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.
EDC Education Highlights
Marshall School of Medical Assisting honors second graduating cohort – Mountain Democrat - On Feb. 25, community members from Marshall Medical, the El Dorado County Office of Education and the greater El Dorado County region joined together to celebrate the second graduating cohort of the Marshall School of Medical Assisting.
A child advocate who made a lasting impression – Mountain Democrat - Sheila Silan’s name is well-known within her former professional community as a foster youth services program coordinator and as a champion amongst the families and youth she served.
World Down Syndrome Day to be celebrated at Sierra House Elementary – South Tahoe Now - Students and staff at Sierra House Elementary School in South Lake Tahoe recognized World Down Syndrome Day on Friday, March 21 and honoring their students who have Down Syndrome.
‘It’s Showtime’ Beetlejuice comes to Ponderosa High School – Mountain Democrat – The story of Beetlejuice is headed to Ponderosa High School at the end of this month as the theater department’s school-year-ending spectacular “Beetlejuice Jr.”
Robotics team takes top five in states, hopes to compete internationally – Tahoe Daily Tribune – GigaBite Robotics, a Tahoe community team, placed top five in the FIRST Tech Challenge Nevada State Championship. GigaBite Robotics was founded four years ago and competed with 10 high school members.
Folsom, Vista, and Oak Ridge High Schools head to Academic Decathlon – Folsom Times - Local students from Folsom, Vista del Lago, and Oak Ridge High Schools are all headed to compete among California’s brightest students at the 2025 California Academic Decathlon State Championship this week.
Talented artists on the Divide - Georgetown Gazette – The March reception at Art on the Dvid Cooperative Gallery featured the talented student artists from Erica Phillips’ Golden Sierra High School class.
In the Know March 21 – Mountain Democrat - The Empower event will take place March 21 at the Cameron Park Community Center from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in coordination with El Dorado County Youth Commission. The event will include keynote speaker Rochelle Whellams, school presentations from Golden Sierra Peer Advocacy and Union Mine Friday Night Live and words from El Dorado County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Ed Manansala. On March 25, Buckeye Union School District hosts its 12th Heritage Festival, 5-7 p.m. at Valley View Charter Montessori in El Dorado Hills. More than a dozen booths will showcase different countries, sharing information about their culture.
Good to Know
Local
Music on the Divide is calling all young musicians – Georgetown Gazette – Young musicians of the Divide are invited to apply to showcase their talent in the 30th Young Musicians Concert scheduled for April 29.
Place your orders; CASA’s Box Lunch is coming – Mountain Democrat - Child Advocates of El Dorado County’s 29th annual Box Lunch fundraiser takes place on April 24. This long-standing community event plays a crucial role in supporting CASA’s advocacy services for abused, neglected and at-risk youth in El Dorado County.
Tee off for Golf for Kids’ Sake tournament – Mountain Democrat - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Sierra invites the community to make a difference, one swing at a time. Get ready to hit the greens for a great cause with the 13th annual Golf for Kids’ Sake tournament, set for Monday, May 19 at the prestigious Serrano Country Club in El Dorado Hills.
March 1 - March 14, 2025
EDC Education Highlights
Stars at School: Natalie Stephens-Butler – Mountain Democrat - What started as a teacher’s simple suggestion turned into an inspiring journey for Ponderosa High School senior Natalie Stephens-Butler, whose experience in Academic Decathlon has shaped her perspective on learning, teamwork, and resilience.
Congratulations to this month’s nonprofit of the month: Project Green – Style Magazine – Project Green’s mission is to engage students to help grow school gardens by creating a safe outdoor educational environment while nurturing social development.
City of South Lake Tahoe relaunches free learn to swim program for 3rd graders in partnership with LTUSD – Tahoe Daily Tribune – The city of South Lake Tahoe Parks & Recreation department, in partnership with the Lake Tahoe Unified School District, announced the return of the 3rd grade swim program.
Marcella Foundation hosts BookMode Kindle Giveaway at Sierra House Elementary – Tahoe Daily Tribune – The Marcella Foundation hosted its 3rd annual BookMode Kindle Giveaway Event at Sierra House Elementary School, where 70 brand-new Kindles were distributed to every 2nd Grade student.
South Lake Tahoe GigaBite Robotics fundraising for competition in the Netherlands – South Tahoe Now – The South Lake Tahoe GigaBites Robotics team shined recently at the Nevada state competition doing well enough to qualify for the FIRST Tech Challenge Premier Event in the Netherlands July 1-5.
“Noises Off,” laughter on – Village Life - Live theater is a kind of magic act; for two-ish hours, give or take, the cast and crew collaborate to weave a tale that, ideally, will keep the audience transfixed and engaged.
Good to Know
Local
It’s Box Lunch Time! – South Tahoe Now – CASA El Dorado’s 29th Annual Box Lunch fundraiser, taking place April 24, supports its programs that provide support, empowerment, and a voice for the abused, neglected, and at-risk youth in El Dorado County.
February 21 - 28, 2025
EDC Education Highlights
Sierra House Elementary named a 2024 Educational Results Partnership Honor Roll school – South Tahoe Now – Lake Tahoe Unifies School District (LTUSD) has announced the naming of Sierra House Elementary School as a 2024 Honor Roll school.
EDHS alum contributes to NASA’s Artemis Project – Mountain Democrat - El Dorado High School graduate Chris Volek is helping shape the future of space exploration by contributing to one of NASA’s most ambitious space missions — Artemis.
CAPP Fund donates over $6000 for STHS and GWHS – South Tahoe Now - The CAPP Fund (College APPlication Fund) just completed its fifth year of giving back to any local high school senior who applied for reimbursement of up to 2 college application fees.
Marcella Foundation hosts BookMode Kindle Giveaway at Sierra House Elementary – South Tahoe Now - The Marcella Foundation hosted its 3rd annual BookMode Kindle Giveaway event at Sierra House Elementary School, where 70 brand-new Kindles were distributed to every second-grade student.
Transitional kindergarten, kindergarten programs available at BOMUSD – Georgetown Gazette – BOMUSD offers high-quality developmentally appropriate transitional kindergarten and kindergarten programs.
Future Farmers of America grows in the divide – Georgetown Gazette - Golden Sierra Junior Senior High School has started a Future Farmers of America program this school year. In the spring term, a new ag science course was launched, and the program is looking to involve a lot more students and members of the community.
Creativity takes over AODC – Georgetown Gazette - Please join Erica Phillips and her Golden Sierra High School students for a reception at Art On the Divide Gallery on March 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. David Blonski will play original music for this event and refreshments will be served.
Good to Know
Local
Tahoe Fund seeks teens to be part of Teens for Tahoe Giving Circle – South Tahoe Now - High school students with a passion for Lake Tahoe are encouraged to apply for this new program, which is part of the Tahoe Fund’s Teens for Tahoe initiative and begins this Spring.