Dear Curriculum and Instruction Leaders,
Fall is upon us! Fall is my favorite season as I think of it as a time of renewal. While we don’t have dramatic weather shifts here in San Diego, the cooling weather has me wanting to take out my slow cooker to make some stew and pull out my sweaters and boots. Fall for schools means an opportunity for renewing relationships that we have with staff and students.
One powerful way to renew our relationships is through the practice of storytelling. Emily Falk wrote an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times titled, “Why Storytelling is an Important Tool for Social Change,” that advocates for the use of storytelling as a way to grow relationships and promote new ways to interact with others. She shares insights and research that shed light on the practice and demonstrates through her words that storytelling promotes deeper conversations and connections with others. She writes, “understanding how to use stories to communicate what they know is important for educators, scientists, government officials, healthcare practitioners, parents, and others. Our brains are wired to connect with other people, and stories offer a deeply human way to accomplish that goal.”
As you enter the fall season of renewal, I hope that you are opening yourself up to staff members and students by sharing stories that can bridge divides and bring us together in new ways. It has been my goal this fall and I have felt the effects in my relationships and my own well-being.
In this newsletter, you will find links and important information from the Sept. 21 Curriculum and Instruction Leaders Network Meeting and other learning opportunities from across the Curriculum and Instruction department at the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE).
Take care,
Shannon
Shannon Baker, Ed.D.
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Save the Date for the CISC Symposium
The 2022 CISC Symposium is being held in person Feb. 22 to 25 in Monterey with a virtual option for attendees. The conference website has keynote speakers, presenters and more information, and you can see details of the event by accessing this flyer.
Sept. 21 Curriculum and Instruction Leaders Network Meeting Recap
At the Curriculum and Instruction Leaders Network Meeting this week, information was shared regarding assessment and accountability guidelines, new legislation focused on independent study requirements, and issues regarding equity. An overview of SDCOE’s Equity Blueprint for Action was also presented. Information and links from the meeting can be found in the agenda and slide deck that are linked below.
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Updates and Learning Opportunities From the Learning and Leadership Division
Our quarterly meetings address critical social justice and anti-bias education topics. Dig deeper into topics that matter to you and your students. These engaging sessions will help you learn more about school climate, instruction, classroom culture, and family and community engagement — all through the lens of equity. It’s free to join. Quarterly sessions will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 28, Nov. 16, Feb. 8, and April 5.
These professional learning sessions aim to build essential awareness of individuals’ identity, privilege, and situatedness and the structures of power within the classroom, school, and community. Each meeting will explore a problem of practice derived from real-life equity challenges. We will explore equity-based skill sets, including constructivist listening, recognizing dominant discourse, using consultancy or tuning protocols to support equity-oriented instruction, and developing an equity lens and mindset. The cost to join is $100 per person. Problems of Practice sessions will be held from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 14, Dec. 9, Feb. 17, March 24, April 28, and May 26. Attendees will receive two books included in the cost of the series:
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SDCOE Equity Conference 2022
Join hundreds of educators, parents, students, policymakers, advocates, and community members to advance educational equity for California’s students at the 2022 Equity Conference on Jan. 20 and 21 at the San Diego Convention Center. The Equity Conference will be an opportunity to grow and learn as we work to make our campuses safe spaces for all students, staff members, and families, where they feel honored and valued.
Designing Multilingual Pathways for Equitable Learning and Global Achievement
A Professional Learning Series for School and District Leaders with a Global Vision
Are you thinking about starting a world language program or strengthening an existing one? Are you wondering what program is right for your context or where to start? Join this four-session professional learning series designed with district and school leaders in mind. Learning opportunities are from 9 to 11 a.m. on each of the meeting dates: Oct. 14, Oct. 28, Nov. 18, and Dec. 9. See the flyer for more information.
- Characteristics of high-quality programs and vertically aligned pathways
- Leveraging the State Seal of Biliteracy
- Pathways and program options when dual language programs are not viable, such as Foreign Language in Elementary School (FLES)
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Key concepts form the California World Languages Standards and framework
- Infusing cultural/global competence
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Updates and Learning Opportunities From the Curriculum and Instruction Department
MTSS Community of Practice
The Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework addresses the needs of all students; aligns your system, initiatives, and supports; and implements continuous improvement processes at all levels. MTSS will help organize your system to establish inclusive practices and achieve equity for all. Join SDCOE’s MTSS community of practice on a journey of exploring to implement MTSS and related efforts. Register to join the group, which will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. monthly throughout the school year.
MTSS Grant Opportunity
The California Department of Education in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education and the Butte County Office of Education is excited to share a new MTSS grant funding and training opportunity for school sites and consortia. Applications are open through 5 p.m. Oct. 20.
The school and consortium grant is intended to provide funding for schools to enable staff to receive online professional learning and coaching through the California MTSS Pathway Certification for Schools course. Eligible staff, including administrators, teachers, school counselors, school psychologists, school-based mental health clinicians, and paraeducators will complete the course during the grant phase. The site administrator will engage in regular coaching and technical assistance provided by an assigned coach. Expected outcomes include improved school conditions and climate, and improved outcomes for all learners. Grant awardees must commit to ensuring a minimum of 90% of their school staff members complete the course within the grant period, which ends June 30, 2026.
