Aug. 13 is the first day of school for Santa Maria Valley students, which can mean so many things—a new school, new friends, new subjects to be interested in. For some local youth, it will also mean the chance to participate in a new after-school program with Think Together. For our annual Education Today issue, Senior Staff Writer Caleb Wiseblood digs into what that care will look like, while Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal from the Sun’s sister paper talks to local districts about cellphone use on campus.
After hours: Think Together marks county debut with revamped after-school program on 13 campuses
By Caleb Wiseblood
Switch off for good: California’s Phone-Free School Act took effect in July, but local parents say enforcement isn’t consistent
By Bulbul Rajagopal
This article appears in August 6 – August 13, 2026.
