Contra Costa County Teacher Named One of State's Teachers of the Year

Watch KPIX 5 story and KTVU FOX 2 story about Joseph Alvarcio, Engineering Teacher at Ygnacio Valley High School (Mt. Diablo USD). He is one of five teachers named Teacher of the Year by the California Department of Education. He is the only teacher from Northern California to receive this distinction.

Native American Heritage Month Resources for Educators

November is National Native American Heritage Month, where we celebrate the original peoples of what is now the United States of America. The Contra Costa County Board of Education encourages educational communities to recognize and learn about the invaluable contributions of Native peoples that have helped shaped our country.

English Learner Professional Development Opportunities

This series will familiarize educators with the ELA/ELD Framework as the primary guidance for comprehensive, evidence-based literacy instruction, including the promotion of multilingualism and biliteracy. 

Dates: November 14, December 12, January 9, February 13, March 12, April 9, May 14 

Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

More Details: Flyer



New to your role coordinating EL and ML Programs? Need a refresher on topics related to EL Programs? Join us virtually for networking and office hours! 

Dates: December 15, February 2, March 15, April 26

Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Location: Virtual  

Cost: Free

Registered participants will receive calendar invitations with the Zoom link closer to the session dates. We look forward to seeing you! Questions? Contact: MLLN@cccoe.k12.ca.us. 

This CoP is dedicated to building our collective knowledge and capacity to improve newcomer education and programming. 

Dates: November 28, December 19, February 20, April 9 

Time: 9 a.m. – 11a.m. 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

More Details: Flyer

Registered participants will receive calendar invitations with the Zoom link closer to the session dates. We look forward to seeing you! Questions?

Contact: MLLN@cccoe.k12.ca.us. 

A dedicated time and space for shared learning and collaboration for LEA leaders in Region 4 who are interested in developing or revising their LEA’s EL Master Plan. 

Dates: December 11, February 8, April 18 

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Registered participants will receive calendar invitations with the Zoom link closer to the session dates.

Contact: MLLN@cccoe.k12.ca.us

Join us of two mornings of learning about highlights of inspirational practices from local Multilingual and English Learner programs in the region.

Keynote speakers of this year’s Institute will be Dr. José Medina and Sam Finn.

Dates: January 18 and 19 

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:35 p.m. 

Location: Virtual

More Details: Institute Website & Flyer

Contact: MLLN@cccoe.k12.ca.us

The CoP sessions aim to provide time and space for collaborative work and conversation, allowing participants to dive deeper into the content and learning segments, and provide a network of fellow coaches, TOSAs, and administrators to share ideas for supporting other educators in building knowledge around Secondary Integrated and Designated ELD.   

Dates: December 5, February 6, March 12, April 23 

Time: 9 a.m. – 11a.m. 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

More Details: Flyer

Registered participants will receive calendar invitations with the Zoom link closer to the session dates. We look forward to seeing you! Questions?

Contact: MLLN@cccoe.k12.ca.us.

More Professional Development Opportunities

CPIN – California Preschool Instructional Network  

CPIN invites you to attend our regional professional development sessions for PK/TK teachers, IAs, home based providers and others in the early learning field – virtually and in person.    

Topic: Math Number Sense Series 

Audience: PK and TK teachers, assistants, administrators, coaches, family day care providers and other early learning professionals. 

Date(s) and Time(s): November 2, 9,14, 2023, 6-8 p.m. 

Location: Virtual   

Cost: Free  

Registration and Information



 *Participants need a Workforce Registry (WFR) Number to enroll in these sessions. More information about the WFR can be found at caregistry.org.  

Registration for all sessions closes one week prior to each session. 

21 CSLA Alameda Regional Academy 

Envisioning and Leading UTK Classrooms 

Explore research and standards related to high-quality, developmentally appropriate instruction, leaders can identify specific “look-fors” in TK classrooms to develop their instructional leadership for implementing California’s UTK. 

Audience: Central office, site leaders and TK leaders implementing TK in school districts 

Date(s): 4 sessions, October 17, November 16, February 1, March 12, 8:30 -11:30 a.m.,

Location: In-person, CCCOE, 77 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 

Cost: FREE 

Registration

Early Education Teacher Development 

Join us for a 3-part series, to help you better meet the needs of your students. In this 3-part series we will build a foundation of what trauma and ACEs are, help you prepare your classroom to be trauma informed and discuss the importance of adult wellness and self-care. 

Dates: 3 sessions, October 24, December 12, January 23, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Location: In-person, CCCOE, 77 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 

Cost: FREE 

Registration

Teach AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit Webinar

Join this webinar discussion to learn more about the AI Guidance for Schools Toolkit.  

·        Experience a guided walkthrough. 

·        Hear from a co-author panel. 

·        Gain insights from educators developing AI guidance. 

