MCOE News
Late Spring 2017
Message from Your County Superintendent of Schools
The end of the school year is here, which means graduations and celebrations abound around the county. I wish to congratulate each of our students and staff members for their accomplishments over the 2016-17 school year.
In this edition of MCOE News, we celebrate our student, staff, district and county events and successes, along with special thanks to many employees for their years of service to MCOE.
As we all know though, work doesn't stop during the summer! Be on the lookout for recaps of all our summer activities in out next newsletter.
I hope you have a wonderful summer and will enjoy reading these stories, and more, in this edition of MCOE News.
Sincerely,
Nancy Kotowski, Ph.D.
Monterey County Superintendent of Schools
Monterey County Honors Classified Employees of the Year and Teachers of the Year at Red Carpet Event
Winners in each category are pictured below.
For a complete listing of nominees and award winners, please click here.
Congratulations to all!
Monterey County Teacher of the Year
Monterey County Classified Employees of the Year
Stella De La Torre
Acting Manager,
Salinas Union High School District
Child Nutrition Category
Armando Enriquez
Monterey County Office of Education
Maintenance, Operations and Facilities Category
Arlen Espinoza
King City Union School District
Para-Educator and Instructional Assistance Category
Eddie Standifer
Monterey Peninsula Unified School District
Support Services and Security Category
Stacie Crane
Carmel Unified School District
Office and Technical Category
Andrei Rayas*
North Monterey County Unified School District
Transportation Category
*Andrei was also selected as the State Classified School Employee of the Year in the Transportation Category
MCOE Bids a Fond Farewell to Retirees
On May 16th, seven 2016-2017 retirees were celebrated with a Board of Education resolution and special words of thanks.
We wish each of you a happy retirement ahead!
Louie
Transportation
Lisa
Business and Finance
Ismael
General Services
Ester
Head Start
Ruth
Special Education
Janine
Special Education
Not present, but recognized for their service were:
Norma Alvarado, Special Education
Teresa Bermudez, Special Education
Elizabeth Cornwell, Alternative Education
Alice Fields, Special Education
Eva Gutierrez, General Services
Vickie O'Hara, Special Education
Maria Placido, Migrant Education
Matthew Shoemaker, Alternative Education
Maria Torres, Transportation
Sylvia WInsby, Special Education
Celebrating Our Districts' Successes
South Monterey County Joint Union High School District Rakes in Awards
South Monterey County Joint Union High School District (SMCJUHSD) has received notable awards during the 2016-17 school year. They are as follows:
• SMCJUHSD is one of 433 school districts in the United States and Canada being honored by the College Board with placement on the 7th Annual AP District Honor Roll. To be included on the 7th Annual Honor Roll, SMCJUHSD had to, since 2014, increase the number of students participating in AP while also increasing or maintaining the percentage of students earning AP exam scores of 3 or higher. Reaching these goals demonstrates the district has successfully identified motivated, academically prepared students who are ready for AP.
• SMCJUHSD also made the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) and the Campaign for Business and Education Excellence (CBEE) Honor Rolls for consistently improving in achievement and the reduction in achievement gaps.
Congratulations on these outstanding achievements!
North Monterey County Unified School District Students Win Tech Challenge
Kudos to a team of students from Elkhorn Elementary School (Starbucks Squad Team #112) who received the 2017 Outstanding Device Performance Award from the Tech Challenge, held April 29th and 30th.
The Tech Challenge invites teams of students in Grades 4-12 to use the engineering design process to solve a real-world problem. Participants spend months collaborating and becoming deeply engaged in the challenge while documenting their progress and designs. The program culminates in a thrilling two-day showcase when teams put their solutions to the test in front of judges.
The Tech Challenge 2017 theme "Rock the Ravine," challenged students to design and build a device to help explorers cross an ice field with multiple ravines.
The Tech Challenge is hosted by the Tech Museum of Innovation, a family-friendly interactive science and technology center located in the heart of downtown San Jose.
To learn more about The Tech Challenge, visit its website here.
MCOE Celebrates Teachers and Classified Staff Members
49th Annual Mathletics Competition
On a day designed for sharp pencils and even sharper minds, Emma Cushing of York School was awarded the $1,250 Richard Morgantini Scholarship for being the top-scoring student taking the advanced calculus exam. The 49th annual Mathletics Competition was held Saturday May 13 at Hartnell College.
