publisher@santaynezvalleystar.com

Even if Santa Barbara County stays in the Red Tier until October 13, which would allow all county schools to reopen to a hybrid model without a waiver, the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School Board of Education opted to keep the distance learning model until second semester which is January 4, 2021. The board voted 3 – 2 at their special meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 29, to stay in distance learning with board members John Baeke and Chris Burtness dissenting. 

“This is a very difficult decision for all of us and strong feelings. We are fully responsible for whatever decision we make,” said Eileen Preston, board president. 

“The community and the students will be outraged,” said Baeke. 

If the hybrid model were implemented, teachers would have one cohort on campus, one cohort distance learning from home, and another cohort solely learning from home. 

During public comment before the decision there were 12 speakers, 10 of those who sent in statements to be read, and were mostly in favor of going to a hybrid model. 

“As a nurse at Cottage Hospital I am aware of the need to move forward when opportunity presents itself. It’s time to get children back to school and we appreciated all efforts for distance learning but in no way does it compare to in person learning. The kids are suffering from anxiety and they will adapt to new ways of learning and kids will make whatever modification for some sense of normalcy in their lives,” said Lisa Gildred. 

A student echoed her statement saying they dread the next school day of online classes and have no connection with their teacher or classmates. 

Other students said they preferred the distance learning and it allows them independence to get assignments done on their own and not have to sit in a classroom all day. 

“Going back to school will take us off track of how students adjusted to learning this year. We should stay online as we have figured out time management and routines,” said Presley Melville, SYHS junior. 

“Are we pretending that all of our high school age students are sitting at home on the weekends? Actually, a lot of them are working – and have been working the past six months – in all of the types places that hire teenagers and these places are busy with tourists and locals and people of all ages who are out and about doing stuff. But it’s not safe for them to be in the classroom five days week when we move to the red tier,” wrote Tonya Crandall, parent. 

Two SYHS teachers said that on top of their already difficult task of distance learning, bringing in a hybrid model will be a further detriment to education this year. 

“Students will only see their teacher one day and will not feel benefit of face to face instruction. This will exacerbate learning gaps and feelings of isolation. I worry about student mental health feeling more ignored and lack normal social interactions because of strict social distancing guidelines,” said Cassie Cathcart, English teacher. 

Teacher Heather Clemente said the district is unprepared to do a hybrid model as she implied there haven’t been clear guidelines and protocols set. 

“Teaching simultaneously in person and online will make impossible to provide an effective education, please delay until second semester,” Clemente said. 

When the discussion was brought back to the board Burtness said that no matter when the hybrid model is implemented it will take time to get through the “clunks”, and the sooner the teachers start figuring out those issues the better. 

“Delaying to second semester won’t get rid of issues. We are a public school, funded by the community, and our duty is to get the kids back to the classroom as soon as possible,” Burtness said. 

Superintendent Scott Cory said that the last survey sent to to parents and students indicated 80 percent of them wanted to come back to campus. 

“We were planning and getting ready for the hybrid instruction in late June and July when three weeks before school was to start, we were told it was completely distance learning so we had to switch gears and get that model up and running. There are so many conversations that were put on hold, such as negotiations with the teachers union down to figuring out the cleaning schedule. We need to reboot all those conversations and get a solid plan,” said Cory the day after the meeting. 

Cory added it takes time to implement all these various aspects of the high school day, from minute details such as figuring out how kids will move about on campus from various entrances and exits to maintain social distancing. 

“The county gave us two weeks to completely switch gears again. This isn’t like elementary school where you can keep students in the same cohort together which is easier to trace if one of the students or teachers shows symptoms. Students at the high school take a variety of classes with different teachers and other grade levels so tracing becomes more difficult. I have no doubt we can figure this out, but it will take time,” Cory said. 

