Campus will graduate 6,893 students for 2020-2021; celebrations will include Grad Walk and a virtual event featuring Oprah Winfrey.
UCSB — The Current — Virtually Finished
Category: Youth
County of Ventura Human Services Agency Partners with SEEAG To Increase CalFresh Student Enrollment
The County of Ventura Human Services Agency is partnering with Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) to increase CalFresh enrollment and food access among students and families served by SEEAG’s Ventura County Child Wellness Initiative (VCCWI). CalFresh provides monthly food benefits to individuals and families with low-incomes.
SEEAG’s VCCWI began in 2017. SEEAG staff members travel in an agricultural and nutritional-themed Farm Fresh Mobile Classroom van to Ventura County elementary schools to educate, inspire and empower children and their families to increase their consumption of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.
United Way of Ventura County — Imagine what we can do together
This past year was a very challenging time for our community and country. But the challenges we faced also provided us with tremendous opportunities for growth. In a few weeks, we will conclude our fiscal year. It has been one of the most difficult in our 76-year history, but I’ve been continually reminded how resilient our staff, donors, and community partners are and how their passion is changing lives. Lives like those of Annalisa and her children.
The Ventura County Class of 2021 Impresses and Inspires Amid Pandemic Challenges
After an entire school year in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Last year’s drive-through graduation events are being replaced with in-person ceremonies – some of them even held indoors.
Like the class of 2020 before them, high school students in the graduating class of 2021 have shown incredible resilience and perseverance throughout the pandemic. They’ve adapted to distance learning and social distancing and the strange realities of returning to school during a global health emergency.
Oxnard College Raises Pride Flag Above Campus to Honor Pride Month
In honor of Pride Month, Oxnard College became Ventura County’s first higher-education institution to raise the LGBTQ+ Progress Pride flag over its campus. The flag-raising ceremony took place on June 1 and was in collaboration with the Diversity Collective, Ventura County’s LGBTQ Oxnard chapter. The flag will fly through June.
“If America stands for anything, it stands for the ideal of liberty and justice for all,” shared Luis Sanchez, president of Oxnard College. “Oxnard College welcomes students from all backgrounds and identities, and we proudly raise the Pride flag above our campus as a symbol of our commitment to equality for all human beings and a celebration of our LGBTQ+ community.”
Bilingual report — El Concilio Family Services — Youth ages 12 and up can now get vaccinated against COVID-19
COVID Casts Stark Light on Structural Inequalities in California
… “If everyone had had the same opportunities to shelter at home, use personal protective equipment, get tested, and see a doctor at the first possible symptoms, there would have been very little difference between the state’s R/E groups,” said David E. Hayes-Bautista, Distinguished Professor of Medicine with the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Director of CESLAC.
The Latino death rate, for example, went from merely twice as high as the NHW death rate in May 2020, to nearly six times as high by April 2021. With some minor variations, all other non-white R/E groups showed similar, growing disparities, resulting in higher and higher death rates.
Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for June 3, 2021
Gabriel Ramirez served as a Disaster Service Worker and is now returning entirely to his duties at the Public Works Agency as an Engineering Tech, where he focuses on research and development in the areas of geographic Information systems, computer programming, remote sensing, and video development.
He has been an important part of COVID-19 response including supervising a testing site at the start of the pandemic. As a videographer, Gabriel has also been helping to share important messages with our diverse community in Ventura County. He is pictured above filming Euclides del Moral, head of the Mexican Consulate in Oxnard, encouraging the community to get vaccinated.
We thank County Disaster Service Workers, like Gabriel, who have helped us get through the pandemic. We are so grateful for their service to our community.
Bilingual report — County of Ventura reports COVID spending plan totals $373 million in support
“The pandemic impacted just about every part of our community and economy,” said County Executive Officer Mike Powers. “We budgeted and allocated funds in order to address multiple community health, social and economic impacts as well as basic needs.” The County’s COVID-19 Spending Plan encompasses costs incurred by the County from March 2020 through June 30, 2021. The plan is comprised of actual costs to-date and estimated costs through the end of June 2021 reported out now as the County reaches the end of the fiscal year.
Community Market at Oxnard College to Reopen June 6
The Community Market at Oxnard College, which operates every Sunday on the Oxnard College campus, will reopen June 6. Shopping hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with 150 vendors selling merchandise and produce; food trucks are also onsite.
