COMMUNITY NEWS
Metro: $500,000 for Better Bus Stops S anta Cruz Metro has been awarded $508,059 from the Clean California program to install 23 bus shelters, 23 bus benches and 18 trash cans at bus stops, mostly along the Watsonville-Santa Cruz transit corridor. A study funded by Caltrans found 69% of Metro’s 710 bus stops had no shelter and 31% lacked benches. Shelters make it easier for passengers to know where to wait, according to Metro staff, who will identify bus stops where shelters and benches would make the most positive impact. The bus stop project is a collaboration among Clean California, Caltrans District 5 and Metro. The goal is to increase the attractiveness of bus stops and address
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One Ride at a Time
critical needs in the bus system while aligning with the California State Transportation Agency’s climate objectives. The new bus shelters will have a
covered area to protect passengers from rain, and will include schedules, maps, and route information. Most Metro riders in the Watsonville-
Santa Cruz corridor are seniors, students, people with disabilities and low-income individuals who rely on bus service. About 65% earn less than $24,000 per year and nearly 60% report riding Metro five or more days per week. Metro pressure washes its shelters, benches and trash cans and removes trash. The new trash cans will feature Franz Lanting’s images from the One Ride at a Time program, which gives bus riders the opportunity to protect the Monterey Bay’s natural resources. Every ride on a Metro bus contributes to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and the Bay of Life Fund. n ••• Information: scmetro.org.
PVUSD Promotions: Claudia Monjaras, Mark Verch
wo longtime staffers in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, one an Aptos High alumnus, have earned promotions. Claudia Monjaras is promoted to assistant superintendent of elementary instruction. She has worked at PVUSD since 2001 and has been an academic coordinator, principal at Hall District Elementary, and, most recently, as director of language arts and history, social studies.
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She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UC Santa Cruz, received her teaching credential from CSU Monterey Bay and a master’s degree and administrative credential from San Jose State. Mark Verch is promoted to director, transportation. He has worked for the PVUSD for 35 years, starting as a school bus driver. He also has been delegated-behind-thewheel trainer, state-certified instructor, and most recently supervisor of transportation.
A graduate of Aptos High School, he is a member of the California Association of School Transportation Officials. He has worked at the state and local Roadeo for over 10 years, where received individual and team trophies, and has served in leadership roles. n ••• Both appointments were approved by the board Sept. 27, and both began their new roles on Sept. 28.
Claudia Monjaras
Mount Madonna School on AP Honor Roll
ount Madonna School has been named to the Advanced Placement School Honor Roll by the College Board, earning the top Platinum distinction. This recognition is based on culture (at least 40% of graduates took at least 1 AP exam), college credit (25% of graduates scored 3 or higher on at least one AP exam) and college readiness (2% of graduates took 5 or more AP exams
in high school & at least one exam as a freshman or sophomore). Mount Madonna School had 100% of seniors take at least one AP exam, 100% of seniors score a 3 or higher on at least one AP exam, and 38% of seniors take five or more AP exams. Mount Madonna School also earned the AP Access Award, which shows the percentage of AP exam-takers who are underrepresented minority and/
“Academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development are the three founding pillars of Mount Madonna School. MMS’ unwavering commitment to academic excellence and expanding access to advanced coursework is reflected with the school earning the top-tier platinum distinction on the Advanced Placement Program School Honor Roll.” — Ann Goewert, Head of Mount Madonna School
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or low-income students mirrors overall school demographics. Example: If 50% of a school’s student body is low-income, then 50% of the AP exam takers must be low-income for a school to earn the AP Access Award. “This award recognizes MMS’ college-going culture and our commitment to ensuring that all of our students, including those from underrepresented populations have access to AP courses and AP testing,” said Shannon Kelly, Mount Madonna’s upper school director. In Advanced Placement testing, 2019 through June 2023: • 88 students in grades 10-12 took 170 AP exams • 77% scored 3 and higher In those years, Mount Madonna School reports: 4 AP Scholars with Honors, 12 AP Scholars with Distinction, 11 AP Scholars and one National AP Scholar.
Mark Verch
“Academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development are the three founding pillars of Mount Madonna School,” said Head of School Ann Goewert. “MMS’ Ann Goewert unwavering commitment to academic excellence and expanding access to advanced coursework is reflected with the school earning the top-tier platinum distinction on the Advanced Placement Program School Honor Roll.” “AP represents an opportunity for students to stand out to colleges, earn college credit and placement, and potentially boost their grade point averages,” said Trevor Packer, head of the AP program. n