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Education CommitteeThe Education Committee provides scholarships for SVLHS graduates attending Cabrillo College. We also work on various education issues in SLV. Events Yard Sale for scholarship funds: June EDUCATION NEWS Summer 2008 Education Committee Tackling Important Issues: For two meetings, the Education Committee met via conference call, but this does not mean it is sitting still!! The Committee reviewed the range of possible "education" categories (preschool through adult ed) and identified areas of concern within some of them, which they will address. After much discussion, it was decided to examine the following, in priority order: I. High quality pre-school programs, specifically those that prepare children for kindergarten. There is concern that there are not enough programs and that the cost is prohibitive for many families. Dusty Gipson began investigating the status of kindergarten preparation at our local preschools. She reported that approximately 190 children will enroll in kindergarten next Fall. Of these, about 100 are now enrolled in a pre-k (kindergarten readiness) program. Since curriculum is developed based upon academic skills expected of children as they enter kindergarten, those without pre-k experience are often woefully behind in those skills – everything from using scissors, to how to turn pages of a book. Hence the importance of pre-school and/or parent awareness of skills needed. Major challenges for local preschools are funding and cost of attending. The average cost per child to attend 2 - 3 days per week, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, is $380.00 per month. This, however, does not provide adequate revenue to pay teachers more than $10 - 15 per hour, and these positions do not carry benefits. The cost deters many families from participating, so vacancies exist at nearly all pre-schools. However, because it is difficult to attract and retain teachers at the low salary rate, pre-schools cannot afford to lower the per-pupil charge any further; they must maintain this level of income. It was reported that all pre-schools are constantly fundraising and writing grants just to make ends meet as it is. Recommendations under consideration include: 1) Provide Mark Stone's office with data supporting the need for adequate County subsidy. Budget hearings will be held June 16 -26 this year. It was noted that it appeared that our pre-schools do not typically work collectively to achieve such support and perhaps we could help with that. 2) Provide free books when parents come to register their children for kindergarten since, it was learned, many children do not have age-appropriate books in their homes. Parents would be encouraged to read to/with their youngsters to help build basic skills. 3) Provide packets of supplies for children to use during the summer before they start kindergarten (i.e., scissors, glue, pencils, construction paper, etc.). It was also suggested that a two-week "boot camp" be created to help those who need skill development in the use of such materials in preparation for kindergarten. [Who could organize such a class?] II. School-to-work programs. Determining whether SLV students are adequately prepared to enter the workforce upon graduation is another focus for the Committee; Donna Zeil began to research this issue. Coast Redwood reported that "life skills" (including resume writing, interview skills) are taught in a required class. These skills prepare students for Regional Occupational Program (ROP) classes or jobs. Students may enroll in ROP starting in their junior year, but classes are held off campus. Donna will interview White Oak and SLV High School staff to understand their programs and to determine whether or not enough students can be involved and what support we might provide. III. Drug-abuse education (especially around meth). Sandra Love is beginning an investigation of drug abuse education as taught in our schools. The Sheriff's Department informed her that a Public Service Officer used to visit 4th and 5th grade classes to talk about the negative effects of smoking and drinking, but that position has been eliminated to cut costs. The responsibility for such education now rests entirely with the schools. Sandy will check into what is being taught currently and what their needs might be. IV. Cabrillo College is reinstating its "community advisory committee" to help guide planning for maintenance and expansion of the Scotts Valley Center. Rachel Mayo (Director of Cabrillo's Watsonville Center) and Claudine Wildman (Fifth District Cabrillo Trustee) will call the next meeting. Two VWC Education Committee members, Donna Ziel and Vince Waskell plan to attend. V. Nutrition and issues such as use of hydrogenated oils in the local schools’ lunch program has spurred a group of parents, including Sue Kuivanen, to work on a resolution describing ways to improve it. The Education Committee has indicated their interest in this concern and is awaiting the draft resolution for the VWC Board to consider supporting. These are all exciting and far-reaching concerns. Contact Donna Ziel (336-5043) if you would like to have a role in one or more of these programs!
VWC Scholarships Announced for Four Local Students VWC Scholarship applications were distributed to SLVHS, White Oak HS, and Coast Redwood HS. The Scholarship Committee (Chair, Hilary Stanley, Donna Zeil, Sheila DeLany and Sandra Love) chose four local seniors to receive some of the $2,000 total being distributed for the Fall semester, to help them fund their higher educational goals. Watch for names and photos on the website and in next September’s Newsletter.
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