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Contra Costa County Office of Education December 2016
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Greetings!

 

Welcome to the December 2016 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

Administrative  Leadership Program (ALP) 
What is the Administrative Leadership Program (ALP)?  CCCOE-ALP is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing as a Professional Preparation Program for the Clear Administrative Services Credential (formerly referred to as the Tier II Professional Clear Administrative Services Credential). In partnership with the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), CCCOE-ALP provides high-quality, researched-based professional learning and development for new leaders. Credential candidates expand and deepen their leadership knowledge, skills, and behaviors through individualized, job-embedded induction.

Program highlights include:
  • One-on-one coaching by an experienced administrator
  • Assisting and supporting participants in their administrative roles
  • Advancing the knowledge and skills of participants in relation to the California Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (CPSELs)
  • Helping administrators lead, reflect, and grow capacity
  • Candidates complete a portfolio based on an Individual Induction Plan, setting goals and outlining their experiences and growth as new leaders. Upon completion of the two-year program, candidates will be recommended for the Clear Administrative Services Credential.
For info: Contact  Marsha Tokuyoshi at (925) 942-3385, or visit the program's Web page
Dates: TBD over a two-year time frame
Fee$3,500 per year CCCOE-ALP for 2 years, plus $1,000** per year to ACSA/ACCP; t otal cost for the two-year program is $9,000
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
This training is designed for adults who work with young people, ages 12-18, and who do NOT have a mental-health background: teachers, nurses, counselors, coaches, secretaries, campus monitors, yard supervisors, registrars, lunch staff, bus drivers, and leaders of faith communities, law enforcement, parents, and other caring citizens. 
Participants will learn a five-step action plan to offer initial help to young people showing signs of a mental illness or in a crisis, and how to connect them with the appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care.
Dates and location : December 5 and March 8, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info : Contact Emily Justice  at 925-942-5328, or visit this Web page for more details and registration
Fee: Free
Number Talks 2.0
In this one-day workshop, we will embark on how to structure and lead productive mathematical discussions. We will emphasize setting mathematical goals for each number talk, learn how to use models to develop students' conceptual understanding, explore how to productively move students toward efficient strategies for problem solving, and provide timely and appropriate feedback to students. Throughout the workshop we will engage and explore open-source resources to take our number talks to the next level in student mathematical thinking and engagement.
Dates and location : December 19 and March 1, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info : Contact  Gina Yetner at 925-942-3356, or visit this Web page for more details and registration
Fee: $125,  Intentional Talk book and lunch will be provided
The Mindset Revolution: Teaching Mathematics for a Growth Mindset, with Dr. Jo Boaler
In recent years, scientific studies have demonstrated that student and teacher "mindsets" have a profound impact on learning. Students with a "growth mindset" (Dweck, 2006) who believe that intelligence and "smartness" can be learned and that the brain can grow from exercise learn more effectively, displaying a desire for challenge and showing resilience in the face of failure. Such behaviors encourage greater math persistence, engagement and high achievement. Mathematics teachers play a critical role in the development of mindsets and this session will review the ways to teach for a growth mindset, including attention to classroom norms, math tasks, questions and assessment. Attendees will consider together what it means to teach math for a growth mindset, by looking at different mathematics tasks, different forms of assessment and grading, grouping arrangements, encouragement and praise, and many other aspects of mathematics teaching.
Date and location : December 15, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info : Contact  Gina Yetner at 925-942-3356, or visit this   Web page for more details and registration
Fee: $110, Handouts  and lunch will be provided
Model School Attendance Review Board (SARB) Recognition Program - Application Workshop
The Model SARB Recognition Program identifies and recognizes results-based school attendance improvement programs at the district or county level.  You are cordially invited to the Model SARB Application Workshop which will guide attendees through the various content areas and scoring rubric, as well as provide strategies to successfully complete the application. 
Date and location : December 16, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info : Contact Lindy Khan at 925-942-3343, addtional info and registration can be found on this   Web page 
Fee : Free
Visible Learning for Literacy with Doug Fisher

Educators have been in search of "what works" for decades. Our collective search for better ways to reach students and ensure that they develop knowledge and skills has resulted in thousands and thousands of books, hundreds of thousands of research articles, and countless websites. The truth is, not everything works. Only a few things work at ensuring that students gain a full years worth of growth for a year of enrollment in school, and we think it's time we focused on what works, what doesn't work, and what can't hurt. And we've turned to Visible Learning (Hattie, 2009) for help. As he noted, students must develop surface-level learning if they are ever going to go deep. And we know that deep learning can facilitate transfer, which has been a goal shared by educators for as long as there have been teachers. In this interactive session, we focus on specific approaches that work at the surface level of learning and note that they are different from strategies that work at the deep and transfer levels. Importantly, Dr. Fisher will clarify which approaches work at which phase of learning.
Date and location : January 10, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; Pleasant Hill Community Center Pleasant Hill
For info : Contact Gina Yetner at 925-942-3356, additional info and registration can be found on this   Web page 
Fee $110.00, lunch will be provided
What's in a Number? Exploring Mathematics Conceptually Grades TK-8

