Several educators were recognized at last week’s Ripon Unified school board meeting for their participation in a staff development day.

Those receiving recognition included Sean Derrick (Ripon High School), Bernice DeWitte (RHS), Heidi Hawes (Weston Elementary School), Robert Mayfield (RHS), Christine Merchant (Weston), Victor Ramirez (RUSD school psychologist), Shandi Ross (Ripon Elementary School), Jenna Valponi (RHS) and Aline White (Ripon El).

They were all part of the Empowering Professional Leaders Staff Development Day held on Jan. 4.

According to Superintendent Siegrid “Ziggy” Robeson, they learned “effectiveness skills, team functioning skills, systems thinking skills, and communication skills” necessary in educating today’s youth.

This educational improvement day took an intensive and collaborative approach, with 16 presenters providing their expertise on sessions such as student engagement, technology applications, and mathematical conceptual learning.

In other board action:

uTrustees approved the Safety Plans calling for each classroom to have Classroom Lockdown Kits and basic First Aid supplies in case of an emergency. The cost in purchasing the Safety Plan supplies, according to the stipulation, should not exceed $15,000

uThe board gave the OK on the 2016-16 RHS course catalog, including several new classes – Digital Art and Illustration, Advanced Placement Environmental Science, World Geography, AP Human Geography, International Math II Honors, International Math III, International Math Honors, Advanced Programming (C++/Java), Game Programming and APP Development, Personal Finance, Intro to Ag Mechanical Systems, Ag Power Systems II (Diesel Engine Principles and Systems) and Veterinary Science.

uMichelle Ribeiro was appointed to Measure G Citizens’ Oversight Committee in the role of Parent of RUSD student, replacing the late Judge Stephenson.