The Community Market is located on the Oxnard College campus, 4000 South Rose Ave., Oxnard.
Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Walk-In Vaccination Opportunities & June 15th Changes
Child care is critical to Santa Barbara County’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This past year has highlighted how child care is a pillar of our national and local infrastructure, and has exposed unsustainable vulnerabilities and inequities that existed pre-pandemic. Santa Barbara County’s already fragile child care system needs a stronger infrastructure to ride out and recover from this pandemic as well as to ensure preparedness for the next emergency.
County of Ventura — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for June 1, 2012
Patty Zoll, from the county’s Human Resources Department, was among the amazing team of Disaster Service Workers (pictured above) at the Ventura County Fairgrounds COVID-19 vaccine clinic until May 10. Like all Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), she paused her regular work in Training and Development to respond to the pandemic. When the days were heavy, she reminded herself that DSWs are a part of history in helping Ventura County access vaccines and end the COVID-19 pandemic. She is pictured here with the DSW crew from the Fairgrounds that became “like family.”
Museum of Ventura County — New Outdoor Program — Register for ‘Mindfulness @ The Museum”
Join us this summer for Mindfulness at the Museum, new weekly free wellness classes outside in the gardens at the Museum of Ventura County and the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula.
You can participate at the Museum of Ventura County (100 E. Main St., Ventura) on Thursdays from 4—5pm and at the Agriculture Museum (926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula) on Saturdays from 10—11am in Santa Paula.
These classes provide fun and free activities for individuals and families. Beginners are encouraged to participate. All classes are free! Classes are limited and registration is required. MVC members get priority access.
Girls Inc. of Carpinteria Member Laura Flores Part of Virtual Graduation with Vice President Kamala Harris
Laura Flores, Girls Inc. of Carpinteria member and Carpinteria High School senior, was one of 100 students across the country who were invited to participate in a virtual graduation ceremony with Vice President Kamala Harris. The prime-time special aired May 23 on CNN.
Flores was one of three Girls Inc. seniors — all Teen Advocacy Council members — to participate and represent their fellow Girls Inc. members who are graduating from high school this year.
She was recently selected as a finalist for Jr. Carpinterian of the Year, and was recognized as a 2021 Girls Inc. National Scholar earlier this year. Ranked in the top 10% of her class, she graduates Carpinteria High with a 4.5 GPA and 25 units completed at Santa Barbara City College.
Calls Mount for Advance Warning of Ag Pesticide Spray
Californians in farmworker communities gathered Thursday online as well as in-person, calling on the state and county governments to web-post advance warning of agricultural pesticide use, citing the known health impacts of pesticide exposure and the tendency of pesticides to drift far from where they are applied. Currently, no notice is provided to the public. Advocates say that knowing in advance about hazardous chemical use near homes and schools would enable residents to take steps to protect themselves and their families from harm.
Bilingual report — Clínica de vacunación móvil en Paso Robles 28 de mayo 2021
Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 27, 2021
As of May 27, 2021, the COVID-19 email updates will be sent on Tuesdays and Thursdays or when there is a significant COVID-19 announcement. COVID-19 metrics continue to be updated daily at www.venturacountyrecovers.org.
Meet the 2021 Ventura County Teacher of the Year
Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, is pleased to announce that Mia Rogers from Glen City Elementary School in the Santa Paula Unified School District (SPUSD) is the 2021 Ventura County Teacher of the Year. Rogers and her students found out about the honor today when her family and local dignitaries made a surprise visit to her classroom.
Rogers currently teaches second grade at Glen City Elementary. Her principal, Dr. Lydia Olivo, said Rogers takes a gentle but effective approach to ensuring each students’ success. “Succeeding is not an option for students in Mrs. Rogers’ class; it’s a given. She knows what each student is capable of, helps them gain confidence and pushes them beyond their current instructional level.”
Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 26, 2021
The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s (VCAAA) Robotic Pet Companion Program offers people experiencing isolation and loneliness a comforting pet companion that mirrors many of the behaviors of a real animal. Those who have received the pets say they’ve noticed a decrease in depression symptoms, an increase in happiness, and improved sleep.
Do you know an older adult or person with a disability who is experiencing depression?
