May 3 - May 9
EDC Highlights
Celebrating a dynamic collaboration in math education: South Tahoe Middle and High Schools lead the way – Tahoe Daily Tribune – At South Tahoe Middle School and South Tahoe High School, a remarkable partnership is unfolding, one that is setting a new standard for math education in the community.
Hands-On ag experience – Mountain Democrat - A total of 1,319 students from 13 elementary schools in the county learned about soil, cultivation, food cycles, animals, nutrition, natural resources, and stewardship of the land at Farm Day at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds on May 6.
Buckeye Union schools foster empathy and awareness – Mountain Democrat – This school year, every elementary school in the Buckeye Union School District welcomed back A touch of Understanding program.
The critical role of county offices of education: Supporting districts and the state’s most vulnerable students – CSBA - California’s 58 county offices of education (COEs) have long played an essential role in public education, but their work has become increasingly important in carrying out state directives and meeting local needs as schools juggle competing demands and scarce resources.
South Tahoe High School Viking Choir shines at choir competition – South Tahoe Now – The South Tahoe High School Viking Choir proudly presented their school on May 3 at a regional competition held at American Canyon High School.
$268,000 awarded to South Tahoe High School seniors during Scholarship Night – South Tahoe Now – South Tahoe High School celebrated its graduating seniors pursuing higher education with its annual scholarship night in April.
Team at STHS thanks community for Staff Appreciation Day donations – South Tahoe Now - Dear South Lake Tahoe community, On behalf of the entire team at South Tahoe High School, we want to extend our deepest gratitude for your generous donations in support of Staff Appreciation Week, taking place from May 5-9.
Youth Up to the Challenge – Georgetown Gazette - The Forestry Challenge championships were held at the end of April and Golden Sierra teacher Amara Smallwood took two teams to the competition.
Make your way down to Hadestown – Mountain Democrat – Studio 81 at El Dorado High School takes on the Tony award winning “Hadestown” by Anais Mitchell opening May 8 in the Carl Borelli amphitheater.
Good to Know
Local
Schools invited to apply for CDFW equipment grant - Mountain Democrat – The California Department of Fish and Wildlife National Archery in Schools Program is excited to announce the 2025-26 grant cycle is now open
April 26 - May 2
EDC Education Highlights
Lake Tahoe School District celebrates return of districtwide elementary swim program – Tahoe Daily Tribune – LTUSD third graders are diving into success, literally. Over the past few weeks, third graders took to the pool at the Recreation Swim Complex.
Green Valley Elementary integrates foothill history through field trip – Mountain Democrat - Green Valley Elementary School, part of the Rescue Union School District, recently took its third-grade class on an enriching field trip to the Maidu Historic Site in Roseville on April 3.
Stars at School: Gabriel Laymon – Mountain Democrat - Ponderosa High School’s Gabriel Laymon has earned Reserve Champion — 2nd in the state — in the Agricultural Sales Placement Proficiency category at the California FFA State Conference.
37th annual Kiwanis Club of South Lake Tahoe Shore Spelling Bee winners announced – South Tahoe Now - The Kiwanis Club of Lake Tahoe held its 37th annual South Shore Spelling Bee on April 24, a lead-up contest to the El Dorado County Spelling Bee in Placerville this May.
Good to Know
Statewide
Number of California teaching credentials increases after two-year slump – EdSource - California issued 18% more teaching credentials last school year, compared with the previous year, but education experts remain only cautiously optimistic.
April 18 - 25
EDC Education Highlights
New Jackson principal joining the Jaguars next year – Mountain Democrat - The Rescue Union School District has announced the appointment of Molly Griffin as the new principal of Jackson Elementary School.
Jackson Elementary earns distinguished honor – Village Life - State Superintendent Tony Thurmond has announced the 2025 California Distinguished Schools, and Jackson Elementary School of the Rescue Union School District has earned the prestigious honor.
Stars at School: Cynthia Saulter – Mountain Democrat - Cynthia Saulter, program assistant for EDCOE’s Transportation Department, has called El Dorado County home since she was 4 years old.
Join EDHS Cougars for a Taste on Main – Mountain Democrat – For the sixth year running, El Dorado High School’s Cougar Band Aides will host the Taste on Main event and fundraiser on Saturday, May 3 on, you guessed it, Main Street.
Soroptimists of Tahoe Sierra honor local students with scholarships and awards – South Tahoe Now - Students in the Lake Tahoe Unified School District, George Whittell High School, and Lake Tahoe Community College were honored with a special breakfast last week held by the Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra (SITS) club.
Green Valley Elementary brings California tribal history to life with Maidu filed trip – Placerville Newswire – Exclusive look into how third graders explored ancient Maidu culture on a hands-on history trek.
How short cycles of improvement drive change – Studer Education – At the El Dorado County Office of Education, short cycles of improvement are a core part of a winning strategy.
Good to Know
Local
Music on the divide showcases young musicians’ talents – Georgetown Gazette - On April 27 Music on the Divide will proudly present its 30th annual Young Musicians Concert at the Georgetown IOOF Hall.
