COMMUNITY NEWS
Independent Review of AHS Fatality Underway R esponding to the Aug. 31 fatal stabbing of an Aptos High School on campus with two students taken into custody, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District is “collaborating with an independent evaluator to get an unbiased assessment of what transpired,” according to a Nov. 8 announcement from the school district. Dr. Michelle Rodriguez, Pajaro Valley Unified Superintendent of Schools, said, “The independent review will provide a fresh perspective of other changes that must take place to ensure students and staff continue to feel and be safe while they learn and work in every PVUSD facility.” The grieving family of the young Michelle Rodriguez man who was killed has not released information, and the students in custody are juveniles, which means their names are confidential and will not be released.
Rodriguez pointed out that new safety measures such as the STOPit App and the Remind system were put in place prior to the start of the 2021-2022 school year. STOPit is an easy and anonymous way to report to administrators potentially harmful, unsafe or inappropriate behaviors via text, images or video. Reporting such behaviors has an immediate positive impact in school culture, according to the superintendent. The Remind App supports immediate regular or emergency messaging to and from our students, families and staff. More than 700 families attended the first session around the first family night for Restorative Start — an initiative providing opportunities for students to increase their sense of identity and belonging — launched when the school year began in mid-August. This is part of the district’s commitment to the “Whole Child, Whole Family, and Whole Community” approach to learning.
On Nov. 8, the second Restorative Start Family Night lessons were released. After the fatality, the district conducted an internal review and made various safety changes. “Nevertheless, our commitment to continue to improve remains,” Rodriguez said. To support students’ socio-emotional wellbeing, the district increased support staff -- 13 nurses, 14 mental health clinicians, 18 social emotional counselors, and 19 psychologists are available as resources. PVUSD increased the number of campus supervisors at the three comprehensive high schools, Aptos High, Pajaro
Valley High and Watsonville High. These supervisors will receive training by the Watsonville Police Department that centers on setting positive connections between them and the students they serve. Some high schools in the district have adopted the Student Success Program from the probation department; the team is composed of four — that can include a site administrator, counselor and a teacher — who works with students who may have behavioral issues interfering with reaching their academic goals. “Aptos High Fatality” page 27
Thanksgiving
Credit Union’s ‘Return the Favor’ a Success for 12 Nonprofits
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Donations Accepted Through Nov. 30
anta Cruz Community Credit Union announces that its $75,000 donationmatch goal for the “Return the Favor” giving campaign was reached in six weeks. “Your donations have equaled a little over $150,000 for essential programs our 12 participating nonprofit organizations provide to those most vulnerable in our community,” said Katie Fairbairn, VP of communications & organizational development at Santa Cruz Community Credit Union. “To meet our goal in only six weeks is a real credit to so many giving people in our community, and we’re so grateful for such incredible support.” In September, the credit union launched the campaign with $50,000 to match donations to 12 selected nonprofits. Once those funds were used, the credit union’s Board of Directors approved an additional $25,000 for the match—and that money was used within a week. But the campaign is not over yet. “While the matching funds have been used, we are still accepting donations through Nov. 30,” said Fairbairn. The 12 selected nonprofits aligned
with the mission of providing economic justice for all. They are: • Community Action Board • Community Bridges • Diversity Center • El Pájaro Community Development Corp. • Grey Bears • Housing Matters • Homeless Garden Project • Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes • Pajaro Valley Shelter Services • Santa Cruz County Volunteer Center • Second Harvest Food Bank • Valley Churches United “We’d like to encourage everyone to join us in donating to one of these participating nonprofit organizations from now through Nov. 30,” said Beth Carr, president/CEO of Santa Cruz Community Credit Union. “Our goal is to return the favor so each organization can continue to thrive and provide much-needed support to our community.” Donate online at https://scccu.org/ support-it/return-the-favor, or stop by a Santa Cruz Community Credit Union branch in Watsonville, Soquel or Santa Cruz. n
ACROSS
1. “If all ____ fails...” 5. *Male Thanksgiving bird 8. Yoko’s last name 11. Indian restaurant bread 12. Carhop’s carrier 13. *”Kiss the Cook” garment 15. Homer’s “The Odyssey”, e.g. 16. *Grandpa or Grandma, often 17. Moolah or dough 18. *Pilgrim’s colony 20. Allah’s cleric 21. Arranges into categories
22. Chance’s genre 23. *”Plains, Trains and Automobiles” star 26. Woven containers 30. Kimono sash 31. Aristotle’s school 34. Part of ideal 35. H urricane feature, pl. 37. Comedian Schumer 38. Teen worry 39. Side of a ruler 40. Left over 42. *When will the guests be here?, acr. 43. Rejuvenate 45. Expression of agreement (2 words) 47. *What Turkey Trot participants did 48. Outdoor entertainment area 50. Messy substances
7. *Pumpkin pie at the first Thanksgiving, e.g. 8. Sea World’s performer 9. “Cheers” regular 10. Top seed 12. Like a rosebush 13. Spy name 14. *Kind of squash 19. Toils 22. Truck brand motto: “Guts. Glory. ____” 23. Lawn trimmer 24. Toe the line 25. Designs on lemur’s DOWN tail Compass dir. 26. Purchases Arctic native 27. #39 Across, pl. Go yachting 28. T in Ferrari TR Become enclosed in a 29. Thai restaurant cyst chicken staple Freshwater fish 32. Elder’s support Hop-drying kilns 33. Flightless bird
52. *It makes Thanksgiving wishes come true? 55. Half of diameter, pl. 56. Flu symptom 57. Accompanies relief 59. Leaves out 60. More than a talker? 61. Isaac’s firstborn 62. Skin cyst 63. “____ my party, and I’ll cry if I want too...” 64. Confederate or Union, e.g. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
36. *Thanksgiving football game host city since 1934 38. Impromptu 40. Big coffee holder 41. Choice word 44. Desert mirage 46. Makes less tight 48. Lace loop 49. “Angela’s _____,” memoir 50. *Raiders vs. Cowboys, e.g. 51. Scandinavian war god 52. Dry riverbed 53. Not final or absolute 54. Exclamation of surprise, archaic 55. Propel your boat! 58. Color wheel feature © Statepoint Media
Answers on 31 »
www.tpgonlinedaily.com Aptos Times / November 15th 2021 / 25
