Education

Chevron announces $1 million in grants

Chevron announced $1 million in grants for six local initiatives in job training and science education on Monday. Recipients include the West Contra Costa Unified School District and Contra Costa College. “[We’re] happy to contribute a total of $1 million – that’s easy to say, $1 million,” said refinery General Manager Nigel Hearne at a reception for the winners. The grant announcement was Hearne’s first public act since taking over from former general manager Mike Coyle in September. About a…

Environmental inequalities are hot topic at Richmond sustainability conference

When Luz Gomez, the deputy chief of staff for County Supervisor John Gioia, tried to establish a small deli on a corner in North Richmond, even with help from the County, had to overcome more zoning code, development agency and operator obstacles then she anticipated. Though she says that she feels close to opening the neighborhood’s only restaurant, it has been a battle that has lasted years. “I can’t tell you the kinds of barriers we have encountered along this…

Fingerprinting parties make it easy for parents to volunteer

It was a brisk Saturday morning at Dejean Middle School when Kelli Tharpe stepped into Room B102 at the seventh annual Parents as Partners and Leaders Conference. She waited in line patiently and made small talk with other anxious parents. “I’m out here to support my children in Helms Middle School,” Tharpe said. “I think it’s great that the district is encouraging parent involvement and going about it the right way.” Tharpe is among several parents that have decided to…

Ivy League Connection gives local youth an academic edge

Ivy League schools are known worldwide for their prestige, academic rigor and exclusive admissions. The Ivy League Connection funds trips to Ivy League summer enrichment programs to create that college-going academic culture in Richmond. Last Thursday, the ILC hosted a private dinner with Elizabeth Hart, the director of minority outreach at Brown University. “If we’re going to be a democracy we really need to give a voice to all segments of our society,” Hart said. “I really think education is…

Eagles dominate their homecoming game, 52-19

Even though the Kennedy Eagles were winning their homecoming game 14-13 going into the second quarter, the score was uncomfortably close, making the team and the fans a little uneasy. Four minutes into the second quarter Albany intercepted a pass and rallied down the field to take the lead, adding to the tension in the Eagles’ bleachers. It wasn’t more than a minute later that senior Kenneth Walker III zigzagged through Albany’s defensive line and took the ball 61 yards…

District encourages parental involvement in education at conference this Saturday

With all that goes on in the adult world, relating to a miniature version of one’s self is a lot harder than the uninitiated might think. Something as simple as helping a 9-year-old with a writing assignment can be daunting after a day’s work; the “simple” one-sentence instruction often reads as if it were some kind of esoteric answer to the meaning of life. Even relating to educators, especially one who spends the day explaining long division, can be challenging…