Mel O. Photos

Chia Birnie must have know that @berniesanders suspended his campaign. I have been watering him the same but sadly this is his fate. #tiosanders #feelthebern2020 @chiapetofficial

Bernie Chia is lookin . #feelthebern @berniesanders @peopleforbernie @ Sebastopol, California

We had the best time in Puerto Vallarta this week, can’t wait to go back!! Thanks for the memories. @its_just_la_reyna #mexico #puertovallarta #hyattzivapuertovallarta

Sharing a few from Lucas' senior portrait session. Eyes arey favorite and his are so pretty. #classof2020 #montgomeryhighschool #sonomacountyseniorphotographer #seniorpictures @ Santa Rosa, California

CNHS Senior Justin had a great Garden session. Garden sessions are 30 minutes of fun. #seniorportraits #cardinalnewmanhighschool #classof2020 #seniorportraitphotographer #seniorportraits2020 #sonomacountyphotographer #santarosaphotographer @ Santa Rosa, California

sharing a few of my favorites from T and E’s beautiful wedding day. Thank you both for trusting @mel_o_photos to capture your memories. #sonomacounty #sonomacountywedding #sonomacountyweddingphotographer #westcountywedding #westcountyweddings @ Russian River, Sonoma California

Hello, I attended my first school board meeting last night, and I walked away angry, frustrated, and determined to lend my voice and time to help right the wron...g I witnessed. I have been living in the WSCUHSD for eleven years as a homeowner. My husband and I are alumni of both Analy and El Molino class of 1985, our children are Analy alumni class of 2011 and 2015. Our history is long, and shame on me for not knowing more about how our taxpayer dollars are spent. I listened to every speaker, some brought me to tears, others forced me to my feet. I know you were not able to interact with the speakers per your rules, but from my perspective you were heard Loud and Clear. The lack of empathy was conveyed for all to see. I know you were listening, but did you hear them? I did. I heard that way too many of the classified staff are living in poverty, They should have a living wage! I heard that way too many of the teachers are fighting every day to keep their heads above water, I heard that they are working multiple jobs, just to afford to live in this district and teach OUR children. They should have a living wage! I heard that the buildings are unsafe, the classrooms are over flowing with students, never in my life did I imagine a teacher responsible for 35-40 students. That isn’t teaching, that is child care. They should have safe working environments, they should have manageable amounts of students, and for all that is holy and fair, we should pay our teachers more than we pay a babysitter. They should have a living wage! I heard about stifling hot classrooms, students falling asleep in class, sweat running down their backs, dear lord, this is California, it is HOT here. The students and teachers should not be subjected to such poor working/learning conditions. I heard so much more, and I know you did too. As a parent, taxpayer, and citizen of this district, I implore you to listen to your staff and teachers and do the right thing. I do not want MY taxpayer money used to pay for a lawyer to fight the teacher’s union. I do not want the CBO (who received a vote of no confidence) to continue to go unchallenged. Do not SAVE and project abject poverty for the district, spend the funds, and if you need more, just ask us, the taxpayers, we are willing and able to give you more money to pay our teachers and staff. Sincerely, Melissa Ochoa

WHY? I attended my first school board for West Sonoma County School District. And I walked away thinking Why? I heard about teachers with 40-50 students per class, 85 degree classroom, school staff paid less than $14 per hour, teachers working two or three jobs. You read about this, you see it on TV, but nothing prepares you for sitting in a school board meeting. If you follow me I urge you to attend the next school board meeting in your district. I promise it will open your eyes. These people who teach our children should be held in the highest esteem. This has to change, and it takes all of us to make our representatives who work for us to fix this. #analyhighschool #westsonomacountyunionschooldistrict #elmolinohighschool @repmikethompson @lyndajhopkins @wscuhsd @ Forestville, California

sharing some of my favorites from Justin’s senior portrait session. More to come. Limited availability this fall, call Mel to book your session #cardinalnewmanhighschool #classof2020 #seniorpictures #seniorportraits #seniorportraits2020 #sonomacountyportraitphotography #sonomacountyportraitphotographer 707-479-7876 to book your session @ Sonoma County, California

so many to share from this stunning #senior #classof2020 limited availability this fall, call to book your session. #sonomacounty #sonomacountyphotographer #sonomacountyphotography #highschoolseniors #seniorpictures #seniorportraits2019 @ Windsor, California