Dear Colleagues,
This month is Women's History Month, a time to honor the contributions and achievements of women throughout history. I encourage you to take this opportunity to incorporate lessons and activities that highlight the accomplishments of women in all fields and inspire our students to pursue their dreams. Our agency has developed instructional guides to help you discover new resources related to the monthly observances that you can use in your classrooms.
March is also National Reading Month, a time to promote literacy and a love of reading. Reading programs and events throughout the month, like some of the ones listed below, help to encourage students to explore the wonderful world of books and discover the joy of reading. There is nothing more empowering than learning to read.
As always, we hope you find the resources and topics curated below useful. Many of the webinars and professional development opportunities are free, are in person or virtual, and cover a variety of topics.
I hope you will share this newsletter with your colleagues and encourage them to sign up to receive it, as well.
In partnership,
Lynn Mackey
Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools
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Expert practitioners and researchers share their knowledge on emerging best practices and resources that support newcomer education. The sessions are an ongoing initiative administered by the CA Department of Social Services in collaboration with the CDE and Californians Together.
Audience: Classroom Teachers, Site Administrators, EL Leaders
Location: Virtual
Date: 3/7
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Registration
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Sessions draw upon the Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education and integrate a focus on the Three Pillars of Dual Language Education.
Audience: Dual Language Teachers and Site Administrators,
Multilingual Leaders
Location: Virtual
Dates: 3/13, 3/26, 4/10
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Registration
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Continued support, time, and space for collaboration for those working directly with secondary staff in building knowledge and developing capacity around Secondary Integrated & Designated ELD.
Audience: EL Coordinators, Administrators, TOSAs, Specialists
Location: Virtual
Dates: 3/12, 4/23
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Cost: Free
Registration
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Modules designed to support district and site administrators as they implement the English Learner Roadmap policy. Participants will examine their role in leading improvement processes and supporting evidence-based practices, resulting in a plan for inquiry and implementation.
Flyer
Audience: Administrators
Dates: 3/14, 4/2, 4/22
Time: 9:00 a.m, -11:30 a.m.
Cost: Free
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New to your role coordinating EL and ML Programs? Need a refresher on topics related to EL Programs? Join us for a small, supportive community experience, learning with
and from fellow colleagues in our virtual sessions!
Audience: EL Coordinators, Administrators, TOSAs, Specialists
Location: Virtual
Dates: 3/15, 4/26
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Registration
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Creating the Conditions to Prevent LTELs
Learn skills and strategies for leveraging students’ and families’ cultural and linguistic assets, celebrating and affirming identity, strengthening classroom community, and facilitating collaborative learning spaces.
Audience: Grade 4-6 Teachers, Grade 4-6 Teachers in Bilingual Dual Language Programs, Site/Local Educator Teams, EL Leaders, Paraeducators & COE Staff
Location: Virtual
Dates: 3/20
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Registration
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ELD for Elementary Teachers and Administrators Institute
Sessions will support teachers in designing responsive designated ELD lessons that build upon students’ knowledge across disciplines.
Audience: Classroom Teachers, Site Administrators, EL Leaders
Location: Virtual
Dates: 4/9, 5/6
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Registration
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Sessions are framed by the four Principles of the English Learner Roadmap policy and focus primarily on deepening knowledge about and implementing quality teaching and learning practices for EL students. The Strand will feature guidance provided in key CDE resources.
Audience: EL Leaders, Secondary Teachers & Teacher Leaders in all Content Areas
Location: Virtual
Dates: 4/15
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Registration
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Build collective knowledge and capacity to improve newcomer education and programming
Audience: EL Coordinators, Administrators, TOSAs, Specialists
Location: Virtual
Dates: 4/9
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Cost: Free
Registration
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Dive deeper into the work of writing and developing EL Master Plans. Resources and tools from the EL RISE! EL Master Plan Institute sessions will be reviewed, and districts will have the opportunity to apply the information from their unique entry points in the EL Master Plan writing process.
Audience: District teams, EL Master Plan committees
Location: Virtual
Dates: 4/18
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Cost: Free
Registration
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CPIN – California Preschool Instructional Network
CPIN invites you to attend our FREE regional professional development sessions for PK/TK teachers, IAs, home based providers and others in the early learning field – virtually and in person.
