October 2021
Please forward this newsletter to teachers, staff, and colleagues.
Updates
VCOE Career Education
CDE - State
CTE Collaborative, October 26, 10:30 am: Join us for a Zoom presentation and discussion on the topic of internships and liability. Russ Olsen of the JPA will be joining us. Click here for the Zoom link.

Arduino Training, additional date added: Learn to write and upload code. SWP partner teachers please join December 2 and receive a class set of Arduinos. Click here for more information.

New section below, Opportunities for Teachers and Students: We've added a section to share professional development, curriculum activities, student events, and other calendar opportunities. Scroll down for the latest information. Email amarenco@vcoe.org to have your information shared in our monthly digital newsletter.
K12 SWP Expenditure & Progress Reporting: For K12 SWP Lead Applicants - The CCCCO has provided updated reporting deadlines. Website: Find information here on the CCCCO website. Flier: A flier may be downloaded by clicking here. The current quarterly schedule will change to a bi-annual schedule.

Cal-PASS Plus Data Reporting: For all K12 SWP Lead and Partner Agencies - Annual Data Reporting is due annually from all districts, including K8, to Cal-PASS Plus. Uploads need to be submitted by November 1, 2021. VCOE will be sending out more information to K8 districts in the coming week. Information is available on this flier and a data upload 7 minute video is available here.

Strong Workforce Program, Round 1 Expenditure Deadline: The expenditure deadline for K12 SWP Round 1 funds is December 31, 2021. Please be sure your district has expended all funds passed through from VCOE.
Program Spotlight: Nordhoff High School, Dance CTE
Congratulations to NHS Dance for earning the prestigious CSBA Golden Bell Award in CTE. This award recognizes successful models, techniques, and supporting data focused on preparing students for college and career. This program at Nordhoff High School in Ojai Unified has a well-established history of supporting students through dance and choreography. It began in the 2004-05 school year with twenty student dancers and by 2016 had grown into a robust CTE AME pathway serving approximately 75 students. It aims to develop well-rounded individuals to become future performers, choreographers, teachers, and patrons of the arts. . Click here to see the 2020 Dance Videos created by students.
 
Developing creative, collaborative, and critical thinkers with strong communication skills is at the forefront of the Dance pathway that serves as a model for other school-based dance programs in the region, state, and nation. Leading this successful dance program is Kim Hoj, dance teacher and CTE TOSA. Recognizing the importance of creating a student pipeline, dance students offer a Saturday morning dance workshop for K-8 students each fall and spring. K-8 students have an excellent place to start, one step at a time.
Industry Spotlight: Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a pandemic-resilient and thriving industry. This rapidly growing industry has projections for continued growth and exciting employment opportunities, with the greater Thousand Oaks area a hot spot for Biotech startups. Millions of dollars are being invested locally by venture capitalists.

Moorpark College's Biotechnology program is designed in consultation with local industry, including Amgen, Takeda, and Thermo Fisher Scientific, to provide the essential technical experiences and training. The curriculum balances basic science courses with practical laboratory applications. Over 80% of the students completing a Biotechnology program at Moorpark College receive job offers in the first three months of completing the program.
Moorpark College offers both a Certificate of Achievement and an Associate in Science Degree in Biotechnology, along with the opportunity to transfer to a four-year university. Students may pursue a career in Biotechnology with high school level math, biology, and chemistry. Learn more about the program here.


Industry Fact: The median market salary of a Researcher/Research Associate is $67,807;
Quality Control Analyst is $59,948

Sources: Burning Glass Technologies job posting data and
Bureau of Labor Statistics JOLTS data.
Opportunities for Teachers and Students
Click on each event for more information.

Careers in Biotech - November 5, 2021. Designed for students and high school teachers to learn more about the high-demand, high-wage careers in Biotech.

Tri-County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN) On-Demand Trainings) - Fall 2021. Designed for faculty and staff to learn about trainings and certifications related to Energy Efficiency.

Save the Date! Hackathon By The Sea is back as a multiple day event March 11-19, 2022. We invite district representatives to be involved in planning and execution. Contact dthompson@vcoe.org or jjudd@vcoe.org.