This year, an additional top award category, the Robert P. Balles Scholarship, awarded $1500 to the highest scoring Advanced Calculus team of Audrey Bennett, Jayne Oentoro and Chloe Zhao of Santa Catalina Upper School.
First, second, and third place winners in each level received gift cards, gift certificates and an Olympic-sized first, second or third place medal.
Over 300 upper elementary, middle and high school students from Monterey County public and private schools participated in the event, which tests students in one of eleven levels.
Mathletics is a math contest held each May to encourage excellence in math and recognize the achievements of individual students and the schools they represent. The Monterey County Office of Education and California State University, Monterey Bay Mathematics Department sponsor the event.
Very Special Field Day for Very Special Students
Nearly 200 Monterey County Office of Education special education students from locations throughout Monterey County in grades 1 through 12 participated in field day events themed “If I Had Fun, I Won!” in Salinas on May 12th at Rabobank Stadium in Salinas.
The ball throw, turbo javelin, standing long jump, and multiple wheel chair races and running events filled the morning specifically designed for moderately to severely disabled students. High school students from Carmel High School served as outstanding volunteers assisting our MCOE Adapted Physical Education teachers who coordinated all of the games and festivities.
“Field Day is a unique opportunity for our special education students to enjoy a variety of physical activities with their peers,” said Dr. Nancy Kotowski, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools. “The joy they express is contagious. Carmel High School students also find serving at Field Day a great experience.”
Monterey County Students Win at International Science Fair
Three top Monterey County science students attended the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair May 14th-19th in Los Angeles and headed home with special awards and recognitions. These students had Monterey County’s three top projects at the 2017 Monterey County Science & Engineering Fair.
The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (Intel ISEF) is the world’s largest international pre-college science competition. Winners from Intel ISEF 2017 can be found here.
The Monterey County Science & Engineering Fair is a collaborative effort affiliated with the Society for Science & the Public that is sponsored by the Monterey County Office of Education, the Naval Postgraduate School, California State University Monterey Bay, and many community partners.
Megan Tang
Kaden Agha
Rohan Bhushan
PBIS Successes Showcased
On May 15th, Monterey County Office of Education showcased the efforts and successes of various school climate programs in place across Monterey County during our second annual Positive Behavioral Interventions & Support (PBIS) & School Climate Transformation Initiatives Showcase.
These programs are showing improved impacts on children and youth including:
• Higher attendance rates
• Lower suspension and expulsion rates
• Reduced office discipline referrals
This annual showcase provides opportunities for schools, local organizations and community members to view the successful work being done to improve school climate for children and youth in Monterey County.
Awards were also presented to schools, staff members, and community partners. Awards presented were as follows:
Awardees, School Staff
• Salinas UHSD
Jill Camron, Administrator of the Year
Seth Tanner, PBIS Champion
• Salinas City ESD
Victor Marinelli, Administrator of the Year
Allison Gribben, PBIS Champion
• Alisal USD
Esteban Hernandez, Administrator of the Year
Roberto Nunez, PBIS Champion
• Monterey Peninsula USD
Sarah Hudson, Administrator of the Year
PK Diffenbaugh, PBIS Champion
• Soledad USD
Rosalinda Silvia, Administrator of the Year
Other Awards
• Overall Sustainability Award: Mission Park School
• Greatest Growth Award: Tier 1, Seaside Middle, University Park
• Greatest Growth Award: Tier 2, Mt. Toro
• Most Self Assessment Surveys (SAS) Completed: Alisal High (Secondary), Sherwood (Elementary)
• Best Use of Video Technology Award: Salinas High
• Best Lesson Planning Award: El Sausal, Washington Middle
• Valued Community Partners, Individuals
Jason Cook, Cooks Photography
Chris Shake, Old Fisherman's Grotto
• Valued Community Partners, Community Agency
Monterey County Behavioral Health
Restorative Justice Partners, Inc.
Congratulations and thank you to all!
Summer Matters!
