
The next chapter for farm to school: Milling whole grains in the cafeteria
A new project in California aims to purchase mills for school cafeterias, marking the next step in a years-long effort to bring local, whole grains to schools around the country.
Posted inK-12 Education
Quarantining students could get more instruction with proposed independent study changes
The state legislature proposed changes to the independent study laws that had been disrupting school reopenings across California. Educators say the revisions will help but don’t go far enough.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Are there enough ‘mad moms’ in California to recall Newsom from office?
Recall supporters are counting on mothers angry over school closures, who helped fuel the petition drive, to also vote to remove Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Posted inK-12 Education
COVID testing was supposed to keep schools safe. What happened?
While the state and local health departments, and even many districts, maintain public dashboards of COVID cases, parents in some districts have no way of knowing if there’s an outbreak at their child’s school unless they’re contacted by contact tracers or school staff.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
A test of ‘Bonny Doon Strong’: Why a ‘sexually violent predator’ should not be this community’s next battle
As 30% of its population continues to either rebuild, mitigate damage or choose where else to go next, the state of California, via a private company called Liberty Healthcare, has dropped another bomb on the community of Bonny Doon. A Santa Cruz judge can bring sanity to the situation Tuesday, but the recommended placement illustrates that this is a system in need of overhaul.
Posted inK-12 Education
PHOTOS: Vigil held in Watsonville to honor Aptos High stabbing victim
New Leaf Community Markets brand manager Lindsay Gizdich said the store is moving from Pacific Avenue in order to have…
Posted inK-12 Education
‘I couldn’t not be there’: Aptos High parents, community bring the love as students return to school
Parents and others with close ties to the Aptos community turned out to support students and deal with their own grieving process Friday morning along Freedom Boulevard. Said one: “It hurt my heart. It’s tragic and unfathomable … and there’s gonna be trauma.”
Posted inK-12 Education
Aptos High tragedy: Campus police program back on table; sheriff says suspects have gang affiliation
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.
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.