Candese Charles

School board recognizes Richmond High School soccer, discusses charters schools and bond money

The West Contra Costa Unified School District’s school board meeting Wednesday night included discussion of the need to find a home for Caliber Beta charter schools, updates on the district’s bond program, and recognizing the Richmond High School soccer team. The night started on a light note with a video representing the achievements of the Oilers soccer team. Not only did the team win the championship in the 2014-15 North Coast Section Division 2 soccer league, but the players have done…

School district holds town hall meeting to discuss funding, school services and Common Core

Peres Elementary School’s auditorium was filled with low murmurs of conversation Saturday morning as West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) held its second community town hall meeting of the year. Armed with questions, parents trickled in around 9 am, dropping off their children at the daycare service the district provided. Coffee and pastries were munched as community members, teachers, staff, parents and Spanish translators split off into four groups for light discussions. Each group discussed changes in the district…

West Contra Costa school board meets for a six-hour, packed discussion on charter schools

On Wednesday night, West Contra Costa Unified School District’s (WCCUSD) first board of education meeting of the year was packed with chatty bouncy children, a sea of blue shirt-wearing Caliber Beta Academy teachers, and people holding orange public comment sheets. Newly-elected school board president Todd Groves began the meeting promptly at 6:30 pm as eager parents and teachers waited to discuss pressing topics on the agenda, such as the charter petition renewal of Richmond College Preparatory Schools (RCPS), and the…

Shields Nursing Center warms up hearts with free coats

At around nine on a chilly Saturday morning a line of nearly 300 people wrapped around the corner of Cutting and 20th Street as they giddily waited for a Christmas present that would keep them warm. Shields Nursing Center was turned into a winter wonderland as community members and staff gave out 200 free coats and candy canes to Richmond youth during their annual Warm Coat Giveaway. The event started at noon and by 2pm every child in line had…

Last minute fundraising campaign gives Richmond’s Steelers Cadets football team shot at national title

While families across the Bay Area celebrated Thanksgiving, Richmond’s Steelers Cadets football team had an extra reason for thanks: they’ll be heading to Florida next week to compete in the national youth football tournament. Although the Steelers Cadets played well all season and won the NorCal title with an 11-1 record, a trip to the championships seemed in doubt. Steelers Cadets head coach Will Bryant said they didn’t have the funds to go to Florida.  $600 per player seemed like…

As school board election nears, Richmond youth organize their own candidate forum

The smell of salad dressing and pasta hung in the air Thursday night as voices and laughter filled the basement of Living Hope Neighborhood Church. There, about 150 students, parents, residents, and community organization representatives joined in leading the last of West Contra Costa Unified school district’s (WCCUSD) school board candidates’ forums. The forum was designed and run by students with the backing of six community organizations. Healthy Richmond, Youth Enrichment strategies (YES), The Latina Center, The Ryse Center, Youth…

#myRichmond photo contest winner, Ellen Seskin, discusses the inspiration for her winning photo

Ellen Seskin said she must have gotten the photo bug from her dad, a newspaper reporter who captured moments for a living. After a few nods of glory from friends, Eskin started to get serious about photography while in college at UC Irvine. Now married and with a 27-year-old son, Seskin continues to be apart of a family full of talented folks. The Seskins have been living in Richmond for 30 years. Her husband, a musician, and son, a talented…