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Issue: # 1 November 2009
In This Issue
Race to the Top
Town Hall Meeting
H1N1 News
Summer Institute on China
SMCOE Annual Report
flu vaccine
Featured Article
Find out the latest developments in response to the H1N1 flu on the SMCOE Web site
 

Welcome to this first edition of the San Mateo County Office of Education News & Views. Through this e-newsletter, we'll keep you informed about the latest news and activities at the County Office. When SMCOE News & Views is delivered to your inbox each month, click on the link and you'll be in the know! We hope you'll look forward to future editions.
 
Jean Holbrook, Ed.D.
San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools
 

SMCOE Hosts Race to the Top
Regional Meeting
 
The race is on as states compete for a portion of the federal $4.35 billion Race to the Top Fund, designed to encourage innovation and school reform, and to turn around low-performing schools. On November 4, 2009, the San Mateo County Office of Education was the site of one of three regional informational meetings held across the state to explain the grant process and focus to education stakeholders. Rick Miller, Deputy Superintendent at the California Department of Education, and Kathryn Radtkey-Gaither, Undersecretary of Education at the Office of the Secretary of Education, provided guidance and gathered input from the audience of 70 school district personnel, County Office of Education staff PTA officers and school board trustees.
 
Learn more about the regional meeting and the four core education reform areas that are the focus of the Race to the Top Fund here.
 
  
California Race to the Top Web site 
 
 
The U.S. Department of Education Race to the Top Fact Sheet 

 
Education Town Hall Meeting
Draws Crowd

Not even the first game of the World Series could keep the dedicated audience of 200 parents, students, school board trustees, school and County Office of Education staff from attending the Town Hall Meeting on Education Issues at Hillsdale High on October 28, 2009. State Assemblyman Jerry Hill served as emcee as State Superintendent of Schools Jack O'Connell and San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Jean Holbrook highlighted important education issues and answered questions from the audience.  Hot topics included the achievement gap, dropout and graduation rates, school funding, and career and technical education.
 
See what the speakers at the town hall meeting had to say here.
San Mateo County Schools
Prepare for H1N1 Flu
 
School districts throughout the County are preparing for the H1N1 virus by educating about prevention strategies, developing tracking procedures and providing health resource information for students and their families. flu vaccine
 
Upon request of the San Mateo County Health System, each district is developing its own detailed response plan for the flu, whether it be H1N1 or the seasonal variety. The San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) developed a template for a response plan that school districts have been tailoring to meet their needs.
 
Resources are available directly from the County Health System and also through SMCOE.  As new advisories become available, SMCOE disseminates this information to the districts.
 
Flu information is updated as information becomes available and posted on the SMCOE Web site.The San Mateo County Health System provides a wealth of information on latest case counts in the County, where to get the H1N1 vaccine, who should get it and more on its Web site.  

 
Prevention is Key
To help avoid the spread of flu, follow these guidelines:
  • Stay home if you have flu symptoms.
  • Keep children who are sick home from school.
  • When you sneeze or cough, cover your nose and mouth, and cough into your elbow rather than your hands.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, and especially after touching ATMs, doorknobs and handrails. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. This is how germs spread.
  • If you or someone in your home develops flu-like symptoms, contact your health provider to determine whether flu testing and treatment are necessary.
     
Chinese History With a Firsthand Twist
Teaching about China takes on new meaning for 17 teachers.
 
This past summer, 17 Bay Area middle and high school teachers traveled to China, took Mandarin lessons, and heard lectures on Chinese culture and history  all as part of the Great Wall of ChinaSummer Institute on China, a professional development program co-sponsored by the San Mateo County Office of Education. With renewed enthusiasm and their firsthand knowledge of Chinese history and culture, they are creating lesson plans, and sharing them with their students and other teachers.
 
Not only history and social science teachers benefited from this program. Science, art, music and math teachers will also be incorporating China into their lessons this year.
 
Learn more about the Summer Institute on China and the teachers' experiences here.

SMCOE Annual Report Is Now Online
 
In 2009 San Mateo County students by and large scored higher than students statewide on the California Standards Tests. San Mateo County high school graduates fulfilled the course requirements for entrance into the University of California / California State University (CSU) system at higher rates than their statewide counterparts.
 
As the demographics of the County change, the challenge remains to meet the needs of all students and bridge the achievement gap where it exists for students of color, students living in poverty and English Learners.
 
This information and more is contained in the 2009 Annual Report to the Community, now available on the SMCOE Web site. A limited number of print copies are also available by contacting the Superintendent's office at (650) 802-5554.

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About the San Mateo County Office of Education
 
The San Mateo County Office of Education provides a variety of instructional, business and consulting services to the County's twenty-three public school districts, charter schools, the Community College District, and County Office of Education staff.