Grebes

Every year from around November through February, Western and Clark’s Grebes migrate to Calero Reservoir in southern Santa Clara County to breed. The species are very similar, and both are well-known for their rushing/courting ceremony.

When rushing, the grebes are essentially walking on water. It is a high-speed sprint where two (or sometimes more) grebes lunge forward, rise completely out of the water, and run side-by-side across the surface for up to 20 yards. They cover that distance in about seven seconds by slapping the water up to 20 times per second. Their feet have lobed toes that splay out to maximize surface area.

Why do they do this? The primary reason is for mate selection and pair-bonding. It is a fitness test that serves several purposes. The rushing dance is incredibly taxing. By successfully performing the sprint, a grebe demonstrates to its potential partner that it is strong and healthy. It also requires perfect synchronization. If a pair can’t stay in step, perhaps they aren’t a good match.

In Northern California, in addition to Calero Reservoir, grebes gather in Clear Lake, Eagle Lake, and Lake Almanor. Talking It out Rushing starts now Rushing together

• Standing & fallen tree removal • Tractor work – loader/excavator & scraper for road grading & repair • Community road & neighborhood • Land clearing – large & small There is something special about returning to an elementary school campus in January.

The air feels fresh, the classrooms feel energized, and our students arrive with a mix of excitement and curiosity about what the second half of the school year will bring. The start of a new year gives us a natural moment to reflect, reset, and look forward to all the learning and growth still ahead.

In mid-January, we held parent-teacher conferences. These conversations are an important part of our partnership with families, when we celebrate student strengths, share progress, and set simple, meaningful goals for the months ahead.

These conferences allow teachers and families to connect in a personal way and work together to support each child. responsibilities, diving deeper into projects, and building on the foundation they have worked hard to develop. Our goal is to help them grow while we keep learning joyful and Enrollment for TK and kindergarten for the 2026–27 school year is now open.

Families interested in learning more about First-graders making cloud models Mark your calendar for the “Lakeside in Wonderland” auction on Saturday, March 28, at the Lakeside School Road, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets include sit-down dinner and open bar. Tickets are $80 through February 28, $100 after that. A silent online auction will be held 24-28. More information is at

Loma Public Education Fund Board Art teacher Helen O’Dea recently challenged her C.T. English students to reimagine an aging mural behind the gym. Students designed a new vision, projected their digital image onto the wall, and brought The project taught valuable lessons in design, symbolism, collaboration, and production. It also created a stunning piece of art the school will enjoy for years to come.

“We wore trash bags a lot of the time,” joked C.T. English eighth-grader Peter Ematrudo. Next time you’re on campus, see if you can The cats from the original mural remain, symbolizing students’ progression from Loma Prieta Elementary to C.T. English Middle School. The largest cat stands on the cusp of venturing into the world, glancing back at the special, nurturing space that shaped its Each winter, LPEF works with the school board to identify fundraising priorities for the KEEP (Keep Excellent Education Programs) campaign. As a small district without the economies-of-scale or tax base of larger districts, we face a gap between government funding and what it costs to provide the education our students deserve.* Last spring’s KEEP campaign helped fund three programs for the 2025-26 school year: Kindergarten through eighth-grade art instruction, TK through fifth-grade developmental physical education, and an additional teacher at Loma Prieta Elementary School to maintain small class sizes.

Initially, the KEEP campaign did not raise enough money to fully fund an additional teacher at Loma. However, the district received new enrollments over the summer quality and purpose of their writing. It’s been a gift to be able to listen to each student read and recognize strengths and areas of growth or intervention.” Coach Patiño says smaller physical education classes have “enhanced safety, engagement, and overall quality of To Coach Patiño, P.E. is not only about developing the physical skills to enjoy movement. It also prepares students for life by practicing decision-making and problem- solving. “Real confidence comes from trying hard things, experiencing failure, and then succeeding and knowing what you’re While a larger portion of our funding supports the elementary school this year, the LPEF gala raised $11,000 to improve the recess facilities at C.T. English. There is growing interest in expanding elective choices at the middle school. This is an exciting potential opportunity for future It’s been a fantastic year so far, and we’re thankful for our community’s continued support. We always welcome your thoughts Join us for 95033 Community Night at the Santa Cruz Warriors on Sunday, March 8. Tickets are on sale at LPEF.org.

* For details on the Measure M parcel tax, see the blog post “How KEEP Funding Decisions Really Happen” at