On Oct. 20, the Santa Maria Valley ASES (After School Education & Safety) program will hold Lights On Afterschool open houses from 4 to 6 p.m. at each of the 19 ASES sites in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District and the program at Los Adobes de Maria. The events will highlight three of the significant […]
School Scene Articles
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The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Todd has grown up literally and entirely surrounded by men. There are no women or girls in his town, a settlement near a swamp filled with deadly crocodiles and not much else. In fact, there are no other boys, as every one of his friends has come of age and stopped interacting with him. His […]
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Play is very important work!
It’s a wonderful image to think of groups of children on a playground or in the backyard laughing and playing. You probably have great memories of your own childhood, with groups of friends or siblings playing dolls, riding bikes, making up games. The learning that happens when children play is some of the most important […]
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Federal grant will help Hancock expand its math and science curricula
Students interested in studying math and science now have a new program available to help them achieve their goals. Allan Hancock College recently received a multimillion-dollar federal STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) grant to help boost its science and math curricula. The STEM grant will help create a pathway from local high schools to […]
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Boys & Girls Club employee named Santa Maria Peace Builder
For 15 years, Santa Maria resident Eddie Galarza has been helping children at the Boys & Girls Club in Evans Park overcome the poverty and gang violence that have come to plague the neighborhood. On Sept. 30, Galarza’s work earned him the Peace Builder Award—the top prize during Santa Maria’s annual Peace Week. He was […]
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Spend Sundays at the Dana Adobe
Starting in October, members of the public will be able to visit the Dana Adobe in Nipomo on Sunday afternoons to see the ranch’s restoration in progress. Because the adobe has become a major construction site, many end-of-the-year events have been postponed. The public last had access to a tour of the adobe before the […]
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Powwow with the Chumash!
Join the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians for a weekend of fun, food, and healing at the 16th annual Intertribal Pow-Wow at the Live Oak Campground on Oct. 1 and 2. Though powwows aren’t traditionally part of Chumash culture, other Native American tribes have gathered for decades to dance, sing, socialize, and heal. “The […]
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Lompoc school is on a mission
Mission Valley School, an independent-study and home-schooling charter in Lompoc, is offering dual or open enrollment for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. According to the Lompoc Unified School District’s website, lusd.org, Mission Valley School offers students an alternative learning environment designed to inspire youth, empower parents, and promote a lifelong love of learning. And […]
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Book it to the museum!
Celebrity guests, like Santa Maria City Councilwoman Alice Patino, have shared stories as a part of the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum’s new Tuesday Tales program. The Discovery Museum just launched one more free weekly program, adding to its already robust series of hands-on program for kids and families: “Tuesday Tales.” We are excited to […]
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Orcutt Academy students are recognized for academic achievement
Officials at Orcutt Academy High School recently announced the College Board has named some of the school’s students Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars. Exams are conducted every May for students in AP classes. Many colleges and universities award credits to incoming freshmen who scored a three or higher on the tests. AP Scholars at Orcutt Academy—students […]
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Bullying is officially against the law
Earlier this month, the California State Senate approved Seth’s Law (AB 9), legislation designed to address the pervasive problem of school bullying. The bill is named in memory of Seth Walsh, a 13-year-old gay student from Tehachapi who took his life in September 2010 after facing relentless harassment at school. Once it’s enacted, the bill […]
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Have fun–and even learn something–after school!
Need a safe place to send your kids after they get out of class for the day? The Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department is encouraging families to sign up for its Fun, Recreation, Education, and Enrichment (F.R.E.E.) After School Program, offered to children ages 6 to 12. It’s designed to provide recreation and enrichment […]