The toolkit is designed to help education authorities, school leaders, and teachers create thoughtful guidance to help their communities realize the potential benefits of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) in primary and secondary education while understanding and mitigating the potential risks. ​Includes CDE AI Guidance as a reference.  

Date/Time: November 8, 2023, 6 a.m PT, 12 p.m. PT, or 6 p.m. PT 

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Registration

Quality Matters – Math in Storybooks 

Presented by Tandem Partners in Early Learning 

Math is all around us! Participants uncover the math in “non-math” storybooks and practice strategies to help young children explore various math concepts including counting, understanding quantities, engaging in simple addition and subtraction, identifying shapes and patterns, and using measurement and comparison. 

Date: November 9, 2023, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Location: Virtual   

Audience: P3 – TK 

Cost: Free

Registration

This training will be in Spanish and Cantonese on different dates in November. Please see the calendar for details. 

Quality Matters – The Impact of Toxic Stress and Trauma on Development  

Presented by Lakeshore 

Toxic stress has a direct impact on the brain’s development, beginning as early as infancy. This session touches on brain development, what toxic stress is, how toxic stress impacts the brain’s development, how this plays out with behaviors in the classroom and what we can do as educators to help children succeed despite toxic stress in their lives. 

Audience: Early childhood educators, Birth+

Date/Time: November 15, 2023, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. 

Where: Virtual

Cost: Free

Register:

Empowering Computer Science Advocacy

Are you an advocate for Computer Science (CS) at your district/school site or hoping to become one? Come learn how to support CS as an individual or team! This workshop series is designed for district administrators, school leaders, counselors, teachers, and all types of educators. Participants will experience what CS can look like in the classroom, learn how computer science standards overlap with all content areas, do analysis on the current state of CS, and become empowered to advocate for bringing more CS to your site or district. 

Audience: TK-12 Educators   

Location: Virtual 

Date/Time: November 14, 2023, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

Registration & Flyer 

Vaping & Teens 101: A Webinar for Parents and Other Caring Adults

A live virtual presentation from adult and youth presenters. The presentation will be in English with simultaneous Spanish interpretation. Closed captioning with translation in multiple languages will also be available. Topics to be covered include: the latest tobacco products used by young people, the impact of vaping (tobacco & cannabis) on young people, and ways that adults can support young people in their lives. We will also share information and resources from our new resource, Substance Use, Mental Health, & Teens: A Guide for Parents & Other Caring Adults.

Audience: Parents/Guardians, Adults, Community-based Organization Staff, Counselors, Educators, Health & Wellness Center Staff, School Administrators, School Nurses, Teachers/Staff

Date: Thursday, November 16, 6:00-7:00 p.m., optional Q&A 7:00-7:30 p.m.

Location: Zoom

Registration

Cost: Free

CSEdWeek

Computer Science Education Week is an annual call to action to inspire k-12 students to learn computer science, advocate for equity, and celebrate the contributions of students, teachers, and partners to the field. The CSEdWeek theme this year highlights the progress that has occurred in computer science education over the last decade. There have been many great advancements in making CS education more equitable and accessible for all learners. This year, we aim to celebrate our progress while keeping our eye on the advancements we still need to make so that every student has an equal opportunity to learn computer science. 

Audience: TK-12 Educators   

Location: Virtual

Date/Time: December 4 – 10, 2023, 4 p.m. 

Registration

Brief Intervention for Substance Using Adolescents (2-part)

Brief Intervention (BI) is a short-term counseling style of intervention that consists of 2 to 4 sessions aimed at adolescents who use tobacco, cannabis/marijuana, alcohol and/or other drugs. This approach uses Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and the Stages of Change Model to meet the needs of adolescents.

Audience: TUPE site coordinators, counselors, administrators, Health/Wellness Center staff, community-based organization staff providing school-based services

Dates: (must attend both dates)

Session 1: December 5, 2023; 8:30am-12:00pm

Session 2: December 6, 2023, 2022; 8:30am-12:00pm

Registration: Register for the 2-part Virtual Brief Intervention Training

Cost: Free

CCLA Mathematics Community of Practice

Collaborate on practical ways to integrate learning acceleration approaches to support student success! The Mathematics Community of Practice (CoP) is a space for learning and collaboration. Together, we will leverage the expertise of each other to gain knowledge and deepen understanding of learning acceleration in mathematics utilizing evidence-based practices and the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy (CSP). 

Audience: TK-12 Educators 

Location: Virtual  

Date(s): 5 sessions, August 2023 - April 2024, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Cost: FREE 

Registration

Flyer 

CCLA Online Courses for Learning Acceleration

The California Collaborative for Learning Acceleration (CCLA) offers access to free self-paced courses that provide evidence-based strategies to boost learning acceleration in the classroom. 

Available Online Courses: 

·        Learning Acceleration Introduction Course: This course provides an understanding of what learning acceleration is and why we need it. It introduces the five components of CCLA: mastery of priority content, evidence-based strategies, Universal Design for Learning, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and social-emotional learning practices. 