During this one-day workshop, participants will explore and experience mathematics conceptually, building a deeper understanding of how math works. We will begin our journey in the number system through the understanding of numbers and operations and make connections to algebraic thinking and progressions through the grade levels. Participants will have an opportunity to collaborate with peers on shifts in teaching and learning through the implementation of the common core state standards.
Date and Location: January 10, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info: Contact Gina Yetner at 925-942-3356, register at this Eventbrite platform 
Fee: $100 - includes handouts and lunch
CCCOE Distinguished Speaker Series: 
Edcamp Contra Costa
Join New York Times Best-Selling author Dave Burgess (Teach Like a Pirate) for a high-energy, entertaining, and inspirational program that will transform the way you look at your role as an educator. Learn how to dramatically increase student engagement, design wildly creative lessons, and build a course that is a life-changing experience for your students. Teachers who attend Edcamp can choose to lead sessions on those things  that matter, with an expectation that the people in the room will work together to build  understanding by sharing their own knowledge and questions. This program is for K-12 educators.
Date and Location: January 21, 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sequoia Middle School, Pleasant Hill
For info: Contact Hilary Dito at 925-942-3396, register at this Eventbrite platform 
Fee: Free
Solving the Fraction Mystery
 

Fractions are conceptually difficult for many. Moving beyond pizza and pie models, we will explore the many ways for developing fraction understanding including using concrete manipulatives. Throughout this two-day workshop participants will engage in conceptually meaningful mathematics tasks for all fraction operations. Participants will have the opportunity to gain a foundational understanding of fractions. Our journey through fractions will conclude with connections to ratios and proportional reasoning.
Date and location : January 30-31, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info : Contact  Gina Yetner at 925-942-3356, or visit this Web page for more details and registration
Fee: $200, Handouts  and lunch will be provided
Hour of Code 
 

During Computer Science Education Week (December 5 - 11), schools all around the world will participate in the 2016 Hour of Code. Over 2 million students will spend at least one hour learning computer science. Come explore the Hour of Code and make a statement that Contra Costa County Office of Education is committed to teach all students critical 21st Century skills. Stop by and see what computer science is all about. No coding experience is necessary.  
Date and location : December 7, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info : Contact Hilary Dito at 925-942-3396, or review this flyer for additional details
Fee: Free
Page Keeley-
Uncovering Student Ideas and Practices: Implications for 3-D Teaching and Learning
Combining research on learning and the experiences and wisdom of practitioners, participants will examine what it means to teach for conceptual change and identify ways to make profound changes in their own practice. They will also gain experience with strategies through modeling and discussion for eliciting students' and teachers' ideas. This will enable the participant to make informed instructional decisions based on where students and teachers are in their thinking at any point during an instructional sequence. Participants will be guided through the use of a formative assessment framework that links assessment, instruction, and learning targets. Throughout the workshop, core disciplinary ideas, cross-cutting concepts, and scientific practices will be used.
Date and location February 15, 2017, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; Pleasant Hill Community CenterPleasant Hill
For info : Contact Gina Yetner at 925-942-3356, additional info and registration can be found on this   Web page 
Fee $110.00, lunch will be provided
The 2016-2017 Distinguished Speaker Series
Over the past 21 years, the Distinguished Speaker Series (DSS) attracts more than 1,000 educators per year from 5 local counties and over 30 regional school districts. Internationally renowned speakers, authors and consultants have been inspiring participants to make a difference in their classroom, school and community.
Dates and location: December 3, January 28, March 4, April 8, and May 13, all seminars are held 9:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; 
For info: Contact  Jeannie Harberson  at 925-631-4936, or visit their
website
Fee: $65 for individual sessions  (academic credit available)
Fun Exchanges & Activities for Science Teachers (FEAST)
Have you been looking for new, exciting, teacher-tested ideas for your science classroom? Or perhaps you've wanted to have a discussion about science resources, safety in the lab, or how other teachers manage a certain science demonstration, or other activity? Or maybe you simply want to network with other science teachers and build a lasting friendship with other science educators. If this is what you're looking for, we welcome you to FEAST. FEAST is truly a grassroots effort that began with a small group of about eight secondary science teachers in the fall of 2005.
Dates and Location: February 4, March 4, April 1, May 6, - 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; Chabot Space and Science Center, Oakland
For info: Email them at Feast@ChabotSpace.org visit this website to review program subjects and to register
Fee: Free
Big Ideas Fest 2016
 

Big Ideas Fest is a unique three-day immersion into collaboration and design with a focus on modeling cutting-edge thinking in K-20 education. 
Dates and Location: December 4-7; Hayes Mansion, San Jose
For info: Contact them at (650) 728-3322 or email them at 
info@iskme.org, visit this website  for details and to register 
Fee: $695 (scholarships available)
2017 MDUSD Area/EastBay CUE
STEM & EdTech Symposium 

