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Welcome to Dateline!
Greetings!
Welcome to the September 2011 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 Regional Area Energy Workshop
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ConocoPhillips and the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project have partnered for the 4th year to provide teachers in 26 cities, across 19 states with curriculum and training opportunities. They believe it is important to provide professional development opportunities for classroom teachers and to introduce exciting and engaging energy curriculum 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.
For info: Contact W. Moss at (800) 875-5029 or visit the program's website
Fee: Free
Deadline: November 28
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AB 430 Administrator Training Program
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AB 430 is a State Board of Education approved training program that focuses on developing the leadership skills necessary for administrators to implement a coherent, effective standards-based instructional program to improve student achievement, including understanding the school's adopted textbook programs, developing professional learning communities, acting on assessment data, aligning fiscal resources, providing teacher support, and using technology resources. Completion of AB 430 is accepted as Tier II for the Professional Administrative Service Credential.
Dates and locations: The 2011 training schedules and sites are listed on the AB 430
website
For info: Contact Cheryl Hansen, CCCOE, at (925) 942-3445
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Upcoming Events / Field Trips |
Model United Nations
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The Contra Costa County Model United Nations program is an exciting, educational way for high school students to learn about global issues. The Model UN simulates the activities of a UN body, such as the Security Council or the General Assembly. Students assume the roles of diplomatic representatives to the UN as they consider contemporary international concerns. Through this role-playing event, students develop a great understanding of world affairs and the complexity of international relations.
Dates and location: November 4 and 5; Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill
For info: Contact Peggy Marshburn at (925) 942-3420 or visit the Model UN website
Deadline for sign-ups: October 11
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Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society
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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 Mt. Diablo Astronomical Society by email or visit their website
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Countywide Shelter-in-Place Drill
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Put this on your calendar today! 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 10th annual county-wide exercise. Guidelines for this program will be sent out to all districts and school principals in September. Schools can use the time for training, running brief drills, or conducting more detailed emergency exercises.
Date: November 2, 11:00 a.m.
For info: Contact Lori McDonald at (925) 313-9296
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The Great California ShakeOut
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The California ShakeOut drill is held annually on the third Thursday of October each year. (Other states are also holding ShakeOut drills.) More than 7.9 million Californians participated in 2010, practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On, as well as other aspects of family, school, and organizational emergency plans. Date and location: October 20, 10:20 a.m.; throughout the state of California
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Constitution Day
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A 2005 act of Congress states that all educational institutions receiving federal funding must observe September 17 as Constitution Day, which celebrates the 1787 signing of our founding document. According to the guidelines put forth by the Department of Education, teachers and schools are free to design Constitution Day programming that best addresses the needs of their students. Date: September 17 (But this year, observed on September 16) For info: Visit their website Fee: Free
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27th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day
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California Coastal Cleanup Day is the premier volunteer event focused on the marine environment in the country. In 2010, more than 80,300 volunteers worked together to collect more than 1,100,000 pounds of trash and recyclables from our beaches, lakes, and waterways. California Coastal Cleanup Day has been hailed by the Guinness Book of World Records as "the largest garbage collection" (1993). Since the program started in 1985, over 800,000 Californians have removed more than 15 million pounds of debris from our state's shorelines and coast.
Date and locations: September 17, 9:00 a.m.-noon; various shorline sites
For info: Contact The California Coastal Commission at (800) COAST-4U or visit their
website
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2012 United States Senate Youth Program
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The California Department of Education administers the United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), which is an annual scholarship competition funded by the William Randolph Hearst Foundation and endorsed by the United States Senate. Each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia select two high school juniors or seniors to participate in the USSYP. The delegates receive a $5,000 college scholarship and attend a one-week, all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C. from March 3-10, 2012. For info: Contact Erin Dimmitt at (916) 319-0173 or visit their website. Deadline: September 30
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Lowe's Toolbox for Education Grants
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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 website
Deadline: The fall 2011 application grant cycle closes October 14, (or when 1,500 applications are received)
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Toshiba America Foundation
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The Toshiba America Foundation's Grants Program for K-5 science and math education will be offering a number of grants, worth up to $1,000, for grade school science and math teachers who want to provide special in-class learning projects that would take place over at least three class sessions.
For info: Contact (212) 596-0620 or e-mail, or visit their website
Deadline: Oct. 1
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Chevron's Fuel Your School
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Through a shared vision, Chevron is working together with DonorsChoose.org to help provide teachers with the supplies they need for their classrooms. Chevron supports public education and the Fuel Your School promotion is designed to assist today's students and tomorrow's leaders, with the help of DonorsChoose.org. DonorsChoose.org is a non-profit organization that benefits the community and offers a convenient way for anyone to help students in need.
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Raley's Reach
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Grocery story Raley's is providing five $5000 grants to regional K-12 schools. Contra Costa County's (Region 5) PTAs, booster clubs, parents. and residents are encouraged to nominate their schools to participate in this contest. From September 6-23, votes can be cast online for the nominated schools. Winners will be announced September 30. The grant can go toward back-to-school needs, ranging from new books to physical education equipment to art supplies.
For info: Visit their website
Deadline: School nominations must be in by September 2
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Whooping Cough Booster Shot Requirement
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A new California state law requires all 7th- through 12th-grade students must show proof they have received a whooping cough (pertussis) booster shot, called Tdap, before starting school this fall 2011. Get your teen vaccinated now. And, be sure to keep vaccine records for proof.
For info: Check with your regular health care provider or visit the Contra Costa Health Services' website to find a free public health immunization clinic near you
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Water Facts & Fun Catalog
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For info: Visit their website
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Lindsay Wildlife Museum Educators' Resource Fair
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The Lindsay Wildlife Museum Educators' Resource Fair is the perfect opportunity for all educators to learn more about the many resources available in the area. Find out about field trips, classroom presentations, assemblies, and teacher workshops. Attendees will also be able to pick up free curriculum and classroom materials.
Date & Location: September 20, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Lindsay Wildlife Museum, Walnut Creek
For info: Contact Connie Loosli at (925) 627-2922
Fee: Free
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Children's Oral Health Program
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The Children's Oral Health Program is part of the Family, Maternal and Child Health (FMCH) Programs in Contra Costa Health Services. It was founded in 1977 to provide preventive dental services to children in low-income areas of the county. The program works in collaboration with schools, preschools and community partners to increase access to oral health services, by linking families with no- or low-cost resources.
For info: Contact them at (925) 313-6280 or visit their website
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Published by the Contra Costa County Office of Education Communications Office77 Santa Barbara Road, Pleasant Hill, California 94523Joseph A. Ovick, Ed.D., Superintendent of SchoolsEditor: 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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