THE CHALKBOARD: New greenhouse helps Old Adobe garden grow

Old Adobe Elementary School continues to grow - literally - as its Outdoor Learning Space and Campus Garden expands. A newly installed greenhouse will increase the curriculum, offering students the opportunity to delve deeper to better understand the scientific processes of cultivating seedlings to harvesting plants. The project has been supported by school staff, students and a dedicated team of parent volunteers. The installation of the greenhouse irrigation system was completed last week. Students host a seasonal community farm stand in front of the school with the bounty from the garden.

-

Volunteers from the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center visited Two Rock Elementary last Thursday to share books about Martin Luther King Jr. and his work for equal rights. These volunteer readers/presenters visited classrooms and took time to share grade-level books with students, starting conversations about the civil rights leader’s impact. As neighbors, the school and training center have developed a strong relationship over the years, which has allowed for some unique collaborations benefiting students.

-

LumaCon is back, presented by the Casa Grande High library, the Petaluma High library and the Petaluma Regional Library/Sonoma County Library. All are invited to join the fun on Jan. 28, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Community Center where they can visit Artist Alley, meet authors and illustrators, enter contests and enjoy arts and crafts. For more information on this community event, visit www.lumacon.net.

-

La Tercera Elementary School students demonstrated their love of reading when they logged over 22 million words - yes, you read that correctly, 22 million - and earned themselves a popcorn and movie party. Keep up the great work, La Tercera students.

-

Cinnabar Elementary School District honored board trustee Paul Sequeira at the Jan. 10 board meeting. Sequeria received an appreciation award for 20 years of service as a board trustee and for his district leadership as board president. According to superintendent/principal Tracie Kern, Mr. Sequeira has led the district through many changes during his 20 years of service. Recently, he has led the direction for the district’s modernization plans, the move to go solar, and for Cinnabar’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Music (STEAM) educational programs.

-

On Feb. 1, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Petaluma Regional Library. 100 Fairgrounds Drive, Live Oak Montessori, in partnership with the Petaluma Educational Foundation, is offering a free community parent education program presented by Vicky Hoefle. Hoefle has been offering her presentation “How To Raise Capable, Cooperative, Responsible and Respectful Kids” nationwide for several years. She is the author of “Duct Tape Parenting” and “The Straight Talk on Parenting.” This presentation is open to all. For more information, visit www.vickihoefle.com/free-parenting-event.

-

Casa Grande High School shares news of its “A” grade rating in the national Niche.com listing. Casa Grande is among 24 schools out of more than 200 in Sonoma County that earned an “A” grade in the new national-ranking system. “Ranking is based on a compilation of data points from the US Department of Education, CAASPP, College Board, Healthy Kids Survey, truancy and discipline records, Office of Civil Rights, and parent and student feedback surveys,” says Casa Grande principal Eric Backman. As reported in the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, several categories were given individual scores and averaged to give each school an overall grade. The divisions included academics, diversity, teachers, college readiness, clubs and activities, health and safety, administration, sports, food, resources and facilities.

-

Each month, classes from St. Vincent de Paul Elementary School select a charity to help raise awareness for people in need. Students who donate receive one day of free dress. Last month, the students, faculty and staff of SVES participated in a toy drive to benefit Petaluma Community Christmas Cheer Food and Toy Program. Mrs. Riley’s first-grade class has led the school’s annual toy drive for the last 12 years. During that time, SVES has collected more than 3,300 new toys as part of the annual effort. “Students from all grade levels look forward to the annual toy drive with excitement, as they prepare to do their part in giving back to those in need during the holiday season. This year, the toy drive lasted approximately one week, and SVES collected 193 toys,” shares Riley. “SVES feels grateful as a school community to be able to help in any way it can, and looks forward to the joy that the donations bring children in Petaluma at Christmas.”

-

Student registration for next school year continues at local campuses. Please visit each individual school website for information on Parent Preview programs and other informative resources available to parents.

(Maureen Highland is a Petaluma mother and executive director for the Petaluma Educational Foundation. She can be reached at schools@arguscourier.com)