Dateline Masthead
Contra Costa County Office of EducationNovember 2013
In this issue
California Association for the Gifted Symposium
Big Idea Fest 2013
3rd Annual Distinguished Speaker Series
The Inaugural California STEM Conference
Leading Edge Certification for the Administrator
Leading Edge Certification for Online and Blended Teacher
4th Annual San Francisco Bay Area STEAM Colloquium
Math Practices in the Common Core
Google Docs for Collaborative Writing
Discourse Communities
Writing Across the Curriculum with Pixie
Travel Back in Time with AP Images
Argument Writing in the Common Core
Common Core Research and Writing on the iPad
American Education Week
12th Annual County-Wide Shelter-in-Place Dril
3rd Annual Bay Area Science Festival
MyVote
The 2014 Youth Garden Grants
Chevron Fuel Your School
The Captain Planet Foundation
The Aquarium of the Bay
River of Words Art and Poetry Contest
Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair
Creating a Winning Science Fair Project
Choose Civility - "Speak Kindly"
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List
Welcome to Dateline!
 
Greetings!

 

Welcome to the November 2013 issue of Dateline. This informative newsletter is for all those in Contra Costa County who work in education. Please tell your fellow teachers and administrators, as well as your friends who would be interested in joining our mailing list (click here, or the link button at the left column).  

Professional Development / Opportunities

California Association for the Gifted Symposium
The California Association for the Gifted (CAG) is presenting a one-day Northern California Symposium for educators and parents, entitled Reaching New Heights: Depth, Complexity, and the Common Core. More than 60 workshops will be offered, facilitated by seasoned educators from throughout California. Educator workshops are suitable for K-12 teachers, administrators, and counselors, including sessions specific to elementary, middle, and high school, and specialized sessions pertaining to teaching English, science, math, and social studies. This event is suitable for all educators, plus there will be workshops geared toward parents of GATE students. 

Date and location: November 2, 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; 

For info: Contact Karen Littell, or visit their website

Fee: $85 for full day ($60 for CAG members) including morning refreshments and fully catered lunch 

Big Idea Fest 2013

The Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education is hosting the 4th Annual Big Ideas Fest. This three-day gathering of the nation's most creative makers and doers in education brings together champions across K-12, higher education, and informal learning, to participate in a truly unique interactive experience. You'll hear from inspiring speakers and take part in action collaboratives designed to incubate solutions to address education's most pressing challenges.

Date and location: December 4-7; Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

For info: Visit their website

Fee: $730 covers registration and meals (only)

3rd Annual Distinguished Speaker Series

This Saturday seminar series provides a broad range of opportunities for professional educators to learn research-based techniques and strategies from local and national professionals. Keynote and breakout sessions cover a variety of topics and grade levels, and provide practical and purposeful tools for both general and special educators to improve teaching practice. Networking opportunities with educators from other schools and districts are another key benefit. The program meets BTSA Induction professional development requirement. Graduate academic credit or continuing education units may also be earned. 

Dates and location: November 16, January 25, February 22, March 29, and May 3, all seminars are held 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; Saint Mary's College, Moraga

For info: Contact Adrienne Lipman at 925-631-4831, or visit their

Fee: $275 for entire series; $65 for individual sessions (academic credit available)

The Inaugural California STEM Conference
The Inaugural Annual California Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Conference's theme is Invest in California STEM: Innovate, Integrate, and Inspire!
Date and location: November 18-19; Sacramento Convention Center

For info: Visit their website to learn about the conference and presentation opportunities. 

Fee: Varied price points, early registration is $280 

Leading Edge Certification for the Administrator


Do you want to enhance your digital leadership skills? Are you interested in supporting students and staff in developing 21st Century college and career readiness? Are you ready to be a transformative leader? Leading Edge Certification for the Administrator focuses on site, district, and regional leaders and is based upon the National Education Technology Standards for Administrators (NETS). Participants will learn how to effectively unitize technology tools, resources, and innovative solutions to advance student achievement, foster educator productivity, and extend learning opportunities for all. Upon successful completion, the certification will give schools, districts, and other prospective employers assurance that Leading Edge Certified administrators have the skills to effectively lead schools through the 21st Century and provide visionary leadership among all stakeholders of their organization. 

