Reopening schools: A Change.org petition is circulating asking Sonoma Valley Unified School District to reopen for hybrid learning as soon as possible. Most specifically, the petition asks the school board and district to reopen schools for grades 7-12 within 5 days of Sonoma County returning to the red tier as allowed by state guidelines. “Distance Learning was intended to be a bridge to when conditions and guidance were more safe,” the petition reads. “Now, after one year, with guidance from the CDC, state and county, we have the information and the rollout of vaccines that make school reopening a reality for not just elementary, but also middle and high school grades.” Visit change.org to learn more.
Reopening safety: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced last week that schools can safely open as long as a range of precautions are in place. For areas where infection rates are higher, the agency recommends shifting to a combination of in-person and remote learning to minimize the number of people on campuses. Fully remote learning is recommended only in certain cases when virus rates are very high. The CDC agrees that teachers should be prioritized for vaccination, but said it is not a prerequisite for reopening. Read more at pressdemocrat.com.
Lawsuit: Suicides among children in San Francisco has hit a record high and the city’s attorney has sued the school district to reopen classrooms, citing health experts who say it is clear that keeping public schools closed “is catalyzing a mental health crisis among school-aged children.” Read more at pressdemocrat.com.
Correction: Flowery School's Kindergarten Information/Dual Immersion Information Night will be facilitated in Spanish from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16 and in English on Wednesday, Feb. 17 at the same time. The dates originally provided to the Index-Tribune were incorrect.
Free for teens: For the month of February, personal trainer Lauren Drinkhall is making her regular online Turn Up dance fitness classes free for teens (and open to all). Drinkhall posted that she struggled with drugs/alcohol/pills, self-confidence, eating disorders, self-harm, suicide attempts and abusive relationships in her teens and wants to provide them with a safe outlet. The classes are Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Visit her Instagram page for the link in her bio.
Ropes course fun: Challenge Sonoma Ropes Course is hosting their outdoor adventure program with family outings in a beautiful redwood forest with new open days for 2021. Family pods will have a guide for the 4-hour program leading them through challenging activities. Groups will be scheduled to arrive and depart at staggered times throughout the day to allow for proper social distancing. For details contact Diana Rhoten at 707-484-7759.
CSU news: California State University Chancellor Joseph Castro announced last week that it is too early for the CSU system to state whether vaccinations will be a requirement to return to campus in the fall, but masks and social distancing will likely continue.
PPE costs: Teachers who have been paying for personal protective equipment from their own pockets can deduct the costs on their federal taxes, according to the IRS. The educator expense deduction typically covers the cost of professional development and classroom supplies; now educators can use the $250 tax break for PPE, disinfectant and other supplies. Read more at pressdemocrat.com.
Congratulations: SVHS grad Regan Wheatley (’20) served as editor of the high school newspaper Dragon’s Tale and was the recipient of the Index-Tribune scholarship award for journalism in 2020. She has since joined the UC Santa Barbara school paper known as The Daily Nexus. Last week, she was recognized as the paper’s writer of the week.
Contact Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.
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