December 12 - 19
EDC Education Highlights
Registration open for bijou community school TWBI program - South Tahoe Now - Bijou Community School in South Lake Tahoe is now accepting commitment forms for its Two-Way Bilingual Immersion (TWBI) TK and kindergarten classes for the 2026-2027 school year.
El Dorado County schools earn statewide recognition – Georgetown Gazette – Northside Elementary from Black Oak Mine Unified School District received 2025 California Honor Roll.
School Board positions, student celebrations, and phone policy – Tahoe Daily Tribune – The Final Lake Tahoe Unified School Board District (LTUSD) meeting of the year took place Thursday night, where the board addressed nominations to the board, celebrated Elevate and Mt. Tallac students and cellphone, among other items.
Student of the Year: Nora Glickman – Village Life – The Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills and local educators recently celebrated Nora Glickman as Marina Village Middle School Student of the Year.
Rural education, full of gratitude – Mountain Democrat - Gold Oak Union School District, which includes Gold Oak Elementary School and Pleasant Valley Middle School, is filled with gratitude this holiday season
Stars at School: Joe Enright – Mountain Democrat - Joe Enright grew up in El Dorado County, surrounded by family, learning early the value of patience, persistence, and teamwork.
Good to Know
Local
Lake Tahoe School fifth grader becomes a published author – Tahoe Daily Tribune - We are proud to announce the publication of a short story by fifth-grade student, Maiia Christoffersen marking a significant achievement that has transformed her into a budding literacy role model for her peers.
December 6 - December 12
EDC Education Highlights
South Tahoe High School Scholarship Fair a big success – South Tahoe Now – Once again, the amazing South Shore community came together to put on the annual South Tahoe High School (STHS) Scholarship Fair for seniors.
LTUSD and Sierra House honored with Golden Bell Award – Tahoe Daily Tribune - Sierra House Elementary School and the Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) were recognized at the 2025 California School Boards Association Annual Education Conference during the Golden Bell Awards on December 3, 2025, in Sacramento.
Santa’s student-made toys bring joy – Mountain Democrat - The scent of freshly cut pine hung in the air last week inside the El Dorado High School woodshop, where sawdust mixed with paint, glue and the unmistakable energy of teenagers determined to make magic happen.
Good to Know
Local
Station 43 holiday fundraiser benefitting New Morning Youth and Family Services returns – Mountain Democrat - Cal Fire’s Amador-El Dorado Unit will host its annual Christmas Open House and Fundraiser for New Morning Youth and Family Services on Dec. 13 and 14 at Station 43, inviting the public to stop by from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with an unwrapped toy or monetary donation.
Food Bank of El Dorado County announces holiday distribution – Mountain Democrat - The Food Bank of El Dorado County will hold its Holiday Outreach distribution on Saturday, Dec. 20, at its distribution facility at 4550 Business Drive in Shingle Springs.
November 24 - December 5
Greetings Superintendents and EDCOE Leadership,
EDC Education Highlights
CAEAA Member Spotlight – California Adult Education Administrators’ Association - Carey Buchanan, Director of Alternative Programs for the El Dorado County Office of Education, brings more than 20 years of experience in alternative education and nine years specifically in adult education.
Peer advocacy empowers students – Mountain Democrat - On November 7, 2025, the El Dorado County Office of Education’s Student Mental Health and Wellness team hosted “Empower,” a celebratory event recognizing student leaders who serve as peer advocates across El Dorado County.
Stars at School: Elizabeth DeBenedetto – Mountain Democrat - Administrative Assistant Elizabeth DeBenedetto, supporting the Geographic SELPA program, Systems Improvement Leads Grant Project and the Special Services program at the El Dorado County Office of Education, has a job that encompasses more than administrative tasks; it’s about empowering the teams that help students and families every day.
Garden Valley Fire has meet and greet at preschool - Georgetown Gazette - The Garden Valley Fire Protection District extends a big "thank you" to Headstart Preschool for inviting their firefighters and Regional Occupational Program students to visit.
Student of the quarter Ethan Young – Mountain Democrat – The Rotary Club of Cameron Park proudly recognized Ethan Young, an eighth-grade student at Camerado Springs Middle School, as Student of the Quarter on Sept. 11. Ethan is the son of Matt and Mary Young.
Student of the quarter Juliet Cheli – Mountain Democrat - The Rotary Club of Cameron Park proudly recognized Juliet Cheli, an eighth-grade student at Camerado Springs Middle School, as Student of the Quarter on Nov. 13.
Reunion shows the power of mentorship – Mountain Democrat - When El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Leikauf walked into Independence High School’s Thanksgiving feast on Nov. 20, junior Lucas McRoberts had no idea his former Big Brother was about to surprise him.
Lake Tahoe Unified School District thanks Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra for Thanksgiving Dinner at Mt. Tallac – Tahoe Daily Tribune - Lake Tahoe Unified School District would like to give a big thank you to Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra for providing a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner for our Mt. Tallac High School students.
Lake Tahoe Educational Foundation is thankful for teachers and staff – South Tahoe Now – The Lake Tahoe Educational Fund (LTEF) has announced the implementations of a new scholarship program designed to support current LTUSD employees on their path to becoming credentialed teachers.
Good to Know
Has student improvement plateaued in California? New Dashboard shows modest gains – Cal Matters - California’s K-12 students showed moderate progress academically last year, with some bright spots but otherwise plateauing after years of post-pandemic improvements, according to the new California School Dashboard released today.