Burtness said she wanted the school to open as quickly as possible put forward a motion to open right after October 13, as long as all the public health guidelines are being met and Baeke seconded. The board discussed what the scenario would look like if they opened just after October 13 and board members Jan Clevenger and Tory Babcock said they didn’t think there was enough time for teachers to plan for it, to which Burtness suggested November 9. However her amended motion failed because Baeke did not second the amendment and none of the other board members did either. Clevenger and Babcock then said they were concerned about not having a solid plan for how teachers are supposed to teach three cohorts at the same time. 

“I am very worried about making sure education is strong in classroom, especially if teachers go out sick, subs will have to juggle three cohorts which they aren’t trained for. If we wait until this whole semester done and then we can move forward clean into next semester. I agree with what you say Chris (Burtness) in getting back to class, but I vote we reopen second semester,” Babcock said. 

Cory did clarify the board can change their mind and open sooner by either calling another special meeting or putting it on a future agenda and voting again. 

To watch the entire meeting visit the district’s YouTube channel. 

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The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department has said additional victims have been identified following the arrest of 52-year-old Gregory Scott Ray of Buellton for alleged sex crimes committed against three male juveniles in the Santa Ynez Valley.

“Additional victims have been identified.  These victims include those who live local and some that are out of the area. It is believed that there are likely additional victims who live outside of the Santa Barbara County area,” according to Kelly Hoover, public information officer.

In the updated information released, Ray traveled to many other counties within California during the course of his employment as an independent contractor and sales consultant for Friesens LLC, a yearbook publishing company.  Ray assisted with yearbook consulting at many school campuses in central California, from San Jose to Los Angeles County, and may have attended yearbook camps/conferences. 

***

Original story

By Raiza Giorgi

Publisher@santaynezvalleystar.com

A Buellton resident is in custody at the Santa Barbara County Jail following an investigation by the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division. On March 18, 2019, the Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Santa Ynez Valley High School (SYVHS) regarding alleged inappropriate sexual contact between a student and 52-year-old Greg Scott Ray, a yearbook consultant and salesman who covers Central California.  The report stemmed from a conversation a teacher overheard and reported to School Administrators.  SYVUHS promptly contacted the Sheriff Office who subsequently initiated an investigation.

Greg Scott Ray

“I have been informed by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department that Greg Ray, a consultant who has worked with the Santa Ynez Valley Union High School yearbook class, has been arrested based on allegations of inappropriate physical contact with minor students and, given the severity of the allegations, I want to be sure that members of our school community are informed,” said SYVUHSD Superintendent Scott Cory.

Cory added Ray has worked on the campus intermittently for seven years, in addition to working in other school districts. Principal Mark Swanitz was informed March 18, 2019 of alleged inappropriate physical behavior between Mr. Ray and a minor student and he took immediate action to notify law enforcement who promptly initiated an investigation.

“I want to assure you that Mr. Ray is no longer working in our district and is not allowed on campus.  I have been assured by law enforcement that his employer has been notified,” Cory said. 

Ray worked as an independent sales contractor for Friesens Corporation, a printer company that dealt in yearbooks and other products. Friensens was made aware of the allegations. 

“Friesens is deeply troubled by those allegations. That individual was not an employee of Friesens Corporation. We have taken immediate action to terminate his independent sales contract and we are in communication with all schools with whom he dealt. Our thoughts go out to those who are affected by this,” said Chad Friensens, in a statement written to the SYV Star. 

The investigation revealed that Ray was using a social media app as a way to meet and have sexual contact with young males.  Through the course of the investigation, Sheriff’s detectives confirmed he had inappropriate sexual contact with three known male victims, ages 13 to 17 in the Santa Ynez Valley.  At this time, it appears the introductions occurred through the app and Ray reached out to the victims multiple times throughout the course of several years. While the case is still under investigation, there is no information at this time to indicate the sexual contacts occurred on campus.

This morning, April 9, 2019, Sheriff’s detectives served a search warrant at Ray’s residence in Buellton and he was subsequently arrested.  Ray was booked at the Jail on various sex related charges involving minors.  His bail is set one million dollars.

