[E-Circuit] - December 16, 2010 Feature Budget Update Link

E-Newsletter for the Staff of the
Contra Costa County Office of Education
December 16, 2010

Greetings!

Welcome to e-circuit!

Have you checked out photos from the recent events at the COE. Photos are posted below the Events Calendar.

We wish you a joyous, restful holiday season.

Message from the Superintendent

I want to wish each and every one of you a Happy Holiday Season!

You do so much during the year to help the citizens of our greater community. Take this holiday season as a time to be with loved ones. Celebrate your successes and accomplishments for the 2010 year, and, together, let's look forward to the challenges that lie ahead as we enter 2011.

I am pleased that you have chosen to be a part of the Contra Costa County Office of Education's staff.

Happy Holidays!

Dr. Joseph A. Ovick
Superintendent of Schools

News About the Budget

Administrators Share Budget Update with Staff
at Stewart Center

The Stewart Center staff were called together December 15, to hear an honest and transparent view of the state budget as COE administrators understand it at this time. This periodic staff update on the budget, as promised by Dr. Ovick, is slated for other sites in January. Dr. Ovick was not present because he was invited by Governor-elect Jerry Brown to represent and advocate for education at the Second Budget Forum held December 14 at UCLA (click here to read LA Times article).

Associate Superintendent for Human Resources, Karen Sakata, spoke about the recent newspaper articles on the budget and encouraged employees to read these articles. Communications has started posting links to articles on budget issues as they affect education on our website. Bookmark it and stay informed.

Associate Superintendent for Business and Administration, Bill Clark presented a 2010-2011 Budget Update. To view Jerry Brown's entire budget discussion presentation from the December 14 Forum, please click here.

Lastly, Facilities Director, John Hild, shared good news on the progress of the new solar systems being installed at both the Mauzy School and the Stewart Building. The CA incentive rebate for solar, the savings on electricity costs, as well as the telecommunications systems installed last month, stand to yield up to $450K back to the general fund.

News From Our Programs and Schools

Contra Costa County Transition Task Force Presents

"Transitioning Into A Social World"
January 4, 2011, at DVC

Parents & Professionals
Come ready to network and be inspired! This year's keynote speaker will provide us with innovative approaches to social success and practical information we can use! The registration fee includes a continental breakfast, buffet lunch, and enrollment in four breakout sessions providing a wide variety of courses covering these main topics:
* Education * Disability Rights * Employment * Living Options
* Benefits * Mental Health * Relationships * Parent Support

During the conference lunch, visit the Resource Room located in the Trophy Room to gather information about resources in our community.

To get more detailed information, click here.

Sponsored by the Contra Costa County Transition Task Force
and...

Contra Costa County Office of Education
Contra Costa SELPA
Contra Costa Developmental Disability Council
Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Regional Center of the East Bay
San Ramon Valley USD/SELPA
West Contra Costa Unified School District

For additional information, please call (925) 686-9091 or e-mail Liz Wilson-Palmer.

ROP Yearbook Class Wins National Award from Lifetouch

Hercules Yearbook class, taught by COE Teacher Natalie Wojinski, was awarded third place in the Lifetouch Yearbook Showcase contest. The yearbook company reviews hundreds of yearbooks entered into the contest each year.

"We have placed in this contest before," said Natalie. "In 2007 we received an Honorable Mention, and in 2008 we took 2nd place. We are very happy with this honor."

"Natalie and her students should be very proud," commented Janet Haun, Student Programs director.

Jullie Hubbard with Forensics student, Dylan.

ROP Analytical Forensic Science Instructor, Julie Hubbard, shows the boxes of supplies she acquired at the Roche giveaway to senior and Forensics student Dylan Dutra.

BioTech Supplies for Liberty ROP Forensics Class
Christmas came early for the ROP Forensics class taught by Julie Hubbard, at Liberty High. On December 4, The Bay Area Biotechnology Education Consortium (BABEC) teamed up with Roche to sponsor a FREE giveaway of equipment, supplies, and furniture for use by educational and non-profits at Roche's Palo Alto location.

consumable supplies for forensics class

"I now have at least two years worth of BioTech supplies for my Forensics class," Julie said with a smile. "Some of these consumables will last close to three years." Specifically, Julie acquired boxes of syringes, pipettes, gloves, small cups used during labs, and much more. "During these tough economic times, donations such as this are so appreciated," said Principal Diane Misasi.

"Special thanks to Katy Korsmeyer of BABEC, and Liberty Biology teacher Poppy Holmes, for keeping us informed of these opportunities," Julie noted. For more information about BABEC check out the website.

Competitions Stimulate Students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math through Competitive Robotics Challenges

Heritage High School hosted its first ever Northern California FIRST Robotics Tournament on Sunday, November 21. The annual FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is one of a number of tournaments dedicated to piquing young people's interest in science and technology, and encouraging them to pursue careers in those fields. Students are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots to compete against other teams.