Celebrating a religious or cultural holiday that takes place on school days? Here’s what to know – EdSource - Students are wrapping up their semesters and slowly lapsing into holiday mode. But, as some families come together to celebrate federal and state-recognized holidays, others participate in religious and cultural celebrations that take place on school days, raising questions about how to ensure students can participate in rituals and cultural celebrations while keeping up with their schoolwork.
Education Highlights
Stars at School: Charter Home Study Academy – Mountain Democrat - The Charter Home Study Academy hosted a meaningful Veterans Day Falg Salute on Thursday, Nov. 13, dedicated to honoring the brave men and women who have served our country.
Golden Sierra Peer Advocates program highlighted on PBS – Mountain Democrat - The El Dorado County Office of Education is incredibly proud that the innovative Peer Advocates Program at Golden Sierra Junior Senior High School was recently featured by PBS on its “Inside California Education” television series.
Green Valley Elementary named to Honor Roll – Mountain Democrat - Green Valley Elementary School in the Rescue Union School District has once again been recognized as a California Honor Roll School by the Educational Results Partnership, earning the distinction for the second consecutive year.
Go For the Gold returns – Georgetown Gazette - Go For the Gold is a fundraiser that benefits the 2026 Golden Sierra Senior Class grad night. On Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the brunch and silent auction will be held at Black Oak Mountain Vineyard, 2480 Highway 193 in Cool
Student of the Year: Finnegan Loarie – Village Life - The Rotary Club of El Dorado Hills and local educators celebrated Finnegan Loarie as Valley View Charter Montessori Student of the Year. Principal Paul Stewart commended Finn for his exceptional integrity and said he's a role model for other students.
Education afloat: Local 7th graders dive into Lake Tahoe stewardship – Tahoe Daily Tribune - Over 250 7th-grade students from Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) set sail on the iconic MS Dixie II paddleboat for a day of hands-on environmental learning, hosted by South Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition (STEEC) last month.
Good to Know
Veterans Day honors the brave – Mountain Democrat - Local veterans and their families were honored at the Veterans Day ceremony held at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
More Than Gold at Placerville Arts Association’s National Mother Lode Art Exhibition – Mountain Democrat - There couldn’t be a better time or place to refresh your soul than at Placerville Arts Association’s 59th National Mother Lode Art Exhibition, running through Nov. 22 with free admission.
Assistance League helps kids get geared up – Mountain Democrat - Assistance League Sierra Foothills volunteers and guests came together at Walmart in Placerville last month for several Operation School Bell shopping trips. More than 1,349 students were invited to shop.
Serrano Men’s Book Club makes record donation – Mountain Democrat - Every year for the past 17 years the Serrano Men’s Book Club has donated to The Friends of the El Dorado Hills Library. In all they have provided almost $130,000 for the betterment of the community.
Community gathers for the grange – Georgetown Gazette - The Marshall Grange Youth recently held their yearly fundraiser — the Stock Your Freezer raffle! The Grangers did a wonderful job selling tickets and made some good impressions and encounters in the community.
Understanding the California School Dashboard: What parents need to know – EdSource - The California Department of Education on Thursday released the annual California School Dashboard, which means it’s time for a refresher course in the state’s multidimensional, multicolored look at student, school and district achievement.
November 1 - November 7
EDC Education Highlights
Stars at School, Mountainside Middle College High School Taiko Program – Mountain Democrat - The powerful, resounding Taiko drums of Mountainside Middle College High School recently captivated a student, staff and parent audience, delivering an educational and high-energy performance at Mountain Creek Middle School.
Lights, Camera, Shakespeare, Studio 81 takes “Midsummer” to Hollywood – Mountain Democrat - El Dorado High School’s Studio 81 Theatre program kicked off its 2025-26 season Thursday, Nov. 6, with a freshly imagined adaptation of one of William Shakespeare’s most beloved plays.
Student opportunities expand through partnership – Mountain Democrat - Gold Oak Union School District is excited to see new growth blooming at Pleasant Valley Middle School through its partnership with Project Green, a local nonprofit dedicated to bringing school gardening programs to El Dorado County schools.
“Peter and the Starcatcher” sets sail at Ponderosa High School – Village Life - When the curtain rises on Ponderosa Stage Productions’ “Peter and the Starcatcher,” audiences will find themselves swept aboard a rickety ship bound for Neverland’s beginnings. The beloved play, written by Rick Elice and based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, took the stage Nov. 6 at Ponderosa High School.
LTUSD announces Human Resources leadership transition – South Tahoe Now - Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) Superintendent Dr. Todd Cutler is now also serving as the acting director of Human Resources, the District announced Monday. The vacancy was created by the departure of the former director, John Simons.
Good to Know
California education leaders vow to decrease chronic absenteeism – California School Boards Association - On Aug. 19, the California Department of Education (CDE) and Attendance Works announced in a press conference that California is on track and committed to reducing chronic absenteeism by 50 percent by 2030. It also marked the release of the California Attendance Guide (www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ai/ag), an online resource that shows how recent successes can be turned into actionable strategies for local educational agencies statewide.
California State Parks invites military community to enjoy free admission – Mountain Democrat - This Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, California State Parks invites U.S. service members and their families to enjoy free admission to 142 state parks throughout California in gratitude for their service to our nation.
CASA hosts Shine Bright Gala in support of local children – Mountain Democrat - CASA El Dorado will host its annual fundraising gala on Saturday, Nov. 15, bringing the community together to support children in foster care and celebrate the belief that every child deserves a bright future.
Rotarians promote literacy one dictionary at a time – Village Life - The Rotary Club of Cameron Park continued its long-standing tradition of promoting literacy through its annual Dictionary Project, bringing the joy of learning to local third graders.