Dates and location: Four complete programs will be offered between September 27, 2013-August 24, 2014 (includes one face-to-face meeting on the first day and 45-60 hours online training); the meetings will be held at the CCCOE

For info: Contact Eileen C. Walters at (925) 942-3435, or visit the program's website

Fee: $750, includes course, as well as portfolio review and certification

Leading Edge Certification for Online and Blended Teacher

Are you interested in teaching online, but unsure where to start, or are you already teaching online and want to enhance your skills? The Leading Edge Alliance and a group of of county offices of education, nonprofits, universities, and governmental bodies have developed a certification program for K-12 teachers. The certification is a national program to prepare instructional leaders for online learning. Content includes building community, moderating discussions, supporting diverse learners, and implementing frequent formative assessments.

Dates: Three complete programs will be held October 7, 2013-August 10, 2014 (includes 45-60 hours online training)

For info: Contact Eileen C. Walters at (925) 942-3435, or visit the program's website

Fee: $450, includes course, as well as portfolio review and certification

4th Annual San Francisco Bay Area STEAM Colloquium 

CALENDAR IT NOW! 
Presented by the CCCOE, the STEAM Colloquium is a forum to discuss and share best practices in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) education. This event brings together numerous K-12 educators, administrators, professionals, legislative policy makers, college and university educators, community organizations, and businesses to present and discuss how to advance STEAM education into our classrooms.
Date and location: February 7, 2014, 
San Ramon Conference Center, San Ramon 
For info: Stay tuned to the STEAM Colloquium Web page, and watch updates on Twitter: #STEAMCOLLOQ

CCCOE Common Core Professional Development Courses

Math Practices in the Common Core, grades K-5  
  

This is a three-part series in which participants are first introduced to the mathematical practices, then see the practices displayed in a classroom setting, and finally adopt the practices into their own teaching. The second meeting will entail observation of a lesson as it is being taught. At the third and final meeting, participants will reflect on their use of the practices in their teaching.

Dates and location: November 14, 21, and December 11, 8:00-11:30 a.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill

For info: Contact Marsha Tokuyoshi, ELA/Common Core coordinator, at (925) 942-3385 or visit CCCOE's Common Core website

Registration Deadline: November 7

Fee: $100, register via Eventbrite 

Google Docs for Collaborative Writing, grades 6-12 
  

One of the more powerful uses of technology in schools today is its application to collaborative writing. The saying that two heads are better than one is particularly true of the written word. Having a second or third head available can raise the quality of writing well beyond what any individual would produce. This workshop will focus on W.6: Use technology, including the internet to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.

Date and location: November 14, 12:00-3:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill

For info: Contact Marsha Tokuyoshi, ELA/Common Core coordinator, at (925) 942-3385 or visit CCCOE's Common Core website

Registration Deadline: November 7 

Fee: $25, register via Eventbrite 

 Discourse Communities, grades K-12 
  

The CCSSM have process standards which specify the mathematical ways of thinking students need to develop while learning mathematics content. One of the process standards in the mathematics common core indicate that students should "Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others."  This session will examine the classroom designs and teaching strategies that encourage students to engage in this process.

Date and location: December 4, 4:00-6:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill

For info: Contact Marsha Tokuyoshi, ELA/Common Core coordinator, at (925) 942-3385 or visit CCCOE's Common Core website

Registration Deadline: November 27  

Fee: $25, register via Eventbrite 

Writing Across the Curriculum with Pixie, grades K-5 
  

This workshop will train participants on the use of software that supports digital storytelling and link to the following Common Core Standards in English Language Arts:

W.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis reflections, and research.

SL.4 Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

Date and location:December 5, 12:00-3:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill

For info: Contact Marsha Tokuyoshi, ELA/Common Core coordinator, at (925) 942-3385 or visit CCCOE's Common Core website

Registration Deadline: November 27 

Fee: $25, register via Eventbrite  

Travel Back in Time with AP Images, grades 6-12
 
  

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In this workshop, become an historical detective and learn through images and captions about life in the 20's, 30's, and later. Learn how to answer essential questions about images and defend your responses. This workshop will address the following writing and literacy standards: 

W.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.

LHSSSTS.RH.1 Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.

LHSSSTS RH.2 Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

Date and location: January 22, 12:00-3:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill

For info: Contact Marsha Tokuyoshi, ELA/Common Core coordinator, at (925) 942-3385 or visit CCCOE's Common Core website

Registration Deadline: January 15 

Fee: $25, register via Eventbrite 

Argument Writing in the Common Core, grades K-5 (three-part series)
  

Young writers need to be able to form opinions based on thoughtfully researched evidence now more than ever before. We will look at how to teach students to read with an analytical eye, noticing the slants of different authors in an effort to form an opinion. We will also discuss ways to guide students to write like a researcher and an essayist.