Teachers and administrators will gather to learn, share, eat, collaborate, and play at our second annual STEM & EdTech Symposium. The purpose of this special event is:

  • To build collaboration and communication between staff members  of the Mt. Diablo Unified School District and its neighboring schools/school districts in the areas of STEM and Education Technology integration
  • To provide STEM and EdTech thinking and problem-solving professional development focused for teachers, administrators and SpEd teachers
  • To introduce and share resources from and between educators and other professionals who are using them now
  • To provide professional development that is fun, with hands-on and integrated activities

Dates and Location: February 25, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Valley View Middle School, Pleasant Hill

For info : Visit the event's EventBrite platform
Fee: Free

Upcoming Events / Field Trips

Academic Decathlon (volunteers needed) 

Come out and join the excitement, while helping our students with this outstanding event. The East Bay Regional Academic Decathlon is looking for volunteers to judge Essay, Speech, and Interview sessions, as well as the final event: SuperQuiz. There are three scheduled judging dates to choose from. 
Dates and locations: Essay Readings-January 25, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill. Speech and Interview Sessions-January 21, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., CSU East Bay, Concord. Objective Day testing SuperQuiz Relay-February 4, 1:30-3:45 p.m.; Los Medanos College Gym, Pittsburg
For info: Contact Diane Morrell at (925) 942-3406, or visit the Academic Decathlon Web page; volunteer at SignUpGenius
High School Mock Trials (Law Professional volunteers needed) 

The CCCOE is looking for additional members of the California Bar Association and second- and third-year law students to serve as scorers and judges at the upcoming 36th Annual Contra Costa County Mock Trial Program. New volunteers will be joining more than 100 practicing and retired Bay Area lawyers, district attorneys, public defenders, and judges, as well as Bay Area college law students, who will be returning as Mock Trial scorers and judges.
Dates and locations:
February 7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, and 28, 5:00-8:00 p.m.; Martinez courthouse
For info: Contact Jonathan Lance at (925) 942-3429, or visit the Mock Trial Web page
14th Annual Get Real Academy
The 14h Annual Get Real Academy, presented by Soroptimist International, is a life-skills conference for high school senior girls focusing on life after high school. Seminars throughout the day will include such topics as money management, women's health, domestic and workplace violence issues, insurance, career success, and job search tips. Sign-ups are now being taken.  
Date and Location: March 2, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Hilton Concord, Concord
For info: Contact P. Eileen Fisher
Fee: Free  
Grants / Scholarships
The 2017 CAER Grants 

The Contra Costa County Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) provides up to $2,000 grants to improve the preparedness of Contra Costa County schools and agencies in responding effectively to shelter-in-place emergencies. The proposed drills and exercises must have a stated list of objectives and goals that must be addressed. 
For info: Contact Lori McDonald at (925) 313-9296 or visit CAER's website
Deadline: February 6
The Safeway Foundation's Grants

Safeway funds grant applications for communities where stores are located. Grants should focus on Safeway's priorities, including education. The Safeway Foundation's Grants are accepted throughout the year. Typical grants are between $2,500 - $10,000  For more information and to apply visit their website.
For info: Visit their website
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.
For info: Visit their website 
Next Deadline: January 31

Resources / Contests

PBS LearningMediaâ„¢ 

PBS LearningMediaâ„¢ is the go-to destination for instant access to tens of thousands of classroom-ready digital resources, including videos, games, audio clips, photos, lesson plans, and more! You can search, save, and share with ease. 
For info: Visit their website
Fee: Free
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
The American Association for the Advancement of Science

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) website lets users create and administer online tests to their students and then compare their students' performance to national norms. You can assemble tests by selecting questions from more than 700 items that have been developed by AAAS Project 2061 to measure what students know in 16 key science topics. 
For info: Visit their website
Contra Costa Community Warning System
The Contra Costa County Community Warning System (CWS) is a comprehensive system designed to alert the public in the county of imminent threats to life or health. The system was developed by the Community Awareness and Emergency Response organization (CAER) and is operated by the Office of the Sheriff.  The CWS mission is to alert the public of imminent threats to life or health, inform the public of basic hazard information and guide them to resources to gather more detailed information.  The CWS uses a variety of tools to reach the public as quickly and reliably as possible such as:
  • Telephone notification (cell and landline)
  • Email
  • Texting
  • Social Media (Facebook and Twitter)
  • Sirens
  • Radio and TV
  • NOAA Weather Radios
  • Cable Television
For info: Contact the CWS Staff at (925) 313-9622 or visit their website

77 Santa  Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, California 94523
Karen Sakata, Superintendent of Schools
Editor: Terry Koehne; 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

Follow us at @cocoschools