GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1916 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CV, NO. IV
SCHOOLS
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2022
atascaderonews.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
EDUCATION
THS Compete in Science Bowl
AUSD Staff Praised for Keeping Schools Open Krissy Duperron wins Region 12 California League of Middle School’s Educator of the Year By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
ATA S C A D E R O — Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) met for their regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 1. The 7 p.m. Open Session followed the Board’s 6 p.m. Closed Session. A presentation was made by Will Wallace where Krissy Duperron was recognized for winning the Region 12 California League of Middle School’s Educator of the Year. She will be attending the State-wide conference in Monterey to compete for State Educator of the Year, representing AUSD. “I’m just so honored and humbled that I’m even in this position, and I am so lucky to be at Atascadero Middle School (AMS) with the support I have,” said Duperron. Superintendent Tom Butler gave his COVID update in the Superintendent Report. On the week of Jan. 10 thru Jan. 16, 146 students tested positive. Jan. 17 thru Jan. 23, 90 students tested positive. Jan. 24 thru Jan. 30, 38 students tested positive. Staff members tested positive those subsequent weeks with 26, 24, and 26 positive cases. Which shows cases trending down. Both the Dec. 14, 2021, and the Jan. 18, 2022 minutes passed. The Consent Agenda included the Comprehensive School Safety Plan, and Course Title Changes, and New Course Offerings for Atascadero High School, among other items. The Agenda passed unanimously after Mr. Buban asked for a small clarification on item 11-8 (Course Title Changes and New Course Offerings for Atascadero High School). The Annual Report was given by Superintendent Tom CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
EDUCATION
Due to COVID restrictions, the Science Bowl has been hosted through Zoom. Photos by Science Bowl coach, Jason Diodati
Students dual 18 other teams through Zoom By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
TEMPLETON—Can you answer the following question in five seconds: How many sigma and pi bonds, respectively, are there in a molecule with the following formula: CH3CHCHCH2CH3?
This is an example of some questions the Templeton High School (THS) Science Bowl Team answered in this past weekend’s regional tournament. And in case you are interested, the answer to the questions is SIGMA 14; PI = 1. On Saturday, Jan. 29, THS students competed in a regional competition via Zoom against like-minded students throughout the State. Although the team did
not place in the top three, their coach and teacher at THS, Jason Diodati, tells us the students had a lot of fun. This year’s competition was hosted by the Sandia National Laboratories. The students competed against 18 teams, mostly from the San Jose area. Launched in 1991 by the U.s. Department of Energy, the National Science Bowl® (NSB) is a highly competitive science education and academic event among teams
of high school and middle school students who compete in a fast-paced verbal forum to solve technical problems and answer questions in all branches of science and math. Each team is composed of four students, one alternate student, and a coach. The First Place team from each state regional will be invited to compete in Washington D.C. in May to be the best team in America. The Science Bowl Team is
EVENTS
composed of students who excel in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). “The students love it,” says Diodati. “They really enjoy the challenge. It is very difficult. To be good at a science or math class is one thing, but to be able to do the questions and the calculations in under five seconds is another thing.” He continues, “I don’t have CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
IN MEMORY
Valentine’s Day Celebrations Back in North County
Harold Lowe in Dec. 2021, holding a photo of him and his wife Ginny, after telling war stories. Photo By Camille DeVaul
In 2016, members of the barbershop quartet the Fairweather Four, from left to right, Chuck Wilbur, Chuck Maly, Jim Hawkins and Rick Snodey sing near the Sunken Gardens during Atascadero Main Street’s Sweetheart Stroll. Archived photo
From romantic movie screenings to art and wine events, plenty of fun happening this month By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@atascaderonews.com
NORTH COUNTY—Whether you call it Valentine’s Day or Single’s Awareness Day, there are plenty of ways to celebrate in North County. From romantic movie screenings to art and wine events, we’ve got you covered. If you don’t feel like snuggling up at home and watching a rom-com with your loved one, and you’d rather head to the cinema to get your romantic movie fix, both Galaxy
NONPROFIT
Theater in Atascadero and Park Cinemas in Paso Robles are on it. You can watch Road to Morocco at 7 p.m. at Park Cinemas Sunday, Feb. 6. The showing includes champagne and chocolate or soda and popcorn for just $12. Go to pasoroblesdowntown.org for more information. Meanwhile, Galaxy Theater is hosting a $5 showing of Breakfast at Tiffany’s on Sunday, Feb. 13, at noon. And a 6:30 p.m. showing of The Notebook on Valentine’s Day. Visit galaxytheatres.com/movie-theater/ atascadero for more info. If imitating Baby and Johnny (Dirty Dancing) or dancing the night away like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers is more
GOVERNMENT
CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
WEEKLY FEATURE
WWII Veteran Harold Lowe Passes at 102
Lowe was born and raised in Santa Margarita By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@atascaderonews.com
SANTA MARGARITA— On Sunday, Jan. 30, Santa Margarita native and WWII veteran Harold Lowe passed away at 102 years old. He has been laid to rest at Reis Mortuary, and services are pending at Los Osos Valley Cemetery. He leaves behind his wife Ginny and daughter Pattie.
Lowe passes just over a month after his friend, Henry Barba—another Santa Margarita native and WWII veteran. Barba was 108 years old when he passed away on his 81 wedding anniversary on Dec. 24, 2021. The two grew up just blocks away from each other in Santa Margarita. The two men had impeccable memories. Lowe once said of his friend, “Henry and I are great buddies because we’re the only natives in Margarita CONTINUED ON PAGE A15
WEATHER
atascaderonews.com twitter.com/ @AtascaderoNews facebook.com/ @AtascaderoNews
THS GIRLS NOMINATED ATASCADERO PRINTERY SUPERVISORS PASS for State Conference | A3 Plans Ahead | A4 Resolutions | A5
SIX TEST KITCHEN First Michelin Star | A13
High 63° | Low 31°
SUPPORT LOCAL
JOURNALISM
5
67808 24135
e Scan her ted! ar t s t e g to
HELP YOUR BUSINESS TAKE FLIGHT!
Not only do you have the power to choose the subscription that fits your life, but when you advertise, you will broaden your reach into target markets throughout the Central Coast, from Ventura County to Monterey County!
Subscribe & Advertise with
atascaderonews.com (805) 466-2585 office@13starsmedia.com
7