Regional News in Education

January  3 - 17

EDC Education Highlights

Local high school students participate in 2024 El Dorado Forestry Challenge – Mountain Democrat - A total of 139 high school students from 17 schools in Sacramento and the Sierra Nevada foothills participated in the 2024 El Dorado Forestry Challenge.

Innovating Education – Comstock’s – El Dorado County’s education system is known for its overall level of excellence, performance, and creativity. Integrated into this exceptional system are some distinct and innovative programs that offer students unique learning opportunities in the arts, dual enrollment, language immersion, and CTE.

Students fill Empty Bowls with goodwill – Mountain Democrat - El Dorado High School students are in the midst of making upward of 150 bowls to donate to the annual Empty Bowls Supper fundraiser set for March 8 at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds.

Golden Sierra students participate in Forestry Challenge – Georgetown Gazette – Thirteen students from Golden Sierra High School participated in the 2024 El Dorado Forestry Challenge. 

Meg’s Meanderings: Grateful Gatherings – Georgetown Gazette - Celebrating the Divide community’s ongoing commitment to education, the Black Oak Mine Unified School District administration held a reception of gratitude. 

Help create a cozy corner at Georgetown School – Georgetown Gazette - Mrs. Dean of Georgetown School is conducting a fundraiser to benefit students in grades Pre-K through second at the Georgetown School.

Good to know 

Local 

Video contest brings scholarship opportunity to high schoolers – Mountain Democrat - The National Special Districts Association is promoting its annual scholarship contest for high school students designed to encourage young people to engage with local government to enhance their civics education. 

Mountain Democrat Publisher Esposito retires – Mountain Democrat - The Mountain Democrat began the year 2025 without Publisher Richard Esposito, who has retired.

$8.6 million awarded to Lake Tahoe Community College to support Tahoe basin’s first public safety training complex – Tahoe Daily Tribune – Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) was awarded $8.6 million to provide leadership and technical assistance for the college in the Project to support the construction of a new Tahoe Basin Public Safety Training Complex (TBPSTC). 

Statewide

Over 45 billion in local bonds coming to schools and community colleges – EdSource - This past November, hundreds of California school districts pursued local bond dollars to fix or update campuses across their communities. Voters passed 205 of 267 proposed local construction bonds on the Nov. 5 ballot, including 14 of 15 for community colleges.

Let the scramble begin for a short supply of state construction money – EdSource - The record 205 school districts that passed construction bonds in November will spend 2025 vying for matching money from a $10 billion state bond that will meet only a small portion of the demand for financial help. 

Student, teacher AI use continued to climb in 2023-24 school year – K12Dive - Some 39% of teachers reported regularly using detection tech to spot AI-related plagiarism, according to the Center for Democracy & Technology.

December 7 - 20

EDC Education Highlights

County Board of Education trustees take their seats – Mountain Democrat - At the Dec. 13 regular meeting of the El Dorado County Board of Education, Rachel Librach and Ken Futernick took the oath of office to become the new trustees for Area 1 and Area 3. Kathi Jensen took the oath of office as a returning trustee for Area 5. 

El Dorado High School woodshop transformed into holiday hub – Mountain Democrat - El Dorado High School's wood shop was transformed into a winter wonderland Friday, Dec. 6 and Monday, Dec. 9, part of a yearly tradition that brings smiles to hundreds of local youngsters.

New members sworn in for LTUSD school board; Kemper selected as president – South Tahoe Now - Two new school board members and one returning member were sworn in during the Lake Tahoe Unified School District's (LTUSD) organizational meeting on December 13.

Kathi Jensen takes oath of office as County Board of Education Trustee with two new trustees – South Tahoe Now - At the December 13 regular meeting of the El Dorado County Board of Education, Rachel Librach and Ken Futernick took the oath of office to become the new trustees for Area 1 and Area 3. Kathi Jensen took the oath of office as a returning trustee for Area 5.

Stars at School: Community Gift Tree – Mountain Democrat - Thanks to the Community Gift Tree Program, more than 500 El Dorado County children will feel the warmth and generosity of their community this holiday season. 

South Tahoe High School students enjoy holiday dinner created by culinary students and staff – South Tahoe Now - For the first time, South Tahoe High School (STHS) Students were treated to a special holiday dinner created by the school's culinary students and staff served during lunch this week.

