On Friday, February 16, 2004, Rio Vista Elementary held its first “Dance with a Loved One” event in partnership with the Rio Vista Parent Club. The evening included a DJ with age-appropriate music, a professional photo booth, and a selfie backdrop area. Pizza and snacks were enjoyed by all. Rio Vista Elementary Principal Beverly Garnica said, “We had an amazing night at our first Dance With a Loved One at Rio Vista event! A huge thanks to our counselor, Mrs. Ibarra, our wonderful Parent Club, and our DJ. It was a great evening!” Courtesy Rio Vista Elementary blog https://www.blog.fillmoreusd.org/rio-vista-elementary-roadrunners-blog/2024/2/20/dance-with-a-loved-one.
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Courtesy Luther Richmond, MA Education, Rio Vista Elementary School Parent

Re: Rio Vista Elementary Dance Gets an A+ on “Dance with a Loved-One Event”

On Friday February 16, 2024 Rio Vista Elementary hosted its first annual “Dance with a Loved-One” school dance inside the school multi-purpose room with support from the Rio Vista Parent Club. Each student was given a glow-in-the-dark strobe light foam toy as they entered the venue that was filled with upbeat, age-appropriate music provided by DJ Corona. The event featured a professional photo booth with props and a DIY selfie backdrop area. Pizza, snacks, and beverages were for sale. The event was a great success and exceeded the expectations of many parents and even some of the organizers. The dance floor stayed occupied at all times and at one point, several of the fifth graders started a dance circle and conga line that was joined by other students from every other grade level down to the kindergarteners. At the surface level, the event may be perceived as a fun Friday night dance to start a three day weekend, however, the importance of these types of events cannot be overstated.

As a parent of fifth and second grade “Roadrunners,” several years of my children’s and their classmates’ elementary school years were significantly disrupted by the pandemic and connections were lost. This event was a strong effort by the school to bolster community-school relations as many continue forward toward a sense of normalcy. As a result, the school should see positive ripple effects in the near future in regard to parent engagement following the pandemic that disconnected so many of us. Many parents met school staff and the families of their children’s classmates at the event as well.
Depending on the school district, it is often challenging to approve funding for fun “non-educational” events like this, however, it is important for all families and students to have positive experiences on their campus, and events such as this one should be encouraged and celebrated by school districts and parent-teacher organizations. Students laughed, played, and danced with other classmates and their loved ones inside the same cafeteria where they have lunch. We lined up for pizza where they line up during school. When these experiences are shared, understanding and respect spreads and bullying and school violence incidents are reduced.

These events must be valued for their ability to unify students, increase parent engagement, and to boost the overall social-emotional health of the campus. The weekend is now over, but our “Roadrunners” are still talking about and energized by Friday night’s dance. On behalf of all of the Rio Vista parents, I am sending a big thank you to Principal Beverly Garnica, the school staff, and all of the parent club members who said yes to this event and put in the extra work to make it happen.

Ventura, Calif.—Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023, the Ventura College Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides resources and financial assistance to Ventura College students and school programs, distributed $809,995 in direct assistance support to over 5,000 students during the 2022-2023 academic year and another $1.17 million to 68 Ventura College programs across 16 departments and divisions.

"Since the foundation’s inception, it’s raised over $48 million to benefit Ventura College students and programs. There is no better way to celebrate the foundation’s 40th anniversary than to contribute another $2 million to help remove the financial barriers to education that students face," says Anne Paul King, Ventura College Foundation executive director.

In 2022-23, the foundation provided $75,000 in gap funding for 2,082 students to ensure tuition costs of the Ventura College Promise program were covered due to state budget cuts. The program covers all tuition and fees for eligible students for up to two years. The foundation awarded 439 scholarships to 235 applicants. Its lending library and veterans' textbook program provided textbooks to 2,688 students including 58 veterans.

The foundation also provided financial support to the Ventura College Basic Needs Program including its pantry and the Jordana Ybarra-Telias Emergency Grant Program. “The pantry was previously serving 250 students per week. It’s now serving 200 students daily,” says King. “Food insecurity is just one of the challenges facing our students. About 55 percent of the college’s student population is classified as extremely low income or low income.”

Community colleges are the least funded of all educational systems in the state according to the Community College League of California (CCLC) 2023 Fast Facts Sheet “K-12, UC and Cal State schools all receive more funding per student,” says King. “Our generous donors enable us to eliminate financial barriers, increase access to education, bridge equity gaps in academic achievement, and empower more students to thrive. Their support has given tens of thousands of students over four decades an opportunity to fulfill their dreams of a rewarding career, higher income, and a better quality of life.”

For more information on the Ventura College Foundation's 2022-23 Impact Report, go to https://venturacollegefoundation.org/foundation-impact. To learn about Ventura College Foundation donation options, click https://venturacollegefoundation.org/giving.

