Odyssey Community School, a school in the Alternative Education Department of the Santa Clara County Office of Education, has completed the first year of the three-year Whole Child Grant Initiative, and has shown at least a 20 percent growth in each area of the grant.

Odyssey, which is located in San Martin, was selected last July as one of only 10 schools nationwide to participate in the ASCD "Whole Child Network" of schools. As part of its selection, Odyssey received a $10,000 grant for the 2012-13 school year. The school also participated in a school improvement process using the tenets of ASCD's "Whole Child" initiative. 

ASCD is an educational leadership organization dedicated to advancing best practices and policies for the success of each learner.

The areas in which the school's growth was measured were labeled Safety, Healthy, Engaged, Supported and Challenged. Odyssey staff participated in several development activities through the year, including a national conference in Chicago, and hosted two on-site visits from ASCD.

A mentoring program matching SCCOE staff with students in the Alternative Education Program is winding up its second year. Recently, two students visited the COE's Ridder Park headquarters to meet with their mentors and other staff in their professional work environment.

The director of Digital Design & Media Services, Jason Sholl, provided a behind-the-scenes tour of the COE's TV studio, editing room and the print shop. The visit included a tour of the COE's digital media studio, and a chat with the graphic designers. (Designer Mike Bromberg is shown with the two students displaying some of his handiwork.)  

The mentoring program this year had 16 mentors matched up with 16 students from the COE's Sunol and Snell Community Schools.

"The Alternative Education Mentoring Program has been an invaluable opportunity for both the mentors and mentees," said Chief Schools Officer Linda Aceves. "The mentors develop a better understanding and appreciation of the students we serve, and the mentees develop a positive adult relationship that supports their future goals."

The mentor program is designed to provide student mentees with trained mentors and resources to prepare for the world after high school. Student meetings typically occur during the regular school day, at the school site. The primary role of the mentor with their mentees is to expose them to a positive role model, give them access to the professional community, offer guidance from school-to-work, assist with goal development and help to build self-esteem and motivation.

"...Having someone to talk to about school, my future and outside issues has helped me out," one mentee said."I get to learn new things to take the right path."

Here's a summary of actions taken by the Board at its May 15 and 22 meetings:

• Provisionally appointed Darcie Green as Board Trustee of Area 6
• Mitigated the impact of federal sequestration cuts on the Head Start program, by allocating to it a total of about $1.27 million in general fund revenues and other funding relief
• Recognized student Ruben Tapia, of Mt. Pleasant High School, for his achievements in the SCCOE Migrant Education Program
• Recognized school nurse Gloria Graham of the Student Services special education program at Gateway School, as Employee of the Month

The Board of Education is the elected governing body of the SCCOE. 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.