Schools

A sustainability-oriented conservation agency providing beneficial services to Santa Clara and San Benito counties recently celebrated seven decades of involvement in the agricultural community.

Ascencion Solorsano Middle School students made a special banner last week for the Newtown, Conn. community and schools to offer their support and condolences following the recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The banner was signed and decorated by ASMS staff and students and will be sent to Newtown during the winter break.

Each month, the principals of Gilroy and Christopher high schools choose a total of four students (two from GHS and two from CHS) to spotlight. GHS junior Victor Olmos, 16, is this week's Student of the Week.

Gilroy and Morgan Hill schools are flying their flags at half-staff Monday and Tuesday to demonstrate solidarity and support for the 26 victims – 20 of whom were children – slain in the mass school shooting that devastated the idyllic community of Newtown, Conn. Friday.

Mrs. Foster's second grade English Language Development learners and homeroom classes performed “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” for parents and friends Friday morning at Eliot Elementary School in Gilroy.

After eight years serving as a trustee on the Gilroy Unified School District Board of Education, outgoing member Rhoda Bress, 62, received a heartfelt farewell and standing ovation from colleagues, friends and family as her second term came to a close Thursday evening.

A local chef whose regulary culinary classes at Gilroy High School are a smashing success – boasting 100 percent daily student attendance – is spreading her forward-thinking learning model to Morgan Hill.

The Gilroy and Christopher High School Choirs will present their winter concerts at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18 and 19 at the GHS Student Center, located on campus at 750 West 10th Street. For the finale song, “Hallelujah Chorus,” Choral Director Phil Robb expects about 250 students and returning alumni to participate.

The Hollister School District had been billed $19,200 through October from its contracted legal firm that developed a report detailing “deficiencies” in a charter school petition, according to figures released to the Free Lance.

Each month, the principals of Gilroy and Christopher high schools choose a total of four students (two from GHS and two from CHS) to spotlight. CHS sophomore Jake Moen, 16, is this week's Student of the Week.