6 | Wednesday, March 13, 2019
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Students raise unusual classroom pet JENNIFER BLUE jennifer@colusacountynews.net
T
hird grade teacher Ashley Martinez at Burchfield Elementary in Colusa has given her students a unique learning experience. Martinez’s class has been raising trout in their classroom. There are 35 steelhead trout, currently in the tiny alevin stage. These trout have only ever known the inside of Martinez’s classroom as their home. Recently hatched, the students have not only been getting a lesson in science but in many other subjects, as well. “It has been just amazing to watch these kids, and the literature that they’re trying to read, because they want to read about these fish,” Martinez explained. Students keep daily logs of temperature in the aquariaum. Martinez said there is a rigorous process of sterilization and keeping the aquarium in conditions that perfectly mimic the river, all of which are learning opportunities. They have also presented to the principal what they learned about invasive species.
JENNIFER BLUE / PIONEER REVIEW
Teacher Ashley Martinez and her 3rd grade students huddle around their foster fish on Friday, March 8, 2019.
“They think we’re predators,” Perla Olazo, 9, pointed out because the tiny creatures skitter behind river rocks in the tank. Martinez attended a training through Fish and Game prior to starting the project. Then the living science lesson was presented to the class by Greg and Kathleen Payne, orga-
nizers through the California Aquatics Education Program. The Paynes delivered fertilized eggs to the classroom as they have been doing throughout various counties for over 20 years. Martinez does not have to borrow equipment such as a tank and chiller because of funding through the Colusa
Indian Community Council, who provided this opportunity along with salmon in November. “We are super grateful to the [Indian Community]; they gave me class funding to buy all our own equipment,” Martinez said. Martinez reports that the feedback from parents has
been positive, and students are enthusiastic. “I love that the kids are banging on the door every morning because they want to come in, they want to see what we’re doing,” she said. Martinez previously raised chickens in the class, and the hands-on learning has been getting attention from other students. She is planning on working with interested teachers. “I’ve put out the resources with my grade level, so if other people wanted to do it on the times that we’re not doing it, because some people can do salmon in November, and February is steelhead, and we can trade.” For those interested, information on Fish in the Classroom Program is available at www.wildlife.ca.gov/CAEP/ R2. The next milestone the students will be directed to note will be the fry stage of development. Then later this month, Martinez will release the scaly friends into the Feather River. While the trout swim off into the sunset, Martinez’s students will not be loosing a class pet but gaining a wealth of knowledge. ■
Cindy Lou Who knew who’s birthday it was, did you? JENNIFER BLUE jennifer@colusacountynews.net
W
illiams Elementary School celebrated the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel with a weeklong party that culminated Friday, ahead of Dr. Seuss’ actual birthday March 2. Each day of last week, students were encouraged to participate in dressing up in a way that connected to a specific Seuss book. On Tuesday, student clothing was inspired by “Put Me in the Zoo,” and on Thursday, students donned mustaches or dressed in the orange color of “The Lorax.” The last day culminated with one of Seuss’ most popular characters, “The Cat in the Hat.” Some students wore elongated, red and white striped top hats while others painted whiskers on their cheeks. During an assembly, students were treated to a celebrity cameo of the famous
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Students at Williams Elementary get a visit from Cat in the Hat on March 1, 2019
feline himself. A cartoonist and a writer of bestsellers such as “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and “Horton Hears a Who!” Seuss is read by children and adults alike. According to educators, despite nonsensical words, Seuss’ works can
actually help youth to understand language by playing with words. It is this reason that these books have been read for generations and are considered classics. Perhaps the biggest appeal to children is that they promote imagination. Even Seuss’ art reflected a grasp of
childlike curiosity about a world uninhibited. Because his books are in the hearts of so many people, Geisel’s birthday is widely celebrated in schools across the nation. In the words of Dr. Seuss, after all, “a person’s a person, no matter how small.” ■
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County prepares for next year’s budget SUSAN MEEKER susan@colusacountynews.net
The Colusa County Board of Supervisors are instructing departments to stick to a status quo spending plan as they prepare for the 2019-20 budget. County department heads should have their instructions and guidelines for preparing next year’s budget by Thursday, Administrative Officer Wendy Tyler said, at the board’s March 5 mid-year budget review. “Each department is required to submit a budget proposal that reflect the status quo, with the exception of increases in salary and benefit levels due to bargained increases, anticipated step increases, or advancement within flexibly staffed allocations, and increases in cost plan changes,” Tyler noted. “This is a different approach from past years.” Departments will be asked to manage all other increased costs within their budget, while keeping to the same level of spending as 2018-19.
“There will be no countywide requirement to submit reduction proposals,” Tyler said. “However, departments may be required to develop mitigation plans, including possible reductions, to address circumstanced unique to the office or department.” Colusa County’s total budget at the time of adoption last year was $95.6 million, a 6 percent increase over the 2017-18 budget. About 43 percent of the budget is allocated toward salaries and benefits for 384 employees. Departments will have until March 29 to request that new positions be created or to make requests for special projects, Tyler said. The Board of Supervisors ad hoc committee is expected to begin meeting with department heads in May, with plans for an approved recommended budget by June 25. Budget hearings and adoption of the final budget will be held on Sept. 25. The Board of Supervisors’ goal is to continue to improve the county’s long-term financial
stability through the adoption of sound, forward-looking, sustainable management strategies, and by increasing the efficiency of county government, Tyler said. The board’s goal is also to invest in the county’s future through the implementation of community and economic development strategies that offer enhanced economic opportunities. The county’s final budget is subject to change based on the state’s final budget, officials said. Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed a “California for All” budget that provides one-time funding to local governments to build emergency shelters to address homelessness, and funding to improve mental health and provide housing for people with severe mental illness. Newsom also plans to expand Medi-Cal to young adults age 19 through 25 regardless of immigration status. The state budget also proposes funding for local governments to invest in emergency readiness, response, and recovery. ■
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