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Greetings!
Welcome to the November 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). |
Professional Development / Opportunities |
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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, RichmondFor info: Contact W. Moss (800) 875-5029 or visit the program's website Fee: Free |
BioForum |
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 ($25 for Cal Academy members) |
CAHSEE Writing Preparation for English Learners and Struggling Students |
This two-day program is designed for teachers of all subject areas, grades 8-12, to better assist their English Learners and struggling students in passing the CAHSEE writing test.
Dates and location: Jan. 25-26, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; CCCOE Pleasant Hill
For info: Contact Elvia Teixeira at (925) 942-3357, you can register online
Fee: $325 |
CATESOL Northern Regional Conference |
The Monterey Institute of International Studies and the California Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (CATESOL) will be hosting a one-day teacher training conference titled Changing Tides: Transformative Teaching and Learning, featuring keynote speaker is Dr. Diane Larsen-Freeman of the University of Michigan.
Date and location: Nov. 13, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; The Monterey Institute of International Studies, Monterey
For info: Contact CATESOL or visit the conference's website
Fee: $45 CATESOL members, $55 non-members |
The Big Ideas Fest 2010 |
The Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education is hosting the 2nd annual Big Ideas Fest. An estimated 175 education experts and creative thinkers will gather for three days to inspire and design tangible ways to increase education's relevancy to learning in the 21st Century. Big Ideas Fest participants include: teachers, professors, board members, administrators, and students, as well as entrepreneurs, policy-makers, corporate leaders, foundation executives, and technology pioneers.
Date and location: Dec. 5-8; Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
For info: Contact via e-mail or visit their website
Fee: $650 (early bird), covers registration and meals |
River of Words Art and Poetry Contest |
Produced by the River of Words organization, entry forms are now available for their annual competition. The contest, on the theme of watersheds, is open to any child from 5-19 years of age who have not completed high school.
Deadline: Dec. 1
For info: Contact (510) 548-7636 or visit their website |
The Captain Planet Foundation |
The Captain Planet Foundation funds grants to promote understanding of environmental issues for school-age children. Grant amounts range from $250-$2500, with applications reviewed quarterly.
Deadline: Dec. 31
For info: Contact Taryn Murphy or visit their website |
Environmental Excellence Awards |
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 |
The Healthy Schools Program |
The Healthy Schools Program (HSP) was launched with the goal to reduce the nationwide prevalence of childhood obesity by 2015. This grant seeks to support schools with seed funds to implement and sustain a healthier school environment. Schools will be eligible to earn grant awards of up to $4000.
For info: Contact Nicole Walker or visit their website Deadline: Nov. 17 |
Upcoming Events / Field Trips |
Meet the Titanic's Discoverer |
National Geographic School Publishing is hosting a very special event, featuring speaker Dr. Bob Ballard, an internationally renowned oceanographer and famous for discovering the Titanic. Dr. Ballard will update attendees about his efforts to introduce students around the world to his science through leading-edge technology.
Date and location: Feb. 8, 4:00-6:00 p.m.; Oakland Museum, Oakland
For info: Contact Elaine Farge at (510) 749-8334 Fee: Free |
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 |
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 17-19; University of California, Davis 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 |
2011 Mock Trial Program | 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: Feb. 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 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: Must register by Dec. 3 |
High School Mock Trials (Law Professional volunteers needed) |
We are looking for additional members of the California Bar Association and second- and third-year law students to serve as scorers and judges at the upcoming 30th Annual Contra Costa County Mock Trial Program. New volunteers will be joining more than 150 practicing and retired Bay Area lawyers, district attorneys, public defenders, and judges, as well as Bay Area college law students, who will be returning as Mock Trial scorers and judges.
Dates and location: Feb. 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, and March 1, 5:00-8:00 p.m.; Martinez courtrooms
For info: Contact Jonathan Lance, CCCOE, at (925) 942-3429 |
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 |
The Weather Channel Kids! |
Go to the Weather Channel's website, and click on "Teacher Guide." You'll find lesson plans, forecasts, games, and other resources for your classroom.
Fee: Free
For info: Visit The Weather Channel Kids |
Bay Area Environmental Education Resource Fair |
For 34 years, educators, parents, and students concerned about the environment we share, have been coming to the Bay Area Environmental Education Resource (BAEER) Fair for the latest in classroom materials, environmental education programs, and information about field trip sites. More than 70 exhibitioners will be on hand to provide a variety of events, demonstrations, interactive opportunities, and workshops.
Date and location: Jan. 22, 2011, 10: 00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Marin Civic Center Exhibit Hall, San Rafael
Fee: Sliding scale
For info: Visit the BAEER website |
Mangini Agricultural Museum and Garden |
This field trip program provides students an opportunity to discover the agricultural history of our county and to explore science concepts in a garden setting.
Dates and location: Offered primarily on Thursday and Friday mornings in the fall and spring; Contra Costa Fairgrounds, 1201 W. 10th St., Antioch
Fee: $1 per student
For info: Contact Marisa Neelon at (925) 776-4295 or visit their website |
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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.
Sincerely,
Jonathan Lance CCCOE |
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