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Greetings!
Welcome to the October 2010 issue of Dateline. This informative newsletter is for all those in Contra Costa County who work in education. Please tell your fellow teachers and administrators, as well as your friends who would be interested to join our mailing list (see link button at the left column). |
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Professional Development / Opportunities |
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Contra Costa Public Information Network (CCPIN) | The Changing Face of Journalism: What it Means to You will be the topic of the upcoming CCPIN presentation. The event's five panelists will represent Bay Area print, radio, television, and Internet media. Flyer.
Date and location: Oct. 21, 10:00 a.m.-12 noon; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info: Contact Peggy Marshburn, CCCOE, at (925) 942-3420
Fee: Free |
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Contra Costa Regional Area Energy Workshop | |
ConocoPhillips and the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project have partnered for the third year to provide teachers in 26 U.S. cities with an exciting and engaging curriculum to teach the topic of energy to students in today's classrooms. The one-day energy classroom workshop will feature plenty of lesson plans, curriculum materials, and a set of Energy Infobooks for student research. Along with meals, parking, and materials, all attendees' substitute reimbursements will be covered.
Date and location: Nov. 9, 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; Courtyard by Marriott, Richmond
For info: Contact W. Moss (800) 875-5029 or visit the program's website Fee: Free |
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Experience California Academy of Sciences' BioForum, an event focused on current science topics relevant to teachers and their students. This upcoming presentation is titled Human Evolution: Investigating Our Origins. Science is always evolving. New discoveries shape our current understanding of human evolutionary milestones such as bipedalism, the use of tools, dietary adaptation, changing body shapes and sizes, and life history. The program will look at the roots of humanity, and explore key early hominin adaptations and their evolution through time.
Date and location: Nov. 6, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; California Academy of Sciences, 55 Music Concourse Dr., San Francisco
For info: Contact the California Academy 800-794-7576, or visit their website
Fee: $30.00 ($25.00 for Cal Academy members) |
Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grants |
The Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grants, up to $5,000 per school, are now accepting their fall-cycle applications. These funding requests should have a permanent school-site impact, such as facility enhancement (both indoor and outdoor), as well as landscaping and/or clean-up type projects. Projects that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit will be favored. For info: Visit Lowe's Toolbox for Education websiteDeadline: The fall 2010 application grant cycle closes Oct. 15 |
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Environmental Excellence Awards | The 2011 SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Environmental Excellence Awards will recognize the outstanding programs created and implemented by students and teachers across the country who are working at the grass-roots level to protect and preserve the environment. Awards between $5,000 and $10,000 will be presented.
Deadline: Dec. 1
For info: Contact (877) 792-4332 or visit their website |
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Upcoming Events / Field Trips |
Countywide School Shelter-in-Place Drill | | Community Awareness Emergency Response (CAER) invites all schools to practice and improve their site emergency procedures for shelter-in-place by taking part in this 9th annual county-wide exercise. A list of guidelines for this program was sent out to all districts and school principals this past September. Schools can use the time for training, running brief drills, or conducting more detailed emergency exercises.
Date: Nov. 3, 11:00 a.m.
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American Education Week (AEW) |
This year's theme, Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility, highlights the importance of bringing together educators, school staff, parents, students, and communities in a unified effort to build great public schools. Use the online toolkit for activity ideas, templates, and downloadable materials:
-Nov. 15: Open House Day
-Nov. 16: Invite Parents to School Day
-Nov. 17: Education Support Professionals Day
-Nov. 18: Educator for a Day
-Nov. 19: Substitute Educators Day
Dates: Nov. 14-20
For info: Visit their website |
Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society |
The Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society will gladly organize an astronomy night for your school, youth group, or community organization. Their members volunteer their time and their telescopes to bring the universe to you. They also provide knowledgeable speakers and activities on various astronomy topics either in a classroom or in a meeting setting. Fee: Free For info: Contact them by email or visit their website |
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| MyVote California Student Mock Election was created to help high school and middle school students discover the importance of elections and the power of their votes in our democracy. Working with the California Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools, this program gives students a chance to make their voices heard on the candidates and issues that affect them and their families, while an exciting election season is in full-swing. Once the votes are counted, students can compare their choices to those of their peers around the state, and then to the decisions made by adult voters in the statewide election held only a few days later.
