Latest news with #AmyJacobs
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
SLO County school sets record with 20 valedictorians. Here's how
This story is part of SLO Tribune's Parents Central, our expanding coverage for local parents. We're tackling issues that matter to you the most, explaining the "what it means," from school budgets to children's health. We also want to have fun: Send us your best tips for local parents and things to do. Email tips@ Many hard-working high-schoolers dream of the chance to stand on stage at graduation as the valedictorian — a title typically given to the one, maybe two students at the top of their class. But this year, the honor went to 20 graduating seniors at Arroyo Grande High School. While Arroyo Grande has had a high number of valedictorians in the past, district spokesperson Amy Jacobs told The Tribune she believes that number is the highest in school history. 'We usually have a lot ... but we think this is a record,' Jacobs wrote to The Tribune in an email. The group of 20 valedictorians is well above those from other schools in the district. Nipomo High School named five valedictorians, while Central Coast New Tech High School named three. Districts like Atascadero named only one valedictorian and one salutatorian. Arroyo Grande High's list included: Spencer Joichi Arrivee Karis Noelle Brokaw Kinsie Leanne Colbourn Jack Judah Folkrod Marissa Kathleen Fugitt Giana Grace Gunasayan Tiffany Susan Hyun Dylan Vaughn Junghandel Sofia Jorgen Kardel Emme Mary Faye Landers Lucas Lehman Symphony Hallel Lozano Jocelyn Martinez Luiz Molly Catherine McLaughlin Amelie Eleonore Moustirats Benjamin Yoshio Pedrotti Tessa Lauren Pettit Scarlett Ann Salter Julia Reese Sidun Ella Quinn Snyder Why does Arroyo Grande have so many? It's because the school has the largest graduating class in the county, and Lucia Mar uses a unique formula to determine who qualifies as a valedictorian. According to district policy, valedictorian status is based on both weighted and unweighted GPAs. The formula takes 48 classes total into account for valedictorianship. That includes a maximum of 10 weighted classes — typically AP or college-level courses. Any additional weighted classes beyond 10 aren't given extra value. If a student took more than 48 classes, then the district uses the student's lowest 48 letter grades, the policy says. Pass-fail classes or classes without a letter grade are not used in the calculation. Students must maintain average or above average attendance and must have attended the same campus for their last two years of high school. Students who were found to have violated academic honesty or had an expulsion on their record are not eligible for the honor. The valedictorians are determined by June 1 of each year, the policy states. In the graduation program, the district also provided a list of the top 10 students, which included many of the valedictorians' names — but also some who weren't part of the valedictorian list. Jacobs said that was the case because the formulas used to calculate the top 10 and valedictorians are different. The list of top 10 students is calculated using all AP classes at their weighted GPA levels, while the valedictorian list includes only 10 AP courses. Because of that difference, some in the top 10 were not named valedictorians. According to Jacobs, all of this year's valedictorians took at least 10 weighted courses and received all A's during their high school careers. The valedictorians did not have the same GPAs, but each had a GPA of 4.35 or above, Jacobs said. She added: 'We love celebrating the many students who achieved at such high levels.'
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Even 77 degrees can turn deadly for children in cars, Georgia officials warn
The Brief Georgia officials launched the 12th annual "Look Again" campaign after two children died in hot cars last July; so far in 2025, eight incidents have occurred at child care facilities with no fatalities. Experts warn that a child's body temperature rises 3 to 5 times faster than an adult's, and even mild outdoor temperatures can cause parked vehicles to become dangerously hot within minutes. Authorities urge caregivers to check the back seat before locking their cars and to call 911 if they see a child in a parked vehicle; Georgia law allows entry if a child is in distress. COBB COUNTY, Ga. - As we get closer to Georgia's summer, temperatures have started to climb, and that can be a dangerous time in parked vehicles—especially if you're transporting kids. Last year, numbers show two children died in Georgia after being left in a hot car. What we know It's a mistake parents and caregivers have made time and time again across the country. In 2024, the National Safety Council says 39 kids lost their lives after being left in a vehicle. Thursday morning, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, also known as DECAL, kicked off its 12th annual 'Look Again' campaign. It comes after two Georgia kids died from heatstroke last July after being left in hot vehicles; one of them was in Cobb County. "I want to do all that I can to get the word out—to just do a simple thing—and that's stop, look in the back seat, and make sure you're locking the door because little people can crawl in there, and it can become a trap," said Allen Poole, from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety. RELATED: Critical warning for parents after Cobb County 2-year-old boy dies in hot car According to Georgia ranks 5th for the number of child deaths from vehicle heatstroke. Thursday, officials demonstrated how quickly vehicles can heat up, even with the temperature around 77 degrees. A graphic from Children's Healthcare of Atlanta shows it can take just minutes for a parked vehicle to get dangerously hot for pets and kids. "The child's body temperature increases 3 to 5 times faster than in adults, and that is a deadly combination," said Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Commissioner Amy Jacobs. DECAL says so far this year, Georgia child care facilities have left kids in vehicles eight times—luckily, no one died. Officials say if you see a child in a parked vehicle, call 911, and if a child is in distress, the law allows you to enter that vehicle. What they're saying "We never think that's going to happen to us, and so that's why we continue to remind folks that it can happen so quickly—and you can completely avoid it," Jacobs said. Officials say parked vehicles can be dangerous year-round. "Our ultimate goal is to save every child and not have one child fall to heatstroke in the state of Georgia," Poole said. Officials say one way to prevent forgetting is by putting something like a phone or a purse in the back so you have another reason to turn around.
