Focus on Education: Virtual school, real open house in Ripon

Connections Academy in Ripon has hired Don Ogden as principal to lead its virtual school, California Connections Academy @ Ripon. The school will hold an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the teaching center, 580 N. Wilma Ave., Suite G. Kicking off its first academic year this fall, the tuition-free online public school is enrolling K-12 students in Alameda, Amador, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Santa Clara and Stanislaus counties.

SUNNY DAY CELEBRATION: The Planada Elementary School District will hold a ribbon cutting at 1:30 p.m. Friday in front of its new solar energy facility at the school, 9525 E. Broderick Ave. A second ceremony will be at 2:15 p.m. in the multipurpose room at César Chavez Middle School, 161 S. Plainsburg Road, Planada. Solar facilities installed and maintained by Hanwha SolarEnergy America of Irvine at the two schools are expected to generate 490 kilowatts and save the district $1.2 million in energy costs over 20 years.