There were 16 teams, consisting of up to ten students per team, battling it out in the Heritage gym in order to qualify for the Northern California FIRST FTC Championships. Heritage boasted a fifth-place win in this competition (see team photo above). To read more, check out the article that ran in the Contra Costa Times.

Pittsburg Team Qualifies for VEX World Championship

On Saturday, December 11, the ROP sponsored Pittsburg High Robotics team competed against schools from all over the Bay Area in the regional VEX Competition - Round Up at California High School, in San Ramon.

All the students worked very hard on designing and building their robots. After hours of competing, all three of the Pittsburg teams, taught by ROP Instructor Andy Kaiser, were able to enter into the finals.

At the end of the night, one of the Pittsburg teams won it all and now qualifies for the VEX World Championships in Florida, in April. Now the next challenge is fundraising....

"The events were a huge success and the teams all competed so well," said Launi Holland, Student Programs principal. "Robotics competitions are a great way to teach and promote math and science in a fun, interactive forum." Congratulations to all of the teams for their efforts!

Left, Amarae Sansing helps Cade with the bowling activity at Turner's Field Day. Right, representative from MatchPoint International Paul Loscavio, assists Osagie with the racquet skills station.

Field Days in Central and East County Locations

Both East County and Central County Student Programs held their first annual Field Day in November!

Sixty students from several sites came to Turner Elementary to participate in this fun filled day. Students visited ten stations of activities with their field day passports. At each station students received a sticker to add to their passport and each took home a participation ribbon at the end of the day. Students enjoyed using their gross motor skills reinforced by their physical education program taught by Jim Turnbull, their APE teacher. Stations included bowling skills station equipped with a rolling ramp, a MatchPoint International racquet skills station with Tai-Chi inspired activities, a bounce house, a soccer ball kicking station, a sensory experience room, a running race, and throwing activities. Special thanks to students from the LMC transition classroom who acted as event staff to ensure the day ran smoothly. Additionally, the day was set up and organized by teachers Lisa Ecker and Jim Turnbull.

At Mauzy School similar activities took place with over 50 students from sites in Central County participating. Special thanks to APE teacher Ron Johnson for setting up the event, as well as Dick Forrest, APE teacher at Liberty, and two nursing interns for helping to make the day a huge success!
Ron Johnson APE teacher

Above left, Dick Forrest helps Sarah with the bowling activity.
Above right, Zachary prepares for the soccer ball kick with aid Maricela Contreras.

New From Human Resources

Family Care and Medical Leave of Absence (FMLA)

Under the California Family Rights Act and the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act, if you have more than 12 months of service with CCCOE and have actually worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12-month period before the date you want to begin your leave, and if at least 50 employees are employed by the employer within 75 miles, you may request an unpaid family care or medical leave. FMLA requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to eligible employees for certain family and medical reasons. Contra Costa County Office of Education has designated FMLA leave provisions based on a fiscal year.

For eligibility purposes, full-time teachers are deemed to meet the 1,250-hour requirement.

Unpaid leave requirements:

For incapacity due to pregnancy, prenatal medical care or child birth
To care for the employee's child after birth, or placement for adoption or foster care
To care for the employee's spouse, son or daughter, or parent, who has a serious health condition
For a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the employee's job
Military family leave entitlements

The employee is required to provide advance leave notice and medical certification from the health care provider for their own serious health condition or certification from the health care provider of their child, parent, or spouse who has a serious health condition. Taking of leave may be denied if requirements are not met.

The employee ordinarily must provide 30 days advance notice when the leave is foreseeable
For unforeseeable events, you need to notify Human Resources and your supervisor as soon as you learn of the need for the leave

For the duration of FMLA/CFRA leave, the employer must maintain the employee's health coverage under any "group health plan."
If you have any further questions regarding your eligibility for a leave, please call Pat McDougle, human resources specialist, at
(925) 942-5344 or e-mail.

New Employees and Promotions

Please welcome the following new employees and congratulate those who have been promoted.

New Employees:

Alejandra Chamberlain, YDS Specialist I
Hilary Dito, STEM Coordinator (starts 1/4/2011)
Carolyn Martinez, School Nurse

Promotions:

Dave Sanderson, Network Systems Administrator (effective 1/1/11)

We'd love to hear from you!

Please help us inform the e-circuit readers of your upcoming special events and activities, program dates, and special recognition. Our mission is to spread the good news about our public schools and county programs! E-mail Diane Morrell, or call (925) 942-3406.

Sincerely,

Diane Morrell

CCCOE Communications Office
Peggy Marshburn, Chief Communications Officer
Diane Morrell, Writer, Photographer, Designer, Editor
Jonathan Lance, Writer, Media Relations
Robin Wood, Web Developer