E-News MCOE
Celebrating Education Successes Across Monterey County
Wonderful Winter
MCOE is proud to share news from Winter 2019-2020 where our staff, along with district and community partners, are making outstanding impacts on education throughout Monterey County.
Monterey County Hamilton Project Hosts Final Student Trip of 2019-2020 to San Francisco
In this past year, the Monterey County Office of Education partnered with the Dan and Lillian King Foundation to send every eighth grade student to the live showing of Hamilton: An American Musical in San Francisco.
Beginning in September 2019 through February 2020, over 6,000 public and private school students and 3,000 chaperones explored concepts of democracy and citizenship through the use of creative inquiry, and evaluated narratives that combat growing inequities within today’s political and cultural movements.
The Monterey County Office of Education wishes to sincerely thank the Dan and Lillian King Foundation for their generosity in making this trip of a lifetime possible. Kudos to the students and staff who represented Monterey County so very well!
Click here for the most recent coverage of the project in The Salinas Californian and stay tuned for additional coverage by KPIX-CBS San Francisco and KCBS-San Francisco Radio.
Monterey County Celebrates The Great Kindness Challenge
The Monterey County Office of Education encouraged its employees, all schools, districts, and community members to come together and participate in The Great Kindness Challenge, January 27 - 31, 2020. The Great Kindness Challenge is a positive, proactive kindness initiative, reaching millions of students and families every year.
The Monterey County Office of Education is a Kindness Certified County Office of Education.
“Our world today needs more kindness,” said Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools. “This free program teaches about compassion and to see goodness in others. In addition to random acts of kindness, participants actively seek out purposeful acts of kindness. We hope these efforts have an enduring positive impact on our Monterey County communities.”
The Great Kindness Challenge is a positive and uplifting program that creates a culture of kindness in schools, communities, and the world. Using a kindness checklist, schools and families are challenged to complete as many acts of kindness as possible. The School Edition is an annual one-week challenge during the last week of January. The Family Edition is year-round. Schools and families may get involved by signing up at no cost at: www.greatkindnesschallenge.org. The Great Kindness Challenge is made possible by the generosity of our sponsors Toy Foundation, ViaSat, Mind Yeti, Nordson, TaTaTu, McGraw-Hill Education, and Wonder Kindness Certified Kind Classroom Challenge.
Kids for Peace is a California-based global nonprofit that provides a platform for youth to actively engage in socially-conscious leadership, community service, global friendships, and thoughtful acts of kindness. Over 13 million youth in 121 countries actively create a culture of peace through their two programs, The Great Kindness Challenge and The Peace Pledge Program. www.kidsforpeaceglobal.org.
For an album of photos sharing how students and staff across Monterey County celebrated The Great Kindness Challenge, visit the link here.
Salinas Union High School District Opens Two Wellness Centers
Two Salinas schools have opened Wellness Centers that are intended to act as mental and social-emotional resource hubs. Everett Alvarez High School and Harden Middle School held ribbon cutting ceremonies this winter, the first two of a total of nine campuses to build Wellness Centers in the Salinas Union High School District.
What is a Wellness Center?
Wellness Centers provide safe, supportive environments on school campus where students can go to discuss a variety of issues from sadness, grief, loss, self-esteem, family life and stress, sexual identity and other socio-emotional health needs. Through both on-campus programming and community-based partnerships, students receive coordinated health education, assessment, counseling and other support services to maximize student engagement and success.
What kinds of concerns does the Wellness Center address?
Wellness addresses a wide variety of socio-emotional concerns that may be interfering with school.
What types of services are provided for students?
Students can participate in a variety of services including mental health, counseling, referrals to community agencies and more. Wellness services provided to youth are free and confidential!
Kudos to Salinas Union High School District for focusing on student wellness as a key component of student success in school and in life!
South County Teachers Receive “Impact Grants” for Classroom Projects from Aera Energy
Five South County teachers were recently awarded a total of $2,500 in “Impact Grants” by Aera Energy. The Aera grants provide financial support for educational programming that enhances the academic development of students. Applicants must apply for the grants and provide a description of their desired project, how students will be impacted and how success of the project will be measured.
“There’s nothing much better than watching students get excited about reading or science,” said Kathy Miller, Aera public affairs coordinator for Monterey County. “When teachers are able to bring new activities and materials to the classroom, great things happen for students.”
