SCCOE hosts first-ever 'Together for Kinder Readiness' symposium
Transitional kindergarten provides an opportunity to create a smoother transition between preschool and kindergarten, giving students the gift of a year to build a strong foundation for future school success. In the 2015-16 school year, there were 22,943 students enrolled in transitional kindergarten and kindergarten throughout Santa Clara County. But despite the demonstrated success of transitional kindergarten in preparing children for K-12 education, many barriers between preschool and the later grades remain.
 The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) hosted a dialogue between the worlds of preschool, transitional kindergarten, and kindergarten during a sold out, three-day event July 19-21 for educators across the continuum.  "We are very excited to host the first-ever 'Together for Kinder Readiness' symposium in Santa Clara County," County Superintendent of Schools Jon R. Gundry said before the event. "Bringing together skilled and dedicated educators from pre-kindergarten, transitional kindergarten, and kindergarten will create a strong foundation for student success. We look forward to a productive and powerful three days of learning."
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Peter Daniels appointed Chief Public Affairs Officer
 Peter Daniels began as the first Chief Public Affairs Officer for the SCCOE on July 5, a cabinet-level position. Daniels brings more than 22 years of experience in school communications, marketing, public relations, and community engagement to the organization, serving school systems in California, Hawaii, and Washington. He will oversee legislative advocacy efforts and the department of Media and Communications.
"I am confident that his wide range of experience will help the County Office of Education expand our legislative advocacy efforts and enhance our communications division," said County Superintendent of Schools Jon R. Gundry.
Under the direction of the Superintendent, Daniels will help develop governmental affairs programs for the SCCOE, as well as serve as chief spokesperson while executing and maintaining sound public relations, communications, and community relations. He will also serve as liaison between the Superintendent and other public and governmental agencies and officials.
"Building strong relationships and partnerships, highlighting innovative SCCOE programs and services, and leading regional communications initiatives to support student learning and pre-K to post-secondary education are important priorities of mine," Daniels said.
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'Why I Teach' PSA series wraps up
 The SCCOE recently released the 10th and final video of the "Why I Teach" PSA series, created to help inspire the next generation of teachers. The PSAs kicked off on National Teacher Appreciation Day May 3 and were released weekly as part of a wider countywide initiative to address the teacher shortage.
 "For me, being a teacher is more about facilitating that learning and not dictating that learning for the students," Erin H. Lindsey from Lawson Middle School in Cupertino Union School District says in the final video. "I want them to grow up and be powerful change agents so allowing students authentic experiences where they get to create positive change in the classroom, think outside the box, approach challenges including taking risks, are all things I strive to do in my room."
Check out the entire video series on the SCCOE YouTube Playlist or watch them by clicking on the individual videos below:
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Upcoming Events
Below are some of the many upcoming events supported by the Santa Clara County Office of Education. Check the "Events" column of our website for regular updates:
2016 Inclusion Collaborative State Conference [October 27-28]: The SCCOE will host the Inclusion Collaborative State Conference, sponsored by the California Department of Education-Special Education Division and First 5 Santa Clara County, from October 27-28. Meet with other education professionals and learn, create, and enhance inclusive practices for from birth to 12th grade with and without disabilities. Participants can obtain two CEUs through the University of the Pacific and received a certificate of completion. Registration for the conference closes October 7, or when filled. Don't delay! Register here.
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Board passes resolution for anti-discrimination, gun safety reform
On July 20, the Santa Clara County Board of Education passed a resolution reaffirming its focus on equality on anti-discrimination and gun safety reform in Santa Clara County schools and communities.
Board Member Darcie Green commented on the importance of the resolution in "honor of ending gun violence and supporting gun control." The resolution was initiated shortly after the Orlando tragedy, but remains timely in light of other recent tragedies across the country.
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Updates from the Santa Clara County Board of Education
Here's a summary of actions taken by the Board at its recent meetings.
July 20:
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.
