Lorna Sheridan: Education Roundup, Aug. 4

Remote learning options: Sonoma Valley public school students who expect to return to a district campus when allowed will start the year with remote learning, similar to last spring, but with some enhancements, in what the district is calling Distance Learning 2.0. For students who do not expect to return to the classroom, the district is offering two choices. In the Valley Virtual Academy option, after campuses reopen, students continue with distance learning, likely with a different teacher. The second option is a new year-long independent study program (K-12) called Valley Home Academy. Students meet weekly with a teacher, but students and guardians do most of the teaching. Both the district and families must agree on student participation. Applications are due Aug. 7 and can be found on the district website.

College: A survey by the Chronicle for Higher Education found that 49 percent of colleges are still planning on an in-person semester, according to the Chronicle's most recent tally. Many colleges last week walked back their initial decisions to bring students to campus.

Free meals: From now until the first day of “school,” students can pick up a free five-pack of breakfast and lunch at the Boys & Girls Clubs every Monday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Starting Aug. 17, the School District will be offering curbside breakfast and lunch at Altimira, Sassarini and Flowery school sites from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and at Altimira-only from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Email svusdfoodservice@sonomaschools.org with questions.

SVHS registration: Sonoma Valley High School is holding its back-to-school registration as a drive-through event on Aug. 7 (freshmen only), Aug. 10 (last names A-K) and Aug. 11 (last named L-Z). School pictures will be taken, new students can pick up Chromebooks and more. Check the flyer or school website for specific times and locations.

Petting Zoo: Congressman Mike Thompson is hosting a petting zoo. Yes, a virtual petting zoo, at 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 7 on his Facebook page. The event will feature animals from Forget Me Not Farm and children and parents will get a chance to see the animals and hear more about them.

Summer reading: The Sonoma Valley Library Summer Reading Program ends on Aug. 8. Sonoma County has so far read just over halfway to its goal of 2 million minutes. eBooks, audiobooks, eAudiobooks, physical books and even books read out loud by a loved one all count. Input the minutes for any reading you've done since June 1 and join the challenge. Plus, for every eight hours you read you'll get a free book to keep, when libraries reopen. Enroll at sonomalibrary.beanstack.org, or call 308-3262 and library staff will get you started.

Parks fun: Sonoma County Regional Parks has launched a Nearby Nature program with a series of "quests," self-guided nature hikes geared for families with young kids. Each of the eight quests leads through a park by offering activities and observations. Park staff describes it as a scavenger hunt for your brain — discover the natural elements, but don't collect anything. Visit the Nearby Nature webpage for it and other educational activities. parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov.

Professional development: Several SVUSD educators last week attended the DISRUPT 2020 Summer Institute. School District science teacher Eric Brockway was a panelist in a session that highlights promising and innovative practices that teachers developed during distance learning last spring. More than 300 Sonoma County educators representing 30 of Sonoma County’s 40 school districts participated in a virtual learning institute presented by the Sonoma County Office of Education.

Outdoor fun: Challenge Sonoma ropes course is up and running. There are open days scheduled for Aug. 7 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for ages 6 and up. Diana Rhoten reports that she may add more dates if there is interest since there apparently won't be much school PE while distance learning is happening. Visit challengesonoma.com.

Radio show: Local parent Cat Smith hosts a weekly radio show on 91.3 FM KSVY Sonoma every Saturday at noon called “Sonoma Kids Ask.” Each week hosts a different Sonoma Valley expert with a topic unique to them. Visit Facebook.com/SonomaKidsAsk learn more or submits questions for the experts.

Yard sale: Sonoma Teen Services is planning a yard sale fundraiser in its Highway 12 parking lot at 9 a.m. on Aug. 15. The nonprofit is currently accepting limited donations of high-quality items.

Authors Festival speakers: A reader highly recommends that parents listen to the Sonoma Valley Authors Festival talk by Jeffrey Rosen at svauthorsfest. He praises the Constitution Center website, which offers students live and free classes at noon and 1 p.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays this fall and spring. They use bi-partisan materials to help students of all ages (middle, high school and college) learn about democracy and how to separate political and constitutional views. Right now, the website offers 20 minute videos on various topics of the constitution (i.e. separation of powers, the legislative branch, the executive branch, the bill of rights etc.)

Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.