A $500 grant was awarded to San Lucas Union School District teacher Tom Carvey, Aera’s first-ever grant to that school district.
“Students are fascinated by things that fly,” said Carvey, who teachers grades 6-8. “With the grant, I was able to purchase water bottle rockets, kites and more to allow students to explore different types of flight. These hands-on experiments are fantastic opportunities for students to learn beyond a book.”
Grants were also awarded to San Ardo Union Elementary School District teachers Amy Ardouin, Kristen Kelley, Luis Rojas and Tamara Vonderheide. Each teacher received $500 to boost their classroom libraries with new books, to provide materials needed for small group instruction and a video trainer for use in robotics programming.
“I am creating the first robotics competition team at San Ardo School and the video trainer will help students learn about coding,” explained Rojas. “But they’ll also be learning about teamwork, communication and other important life skills. I can’t wait to get started.”
San Ardo teacher Tamara Vonderheide is putting her grant to use with a focus on student performance.
“I am thrilled to be working with my students in San Ardo,” she said. “Aera’s grant has enabled me to purchase materials for small group instruction that reinforces skills and concepts taught in our regular curriculum. Studies show that the interaction in small groups improves student understanding and comprehension. I wouldn’t have been able to get these materials without Aera’s support.”
The Monterey County Office of Education is thankful for Aera's support of teaching and learning in Monterey County.
Sonia Jaramillo Appointmented by Governor Newsom to Early Learning Policy Council
Governor Gavin Newsom announced the selection of diverse experts, practitioners and parents to guide California’s efforts on early learning and care and appointed members to the state’s new Early Childhood Policy Council and advisory committees, including national experts, practitioners, and parents. He also announced the creation of an Early Childhood Action Research Team to develop a Master Plan for Early Learning and Care, which includes state and national leaders in social impact, financing, policy, and equity issues.
“Every child in our state should have the resources and support they need to live happy and healthy lives,” said Governor Newsom. “We are bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds to create a Master Plan for Early Learning and Care that will be rooted in lifting up California’s children and families today, tomorrow and into the future.”
The Early Childhood Action Research Team will develop a comprehensive roadmap for California to accelerate the Governor’s goal of providing universal preschool and action steps to increase access to affordable, high-quality child care that embraces the strengths and meets the needs of parents and young children.
The Monterey County Office of Education's Early Learning Program serves over 730 children 3-5 years of age in partnership with the following School Districts; Alisal Union School District, Salinas Union School District, Santa Rita Union School District, Pajaro Valley/Hall School District, North County School District, Chualar School District Gonzales Unified School District, Greenfield Unified School District, and King City Unified School District. It is the Monterey County Office of Education Early Learning Program’s mission, in partnership with the community, to provide the highest quality early childhood education and comprehensive child and family services to all of our children.
We are confident Ms. Jaramillo will represent early care and Monterey County extremely well on the Early Learning Policy Council! Congratulations Sonia!
Dr. Catherine Reimer Elected to Small School Districts Association's Executive Council
Superintendent/Principal of San Ardo Union Elementary School District, Dr. Catherine Reimer, has been elected to serve on the Executive Council of the Small School Districts Association (SSDA).
Enjoy an interview with Dr. Reimer as she shares about this unique opportunity to serve these distinct districts in California.
MCOE: How did you hear about this opportunity?
Dr. Reimer: I had originally met Tim Taylor (the new executive director for SSDA) while I was working as the superintendent at the Corning Union Elementary School District attending Executive Leadership Center seminars at the Butte County Office of Education - where he was the county superintendent. I generally see him at the superintendent's symposium or other functions in the state over the years and kept in touch.
He reached out to me in October after a meeting had been canceled for SSDA that I was planning on attending and asked if I'd be interested in serving in the legislative committee and possibly the executive committee.
MCOE: Were you interested in the role?
Dr. Reimer: I was extremely interested and excited to embark on this new endeavour. Having been a small school district superintendent for twelve of the fifteen years I've been a superintendent, I feel I have much to offer in terms of knowing the struggles and issues small school districts face. I also served as a superintendent in a larger district for three years where I had a CBO, human resources coordinator, assistant superintendent, director of maintenance, director of transportation, director of accountability and testing, etc. What most larger school district superintendents fail to realize is that small school district superintendents have the same mandates and functions, only do not have the staff to assist or assign duties to complete them. It is an overwhelming amount of work and duties.