The VCAAA’s Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives, or PEARLS, is a national evidence-based program for late-life depression. PEARLS brings high-quality care into community-based settings that reach vulnerable older adults 60 and older. For more information visit https://www.vcaaa.org/our-services/social-services-caregiving/ or call 805-477-7300.
Ventura College Foundation Distributes Over $640,000 In Scholarships
The Ventura College Foundation awarded 400 scholarships to 228 students totaling $642,758 for the 2020/21 academic year.
Students were notified this month of their scholarship awards. Scholarship amounts range from an average of nearly $2,400 for continuing students to an average of nearly $4,000 for students who are transferring to four-year universities in the fall. Over half of the winners received multiple scholarships.
“Despite the challenges during the school year because of the pandemic and virtual learning, many Ventura College students were able to excel in their academic studies,” says Rob van Nieuwburg, Ventura College Foundation board chair. “Scholarship recipients are a wonderful example of the drive and commitment that our students show every day. Education is the gift that can pull families out of poverty, establish new futures, and launch dreams. We have been fortunate to be able to continue our mission during COVID to foster and enhance the education of Ventura College students. We are grateful for the generosity of our donors and community members who are giving the gift of education by making these scholarships possible.”
Mary Maranville, SEEAG Founder & CEO, Is 2021 Women’s Economic Ventures Spirit of Entrepreneurship Nonprofit Award Winner
Mary Maranville, founder and CEO of Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG), received the Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award for Nonprofits. Each year, WEV celebrates outstanding women business owners from Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties in 10 industry categories. The awards were announced during a live virtual ceremony on May 21. Over 150 business leaders and community members attended.
“The SOE Awards are a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge and honor these amazing women for the hard work they have put in to keep their businesses thriving. This year’s winners are even more inspirational when you factor in the challenges presented throughout the past year,” said Kathy Odell, CEO of WEV.
Ventura County Community Development Corp. Community Matters May 2021
Meet Crystal! About 3 years ago, Crystal and her father needed to refinance their home as their mortgage payments kept increasing due to their adjustable interest rate. Their hope was to refinance with a low fixed interest rate to lower their monthly mortgage payments. Crystal went to bank lenders to see if she would qualify for a refinance but nothing seemed to work for her. It was a worrisome time for Crystal and her dad and they thought they would lose their home as they continued to struggle to afford the monthly mortgage payments.
All this changed after a family member, a client of ours, encouraged Crystal to get help from VCCDC.
“VCCDC made the process stress-free and guided us throughout the entire process. I am so grateful we were able to refinance our home through VCCDC because we were able to keep our home, lower our monthly mortgage payments and obtain a fixed interest rate,” says Crystal.
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Join us TOMORROW | FREE Sunset Beach Yoga & Mediation
oin us for two upcoming community classes in collaboration with Santa Barbara Beach Yoga. Sign up now for the free classes listed below and meet us in the sand!
TOMORROW
SUNSET BEACH YOGA
& MEDITATION
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
6:15 – 7:15 PM
East Beach
Sign up for free >>
VCCCD Celebrates Class of 2021 Graduates
Not even a pandemic could stop this year’s graduates of Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges from pursuing—and achieving—their educational goals. In recognition of what these resilient students have accomplished, the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) leadership collaborated with its three colleges to celebrate the 5,370 students in the class of 2021 who have earned their degrees or certificates.
Festive Drive-Thru Graduations were held on May 20 at each college’s campus and Ventura College East Campus in Santa Paula.
“We are always proud of our graduates and all that they accomplish, but this year’s graduates hold a special honor for their persistence in completing their education when most of their classes were remote,” said Chancellor Greg Gillespie. “As these students become VCCCD alumni, they are well-prepared for their next steps of a career or transferring to a four-year college or university.”
Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara — Meet our 2021 Emerging Leaders in the Arts Fellows!
We are thrilled to introduce to you the
2021 Emerging Leaders in the Arts (ELA) fellows!
This nine-month-long experience-based fellowship provides professional development training to undergraduate students who identify as people of color. With a long-term goal of diversifying art museum leadership, this fellowship includes:
Village Properties hosting free kids’ chalk box “drive through” May 29, for I Madonnari street art festival
Families with children interested in creating their own street art for the I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival are invited to pick up free boxes of chalk this Saturday at a “drive through” event sponsored by Village Properties Realtors.
