Lorna Sheridan: Education Roundup, Feb. 12

Pageants, choir, friendships, rude kids and more in this week’s Roundup.|

Board meeting: Learn what is happening across the Sonoma Valley Unified School District at its February board meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the City Council Chambers at 177 First St. W.

Pageant: The 73rd annual Miss Sonoma County scholarship competition will be held in Rohnert Park on Saturday, March 2, at the Spreckels Performing Arts Center. Miss California MacKenzie Freed will assist in awarding the titles of 2019 Miss Sonoma County and 2019 Miss Sonoma County's Outstanding Teen. Tickets are $12-$25 and can be purchased at the door. The competition is an official preliminary to Miss California, a state final for the Miss America Program.

Save the date: Altimira Middle School is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a community celebration from 7 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, at the Sonoma Moose Lodge. Contact the school at 935.6020 for more information.

Choir: VOENA children's choir is coming to Sonoma. Sign up at www.voena.org. The first practice is Feb. 13 at Cornerstone Sonoma and there will two practices per month.

Friendships: According to the science journal Child, the skills that teenagers learn through friendships with peers of the same gender are the strongest predictors of later romantic satisfaction. The study authors state that skills learned in friendships with peers of the same gender — skills such as stability, assertiveness, intimacy and social competence — are the ones that correspond most closely to the skills needed for success in adult romantic relationships. Read more at sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190124084924.htm.

Rude kids: A British dad has created an app, 'ReplyASAP,' that freezes kids' phones until they reply back to their parents. The app allows people to send emergency messages with an alarm, even when the receiver's phone is on silent. The messages work like alarms — taking over the phone's screen and sounding an alarm, essentially forcing teens to respond to their worrisome parents if they want to regain access to their phone. The app then notifies parents when their child has seen their message and what option did he/she choose along with their current location.

Preschool: Sonoma Farmtots is enrolling for fall preschool and summer camps. Pre-register at https://goo.gl/forms/iHjLFPy4mGTL4BtT2.

Student filmmakers: The Sonoma County Student Film Festival will be held on Friday, April 5. Entries are being accepted now until March 4. This festival is open to all Sonoma County students. Entering is free at studentlife.santarosa.edu/scsff.

Family hike: Join the Family Nature Hike from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 18, at Jack London State Historic Park. Walkers will enjoy some of the interesting smaller wildlife of the park — birds and insects, and maybe even a salamander or banana slug in the shady redwood forest. Join certified naturalist, Carolyn Greene on the outdoor adventure. Heavy rain cancels. Meet in the ranch parking lot. $10, children under 15 free. jacklondonpark.com/family-nature-walk.html

Free books: The Sonoma County Free Bookmobile will be in our area for donations or to give out books on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Kenwood Market from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; at Glen Ellen Post Office from 11 a.m. to noon; in Boyes Hot Springs at the Fiesta Center from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Campfire Program: Join in the fun from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16 at the Sonoma Barracks. A short talk, campfire songs and a toasty marshmallow roast. All ages welcome, free of charge. Steady rain cancels.

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