·        Online Content Courses: These courses support evidence-based strategies to accelerate learning in math, literacy, and language development. 

Audience: All TK – 12 educators 

Location: Virtual

Cost: FREE 

Date: Asynchronous Online Courses

Website & Online Course Access 

CCLA Literacy Community of Practice:

The intent of this Community of Practice (CoP) is to leverage the expertise of others, to gain knowledge and deepen understanding of learning acceleration in foundational literacy skills and reading comprehension utilizing evidence-based practices and elements of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy (CSP). 

Audience: TK-12 Educators   

Location: Virtual

Date(s): 5 sessions, September 2023 - May 2024, 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Cost: FREE

Registration & Flyer 

Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC)  

Are you an aspiring administrator? CCCOE offers an 11-month program that results in earning a preliminary administrative credential. We also partner with National University to provide an option to earn a master’s degree. The application window opens June 2, 2023, for the cohort starting February 2024. For more information, please visit our PASC website and complete our interest form.  

Audience: TK-12 educators 

Start Date: February 3, 2024 

Cost: $8,000 for the 11-month credential program 

"Our Food, Our Culture” Art Lesson Library Professional Development 

Learn about the California Arts Framework and experience a model lesson titled "Our Food, Our Culture."   

Audience: 4th and 5th grade teachers, art teachers  

Date: December 14, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Shadelands Art Center, 111 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek, CA 94598 

Cost: Free

Registration

Picture Book Month 

November is Picture Book Month, and the Library is celebrating the 20th anniversary of "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus." Reading picture books helps children cultivate an appreciation for art while strengthening their visual skills. They learn about the structure of a story and build their vocabulary and comprehension. Picture books are meant to be a shared experience between a child, or a group of children, and a trusted adult which helps to build a unique bond. Visit any library branch in November to enjoy Pigeon-themed activities including a scavenger hunt and a guessing jar game. Plus check out any five picture books and show your receipt to win a prize.

Read Contra Costa

Read Contra Costa continues into November with a series of opportunities to meet the author. This year’s book is “The Bandit Queens” by Parini Shroff. The book is filled with clever criminals, second chances, and wry and witty women. Parini Shroff received her MFA from the University of Texas at Austin and is a practicing attorney currently living in the Bay Area. Check out “The Bandit Queens” in eBook, eAudiobook and print formats online or at your local branch. Meet the author at one of these upcoming events.

• Saturday, November 4, 2 p.m. – Hercules Library
• Monday, November 6, 6:30 p.m. – Pleasant Hill Library
• Monday, November 13, 6:30 p.m. – San Ramon Library
• Saturday, November 18, 11 a.m. – Brentwood Library

Alexander Street

The California State Library is now providing public libraries with a subscription to the performing arts collections from Alexander Street. This collection of music, dance, and theatre resources covers hundreds of genres and a wide range of content types, from instruction to performance. Leading content providers include the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, Qwest TV, Smithsonian, L.A. Theatre Works, Broadway On-Demand, and many more.

More Info

For more information on all Contra Costa County Library programs, resources and events, visit ccclib.org.

California Grant Portal

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!

Poetry Out Loud

CCCOE, in partnership with Contra Costa County, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Poetry Foundation, is hosting a Poetry Out Loud regional competition on Saturday, February 10, 2024.  

Preparedness Ambassadors Program Open

Disasters such as wildfires, floods, and earthquakes can strike at any moment, but are your students prepared? Schools are encouraged to share with students information about the Preparedness Ambassadors program, which was created by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services in partnership with the CDE, CalRecycle, and the Sacramento County Office of Education. This free program offers a curriculum designed to engage fourth-grade students to develop and promote disaster preparedness guidelines for their homes, school, and the local community. All classroom curriculum is available on the Preparedness Ambassadors web page.

Mental Health Resources

Recent events can be tough on children’s overall mental wellness and make access to resources even more important. Resources to help support children who have experienced these events are available on the California Health and Human Services Children's Mental Health Resource Hub web page. Additional resources for students and staff are available on the CA Safe Schools for All Mental Health: Student and Staff Support web page and on the CDE Mental Health web page.

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):

• Library Storytime, 8:30 a.m.
• Betty McPeek's Circle Time, 8:45 a.m.
• 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.
• Farm to Taste, Mother-daughter culinary arts teachers at Mt. Diablo High School host healthy cooking show: 12:00-12:30 p.m.
• STEM in 30, Emmy-nominated program produced by the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum: 12:30 -1:00 p.m.
• National Arts Gallery, outstanding stories about artists and art movements from around the world: 1:00-2:00 p.m.
• Classic Arts Showcase, performances, visual arts, and films that change every week: Airs most nights, depending on programming, 5:00 p.m.

edTV can be found in most of Contra Costa County on cable channels 32 (Comcast) or 99 (AT&T U-Verse). For info: Daily schedule can be found here.