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Welcome to Dateline!
Greetings!
Welcome to the December 2014 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 in joining our mailing list ( click here, or the link button at the left column).
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Professional Development / Opportunities
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Big Idea Fest 2014
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The Institute for the Study of Knowledge Management in Education is hosting the 5th annual Big Ideas Fest. This three-day gathering of the nation's most creative makers and doers in education brings together champions across K-12, higher education, and informal learning, to participate in a truly unique interactive experience. You'll hear from inspiring speakers and take part in action collaboratives designed to incubate solutions that address education's most pressing challenges.
Date and location: December 7-10; Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
For info: Visit their website
Fee: $735 covers registration and meals (only)
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Power the Common Core with Tech for Administrators
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Join us for a 30-minute webinar on relevant educational technology topics:
*Tweet Your Horn
Build community and share Common Core classroom snapshots with online social tools. Hear from administrator Adam Welcome
@awelcome, who is rocking the tweet.
Date: December 16, 4:00-4:30 p.m.
Register: Here
Fee: Free
*Rolling Out the Gold... errr... Chrome
Rolling out Chromebooks to support the Common Core and SBAC? Chromebook basics will get you started.
Date: January 20, 4:00-4:30 p.m.
Register: Here
Fee: Free
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AB 1266: School Success and Opportunity Act - Workshop
| This workshop will focus on understanding key terminology and concepts, policy implementation best practices and key considerations, and communication strategies for working with students and parents/community. This session will include strategies to create safe and supportive spaces for all students, including those who identify as transgender and other students living outside of expected gender norms. Date and location: January 12, first session from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. (will specifically address the needs of school and district administrators), the second session from 5:30-7:30 p.m. (will address the needs of those who work directly with students); CCCOE, Pleasant Hill For info: Contact Emily Justice, at (925) 942-5328, or visit the program's Eventbrite page Fee: $15 for either session, $25 for both sessions |
Project Towards No Drug Abuse (TND) Training
| Project TND focuses on three factors that predict tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use, violence-related behaviors, and other problem behaviors among youth, including:
- Motivation factors (i.e., students' attitudes, beliefs, expectations, and desires regarding drug use);
- Skills (social, self-control, and coping skills); and
- Decision-making (i.e., how to make decisions that lead to health-promoting behaviors).
Date and location: January 20, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill For info: Contact Emily Justice, at (925) 942-5328, or visit the program's Eventbrite page Fee: Free |
Project ALERT Training
| Project ALERT is a classroom-based substance abuse prevention program for 7th and 8th graders that is proven to reduce the experimental and continued use of drugs. Through a series of comprehensive lessons, Project ALERT motivates students against drug use, cultivates new non-use attitudes and beliefs, and equips teens with the skills and strategies they will use to resist drugs. Date and location: January 22, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill For info: Contact Emily Justice, at (925) 942-5328, or visit the program's Eventbrite page Fee: Free |
Closer Reading for Deeper Learning
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Close reading is a habit of mind good readers employ when reading complex text. Carol Jago will demonstrate how the process opens up otherwise opaque literature and literary nonfiction for readers, deepening their understanding of both the text and the world around them. Jago will demonstrate methods for kindling the love of reading while building students' skills for reading. She will address issues of motivation, book selection, and the bad habits of good readers.
Date and location: January 26, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill
For info: Contact Sharon Marks at (925) 942-3356 or visit the Eventbrite registration page
Fee: $100
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Leading Edge Certification for the Online and Blended Teacher
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Are you interested in teaching online, but unsure where to start, or are you already teaching online and want to enhance your skills? The Leading Edge Alliance and a group of county offices of education, nonprofits, universities, and governmental bodies have developed a certification program for K-12 teachers. The certification is a national program to prepare instructional leaders for online learning. Content includes building community, moderating discussions, supporting diverse learners, and implementing frequent formative assessments.
Dates: two eight-week cohorts will be offered: January 26, and April 20, (One synchronous meeting on the first day and 45-60 hours online training)
For info: Contact Eileen C. Walters at (925) 942-3435, or visit the program's website
Fee: $450, includes course, as well as portfolio review and certification
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5th Annual San Francisco Bay Area STEAM Colloquium
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Presented by the CCCOE, the STEAM Colloquium is a forum to discuss and share best practices in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics) education. This event brings together numerous K-12 educators, administrators, legislative policy makers, college and university educators, community organizations, and businesses to present and discuss how to advance STEAM education into our classrooms.
