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Contra Costa County Office of Education April 2018
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Greetings!

 

Welcome to the April 2018 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
Foster Youth Services Workshops
Are you currently serving foster youth? If you are interested in learning more about how to address the educational needs of foster youth, including those on probation, the CCCOE Foster Youth Services Coordinating Programs (FYSCP) are offering a series of trainings this spring to agency and district employees. Upcoming foster youth workshop titles:
Dates and location : Multiple dates; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info : Contact Yvonne Beals at 925-942-3463, for dates and times, as well as workshop registration, visit this Web page
Fee: Free
Allies & Advocates: A Contra Costa County Equity Initiative 
The CCCOE is proud to sponsor the year-long initiative on equity and diversity entitled: Allies & Advocates. Championed by Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Karen Sakata, t he initiative will feature several events and activities throughout the school year, including four Equity Leadership Retreats   designed to support educational leaders to develop their own capacity to become effective champions of equity. 
Dates and location: (final retreat) May 15, 9:00  a.m.-3:00  p.m. ;
CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info: Email  info@epocheducation.com 
Fee : Multiple early-bird discount and group price points
Distinguished Speaker Series: 
Planning a Year Around Workshop Teaching - Grades 5-12 
Recent research indicates that students are reading less as demands for literacy increase across all professions. Now is the time for the artful teaching of reading: to teach young readers the moves necessary to make sense of difficult texts; to motivate students to read independently; to create classrooms that inspire students to be lifelong readers. When it comes to teaching young writers, how do we move students beyond the "flat and stagnant" writing that has become the norm in many schools? 
Date and location : April 11, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info : Contact Marsha Tokuyoshi  at 925-942-3358, or visit the program's Eventbrite registration page for more details and sign up
Fee: $110, includes lunch and materials
Let's Talk about Number Talks!
 

AC3ME, your local affiliate of the California Mathematics Council (CMC) and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), will host this event, with special thanks to Christen Schwartz for supplying the venue. This is of special interest for who attended the fall event with Cathy Humphreys and want to share their experiences with number talks and learn from each other, but all who are interested are welcome.
Dates and location: April 19, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info : Contact Christen Schwartz  at 925-942-3435, or visit the programs' Eventbrite registration pagefor additional details and sign up
Fee: $10
Computer Science Fundamentals for TK-6 Educators 

As a Regional Partner with Code.org, the CCCOE is hosting a one-day workshop for K-5 educators interested in teaching computer science. This workshop will cover Code.org's CS Fundamentals courses 1-4. 
Code.org's elementary school curriculum allows even the youngest students  to explore  the limitless world of computing. Courses blend online, self-guided and self-paced   tutorials  with "unplugged" classroom activities that require no computer.
Dates and location : April 24, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and June 19, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info : Contact Christen Schwartz  at 925-942-3435, or visit the programs' April Eventbrite registration page or June Eventbrite registration pagefor additional details and sign up
Fee: $20 includes materials, continental breakfast, and lunch.
Distinguished Speaker Series: 
Exploring Phenomena: Using Science to Figure Things Out
The NGSS require a shift from "learning about" to "figuring out." How did the Grand Canyon form?" "Where did the mass of the apple go when I threw it in the compost?" These questions about real-world phenomena are great examples of how science can be used for figuring things out. In this workshop attendees will participate as learners in a phenomenon-based lesson, then unpack the experience with fellow educators. Participants will gain strategies to help choose phenomena and craft essential questions that can guide students to figure things out about the real world. Join staff from the California Academy of Science's Teacher Institute on Science & Sustainability for a full-day workshop on exploring phenomena. This program is for K-12 educators, including administrators (site or district), instructional coaches, and classroom teachers.
Dates and location: May 8, 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info
: Contact Hilary Dito at 925-942-3396 or visit the program's Eventbrite registration page
Fee: $110 includes materials, continental breakfast, and lunch
Computer Science in Contra Costa County
 

Code.org's Professional Learning Program is a year-long study experience for middle and high school educators interested in teaching Code.org's Computer Science Discoveries (Grades 6-10) or Computer Science Principles (grades 10-12) courses.  Participants will explore Computer Science curriculum and tools, experiment with specific teaching strategies, and join a local community of teachers using this curriculum.
Teachers who apply and are accepted must:
  • Attend the five-day, in-person summer workshop June 11-15 at Contra Costa County Office of Education
  • Attend four local one-day, in-person workshops (on workdays throughout the school year)
  • Complete 20 hours of online professional development
  • Teach the course during the 2018-19 school year
  • Support the recruitment and enrollment of a diverse group of students in the course, representative of the school's overall student population
Dates and location: June 11-15; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info
: Contact Hilary Dito at 925-942-3396 or visit the program's Web page
FeeFree
Deadline: March 30
Youth Mental Health - Eliminating Barriers to Learning

