Tag archives: education

Weird Science: Teens Explore Physics
By Scott Craig   |   May 31, 2022

Nearly 40 local high school students enrolled in an AP physics course visited Westmont on May 16 for a hands-on exploration into how the universe behaves. The event, Understanding Physics from Galaxies to Particles, was led by Ben Carlson, Westmont assistant professor of physics. “We are asking the fundamental questions: What is the universe made […]

Spring Gala to Support SBCC
By Zach Rosen   |   May 24, 2022

You know, when I spend time with our students, I never give it a second thought that the world’s going to be a better place,” says Kindred Murillo, the interim President and Superintendent of Santa Barbara City College, in an inspired tone during our conversation. “When you talk with our students, they’re concerned about sustainability; […]

Luncheon Powered by MOXI
By Montecito Journal   |   May 24, 2022

MOXI’s annual Power of MOXI luncheon was held on Tuesday, May 10 on the museum’s rooftop. The sold-out event allowed the public to learn more about MOXI’s dynamic programs and overall dedication to creating opportunities for STEM learning. MOXI’s President + CEO Dr. Robin Gose and Apeel’s Senior Vice President of Operations Jenny Du spoke, […]

Connect with the Bonsai Club 
By Montecito Journal   |   May 24, 2022

The Bonsai Club of Santa Barbara will hold its annual show, sale, and demonstrations May 21 and May 22 in the Fellowship Hall at Trinity Lutheran Church, 909 La Cumbre Road. Saturday hours are 11 am to 4 pm, Sunday noon to 4 pm. There will be a professional show of Club Members’ trees in […]

A Vote for Gregg Hart
By Montecito Journal   |   May 17, 2022

Imagine being elected to serve in local government, only to find yourself in a global health emergency. That’s exactly what happened to Gregg Hart, then Chair of the County Board of Supervisors, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020. “I was hoping to use my chairmanship to highlight the need for emergency and disaster […]

School News, Part II
By Tim Buckley   |   April 5, 2022

(The following is the second installment of an interview with Cold Spring School Foundation President Holly Kane. The previous installment can be found in last week’s edition, MJ Volume 28 Issue 12.)  Q. We’ve been reporting on the school’s new cross-curricular building on campus. Tell us about it.  A. We have a beautiful yet aging […]

Hope in Education: Annual Award Ceremony Returns
By Carly Williams   |   March 29, 2022

The Santa Barbara Education Foundation’s annual Hope Awards will mark its return to the Historical Museum on April 28 after the pandemic scuttled the in-person gala in 2021. The doors to the Historical Museum will open at 5:30 pm to an evening of local food, drink, and a chance to show some extra support. The […]

California State University Channel Islands
By Steven Libowitz   |   March 3, 2022

California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) has served as a landing spot for underrepresented minorities and/or the economically disadvantaged since its founding 20 years ago on the former site of Camarillo State Mental Hospital, which closed five years earlier. The statewide CSU website boasts at the top of its diversity page the fact that nearly […]

Senior Wins Top Oxford Scholarship
By Scott Craig   |   March 1, 2022

Westmont senior Lexy Gillette, a double major in physics and chemistry, will attend the University of Oxford in the fall after earning the prestigious John and Daria Barry Foundation Scholarship. The award, given to about 10 students a year from select institutions, covers tuition, fees, and living expenses, and also provides a stipend and research […]

Cold Spring School Latest
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   March 1, 2022

Next week at a special board meeting, the Cold Spring School Board will consider approving the acquisition of a short-term loan in order to fund the school’s upcoming expansion project. Cold Spring School Superintendent Dr. Amy Alzina hosted members of the community for an informational meeting about the project and funding options two weeks ago […]

Community Counseling and Education Center
By Steven Libowitz   |   February 17, 2022

“What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours,” Dinah Washington sang in 1959. “What a difference a day made, and the difference is you.”  Washington, of course, was singing about romantic love. But for Santa Barbara’s Community Counseling and Education Center (CCEC), one day can make a huge difference in others’ lives too.  One […]

By Hilda or High Water
By Gwyn Lurie   |   January 25, 2022

Santa Barbara Schools Superintendent Super Intends to Get the Job Done Some jobs are just plain hard. Hard because no matter what choices you make, some people are bound to be disappointed. I sometimes felt that way when I served on the Montecito Union School District Board, because everyone wants what’s best for their children, […]

The Transformative Power of Education
By Laura Capps   |   January 18, 2022

“Compassionate, distinguished, and exemplary are three words that embody the many contributions Janet Garufis has made to our community and our university. We are grateful to be able to rely on her wisdom and her commitment to our mission of lifelong learning, social justice, and advancement for individuals, organizations, communities, and society. It is with […]

Court Rules in Favor of SBUSD, Just Communities
By Nick Masuda   |   December 28, 2021

While Superintendent Hilda Maldonado knows there is plenty of work to come, a three-year-long court battle with Fair Education Santa Barbara (FESB) concluded last week, with the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) and Just Communities Central Coast (JCCC) victorious after a three-justice appellate court panel ruled in their favor. The lawsuit filed by FESB […]

Local Educator Earns Gold Star
By Scott Craig   |   December 14, 2021

Marianne D’Emidio-Caston, who served the local education community for more than three decades, received the Westmont Education Department’s 2021-22 Excellence in Education Award.  D’Emidio-Caston, who most recently directed student teaching at Antioch University Santa Barbara, spoke to Westmont education students, encouraging them to find a trusted, long-term professional partner to “grow with and, more generally, […]

You’re Almost to the Finish Line…
By Mentors 4 College   |   December 14, 2021

It’s December and all around you everybody is caroling and decking the halls and eggnogging and generally getting into the holiday spirit. But not you. You have a high school senior and that can mean only one thing: Your house is filled with the loud, desperate angst of a teenager going through the final agonizing […]

The College Calling
By Elliana Westmacott   |   November 22, 2021

Grounding oneself into the realm of Advanced Placement courses, heightened expectations, and overloaded schedules while beginning the search for one’s passions is not simple, to say the least. I’m in the middle of my junior year of high school and the looming idea of college that was always in the back of my mind has […]

Grand Opening of the Nature Lab
By Kelly Mahan Herrick   |   November 16, 2021

Last Wednesday evening, hundreds of Montecito Union School parents, kids, teachers, staff, and members of the Montecito community came out to celebrate the grand opening of its Nature Lab, a project which has been in the works for nearly 15 years. “I want to thank the Montecito Union School board members, past and present, for […]

‘Tis the Season, Part I
By Nick Masuda   |   November 16, 2021

This community seemingly has a heart of gold, from massive fundraising projects that save farms in Summerland (read Kelly Mahan Herrick’s piece on page 8 this week) to the San Marcos Foothills. This holiday season, a new project is making the goal far more personal — the Santa Barbara Education Foundation wants to shower teachers […]

‘Creating Hope’ with UCSB Arts & Lectures
By Steven Libowitz   |   November 11, 2021

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, UCSB Arts & Lectures, like every establishment across the country, was forced to close and cancel all its programs. But the 62-year-old organization — still the largest and most influential arts and lectures presenter not only in the Santa Barbara region but in the several hundred- mile […]