Greetings and welcome to the November 2021 issue of Dateline.
In this month, we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. This is a time we can have gratitude for the positive things we have in our lives: families and friends, peace and joy. While the traditional thought of Thanksgiving is the myth of pilgrims and Native Americans harmoniously feasting together, we now know that the truth is far more brutal and devastating. Much of the truth about this country’s history can be studied as part of Native American Heritage Month, which we also celebrate in November.
In this issue of Dateline, we list a number of resources and events taking place in honor of Native American Heritage Month. As always, there are a number of professional development activities that can help educators in the classroom and support students and communities. Most of these workshops are free and cover a variety of topics. In addition, you will find valuable resources for educators and students, such as available scholarships and the latest services offered by the county’s libraries.
I’d also point out the job fair that takes place on Saturday, November 6. Please encourage your friends and family members who have an interest in working in education to attend. Schools and districts throughout the county are in need of employees, especially substitute teachers. More information is in this issue of Dateline.
Please enjoy this issue and share it with your fellow educators.
In Partnership,
Lynn Mackey
Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools
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CCCOE Job Fair
Contra Costa County Office of Education, along with Districts from all over Contra Costa County, will be holding a job fair on Saturday, November 6 from 9:00-11:00 am located at 77 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill. We highly encourage you to bring your resume when you attend.
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Annual Report to the Community
The Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) invites the community to explore its 2020-21 Annual Report to the Community which summarizes the accomplishments of the past year by the agency, county school districts, its schools and students. The report also includes information about the county’s Board of Education, how schools are funded, how the agency serves its most vulnerable students and more. The report can be viewed and downloaded on the CCCOE’s website at cocoschools.org/annualreport and is available in English and Spanish.
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Townhall on Vaccinations for Children (Ages 5-11) |
November 10, November 16, & November 29 | 6:00 pm |
Contra Costa County Health Officer Dr. Chris Farnitano and Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Lynn Mackey will join local pediatricians and health officials to answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 -11.
Follow us on Social Media for an updated link to our upcoming townhalls or sign up for our newsletters by clicking here to register your email address and receive the updated link as it becomes available. |
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Social Emotional Learning Opportunities |
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The Contra Costa County Office of Education is facilitating a six-part community of practice (CoP).
This CoP will center on building our own adult social emotional learning skills. We will be using the text “Onward” by Elena Aguilar to support the emotional resilience and wellness of educators. Participants will
receive a copy of the text and accompanying workbook.
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The HEF Project aims to shift educators to more advanced student-centered, skill-based teaching and learning practices, as well as health content, while
building a statewide system of support for health education.
This professional learning series offers Health educators, site administrators, nurses, and counselors the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the
framework guidance, explore implementation resources in the six content areas, and connect with other educators and district staff in the Bay Area Region to discuss instructional best practices and student support.
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Overview: Health
A Professional Learning Series
Contra Costa County Office of Education’s California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN) is offering an interactive session where participants will:
- Discuss the structure and features of the California Preschool Learning Foundations, Volume 2 and Health Domain.
- Discover how to use California Preschool Learning Foundations and the California Preschool Curriculum Framework to enrich learning and development opportunities in health for all of California’s preschool children.
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The Light Awards Program
The LIGHT Awards program makes two-year grants of up to $30,000 to teams of teachers to pursue professional learning of their choice – i.e. to attend workshops (many now virtually), work with consultants, organize teacher learning networks, etc.
The LOI (letter of intent) phase of the program went live and the deadline is Sunday, November 14th.
The LOI can be accessed on the LIGHT Awards website.
To date the Foundation has funded 83 teams, totaling over 400 teachers. Those teachers are engaged in innovative, creative projects, many of which are showcased on the LIGHT Awards website and blog. Visit the eligibility page for up-to-date requirements. |
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Math Speaker Series on Productive Struggle
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Join any or all sessions to look at ways to support the mathematical development, particularly fluency, of our students' struggle but also use a similar lens to challenge ourselves as educators to find the beauty in productively struggling for hope.
