A panel of admissions officials from leading colleges will share advice and answer questions in a forum being hosted by Sonoma Academy on May 17.

The event, which is free to the public, will begin at 7 p.m.

Universities represented include Sonoma State, the University of California at Berkeley, Stanford, Santa Clara and the University of Southern California.

The program is recommended for sophomores, juniors and their parents.

For more information, call David Rion, director of counseling at Sonoma Academy, 545-1770.

The school is located on the eastern end of Kawana Springs Road.

The most recent edition of California Educator, the monthly magazine put out by the California Teachers Association, had a story about innovative fundraising events, including teachers and administrators kissing pigs.

It brought to mind at least two local schools who used animal kissing rallies not as a fundraiser but a motivator to reach academic goals. To read about former Comstock Middle School principal Bob Dahlstet kissing a cow, click here  http://bit.ly/JFUJGw  to See Cali Calmecac principal Jeanne Acuna smooch a pig, click here:  http://bit.ly/IYoUZx .

Last year, 177 students were served. This year, the number jumped to 375.

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County’s largest school district,  honored volunteers from Agilent who have scores of volunteers in the program this year. For more on the Schools of Hope reading program, click here: http://www.unitedwaywinecountry.org/sohsonoma

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Thursday, May 10 is Bike to Work Day but what about the school kids? A bunch of schools around Sonoma County are taking advantage of the great spring weather and using “walking school buses” to shepherd students to campus.

Readers may recall that Shao was honored last week as one of the Press Democrat’s 10 outstanding seniors in the Community Youth Service Award. Shao won in the music category for her work in establishing and then dramatically expanding the “Chance to Dance” program with the Boys and Girls Club. The program is now active in other cities in California and across the country.

Shao, who is headed to Harvard, spent last summer at Junior State of America Summer School at Georgetown University. She currently spends six to eight hours a week as director of political affairs for Junior State, sending out action alerts to encourage activisim and involvement in issues that affect young people.

Shao, one of two National Merit Scholarship winners in Sonoma County, was also Prudential Spirit of Community Awards Distinguished Finalist.

Marie Speaks, Shao’s counselor, called the senior “spectacular.”

“She is truly the most gifted, eloquent student I have ever had the pleasure to be associated with in my 28 year career as a teacher and counselor,” she said.

Plattus, a straight A student for the Falcons is also a two year starter on the basketball team.

“She is one of those players who worked as hard at practices as she would in a game,” said Donna Wade, Rebecca’s coach and P.E. teacher. “Rebecca never makes excuses and consistently inspires and encourages her peers to do their best.”

Plattus is an outstanding student, according to Rincon Valley staff.

“She sets high standards for herself and has the integrity to always produce quality work, whether or not that work is graded,” said her geometry teacher, Jan VarnBuhler. “She is the type of student that makes teaching easy and enjoyable.”

Torres is an honor roll student at Cook and has been accepted into the academically rigorous University Center program at Elsie Allen High School. She is also a member of Cook’s volleyball, cross country and track teams.

Torres is a leader of the Project Committee in the school Builders’ Club and is in charge of planning projects such as Beautification Day and Teacher Appreciation Day. She has served as a student guide and is a member of Cook’s leadership class.

Torres credits her fifth grade teacher at Burbank Elementary School for giving her a credo to live by: “Give the world the best, and the best will come back to you.”

Torres hopes to attend San Diego State University or University of California at Davis and her goal is to become a pediatrician.

Ayala is described by Doyle Park staff as an “excellent, motivated student.”

“Karla is the epitome of a life-long learner,” the staff wrote in endorsement of Ayala’s being honored. “She is highly motivated and often does extra credit work, unprompted by the teacher…Additionally she always goes above and beyond the stated expectations on assignments, adding creative flourishes, and extra research on interesting subtopics.”

Recently Ayala spent her free time creating a mural of Ancient China.

Ayala is described as a leader among her fellow Dragons, always lending a hand and thinking of others in every situation.

“Her desire to be kind and thoughtful of others seems to compel her to stand up for others in situations and also stand up for herself and for what she believes in when necessary,” according to Doyle Park staff.

Ayala is “mature, thoughtful, kind, motivated and industrious.”

Thursday, May 10 is Bike to Work Day but what about the school kids? A bunch of schools around Sonoma County are taking advantage of the great spring weather and using “walking school buses” to shepherd students to campus.

April 30, 2012

 Dear Petaluma,

 The passing of one of our beloved teachers, Kim Conover, was devastating to our Meadow family and to our community.  This tragedy touched the lives of many, and we are working hard to take small steps forward toward recovery.  In a time of such deep and unexpected loss we found comfort in the blanket that was placed around us in this time of need. 

 Words cannot express the feelings we have experienced at our school, and we have only been able to function due to the kindness of our community.  We wish we had the time to write each person and business who helped these past weeks a personal note, but we are hoping that this note will convey the depth of our thanks. 

 We were showered with love in the shape of hugs, cards, flowers, cookies, bagels, scones, candy, lunch, and flowers.  We have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of compassion, and we are forever in debt to our community for the substantial support we have received.  Petaluma is a strong village that has warm and loving arms.   

 We hope we have not missed anyone, but we would like to extend thanks to the following:

 St. Vincent’s School               Cordoza’s Deli            Waugh PTA   

Old Adobe School District     Amy’s Kitchen            Bijoux Bakery

Lombardi’s Deli                      Mister McGoo’s          River Town Business BNI Chapter

Chinatown Restaurant                        Mary’s Pizza               Project Linus

Sift Cupcakes                          G&G Market               Petaluma Police Chaplains

Hospice of Petaluma               Pastor Kellgren           Pastor Hunt    

Paws (Paws as Loving Support Assistance Dogs)        Supervisor David Rabbitt 

Don Ponchos                           Tee Jay Lowe              Athletic Edge

Sonoma Marin Landscape      Mr. Pickles                 

The MANY parents and neighbors who stepped up in large and small ways, who sent flowers, baked goods, provided lunches and hugs. 

 In Kim’s 12 years at Meadow she touched the lives of many students, and in doing so, made a difference in the world.  She reached out to students and loved them, always with her radiant smile.  Meadow has always been a magical place because of our children, parents, teachers and community at large, but this week, it grew into something much bigger.  It reminds us that good ultimately prevails, and that the human heart has an immense capacity to love and heal. 

 With deepest gratitude,

 Melissa Becker, Principal

Bob Cmelek, Superintendent

Fred Stohl, Board President

Meadow School Teachers and Support Staff