In November of 2012, the Escalon community overwhelmingly approved Measure B to modernize our schools. Slated first for modernization was Escalon High, which had some school buildings more than 60-years old. The first issuance of Measure B bonds raised $8.5 million to fund the high school’s modernization project. The project, designed in four phases, began last spring and was completed February of 2015. The first two phases were completed shortly after school began and resulted in modernization of 13 classrooms and two sets of student bathrooms. The final two phases resulted in the modernization of nine additional classrooms, the Counseling Center and another pair of student restrooms. Phases three and four were completed shortly after the first of the year. Classroom upgrades included new heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, shelving and casework, flooring, walls and energy efficient windows. Significant upgrades were made to the Agricultural facility’s two classrooms and shop. One of the Agricultural classrooms was modernized into a full science classroom including student lab stations, and additional access to water and power. Major upgrades to the school’s fire, phone and network systems were also made. More significantly, in an effort to bring the high school up to 21^st century technology standards, the school’s technology infrastructure received a major upgrade with interactive projectors being placed in the 23 modernized rooms and the installation of high speed wireless access points in all classrooms. These upgrades will create true 21^st century learning environments that our community’s children will enjoy for many years. Now that all phases are completed, the high school will be inviting the community to attend Escalon High School’s open house to tour the upgraded facilities. 

Click here to learn more about Escalon High School.

By: James Vergara, Public Information Officer, San Joaquin Delta College 

Seeing is believing … such was the case for 40 San Joaquin Delta College Math, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) students. Through the combined efforts of Delta’s computer science faculty, STEM Academy, and Delta College MESA, a magical mystery tour to Microsoft and Google’s Mountain View campuses took place during the fall semester. 

No doubt about it, a field trip to these sometimes mysterious, stealthy industry goliaths was intriguing. “The field trip created a ‘Buzz’ across campus,” said tour coordinator and Delta College MESA Director, Cassandra Hernandez-Vives. “Everybody wanted to go, but we only had a limited number of slots.” That number was eventually “whittled down” to 40-computer science, engineering, and math students, coders, and some gamers.

Exciting, yes - but the value of real world exposure and behind the scenes access to industry leaders via field trips was the theme for staff and students at a recent Delta College Foundation meeting. The Foundation is the fundraising arm of the college, and serves as the umbrella for a variety of academic projects. More funding for such trips was clearly the goal for the day.

“We live so close to Silicon Valley, why not visit?” emphasized Delta College physics instructor, Lincoln Lee. “Students can see the innovation and reality of places where they can actually work.” Lee says field trips can be incorporated into the classwork of students, combining theoretical instruction with exposure to real world application. “Field trips can help build bridges between students and possible employers - invaluable!”

The Microsoft/Google field trip allowed Delta’s students to experience two distinctly different work cultures - up close and personal. “It blew my mind,” computer science major Michael Runyon told the Foundation. “Microsoft is more of a business environment, more structured, while Google is the most liberal workplace I’ve ever seen.”

All students agreed that one environment isn’t necessarily better than the other. They witnessed a broad range of employees and personalities at both companies. Microsoft is geared toward efficiency, while the casual, more relaxed environment of Google is geared toward creativity.

“At Google, employees seem to come and go as they please,” added computer science student Michael Layman. “However, some people work better in a more structured environment like Microsoft. We received advice on what skills we need to achieve jobs at these companies. I found this information extremely helpful … as it would be for future Delta students.” 

MESA student Norlan Prudente found the field trip inspiring, as did others on the tour. “I was only aiming for an A.S. degree. This trip encouraged me to pursue my B.S. or Masters.” Prudente finished, “I’d love to work for either company.”

Computer Science instructor Lisa Perez sees field trips as an outreach, which can be used to recruit women into science and technology fields. “Women are underrepresented in STEM occupations. Field trips don’t always need to go to Microsoft or Google. There are numerous stimulating and motivational STEM field trip opportunities in our state, with many close to home.”

Delta College Superintendent/President Kathy Hart is also a Delta Foundation Board member. She joined Delta students on the “amazing journey” to Microsoft and Google. "I'd like to see the Delta Foundation facilitate funding for field trips to large and small businesses and industry in all content areas.” Hart feels students need to experience real workplaces and workplace environments. “Students need to hear from managers and workers about what is expected at the job site. They need to understand first-hand what expectations employers have for their employees. Field trips are a great way to realize this goal.” Hart explains that field trips don’t fit into any set category. “They can involve small or large groups; they can be long or short; they can be practically no cost, or rather elaborate with transportation and food costs.” Hart finishes, “It’s going to be fun to talk to businesses and industries about what we can do to expose our students to the real world of full-time work!”

Foundation Board members all agreed with the student/staff assessments regarding the insightful value of field trips. Foundation Board member and Delta College trustee, Claudia Moreno, related that many companies might “help fund such trips as a recruiting and outreach effort.”

Delta Foundation president, Susan Grupe DePolo, would like to move forward with funding efforts. “I’d like to see the Foundation fund field trips across the discipline spectrum, not just STEM. There are many doors we can open to help our students.”