Audience: Teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators
Date: Wednesday, November 3, 2021 & Wednesday, November 10. 2021
Cost: Free
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English Learner Network (ELN) Lunch & Learn
Topic: Multilingual Education: Policies and Pathways
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Friday, November 5, 12:00-1:00 pm |
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Join us for our Lunch & Learns! Following a short presentation on a topic of interest, participants will have time to discuss, share ideas, and learn from fellow ELN (English Learner Network) colleagues. A calendar invitation with the Zoom link will be sent to ELN members.
Date: Friday, November 5, 2021
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Cost: Free
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Making Elementary Science Sizzle with Tools for Teachers |
Tuesday, November 9, 3:30-4:30 pm |
Join members of the California Department of Education (CDE) and three special guests as they highlight the new elementary science instructional resources now available in Tools for Teachers. With these easy-to-use resources, your elementary science lessons will really SIZZLE! Hear first-hand from the California educators who worked with CDE staff to develop the lessons and listen in as they share best practices for NGSS-aligned science instruction. The webinar will include a general overview of the science resources available in Tools for Teachers website, feature interview with three California educators and end with a question-and-answer session. You won’t want to miss it!
Audience: LEA staff, administrators, and educators.
Date: November 9, 2021 3:30-4:30
Cost: Free
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Tuesdays @ 2 Supplement to the 2021-2022 Annual Update Template |
Provide training related to the one-time supplement to the Annual Update to the 2021–22 Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) and the related requirement to provide a report to the local governing board or body of the local educational agency on or before February 28, 2022
Date: November 9, 2021
Cost: Free
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Alternate ELPAC Workshop for Test Examiners |
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Tuesday, November 9, 3:00-5:00pm |
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District teams of test examiners are invited to join us for some hands-on practice with the Alternate ELPAC after the completion of their Moodle modules. A Zoom link will be sent to participants who are registered by noon on 10/18/21.
Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Time: 3:00-5:00 pm
Cost: Free
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Wednesday, November 10, 2:00-3:00 pm |
This webinar, hosted by CDE, will provide coordinators with assessment updates, as well as a chance to ask questions of CDE staff.
Audience: LEA CAASPP and ELPAC Coordinators
Date: November 10, 2021 2:00 -3:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
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English Learner Master Plan Institute: Designing local policy aligned to ELR |
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Wednesday, November 10, 2:00-3:00 pm |
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Brought to you in partnership with EL RISE! and SEAL, this interactive institute will help LEA teams create a plan to develop a district-wide English Learner Master Plan aligned to the research-based California English Learner Roadmap policy. Participants will engage in discussions to guide planning for the development of visionary policies, programs, and services that ensure equitable opportunities and outcomes for English learners. Participants will receive resources included in the Center for Equity for English Learners’ English Learner Master
Plan Playbook to develop a strategy for beginning or refining their approach to writing their EL Master Plan. Alignment with EL Roadmap principles and elements will be highlighted.
Audience: Administrators and District teams
Date: First session is November 16, 2021
Cost: Free
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Thursday, November 4, 2021, 10:00 – 11:00 am |
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English Language Learners can join us by zoom to practice speaking English with English Speakers and other
learners. Bring questions you might have. We talk about a variety of topics.
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This Holy Mess: A Writing Workshop
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Thursday, November 4, 2021, 7:00 – 8:00 pm |
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We create because it makes us who we are. When we create, whatever our medium, we come to know ourselves, and we shape the world.
Join this four-week collective journey into writing and creativity for inspiration and guidance for your creative life. Led by local poet Krissy Kludt, our focus will be on journaling and poetry. Each week will have a theme inspired by the four seasons: release (autumn), rest (winter), awakening (spring), and abundance (summer). We will meet weekly via Zoom to write, share, and be inspired together. Our final week will include a collective poetry reading as a celebration of our journey.