Detectives have determined that Ray was using the social media app for many years and there is a concern that there may be more victims.  If you have been victimized, know of any potential victims or have information related to the investigation, you are asked to please call the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division at 805-681-4150.  To leave an anonymous tip, please call 805-681-4171 or go to our website at  https://www.sbsheriff.org/home/anonymous-tip/.

Due to the active investigation involving minors, the Sheriff’s Department is not able to release additional info at this time.

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High school students in Santa Barbara County have an opportunity to win cash prizes by creating 30-second videos in the Santa Barbara County Water Agency’s 20th Annual WaterWise High School Video Contest.

Every year, students compete to create entertaining and informational videos that convey the importance of using water efficiently. This year’s theme is “A Day in the Life of a Water Saver.”

Up to three videos can be submitted per school. The winners will receive prizes and have their videos aired in local movie theaters.

The prizes include $500, $250 and $150 for first- through third-place finishers; merchandise prizes; tickets to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival; and another $500 for winning the People’s Choice Award. The cash prizes are provided by local businesses.

Students must submit their videos and completed application packets online by midnight March 1. To get more information and to apply, visit WaterWiseSB.org/HSVC.

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The Santa Ynez Valley Union High School District is jumping into construction this summer with both feet, and the work will result in a virtual shutdown of the campus while students are out for summer vacation.

Outside groups and community members who traditionally have used buildings and sports facilities for summer programs have been notified, school officials said, and even the SYHS summer school session will be moved off-campus.

“We are excited to start this phase of work. The impacts on the campus this summer will be significant in terms of restricting access, but the improvements will benefit both our students and valley residents and organizations that utilize our facilities for years to come,” said district Superintendent Scott Cory.

The work will be funded through Measure K bonds that voters approved in November 2016. Plans call for more than $6 million of work to be completed this summer, including:

• Replacement of more than 4,000 feet of underground sewer, water, fire alarm and communication lines
• Replacement of the main electrical feed and panels across the campus
• Phase 1 replacement of the fire alarm and communications systems
• Heating and cooling system upgrades
• Roofing replacement of multiple buildings and covered walkways
• Window replacement for multiple buildings.

“I recognize that the closure of the campus will have a major impact on community groups and sports teams that rely on our facilities during the summer, but given both the intermittent and sustained shutdown of safety, electrical and climate-control systems, in addition to extensive underground work resulting in open trenching, considerations for public safety have to override our desire to maintain public access,” Cory added.

Offices in the administration building will remain open this summer. Access updates will be provided to the public via the SYHS website at syvpirates.org.

More work is scheduled for the summer of 2019, possibly resulting in similar restrictions to campus facilities, Cory said.

The post Construction to close SYHS campus this summer appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

SYV Star Staff Report

The time for throwing graduation caps into the air is just around the corner as many students in the Santa Ynez Valley celebrate a big milestone.

For some, elementary school is coming to an end as eighth-graders move to high school. Meanwhile, high school seniors are looking forward to their futures in college, vocational or trade school, the military or the workforce.

The Santa Ynez Valley Star is proud of their hard work and accomplishments, and excited to see where their futures take them.

Here is a list of area high schools’ commencement ceremonies:

– Dunn School

Upper School Commencement Week

Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 26, with a tradition known as “Senior Chapel” for students, faculty and staff. Every graduating senior takes the stage to express thanks and thoughts about their time at Dunn.

On Sunday, May 28, seniors meet behind Senior Dorm to line up for commencement, which begins at 10 a.m. A reception for graduates, families, and friends follows.

– Midland School

Graduation will be held at noon on Saturday, June 3, in front of Stillman Dining Hall.

– Santa Ynez Valley Union High School

Senior Awards Night – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17, in the New Gym. Students, families and friends are welcome to attend.

Baccalaureate – 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, at the Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church. This is a celebration of the students’ lives and an invocation of God’s blessing for their futures beyond high school.

Commencement – Seating starts at 2 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 26, on the football field at the high school.

The post Commencement ceremonies scheduled at local high schools appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Staff Report

Editor’s Note: Despite requests from some readers, the Santa Ynez Valley Star is not reposting the video of the April 4 fight at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School. However, our staff will be following up with articles on the issue of bullying in the valley and information on resources that offer help to prevent or deal with it.

