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In This Issue...
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Opinions
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Santa Cruz County Office of Education â€" Enriching Our Lives with Agricultural History Project
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Santa Cruz County Office of Education â€" Enriching Our Lives with Agricultural History Project
By Superintendent of Schools Dr. Diane Siri
The Agricultural History Project at the County Fairgrounds is an educational asset to the teachers of Santa Cruz County and is a must-see for all Santa Cruz County residents.
Each year the Santa Cruz County Office of Education celebrates the new school year by bringing together all COE employees at our annual Orientation Day activities.
Our celebration this year took place at the Agricultural History Project (AHP) located at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville. Approximately 240 employees gathered to begin the new school year together. Upon arrival, teachers and instructional aides from Alternative Education, Special Education, and Regional Occupational Programs joined staff and administrators from the central office to meet new employees, renew long-time professional relationships and to learn about the rich history and influence of the agricultural industry in Santa Cruz County.
The camaraderie that was developed and renewed over morning beverages and snacks was a great start to the day and the new school year. Adding to the flavor of the environment, employees dressed in straw hats, cowboy boots, plaid shirts and other farm appropriate clothing.
Following the departmental orientations, we joined together in one group to establish a team effort for the year and to celebrate our accomplishments and honor employees. Bill Sullivan and Brunella Deeds received a special thank you and recognition for their many years of service in the Superintendent’s Office.
Appreciating Veteran Employees
The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is proud of our employees and celebrates the professional longevity of employees who have succeeded in their career of choice at the COE. Each year we are honored to recognize those employees who have reached a milestone in their tenure with us in increments of five years. Approximately 72 percent of our employees have worked for us for more than five years. In addition to those who have reached five-year, 10-year and 15-year milestones, this year we honored the following employees for 20, 25 and 30 years of employment dedicated to Santa Cruz County students.
Among the 20-year employees were: Lorraine Canavan (Instructional Aide, Special Education), Victoria Smith-Raymond (Teacher, Special Education) and Stephanie Spungin (Teacher, Alternative Education).
At 25 years, there are employees Sherry Ascher (Teacher, Special Education), Tina Dinsmore (Senior Administrative Secretary, Technology Services) and Lenard Howard (Custodian, Maintenance Services).
Our 30-Year employees are Judy Barbata (Teacher, Special Education), Susan Corso (Credentials Analyst, Human Resources), Mark Mathews (Teacher, Alternative Education) and Stephen Smith (Teacher, Special Education).
Ag History on the Central Coast
It was my pleasure to serve as general assembly emcee and to introduce Pat Johns, co-founder and long-time volunteer at the Ag History Project. Pat, who was herself an employee of the COE for many years in the position of assistant director of the Regional Occupational Program, coordinated our visit.
Pat introduced us to the history of the Agricultural History Project and the many benefits it provides to County residents by preserving and raising awareness about the economic, cultural, ethnic and historical significance of agriculture in our county.
Nita Gizdich, owner of Gizdich Ranch and an active promoter of the historic and current attractions in the agricultural industry of the area, informed us about Country Crossroads, a consortium of farmers and processors in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and San Benito counties who invite everyone to their farms and shops to have a unique recreational experience and to purchase farm-fresh commodities directly from the grower/producer. Each employee received a Farm Trails Map to enable them to explore the many products and sites available.
Railroad Museum Expanded
With the help this year of Graniterock and Big Creek Lumber, the Fair’s railroad exhibit got a substantial boost.
Bob Grimsley, volunteer and president of the Santa Cruz County Railroad Historical Society opened their railroad exhibit to us. The railroad museum is an amazing model railroad that presents a history of the County’s rail system and its historical importance.
The newly expanded exhibit is a scale replica of the railroad system in the County from Pajaro Junction to near Zayante.
At the Ag History Project, John Kegebien, Bill Codiga, and Nancy Perriman, all volunteers, provided historical lectures and answered our questions as we toured the many facilities and exhibits. Some employees even tried their hand at milking the plywood cows equipped with appropriate apparatus to simulate the real experience.
Kids Get a Chance to Learn Too
The AHP provides teachers with an opportunity to bring classes to the project to learn of the everyday practices of our ancestors and the chores they performed just to put a meal on the table. Volunteer-led activities include milking the contented cows, making butter, washing clothes, planting and grinding corn and a ride on a hay wagon. I highly recommend to teachers and administrators to make use of this educational opportunity.
I encourage all Santa Cruz residents to visit the Agricultural History Project and the Railroad Museum at the Santa Cruz County Fair grounds. All are a rich and rewarding experience.
I would like to take this opportunity to publicly recognize and thank all of the above-mentioned individuals who volunteered their time and wisdom that day to make our visit enjoyable and educational.
A thank you also to Super Grullense Restaurant, located in Watsonville, who catered a wonderful lunch. As this is my 22nd and final Orientation, it served as a great start to the 2006-07 school year and served as a perfect thank you celebration to the entire dedicated County Office of Education staff who so professionally serve the students, parents and community of Santa Cruz County. I wish all a successful 2006-07 school year.
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