News

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is moving to offer Californians essential services online starting next week to continue processing critical transactions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Field offices will be temporarily closed to the public statewide beginning March 27 and reopen, virtually, on April 2. All in-office appointments at this time will be canceled. Customers are encouraged to check the dmv.ca.gov website for future appointment availability.

What advice do you have for parents struggling with children who aren’t as cooperative learning at home as they might be in a classroom?

Last updated April 6, 2020

University of California is drastically relaxing its fall 2021 admissions standards for applicants who are currently high school juniors, including suspending the requirement that they take standardized tests and allowing pass/fail grades for this spring’s classes affected by the coronavirus pandemic.This is NOT a permanent change but an accommodation due to the impact of the coronavirus. Students applying for fall 2021 can still take tests (both standardized and finals) and send scores to UC if they are able. Doing so can support their UC eligibility and help fulfill some university graduation requirements. But campuses must ensure that “no student is harmed in admissions selection should they not submit a test score,” according to the UC statement.This is huge news, folks, and you may be tempted to drop the SAT or ACT like a hot potato, but please take a moment to consider. The UC schools are some of the most competitive out there, and admissions boards look for distinguishing markers for admitting students. While the requirement may be suspended, the benefits of a high SAT or ACT score still most definitely apply.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to grip our nation, state and county—and the Scotts Valley community.  Following up on the March 16 Santa Cruz County Public Health Order to Shelter-in-Place, as of March 19 we are living under a statewide Stay-in-Place Executive Order too, which is very similar to the County Order.  These Orders are a strong attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 transmission.  To understand the Executive Order, its exemptions for essential activities, and what the State is doing to address COVID-19, please visit the State’s new website:  http://www.covid19.ca.gov/.