MCOE: What sorts of issues does SSDA and their Executive Council take on?
Dr. Reimer: Some of the issues we will be tackling are funding issues, special education, teacher recruitment and retention, facilities, mental health, and a clear definition of "rural" in terms of SB 328. For example, many grants and allocations for programs for schools are funded based on the ADA of a district. When this happens for a small school district, they receive an extremely small amount of funds in which they are not able to provide the program or intent of the grant. Therefore, the funds do not typically get utilized and the students of the small school districts do not receive the opportunities. Special education costs for regional programs for small school districts vary widely throughout the state. In one county an SDC program can cost $8,000 and $150,000 in another.
Thank you, Dr. Reimer and congratulations for taking on this outstanding leadership role!
Exponential Leadership Academy Growing Local Leaders
Exponential Leadership was developed to assist educators who want to acquire their Preliminary Administrative Services Credential through the passage of the California Professional Administrators Certification Exam (CPACE).
In May, alongside the MCOE Human Resources Department, the Educational Services team will be holding a "How to Land Your First Administrator Position" workshop. It will be a full day of mock interviews, resume writing and review, professional portfolio organization, and additional skill building for interviewing for a first-time leadership position.
Kudos to all who are continuing their education and honing their leadership skills in this innovative new program! Monterey County schools and districts need you in current and future leadership roles!
MCOE Employee Wins Bob Reeves Scholarship from California Association of School Business Officials
The Monterey County Office of Education's Deanna Aromin, our Senior Accountant in Internal Services, applied for and received a $1,000 scholarship and will be attending the Business Executives Leadership (BEL) Program (formerly known as the CBO Training Program), which will begin in the summer of 2020.
The Robert "Bob" Reeves Scholarship is given on behalf of the California Association of School Business Officials (CASBO) to pay tribute to Robert E. “Bob” Reeves, longtime CASBO treasurer and ardent supporter of the Friends of Education Scholarship Fund, who passed away August 30, 2006, in Glendale, California. The Scholarship honors his memory by promoting continuing education and training for CASBO members.
We are so excited about her desire to continue her education which will build the capacity within the business division and for our entire organization! Congratulations Deanna!
Operation Recognition Deadline Extended to March 27
The Monterey County Office of Education is pleased to announce the deadline has been extended to apply for the Monterey County Office of Education Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project - a nationwide effort to recognize men and women whose high school education was interrupted due to military service or internment in a Japanese American camp.
The Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project provides veterans and internees, who were unable to complete high school due to military service or internment, the opportunity to receive a high school diploma. Veterans who served in and received an honorable discharge from World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War; or individuals who were interned in a Japanese American relocation camp are eligible to participate. Applicants can also be surviving family members.
The applicant must: be a current Monterey County resident; be able to provide verification of an honorable discharge or proof of internment; have been enrolled in high school prior to enlistment or internment. Lastly, the applicant must submit a complete application and supplementary documents by the deadline. There is no charge to participate.
The 2020 Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project Ceremony will take place in April 2020. Qualified applicants will be recognized at the ceremony and receive their high school diploma. To be considered for this year’s recognition, applications must be submitted by Friday, March 27, 2020.
To apply, please visit www.montereycoe.org/operationrecognition.
California law (Education Code § 51440) authorizes the granting of retroactive high school diplomas to eligible veterans. Effective January 1, 2004, California Assembly Bill 781 was enacted as law (Education Code § 51430), specifically authorizing the retroactive granting of diplomas to persons whose internment by federal order in World War II prevented them from graduating from their hometown high school.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact Communications Officer, Jessica Hull by email at jhull@montereycoe.org or by phone at 831.784.4245.
2020 Census FAQs
What is the U.S. Census?
The U.S. Constitution requires a headcount every ten years of each person, including children and undocumented immigrants, in the United States. The information gathered from the census survey is incredibly important as it determines the number of U.S. Representatives each state has in the House of Representatives and how $675 billion should be distributed each year to states and local governments.
When will the census count take place?
The Census will begin recording responses in April 2020. For the first time, the Census Bureau will permit respondents to answer the survey online, by mail, or by phone.
Who should be counted?