Date and location: January 30, 2015, San Ramon Marriott, San Ramon
For info: Stay tuned to the STEAM Colloquium Web page, registration is now open, watch updates on Twitter: #STEAMCOLLOQ
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The 20th Annual Distinguished Speaker Series
- The Best Practices in Teaching Leadership
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The Best Practices in Teaching Leadership Saturday Seminar Series provides a broad range of opportunities for professional educators to learn research-based techniques and strategies from local and national professionals. Keynote and breakout sessions cover a variety of topics and grade levels, and provide practical and purposeful tools for both general and special educators to improve teaching practice. Networking opportunities with educators from other schools and districts are another key benefit. The program meets BTSA Induction professional development requirement. Graduate academic credit or continuing education units may also be earned.
Dates and location: January 31, February 28, March 21, and May 2, all seminars are held 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.;
Saint Mary's College, Moraga
For info: Contact Jeannie Harberson at 925-631-4836, or visit their
website
Fee: $65 for individual sessions (academic credit available)
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Cool Tools XI
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East Bay CUE's Cool Tools, now in its 11th year, is a professional development and networking event for educators, with morning interactive concurrent sessions and afternoon intensive, hands-on workshops. Topics focus on integrating technology in teaching and learning. Bring your laptop, tablet, or smart device for a day of exploration and learning.
Date and location: February 7, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; TBD
For info: Contact Eileen C. Walters or visit their Web page
Fee: $75 pre-registration, includes breakfast, lunch, entry into the prize drawings, and CUE membership (new or one-year renewal)
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Leading Edge Certification for the Administrator
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Do you want to enhance your digital leadership skills? Are you interested in supporting students and staff in developing 21st Century college and career readiness? Are you ready to be a transformative leader? Leading Edge Certification for the Administrator focuses on site, district, and regional leaders and is based upon the National Education Technology Standards for Administrators (NETS). Participants will learn how to effectively unitize technology tools, resources, and innovative solutions to advance student achievement, foster educator productivity, and extend learning opportunities for all. Upon successful completion, the certification will give schools, districts, and other prospective employers assurance that Leading Edge Certified administrators have the skills to effectively lead schools through the 21st Century and provide visionary leadership among all stakeholders of their organization.
Date: February 23 (Includes one synchronous meeting on the first day and 45-60 hours online training)
Fee: $750, includes course, as well as portfolio review and certification
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Hot Topics: Increasing Comfort and Facilitation Skills
| The Hot Topics training provides participants the knowledge and skills they need to feel comfortable discussing the "hot topics" that arise when teaching health-related topics such as sexuality education and substance abuse prevention. There will be a discussion on providing unbiased health education along with addressing learner diversity. Participants will have an opportunity to practice answering difficult questions and responding to harassing comments. Also included will be information on California's Education Code Standards regarding HIV and comprehensive sexuality education. Date and location: February 12, 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill For info: Contact Emily Justice, at (925) 942-5328, or visit the program's Eventbrite page Fee: $40 |
Upcoming Events / Field Trips |
12th Annual Get Real Academy
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The 12th Annual Get Real Academy, presented by Soroptimist International, is a life-skills conference for high school senior girls focusing on life after high school. Seminars throughout the day will include such topics as money management, women's health, domestic and workplace violence issues, insurance, career success, and job search tips. Sign-ups are now being taken.
Date and location: March 13, 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.; Concord Hilton,Walnut Creek
For info: Contact Bert Vigil
Deadline: January 30
Fee: Free
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Academic Decathlon (volunteers needed)
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Come out and join the excitement, while helping our students with this outstanding event. The East Bay Regional Academic Decathlon is looking for volunteers to judge Essay, Speech, and Interview sessions, as well as the final event: SuperQuiz. There are four scheduled judging dates to choose from. Please review volunteer form.
Dates and locations: Essay Reading-January 21, 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and January 22, 5:00-8:30 p.m.; CCCOE, Pleasant Hill. Speech and Interview Sessions-January 24 morning and posible early afternoon shifts; CSU East Bay, Concord. SuperQuiz judging-February 7, 1:30-3:45 p.m.; Los Medanos College, Pittsburg.
