Eight talented East County student artists used their creative skills to depict the importance of water in Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s annual Kids Poster Contest.
The theme ‘Water Is Life’ asked students to express the value of water in their lives. They could draw, paint, color, cut, or paste original artwork depicting the theme in any way.
Students were honored at the June 17 Padre Dam virtual board meeting online, and the youngsters were featured along with their work in a video.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngMike Lee2020-08-14 09:33:222020-08-18 13:06:24Student Art Brings Life to ‘Water Is Life’ Contest
Eight talented East County student artists used their creative skills to depict the importance of water in Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s annual Kids Poster Contest.
The theme ‘Water Is Life’ asked students to express the value of water in their lives. They could draw, paint, color, cut, or paste original artwork depicting the theme in any way.
Students were honored at the June 17 Padre Dam virtual board meeting online, and the youngsters were featured along with their work in a video.
“Our Annual Water Is Life Poster Contest is a great opportunity for students to learn about the importance of using water wisely and we are thrilled to celebrate this year’s winning young artists,” said Melissa McChesney, Padre Dam communications manager. “These students did a wonderful job capturing the value of water in beautiful works of art.”
The 2020 contest winners:
Hailey Ramirez – First Grade, Pepper Drive Elementary School, El Cajon. Photo: Padre Dam MWD
Letty Damyanov – Third Grade, PRIDE Academy, Santee. Photo: Padre Dam MWD
Water is Life
Violet Jacobson – Fourth Grade, Hill Creek School, Santee. Photo: Padre Dam MWD
Sarah McGregor – Fifth grade, Chet F. Harritt Elementary School, Santee. Photo: Padre Dam MWD
Sarah Bernier – Sixth Grade, Joan MacQueen Middle School, Alpine. Photo: Padre Dam MWD
Gianna Casillas – Eighth Grade, Joan MacQueen Middle School, Alpine. Photo: Padre Dam MWD
Angelina Casillas – Eighth Grade, Joan MacQueen Middle School, Alpine. Photo: Padre Dam MWD
Emily Castiglione – Eighth Grade, Joan MacQueen Middle School, Alpine. Photo: Padre Dam MWD
Poster contest part of new Kids Corner program
The ‘Water Is Life’ annual poster contest is among the fun, educational summer activities included in Padre Dam’s new Kids Corner online. The web page offers a variety of water-based activities including online games, activity sheets, videos, hands-on experiments, and more. These projects are suitable for all grade levels from kindergarten through high school.
McChesney said the District is working to add new activities to involve kids and their parents in learning about science. Kids Corner is part of Padre Dam’s website. Read more
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Padre-Poster-2020-Castiglione_Emily_Gr8_JMMS_845X450.jpg450845Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngGayle Falkenthal2020-08-13 18:46:382020-08-13 18:46:38Student Art Brings Life to ‘Water Is Life’ Contest
Funds to support 3rd grade students in the Escondido Union School District have been awarded to The Escondido Creek Conservancy.
The Conservancy has been awarded a national grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Planet Stewards Education Project to fund environmental education and stewardship in Escondido. The program will support 3rd grade students in the Escondido Union School District as they work to address the problem of litter in their community, in conjunction with their learning about local habitats and the impacts of humans on the environment.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngMike Lee2020-08-13 10:14:152020-08-18 13:04:29Escondido Creek Conservancy Receives NOAA Grant for Environmental Education
In an economy altered by the coronavirus pandemic, water and wastewater industry essential employees remain in demand. To help people explore their career options, the Cuyamaca College Center for Water Studies program will hold its annual Open House and Student Orientation at distance via Zoom on Tuesday, August 11, at 6 p.m.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngMike Lee2020-08-04 10:10:532020-08-09 11:08:46Water Studies Open House Keeps Career Pipeline Flowing
In an economy altered by the coronavirus pandemic, water and wastewater industry essential employees remain in demand. To help people explore their career options, the Cuyamaca College Center for Water Studies program will hold its annual Open House and Student Orientation at distance via Zoom on Tuesday, August 11, at 6 p.m.
Vanessa Murrell, grant manager for the Center for Water Studies at Cuyamaca College, says anyone interested in exploring this career field is invited to participate and learn what makes it such an attractive choice.
“Careers in water are generally recession-proof with accessible career advancements and opportunities in addition to competitive salary and benefits,” said Murrell. “We anticipate more openings over the next few years as water remains a necessary resource for survival and sanitation.”
Murrell says the Open House offers an overview of the program, the degrees and certificates offered, the variety of courses available, details on required California state certifications, and the range of careers available in the water and wastewater industry. Participants will meet professors and current students and can ask questions.
To register for the Open House, send an email to or and you will receive a link to the Zoom site.
Career growth and meaningful jobs
Participants will meet professors and current students and get the opportunity to ask questions. Photo: Michael Barder, CVESD via Twitter
A career in the growing water industry presents an opportunity to earn money while protecting the environment and servicing the community in an essential role. The ability to provide clean, safe drinking water is a complex endeavor and is getting more complex as time goes on.
Skilled water professionals are in high demand as the current workforce ages. Water and wastewater agencies employ more than 60,000 workers statewide, including 5,000 in San Diego County, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Water Research Foundation anticipates one-third of the utilities workforce will retire over the next decade.
