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The 2015-2016 school year begins August 24 for the San Lorenzo Unified School District. While parents and teachers are busy shopping for school clothes and supplies, instructors and school administrators are preparing to welcome the students back.This week the Press-Banner looks at some of the new developments in our schools. This year, we are doing something different. In this issue, we visited a few of the schools in both San Lorenzo Valley and some in Scotts Valley. Next, week we will visit the other schools.San Lorenzo Valley High School7105 Highway 9 in Feltonhttp:hs.slvusd.org/335-4425Karen van Putten is pleased to note that she starts her fourth new school year as the Principal of SLVHS. Assistant Principal, Keri Billings, is commencing her sixth year. Together, they are happy to lead the school forward into this new academic year. Under this consist leadership, the school has several new developments in staff and programs to be proud about.First, they are pleased to announce that there are new faces on the staff. Education Specialist, Lisa Andersen, will be teaching Special Education. New also is Karina Alvarez as Instructional Assistant for Special Education.Gene Knipe joins the high school staff to teach in the new Technology Pathway. He will be teaching the Introduction to Computer Science and Computer Programming.“The Agrigculture and Natural Resources Pathway is partnering with SchoolGrown to build a state of the art aquaponics greenhouse,” said van Putten.Principal van Putten is also very proud of the athletic track that was just resurfaced. She believes that the over 700 students that will attend this year will get good use from this improved track — and a lot of fun.This year the District is continuing the BYOD/lap top initiative for grades 6-12.They hope that every student will soon be working on their own device for learning and collaborating.In addition to continuing to implement Common Core standards, van Putten said “the school is dedicted to helping its students prepare for their college and career pathways.”Also new this year, said van Putten, “is a collection of touch-screen Google Chrome computers designed for use by math students.” Students will also be able to participate in the Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID) program, a 4-year elective course designed to equip them with college-level study skills.San Lorenzo Valley Middle School7179 Hacienda Way in Feltonhttp:/ms.slvusd.org/335-4452About 500 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students are expected at SLVMS this year, said Principal Jeff Calden.Joining the staff this year will be two new science teachers, Rachel Hager and Jessica Curzio, while Tony Purtscher will teach social studies and Dereck Seymour will teach a sixth grade core class. Marisol Briones will teach special education. Tamara Smith will be teaching art classes for the sixth grade and Jennifer Lahey will teach eighth grade art. “We will also be offering the first ‘honors language classes to the eighth grade and they will be taught by Matt McMillan,” Caulden said.“Moving forward, our ‘one-to-one’ device program for laptops is for ages 6-12 only. They will be on a ‘school-to-home’ basis. We will also have loaners in the classrooms although the program is not mandatory,” said Caulden.Proudly, Caulden announced that they also have new lockers.Students can also participate in AVID, a high school and college-prep class that serves as a precursor to the program in place at the high school.Scotts Valley Middle School8 Bean Creek Road in Scotts Valleyhttp://www.svms.santacruz.k12.ca.us/438-0610Principal Mary Lonhart said that she expects approximately 600 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students to arrive on campus when this Gold Ribbon award winning school opens.Lonhart welcomes three new teachers: Michael Belli, part-time English 8 and Letricia Marquardt, math 8. Mark Andres, will be shared with the high school for science 8.“SVMS continues our full implementation of the Common Core with increased infusion of technology in the classrooms with the use of Chromebooks. All but four of our core subject area classrooms have a full set of Chromebooks available for student use at all times,” said Lonhart. “The majority of these have been funded through our generous PTA! Additionally, we will continue the use of our new Carnegie math materials,” she said.“We are continually grateful that the Scotts Valley community supports our construction project. Planning is moving forward,” she said. “Regular updates on the project will be provided at Board meetings, via the school and district websites and the SVUSD Facebook page. Thank you for your patience as we work through this very important process,” said Lonhart.

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Scotts Valley Exchange Club

SCOTTS VALLEY POLICE DEPARTMENT

I would like to offer my interpretation of the federal government’s Affordable Care Act, commonly called Obamacare.