THE CHALKBOARD: New teachers, principals greet returning students

Let the school year begin!

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Students, teachers, administrators and parents are all getting back into the routine of the new school year. This year we see a few new faces in leadership roles on campuses. Grant School welcomes principal Amanda Gray, Miwok School welcomes principal Mary Reynolds, McNear Elementary welcomes Liza Eichert, McKinley School/PACS is now led by Ani Larson, Mary Collins School at Cherry Valley has been in session for a few weeks with Amy Schlueter at the helm. Betha McCain is now Superintendent/Principal at Two Rock Elementary School and Sheila Garvey is now Superintendent/Principal at Wilson School. Good luck to all in their new leadership positions.

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Cinnabar Elementary School superintendent/principal Sandy Doyle says her teaching team is ready to begin the year. This week all participated in a staff development day which included presentations and activities led by the school nurse, local fire department, local police, RESIG, and a few inspirational TED Talks. Doyle reports the entire Cinnabar School staff of 40 people, received lots of review on the important safety and educational issues as they prepare to kick off the new school year.

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Ready, Set, GROW! Corona Creek Elementary School’s campus garden and outdoor learning space was a busy corner on campus the first weekend in August. In preparation for welcoming students back next week, parents, students, teachers and community helpers worked together to lay weed cloth, spread mulch and clean up the beds to prepare for fall planting with the students.

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Sonoma Mountain Charter Elementary School is unveiling some new campus artwork this year. Sofia Williamson created a work of art that will be displayed on campus for all to enjoy. The colorful piece encourages individuals to embody the message, “Stand tall and reach deep” to be the best person they can be.

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More than 8,000 pounds unloaded? Over 350 boxes organized? No problem, according to principal Lauri Anderson and the teaching team at McDowell Elementary. McDowell’s Monarchs will be introduced to a new English Language Arts and Language Development program when they enter school this semester, and all the materials are ready to go. Also happening on campus is the beautification of the Transitional Kindergarten/Kindergarten yard led by the Petaluma City Schools grounds crew, Eugenia Praetzel, and CGHS Key Club members. Teamwork in action.

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Also helping prepare students for the year ahead are several community groups and events. Petaluma’s Active 20-30 Club #30 members hosted the annual Children’s Shopping Spree day at Kohl’s in Petaluma. Thanks to financial donations collected at the club’s events throughout the year, this program provided 130 youth with new clothes, fresh haircuts, backpacks filled with school supplies, plus a delicious breakfast to fuel them up for the busy, fun-filled day of Back-to-School shopping.

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The Petaluma Police Department, working with Petaluma Policing Foundation, is packing up school backpacks with supplies to be shared with students attending programs at the Boys & Girls Club of Marin and Petaluma. Mentor Me is partnering with Fishman Supply, Petaluma Mother’s Club, the community and others to collect supplies for students involved in their programs. Bank of Marin coordinated a Shred Day & School Supply Drive event with the Petaluma Educational Foundation generating a huge selection of new school supplies, which will be distributed to students at several local campuses this week.

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Petaluma Educational Foundation’s Impact Grant application has a deadline of Oct. 1. Visit pefinfo.com, click Grants and download the application or contact Katy Verke at 778-5063 for more information on how to submit for curriculum-based grants (up to $15,000 per grant) supporting innovative and engaging learning environments at Petaluma area schools.

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Let the school year begin!

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