SCOTTS VALLEY

Child care center hosts open house

The Early Childhood Learning Center in Scotts Valley will hold an open house from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday at 570 Bethany Dr., on the Bethany University Campus.

The center offers half- and full-day programs for children ages 2-and-a-half to 6.

There will be refreshments. For information, call 438-7980.

COUNTY

New Brighton hosts 5k run

New Brighton Middle School will hosting its fourth annual 5K Tidal Run on May 16 at New Brighton State Beach.

The event raises funds for sports at the school. Check-in is from 7:15-7:45 a.m. and the race beings at 8 a.m. Pre-registrants received a T-shirt designed by middle school art students.

Register at Active.com or download a registration form at nbms.santacruz.k12.ca.us. For information, call 464-5660.

SCOTTS VALLEY

Montessori garage sale today

Montessori Scotts Valley Parent Association is holding an 80-family garage sale today from 7 a.m. to noon at 123 S. Navarra Drive, off Granite Creek Road.

In addition to the sale, pre-schoolers will host a lemonade stand.

COUNTY

Cypress senior wins scholarship

Cypress High School senior Lizzy Ruiz is this year's recipient of a $125 scholarship from Santa Cruz Host Lions.

She was chosen for community service at the school and in the community, and her

academic achievements. The award will be presented at a luncheon on May 27.

SOQUEL

Elementary hosts kindergarten preview

Soquel Elementary School is hosting a kindergarten preview night from 6-6:30 p.m. on May 18 and has ongoing kindergarten registration. Packets are at the office. For information, call 464-5655.

SOQUEL

Intensive geometry opens enrollment

Soquel High School offers intensive geometry for freshmen with plans to take advanced placement calculus in later years.

To be admitted, students must pass an Algebra 1 test with a score of 70 percent or higher, receive an A in Algebra 1 from middle school and have their math teacher's recommendation.

Students attending New Brighton Middle School, Shoreline and Good Shepherd will take the test at their school between May 3-15. Students from other schools may take the test, which requires a No. 2 pencil, on May 22 from 9-11 a.m. at Soquel High School, Room 112.

Letters of acceptance will be sent out before the end of this school year.

To sign up, call Dori Arthur at 476-4586 and leave a voice message with the student's name, name of current school and phone number.

SANTA CRUZ

Waldorf School presents May Fair

The Santa Cruz Waldorf School will hold its annual May Fair celebration on May 1. On-site parking is limited and costs $10. Attendees are invited to park for free at Messiah Lutheran Church, 801 High St. Shuttles leave every half hour. For information, call 425-0519.

APTOS

Aptos class of '70 holds reunion

The Aptos High School class of 1970 will hold its class reunion on Oct. 9 at Chaminade.

Tickets are $99 and include buffet and dancing and a bio-book. Visit greatreunions.com for information or e-mail reunion coordinator Patricia Lee Anderson at giddyup14@live.com.

SANTA CRUZ

Spring Hill holds convention

Spring Hill Advanced K-8 School will hold its 12th annual Invention Convention and open house at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at 250 California St.

Judges include representatives from The Tech Museum in San Jose and authors John Cassidy and Nicholas Berger of Klutz Books. Winning entries go on display at the museum. For information, call 427-2641.

CAPITOLA

Student authors celebrated at Fair

The 29th annual Student Authors' Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., May 1 at the Capitola Mall.

The fair will display books written by students of all ages from throughout the county. The event is sponsored by the county Reading Association, the county Office of Education, and Schools Plus.

Santa Cruz

Xochipilli dances at Gateway

Ballet Folklorico dance group Xochipilli will perform for the third year at Gateway School at 11:30 a.m. on May 5, 126 Eucalyptus Ave., in celebration of Cinco de Mayo.

The Xochipilli dancers will perform folk dances in colorful costumes. For information, call 423-0341.

CAPITOLA

New Brighton hosts open house

New Brighton Middle School will hold its annual open house from 6:30-8 p.m. on May 6 at 250 Washburn Ave. For information, call 464-5660.

APTOS

Parent Club meeting scheduled

The Parent Club of Delta High School at Cabrillo College will meet from 7-8 p.m. on Tuesday to discuss graduation, Cabrillo College enrollment and summer activities. For information, call 677-5212.

SANTA CRUZ

Branciforte holds Spring Festival

Branciforte Middle School will sponsor a Spring Festival fundraiser from 5-9 p.m. on May 7 at 315 Poplar Ave.

Activities include Mexican folk dancing, teen bands, carnival games, food, live entertainment, silent auction and drawings. Admission is free.

For information, call 429-3883.

PAJARO VALLEY

Fate of adult ed to be discussed

The next episode of "Teacher, Speak Out!" is 7:30 p.m. Monday on cable channels 25 and 71.

Five teachers from the county's two adult schools will join Pajaro Valley Unified School District Trustee Sandra Nichols to discuss the role of Adult Education in the community and what budget cuts will mean to the program.

"Teacher, Speak Out!" is a production of Peter Nichols and the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers. The program may also be seen at CommunityTV.com and previous episodes are archived at teacherspeakout.com.

