Schools

Students in the Gavilan College Computer Graphics and Design program kept their creative juices flowing and extended their winning streak - receiving honors and awards for their projects on display at the California State Fair in Sacramento for a fourth straight year.

Susan Dodd and Gavilan College have had a symbiotic relationship for 37 years, and now – even with the decorated educator’s retirement from the institution at age 63 – her legacy will live on.

Students culminated six weeks of learning how to live healthy and apply science, technology, engineering and math Wednesday when parents joined them in playing games, constructing cars from household products and learning how to cook healthy food.

Alondra Navarro, an incoming senior at the Dr. TJ Owen's Gilroy Early College Academy, or GECA, received the national Alexander Hamilton Citizenship Achievement Award for superior community service and achievement.

The Silicon Valley Education Foundation is offering math and science classes for an expected enrollment of 1,300 incoming eighth- and ninth-graders across 18 school districts in Santa Clara County this summer.

The Gilroy Unified School District held its only July meeting Thursday night, covering everything from progress in construction and new technology implementations to substantial budget improvements.

The creation of a student achievement tracking system, a commitment to student support and establishing a collegial, inclusive college culture were among the praises given to Gavilan College during its recent accreditation renewal process.

The Gilroy Foundation, a local philanthropic nonprofit organization, gave out $343,450 in scholarships this year to 53 Gilroy and Morgan Hill graduates. The money came from 19 sources including garlic entrepreneuer Don Christopher, owner of Christopher Ranch; his wife, Karen; and sons Bill and Ken Christopher.

John Perales, who has been at the helm of Christopher High School since its opening in 2009, took another step up the career ladder when the Gilroy Unified School District's Board of Education voted June 20 to appoint him as their first Director of Human Resources for Certificated Staff.

The Sierra LaMar Search Center has moved to Central High School in Morgan Hill, according to Sierra’s family and volunteers who continue to search for any sign of the missing teen’s whereabouts.