In the first of the three sessions, teachers will be guided to examine the standards and instructional shifts required to meet the writing rigor of the Common Core. In the second session, participants will observe a model lesson and have the opportunity to debrief the experience and then align writing instruction for their own practice. The third session will focus on a deeper understanding of how argument writing is addressed in the Common Core classroom.

Dates and location: January 23, and February 6, 8:00-11:30 a.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill - January 28, 8:00-11:30 a.m.; John Baldwin Elementary, Danville

For info: Contact Marsha Tokuyoshi, ELA/Common Core coordinator at (925) 942-3385 or visit CCCOE's Common Core website

Registration Deadline: January 16 

Fee: $100, register via Eventbrite  

Common Core Research and Writing on the iPad, grades K-12
 
 

Participants will be introduced to several FREE iPad apps (including Storykit, Popplet, Kidblog, Fotobabble, Educreations, and more) to address Common Core writing standards. Be ready to, learn, share, and create meaningful writing assignments for students. Participants will walk away from the session ready to use iPad apps to develop a writing project to address Common Core Standards in their classroom.  The following Common Core Standards will be addressed: 

W.2 Write informative/explanatory text to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately. through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

W.7 Conduct short research projects based on focused questions demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

Date and location: January 16, 12:00-3:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill

For info: Contact Marsha Tokuyoshi, ELA/Common Core coordinator at (925) 942-3385 or visit CCCOE's Common Core website

Registration Deadline: January 16 

Fee: $25, register via Eventbrite  

Upcoming Events / Field Trips

American Education Week

American Education Week presents all Americans with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education. This year's theme, Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility. Use the online toolkit for activity ideas, templates, and downloadable materials. The week-long celebration features a special observance each day of the week. They include:

12th Annual County-Wide Shelter-in-Place Drill
  
  

Put this date on your calendar today! Community Awareness Emergency Response (CAER) invites all schools to practice and improve their site emergency procedures for shelter-in-place by taking part in this 10th annual county-wide exercise. Guidelines for this program will be sent out to all districts and school principals later this summer (reminder post cards have recently been mailed out). Schools can use the time for training, running brief drills, or conducting more detailed emergency exercises.

Date: November 6, 11:00 a.m.

For info: Contact Lori McDonald at (925) 313-9296 or visit the CAER website

3rd Annual Bay Area Science Festival
The 10-day Bay Area Science Festival will provide a wide range of science and technology activities: lectures, debates, exhibitions, concerts, plays, workshops, etc., held at a variety of locations throughout the Bay Area.

Dates and locations: October 24-November 2, complete calendar; held at numerous sites throughout the Bay Area

For info: Visit their website

Fee: Check specific events for admission fees, but many are free 

MyVote

To encourage students to become active and informed voters once they are old enough to cast a ballot, high school and middle school students, teachers, and principals are invited to participate in the MyVote California Student Mock Election, which takes place in late October, about a week before each regularly scheduled statewide general election. Working with the California Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools and the Constitutional Rights Foundation, in coordination with the MyVoice National Mock Election, the Student Mock Election taps into the excitement of the campaign season to stir students' interest in voting. As students learn about the candidates and issues, they discover how government and politics affect every part of their lives. They gain firsthand knowledge of how citizens make their voice heard in our democracy, and experience the power of their votes when thousands of California's high school and middle school students have their say on the candidates and issues on Student Mock Election Day.

For info: Contact MyVote at (916) 651-3070 or visit their website

Fee: Free

Grants / Scholarships

The 2014 Youth Garden Grants


Since 1982, National Gardening Association has provided the Youth Garden Grant to over 5,000 schools, nonprofits, and youth programs across the United States. Youth Garden Grant has contributed over 2.8 million dollars in funding to youth gardening initiatives and serves as National Gardening Association's longest standing grant program. This year we will present awards to 20 schools or youth programs. Twenty programs will receive a $500 gift certificate to the Gardening with Kids online store. Winners will also receive a tool package, plant starts, a raised bed, and a generous seed donation. 

For info: Visit their website 

Deadline: December 6

Chevron Fuel Your School
Chevron is working with DonorsChoose.org to help K-12 teachers in Alameda and Contra Costa County public schools get the supplies they need for eligible classroom projects. And everyone can help! For the next few months, you can post your project on DonorsChoose.org

For info: Visit Chevron Fuel Your School 

Deadline: November 30

The Captain Planet Foundation

The Captain Planet Foundation funds grants to promote understanding of environmental issues for school-age children. Grant amounts range from $250-$2500, with applications reviewed three times a year.

