Springtime always heralds exciting changes and new beginnings, and that is also true right now for SCCOE's alternative schools.
Students at Pathfinder Academy Community School are settling into their new site, whose purchase the Board of Education approved last year. Novo Community School also has new classrooms, not to mention an Apple lab for ROP media and graphic arts training, as well as a construction technology ROP class.
Every classroom has a computer, and some have SMART boards. Along with special educations services, students at our sites have access to 14 counselors and psychologist interns, as well as three credentialed counselors.
And that's just a snapshot of all the great things happening at our alternative schools. We at the SCCOE are proud of the accomplishments made there by teachers and administrators - but most especially by the students.
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Seminar to help hone writing skills
An upcoming SCCOE-sponsored seminar will help attendees brush up on writing basics like grammar, spelling and punctuation, and also learn how to refine the writing process.
Topics of the two-day "Business Writing that Works" will also include how to develop a writing style, express thoughts clearly and concisely, and gather information.
The seminar is held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 29 and May 7 at the SCCOE, 1290 Ridder Park Drive in San Jose. The workshop is free to regular staffers.
Attendees can register online. For more information, contact Debbie Boer via email or call (408) 453-6698.
'Champions' nears round two
Future SCCOE leaders still have time to submit nominations for a spot in Champions for Leadership, a mentoring program that cultivates leadership skills among staffers.Nominate yourself or a colleague by April 30 for the 2010-2011 session, which will provide professional development and mentor matching.
The program is open to permanent certificated and classified staff, including existing managers, teachers, office staff, classroom staff and service workers. Beginning in August, participants and their mentors will establish an individualized professional development plan.
Nomination forms are available on the SCCOE Intranet. Submit nominations by April 30 to Kathy Sealana by email, Pony Mail Code 264, or fax (408) 453-6811. For more information, call (408) 453-6686.
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SCCOE gets new Web look, service
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 The SCCOE recently unveiled its redesigned Web site, treating visitors to simpler navigation, brighter colors and improved search capabilities.
Launched in March, the new site is the product of months of design and content overhauls, and includes features that many SCCOE staffers requested in a survey conducted last year.
New features include GovDelivery, an automated email system that alerts visitors to updates on Web pages of interest. This amenity spares users from continually checking pages for changes. To receive updates, look for the "Subscribe to this page" button on SCCOE pages.
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Board approves charter, school reconstruction work
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Here's a recap of the Santa Clara County Board of Education's actions at its March 17 and April 7 meetings: - Honored Leigh High School student Eliezer Hernandez-Ruiz for his achievements in the SCCOE's Migrant Education program
- Approved a charter petition from Flex Academy Silicon Valley
 Approved purchase orders for elements of the reconstruction of a Gateway School building that was destroyed in a January 2008 fire. Construction at the Gilroy school, which serves students with special needs, will begin later this month- Passed resolutions supporting local school districts' upcoming bond and parcel measures
The Board of Education is the elected governing body of the Office of Education. Its seven members serve four-year terms and are elected by different regions of the county. Learn more about the members, and view their meeting schedule, agendas and minutes. |
Horace Mann, San Jose Unified earn distinct honor
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 With the recent authorization of Horace Mann Elementary School as a Primary Years International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, the San Jose Unified School District has become the only Northern California school district to boast an articulated K-12 IB strand.
With 2,868 schools worldwide, IB works to develop youth who will use intercultural understanding and respect to create a better and more peaceful world.
 The only Primary Years IB Program in San Jose, Horace Mann completes a triad of IB-authorized schools in town, joining Burnett Academy, a Middle Years IB school, and San Jose High Academy, a Diploma IB school.
Horace Mann students, parents, teachers, administrators, and district leaders celebrated the hard-earned achievement at the school's recent fifth-annual Multi-Cultural Day Celebration.
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County students compete in 'History Day'
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 Nearly 170 budding historians from throughout the county presented projects at the recent Santa Clara County History Day competition in San Jose, vying for an opportunity to compete at the state competition next month.
Winners of the SCCOE-sponsored competition - themed "Innovation in History" - will compete May 6-9 at the California History Day Competition.
History Day prompts students to apply skills such as critical thinking, identification of bias and point-of-view, and viewing events in their correct place and time. Visual and oral literacy, along with text-based literacy, are part of the focus.
As students put together their project, they develop a thesis and build a narrative thread into the product, which can take various forms like Web sites, documentaries, performances and historical documents.
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SCCOE team attends conference
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 Several SCCOE employees attended at the recent 35th annual California Association for Bilingual Education conference in San Jose, where Yee Wan, coordinator of the SCCOE's Multilingual Programs, was named Administrator of the Year. With about 5,000 members, the nonprofit CABE has promoted bilingual education and quality educational experiences for all California students since 1976.  The California State Assembly also passed a resolution, authored by Assemblyman Joe Coto (D-San Jose), honoring Yee's achievement.
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Local school district has new leader
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 Campbell Union School District recently welcomed a new superintendent.
Dr. Eric Andrew joined the 7,300-student district in February. Previously, he worked in Southern California, where he served various administrative roles at school districts in Glendora and Redlands. Dr. Andrew began his educational career in 1979 as a teacher in Claremont, where he also worked as a principal.
Dr. Andrew holds a doctorate in education management from the University of Laverne, as well a master's degree in education from Cal Poly Pomona and an administrative credential from Cal State San Bernardino.
The married father of two replaced outgoing Superintendent Johanna VanderMolen, who retired in January from the district that serves the several local communities.
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Since 1852, the Santa Clara County Office of Education has provided vital services and resources to the county's 31 K-12 public school districts and more than 250,000 students. The SCCOE strives to provide: advocacy and leadership on education issues, student programs that are models of excellence, and indispensable services to schools and community partners. The SCCOE takes pride in being a premier employer and a champion for children, schools, and community. |
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