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Sept. 13: Physics First, El Verano expands pre-school, 5 percent day Wednesday

Education Roundup

I was very interested to read in the Napa Register that Justin-Siena has joined the growing “Physics First” movement and changed its science curriculum to physics in freshman year, biology in sophomore year and chemistry in junior year, followed by the elective science like an AP science class of their choosing in senior year. In addition to this being part of a national movement among top high schools, one practical reason stated by Justin is that physics is the science behind engineering, which is one of the greatest growth sciences/careers for grads.

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US News & World Report recently reported that participation in high school sports has increased for the 22nd straight year, with 55.5 percent of high school students playing a sport. The most commonly offered sport nationwide is basketball and football boasts the greatest number of participants. The fastest growing sport is girls lacrosse. Interestingly, a recent study by Brigham Young University found that females who play a sport in high school are 41 percent more likely to graduate from college.

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All high schoolers, even freshman, who are thinking about four-year colleges, should be putting the college visits at Sonoma Valley High School on their calendars and making time to attend as many as possible. This week on Wednesday, St. Mary’s College in Moraga is visiting at 8 a.m. and Cornell College in Iowa is visiting at 12:20 p.m. On Friday, Portland State University will be at SVHS from 10:45 a.m. Students should see Mrs. Hawing for details and their teacher for a pass to attend.

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If you shop at Whole Foods, this Wednesday, Sept. 14 is 5 percent day, with 5 percent of your purchase price donated to the Sonoma Valley School Garden Project all day long. No flyer necessary. This is a project the entire community should feel really good about getting behind. Help their gardens grow.

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Oh dear. A recent study by the Institute for Higher Education Leadership and Policy at California State University, Sacramento finds that California is at or near the bottom in affording university opportunities to its high school graduates. According to the study, the state now ranks dead last in total funding per college student … The study also finds that California ranks 41st in the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded per every hundred high school graduates, meaning that fewer Californian are graduating from college.

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I love listing area speakers on education, particularly those speaking free of charge. Please send me your event listings. On Thursday, Sept. 22, local psychologist writer, teacher and lecturer Ofer Zur will be speaking on “Parenting in the Digital Age” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Presentation School. This lecture is free and open to the community. Zur’s focus is on the psychology of the web and how modern digital technologies are affecting our families, relationships, schools, workplace and society at large. This discussion is aimed at helping parents learn about the digital world of their children, their attraction to Facebook, Twitter and texting, and will propose ideas in regard to the “do’s” and “don’ts” of effective parenting of the digitally savvy child.  The guidelines to parents are aimed to reduce conflict and tension and increase harmony and collaboration in the home around digital issues. You can rsvp at: www.digitalageparenting.eventbrite.com.

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I was thrilled to hear that the El Verano pre-school has just received funding of $50,000 to expand their pre-school program thanks to the Earnest Bates Foundation, with additional funding from the Vadasz Family Foundation. Vanessa Robledo, head of the Earnest Bates Foundation and Les Vadasz are both firm believers that preschool is a crucial step for helping students get a good start in school. These grants were made in partnership with the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation. I look forward to telling you more about the programs as they roll out in the weeks ahead.

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A front page New York Times article Sept. 4, discusses how an increased investment in technology in our schools is not necessarily leading to greater achievement or higher test scores and questions if the U.S. is allocating its education resources the wrong way. What do you think?

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In the same day’s paper there is a great story about the impact of home visits made by teachers to new students in the days before school starts.  It is not common in public school districts but the article poignantly describes the impact these visits can have on students who feel more invested in school when their teachers care enough to come to their home, and the insights gained by the teachers from these visits are invaluable.

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Great job to the Sonoma Education Foundation on the Red & White Ball. Eight-hundred-plus attendees, 200 volunteers, donors and sponsors and more than $90,000 raised for Sonoma schools!

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Note: I would like to receive any regular communication sent out to parents by all our area schools. I enjoy hearing what the schools are up to and letting the community know about success stories and interesting initiatives in the works. Please forward the emails to ourschools@gmail.com or add me to your school’s distribution list.