Guardians of the ocean

It sounds like a best selling novel, but in reality, it's the distinction being earned by five local schools for their stewardship of the seas.

Carmel Middle School, Carmel River School, Monterey Bay Charter, Ord Terrace Elementary and Pacific Grove Middle School are being honored practically as we speak. Rep. Sam Farr was scheduled to be headlining the ceremony this morning at Carmel River School. Each school has shown a commitment to protecting the world ocean by participating in reduce/reuse/recycle activities to limit the amount of waste that goes into our landfills, banning latex balloons on school campus, and reducing single use plastics in school lunches.

Funds for the project were provided by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. To receive funds, a school makes a commitment to be an ‘Ocean Guardian’ by proposing a school- or community-based conservation project. After successful implementation, the school receives a banner designating it as an Ocean Guardian School.

Four of the five schools each received a $6,000 grant from NOAA. Ord Terrace requested only $3,500 and received that amount, according to NOAA. It was the second $6,000 award for Carmel Middle School, which has now received $12,000.

And for those schools who would like to become Guardians of the Ocean, here's instructions on how to do it!

Ya salieron los resultados de exámenes estatales

Es un ritual anual. El estado publica los resultados de los exámenes que se les aplicaron a los estudiantes en la primavera. De los exámenes depende si la escuela se considera "buena" o "mala" (lo pongo entre paréntesis por que hay muchas personas que no estan de acuerdo con las categorizaciones). Buenas o malas, las categorizaciones las usa el estado para castigar a las escuelas que no estan logrando buenos desempeño, y en el caso de los distritos Alisal en Salinas y Greenfield en la ciudad del mismo nombre se usaron para que el estado asignara un encargado.

En está página encontrará una definición básica de lo que los resultados significan.

Y en esta, el árticulo que escribí (en inglés) sobre el impacto de los exámenes en el Condado de Monterey.

Monterey County's traveling band heads to San Francisco

Sure, after traveling to China and D.C., going to San Francisco may not seem like a big deal. But when you are one of only six bands selected to compete for a piece of $25,000 in cash prizes, well, that's a big deal.

The North Monterey County High School Band and Color Guard has been chosen to perform at San Francisco's "Fleet Week" Celebration "band challenge on Monday, Oct. 10 -- only one of six selected from hundreds throughout Northern California. First prize gets $10,000, second $5,000, and the other four band $2,500. They band gets money, no matter what, to cover at least transportation costs.

Each band gets 12 minutes to perform whatever their hearts desire. At the end of the competition, all six bands join the United States Marine Corps Band to perform "The Stars and Stripes Forever.

"This just happens to be the Monday of our Homecoming," writes director of bands D.L. Johnson. "What a great way to start our Homecoming week of activities and performances with a great positive event for our kids."

Good luck to North Monterey High! We can't wait to see you win first prize!