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Ivy cutting at Greenbrook Elementary
The garden at Danville’s Greenbrook Elementary School has undergone renovations ahead of the start of the current academic year that were celebrated and explored with an “Ivy Cutting” ceremony on Wednesday, followed by a tour of the garden.
The facility is set to be used as a learning opportunity to enhance classroom studies in a range of subjects, featuring an outdoor classroom, a Little Free Library, and a zen garden. The school is seeking volunteers to work in the revamped garden, and invites anyone interested to get in touch at garden@greebrookpta.org.
Ethnic studies at SRVUSD
The San Ramon Valley Unified School District issued an announcement Monday with details about the implementation plan for the state’s new ethnic studies requirement for high school graduates that will go into effect starting in the next school year.
“We have anticipated this shift and are excited to introduce Ethnic Studies as a core part of our curriculum,” SRVUSD Superintendent CJ Cammack said. “By embracing this change with thoughtful planning, we are not just meeting a legal requirement, but are also enhancing our educational offerings in a meaningful way. The Ethnic Studies course will give students space to further their own self-understanding and develop a greater understanding of others. We look to empower our students with the knowledge and skills they need to help navigate and contribute to a complex and diverse society.”
While ethnic studies is not being offered at the district in the current school year, district officials noted that it has been offered as an interdisciplinary course over the past three years, putting SRVUSD ahead of the curve” and “laying the groundwork for this transition well in advance.”
Nonetheless, there is work that remains to be done before the next school year, according to the district’s announcement. Professional development for teachers is set to begin next month, with the final course curriculum set to come before the board of education in the spring, prior to the new, required course’s debut next fall.
Poet laureate applications
The city of San Ramon is seeking a new poet laureate, with applications now open through Sept. 12.
The current poet laureate, Jenyth Jo Gearhart-Utchen, is set to step down from the position next month after six years in the role, having begun her tenure in September 2018.
“The Poet Laureate is called upon to create and read poetry at civic events such as public ceremonies and dedications,” organizers wrote in an announcement from the city on Thursday.
Other responsibilities of the volunteer-based position include offering services and functioning as a liaison between the city’s cultural arts programs and local literary groups, as well as serving as a resource on poetry to the Arts Advisory Committee when needed, and the potential to conduct poetry workshops and staged readings.
Poets laureate are appointed to two-year terms in San Ramon, with Gearhart-Utchen now at the end of her third term.
More information and applications are available here.
Halverson Creek plaque
The Town of Danville unveiled a new plaque highlighting the history of Halverson Creek Thursday evening on the west side of the bridge connecting the Front Street parking lot and Eugene O’Neill Commemorative Park at 403 Front Street.
“In the early 1890s, the Danville Creamery and Halverson’s Livery Stable were established near this location, facing each other across School Street, which at that time connected across the creek to Front Street,” town officials wrote in an announcement Monday. “For over 70 years, four generations of the Halverson family resided on this site, contributing to the development and history of Danville until the 1960s.”
Cage to play Madden
Academy Award-winning actor Nicolas Cage has been cast to play football legend and Pleasanton icon John Madden in an upcoming biopic in development by Amazon MGM.
The news was reported earlier this month by Deadline Hollywood, Variety and other entertainment industry media, with writer-director-producer David O. Russell confirming the casting choice for the title character in his “Madden”.
Madden, who died in his Pleasanton home in December 2021 at age 85, was renowned for his long career in football as head coach of the Oakland Raiders, famous TV broadcaster and namesake of EA Sports’ innovative gridiron video game. The late Pro Football Hall of Famer was perhaps Pleasanton’s most famous resident, and his family remains heavily involved in the community.
A release date for the film has not yet been announced.
