Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) today released a revised protocol regarding vehicle celebrations for graduations and other special observances. The protocol has been modified to allow graduates to briefly exit their vehicles on a timed schedule to receive their diplomas. Diplomas may be distributed using a no-contact pick-up method, maintaining physical distancing of six feet or greater. The protocol allows school personnel to take photos of graduates outside of their vehicles. Family member...

After an extensive search, the Somis Union School District Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Jesus Vaca as their new district Superintendent/Principal.   Dr. Vaca has 29 years of experience in education. He has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal at the Elementary, Middle and High School levels, and as an administrator in multicultural and bilingual programs. Most recently, Dr. Vaca served as the Assistant Superintendent, Human Resources, for the Oxnard School Dis...

On April 29, 2020, the California Department of Education announced it is studying options for reopening school campuses after Governor Newsom suggested they could open as early as July or August. Many questions remain about the safety, fiscal and labor implications of reopening campuses before the traditional start of the next school year. For now, there has been no alteration to existing school calendars. The Ventura County Office of Education will be working closely with local school dis...

Teachers in Ventura County are invited to apply for a share of $10,500 in grants that reward innovative teaching methods. The IMPACT II grant program is accepting applications through April 2, 2020. Successful applicants will receive $500 for individual entries and $750 for team entries. Winning teachers will be honored at an awards dinner and their lesson plans will be shared online as resources for other teachers to use.Important Dates Application Deadline: Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 Narrative ...

St. Bonaventure High School in Ventura is the winner of the 2020 Ventura County Mock Trial. St. Bonaventure emerged victorious after four days of competition that included teams from 26 high school throughout Ventura County. The Mock Trial results were announced this evening at an awards ceremony at Buena High School in Ventura. Here is how the top eight teams placed:  St. Bonaventure High School Oak Park High School - Black Team Westlake High School Santa Susana High School - Lincoln Tea...

Four local high school teams emerged victorious from Wednesday night’s semifinals of the 2020 Ventura County Mock Trial competition. The final four teams that will face off in tonight’s last round are: Oak Park Black St. Bonaventure High School Santa Susana Lincoln Westlake High SchoolThe four remaining teams are among 26 from throughout Ventura County participating in this year’s Mock Trial. Tonight’s final round of competition is open to the media and the public.  ...

The eight high school teams that will advance to the semifinals of the 2020 Ventura County Mock Trial were announced today by the Ventura County Office of Education. The semifinalists received the eight highest scores of the teams participating in this year’s Mock Trial. Listed in order of their scores, the final eight teams are: Oak Park Black St. Bonaventure High School Newbury Park Gold Westlake High School Santa Susana Hamilton Santa Susana Lincoln Oaks Christian Lions St. Augustine A...

Teenagers who are incarcerated at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Facility are exploring their struggles and expressing their dreams through a newly released book of poetry and art. The teens are all students at Providence School, which is located inside the juvenile hall complex and operated by the Ventura County Office of Education.This is the fourth edition of The Art Inside, which is a project of the Ventura County Arts Council. You can read the students' poems and see their artwork ...

More than two dozen local high schools will participate in the 2020 Ventura County Mock Trial competition, which begins Monday in Ventura. Courtroom drama comes to life as students take on the roles of participants in a criminal trial, including attorneys, witnesses, bailiffs and journalists. The students will present their cases in real courtrooms before actual local judges who volunteer for the competition. Local attorneys serve as coaches. WHAT: 2020 Ventura County Mock Trial WHEN: ...

Two additional local high schools will join the winner of the 2020 Ventura County Academic Decathlon in the statewide competition to be held in March in Sacramento. Calabasas High School was guaranteed a spot in the state competition after winning both first and second place at the county level. And now, Westlake and La Reina High Schools have been invited to fill open spots in the state competition based on their scores at the county level. Westlake placed third in the Ventura County competitio...