Next Deadline: January 31

For info: Visit their website 

Resources / Contests

The Aquarium of the Bay 


The San Francisco Aquarium of the Bay's education programs focus on inquiry-based learning and hands-on experiences. All of the Aquarium's education programs are taught by our staff of trained Naturalists, linked to California State Science Standards and include age-appropriate, STEM based activities.

For info: Visit their website

River of Words Art and Poetry Contest

Produced by the St. Mary's College's Center for Environmental Literacy, entry forms are now available for this annual art and poetry competition. The contest, on the theme of watersheds, is open to any child from 5-19 years of age who has not completed high school.

For info: Contact them via email or phone at (925) 631-4289, or visit their website

Deadline: Entries must be postmarked no later than December 1

Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair

Contra Costa County businesses will once again join our county's educators to produce the 2014 Intel-Affiliated Contra Costa County Science & Engineering Fair, this coming spring. The program is for grades 7-12 students.

Dates and location: March 19-21; Los Medanos College, Science Building

For info: Contact Liz Ritchie at (925) 684-4995 or visit the Science & Engineering Fair's website

Deadlines: Pre-approval project deadline was October 30, (post-marked); Final project approval deadline is January 17, 2014, (postmarked) 

Fee: $20 per student 

Creating a Winning Science Fair Project

Learn How to create a winning science fair project from past Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair (CCCSEF) winners. Join Blake Marggraff and Julienne Sauer as they demonstrate what it takes to successfully participate in the upcoming CCCSEF. This event is open to students who are entered or plan to enter a project in the 2014 CCCSEF. 

Date and location: November 16, 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m.; Los Medanos College, Science Building, Pittsburg

For info: Contact Liz Ritchie at (925) 684-4995 or visit the Science & Engineering Fair's website

Deadline: Register before November 15 (or before the first 140 registrants)

Fee: Free

Choose Civility

Speak Kindly

The Choose Civility Principle for the month of November

"A kind word is like a spring day"

 - Russian Proverb

 

The Choose Civility principle Speak Kindly is at the heart of civil behavior. If a person isn't able to speak with consideration and kindness then it is almost impossible to incorporate the other nine principles of the Choose Civility campaign.

 

P.M. Forni writes in his book, Choosing Civility, that to speak kindly you need to be aware constantly that you are speaking to living, breathing, vulnerable human beings. Forni writes, "When you speak kindly to others, you manage to keep them in mind as you speak - which means keeping at bay, at least for a while, the pressing demands of your needs."

 

Showing kindness is as much a matter of tone as it is one of words. Forni goes on to say, "Look the other person in the eye, smile when you speak, and keep a moderate volume. Even if trying to resolve a conflict do so in a fair fashion. Never yell at anybody. Keep in mind that people always respond to the tone of your voice and your body language." Civil conversation has no place for profanities. Never embarrass or mortify. Always think before speaking. Smile. Make sure you need to speak (sometimes silence can be kinder and more considerate than words).

 

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation recommends practicing kind speech in everyday conversation. For one day, keep every negative thought, frustration or complaint to yourself and only share your positive comments with others. See the silver lining in the cloud in every situation.

 

Action Step:


Don't stop at one day! Try speaking kindly for a whole week, and then for another, until it is second nature. Share your new secret to positive thought with your friends, family and work colleagues and encourage them to try it out too. You will have less negative thoughts in general, and you will become a positive influence to all those around you.

 

Excerpt from P.M. Forni's book, 
Choosing Civility

 

About CCCOE's Monthly Focus

Choosing Civility, by Dr. P.M. Forni, lists 25 rules of considerate conduct. Over this school year, the CCCOE will consider ten of these principles. For additional information about our Choose Civility initiative, please visit our website.

  
About CCCOE's Monthly Focus
 

Choosing Civility, by Dr. P.M. Forni, lists twenty-five rules of considerate conduct. Over this school year, the CCCOE will consider ten of these principles. For additional information about our Choose Civility initiative, please visit our website.

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Published by the Contra Costa County Office of Education Communications Office
77 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, California 94523
Follow us on Twitter: @cocoschools 
Joseph A. Ovick, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
Editor: Peggy Marshburn; Writer/Layout: Jonathan Lance, (925) 942-3429;
Diane Morrell, Designer; June Stephens, Web Developer 
 
Dateline is distributed during the school year to all public schools in the county by the Communications Office. Information must be received by the first of the preceding month. Publication does not signify the Contra Costa County Office of Education endorses the event or program mentioned.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Lance
CCCOE