This workshop will offer information on student social-emotional wellness, including the links between student social-emotional development, mental health, tobacco and other substance use, and learning. It also addresses the impact of the stigma and discrimination that surround mental health issues and explores the role of teachers' and other staff in helping students with mental health needs. This training is provided by Contra Costa County Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) Program.
Date and Location: April 18, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info: Contact Emily Justice at 925-942-5328 or visit the program's  Eventbrite registration page
Fee$20 per person, no cost for Contra Costa TUPE consortium members
Vape Pens & Teens: What Educators Need to Know

This training will provide up-to-date information on e-cigarettes/vape pens, adolescent use, tobacco-free schools policies, prevention strategies, and new resources available. The training will cover the most popular e-cigarette products among teens, including JUUL. Resources will include updated presentation slides, articles, current research, and more.  It is geared towards school administrators, teachers, counselors, site supervisors, and community-based organization folks who work with youth in school-based settings.  This training is provided by Contra Costa County Tobacco Use Prevention Education (TUPE) Program.
Date and Location: May 1, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info: Contact Emily Justice at 925-942-5328 or visit the program's Eventbrite registration page
Fee: Free
The Saint Mary's College 2017-2018 Distinguished Speaker Series 
For the past 23 years, the Distinguished Speaker Series has attracted more than 1,000 educators each year from 5 local counties and more than 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 : Saturdays: April 21 and May 12, 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.;  Saint Mary's College , Moraga
For info : Contact  Robert Vaclav  or visit their website
Fee:  $65 for individual sessions, breakfast and lunch included ( Discounted graduate academic credit available)
Arts Now Bay Area Summit 
Join us at the Arts Now Bay Area Summit to recognize and share the individual and collective work in support of arts education in the Bay Area! Hear success stories and learn how the arts can serve as a powerful tool for equity in our schools. Attendees will engage in meaningful discussions and workshops, as well as gain access to local and statewide strategies and resources for including the arts in LCFF/LCAPs, district strategic arts plans, and student advocacy.
Dates and Location : April 7, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Oakland Museum of California, Oakland
For info : Visit the Summit's website or Eventbrite platform
Fee : Free
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 grass roots effort that began with a small group of about eight secondary science teachers in the fall of 2005.
Dates and Location : final meeting, May 5, - 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
State Arts Learning Colloquium
This is a wonderful day of professional learning day focused on the arts.
Colloquium participants will  hear from arts experts, visit the exhibits, and
participate in professional learning aligned to  state standards.
Dates and Location: May 17, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Crocker Museum, in Sacramento
For info : Contact Jessie Kroll-Yoas or visit the Colloquium's website 
Fee : $100
Deadline: April 5
R4 Empowering Educator Program 
Empowering Educators is a free professional development program for those who work with students in alternative, court, community, and continuation schools. It is ultimately meant to support the social and emotional health of the adults working with our most challenged youth. Participants will explore:
  • Practices of adult self-care when working with trauma-informed youth
  • Working within a strengths-based paradigm of teaching and learning
  • Developing a culture of emotional intelligence and mental hygiene for students so they are ready for work-based learning and post-secondary education
  • Basic understanding of trauma-informed care and executive brain functioning
  • Processes of transformative facilitation
  • How to build community networks centered around vision to action planning
Dates and locations: Visit their website for the latest roster of courses and the scheduled dates and locations
For info: Contact Rona Zollinger, Ph.D, at (415) 407-8555, or visit the program's website
Fee: Free
Meeting the Needs of Every Student: California Teachers Summit
To meet each student's needs, teachers know how important it is to personalize learning. These tailored strategies give students voice and choice in their learning, increasing engagement and generating better outcomes. The Summit will bring new and seasoned teachers together at 30+ locations across the state to strengthen our teacher network, share resources and experience what it looks like to personalize learning for themselves.
Date and locations: July 27; multiple locations throughout California
For info: Visit the program's website
Fee: Free

Upcoming Events / Field Trips

The Oakland A's presents Science of Baseball Education Day 

Science of Baseball Education Day offers a pre-game STEM educational program for K-8 students in the morning, followed by the A's playing the Chicago White Sox in the early afternoon.
Date and location: April 18, 9:00-11:00 a.m. (STEM program), 12:35 p.m. (first pitch); Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum 
For info: Call 510-638-4627 or email groups@athletics.com, or visit their website
Fee: $25 field level, $19 plaza level
The Oakland A's presents Sports Career Education Day & College Fair 