One girl was sent to the hospital and another to Juvenile Hall after the two students fought April 4 at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.

Just before 10 a.m. that day, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the campus after a report of a fight between the two students, whom the Star will not name because they are minors.

The investigation determined that the girls were involved in a fight near the girls locker room by the Old Gym. One of them was transported to a local hospital, treated for injuries and released. The other was arrested for felony battery and booked into Santa Maria Juvenile Hall.

The Sheriff’s Department continues to investigate in conjunction with the high school’s administration. The fight was videotaped and posted on social media, where it became a hot topic of discussion in the valley. The page where it was posted has since been taken down.

“None of us at Santa Ynez High School take this incident lightly. Student safety is our top priority. I can assure you that the school’s disciplinary response will be vigorous and appropriate,” said Principal Mark Swanitz in a statement released the afternoon of the incident.

The high school has a hotline to report cyber bullying anonymously through a third-party system at 805-270-2942. Anyone can text or call this number to report any kind of bullying, harassment, intimidation, drug or alcohol use, or any other dangerous or illegal activity on campus.

“Our life skills program at the junior high level teaches prevention skills and how to deal with everything from bullying, stress and building confidence. Seeing the statistics of bullying in our schools is quite alarming, and now is the time to act,” said Mary Conway, director of the Santa Ynez Valley Youth Coalition through People Helping People.

Here are some key statistics from the California Healthy Kids Survey administered in public schools throughout the state:

– Over the past eight years, local ninth- and 11^th-grade students reported that an average of 40 percent of them have been verbally bullied at school.

– An average of 28 percent of ninth-graders reported that they have been physically bullied (pushed, shoved, or hit).

– And an average of 20 percent of 11^th-graders reported physical bullying on campus.

The survey reports that the reasons for bullying are typically focused on race or ethnicity, religious beliefs, gender, sexual preference, or physical or mental disability.

“Any bullying would be unacceptable, but these sorts of rates should set off an alarm bell. They are extraordinarily high, consistently 20 percent or more than the average of countywide high schools,” wrote Dean Palius, executive director for People Helping People, in a December column in the Star.

The post Posted online, videotape of conflict becomes hot topic appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

The Olympic boxer, Carlos Balderas, will be one of the keynote speakers during Allan Hancock College’s Young Educated Latino Leaders Conference, better known as the YELL Conference. The free event will be Saturday, December 3, from 9 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. at the Marian Theatre on the college’s Santa Maria campus.

The event aims to encourage students to set higher educational goals by providing college and career guidance, as well as personalized stories of success. Any male high school student from the Central Coast is encouraged to attend. Guests will receive food and have a chance to win prizes during the conference. Transportation will be provided by AHC to and from the event for students in the Santa Ynez and Lompoc valleys, Guadalupe and Southern San Luis Obispo County.

“The YELL Conference is a unique and very uplifting event,” said organizer Diana Perez, the Cal-SOAP director at Hancock. “Students will walk away with the understanding they have the ability to succeed and achieve their dreams by attending a college, like Allan Hancock College.”

Olympic boxer Carlos Balderas captivated the Central Coast during the 2016 Rio Olympics. The Santa Maria native won his first two fights in the men’s lightweight class before losing by decision in the quarterfinals. Carlos’ father and brothers introduced him to boxing when he was in elementary school as a way to keep him out of trouble. About ten years later, their decision paid off with a ticket to Rio.

Richard Santana, Ed.M. and Roberto Rivas will also be keynote speakers during the event. The founder of Homeboy Goes to Harvard Productions, Santana will share his story as a third-generation gang member who went on to earn a master’s degree from Harvard University. Rivas, the founder and chief executive officer of Encuentros Leadership, will discuss the students’ rite of passage and explain how they can empower themselves to succeed.

To register online for the conference and/or transportation, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/YELL. For more information, please contact the Central Coast Cal-SOAP office at (805) 922-6966 ext. 3710.

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