Roberta Mason recognized as South Lake Tahoe Woman of the Year – South Tahoe Now – This honor acknowledges Roberta’s extraordinary contributions to the South Lake Tahoe community and the LTCC district.
April 5 - 11
El Dorado County school leaders honored at regional gala – Mountain Democrat - The Association of California School Administrators Region 2 hosted a March 21 gala at the Catta Verdera Country Club in Lincoln to celebrate Region 2 Administrators of the Year.
Driving operational clarity and systemic results – School Administrator April 2025 Issue – Four leadership habits, captured by a Studer Education coach, that are worth the long-term commitment.
Calling all county student poets – Mountain Democrat - In partnership with 2023-25 El Dorado County Poet Laureate Stephen Meadows, Arts and Culture El Dorado invites El Dorado County students to explore their hometown through poetry.
Good to Know
Local
Los Rios Chancellor Brian King announces retirement – Mountain Democrat – Los Rios Community College District Chancellor Brian King has announced he will retire at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
Bowls filled to fight hunger, Empty Bowls dinner raises nearly $20,000 – Mountain Democrat - The Placerville Empty Bowls Dinner, a cherished community event for 25 years, was led for the second year by youth from Hands4Hope - Youth Making a Difference on March 8.
Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe hosts third annual Bright Futures Ceremony – Tahoe Daily Tribune – The Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe will host its 3rd annual Bright Future Awards Ceremony on April 30. The event is open to the public.
Statewide
How districts can increase student access to computer science – EdSource – Collaboration between school districts and community organizations, including mentor teachers, is the key to expanding the pool of educators to teach computer science.
March 22 - April 4
BUSD earns awards, recognitions – Mountain Democrat - The Buckeye Union School District is proud to announce that Camerado Springs Middle School has been recognized as a Schools to Watch by the California League of Middle Schools.
Jackson Elementary Named California Distinguished School – CDE - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that 336 elementary schools have been selected for the prestigious 2025 California Distinguished Schools Program, California’s school recognition program that recognizes two categories of exceptional schools: those Closing the Achievement Gap and those demonstrating Exceptional Student Performance.
Students empowered to make a difference – Georgetown Gazette – On March, more than 150 high school students from El Dorado County gathered at the Cameron Park Community Center for the 2025 Empower event.
EDHS student wins statewide poetry-writing competition – Mountain Democrat - Erin Levinson, the 2025 El Dorado County Poetry Out Loud Champion, took first place in California’s Statewide poetry-writing competition, Poetry Ourselves. Levinson read her winning piece, “Metaphors,” during the Statewide Poetry Out Loud competition in Sacramento on March 16.
Students share their heritage – Village Life - The Buckeye Union School District hosted its 12th Heritage Festival on March 26 Valley View Charter Montessori in El Dorado Hills, bringing together cultures from all over the world.
Sly Park Field Day fosters learning and bonding – Mountain Democrat - El Dorado County is a remarkable place, home to diverse ecosystems, vibrant communities and countless opportunities for learning.
EDCOE Announces Amy Andersen in new leadership role – Mountain Democrat - The El Dorado County Office of Education recently announced the selection of Amy Andersen as the new associate superintendent of Educational Services.
Jackson Elementary principal earns prestigious admin award – Village Life - The Rescue Union School District recently announced that Michele Williamson has been named the Association of California School Administrators Region 2 Sam LaCara Administrator of the Year.
EDCSBA honors outstanding contributors to education at annual awards ceremony – South Tahoe Now - On Monday, March 24, 2025, the El Dorado County School Boards Association (EDCSBA) held its annual awards ceremony at Cold Springs Golf and Country Club, recognizing exceptional service and commitment to education.
ORHS achieves milestone at State Academic Decathlon – Mountain Democrat - Oak Ridge High School’s Academic Decathlon team brought home honors at the state competition on March 20-23, held in Santa Clara.
South Side Auto Body hosts auto shop students for hands-on visit – Tahoe Daily Tribune – On Tuesday, March 25, South Side Auto Body opened its doors to high school students from the auto shop program, giving them a first-hand look at the inner workings of a professional collision repair business.
Every 15 minutes event stresses dangers of driving drunk – Georgetown Gazette - The program took place on the campus of Golden Sierra High School on March 26 & 27.
Stars at School: National Reading Month – Mountain Democrat - El Dorado County schools brought reading to life this March with creative events, guest readers and spirited competitions that inspired students to dive into books.
Green and Gray Gathering helps Ponderosa students prosper – Mountain Democrat - The Green and Gray Gathering in support of the Ponderosa High School Foundation is coming on April 5.
Good to Know
Local
Stand up and fall down laughing at MORE event – Village Life - The ninth annual Stand Up for MORE fundraiser benefiting the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce and Motherlode Rehabilitation Enterprises, the locally esteemed day program for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, is returning Friday, April 25, at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.
Clinics set for Adolescent Immunization Action Week – Mountain Democrat - To help raise awareness that preteens and teens need vaccines to keep safe from disease, the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency – Public Health Division is joining with the California Department of Public Health in recognizing April 7-11 as Adolescent Immunization Action Week.