All participants will receive a writer’s kit before the workshop begins. An email will be sent out when kits are available for pick-up, sometime around mid-October.
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Story & Craft: Firefly Lights |
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Friday, November 5, 2021, 4:00-4:30 pm |
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Join Miss Jessica, Youth Services Librarian from the Walnut Creek Library, for a special storytime and Miss Marie from the Ruth Bancroft Garden for a craft session to create firefly lights!
During the craft session, Miss Marie will show you how to make firefly lights using a plastic bottle and a string of fairy lights. Save some plastic bottles, any size will do, so that you can make a firefly or a whole swarm of them.
You will learn the basics so that after watching the video you can make your own fireflies. (A link to the video will be provided.) No previous knowledge required, and this is perfect for all ages!
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Lowriders at the Library Car Show |
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Saturday, November 6, 2021, 10:30 am – 3:00 pm |
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Celebrate Lowriders and Libraries on Saturday, November 6 from 11-3pm at the San Pablo Library. Join us for this community event held in the San Pablo Library parking lot. |
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The Lafayette Historical Society Presents: The Evolution of Interurban and Commuter Rail Travel in the Bay Area |
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Sunday, November 7, 2021, 2:00 – 3:30 pm |
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Stuart Swiedler will present a talk entitled “The Evolution of Interurban and Commuter Rail Travel in the Bay Area.” The presentation will follow the competition in the private sector to expand rail transportation opportunities using electric trains in the Bay Area in the early 20th century, the decline in rail service starting in the mid-20th century, to the eventual takeover by governmental agencies to provide what exists today. This program is presented by the Lafayette Historical Society and hosted by the Friends of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. |
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Experience the Transformative Power of Meditation |
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Tuesday, November 9, 2021, 6:00 – 7:00 pm |
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Meditation is a powerful tool for quieting the mind. Ajili Hodari, Esq returns to show you how taking time to step away from the noise and strain of modern life and to sit quietly in meditation can greatly benefit your body and mind. There will even be a short meditation sitting. |
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Read Contra Costa Author Talk with Traci Chee |
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Tuesday, November 9, 2021, 4:00 – 4:30 pm |
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Join us for a live presentation by author Traci Chee, who will discuss her novel We Are Not Free. The book tells the story of a tight-knit group of young Nisei, second-generation Japanese American citizens living in San Francisco’s Japantown, whose lives are irrevocably changed by the federal government's internment of people of Japanese American ancestry during World War II.
Register with your email on this page. You will receive information on how to access the Zoom one day before the program. Closed captioning will be provided for this program.
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WOW Presents: Mt. Diablo State Park Centennial |
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Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm |
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Join us for a webinar that will explore the human history of the mountain from its humble beginnings to present day including the historic Civilian Conservation Corps who built most of its infrastructure. Discussions include the history of early Native Americans, cattle ranching, horse racing, automobile racing and tourism on the mountain. |
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Rain Sticks Grab and Go Activity Kits |
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Tuesday, November 16, 2021 |
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Come pick up our Grab and Go Activity Kits for kids while supplies last starting November 16th! These kits will have everything you need to create the sounds of a fall drizzle with your very own rain stick! |
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Thanksgiving Take & Make Craft |
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Tuesday, November 16 - Saturday, November 20, 2021 |
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To get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, pick up a free Turkey Cone Take & Make Craft at Dougherty Station Library the week of November 16, while supplies last! All craft supplies you need are included except for glue, tape, and scissors. |
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Storytime with author Jeff Gottesfeld |
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Wednesday, November 17, 2021, 3:30-4:15 pm |
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Jeff Gottesfeld has written for page, stage, and screen and recently turned his talents towards writing inspiring picture book stories of unsung heroes. Jeff previously visited (virtually) the Lafayette Library reading Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and No Steps Behind: Beate Sirota Gordon’s Battle for Women’s Rights in Japan. Recordings of both stories can be found on the Library’s YouTube channel.