Topic: Visual and Performing Arts - Drama
Audience: Early Childhood Teachers, Caregivers, TK Teachers, and Instructional Assistants
Date: March 19
Time: 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Registration
Topic: Building Bridges for Supporting Children Experiencing Homelessness
Audience: Early Childhood Administrators, Program Directors, TK, and Early Learning Programs/Providers
Date: March 22
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Pleasant Hill Senior Center, Pleasant Hill
Cost: Free
Registration
Topic: Visual and Performing Arts – Drama offered in SPANISH
Audience: Early Childhood Teachers, Caregivers, TK Teachers, and Instructional Assistants
Date: March 23
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Registration
Topic: Math - Measurement
Audience: Early Childhood Teachers, Caregivers, TK Teachers, and Instructional Assistants
Date: March 26
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Registration
Topic: Developmental Writing 3-part series with a CoP in SPANISH
Audience: Early Childhood Teachers, Caregivers, TK Teachers, and Instructional Assistants
Date/Time: March 26/6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., March 30/9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., and April 9/6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Attendance at all 3 sessions is required.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Registration
*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.
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Project ARISE: Elevating Literacy Instruction in California Online Courses
Project ARISE partners have developed a series of self-paced online courses that offer a whole-child approach to literacy instruction. Engage in content addressing literacy as equity, executive functions, research-informed best practices for reading instruction, and a process for intensive intervention. This professional learning opportunity is free to all California educators. Project ARISE is led by Contra Costa County Office of Education and supported by the CDE. Enroll for courses on the Project ARISE web page. Educators are also invited to attend a three-part virtual spring workshop series in April and May and can register today using this Qualtrics Survey.
Audience: Educators
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Register
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California Dyslexia Initiative Online Resources
The California Dyslexia Initiative presents a free, statewide professional learning bundle for California educators offered in partnership with the Sacramento County Office of Education and Glean Education. This professional learning opportunity is focused on building awareness and capacity to support struggling readers and students at risk for or with dyslexia throughout the state.
On-Demand Dyslexia Online Course Bundle: This three-part online course covers the topics of understanding dyslexia and dysgraphia, intensifying instruction for struggling readers, and serving students with dyslexia for school psychologists.
Audience: Educators K-12
Date: Participants have until October 1, 2024, to complete
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Registration
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California Association of Science Education (CASE) 3-part California Science Test (CAST) prep Webinar Series
Join CASE and CSU Northridge's San Fernando Valley Science Project Team for a 3-part virtual series on how to support science instruction and the California Science Test.
Audience: Teachers and Administrators
Date(s): March 7, March 21, April 11
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $30
Registration
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Recentering CA ELA/ELD Framework Webinar Series
This series is designed for educators who want to learn more about California’s recommended literacy policies and practices, as well as why the ELA/ELD Framework is as relevant today as it was in 2014, how it is organized what it offers, how it can be used, and how it supports Superintendent Thurmond's Literacy Campaign of "Reading by Third Grade and Beyond."
Audience: Educators and Administrators
Location: Virtual
Date(s): March 12, April 9, May 14
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Cost: Free
Registration
Resources & Recordings
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Minor Consent and Confidentiality for Sexual Health Services in California
Presented by Elaine Nye (CDPH) Facilitating and Rebecca Gudeman from the National Center for Youth Law (NCYL), this module provides an overview of the laws that impact minors and their access to confidential sexual health services in California and the different roles of clinical providers and educators. Participants will learn about minor consent laws and resources to support implementation in a school setting.
Audience: Clinical providers and educators
Location: Virtual
Date: March 19
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Registration
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Distinguished Speaker – Annie Fetter: It All Starts with Noticing and Wondering
Are your students making sense of the mathematics they explore? Renowned math educator, Annie Fetter will discuss reasons students do not make sense of mathematics. Come learn how noticing and wondering can increase student agency, support a positive classroom culture, and promote number sense. Math leaders will learn to support opportunities for students to explore and discover math concepts for themselves.
Audience: K- 12 Educators
Date: March 19
Time: 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Willow Pass Community Center, Concord
Cost: FREE
Registration
Flyer
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Suicide Prevention and LGBTQ+ Ally Trainings
CCCOE's WISP is offering two nationally recognized trainings from The Trevor Project, the world's largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQI+ young people.
The CARE Training:
The Connect, Accept, Respond Empower Training provides adults with an overview of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth and the different environmental stressors that contribute to their heightened risk for suicide.
The Ally Training:
Designed to create dialogue around being an adult ally for LGBTQ+ youth by informing participants about common terminology, the "coming out" process and challenges at home, in school, and in the community.