Ventura College Foundation

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and operates financially independent from Ventura College. It transforms students’ lives through education by providing innovative and vital resources and financial support. The Foundation collaborates with Ventura College to enhance human potential, civic engagement, careers and academic success of students enabling their effective impact and legacy on the college, local workforce, and our community. The Foundation also hosts the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace; an outdoor shopping experience held every weekend on the Ventura College campus. For more information, contact Julie Harvey at (805) 289-6502 or jharvey@vcccd.edu or visit www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org.

Pictured above is Principal Krystal Sarabia-Rocha with San Cayetano Elementary students marching in the 2023 Lions Club Christmas Parade. Photo credit Brandy Hollis.
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Article by Brandy Hollis

Let me introduce you to Krystal Sarabia-Rocha. Mrs. Rocha is the current principal at San Cayetano Elementary, and her smile is genuine, just like she is. We will say I am very passionate about my children, a real momma bear. The first time I walked into her office four years ago, I knew she was new and said, “Did they warn you about me?” She looked somewhat bewildered, said no and shut the door so we could talk in private. She immediately addressed my concerns. She was so sweet and professional, I was impressed. Thankfully she didn’t hit this over-protective momma bear with a tranquilizer dart, and her genuine concern and understanding won me over that day. About 10 minutes after I got home, she sent me a follow-up email to confirm she had made the requested changes. I know this sounds a little silly but, in this day and age, you don’t always get people who stay calm, let alone follow up with you and keep their word. It’s been love ever since.

Mrs. Rocha can be found almost every morning outside the school in the drop-off line, helping keep the line moving smoothly, greeting all the kids warmly, and assisting them if they need it. Her smile is worth a thousand words! I’m blessed to know and have friendships with many teachers and staff at the school and I have never heard anything but the upmost respect from her peers. I have been told she makes the environment comfortable for the staff to do their jobs and is on the ball. I know my children will get the education they need, and are in a safe environment.

I am challenging everyone I know to take the time to get to know the staff at their kids’ schools. So many people take their kids out of district or enroll in private school. There are quality teachers and administrators here in Fillmore. Mrs. Rocha is also blessed with a Superintendent who is devoted to Fillmore education as well. We need to keep Fillmore’s education money here. First and foremost, parents are responsible for their children’s education—an involved parent is an informed parent. Test scores are not the only measure of success. Hopefully with other parents’ involvement and a plan coming into place, Nancy Hernandez (fellow C.A.R. Commissioner) and I would like to reconvene a PTA/PTO program to assist with the teachers’ efforts.

Besides having been at San Cayetano for four years, Mrs. Rocha has been at FUSD for eight years, and in education for 16. If you drive up Mountain View during the week at 8 a.m. and it’s not at a complete standstill, wave at your crossing guard, say good morning, and thank Mrs. Rocha for a phenomenal job with our children.

And Mrs. Rocha, I am so thankful for you; seeing you at school, at meetings you are involved in, serving on site council, and always being open to new ideas. I love to see you at different sporting events with your own beautiful children, knowing our community and school district are amazing.

(Camarillo, Calif.) January 3, 2024 — Moorpark College, Oxnard College, Ventura College and Ventura College East Campus are holding free Cash 4 College workshops to help students apply for funds to help with college costs. Funds can be used for tuition, books, housing, transportation, childcare, computers and more.

In-person workshops are scheduled for February and March. The workshops are free and open to the community; anyone may attend a workshop at any location and can drop in at any time during the events.

Bilingual financial aid staff will assist students in completing applications for the 2024-2025 school-year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Students can also access information about basic needs support (food, clothing and housing assistance), tutoring, academic counseling, mental health services and other student services.

AB 469 requires school districts to confirm seniors have completed the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application before graduating in 2024. Cash for College events can help students get ahead.
For more information, visit vcccd.edu/cash4college.

Moorpark College
Feb. 24
8:30–11:30 a.m.
Mar. 23
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Moorpark College Fountain Hall
7075 Campus Rd.,
Moorpark
For info: Contact the Moorpark College Financial Aid Office at (805) 378-1462 or mcfa@vcccd.edu.

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Oxnard College
Feb. 10 & 24
Mar. 9 & 23
9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Oxnard College Student Services Building
4000 S. Rose Ave., Oxnard
For info: Contact the Oxnard College Financial Aid Office at (805) 678-5828 or ocfinaid@vcccd.edu.

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Ventura College
Feb. 10
Mar. 9
9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Ventura College Learning Resource Center
4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura

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Ventura College East Campus
Feb. 24
Mar. 23
9 a.m.–12 p.m.
957 Faulkner Road, Unit 106, Santa Paula
For info: Contact the Ventura College Financial Aid Office at (805) 289-6369 or vcfinancialaid@vcccd.edu.

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About Ventura County Community College District

The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 116-campus California Community College system and serves approximately 30,000 students annually. The District’s three colleges — Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura — offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, visit www.vcccd.edu.