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STEAM Celebration Series presents Scientists in Action: T. rex to Turkey |
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Thursday, November 18, 2021 |
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The Danville Library STEAM Celebration Series will be Zooming to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science! This virtual program is ideally geared to teachers to show their grades 4-12 classrooms. The same 45-minute workshop is offered at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 12 p.m. Pacific Time. You must register here. Please note the times listed on the museum website are Mountain Time! |
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Rain Sticks Grab and Go Activity Kits |
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Thursday, November 18, 2021 |
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Come pick up our Grab and Go Activity Kits for kids while supplies last starting November 16th! These kits will have everything you need to create the sounds of a fall drizzle with your very own rain stick! |
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Hora de Cuentos Bilingüe Online en Español / Online Bilingual Spanish Storytime |
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Thursday, November 18, 2021, 10:00-11:15 am |
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Júntate con nosotras para una hora de cuentos bilingüe online con cuentos, canciones, y rimas en inglés y español. El video estará disponible por 24 horas en la página de Facebook de la Biblioteca del Condado de Contra Costa.
Join us for an online storytime with stories, songs and rhymes in English and Spanish. The video will be available for 24 hours on the Contra Costa County Library Facebook page.
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Homelessness--Our County's Challenges & Solutions |
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Thursday, November 18, 2021, 4:00-5:00 pm |
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Join this webinar to learn how Contra Costa County and various agencies are addressing the issue of homelessness. What are government, public and private organizations doing to find effective solutions? Experts will share the gaps between the growing need and available resources. The webinar will also address how the eviction moratorium and rental assistance helped to slow the increasing numbers of homeless and examine programs that have worked in other counties that may be helpful in Contra Costa. |
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El Sobrante Library's Storytime Surprise with Mr. Tom (Online) |
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Thursday, November 25, 2021, 10:00-10:15 am |
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El Sobrante Library's Storytime Surprise with Mr. Tom is an online program series that surprises kids with engaging and early literacy focused storytime fun on our Facebook page (@elsobrantelibrary). |
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El Cerrito Library Mystery Book Club |
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Thursday, November 25, 2021, 6:30-7:30 pm |
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El Cerrito Library’s MYSTERY BOOK CLUB meets via Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm. We're a fun group and welcome new comers! What with the new library schedule we are moving our meetings from Mondays to Thursdays. For our first meeting at this new time, we will be discussing Ask Me No Questions, by Shelley Noble.
Please register to be provided with the Zoom login information for the Book Club.
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Bay Point Codes Scratch 3rd - 6th Grade |
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Thursday, November 25, 2021, 6:30-7:30 pm |
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Join us for a 60 minute session of programming activity in the Scratch programming language. We will be meeting alternating Saturdays beginning September 4th (Sept 18th excluded) through December 11th.
We will be using a custom curriculum.
You can code by yourself or collaborate with a friend or two. Space is limited. This is a virtual online event hosted on Zoom by the Bay Point Codes Instructor Miss Heather.
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Bay Point Codes Python 5th-11th Grades |
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Saturday, November 27, 2021, 11:15 am - 12:15 pm |
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Join us every other Saturday for a 60 minute session of programming activity in Python and other advanced programming languages. You are not required to attend each session, these are workshops.
We will be using a custom curriculum as well as curriculum offered by code.org. This program welcomes all genders
You can code by yourself or collaborate with a friend or two. Space is limited. This is a virtual online event hosted on Zoom by the Bay Point Library staff and Bay Point Codes Instructor Miss Heather. Space is limited.
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CCCOE Curriculum Resources |
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Unapologetically Progressive & Native |
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Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 5:00 pm |
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Native American Celebration |
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Saturday, November 20, 2021, 10:00 pm - 4:00 pm |
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Native American Heritage Day |
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Friday, November 26, 9:00 - 11:00 am |
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Native American Crafts (Virtual) |
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Saturday, November 27, 10:00 - 11:00 am |
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College Scholarships For LGBTQ Students |
These general scholarships are offered to all students who identify as LGBT. Some are limited to students who reside in specific regions of the country, while others are available at the national level.
