🌱 Healdsburg School Scores + Free Income Deadline + New Police Logs

Hello there! It's me, Simone, back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening these days in Healdsburg. Here's what I'll cover today:

• How kids at various local schools are performing, compared to the nation and county
• You last chance to apply for Healdsburg's income equality program
• A fresh batch of Healdsburg police logs
• And more...

But first, your daily weather:

• Wednesday: Mix of sun and clouds. High: 73 Low: 39.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny. High: 74 Low: 39.

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Air over Healdsburg:

Here are the top 3 stories in Healdsburg today:

1. Education officials at the national, state and county levels all just released their long-anticipated "report cards" on how students are performing in math and reading since the pandemic — and the numbers are pretty rough. Nationally, kids are worse at both subjects than they have been in decades, the data shows. California's scores are a little better: "Across California, the number of students meeting or exceeding English language test standards declined by just over 4 percentage points, while the rate of students hitting the threshold for math scores dipped by well over 6 percentage points," the PD reports. But "for Sonoma County students, the decline was sharper that the statewide average in both subjects: about 5.5 percentage points in English and almost 7 percentage points in math." Here in the Healdsburg Unified School District, we did a little better than the rest of the county in English, at a 5.1 percent drop — but a little worse in math, at a 7.4 percent drop. However, it looks like most of that decline is coming from the junior high, because both the high school and elementary school saw some actual gains since 2019. Also: "At West Side Union Elementary, a one-school district outside of Healdsburg, the kids hitting the benchmarks jumped by more than 10 percentage points in both English and math," according to the PD. West Side Principal Rima Meechan reportedly "cited a number of factors that included a veteran staff, parent involvement, opening up after-school office hours for both students and parents, and expanded English Language Development in the afternoons for English language learners." You can search for individual school and district results on the CalMatters website. (Healdsburg Patch & CalMatters & Press Democrat; paywall)
2. The call logs on the Healdsburg Police Department website weren't updated for a few weeks, but they're current now! Here are some standout police reports from Sept. 19 through Oct. 17: Some vandalism reported at O'Reilly Auto Parts involving the "back gate" and suspected transients, plus a bunch of other transient-related calls from residents and businesses; a woman in spaghetti straps who allegedly stole two coffees from Big John's and drove away in her Prius; another theft of "9 bottles of expensive Tequila" reported by Healdsburg Liquors; a fist fight seen outside Little Saint, as well as various other altercations reported across town; a guy with an open drink wanted for "bothering other patrons" at Powell Avenue Laundry; a couple of Dry Creek Inn guests who allegedly left without paying after multiple-night, thousand-dollar-plus stays; a loud argument heard between a 7 Eleven clerk and a DoorDash driver; numerous car crashes and suspected break-ins; and much more. BTW — if you're having trouble finding the police log section on the department's website, it's under the tab on the left called "Bulletin." (Healdsburg Police Department)
3. This coming Monday, Oct. 31 — aka, Halloween! — is the last day for local families to apply for Sonoma County's now-famous "Pathway to Income Equality" pilot program. Residents in Healdsburg, Santa Rosa and Petaluma with "income less than 185 percent of federal poverty level" can apply. Here's how it works: Just over 300 randomly selected applicants from across these three Sonoma County cities will receive $500 per month for two years, while program officials reportedly watch to see whether this could be a way of "reducing poverty and promoting economic stability... particularly among families with young children." You can find out if you're eligible and submit an application via the Pathway Sonoma website. (The US Sun & Pathway Sonoma & Corazón Healdsburg via Facebook)

Patch deals of the day:

The Patch Deals team scours the web for deals we think you’ll love. These limited-time offers are worth a look — especially if you’re doing some early holiday shopping.

• Seido Japanese master knife set (71 percent off) — This 5-piece set of chef-quality knives comes in at just under $70. They’re sharp, durable and cost a fraction of what you’d pay for similar high-quality knives.
• Flux 7 TWS earbuds with wireless charging case & power bank (75 percent off) — Why pay $100+ for earbuds when you can get these well-rated wonders on sale for just $25?
• Pressure Putt Trainer (53 percent off) — Small enough to fold up and easily fit in a golf bag, the Pressure Putt Trainer was developed using drills that pro golfers use to build confidence for achieving the perfect putt.

(Patch may earn a commission on purchases. All deals are as of publication and could change.)

Healdsburg pics of the day, spooky yard edition:

Wanna see one of your pics in the Healdsburg Daily? Send it to me here. Please just confirm in your email that you took the photo, and that Patch has permission to republish it... 📸

Today and tomorrow in Healdsburg:

Wednesday, October 26

• Seminar at CraftWork Healdsburg: "Business Resources for Busy People - Chamber of Commerce Benefits 101" (8-9AM)
• Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market at the Luther Burbank Center (Wednesdays & Saturdays, 8:30AM-1PM)
• Farm to Pantry Veggie Gleans at Noble Goat Farm & the Farm to Fight Hunger (8:30AM-12PM)
• National Academy of Athletics Hosts "All Sports Club" for Kids at the Healdsburg Community Center (Oct. 26-Nov. 16, 10-11:50AM)
• Sonoma County Government Officials Host Virtual Home Resiliency Workshop: "Funding Your Improvements – Incentives, Rebates & Financing" (11:30AM-12:30PM)
• "Universal Yums" for Teens at the Healdsburg Library (2-3PM)
• Sonoma County Government Officials Host Webinar on County's Vegetation Management & Wildfire Resilience Efforts (5-7PM)
• Trivia Night at Coyote Sonoma (7-9PM)
• Super Secret Band Live at the Elephant in the Room (7-10PM)

Thursday, October 27

• Open House & Ribbon Cutting for New Healdsburg Business "Pack, Ship & More" (3-6PM)
• Albert & His Dreamboats and The Heavy Heavy Perform at Little Saint (5:45PM)
• Stand-Up Comedy Night at Furthermore Wines, Featuring Nina G (6PM)
• 100th Anniversary Film Screening at the Raven Theater: "Nosferatu," Unofficial Dracula Adaptation (7PM)
• Chicago Blues Master Rockin' Johnny Burgin Live at the Elephant in the Room (7-10PM)

That's it for today. Til next time...

— Simone Wilson

About me: I was born and raised in Healdsburg, CA, where I was the editor of the Healdsburg High School Hound's Bark. I have since worked as a local journalist for publications in San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City and the Middle East. I'm currently a senior product manager for Patch.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Healdsburg Daily? Contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com