At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, some expected a national baby boom. After all, what else was there to do at home during a state-enforced lockdown besides make babies? But, in the United States, the birth rate decreased by 4 percent in 2020. In the Bay Area, the number was even more stunning, a drastic 18 percent.
Now the Coastside is beginning to feel the effects of a baby bust.
The declining national birth rate does not come as a surprise. For the past six years, the federal government has reported a decrease in the number of children born in households across the country. There are many factors at play, including economic recessions and increasing work opportunities for women. And during a global pandemic, layoffs and financial losses caused new couples to put a hold on their plans to become parents.
Why do you want to serve on the CUSD board?
I have served as a CUSD board member for the past four years. My children graduated from Half Moon Bay High School. I have the ability to view the K-12 experience for students in its entirety. I would like to be a stable force through the pandemic, instituting routine study sessions that are non-decisional. This would provide uniform information to all board members and the public, improving understanding on complex topics that impact our students.
What would be your top priorities if elected?
My top priority will be to bridge public education through this pandemic, with a bias toward equity and access to resources for all students. Long- term equitable foundation pieces such as visual and performing arts will improve student performance in all subjects. Timing is right for CUSD to explore use of its surplus land. We must work with Sacramento on a different funding model, to achieve a sustainable base for better teacher pay.
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A record number of students will attend Cabrillo Unified School Districtâs summer programs even after some elementary classes had to be pared down due to a lack of staff.
Although Cabrillo planned to run the Big Lift Inspiring Summers literacy program at both Hatch and El Granada Elementary schools, only the Hatch program will go forward, Program Coordinator Debbie Silveria said. This yearâs summer program is still set to be the largest to date, with more than 400 students enrolled.
Silveria said grant requirements from San Mateo County meant she had to finalize rosters last week, cutting off the early learning Big Lift program, which serves students from kindergarten to third grade, at 112 students. An additional 140 spots will serve fourth- through seventh- grade students in a science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics enrichment program and 28 students are set to enroll in migrant education. The extended school year and summer skills programs will fill 80 s
Seventh-graders Maddie Murtha, Kate Underwood, Macie Vogel and Lucy Collins stood outside Cunha Intermediate School on Monday, fresh off their first day back at school after more than a year of learning online. Although masked, the smiles on their faces were evident.
One week into hybrid learning, Cabrillo Unified School District students are adjusting to a new normal of learning on campuses, surrounded by their peers, and with in-person access to their teachers again. For the four Cunha students, it was like a breath of fresh air.
âItâs so much easier to focus,â Murtha said. âAnd you get to see your friends.â