Good to Know

 Local

That’s a wrap for toys for tots – Mountain Democrat - This year, the local Toys for Tots program collected or purchased, processed, and delivered more than 12,000 items to 2,500-plus children throughout El Dorado County. 

Residents unite to bring holiday cheer to local students – Mountain Democrat - The holiday spirit is alive and thriving in El Dorado County, as community members rallied together for The Elf Project, a heartwarming initiative designed to ensure 414 students on the western slope experience the joy of the season.

Statewide

Can theater prevent violence in schools? – EdSource - $600,000 federal grant fuels Sacramento-area program to help kids tap into emotional learning and healing. Dramatic arts exercises create a safe space to explore dark feelings, what triggers them, and how to disarm them, without fear of judgment. 

State takes another step toward mandatory testing for reading difficulties in 2025 – EdSource - A panel of reading experts has designated the tests that school districts can use to identify reading difficulties that kindergartners through second graders may have, starting next fall.

November 27 - December 6

EDC Highlights

Camino district appoints new leader – Mountain Democrat - At its Nov. 21 meeting, the Camino Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Matthew Barnes as the new district superintendent/principal. His newly appointed position will become effective Jan. 1.

At EDUHSD: Superintendent Kuhlman has 3 'lenses' for success – Mountain Democrat - The El Dorado Union High School District has been under new leadership since the start of the school year, with longtime educator Michael Kuhlman stepping in as superintendent following the retirement of Dr. Ron Carruth over the summer. 

Students explore the beautiful art of Georgia O’Keeffe – Mountain Democrat - Buckeye Elementary School is excited to provide Meet the Masters Week, an immersive arts event that introduces students to the life and legacy of celebrated artists.

County high-schoolers have options – Mountain Democrat - The El Dorado Union High School District announces that limited open enrollment at El Dorado, Ponderosa and Union Mine high schools for the 2025-26 school year will be offered to incoming ninth-grade students who reside within the El Dorado Union High School District attendance boundaries. 

Happy About Measure A – Mountain Democrat - I (Dr. Gabe Simon) am thrilled to share with Black Oak Mine Union School District families, staff, and community the incredible news that Measure A has officially passed. With these funds we can embark on transformative projects such as:

·         Expand STEM classrooms and career technical education spaces, fostering innovation and preparing students for future careers.

·         Repair aging infrastructure, including leaky roofs, plumbing and restrooms to create safe and comfortable learning environments.

·         Enhance student safety with updated security systems and improved accessibility for all.

·         Upgrade playgrounds and athletic fields to support the physical and emotional well-being of our students.

Stars at School: El Dorado Union High School District Unified Sports Program – Mountain Democrat - The El Dorado Union High School District Unified Sports Program hosted a festive Halloween celebration at El Dorado High School, uniting students with and without intellectual disabilities for a day of fun, friendship, and team spirit. This event showcased EDUHSD’s dedication to fostering social inclusion and the unifying power of sports.

November 16 - 22

EDC Education Highlights

Williams Brooks garden continues to grow - Mountain Democrat - Children recently munched on healthy foods at a picnic table surrounded by freshly planted trees at the William Brooks Elementary School's new orchard inside the school garden.

Youth commissioners step into the spotlight during Shadow Day – Mountain Democrat - The future of El Dorado County is bright as a new generation of leaders takes the reins through the El Dorado County Youth Commission. 

Silva Valley Elementary expands its learning environment – Mountain Democrat - The Silva Valley Elementary School PTA unveiled a new outdoor learning space at Silva Valley Elementary School on Nov. 15.

Goodbye and hello: New, yet familiar face joins local school district – Georgetown Gazette – Black Oak Mine Unified School District plays a significant role in the community. Meg Anderson has taken on a new role with BOMUSD as Public Information Officer.

Good to Know

Statewide

California schools recovering from the pandemic, school dashboard shows – EdSource – California’s K-12 schools made progress in several areas last school year, including increasing graduation rates slightly, and reducing suspensions and the number of students who were chronically absent from school, according to the School Dashboard released Thursday. 

Attendance is a bright spot in the latest California School Dashboard – CalMatters - California’s public school students are continuing to rebound from the pandemic, with more showing up for class, more graduating and fewer misbehaving at school, according to new data released today.


Welcome, Guest