In San Diego County, wastewater treatment and system operators earn an average annual wage of more than $66,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Program partnerships with local water agencies
Cuyamaca College’s innovative Field Operations Skills Yard is newly updated to provide students with practical challenges they will face working with water and wastewater industry facilities. Photo: Cuyamaca College
Established in 1960, Cuyamaca College’s Water & Wastewater Technology program is the oldest and most comprehensive program of its kind in the California Community Colleges system, educating the state’s water utility workforce for more than a half a century. Its innovative Field Operations Skills Yard is newly updated, and, when students are able to return to campus, will provide students with practical challenges they will face in today’s complex water and wastewater facilities. Currently, fall courses will take place online.
The college works closely with local water agencies. Members of the Cuyamaca College Water & Wastewater Technology Program Industry Advisory Committee include the San Diego County Water Authority, City of San Diego Public Utilities Department, Helix Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, the City of Escondido Utilities Department, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, and other agencies.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cuyamaca-water-studies-845X450.jpg450845Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngGayle Falkenthal2020-08-04 08:24:032020-08-04 08:24:03Water Studies Open House Keeps Career Pipeline Flowing
The Sweetwater Authority Governing Board on July 22 was presented with the California Association of Public Information Officials Award of Distinction for excellence in public information and communications. The water agency received the award earlier this month for its innovative communication for the Hydro Station Education Experience.
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.png00Mike Leehttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngMike Lee2020-07-28 10:17:452020-07-31 16:22:21Sweetwater Authority Wins Statewide Award for Hydro Station Education Experience
The Sweetwater Authority Governing Board on July 22 was presented with the California Association of Public Information Officials Award of Distinction for excellence in public information and communications. As a collaborative project with the Chula Vista Elementary School District, the Sweetwater Authority and the Otay Water District received the award from CAPIO earlier this month for innovative communications for the Hydro Station Education Experience.
The Hydro Station at Sweetwater’s Richard A. Reynolds Groundwater Desalination Facility, hosts learning exhibits and hands-on activities to introduce 4,000 local students annually to the ecological cycle of water, water conservation, water quality, and careers in the water industry. The Hydro Station is made possible through a partnership between the Sweetwater Authority, Chula Vista Elementary School District, and the Otay Water District.
Hydro Station Education Experience opened in August 2019
Chula Vista fifth graders enjoy their visit to the new Hydro Station educational facility. Photo: Sweetwater Authority
“It is exciting to be on a Board that values the importance of strategic partnerships,” said Governing Board Chair Steve Castaneda. “We are working with the Chula Vista Elementary School District and the Otay Water District to provide educational opportunities for students in our service area and to expose local children to a career path that could position them as tomorrow’s water leaders.”
The program opened in August 2019 after months of planning and collaboration with its partners.
The Authority’s Communications Committee Chair, José F. Cerda, is a long-time advocate of the partnership.
“As a former Chula Vista Elementary School District educator, I have seen the impacts that these sort of innovative classroom experiences can have on students and their families,” said Cerda. “I am so proud of the work that we are doing at the Authority and being an industry leader in creating and developing experiences for the children in our community.”
https://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Sweetwater-CAPIO-Award-845X450.jpg450845Gayle Falkenthalhttps://www.waternewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/water-news-network.pngGayle Falkenthal2020-07-27 17:30:142020-08-05 15:14:13Sweetwater Authority and Otay Water District Win Statewide Award for Hydro Station Education Experience
Vista Irrigation District has presented awards to three artistic fourth-grade students as winners of the District’s 2020 Water Awareness Poster Contest. The District’s board of directors selected the recipients at its July 15 meeting. This is the 28th year of the local contest. This year’s theme was “Love Water, Save Water.”
Karmen Isabel Simons, a fourth-grade student from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in Vista, received first-place honors for her entry in the competition. She received a $100 award
Vista Irrigation District has presented awards to three artistic fourth-grade students as winners of the District’s 2020 Water Awareness Poster Contest. The District’s board of directors selected the recipients at its July 15 meeting. This is the 28th year of the local contest. This year’s theme was “Love Water, Save Water.”
Karmen Isabel Simons, a fourth-grade student from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in Vista, received first-place honors for her entry in the competition. She received a $100 award.
Karmen Isabel Simons, a fourth-grade student from St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in Vista, received first-place honors from the District for her entry in the competition. She received a $100 award. Photo: Vista Irrigation District
Naiya Langley from Alamosa Park Elementary School in Oceanside and received a second-place award of $50.
Naiya Langley from Alamosa Park Elementary School in Oceanside received a second-place award of $50. Photo: Vista Irrigation District
Angelica Zetina from Mission Meadows Elementary School in Oceanside received a third-place award of $25.
Angelica Zetina from Mission Meadows Elementary School in Oceanside received a third place award of $25 for her contest entry. Photo: Vista Irrigation District
‘Love Water, Save Water’ 2020 contest theme
The poster contest is open to all fourth-grade students in public and private schools within the District’s service areas in the city of Vista, and portions of San Marcos, Escondido, Oceanside, and unincorporated areas of San Diego County. Its goal is to promote understanding of water issues in elementary schools.
“Each year I continue to be amazed at the quality of the artwork produced by the students entering the contest,” said Brent Reyes, Vista Irrigation District water conservation specialist. “Each year it seems the Water Awareness Calendar created using the students’ artwork gets better and better.”
The three winning posters were selected from 110 entries based upon their depiction of the theme, artwork, originality, and poster design. Simons’ poster will appear in the 2021 Water Awareness Calendar. The calendar will be available free of charge at the District’s office in November 2020.
This summer, the Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park will turn curious kids into happy campers with science-themed summer camps. The Fleet’s Summer Camps provide exciting experiments, intriguing investigations and fantastic fun for kids. Virtual Summer Camps began June 15 and end Aug. 14. Details: https://www.fleetscience.org/events/summer-camps