Please see the flyer linked here for more information and access to the grant application.
Focus on Deeper Learning
Introduction to Deeper Learning
Get clear about what deeper learning is. Join us for a one-hour virtual workshop to explore the foundations of deeper learning, why deeper learning matters, and how it helps us actualize our mission to empower students to be lifelong learners and have a future without boundaries.
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The Arts
This document contains the most recent information from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) as it relates to COVID-19 and the arts.
The new California Arts Education Framework is available on the California Department of Education (CDE) website. Please contact Pauline Crooks for professional learning opportunities and for more information: pauline.crooks@sdcoe.net.
General information regarding the 2021 Arts Education Instructional Materials adoption is available on the CDE website. Please contact Cindy Dunlevy at cidunlevy@sdcoe.net or Jonathan Hunt at jonathan.hunt@sdcoe.net to schedule an appointment to review materials through SDCOE this fall.
California Arts Standards Introduction
The California Arts Standards Introduction professional learning is designed for arts educators, multiple subject teachers, school and district administrators, and teaching artists to deepen their understanding of the 2019 California Arts Standards for Public Schools and explore strategies for implementation. Registration for this virtual, two-hour professional learning will be offered two times this fall. Please select ONE professional learning session to attend at the registration link.
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Civic Learning
Civic Learning San Diego
The SDCOE History-Social Science team launched the Civic Learning San Diego webpage this month with information about and tools for implementing the new California State Seal of Civic Engagement and K-8 Civic Learning Pathways. In addition, educators can find links to civic learning events, professional development, and current research on civic learning. The webpage will be updated and refined throughout the year, so check back frequently. If you have any questions regarding these resources or about civic education in general, please contact Matt Hayes at mahayes@sdcoe.net.
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History and Social Science
Using Document-Based Questions to Make Elementary Social Studies CLIC
During this two-part webinar, 4th and 5th grade teachers will discuss the History-Social Science Framework and its instructional focus on content, literacy, inquiry, and civic engagement (CLIC) through document-based questions (DBQs). Participating teachers will receive a free copy of the DBQ Project’s Mini-Qs in California and American History binder (a $375 value).
The first session will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 13 and the second will be from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 17. Space is limited to 20 participants, so register today.
History-Social Science Educators and Leaders Network
History-social science lead teachers, teachers on special assignment, and administrators will form a network to learn about current state and local initiatives and share ideas for implementation. Participants will meet virtually throughout the year. Feel free to participate in the meetings that work for your schedule.
The network will meet from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. on Oct. 6, Dec. 8, Feb. 16, April 6, June 8. All meetings will be held virtually and there is no cost to participants. Register today.
For questions regarding history/social studies programming or requirements, please contact Matt Hayes.
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Library Media Services
The Literacy Leader Series brings some of the nation’s leading experts together to discuss the most timely, relevant issues facing literacy education today.
The Author Talk Series is a wonderful opportunity for students to listen to their favorite authors and illustrators discuss their current work.
Both the Literacy Leader and Author Talk Series are virtual, free of charge, and will be recorded for asynchronous viewing for registered participants.
Everyone A Reader Volunteer Program
Everyone a Reader supports emerging readers in grades 1 to 3. To participate, volunteers attend a two-hour orientation session before being paired with a participating school near their work or home. Students are identified by their teacher to receive one-to-one reading support. Contact Library Media Services Coordinator Cindy Dunlevy for more information.
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Mathematics
Our offerings for math coaches, specialists, resource teachers, and teachers on special assignment are designed with flexibility in mind. Join us this year and continue your learning at the pace that is right for you.
Teachers and coaches will learn how the authentic integration of science and mathematics in K-2 can activate student curiosity for deeper learning. Participants will identify connections between the subjects and walk away with ways to implement integration in classrooms.
We've developed learning opportunities to explore how the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines can be used to ensure opportunities for students to overcome barriers that limit success in mathematics
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Physical Education and Health
- National, state, and local updates
- Professional learning snapshots
- Trends and best practices
- Timely resources
- Network with other districts and sites
Encourage physical educators to attend the NEW and IMPROVED SDCOE Physical Literacy Three-Day Institute that will strategically deliver equitable and meaningful instruction designed to increase the physical literacy of all students by incorporating:
- Social and Emotional Learning
- Universal Design for Learning
- Standards-Based Assessment
- Culturally Responsive Teaching
- Grading for Equity
CA Health Education Framework Series, based on the NEW California Health Education Framework, is designed to build students’ knowledge and skills in the six content areas of Health Education. Session topics include:
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Session 1: CA Health Education Framework Overview (Sept. 23 or Jan. 5)
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Session 2: Nutrition and Physical Activity AND Mental, Emotional and Social Health (Oct. 12 or Feb. 2)
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Session 3: Growth, Development and Sexual Health AND Injury Prevention and Safety (Nov. 30 or March 2)
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Session 4: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs AND Personal and Community Health (Dec. 14 or April 6)
Each session includes a 90-minute online module for participants to complete prior to the scheduled professional learning date. Register for individual sessions or all four by clicking on either Fall Series or Spring Series.
NEW Two-Tier SDCOE Health and Physical Education Leadership Series
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Contact Shannon Baker with questions, comments, or feedback about Curriculum and Instruction News and Updates.
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