For info: Contact Diane Morrell at (925) 942-3406 or visit the Academic Decathlon Web page
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High School Mock Trials (Law Professional volunteers needed)
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The CCCOE is looking for additional members of the California Bar Association and second- and third-year law students to serve as scorers and judges at the upcoming 34th Annual Contra Costa County Mock Trial Program. New volunteers will be joining more than 100 practicing and retired Bay Area lawyers, district attorneys, public defenders, and judges, as well as Bay Area college law students, who will be returning as Mock Trial scorers and judges.
Dates and locations: February 3, 5, 10, 12, 18, 19, and 24, 5:00-8:00 p.m.; Martinez courthouses
For info: Contact Jonathan Lance, CCCOE, at (925) 942-3429 or visit the Mock Trial website
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The 2015 Youth Garden Grants
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Since 1982, National Gardening Association has provided the Youth Garden Grant to over 5,000 schools, nonprofits, and youth programs across the United States. Youth Garden Grant has contributed over 2.8 million dollars in funding to youth gardening initiatives and serves as National Gardening Association's longest standing grant program. This year we will present awards to 20 schools or youth programs. Twenty programs will receive a $500 gift certificate to the Gardening with Kids online store. Winners will also receive a tool package, plant starts, a raised bed, and a generous seed donation.
For info: Visit their website
Deadline: December 5
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The Captain Planet Foundation
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The Captain Planet Foundation funds grants to promote understanding of environmental issues for school-age children. Grant amounts range from $250-$2500, with applications reviewed three times a year.
For info: Visit their website
Next Deadline: January 31
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Emergency Shelter-in-Place Preparedness Grants
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The Contra Costa County Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) provides up to $2,500 grants to improve the preparedness of Contra Costa County schools and agencies in responding effectively to shelter-in-place emergencies. The proposed drills and exercises must have a stated list of objectives and goals that must be addressed.
For info: Contact Lori McDonald at (925) 313-9296 or visit CAER's
website
Deadline: February 9
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The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 37th Annual STUDENT Humanitarian of the Year
| Each year, one Contra Costa County high school student is named to be the county's Student Humanitarian of the Year, part of an annual celebration the county hosts in conjunction with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Day. The period is open now to nominate candidate: teachers, counselors, and principals are encouraged to consider submitting names of worthy students. The 2015 winner will be selected by a committee from the county on behalf of the Board of Supervisors, and honored in a special ceremony in January.
For info: Contact Betsy Burkhart (925) 313-1183, or review the program's Web page
Deadline: December 14
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The Intel-Affiliated Contra Costa County Science and Engineering Fair
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Contra Costa County businesses will once again join our county's educators to produce the 2015 Intel-Affiliated Contra Costa County Science & Engineering Fair, this coming spring. The program is for grades 7-12 students.
Dates and location: March (TBD very soon); Los Medanos College, Science Building
For info: Contact Sia Sauer at (925) 719-7507 or visit the Science & Engineering Fair's website
Deadlines: Pre-approval project deadline was October 31, (post-marked); Final project approval deadline is January 16, (postmarked)
Fee: $20 per student
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19th Annual LegiSchool Projects Essay Contest
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The LegiSchool Project's Center for California Studies is seeking entries for their 18th Annual Essay Contest. This year, students are asked to share their views on Climate Change. The contest is open to 11th- and 12th-grade students attending California high schools. Ten winning essayists will be selected and will receive round-trip travel to the Sacramento State Capitol to participate in the 19th annual Student Legislative Summit on April 22. LegiSchool Project is a civic education collaboration between California State University, Sacramento and the California State Legislator, and is administrated by the Center for California Studies.
For info: Contact Terra Thorne at (916) 278-6906, or visit their website
Deadline: Postmarked by January 30
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Costal Art and Poetry Contest
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To encourage youth to reflect on the beauty and spirit of our state's beaches and ocean, this special contest challenges California students to create artwork or poetry using a California coastal or marine theme. Prizes, awarded to five separate grade-level categories, include $100 gift certificates to an art-supply or book store. Winners and honorable mentions will receive tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Each winner's teacher will receive a $50 gift certificate for education materials,
For info: Contact The California Coastal Commission at (800) COAST4U, or visit their website
Deadline: Jan 31
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Joseph A. Ovick, Ed.D., Superintendent of SchoolsEditor: Terry Koehne; Writer/Layout: Jonathan Lance, (925) 942-3429;Diane Morrell, Designer; June Stephens, 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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