Summer Learning Programs show fantastic results. Results like:
• 84% of students report improved ability and motivation in school
• 93% of teachers report better relationships with students
• 83% of students say the program helps them like school
Board members, superintendents, staff, elected officials and parents are invited to attend Summer Matters showcase events this summer, and one is featuring an outstanding program in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. On July 14th, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., visitors can see successful practices in action, and share their perspectives on how a blend of academics and enrichment helps mitigate summer learning loss.
To RSVP to attend, click here.
To learn about other opportunities in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, click here.
Human Resources Staff Members Recognized for Years of Service to MCOE
Not present, but recognized for service, was Melissa Luna-Hinds, Human Resources Technician, for 20 years of service.
Thank you for your dedicated years of service to MCOE.
Transportation Staff Members Recognized for Years of Service to MCOE
Thank you for your dedicated years of service to MCOE.
Marisol
Bus Driver, School
15 years of service
Gale
Bus Driver, School
15 years of service
Nicolas
Bus Driver, School
15 years of service
Gloria
Bus Driver, School
15 years of service
Frances
Frances Shidler
Bus Driver, School
15 years of service
Raquel
Teacher, MCHCS
25 years of service
Debby
Bus Driver, School
30 years of service
Gregory
Bus Driver, School
35 years of service
Roslyn
Bus Driver, School
35 years of service
Alternative Education Staff Members Recognized for Years of Service to MCOE
Not present, but recognized for their years of service were:
Kathleen Elizabeth Mason, Teacher, Community School, 10 years of service
Stacy Gomes, Student Program Data Analyst I, 15 years of service
Gabriela Quintero, Community Liaison Translator/Interpreter, 15 years of service
Thank you for your dedicated years of service to MCOE.
Scott
Teacher
10 years of service
Matthew
Teacher, Independent Study
10 years of service
Margaret
Alternative Education Program Specialist
10 years of service
Chandalee
Senior Director, Alternative Education
10 years of service
Maria Luisa
Instructional Para I
15 years of service
Belica
Student Program Data Analyst I
15 years of service
Head Start Staff Members Recognized for Years of Service to MCOE
Not present, but recognized for their years of service were:
Susan Gonzales, Food Service Delivery Assistant, 10 years of service
Frederick Meech, Food Service Lead Cook, 10 years of service
Ana Bertha Valencia, Early Head Start Educator, 10 years of service
Vanessa Delgado, Family Service Advocate ,15 years of service
Jose Rodriguez, Custodian, 15 years of service
Rocio Silva, Preschool Teacher, 15 years of service
Delfina Torres Vega, Family Service Advocate, 15 years of service
Teresa Benitez, Associate Teacher, 20 years of service
Maria Tellez, Preschool Teacher, 20 years of service
Maricela Alonzo, Family Service Advocate, 25 years of service
Sally Gonzales, Health and Family Services Specialist, 25 years of service
Thank you for your dedicated years of service to MCOE.
Petra
Preschool Site Supervisor I
5 years of service
Liz Beth
Head Start Tech and Data Services Coordinator
5 years of service
Christina
Family Service Advocate
10 years of service
Rachel
Family Service Advocate
15 years of service
Ester
Associate Teacher
15 years of service
Rosa
Preschool Teacher
15 years of service
Martina
Preschool Teacher
15 years of service
Maria
Preschool Teacher
15 years of service
Debra
Preschool Teacher
15 years of service
Irene
Preschool Teacher
15 years of service
Margarita
Associate Teacher
15 years of service
Jose
Custodian
15 years of service
Yane
Associate Teacher
15 years of service
Olivia
Preschool Teacher
15 years of service
Neri
Associate Teacher
15 years of service
Cara
Early Head Start Educator
15 years of service
Guadalupe
Preschool Teacher
20 years of service
Guadalupe
Preschool Teacher
20 years of service
Maria
Family Service Advocate
20 years of service
Margarita
Associate Teacher
20 years of service
Reynalda
Preschool Site Supervisor III
25 years of service
Veronica
Preschool Site Supervisor I
25 years of service
Alice
Preschool Teacher
35 years of service
Monterey County Office of Education
Email: jhull@montereycoe.org
Website: www.montereycoe.org
Location: 901 Blanco Circle, Salinas, CA, United States
Phone: (831) 755-0300
Facebook: facebook.com/MontereyCountyOfficeofEd
Twitter: @MCOE_Now