Education Bulletin - December, 2010
In This Issue
· Early Learning Master Plan launched
· Online COE news video program debuts
· Young artists shine at annual showcase
· Board elects Di Salvo, Chang as officers
· New board members take seats
· COE recognized for 'Seal of Biliteracy'
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From the desk of
Charles Weis, Ph.D.
County Superintendent of Schools

I experienced first-hand how difficult it is for young families to afford high-quality preschool many years ago when my wife and I opened our own facility after learning our town had no full-day preschools for our son.


Sadly, more than 20 years later, these programs are no more affordable - despite our firmer understanding of just how critical early learning is to a child's development and future success.


The Santa Clara County Office of Education is on a mission to change that in Silicon Valley.


Last month, I joined local elected officials, educators, business leaders and community organizations at Adobe Systems in launching the Santa Clara County Early Learning Master Plan.


Created by a dedicated collaboration of people, this document outlines a vision, defines a strategic mission, and lists metrics for implementation over the next seven years of a plan to provide all county children with access to high-quality early learning opportunities.


Early learning is a proven long-term investment. Economists believe that high-quality early childhood education offers one of the highest returns of any public investment - more than $7 for every dollar spent.

 

Now is the time to get going. We have deferred action on this endeavor for too long already, and we are paying the price today for our inability to act. We can't afford to wait any longer.
Charles Weis, Ph.D.




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 Conference series explores parental role in academic success   


Parents and educators will learn strategies and activities to overcome obstacles in their students' journey to academic success at an upcoming COE-sponsored workshop.

 

At the Jan. 29 "Journey to Academic Success," the latest installment of the Parent Engagement Conference Series, keynote speaker Francisco Jimenez, an author and educator, will discuss his path to academic success as a migrant student.

 

Workshop topics include parents' role in supporting student participation in assessment programs, and how students' developmental stages and health affect learning.

 

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the San Jose Unified School District, 855 Lenzen Ave., San Jose 95126.

 

Register online by Jan. 26. For more information, contact Theresa Martinez at (408) 453-4322.

 

The first 200 participants to check in at the conference will receive a free book bag and parenting book. Limited childcare is available with prior arrangement. Contact Anita Contreras at 408-535-6493.


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Early Learning Master Plan launched

The country's future success rests heavily on society's investment iEarly Learning Master Plann early childhood learning, a former California Superintendent of Public Instruction told a packed audience recently gathered in San Jose for the launch of the Santa Clara County Early Learning Master Plan.


"The most important thing in America right now is early education, early learning, early investments in the children for the great success of our country," keynote speaker Delaine Eastin told about 200 educators, early childhood experts, elected officials, and members of the business and nonprofit communities gathered at Adobe Systems in late November.

 

The plan outlines a vision and a strategic mission to establish an early learning plan over the next seven years. A collaboration of education professionals, community members, civic leaders, and child development advocates worked for a year to develop the plan.


Eastin, whose lively keynote address emphasized the importance of providing all children with access to quality learning opportunities, was one of about a dozen speakers who discussed the significance of early learning. Speakers included County Superintendent of Schools Charles Weis, Ph.D. and San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed.


Learn more about the specifics of the Early Learning Master Plan, and watch video of all speakers at the plan's launch. Read the San Jose Mercury News' editorial on the plan. 

Online COE news video program debuts

Head of the ClassThis month, the COE launches the first in a regular series of online video news programming.

 

Hosted by County Superintendent of Schools Charles Weis, Ph.D., "Head of the Class" showcases programs and initiatives at the COE and in school districts throughout the county.

 

The debut program explores the recent Early Learning Master Plan launch. Stay tuned for future programming.

Young artists shine at annual showcase

Young ArtistsTalented student artists got their moment in the spotlight last month, when the COE recognized their artistic prowess at the 2010 Young Artists Showcase.

 

Check out photos of the artists posing with their work, which was added to the COE's permanent 800-piece collection of student artwork.


For the occasion, student artists and their families were treated to tours of the COE's student art gallery; an inspiring talk from Kerry Adams Hapner, the city of San Jose's Cultural Affairs Director; and a spirited performance from Encore!, Milpitas High School's glee club.

 

The COE's student art gallery is believed to be California's largest collection of permanent artwork from public school students. A gallery of the latest additions is available online.

Board elects Di Salvo, Chang as officers

Here's a summary of the Santa Clara County Board of Education's actions at its Nov. 17 and Dec. 8 meetings:

  • Michael Chang and Joseph Di SalvoApproved COE budget revenue revisions that reflect the final 2010-11 state budget
  • Recognized Noel Victoria as the December's Employee of the Month
  • Elected Joseph Di Salvo (pictured below)as board president, and Michael Chang (shown above) as vice president. See press release.
  • Approved the charter petition for Summit Public School: Tahoma, and renewed the charter for ACE Charter School
The Board of Education is the elected governing body of the COE. 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.

New board members take seats

County Board of Education members inductedTwo newly elected members of the County Board of Education officially took their seats, and one reelected trustee officially began a second term earlier this month.


Newcomers Michael Chang and Julia Hover-Smoot joined incumbent Craig Mann in taking the Oath of Office on Dec. 8, about a month after winning their respective seats on the county Board of Education.

 

Assemblyman Paul Fong, who represents the 22nd Assembly District, swore in the trio.


Mann represents Area 6 of Santa Clara County. Chang and Hover-Smoot will serve Areas 2 and 7, respectively.

 

Family and friends joined the trio for the festive occasion.

COE recognized for 'Seal of Biliteracy'

Studying multiple languagesThe COE was recently recognized for implementing the Seal of Biliteracy, a program that honors students who have shown mastery in two languages by high school graduation.


County Superintendent of Schools Charles Weis, Ph.D. accepted the award from Californians Together at the 11th annual Accountability Leadership Institute for English Learner and Immigrant Students hosted by the California Department of Education.


The COE is one of 33 school districts and county offices statewide that have implemented the program.

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 COE 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 COE takes pride in being a premier employer and a champion for children, schools, and community.
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