Cambria kicks off back-to-school season in SLO County

An oversized otter, teachers and staff greeted students at Cambria Grammar School on Aug. 16 as youngsters were welcomed back to campus with hugs, high fives and room assignments.

A total of 207 students were enrolled in transitional kindergarten through fifth grade, according to administration records.

They were joined by returning teachers and new instructors Rich Mendoza for kindergarten, Christy Heitmiller for third grade and Heather Rosenblum for fourth grade, along with library media specialist Lauren Conklin.

“It’s our first day of school, and everyone came in incredibly happy and ready to go,” Principal Jill Southern said. “Our classrooms look amazing, and it was just so wonderful to see all the happy kids and families just ready to start this really incredible school year.”

Cambria’s back-to-school was the first in a parade of district reopenings countywide, according to online calendars and other sources.

Atascadero Unified School District and San Miguel Joint Union School District campuses launched their year on Aug. 17, San Luis Coastal Unified School District and Lucia Mar Unified School District on Aug. 18, and Templeton Unified School District on Tuesday.

This story was originally published August 16, 2022 at 12:42 PM.

Kathe Tanner

The Tribune

805-781-7904 (voicemails only)

Kathe Tanner has been writing about the people and places of SLO County’s North Coast since 1981, first as a columnist and then also as a reporter. Her career has included stints as a bakery owner, public relations director, radio host, trail guide and jewelry designer. She has been a resident of Cambria for more than four decades, and if it’s happening in town, Kathe knows about it.