Village Properties staff members and members of the Children’s Creative Project arts education organization will hand out 1,000 boxes of children’s chalk between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 29. The event will take place at Village Properties’ Santa Barbara office parking lot (1436 State Street, off Micheltorena Street).
Santa Paula Art Museum — We’d Love To See You!
Closing Reception: Anette Power’s Silver Linings: Journey of Light
Saturday, May 22, 2021, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
The sun is setting on artist Anette Power’s solo show Silver Linings: Journey of Light here at the Santa Paula Art Museum. The exhibit is full of color, meaning and happiness, and we recommend seeing it with the artist in tow during the closing reception on Saturday, May 22. Reservations are required and are available at 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. (space is limited).
And don’t forget that Anette will raffle off one of her gorgeous paintings (pictured below) on May 30 with all proceeds benefitting the Museum’s educational programs! Silver Linings: Journey of Light closes Sunday, May 30.
RSVP TO THE RECEPTION
Registration now open for MERITO Marine Science 2021 Summer Beach Camp June 28 through July 23
Registration is now open for the MERITO Marine Science Summer 2021 Beach Camp to be held Monday, Wednesday and Friday (3days/week) from 9 a/,/tp 1 p.m. weekly from June 28 through July 23.
Open to youth ages 8 to 12.
Visit meritofoundation.org/afterschoolbeachcamp to register online.
This is a fully outdoor program that will take place at Buenaventura State Beach by the Kalorama Wetland, south of the Ventura pier. Registration cost is only $200 per week, $150 for the week of July 7-9 only Wednesday and Friday.
Museum of Ventura County — Gardens Reopening June 1st + FREE Admission + Journal of Ventura County
We are excited to announce that beginning Thursday, June 3, 2021, the museum’s gardens and outdoor areas at both the Museum of Ventura (100 E. Main St., Ventura) and the Agriculture Museum (926 Railroad Ave., Santa Paula) will be open to the public! Both museums will operate Thursdays thru Sundays from 11am—5pm.
We invite you to come visit the refreshed and improved gardens, participate in family activities, and see the new art installations.
PLUS: Admission will be FREE to everyone, throughout 2021!
OC LIVE Online — WEspeak Stories of Resilience
This year we feature three dynamic OC graduating students – Karla Ramirez, Freddy Cardenas, and Associated Student Government President Lorena Ortiz – who share their stories of resilience and fortitude in achieving their educational goals during this toughest year. These inspiring OC grads help us see how we can adopt the same hope and commitment in our lives!
WEspeak is guided and directed by OC English Professor Jose Maldonado and OC ASL Professor Emily Zwaal. This episode was filmed live on campus April 29, 2021!
UCSB — The Current — ‘Life in Wartime’ and more news
Theater and Dance presents “Shanghai,” a new play about Jewish refugees in China during World War II.
CSUCI Environmental Science & Resource Management faculty receive almost $400,000 to study beach access inequities
The beach belongs to everyone. But sea level rise caused by climate change means certain populations may be less and less able to access this natural resource.
Two Environmental Science & Resource Management (ESRM) faculty members from CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will study the problem after receiving $396,060 for a project called “Sustaining Beaches and Social Equity under Higher Sea Levels: An interdisciplinary case study of the Santa Barbara Littoral Cell.”
Assistant Professors of ESRM Kiki Patsch, Ph.D. and Dan Reineman, Ph.D. are leading the research team, which is creating job opportunities for CSUCI students—13 of whom will be hired over the summer.
May News from People’s Self-Help Housing
Our exciting partnership with the Templeton Unified School District, now sees students with access to free, afterschool support at Templeton Middle School. Our continued thanks to must! Charities for bringing this much-need program and Camino Scholars on campus!
Bilingual report — County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 17, 2021
Special thanks to the wonderful people serving at vaccine sites throughout our County! We appreciate their dedication. View the vaccine site schedule by clicking here. Walk up options available throughout the County for all community members 12 years old or older!
Maria McCall Joins Family Service Agency Board of Directors
Family Service Agency (FSA) of Santa Barbara County, also known as Santa Maria Valley Youth and Family Center and Guadalupe’s Little House By The Park, is pleased to announce the appointment of Montecito Bank & Trust Vice President/MClub Director, Maria McCall, to its Board of Directors.
