Schools

Only 40 percent of the students in the Gilroy Unified School District meet or surpass state standards in math and 48 percent in English, according to a statewide report released this week of 2017 test scores.

Math for kindergarten, focus on technology, solar power and new English materials are some of the highlights to students at the Gilroy Unified School District this year. Superintendent Deborah Flores spells out the latest on the three R’s and then some. (That’s Reading, ‘Riting and ‘Rithmetic for you millennials.

Architect and community advocate Charles Weston, the Interfaith Clergy Alliance and Mama Mia’s were named as recipients of Gavilan College’s 2017 Community Spirit Awards, which are handed out annually to honor the people and institutions that contribute to improving the local quality of life.

After an extensive national search, the Board of Directors for South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium appointed Linda Vaughn to the position of President/CEO at their Sept. 21 meeting, according to a Sept. 21 announcement.

Gilroy officials have made a priority of keeping millennials–people in their 20s and 30s–in town after they graduate from college. The challenge is daunting, according to a survey of Gavilan students, who say the city is boring, too expensive and doesn’t have adequate housing.

One of the best ways to attract more kids to walk and bike to school is through events at the schools, and then sending home material to the parents. The kids become the biggest advocates to letting them walk and bike more and especially to school.

Gavilan College announced self-imposed sanctions this week after recruiting and benefits violations came to light, leading to 17 football players’ dismissal in August.

On Tuesday President Donald J. Trump ended the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy put in place by Barack Obama, putting the future of 800,000 young immigrants in doubt.

Gavilan College removed 17 out-of-state football players—all but one of them African American—from the team and campus last week, claiming the athletes had received prohibited transportation, housing and food benefits and were improperly recruited.

Police know about protecting and serving, but for the past two weeks, they have added a new duty— shopping.