Date: Oct. 26 (Mock Election Day)
For info: Contact MyVote at (916) 651-3070 or visit their websiteDeadline Oct. 25 |
Junior Science and Humanities Symposium |
The 49th Annual Northern California Western Nevada Regional Junior Science and Humanities Symposium is an outstanding opportunity for interested students to hear world and nationally renowned scientists speak on their research, visit laboratories of practicing university and industrial scientists, talk informally with scientists about future career options, and converse with peers about shared interests in science, engineering, math, and technology. Dates and location: March 18-20; University of Nevada, Reno Deadline: Pre-registration/indication of interest must be submitted by Nov. 14 For info: Contact Roger Martin at (510) 642-4155 or visit their website |
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| The Contra Costa County Mock Trial Program is sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF), and is coordinated by the CCCOE. This year, CRF's case is a murder mock trial.
Dates and location: Every Tuesday and Thursday in the month of February and March 1, 5:00-8:00 p.m.; Martinez courtrooms
For info: Contact Karen Rice, CCCOE, at (925) 942-3400 or the Mock Trial website
Deadline: Dec. 3 |
Academic Decathlon (volunteers needed) |
Come out and join the fun, while helping our students with this outstanding event. The Academic Decathlon is held on three separate days, and we are looking for volunteers to judge Essay, Speech, and Interview sessions on two of those dates. Dates and locations: Jan. 29, morning and afternoon; CSU East Bay, Concord (Speech and Interview sessions) and Feb. 1, early evening; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill (Essay screenings) For info: Contact Karen Rice, CCCOE, (925) 942-3400 or visit the Academic Decathlon website |
Los Vaqueros Tarantula Run | There is a trail race or walk course for every member of the family, at the Contra Costa Water District's 5th Annual Los Vaqueros Tarantula Run. Participants take part with the event's 1/2 marathon, 10K, 5K, or 1K Kids Run. Everyone will receive a commemorative T-shirt, goody bag, snacks, beverages, and free admission to Los Vaqueros Watershed.
Date and location: Oct. 23; Los Vaqueros Watershed, Brentwood
Fee: $20 per person, with discounted prices offered to family entrants, seniors, and kids 14 and under
For info: Contact Jim Freschi at (925) 688-8175 or visit the event's website
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| The 8th Annual Get Real Academy, presented by Soroptimist International, is a life-skills conference for high school senior girls focusing on life after high school. Seminars throughout the day will include such topics as money management, women's health, domestic and workplace violence issues, insurance, legal advice, and job search tips. Sign-ups are now being taken.
Date and location: Feb. 28, 2011, 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.; Boundary Oak Golf Club, Walnut Creek
For info: Contact Beverly Gomer at (925) 362-7224
Deadline: Jan 21, 2011
Fee: Free |
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The Great California Shake Out | |
The California ShakeOut drill is held annually on the third Thursday of October each year. (Other states are also holding ShakeOut drills.) More than 6.9 million Californians participated in 2009, practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On and other aspects of family, school, and organizational emergency plans. This year, Californians are also encouraged to "Secure Your Space" to reduce potential damage and injuries.
Date and location: Oct. 21, 10:21 a.m.; throughout the state of California
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Published by the Contra Costa County Office of Education Communications Office
77 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, California 94523
Joseph A. Ovick, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools
Editor: Peggy Marshburn; Writer/Layout: Jonathan Lance, (925) 942-3429;
Diane Morrell, Designer; Robin Wood, Web Developer
Dateline is distributed during the school year to all public schools in the county by the Communications Office. 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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