“We’re excited to add Maria McCall to our Board of Trustees,” said Lisa Brabo, FSA Executive Director. ‘She brings extensive community engagement and leadership experience to our board.”
SBCC — The Bridge — Congratulations, Class of 2021. You did it!
Perseverance. Resilience. These are just two of the qualities demonstrated by the Class of 2021 during a year of unprecedented challenges. Watch the video applauding their accomplishments.
Nearly 1600 students participated in the virtual commencement ceremony held on May 7. Over 4,300 degrees and certificates were awarded, 608 students graduated with honors and 20 graduates are veterans.
Click here to watch the recorded ceremony.
Oxnard filmmaker debuts documentary on Teen Latina Mental Health on June 3
OPAC, the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation, is pleased to announce the culmination of The Esperanza Project, a year-long programming series addressing Teen Latina Mental Health, with the premiere of the Esperanza Documentary on Thursday, June 3 from 6:30-8:30 pm on Zoom. The series was curated by OPAC’s Artist-in-Residence, Oxnard filmmaker Arcelia Martinez, in an effort to raise awareness about the disproportionately high rates of suicide amongst young Latinas compared to their peers and create space to tackle the stigmas surrounding mental health in the Latinx community.
County of Ventura COVID-19 Update for May 13
We met Julio from Fillmore and Trini from Oxnard at the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at the Ventura County Medical Center where Julio was receiving cancer treatment. They encouraged our community to get vaccinated to “bring the world back to normalcy and make sure we’re all protected.” It was important to them especially because many kids and teens like Julio who have low immune systems are more protected when we are all vaccinated for COVID-19. Thank you, Julio and Trini for sharing your story.
Bilingual report — Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Now Available for Youth Aged 12-15
Young people ages 12 through 15 are now eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in the County of Ventura and throughout the state of California. All county run sites that are offering Pfizer are now open to vaccinate children 12-17; minors should be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult, and present a photo ID and verification of age.
This expanded eligibility comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) vaccine safety review panel and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommended on Wednesday that the vaccine is safe and effective in protecting this age group against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. On May 10, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) amended the Pfizer vaccine’s Emergency Use Authorization to allow administration for 12- to 15-year-olds, following clinical trials that proved it safe for this age group with only non-serious side effects like fatigue and headache.
Parker Hannifin grant expands internship program for CSUCI Chemistry, Biochemistry and Biology students
A $144,975 grant from the Parker Hannifin Corporation will enable the expansion of their CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) internship program, which has students involved in a number of projects that will develop their skills in scientific analysis.
“All have had the opportunity to work closely with our Lab Team to learn a variety of skills in microbiology, analytical chemistry, microscopy, molecular biology, electrochemistry, and many more applications that will most surely serve them in their careers as future scientists,” said Parker Hannifin Engineering Laboratory Supervisor Charlene Gibbert.
High School Students Invited to Virtual Coding Event
Ventura County high school students are invited to attend the Hackathon by the Sea, a two-day computer coding event presented by the Ventura County Office of Education with support from the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Engineering & Expeditionary Warfare Center. Hacker Fund, which is a national nonprofit network of STEM mentors, is joining us again this year to deliver the event.
SEEAG Launches ‘Gill’s Onions’ Double Your Impact Challenge’ For May
Gill’s Onions will match all donations up to $10,000 for every dollar donated to Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) during the month of May as part of SEEAG’s second annual Double Your Impact Challenge.
Gill’s Onions, based in Oxnard, is one of the nation’s largest family-owned onion growers and processors. Products sold nationally include whole, sliced, diced and slivered onions. It is a long-time supporter of SEEAG’s agricultural education programming that has reached over 60,000 elementary school students in central and southern California since its founding in 2008. All SEEAG programs are 100 percent cost-free to schools and students.
United Way of Ventura County — Respond. Recover. Reimagine
Later this morning, I’ll be rolling up my sleeve for the second COVID-19 vaccine dose. While I’m not looking forward to the potential side effects, I know I’ll feel safer seeing friends and family at various celebrations and gatherings that have been put on hold for far too long. You can learn more about why the vaccine is one of our most powerful tools to ending the pandemic at www.vaccinateall58.com.
