Keep Kern Beautiful seeks members to serve on newly established committee
Keep Kern Beautiful is looking to recruit 10 people to serve on its newly established committee.
According to a news release from the Kern County Public Works Department, the committee’s mission is to protect and beautify the natural environment by emphasizing community engagement, education and empowerment. Interested applicants will be required to uphold and promote KKBC’s mission and vision to improve the cleanliness and appearance of Kern County while enhancing the overall health and welfare of its citizens, the news release stated.
Selected committee members will recommend the policies, programs and specific efforts that they’re looking to implement to the Kern County Board of Supervisors. They will also work together to improve the quality and appearance of community life, the news release stated.
Applications are available at the County Clerk’s Office at the Kern County Administration building, 1115 Truxtun Ave. They are also available online at www.kerncounty.com.
Applicants will be nominated by the Kern County Board of Supervisors and will serve a two-year term on the committee, the news release stated.
For further information and assistance regarding the application and appointment process, call the County Clerk’s Office at 868-3585.
Bakersfield City School District announced on Wednesday that its Wellness Center has now administered more than 1,000 COVID-19 vaccines to district staff members.
In a news release, the district said the statistic is an important milestone in the continued effort to return students to campuses this spring.
BCSD thanked Dignity Health and President/CEO of Memorial Hospital Ken Keller for work done in securing the supply of vaccines for the district.
The news release said BCSD began the vaccination process by prioritizing staff who would work in direct contact with students.
In a staff survey, BCSD said that more than 1,600 of its employees indicated that they were interested in receiving the vaccine with the district.
By the end of Wednesday, BCSD said that 1,154 of its staff members had been vaccinated.
According to the BCSD website, the district has about 3,000 employees.
“We are happy that our efforts to administer the vaccine for interested employees were successful. We were able to meet the requests of our staff and provide the vaccine to those who wanted the vaccine prior to the return to in-person learning,” BCSD Superintendent Doc Ervin said in the news release.
The Bakersfield City School District will participate as a pilot district in the National Association for Music Education’s Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Project.
According to a BCSD news release, the project’s goals include assisting educators to connect to digitized archives housed in the Library of Congress and helping teachers learn how to incorporate primary sources into their instructional units.
BCSD is the third district in the nation to participate in the project, according to the news release.
Bakersfield College will offer a course this spring examining police work and law enforcement practices, particularly within communities of color.
According to a news release from the college, the Transformational Policing Model course will begin March 15. It will “examine the historical analysis of police distrust in American society and recent conflicts between police and communities of color,” the news release stated.
BC said the class is designed for community members, those in law enforcement, government officials and school employees.
Topics that will be addressed include racial profiling, implicit bias, constitutional policing, reform strategies, use of force, historical analysis of police distrust, and theories and practices of bridging the racial divide.
“Transformational Policing Model, a 21st century policing strategy, must be embraced by both the community and police together. This innovative model focuses on unity, awareness, understanding, inclusivity, and educational training, creating a strong foundation for a positive and productive police-community partnership. The historical aspects of TPM will benefit everyone no matter the profession, career pathway, or social status,” said Dr. Tommy Tunson, professor at BC.
“These skills go beyond law enforcement and benefit community members and those who serve the community in a variety of roles as well. That’s why I’m so pleased Bakersfield College is making this learning opportunity available to all,” Tunson added.
The course, ID number 33968, is currently open for registration, BC said. Assistance in registration can be found at the BC Student Information Desk online at https://www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/student.
Bakersfield College will kick off Women’s History Month with a panel discussion featuring some of Kern County’s key female leaders.
Moderated by Early College champion and Republican Senator Emeritus Jean Fuller and hosted by BC President Dr. Sonya Christian, the panel will include local women who will share their influences, challenges and successes along with words of advice for young women in the community and beyond.
The event will premiere on BC’s YouTube channel at 6 p.m. today. The panel will feature guests Dr. Mary Barlow, Kern County Superintendent of Schools; Katie Russell, superintendent, Panama-Buena Vista Union School District; and Nicole Parra, manager, California government relations, Marathon Petroleum Corp.
Maria Wright, one of the event’s coordinators, expressed her excitement for the program.
“We are thrilled at BC to once again host The Jean Fuller Women in Leadership Panel, which highlights women who are advocates for education, their community, and both personal and professional development,” Wright said in a news release from the college.