masthead updated
Issue: #8September 2010
In This Issue
Anne Campbell Takes Helm
New Year, New Buildings
New Fiscal Services Chief
E-Newsletter Honored
Whooping Cough Alert
Teacher Resource Fair
SMERC Has New Home
Featured Article
School districts around the county were busy building and modernizing structures this past summer in time for the new school year.
County Welcomes Anne Campbell as New County Superintendent 
 

On September 1, 2010, Anne Campbell took the helm as County Superintendent of Schools. Campbell, who ran unopposed for the position and received 100% of the vote, was elected in June. The County Board of Education appointed her to begin her term on September 1, 2010, afterAnne Campbell retiring Superintendent Jean Holbrook announced she would vacate the position at the end of August, before her term ended in December, to provide a smooth transition and allow Campbell to begin her tenure at the beginning of the school year. "San Mateo County is indeed fortunate that a leader of Anne Campbell's caliber has been elected to office and I am confident that she will be a superb county superintendent of schools," Holbrook said.
 

As County Superintendent, Campbell is committed to working toward closing the achievement gap, achieving school funding reform, expanding access to quality preschool, and ensuring that all students in the county are prepared for success in the 21st century global economy.

On September 25, 2010, she will begin zeroing in on one of her priorities, co-hosting a forum with the County Board of Education for policy leaders and educators entitled "The Achievement Gap in San Mateo County: A Policy Perspective." Noted educational researcher and Stanford professor Linda Darling-Hammond will kick off the event by sharing key findings from her most recent work, The Flat World and Education.  Campbell commented, "The County Board and I look forward to bringing together key policy makers to brief them on the achievement gap in San Mateo County - we will all need to work together if we are to succeed in closing the achievement gap."
 

Learn more about Anne Campbell's background, experience and priorities as County Superintendent here.


New School Year Brings New 
School Buildings
 

The sound of jackhammers could be heard at school sites throughout San Mateo County this summer as school construction and modernization moved forward at a speedy pace.

Thanks
Construction took place at Laurel School in Menlo Park this summer.
Laurel School
to the passage of numerous school bond measures, several San Mateo County school districts proceeded with needed upgrades to their school campuses that included new school buildings, a biotech center, solar panel installations, swimming pools, theater arts buildings, gymnasiums, refurbished classrooms and cafeterias, and more.
 
 
 
 

Learn more about these construction projects here.


 

Denise Porterfield Takes Helm of Fiscal Services at SMCOE


At a critical time when school districts throughout San Mateo County are facing fiscal challenges due to the state budget crunch, Denise Porterfield took over in July as newly appointed Deputy Superintendent, Fiscal and Operational Services, at the San Mateo CountDenise Porterfieldy Office of Education. Porterfield brings a wealth of experience to the position, having served for 15 years in various school district business office positions and the last three years as Chief Business Officer in the Antioch Unified School District.

With the passage of AB 1200 in 1991 and subsequent school finance bills, the role of the County Office in oversight of school district finance has become more and more crucial. School districts throughout San Mateo County count on the County Office for assistance in managing their budgets, preparing mandated state reports, and administering payrolls.

 

Learn more about how the County Office provides fiscal oversight and services to districts here.


SMCOE E-Newsletter Honored

At the 33rd annual San Francisco Peninsula Press Club Greater Bay Area Journalism Awards dinner held in June, 2010, the SMCOE News & Views e-newsletter was honored with the second place award in the Public Relations/Newsletter category.  The judges commented on the "lively content" and "excellent use of a new media format."

Winners were selected from 394 entries from media professionals in the 11 Greater Bay Area counties. Entries were judged by the Bakersfield Press Club, Milwaukee Press Club, the Press Club of New Orleans and the Press Club of Southeast Texas.

Whooping Cough Is On the Rise
In San Mateo County


San Mateo County health officials are concerned about the dramatic increase in the number of cases of pertussis (commonly referred to as "Whooping Cough").Almost twice as many cases have been reported this year in California compared to last year. The incidence of pertussis tends to peak every two to five years with the greatest numbers of cases tending to occur in August and September. So far in 2010, at least seven infants are known to have died of pertussis in California.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious infection of the respiratory tract that usually lasts 6 to 10 weeks. Symptoms begin with a runny nose, sneezing, possibly a low-grade fever, and mild cough. After a week or two, a persistent cough develops, which may occur in explosive bursts, sometimes ending in a high-pitched whoop and vomiting. Older children and adults may have a less typical cough. Although the disease is less severe in adults and older children, they can unknowingly infect infants and preschoolers who are at risk for serious illness.

 

Pertussis is spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes tiny droplets into the air and another person breathes them in. An infected person is contagious at the time of the early cold-like symptoms, before persistent coughing starts. Persons remain contagious until about three weeks after the persistent cough begins (for a total contagious period of about five weeks for untreated pertussis). Those treated with antibiotics are no longer contagious after completing five days of treatment. Students and staff ill with pertussis should remain home from school during their contagious period.                

 

The San Mateo County Health System recommends vaccination for children, preteens and adults (in particular healthcare workers, preschool teachers, parents, grandparents and infant caregivers).

 

To learn more about vaccination and preventing whooping cough, check here.

 

For the latest information on pertussis in San Mateo County, check here.

Fall Science & Math Teacher Resource
Fair at SMCOE
 

Come one, come all pre-K through high school science and math teachers, licensed child care providers and nonprofit organizations! You are invited to attend the Fall Science and Math Teacher Resource Fair at the San Mateo County Office of Education on September 29, 2010, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Check out science and math resources and materials from Bay Area organizations, see live demonstrations, and engage in a "knowledge" scavenger hunt with prizes. 

 

The Resource Fair is presented by the San Mateo County Office of Education, the Council of Math/Science Educators of San Mateo County (CMSEMC), Oracle and Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT). To attend, RSVP to (650) 802-5505.

SMERC Library Finds New Home
 

Due to budgetary constraints, the San Mateo County Office of Education made the difficult decision to close the San Mateo County Educational Resource Center (SMERC) Library at the County Office in June 2010 and find a new home for the collection. As of September 1, 2010, the SMERC Library has been relocated and integrated into the education collection of the Gellert Library at Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) in Belmont. It is now available to all San Mateo County educators at its new location.

Learn more about the SMERC move to Notre Dame de Namur University here.

 

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.

Believe In Tomorrow: Think Green Today