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IISME awards Summer Fellowships to 21 county educators
Congratulations to the 21 educators from Santa Clara County who were awarded a 2016 Industry Initiatives for Science and Math Educators (IISME) Summer Fellowship. The organization will hold a "Spark the Future Celebration" at the Google office in Sunnyvale on August 1 to honor the following 2016 IISME Teacher Fellows:
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Kenneth Amunrud - Joseph George Middle School in Alum Rock Union Elementary School District
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Sushma Bana - Monta Vista High School in Fremont Union High School District
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Michael Bautista - Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto Unified School District
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Kenny Contreras - Adrian Wilcox High School in Santa Clara Unified School District
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Debra Dimas - Santa Teresa High School in East Side Union High School District
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David Dobervich - Fremont High School in Fremont Union High School District
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Paul Durdle - San Jose High School in San Jose Unified School District
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Joe Gabent - Fairwood Elementary School in Sunnyvale School District
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Kristina Granlund-Moyer - Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto Unified School District
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Kevin Jordan - Los Gatos High School in Los Gatos-Saratoga HS District
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Agnes Kaiser - Isaac Newton Graham Middle School in Mountain View Whisman School District
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Robert Lo - Cupertino Middle School in Cupertino Union School District
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I-Heng McComb - Fremont High School in Fremont Union High School District
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Quynh Nguyen - Quimby Oak Middle School in Evergreen School District
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Kevin Olson - Norwood Creek & Silver Oak Elementary Schools in Evergreen School District
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Diane Polgar - Joaquin Miller Middle School in Cupertino Union School District
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Kenneth Pringle - Abraham Lincoln High School in San Jose Unified School District
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Siddhi Shah - Santa Clara High School in Santa Clara Unified School District
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Shannon Skoff - DCP Alum Rock High School in San Jose Unified School District
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Jayme Vanderwege - Sunnyvale Middle School in Sunnyvale School District
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Dirk Wright - San Jose High School in San Jose Unified School District
 The IISME Summer Fellowship Program is a unique professional development opportunity for educators to gain hands-on math, science, and technology experience while working side by side with the Bay Area's leading industry, research, and university professionals.
For more information about the event, visit the website.
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Educational Technology Services holds inaugural institute
 The SCCOE Educational Technology Services team held its first annual Ed Tech Leadership Institute from July 25-27 at the Ridder Park office.
The institute is a way to target up and coming leaders and partners from around the state for the SCCOE, and keep them connected throughout the school year.
For more information about the department and their resources, visit their website.
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Migrant Education students visit Washington D.C.
 According to Carlos Acosta, the Migrant Education Program Manager, the program is designed to "promote democracy and give students an opportunity to learn about government." Acosta said the trip's highlights "included a visit to Representative Mike Honda's office, meeting Senator Elizabeth Warren, and running into the Prince of Saudi Arabia in the hallway on the way to the House of Representatives gallery."
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July 21 event helps give all students the 'Right Start'
 California currently has the country's second-lowest standard of living among children, and studies have found that poverty creates gaps in cognitive skills in babies that continue to widen as they get older, according to a Right Start Commission Report. In Santa Clara County, there are more than 6,000 3- and 4-year-olds living in families who are income-eligible for public preschool but who do not receive services due to a lack of state funding, according to Strong Start Director Matthew Tinsley.
 The SCCOE is addressing this gap through its ongoing goal to "improve student equity and reduce access discrepancies to high quality education." The office continued this pivotal work as a partner in the Right Start Commission Town Hall event July 21 at the SCCOE Ridder Park office. It was held in collaboration with the Strong Start Initiative of Santa Clara County, Common Sense Kids Action, and the Right Start Commission.
"The SCCOE, through Strong Start, is working to increase access to high quality early childhood education for all children in the county," Tinsley said. "There's a natural alignment between our efforts and the Right Start Commission, who has the same goal for all children in California."
The event follows a recently released report by the Right Start Commission titled, "Rebuilding the California Dream," which presents a blueprint for a child-centered system that nurtures every child from the beginning of life.
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SCCOE receives accreditation
with 'flying colors'
 For a program "to receive Accreditation from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), we must meet both common standards and program standards" according to Kathy Wahl, Director of the SCCOE Inclusion Collaborative Program.
"It was amazing," Wahl continues, "and we were honored that we met all nine common standards and a total of 74 program standards. This accreditation status will remain for the next seven years; our next visit will be in 2023."
Nelson Estupin, Manager of Credential Services at the SCCOE, added: "we actually passed with flying colors." While California has many excellent programs, Estupin said no other program received "the resounding approval our programs did."
The Committee on Accreditation, on behalf of the CTC, assigned Accreditation status to the SCCOE after a thorough review of its Administrative and Special Education programs in May.
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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 270,000 students. The SCCOE 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 SCCOE is committed to serving, inspiring and promoting student and public school success.
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All the teachers featured were honored during the SCCOE's 2015-16