Audience: Teachers and support staff
Date: March 19
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual or In-person
Registration
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Revisiting the CA ELD Standards Webinar Series
A webinar series hosted by CDE Multilingual Support
Division, in collaboration with Region 15 Comprehensive Center
Audience: Educators and Administrators
Date(s): March 20, April 24, May 22
Time: Wednesdays 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Registration
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Creating a Developmentally Appropriate Preschool Experience
The CDE Diagnostic Center North invites participants to their virtual “Creating a Developmentally Appropriate Preschool Experience” training series. Participants learn how to use play-based sequencing activities to support later academic and language development, use observations of classroom activities to capture data for Individual Education Plan goals, and more.
Audience: PreK Educators
Date(s): March 28; April 25
Time: 2:45 p.m.
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual
Registration
Questions: contactus@dcn-cde.ca.gov or call 510-794-2500
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Teaching Sexual Health Education: Facilitating Difficult Questions in the Classroom
Elaine Nye (CDPH) and Sharla Smith (CDE) are facilitating this module to provide tips and tools for participants to navigate difficult sexuality-related questions in a classroom or group-setting. The interactive training will provide a framework to classify different types of questions and a protocol for answering questions. Participants have the opportunity to ask facilitators how to answer challenging questions.
Audience: Clinical providers and educators
Date: April 16
Location: Virtual
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Registration
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Teaching Sexual Health Education: Facilitating Difficult Questions from Parents and Guardians
Elaine Nye (CDPH) and Sharla Smith (CDE) Facilitating, featuring a team of diverse panelists and experts in Sexuality Education. This module provides tips and tools for participants to navigate difficult sexuality-related questions asked by parents and guardians to professionals in the education system. Participants will have the opportunity to ask challenging questions they’ve encountered and will gain comfort and confidence to answer any type of question that will be asked of them. You are welcome to submit a question for the panelists to answer during the webinar via this link.
Audience: Clinical providers and educators
Date: April 18
Location: Virtual
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Registration
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Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT) Summer Sessions
FIT provides forest-based training in environmental literacy with award-winning environmental education curriculum that support and enhance the Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core State Standards, Career and Technical Education Standards, and STEAM-based instruction.
Audience: PK-12 Educators
Date: June 16 - July 20 (multiple sessions)
Cost: $300 stipend upon completion
Registration
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California Dyslexia Initiative Conference
The California Dyslexia Initiative announces a two-day, statewide conference. It is hosted by the Sacramento County Office of Education in collaboration with the CDE, the California State Board of Education, and the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence. The event will be conducted virtually and offer a dynamic platform for advancing screening, instruction, and intervention practices. Attendees will learn effective ways to teach reading, meet the needs of a range of learners, and address dyslexia and related challenges. The conference will equip teachers, administrators, clinicians, and parents with knowledge and tools to teach reading, support individuals at risk for and/with dyslexia, gain actionable insights, contribute to dyslexia awareness and support in education, and ensure equitable access to education for all.
Audience: Educators, specialists, and advocates
Date: June 11-12
Location: Virtual
Registration
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The California Arts Project (TCAP) 16th Courageous Creativity Conference
Join for a leadership conference grounded in the aspirations of the CA Arts Education Framework, the opportunities presented by Proposition 28, and in support of the amplification of all California students' arts education.
Audience: Art Teachers & Administrators
Date: June 18 – 20
Location: Anaheim
Cost: $700
Registration
Register by April 15
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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
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CCLA Hybrid Summit
This summit an inclusive space for educators to gain knowledge and deepen understanding of learning acceleration to reinvigorate classroom instruction to improve student outcomes.
Join us to:
- Create accelerated learning opportunities that are engaging, culturally relevant, and personalized to build student agency.
- Utilize effective formative assessment strategies to know where your students are and where they are going.
- Design transformative experiences that value and elevate moments with students
Audience: All Educators
Location: Santa Clara County Office of Education/Virtual
Date: Saturday, March 16, 2024
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $60 In Person/$25 Virtual
Registration
Flyer
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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
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Contra Costa County Library News
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New Library Login Information
Maintaining the security of patron library card accounts is important, so the Library is changing the login process. Beginning on Wednesday, March 6, the last name field on the library account login screen will be replaced with a PIN field. This change will give patrons more control over the security and privacy of their account. On March 6, cardholders will receive an email with detailed instructions about how to make the change and which library services and resources are impacted. The email will also contain a default PIN number and instructions on how to change it. The transition should be simple and straightforward, but library staff are prepared and ready to help anyone who needs assistance. There will be some downtime for library accounts during the transition, and it may take a few days for all third-party vendors to complete the changes to their services and resources. Detailed instructions about the change will also be available at ccclib.org beginning on March 6.
