Prom is just a few months away for Benicia High School students, so the time to buy outfits ahead of time is right now. Unfortunately, the cost of prom dresses and tuxedos these days is rather exorbitant, but fortunately Benicia High may be able to help in that regard. The school’s leadership class will be […]
Mary Farmar Elementary educator chosen as Teacher of the Month by local radio station
Lara Ruark, a kindergarten teacher at Mary Farmar Elementary, has been named December’s Teacher of the Month by Walnut Creek adult contemporary station KKDV. Ruark began teaching at Mary Farmar in 2006, but she left to teach in rural Alaska for three years before returning to Benicia in 2013. “I wanted to come back […]
Benicia Unified to hold mental wellness subcommittee meeting Thursday
Benicia Unified School District’s mental wellness subcommittee will be holding its monthly meeting Thursday. The topic will be “A Physically Healthy New Start.” According to Mental Health Coordinator Jessica Garcia, the group is a subcommittee of the district’s wellness committee, which is based on California’s standards for healthy and safe schools. “We bunched up some […]
Stacy Holguin appointed as new Benicia Unified School District trustee at Thursday’s meeting
The Governing Board of the Benicia Unified School District voted 3-to-1 to appoint Stacy Holguin as its newest trustee, filling the vacancy left by the passing of Rosie Switzer in December, at its meeting Thursday. Holguin has served as vice president of the Benicia Education Foundation since 2008 and is also an adjunct professor at […]
Benicia Unified School District to consider computer science program at Thursday’s board meeting
The Governing Board of the Benicia Unified School District will consider the approval of a computer science education program agreement at Thursday’s meeting. Code.org, a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that encourages computer science education for K-12 students, has entered an agreement with several school districts nationwide to support expanding access to computer science programs to students. […]
CHP to encourage teen drivers to start smart at Benicia High School
California Highway Patrol will be holding a Start Smart driving course for current and prospective teenage drivers at Benicia High School. The program is aimed to help newly licensed and soon-to-be-licensed drivers between the ages of 15 and 19 become aware of their responsibilities as drivers. Topics discussed include how to avoid collisions, passenger safety […]
2015 year in review: Benicia Unified has big year
The past year for Benicia Unified School District has been characterized primarily by changes in leadership and continuing bond projects. In February, Superintendent Janice Adams announced her retirement after eight years with the district. In May, Dr. Charles Young was chosen as her successor. Young had spent four years as associate superintendent of educational services […]
Congressional App Challenge open to high schoolers in 5th District
Benicia teens will have an opportunity to show off their technical skills, as the second annual Congressional App Challenge is currently underway for all high school students in California’s 5th Congressional District. The nationwide competition, established by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, allows high school students from participating districts to create applications for […]
School board hears discussion on mental health
The Governing Board of the Benicia Unified School District heard a discussion on the need for more counseling and mental health support in the district at a busy Thursday night meeting. Carolyn Patton, the district’s special services director, led the discussion through a Power Point presentation. She cited one of Superintendent Charles Young’s goals for […]
Matthew Turner students learn creative, technical skills
All this week, students at Matthew Turner Elementary have been learning important skills in areas like math, science and engineering by having fun. Dec. 7 to 11 was the school’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) Week where students of all grades participated in a variety of activities that taught them about these areas. […]