Feb. 9: This week's best tips, resources and events for Sonoma Valley parents, students and teachers

New bus passes, teen workshops, test anxiety and more in this week’s roundup.|

The entire Sonoma Valley school district has a new 'ZPass System' for student bus passes. Every student who rides a bus has been issued a new card with a yellow lanyard. Students now place the card on a scanner when they get on the bus. The time, date and location is logged and can be accessed from any web-browser with a new Ground Traffic Control application. In the near future buses will have small tablets to provide more info to the driver about the students' bus stop – such as whom to release the student to or any other special requirement.

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The Club at Maxwell Village shopping center is offering teen Future Focus workshops on Thursdays. On Feb. 11, HGTV star Danielle Colding will talk about becoming a designer. On Feb. 18, America West Bank will be hosting a financial literacy workshop. On Feb. 25, teens will practice using the career exploration tools of the Naviance computer program. Contact Johanna Perdomo of the Boys & Girls Clubs at jperdomo@bgcsonoma.org or call 931-6961 for more information.

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The Sonoma County Center for Climate Protection Youth Advisory Board seeks new teen members. The group meets bi-monthly. Students interested in environmental action issues should send a letter of interest to eco2school@climateprotection.org. (climateprotection.org)

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The Napa California Highway Patrol is offering its 'Start Smart' class from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 18 at 975 Golden Gate Drive in Napa. Start Smart addresses traffic safety issues directly affecting new teen drivers and makes teens and their parents or guardians aware of the responsibilities they face. The class intended for parents/guardians and their teen to attend together. The free class is held every third Thursday of the month. Call 253-4906 to reserve a spot. The CHP is seeking a Sonoma Valley location where it can hold a local class. If you have any ideas, call 253-4906.

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Students who experience test anxiety can be helped in the following ways:

1. Using music to relax and to help a student to feel strong and energized (think 'We Will Rock You').

2. Identifying with a celebrity can help with self-esteem. ('Justin Timberlake has ADHD and it didn't stop him from achieving his dreams.')

3. Using powerful posture and sitting up straight to feel more confident. Teach your child about body language.

4. Some kids can feel better with a 'lucky charm.'

5. Cute images (think baby animals) can make a child calmer and more productive.

6. Taking a moment to list or remember past achievements can give children the confidence they need to move forward in tough circumstances.

7. The simple act of smiling can slow a child's heart rate when they are anxious.

Read more at tinyurl.com/jdjrbyr.

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Because Los Angeles is one of the largest school districts in the country, the decisions made there are closely followed elsewhere. Single-sex schools, expanded choices of foreign language programs and a greater emphasis on science and math education are among the initiatives that the new superintendent there is expected to pursue. tinyurl.com/zsrgbwh

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Justin-Siena High School in Napa is celebrating its 50th anniversary by unveiling 'its first academic renovation plan.' The school says it has the funding in place to break ground on the renovation of its academic wings to include air conditioning, new doors, windows, restrooms and new adaptable classrooms.

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The second annual HWY 12 scholarship program for college-bound Sonoma Valley High School FFA (Future Farmers of America) is accepting applications now. Hwy 12 will be awarding either one scholarship for $3,000 or two scholarships—one for $2,000 and a second for $1,000—to an FFA student or students who plan to pursue a degree in agriculture at a 2-year or 4-year college. Applications are available through the College & Career Center at Sonoma Valley High School and must be returned to Lisa Conner there by Feb. 24.

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Sonoma Valley High's College & Career Center is starting up its spring series of college planning workshops for sophomore and juniors. Topics range from the basics of applying to college to tips for athletes who hope to be recruited. I kick things off today, Feb. 9, with a workshop for sophomore and juniors on free and low cost summer programs that can enhance a college application or help students discover where their passions lie. Students interested in attending should get a pass for the A+ period from their teacher.

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If you have a sophomore or junior who just got PSAT scores back (Preliminary SAT) you might have been surprised by the following changes:

1. The scale has changed. Perfect on a section is no longer 800. It's 760.

2. The scores for National Merit award consideration will now equal the math score plus 2x reading.

3. You'll see two percentiles. The Nationally Representative Sample percentile shows how a score compares to the scores of all U.S. students in a particular grade, including those who don't typically take the test. The User Percentile — Nation shows how your score compared to others who took the test.

That said, the main value of the PSAT is feedback so students should look at their test booklets to see what they got right and wrong and worry less about their score.

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Team Sugarloaf is hosting a two-day, 16-hour course on first aid in the wild from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. on March 7 and 8. Classes are fun with lots of hands-on practice. The emphasis is on making good decisions by staying calm and safe, making accurate patient assessments, and showing good communication and leadership skills. Join our classes, where it is safe to learn and OK to make mistakes. Course fee is $120, which includes workshop and material fees. Space is very limited so sign up today if you are interested. brownpapertickets.com/profile/153843

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There are still a few spots available in the 15th annual Middle School Video Workshop, brought to you by the Sonoma International Film Festival, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley. The three-day workshop is at the Boys & Girls Clubs on Feb. 19, 20, 21. It begins at 12:30 p.m. on Friday and ends at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. The fee is only $10 a person and lunch is provided. Contact your principal immediately for registration information. During one weekend, students will learn the basics of filmmaking while making several PSA-style films. Later they will get to watch their films on the big screen at the Sebastiani Theater during the Sonoma Int'l Film Festival, March 30 - April 3. sonomafilmfest.org

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The White House has announced a plan to help every student in America's public schools learn computer science, especially girls and underrepresented students of color. The Computer Science for All initiative proposes $4 billion in funding and additional support for training teachers to bring computer science to students. There actually seems to be bipartisan support for computer science, and recent polls have found that 9 out of 10 parents agree that every student should have the opportunity to learn computer science. https://youtu.be/W5QGoYbPc

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The Sonoma Valley Library presents 'Teens only! Grease: The Movie, Pizza, and More' at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 11 for students ages 13 – 18. This first free after-hours teens only event is planned and presented by the Sonoma Valley Library TLC-Teen Leadership Committee. 'An evening of friends, film, and food promises to be loads of fun,' said Julia Hart, TLC member. 'We planned this event for a unique experience for teens at the library.' Seating is limited and sign-ups are required. Contact librarian Clare O'brien at 996-5217 or cobrien@sonoma.lib.ca.us, or visit the library to register. The Friends of the Sonoma Valley Library provides the financial support for the event.

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Tickets are selling fast for the Wonder Bread 5 dance party at the Presentation School from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 19 for ages 21 and up. There will also be a ping-pong tournament happening that evening as well. The night includes 'cold beer, great food, stiff drinks and dancing.' Tickets are $35 and available at presentationschool.com.

Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.

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