March Madness
March Madness at the Library is a tournament all about children's books. Each week books will go head-to-head until only one remains. Vote online for one book in each round. For the first round, vote for your favorites in the Sweet 16. Then come back the next week to see which books make it to the Elite Eight. All the books have been chosen by our librarians from titles released in the last few years. The top title will be announced on April 1. The game started March 1.
Brainfuse HelpNow
Connect to FREE online tutors every day from 10 a.m.to 10 p.m. Tutors are trained in academic assistance and do not provide answers. They will help students master a problem’s underlying academic concepts. Tutoring and homework help services are also available in Spanish. Brainfuse also offers writing lab assistance, resume writing support, test prep, video lessons and study tools. Visit the Digital Resources page at ccclib.org to get started.
Bridging Literacy Gaps
Thursday, March 14, 4 p.m. – Via Zoom
In this virtual discussion, a parent, a professor, and a school district leader will discuss how parents and caregivers can support struggling readers. Sue Hampton Breazeale is the mother of a child with dyslexia and an experienced advocate of the Orton-Gillingham instructional approach to reading, spelling, and writing. Kathy Futterman, Ed.D., ET/P has worked in the field of special education for over 30 years, primarily with students with language-based learning issues in the areas of reading, writing and spelling. Shelley Velasco is the proud Coordinator of Elementary Instruction in Pittsburg Unified School District, which serves a diverse population of 12,000 students in preschool through high school.
Register
Circus Comedians Coventry & Kaluza
Thursday, March 14, 3:30 p.m. – El Sobrante Library
Award-winning circus comedians Coventry & Kaluza bring a variety of skills and thrills to their show, which features juggling, acrobatics, music, comedy, and high numbers hula hooping. It's interactive fun for the whole family.
More Info
For more information on all Contra Costa County Library programs, digital resources and events, visit ccclib.org.
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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!
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Grant Opportunity for High Schools: Peer-to-Peer Youth Mental Health High School Pilot Demonstration
The High School Peer-to-Peer Demonstration Pilot is a school-based youth-driven mental health grant opportunity with CCCOE's Wellness in Schools Plan (WISP) in partnership with the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). The project is a direct recommendation from The Hope, Healing and Health Collective (H3C).
The Children’s Partnership is committed to a collaborative partnership with the eight high school grantees, desiring to identify best practices for peer-to-peer programs that can be implemented statewide and serve as a model for national efforts.
California high schools are invited to apply here!
Download a PDF of the RFA
The application deadline is Friday, March 22, at 11:59 p.m. (PST).
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Essay and Visual Arts Scholarships to Raise Awareness of the Armenian Genocide (Deadline: March 29)
The California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation offers two scholarship contests in remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. California high school students in grades nine through twelve are invited to participate in an essay contest and/or a visual arts contest to increase awareness of the Armenian Genocide on its 109th anniversary. Instructions and the registration form are available on the 2024 Scholarship Contest Google form. Please contact Natalie Bruton-Yenovkian at 1915essay@gmail.com with any questions. The deadline to submit is Friday, March 29 at 11:59 p.m.
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Stipend Opportunity for Mental Wellness Club Advisors: School Mental Wellness Club Support
CCCOE's WISP has partnered with Bring Change to Mind, a national organization that empowers student to have conversations around mental health and create a culture of peer support within their schools. Through partnership, the goal is to help support mental health clubs in middle and high school across the county.
Training will include mentorship and funding to the mental wellness clubs, as well as access to online tools and materials. To learn more about this opportunity, please reach out to WISP Liaison Mary Lucido.
More Details
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New CDE STEAM Learning Podcast
Listen today to a new and exciting podcast related to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). A collaboration from CDE and the CDE Foundation, The STEAM Learning Podcast allows listeners to explore innovative practices, new resources, and practical solutions benefitting our students and educational communities and features fellow educators and technologists. In the first episode, CDE Computer Science Coordinator Katherine Goyette and Karyn Warner, Associate Director of STEAM Initiatives at the CDE Foundation, talk with Stephen Callahan about the impact of the FabLab, a 7,000-square-foot makerspace at the San Joaquin County Office of Education, on student learning. Start listening to The STEAM Learning Podcast now on Spotify.
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CA Parks Adventure Pass
State Parks is offering the California State Park Adventure Pass, which provides free entry for fourth graders and their families at 54 amazing state parks throughout the state.
Audience: 4th graders and their families
Date: All of 4th grade school year
Cost: Free
Registration
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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.
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.
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Published by the Contra Costa County Office of Education Communications Office
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Contra Costa County Office of Education
77 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, California 94523
Lynn Mackey, Superintendent of Schools
communications@cccoe.k12.ca.us
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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