The Sports Career Education Day & College Fair offers a pre-game How to Work in Sports program for high school students in the morning. The program will be led by the Oakland A's front office and local sports management  university leaders, followed by the A's playing the Houston Astros in the early afternoon.
Date and location: May 9, 9:00-11:00 a.m. (How to Work in Sports program), 12:35 p.m. (first pitch); Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum 
For info: Call 510-638-4627 or email groups@athletics.com, or visit their website
Fee: $25 field level, $19 plaza level
Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society  

The Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society will gladly organize an astronomy night for your school, youth group, or community organization. The organization's members volunteer their time and their telescopes to bring the universe to you. They also provide knowledgeable speakers and activities on various astronomy topics, either in a classroom or in a meeting setting. 
For info: Visit their  website
Fee: Free
Grants / Scholarships
Voya Unsung Heroes Awards Program   

With over $5 million in awarded grants, the Voya Unsung HeroesTM Awards Program has proven to be an A+ program with educators. The program's "alumni" have inspired success in the classroom and impacted countless numbers of students. Each year, 100 educators are selected to receive $2,000 to help fund their innovative class projects. Three of those are chosen to receive the top awards of an additional $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000.
For info: Contact them by email or phone (507) 931-1682 , or visit their website
Deadline: April 30
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
ecoSolution™ Grants
 

ecoSolution™ Grants (previously called "Small Grants") have been the defining basis of Captain Planet Foundation's work over the last 25 years. In that time, they've funded more than 2,100 projects that have impacted 1.2 million youth around the world - actively fulfilling their mission to build the next generation of environmental stewards and change-agents. The grants range from $500-$2,500 and are intended to support solution-oriented, youth-led projects that result in real environmental outcomes. They are available to educators working with youth in the United States (international projects are by invitation only).
For info: Visit their  website
DeadlinesCycle 1: Opens July 16-Closes January 15 *  Cycle 2: Opens January 16-Closes July 15
ecoTech™ Grants
 

ecoTech™ Grants were created to combat the notion that students needed to choose between "the screen" or "the green" and to encourage educators and students to explore the role technology can play in designing and implementing solutions to some of our most pressing environmental challenges. We believe that technology can present innovative ways to address environmental challenges - and that when dealing with digital natives, we do ourselves a disservice by asking them to unplug. ecoTech™ Grants are specifically offered to engage children in inquiry-based, STEM-related projects that leverage technology and/or use nature-based design to address environmental problems in local communities.
For info : Visit their  website
DeadlinesCycle 1: Opens July 16-Closes January 15 *  Cycle 2: Opens January 16-Closes July 15

Resources / Contests

California Transitional Kindergarten Stipend Project 
Are you a Transitional Kindergarten teacher or California State Preschool Program teacher in Contra Costa County? Are you interested in being reimbursed for Early Care and Education/Child Development coursework? Have you attended or plan on attending any Early Care and Education/Child Development related Professional Development? If you answered YES to any of these questions, you may be eligible for an educational or professional development reimbursement opportunity through the California Transitional Kindergarten Stipend Project. This funding opportunity is retroactive to July 1, 2014, and will be available through March 31, 2019, as a one-time-only funding or until all available funds have been expended. 
For info: Visit the Contra Costa County Local Planning and Advisory Council for Early Care and Education  website, or contact  Marissa Frias at (925) 942-5331
Water Awareness Youth Art Contest
 
 
Children, ages 8-11 years old and who live in the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) service area, are encouraged to take part with this learning-experience contest. Participants will challenge themselves to learn about our precious and limited water resources. Judges will be looking for entries that illustrate the importance of clean, reliable water service. Entrants should think about the water cycle, the many ways they use tap water in and around the home, and ways to use water efficiently. Then, turn these ideas into art! Get ideas at Your WaterEach winning entry receives a $50 gift card to an art supply store; framed artwork with a certificate of appreciation; and a printed calendar. Prizes will be awarded at a Board of Directors meeting in the fall, when calendars are ready.
For info: Visit their  website
Deadline: April 6
The American Association for the Advancement of Science 

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
Creative Educator

Looking for ideas to engage your students across the curriculum? Check out Creative Educator for project-based learning, professional development, and other resources. Articles include Five Hallmarks of a Creative Project and The Power of Play. 
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