Absolutely everyone! People of all ages, races, ethnicities, citizens and noncitizens should be included in the survey count.
Is Census data confidential?
Yes, Census responses are confidential and protected under Title 13 of the U.S. Code. The Census Bureau will never share personal information with immigration or law enforcement agencies. Employees of the Census Bureau also swear a lifetime oath to protect respondent data.
Are there ways to get involved in the effort?
Yes! There are job and volunteer opportunities to ensure a successful census count. Students seeking to complete community service hours are also encouraged to join the complete count effort. You may also get involved by encouraging friends and family to complete the Census survey in April 2020.
About MCOE's Involvement
The Monterey County Office of Education has opted in for a California Complete Count Census 2020 Grant and has developed a County Office Education Outreach Plan serving both Monterey County and San Benito County schools.
We invite school districts to participate by:
- Designating parent centers or other school locations as Census Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QACs) and Questionnaire Assistance Kiosks (QAKs).
- Inviting students to participate in the Census 2020 Art and Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contests.
- Adopting a resolution to promote participation in the census, here are examples from:
- Announcing at events and meetings, e.g. PTA, ELAC, DELAC, family resource centers, back-to-school nights, lunchtime activities, assemblies, open house and other events where we can have a booth or table and provide presentations promoting participation in and assistance completing the census survey.
- Encouraging teachers to implement the “Census 2020: Count Me In!” curricular resources/lesson plans.
MCOE Employees of the Month for December
On December 18th, 19th and 20th, Dr. Guss and MCOE leadership surprised three outstanding MCOE employees with the honor of being named December's Employees of the Month!
Employees of the Month are nominated by their peers for going above and beyond in the work they do every single day.
Please join us in celebrating:
- Karen Adishian, Coordinator, Special Education Department
- Kristin Bitler, Operations Specialist, Technology & Operations Department
- Mack Smith, Preschool Teacher, Special Education Department
These three were also recognized at the Monterey County Board of Education meeting on January 15th.
Congratulations to December's Employees of the Month!
MCOE Employees of the Month for January
On January 10th and 13th, Dr. Guss and MCOE leadership surprised three outstanding MCOE employees with the honor of being named January's Employees of the Month!
Please join us in celebrating:
- Chris Devers, Senior Director, Alternative Education Department
- Esther Medina, Program Specialist, Migrant Education Department
- Linda Sweet, Executive Assistant, Compliance
These three were also recognized at the Monterey County Board of Education meeting on January 15th.
Have an employee you'd like to nominate? The process is easy and any employee can submit a nomination. Simply visit the online form here and honor your colleague today!
Employees can be nominated in one or more of the following categories:
- Exemplary performance of responsibilities contributing significantly to the success of a Monterey County Office of Education program, service or special project;
- Exemplary performance of customer service;
- Exemplary performance in an outside community activity/program promoting the role of the Monterey County Office of Education or public education in general;
- Exemplary attendance.
Employees are selected based upon the nomination’s rationale for why the nominee has gone above and beyond to stand out in an extraordinary way.
Congratulations to January's Employees of the Month!
Mark Your Calendars
MCOE Closed for Presidents' Day Holiday
The Monterey County Office of Education will be closed on Monday, February 17th in honor of the Presidents' Day Holiday.
We will reopen on Tuesday, February 18th.
We wish everyone a safe and restful holiday break. Enjoy the three-day weekend!
Monterey County Teacher Recruitment Fair
The Monterey County Office of Education Spring Teacher Recruitment Fair, to be held on Saturday, February 22, gives candidates the opportunity to meet with many different schools’ representatives to discuss employment opportunities, with several offering on-the-spot interviews.
WHEN: Saturday, February 22, 2020 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
WHERE: Hartnell College, 411 Central Avenue, Salinas
Don't Monkey Around with Your Health! MCOE Health & Wellness Fair
Each year our fair grows, offering free health and wellness demonstrations, food, massages, health screenings and more!
Mark your calendars and be sure to attend!
Have a story for E-News? A staff shout-out? A fantastic photo?
Monterey County Office of Education
Email: jhull@montereycoe.org
Website: www.montereycoe.org
Location: 901 Blanco Circle, Salinas, CA, USA
Phone: 831-755-0300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MontereyCountyOfficeofEd/
Twitter: @MCOE_Now