Guest commentary — 21st Century Community Safety Requires Love and a Rigorous Ethnically and Culturally Congruent Mental Health Component
At the Keys to Empower You in the System (KEYS) Leadership Academy, which was housed at the Café on A, Oxnard, we believed that the best community safety is where all adults, young adults, kids and everyone else in Oxnard (all the cities of this nation) feels a real sense of civic involvement and transparency, responsibility of ownership, peace, love and respect. We know full well that safety is mostly perceptual, thus any community safety program must incorporate a rigorous mental health and wellness component. We have relied much too long on “traditional policing” alone to bring us safety. As a sobering reminder, let us not forget that Oxnard is yearly designated by highly reputable demographers as one of the safest cities in the country for it size in the entire nation.
Yet, we have often let others assign us the “bum rap” about “crime riddled Oxnard”.
Bilingual report — Ventura County Public Works Agency Offers Largest Annual Educational Event as a Customizable Virtual Curriculum for Local Schools
As students transition back into school after the many challenges the county has faced over the past year, Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) is celebrating the strength and resilience of the community by gearing up for its largest annual educational event for National Public Works Week (NPWW) for the second year in a row. While VCPWA is unable to accommodate an in-person event, on Monday, May 17, the agency will launch a dedicated webpage featuring a virtual tour of the multi-faceted agency and its five departments.
Growing upon the success of last year’s event, VCPWA took another innovative approach to its digital curriculum by incorporating feedback from the participating teachers, allowing a more customized experience for not only students but members of the public as well. During the week, students, faculty, and the general public can access a virtual tour with a robust curriculum featuring video demonstrations, educational materials and interactive projects.
Agromin and Plantel Nurseries Give Away Potting Soil & Vegetable Seedlings To SEEAG’s “Let’s Grow A Garden” Students & Families
Kids and their families participating in SEEAG’s “Let’s Grow A Garden” home garden program picked up donated potting soil from Agromin and vegetable seedling from Plantel Nurseries last week. More than 1,000 4-quart bags of potting soil and over 3,000 seedlings were distributed at Agromin’s Oxnard headquarters and at Ventura County elementary schools.
“Our busiest day was Earth Day,” says Caitlin Case, program director at Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG). “Thank you to Agromin and Plantel Nurseries for making the giveaway possible. Now, the students can get to work planting, caring for and harvesting their vegetables including kale, lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower.
Moorpark College Student Receives Statewide Writing Scholarship
Moorpark College student Lauren Rosenthal was recently awarded a $1,000 scholarship in the annual Community College Public Relations Organization (CCPRO) Writing Scholarship. The award was for her inspiring profile article on Moorpark College alumni Carmel Gutherz, a first-generation American who earned her master’s degree in education from Southern Methodist University and currently works for Teach for America as a corps member in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.
Rosenthal started as an intern in the Ventura County Community College District’s Public Affairs and Marketing Department in 2019 and is now a student worker with the department. Throughout her time with the District, she has written a number of articles that appear on the District’s website and in local publications.
UCSB — The Current — ”Enjoy the May-nia’ and more information
The campus’s annual Staff Celebration Week goes monthlong with a host of virtual events.
Ventura County School Receives State Honor for Arts Education
Santa Susana High School in the Simi Valley Unified School District is one of just 33 schools in the state to receive the 2021 California Exemplary Arts Education Award from the California Department of Education. The winning schools engage students in quality arts education that meet California Arts Standards for Public Schools and demonstrate progress on indicators on the California School Dashboard. The award is designed to celebrate successful efforts to engage students in arts through exposure to a variety of disciplines.
“Even more so during the pandemic, the arts give students a vital creative outlet and a chance to connect with their peers,” said Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. “I want to commend Santa Susana High School for maintaining its commitment to arts education during distance learning and for being recognized at the state level with this well-deserved award.”
Teacher of the Year for VCOE-Operated Schools is Announced
A veteran teacher who has spent his career working with students with disabilities has been named Teacher of the Year for schools operated by the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE). Shamus Auth has been a special education teacher at VCOE schools for 18 years and currently teaches young adults with disabilities at VCOE’s Dorothy Boswell School in Ventura. Mr. Auth will now be in the running for the Ventura County Teacher of the Year award, which is open to all teachers countywide.
Mr. Auth found out about the honor today when his family, his Principal Aran Burke and Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Dr. César Morales made a surprise visit to his classroom. Also on hand to break the good news were VCOE Associate Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Consuelo Hernandez Williams and VCOE Executive Director of Special Education Holly Minear.