While the state is the first to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students, California schools aren’t required to provide meals that adhere to students’ religious or cultural beliefs. This has an especially big impact on Muslim students.
K-12 Education
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 inInside Lookout
Inside Lookout: Ambitious school engagement, introducing new Lookouters and housing hub
In this month’s newsletter from CEO and Founder Ken Doctor, get a preview of Lookout’s ambitious student access initiative, our new hub for housing coverage and a welcoming of new Lookouters.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Cannabis for kids: Santa Cruz residents have chance to make children’s fund permanent in Nov. 2 election
Measure A would nearly double the amount flowing from the city’s cannabis business tax to the fund dedicated to childhood development programs, and would insulate it from possible future elimination in a city council vote by writing it into the city charter.
Posted inEvents, K-12 Education
What to know about universal transitional kindergarten
Universal transitional kindergarten will essentially become California’s version of a universal preschool program, available to all 4-year-olds regardless of income.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘We hope people will listen’: Tribal leader talks Cabrillo, mission bells and a culture ‘brutally destroyed’
With the annual celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day, it’s a good time to recall and reflect upon why Native Americans feel so strongly about changing the celebrations of colonial history. Amah Mutsun Tribal Band leader Valentin Lopez talked to Lookout about his thoughts on mission bells, Cabrillo College and more.
Posted inK-12 Education
Ethnic studies becomes graduation requirement for California students
Experts and educators expect long-term benefits for students, but some groups remain critical of the mandate as they continue to erroneously conflate the curriculum with critical race theory.
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.