Deadlines: Vary
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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 |
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Ross Store-Based Giving Program |
The Ross Store-Based Giving Program provides donations to eligible schools and government programs within 25 miles of a Ross Dress for Less store. Funding is intended to build academic achievement and life skills in economically disadvantaged youth, ages 3-24. Schools must be either Title 1 designees or have at least 40% of their students participate in free or reduced lunch. Programs with a focus on literacy, STEM, tutoring, stay-in-school efforts, and college readiness can qualify. Support is provided primarily in the form of gift cards.
Deadline: Applications are ongoing
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The California State Library has launched a new website that streamlines all available state agency grants for education, small businesses, nonprofits, individuals, tribal governments, and more! |
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California State Parks
Adventure Pass
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Are you ready for an adventure?
The California State Park Adventure Pass is for all fourth grade students! See how you can visit some of the most amazing parks in the country with your family and friends—for free.
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The American Association
for the Advancement of Science
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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. |
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CCCOE's Coronavirus Web Page |
The Contra Costa County Office of Education is working closely with Contra Costa Health Services to keep our communities informed regarding the Coronavirus emergency. The CCCOE is providing updated information and resources to schools and school districts in our county so they can offer accurate news to their communities.
The CCCOE Coronavirus web page features:
- Meal Services Information
- Learning Resources and Distance-Learning Plans
- School Updates
- Wellness Resources
- COVID-19 Outreach Toolkit
- Parent/Guardian Communications
- CCCOE Employee Communications
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CCCOE’s Health & Wellness Matters e-newsletter |
We encourage anyone who is interested in receiving monthly updates on adolescent health and wellness-related issues, including upcoming professional development opportunities and parent/family webinars to check out Health & Wellness Matters.
Fee: Free
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New Tools for Teachers Website |
Tools for Teachers is a new website featuring lessons and activities designed to enhance instruction, save time, and boost student learning. This online collection is the new formative assessment component of the Smarter Balanced assessment system and was developed with teachers across the state. Resources are aligned with the California Standards to help K–12 teachers target student needs using the formative assessment process. Formative assessment and accessibility strategies are embedded in every instructional resource and can be used in distance or hybrid learning environments.
Fee: Free
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East Bay Regional Park
District Digital Learning
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East Bay Regional Park District is committed to the idea of lifelong learning and helping people make their own discoveries about our local parks. These resources are designed to be used at home, in a classroom, or part of any online education. Use these resources to build your own learning opportunities.
Fee: Free
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CASEL CARES is a new initiative that connects each of you in our global community with experts to address how Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) be most helpful in response to today’s circumstances. The program is filled with free resources and a weekly webinar. |
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teacher resources, and grant opportunities.
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Educational Programming of edTV |
Looking for some additional quality Monday-Friday educational programming at home or in the classroom? Check out the latest edTV broadcasts here.
Programs scheduled include (times are approximate):
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Number Talk, presented by the Khan Academy and CCCOE , K-5 math lessons in English and Spanish: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
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Food Kids, lessons in purchasing, growing, and preparing healthy meals: 12:00-12:30 p.m.
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STEM in 30, Emmy-nominated program produced by the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum: 12:30-1:00 p.m.
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National Arts Gallery, outstanding stories about artists and art movements from around the world: 1:00-2:00 p.m.
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Number Talk (repeat of morning broadcast), presented by the Khan Academy and CCCOE , K-5 math lessons in English and Spanish: 2:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (replay from the morning)
edTV can be found on Contra Costa County cable channels 32 (Comcast) or 99 (AT&T U-Verse)
For info: Daily schedule can be found here
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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
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Published by the Contra Costa County Office of Education Communications Office |
Contra Costa County Office of Education
77 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, California 94523
Lynn Mackey, Superintendent of Schools
Dateline is distributed during the school year to all public schools in the county by the Communications Office. The 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.
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Contra Costa County Office of Education
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