Welcome back to school, Petaluma students Welcome back to school Petaluma students

Welcome Back. Penngrove and Cherry Valley elementary schools started mid-July with most other area schools beginning classes just last week. A few schools open this week, with the reminder waiting until after Labor Day to kick off the 2015-16 academic year.

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Old Adobe Union School District has a lot of news to share. Districtwide it has been busy making improvements to school settings, creating advanced learning environments and welcoming new staff. Superintendent Dr. Jason Yamashiro announced Brett Wilson is the new principal at Miwok Valley, where the focus this year will be on Expeditionary Learning. OAUSD’s transitional kindergarten program was so popular it added a third class last year, and just added a fourth class for this year. It is important to know that OAUSD’s transitional kindergarten is for all 4-year old students that would go to Kindergarten next year. This summer, the district’s Summer Scholars program offered five weeks of instruction for more than 350 students thanks in part to a large Kaiser grant to support the afternoon portion for attendees, shares Yamashiro. The OAUSD community also celebrated new play structures at Miwok Valley Language Academy with a grand opening ceremony earlier this month during the welcome-back-to-school party for students and families.

The future continues to look bright. New solar panel systems were installed at La Tercera Elementary, Loma Vista Immersion Academy, Miwok Valley Language Academy, and Old Adobe Elementary. Once the new systems are fully operational they will cover 90 percent of the energy needs of the campuses.

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John Martin has been a volunteer and supporter of the Petaluma School District’s Alternative Education programs for the past 25 years. According to Gregory Stevenson, principal at Carpe Diem and Sonoma Mountain high schools, John has been a champion of the Outdoor Education programs for his campuses and most recently added Crossroads Community Day School to the students he supports through the program. This year John celebrates his 26th year of continued participation in these overnight camp outs and monthly hikes. Thank you, John.  

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St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School principal Stephanie Quinlan is pleased to welcome three new members to the 2015-2016 faculty. Jim O’Brien joins the staff as the advanced math teacher for eighth and fifth grades. Jim is a former tutor at Sonoma State University and holds a degree in math and computer science. Katie Carlsen joins the kindergarten classroom as an instructional aid. ?Katie is a recent graduate of Baylor University and an ?alumni of both St. Vincent elementary and high schools. Sharon Jeffrey joins the SVES family as the fourth through eighth-grade science teacher. She recently relocated from the central valley, returning to St. Vincent where she attended elementary school.  Welcome to all these new faces.

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Petaluma City Schools started the year off with new classroom furniture and 1:1 devices for all students. Jane Escobedo, PCS Deputy Superintendent of Educational Services, reports students and teachers alike are enjoying the colorful new furniture, including new desks, chairs and stools. The 1:1 device program offers each student an iPad. Younger students in grades K – 2 will be using iPad minis. This was made possible through the recently passed bond providing for technology and campus improvements.

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The students at Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley got back into step with the start of school, participating in the campus Walk-a-Thon. Students garnered pledges for the number of laps walked, Students did an outstanding job both in total laps and funds raised with a record-breaking amount of pledges supporting the programs at MCCV. Many volunteers worked in collaboration with staff and students to make this fun event ?a success. Congratulations, MCCV.

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On Sunday, all are invited to Meadow Elementary School to participate in a ceremony hosted by principal Melissa Becker and the staff of the east-side campus as the community celebrates the opening of the renovated campus garden now serving as a tribute to Meadow School alum, CJ Banaszek. This outdoor space provides students with a special place to play, read and spend time with friends. The organizers encourage guests to wear orange colored clothing - CJ’s favorite color. The gathering begins at 3 p.m.