PAJARO VALLEY

PVUSD open houses scheduled

Pajaro Valley Unified School District is holding the following open houses:

E.A. Hall Middle School, 7-8:30 p.m., Thursday

MacQuiddy Elementary School, 6-8 p.m., May 6

Bradley Elementary School, 5:30-8 p.m., May 6

Calabasas Elementary School, 6:30-8 p.m., May 6

Amesti Elementary School, 6:30 p.m., May 13

Ann Soldo Elementary School, 6:30-8 p.m., May 13

Freedom Elementary School, 6:15-7:30 p.m., May 13

Landmark Elementary School, 6:30-8 p.m., May 13

Rio del Mar Elementary School, May 13

Starlight Elementary School, 6:30-8 p.m., May 13

Mar Vista Elementary School, 5:30-8 p.m., May 20

H.A. Hyde Elementary School, 6 p.m., May 20

Valencia Elementary School, 5:30-8 p.m., May 20

COUNTY

ABRITE Foundation holds benefit

Abrite Children's Foundation, which supports children with autism and their families, will hold a silent auction and raffle to benefit local children, 4-7- p.m. May 22 at Motiv Lounge, 1209 Pacific Ave.

There will be an online auction immediately following the event with prizes including items from local businesses and restaurants and NFL memorabilia.

For information, visit info@abritefoundation.org.

SANTA CRUZ

Eddy Award recipients named

The Santa Cruz Education Foundation announced the recipients for the second annual Eddy Awards, honoring excellence in public education in Santa Cruz City Schools.

The award ceremony will be 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Kuumbwa Jazz Center, 320-2 Cedar St. There is a $15 per person suggested donation at the door, with light appetizers and a no-host bar.

For information, call 427-8212.

The 2010 Eddy Award recipients are:

Teacher of the Year, K-3: Alice Cato, Bay View Elementary School

Teacher of the Year; 4-5: Alison Woolpert, DeLaveaga Elementary School

Teacher of the Year; 6-8: Jenny Nixon, Mission Hill Middle School

Teacher of the Year; 9-12: Ron Indra, Harbor High School

Unsung Hero, Classified Employee: Fe Silva, Branciforte Middle School, and Nereida Robles, Costanoa High School

Unsung Hero, Parent: Janet Edwards, Soquel High School

Green Award: Gault Elementary School

Wellness Award: Jamie Smith, Food Services Manager

Innovation Award: Advancement Via Individual Determination program

Community Supporters of the Year: Rick Linzer, Alan Heit, Steven Bignell and Colin Alder of the Young Performers Showcase

School of the Year: Santa Cruz High School

LIVE OAK

LO district hosts events

The Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County will host a reception Tuesday from 5-6:30 p.m. for families of Live Oak students who participated in creating the artwork currently exhibited at the County Government Center. The exhibit continues through May 19.

Spectra Artist Ibou N'gom will perform African drumming and dancing at 9 a.m. Thursday at Live Oak Elementary School, 1916 Capitola Road. The public is welcome.

Shoreline Middle School will host a Family Dinner and Movie Night for the community at 5:30 p.m. Friday in the Shoreline Gym, 855 17th Avenue. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. and the movie, Star Trek, starts at 6:30 p.m. For information, call 475-6565.

Green Acres Elementary School will host a walk-a-thon on Friday. Students will walk a three-quarter-mile track to see how many laps then can walk in a half hour. To sponsor a student, call the office at 475-0111. Leave your name, a contact number and the amount to be pledged.

Green Acres is having a Spring Fiesta planning meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the library, 966 Bostwick Lane. The meeting is to discuss volunteer needs, food donations and preparations for the event. For information, call 475-0111.

Del Mar's School Site Council will meet at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday in room B-4, 1959 Merrill St. The Home and School Club will meet at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday to plan for the May 14 Garden Festival. For information, call 477-2063 ext. 203.

Del Mar's English Language Advisory Council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday in Room B-4 at 1959 Merrill St. This is a parent group of Del Mar's English learners led by parents. Child care is provided. Ocean safety and rescue presentations will be Wednesday at Del Mar Elementary School. State lifeguards will present lessons on ocean safety and rescue, and students will get a preview of the summer's offerings for the State Junior Lifeguard programs.

SANTA CRUZ

Independent Study holds open house

The Santa Cruz City Schools' Independent Home Study Program for K-12 students will have an orientation meeting from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday at 185 Benito Ave.

Staff and home-schooling parents will be on hand to answer questions. Alternative Family Education, an independent study program, offers core classes, theater, sports, art and community for homeschooling families.

For information, call Jasmin Gerer at 429-3898 ext. 328 or visit afe.santacruz.k12.ca.us.

SANTA CRUZ

Women in business offer scholarships

The Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce Women in Business is offering four scholarships to be awarded to women who are Santa Cruz residents planning to attend college in the fall.

Two scholarships of $750 each, not dependent on academic achievement, will be awarded to women pursuing a business career: one will be awarded to a high-school senior and one to a woman entering or re-entering college after a five-year break.

Two Cathy Schlumbrecht Cruzin' Courses Scholarships of $1,000 will be award to women for study in any discipline.

Application deadline is May 16 and awards will be announced at the June Women in Business Luncheon. Details and application instructs are at http://bit.lyWiB_scholarship, or call 457-3720.

The Santa Cruz Sentinel welcomes your submissions for the Education Digest. Please send them to education reporter Megha Satyanarayana at educationdigest@santacruzsentinel.com. With rare exception, the digest runs on Sundays, and all material must be received by the previous Wednesday at 5 p.m. for consideration.