Month In Review – A reflection on our communities past month’s achievements, community development and awesomeness!

COC Ranks No. 1 for Adult Learners

College of the Canyons was recently named No. 1 in Los Angeles County and No. 2 in Southern California for adult learners. The award was bestowed by the Washington Monthly Magazine, and highlights the ways in which COC is the top two-year college for students aged 25 and up. The award took into consideration various criteria such as services for adult learners, tuition and fees, loan repayment, and ease of transfer and enrollment.

Santa Clarita Remembers 9/11

This past September 11th remembrance was a day of gathering and quiet honor of those whose lives were lost in the 9/11 attacks. Services were held at Hart High School, Castaic High School, and other spots around Santa Clarita. The city banded together to pay homage to victims and servicemen and women alike who were present on that fateful day, serving as a testament to the unity of Santa Clarita residents in difficult times.

Canyon Country Library Opens Passport Facility

On September 4, the Jo Anne Darcy Library in Canyon Country opened its Passport Acceptance Facility, with appointments readily available the day of announcement. The Canyon Country location will now offer various passport services including passport renewals, first-time passports, passport photos, and other valuable resources on an appointment-only basis. This is the third library location to offer passport services, following the Valencia and Newhall libraries, thereby giving residents in Canyon Country easier access to the services they need — without having to drive further into town.

Santa Clarita Valley Education Foundation
Makes Strides

The Santa Clarita Valley Education Foundation hit a milestone earlier this month, announcing that over 2,000 kindergarten students had received books from their “Bag of Books” program. The program’s main purpose is to increase the accessibility of books for low-income students around SCV, and as of early September, “Bag of Books” has reached over 22 SCV elementary schools. The program encourages reading and exploration of literature at an early age, and gives young students the opportunity to get their hands on new books every week.

Homecoming at COC

September 28, marked College of the Canyons’ 50th Anniversary Homecoming celebration against Cerritos College. The game was free to attend for students and community members alike, and featured fun activities, food, music, giveaways, and an exciting half-time presentation. The game followed the college’s season kickoff earlier in the month of September, and set the stage for another season of success.

30 Years of Achievement and Excellence

The City of Santa Clarita received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the Fiscal Year of 2017-2018. This is the 30th year in a row that the city has been honored with the award, and it stands as the highest possible recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting. Santa Clarita continues to enjoy a successful track record of accounting and financial reporting, with the intention of turning 30 years into 31 in the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

Christy Smith Enjoys Governmental Success

Three of Assemblywoman Christy Smith’s educational bills have cleared the Senate, and are on their way to becoming law. The three bills, AB 543, 1233, and 1279, do much to benefit students of all ages within the Santa Clarita Valley, including College of the Canyons and high school students. Each of the three deal with a separate but significant aspect of the public education and higher education systems. The bills enjoyed unanimous support and now await Governor Newsom’s approval.

California College Promise Expanded

The California College Promise program has been expanded to include two years of tuition-free community college for all first-time, full-time students. The program was approved by Governor Newsom in late August, and will encourage students to participate in higher education without the significant setbacks of financial struggle. Here at home, College of the Canyons offers additional benefits to COC students, including aid with textbooks and parking fees.

Santa Clarita’s Hard Working Citizens

The City of Santa Clarita recently reached the 12th spot in the Kempler Industries’ list of the hardest-working cities nationwide. This significant achievement took into consideration various aspects of the average working resident’s routine, including average commute time and workweek hours. This ranking highlights the best of what Santa Clarita’s workforce has to offer, and recognizes the city’s residents’ overarching dedication to excellence and hard work.

City Hosts Voter Registration Drive

The upcoming 2020 election has prompted the city to host a voter registration drive, set to be held on September 24th in accordance with National Voter Registration Day. Santa Clarita residents 18 and over are encouraged to visit the city clerk’s office at City Hall to educate themselves regarding voter eligibility and deadlines. Additionally, all of the Santa Clarita Public Library locations will be available to assist library patrons and provide valuable resources for those interested in voting next year.

25th Annual River Rally

September 21st marked the 25th annual River Rally, an event held by Green Santa Clarita to clean up a portion of the Santa Clara River. Volunteers took to the river to clean up trash and reduce pollution of one of Southern California’s last remaining natural river systems. The event offered free bike valet to encourage biking as a method of transportation, as well as other resources for those interested in helping the environment outside of the rally.

COC Hosts Annual Job Fair

Now that the fall semester is in full swing, College of the Canyons has announced the date of this year’s Job Fair. The event will take place on October 4 at COC’s Valencia campus from 9 a.m. to noon, and is open to both students and the general public. The job fair will feature company reps searching for employees in various avenues of the workforce. It will also offer a variety of workshops and resources for those looking to learn more about entering today’s work field.