Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of giving one of the keynote addresses at the 13th annual Accountability Leadership Institute, which was held in Santa Clara. This annual gathering is designed to help educators develop effective policies and successful programs for English learners and immigrant students.
As the superintendent of schools in Santa Clara County, I'm especially interested in this work. Nearly 25 percent of our county's students are classified as English learners. We are strongly committed to supporting those students in learning English and supporting their fluency in other languages at the same time.
Silicon Valley is a diverse community, a microcosm of the world, if you will. Nearly 60 languages are spoken here, and just as many cultural backgrounds exist. The ability to speak, read and write in two or more languages is increasingly important to workplace success. Citizens of the global economy need language skills and cultural awareness to thrive in a multicultural and multilingual world.
The presidential election last month demonstrated just how significant multicultural awareness can be. As we have learned, demographics played a major role in the outcome. President Obama earned an overwhelming share of the Asian-American and Hispanic vote.
Going forward, demographics undoubtedly will play an even greater role in national politics. In the coming years, anyone who aspires to be president -- or for that matter, a senator or governor -- will need a voice that resonates with a wide spectrum of constituents. Those candidates who understand the value of biliteracy will have a huge advantage over those who do not.
And the advantage will not stop once they are elected. We see evidence every day of a world becoming flatter. For the United States to continue to be the leader of the free world, our leaders will have to appreciate the customs and beliefs of different people all over the globe. One sure path to that understanding is through biliteracy -- believing in it, fostering it, rewarding it.
That's why, at the Santa Clara County Office of Education, we have instituted the local Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes high school seniors who have mastered two or more languages. Last spring, we awarded the Seal of Biliteracy to more than 200 students.
We feel that this award not only honors the individual students and their accomplishments, but also recognizes the overarching value of biliteracy. And who knows? Maybe one day, one of those honored students -- that boy or girl in your town, in your local school -- will serve as our nation's biliterate Commander in Chief.
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Workshop address suicide prevention, response
Attendees of an upcoming workshop will learn about the latest research and data in suicide prevention, as well as strategies for suicide response.
Suicide Prevention and Intervention: An Educational Response will be held Jan. 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the COE, 1290 Ridder Park Drive in San Jose.
The free workshop is geared toward school health crisis teams, nurses, teachers, counselors, school psychologists, and district and school-site administrators.
Register online. For more information, contact Myrna Zendejas at (408) 453-6762.
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Links of Interest
Who We Are
Watch a video that details the essential services that the COE provides students, teachers, districts and the community of Santa Clara County.
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| Special Education student honored |
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Onna Bejarano-Perkins has made big strides in school.
 In fact, her accomplishments were so great that Onna recently earned special recognition from the Santa Clara County Board of Education.
"This award is great for me and for other kids," Onna said after accepting her accolade late last month.
Jeff McCahan, Onna's therapist, said that since the 10-year-old enrolled in the COE's special education program for children with emotional disturbances about a year ago, she has shown remarkable growth and progress.
"She's consistently worked hard, displayed appropriate classroom behavior, and got along well with other kids," Jeff said. "This is one place where she's been really successful. She compartmentalizes things and really shines."
Onna attends fourth grade at Sanders Elementary, one of the schools in the COE's Santa Teresa special education cluster.
"As staff, we are in awe of Onna's resiliency and her ability to perform at such a high level," Jeff said.
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| Migrant Ed program helps youth graduate |
Six students recently realized their dreams of high school graduation thanks to a program offered by the COE.
The Migrant Out of School Youth program identifies students of age 14 to 21 who are no longer enrolled in school and have not graduated or passed the General Educational Development (GED) test.
Working closely with a Morgan Hill-based adult school and a COE Migrant Education program advocate, the students received netbook computers and completed high school credits online.
Earlier this month, the six students participated in a small, personal graduation ceremony in which each student could thank the people who helped them achieve their dreams.
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| Board elects Mah, Chang as officers |
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Here's a summary of actions taken by the Santa Clara County Board of Education at its Nov. 28 and Dec. 12 meetings:
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 Denied a petition from Discovery Charter School to open three facilities as countywide charter schools - Elected Grace H. Mah as board president and Michael Chang as board vice president
- Approved a countywide charter petition for Summit Public School: Denali
- Amended its 2013 meeting to schedule to add a Jan. 23 meeting, as well as other changes
- Recognized Pauline Daly as December 2012 Employee of the Month
- Recognized student volunteers with the "My Vote, Our Future" campaign
The Board of Education is the elected governing body of the COE. Its seven members serve four-year terms and are elected by different regions of the county. Learn more about the members, and view their meeting schedule, agendas and minutes.
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| Program cultivates Asian, Latino American leadership skills |
 Another session of a leadership program for Asian Americans and Latino Americans in Silicon Valley begins next month.
Participants in the Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute's Civic Leadership Program (CLP) at De Anza College will meet Thursday evenings between Jan. 10 to March 28.
Learn more about the CLP, including application information for De Anza students and community members.
 The group gathers 25 practicing and emerging leaders. This year's program leaders are Santa Clara County Board of Education Vice President Michael Chang and Mayra Cruz, CLP director and San Jose Evergreen College District trustee.
The 2013 CLP will particularly benefit those exploring civic engagement in local government commissions, elected office or staff positions; public policy advocacy; leadership in nonprofit or community-based organizations; or corporate sector government and community relations.
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| Reelected board members sworn in |
Four members of the County Board of Education began new terms this month.
 Board members Leon F. Beauchman, Joseph Di Salvo, Grace Mah and Anna Song took the Oath of Office on Dec. 12, about a month after maintaining their respective seats on the county Board of Education.
Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Brian Walsh swore in the group.
Beauchman and Di Salvo, who respectively represent Areas 3 and 4 of Santa Clara County, both run unopposed for their seats. Voters reelected Mah and Song, who respectively represent Areas 1 and 5, in the Nov. 6 election.
Family and friends joined the trio for the festive occasion. |
| Students to learn sportsmanship at tennis tournament |
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Local students will have a chance to learn about fitness and good sportsmanship at an upcoming professional tennis tournament.
 The 2013 SAP Open Kids Day runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 15 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. The event is open to second- through eighth-grade students, teachers and chaperones. See registration information.
Now in its 18th year, the free event includes a demonstration by professional tennis players, and information about health and fitness.
The SAP Open also hosts an essay contest for all students scheduled to attend the event. Twelve students will win a prize package and be invited down to the court to meet the pros and participate in various tennis drills.
For more information about the event, contact Lynley Takaki at
(408) 977-4758.
The top men's tennis tournament in the region runs Feb. 11 to 17, and will feature players like Milos Raonic, Lleyton Hewitt, Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan.
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Since 1852, the Santa Clara County Office of Education has provided vital services and resources to the county's 31 K-12 public school districts and more than 250,000 students. The COE strives to provide advocacy and leadership on education issues, student programs that are models of excellence, and indispensable services to schools and community partners. The COE takes pride in being a premier employer and a champion for children, schools, and community. |
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