The Alternative Education Department of the Santa Cruz County Office of Education finished a yearlong training initiative in Trauma Informed Care at the close of the 2014-15 school year. Trauma Informed Care is an approach that aims to engage people with histories of trauma, recognize the presence of trauma symptoms, and acknowledge the role that trauma has played in their lives.

Find out more about the Alternative Education Program's integration of Trauma Informed Care...

"Too many boys in America are crying with bullets instead of tears."

Comedian Michael Pritchard's messages were delivered to local schools with funny faces and silly noises but they were far from comical. In September, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education partnered with the Office of the Mayor of Santa Cruz, to host a two-day event highlighting Kindness, Empathy and Compassion as the cornerstones to developing healthy kids and community.

Find out more about Michael Pritchard's work with students in Santa Cruz County...

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education Tech Center was buzzing with conversation. Ideas were discussed. Content considered. All of it made for some worthwhile reflection as students considered just what it was that made them a good candidate for their college of choice.

Find out more about the Young Writer's Program Personal Statement Workshop...

County Superintendent of Schools Michael Watkins is pleased to announce the arrival of visiting scientist, Dr. Bruce MacFadden, to the County Office of Education. Distinguished Professor and Curator of the Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Bruce has dedicated his sabbatical year to bringing research and field science into Santa Cruz County classrooms.

Find out more about Dr. MacFadden's work in Santa Cruz County...

Science came alive in the redwoods as the participants from the 2014-15 Inside Education Program wrapped up their series of hands-on workshops visiting schools throughout the county by spending the day at Camp Koinonia in Corralitos, interacting with Outdoor Science School staff and students. Approximately 100 fifth and sixth grade students were spending four days and three nights of intensive science and nature study at the camp. During field classes they followed qualified naturalists through forest, mountains and streams, learning the interrelationships between plants, animals and humans.

Jim Collopy is a Donate Life Ambassador with Donor Network West. The organization's mission is to save and improve lives through organ and tissue donation for transplantation. Mr. Collopy received a liver transplant in 2001 and has been volunteering since 2004.

Project Write-Start kicks off its 26th year in collecting and distributing new backpacks and school supplies for homeless and low-income students. Collection of donations has started strong this year with a total collection of over 1,800 backpacks thus far. And thank you to Feed the Children, a non-profit relief organization, which donated 360 backpacks all filled with school supplies! With over 4,300 students in need to serve, we are off to a great start!

Santa Cruz County Middle School students were offered Career Technical Education through ROP Step-Up classes at five different high school sites during May and June. For many, it was the first time to test out academic theory with hands on projects in Engineering, Bike Repair and Maintenance, Construction and Solar, Artistic Welding and Animation. In addition, this year, high school students attended class each day to mentor the students, thus contributing to an easier transition to high school.

On Tuesday, June 16th, ROP Video Production students from Aptos High School were awarded first place in the 2015 Soquel Creek Water District Public Service Announcement Contest. The Contest called for participants to create a 30 second public service announcement featuring ways to save water. At Aptos High School, ROP Instructor Jenny Angelacos created an instructional unit around the competition. The unit began with students researching topics surrounding water conservation.

Future Ready Schools is an effort being led by the Alliance for Excellent Education and the U.S. Department of Education to maximize digital learning opportunities and help school districts move quickly toward preparing students for success in college, a career, and full participation as citizens. Over 2000 districts across the nation have signed the Future Ready Pledge including the Santa Cruz County Office of Education. In total, the pledge signers represent over 14 million students. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education, through the TICAL project (Technology Information Center for Administrative Leadership), has taken a lead as a national, Future Ready partner in this effort by recently hosting a virtual, Future Ready School Leadership Summit.

For the fifth consecutive year, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, in collaboration with the Santa Cruz Arts Council, produced an inspiring Summer Arts Institute (SAI) for twenty-eight elementary and middle school teachers and SPECTRA teaching artists during the week of June 22-26, providing instruction for teachers in the arts. Instruction included projects and activities in visual arts, music, and performing arts designed to reinforce the California Common Core State Standards in a fun and rich environment.