Owl vision is amazing. "The field of view for an owl is about 110 degrees, with about 70 degrees being binocular vision. An owl cannot "roll" or move its eyes - that is, it can only look straight ahead! The owl more than makes up for this by being able to turn its head up to 270 degrees left or right from the forward facing position, and almost upside down." (Owl Pages)

American ingenuity is amazing. I figured it wouldn't be long before technical innovations to enhance distance learning & working would surface. Imagine this: teacher in classroom, "owl" on table, teacher able to move around the classroom for different purposes, perhaps all the children at home, or eight of them in the classroom and the rest at home. The owl tracks the speaker orally and visually (360 degrees). The technology equips students at home to interact with classroom students aurally and visually. "Any classroom becomes a hybrid classroom with the Meeting Owl, the smart conference camera that captures 360° video and audio for engaging distance learning."

"The Perseid meteor shower will put on its best show August 11-13, late night – early morning. With a clear view of the sky you could see upwards of 50 meteors per hour at its peak! For those of us in the northern hemisphere, the showers will begin in the late evening and pick up after midnight. So find a spot of relative darkness, let your eyes adjust, gaze towards the Perseus constellation, and enjoy the show!" Thanks for the reminder to Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History.

Make the night special. Wake the little ones up! Let the big kids stay up late!

Have a fine weekend, Parmalee

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Distance Learning Only for K-12 Schools for 2020-2021 School Year, County Guidance Read the entire letter> > >

View the Full (66 pages) Reopening Framework for Santa Cruz County Schools here > > >

All Public Schools Links > > >

Private Schools List > > >

Parochial Schools List > > >

Independent Study programs In or Serving Santa Cruz County List > >

We are starting to enter into a new normal. Restrictions are being lifted and we are beginning to decrease social distance, yet we must continue to work together to reduce the risk of viral transmission. Until accurate testing is available and herd immunity is achieved, this can be achieved through self-awareness and communication. Covid CARE calls in four specific elements to consider and discuss with others as you start broadening your social circles: Read this thoughtful article > > >

by Barbara Matessa, mother of two, former public school teacher, and homeschooling parent

Reflect on your own education. What lessons do you remember? What teachers were most influential, and why? How do you learn best? Audio, visual, kinesthetic? Now think of each of your children. How do they learn best? What could be the best possible outcome for them in these crazy, chaotic times? Read more, get help clarifying our family's choices > >

By Megan Mann, NAIS Legal Counsel

Last updated: August 12, 2020

This situation is evolving by the hour. Every school is struggling with what decisions are the “right” ones to make and, in many instances, we may not know what is “right” until we have the benefit of hindsight. Even then, we may not know. With that in mind, the “right” decision is one that considers public health guidance, the law, your school’s mission and culture, and your community’s safety. What is “right” for one school may not be right for another. Please keep this in mind as you review feedback about what other schools are doing. Continue reading information contributed by many independent schools > > >

A few weeks ago, I published a blog titled “8 Ideas Designed to Engage Students In Active Learning Online.” I had several elementary teachers request that I work on a similar blog focused on younger learners. Below are ten strategies I hope will help elementary teachers to engage their young learners online. Read on for practical tips > > >

by Michael Donnelly

There are about 2.5 million homeschooling children in the United States today, but what if 8 million more kids start homeschooling in the fall? There is reason to believe this could happen. An EdChoice public opinion poll suggests that more than half of parents with school-age kids have a more favorable view of homeschooling after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. An unofficial Reason Foundation Facebook poll conducted by Corey DeAngelis suggests that about 15 percent of children could be making the switch to homeschooling in the fall. A May 14, 2020 Real Clear Opinion poll of more than 2,000 registered voters found that as many as 41 percent of parents are more likely to homeschool this fall. Continue >