The presentation concluded with talk of efforts for a possible field trip to business visionary Elon Musk’s Tesla Motors. MESA Director, Hernandez-Vives, summed up the Microsoft/Google adventure for the Foundation: “Students oooo'd and awwww'd at every turn. All left inspired, with bigger, colorful, highly animated, digitized, optimized, virtual dreams!”

For more information, contact the Public Information Office at (209) 954-5131.

On March 11, the First Annual Building Trades Council Career Fair was held at San Joaquin Building Futures Academy (SJBFA). Leaders from unions, organizations, and agencies shared their time and expertise with more than 100 SJBFA students. 

“We are very excited about our new partnership,” said Sheilah Goulart, Director of YouthBuild San Joaquin. “It is a win-win for all of us.”

Goulart and organizations alike agree that this will open up the door to so many opportunities for young people and provide a pipeline to new tradespeople.

“The Building Trades looks forward to our partnership moving forward to provide career paths for your graduates in our Apprenticeship programs,” said Sam Kharufeh, Business Representative of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers L.U.595.

SJBFA is a public school of choice for students in San Joaquin County with the exception that admission preference will be given to qualified participants of the California Conservation Corps, Local Conservation Corps, Job Corps, YouthBuild San Joaquin, and Workforce Investment Act programs. SJBFA is a high school dropout recovery program that offers grades 9-12 and serves youth ages 16-24. SJBFA utilizes a non-traditional approach to education and focuses on five key elements: completion of a high school diploma or GED, certification in a construction-related industry, leadership development and community service, on-going counseling, and post-program placement in post-secondary education, employment, military, or an apprenticeship. Academic and construction curriculum is integrated and provides multiple opportunities for hands-on experiences.

Click here to learn more about SJBFA. Click here to access photos from the event.

The Eighth Annual Special Education Information System (SEIS) & EDJOIN Conference (CSC2015) will be in Anaheim, California in May 2015 and it is the largest conference yet! CSC2015 will feature inspiring keynotes, valuable sessions, networking events, quality exhibitors and the always-fun social hour. More than 1,000 educators and administrators from the entire state of California will be in attendance. Register now at www.cedrconf.org or watch our promo video to see "Five Reasons to Attend CSC2015!"

The Center for Educational Development and Research (CEDR Systems) is a technology department focused on web, mobile, and software application development. CEDR Systems works exclusively with public education agencies across the nation, leveraging the latest programming technologies/languages and best practices in robust web, software and mobile development.

CEDR Systems has developed and currently operates over 20-hosted applications, used by over 5,000 school districts nationwide. CEDR Systems also provides services to the California Department of Education (CDE), California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA), California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Parent-Teacher Association, California Dental Association, 58 California County Offices, 94 California Special Education Local Plan Areas, Community College Chancellor’s Office, and the California State University Chancellor’s Office among others.

Do you know an out-of-school teenager, age 16-18, who is in need of academic or employment assistance?  If you answered yes, than refer him/her to WorkStartYES!  

WorkStartYES assists youth with achieving their academic and employment goals by making available a plethora of services, including the following elements: 

• tutoring,
• study skills,
• dropout prevention strategies,
• alternative secondary school offerings,
• summer employment opportunities linked to academic and occupational learning,
• paid and unpaid work experience,
• occupational skills training,
• leadership development,
• supportive services,
• mentoring,
• comprehensive guidance and counseling, and
• follow-up for 12 months after completion of participation.

About WorkStartYES 

Established in 2002 under the Workforce Investment Act, WorkStartYES was developed as a partnership between the San Joaquin County Office of Education and San Joaquin County WorkNet to address the needs of at-risk youth ages 16-18 years of age in order to assist them with making a successful transition to employment and further education.

Who We Serve

WorkStartYES currently serves 16-18 year olds that meet federal low-income requirements and have one or more additional barriers to employment or education.  Under the implementation of the new Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, WorkStartYES is transitioning to serving primarily out-of-school youth (75%).  To be considered an out-of-school youth, the applicant must have proof of no linkage to an educational setting, such as a transcript or letter from his or her last school, with a drop, leave, or graduation date.  In addition, the applicant cannot currently be enrolled in college.   

How to Apply -or- For More Information

Youth in need of WorkStartYES services that meet the out-of-school definition and low-income requirements (see attachment) are encouraged to contact WorkStartYES through one of the following methods:

• Phone:  (209) 468-9221 (English and Hmong)
• Phone:  (209) 468-9043 (English and Spanish)
• Fax:  (209) 468-4862
• Office location: San Joaquin County Office of Education’s Career and Technical Education Center, 2911 Transworld Drive, Stockton, CA 95206. 

Download an application and share it with others.  

On March 11, nearly 20 people attended the Re-Think Your Drink parent workshop presented by the University of California Cooperative Extension San Joaquin. This workshop was offered through San Joaquin County Office of Education’s Fire Up Your Feet San Joaquin.

Workshop attendees learned about maintaining a healthy lifestyle by limiting the consumption of sugary drinks. Presenters showed parents how to read nutrition fact labels, convert grams of sugar into teaspoons, and alternatives to sugary drinks. The workshop also included an ever-popular tasting of fruit and vegetable infused water, and allowed them to take home their own infused water bottle. 

The project is supported by Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Benefits Programs.

On March 12, students from George Washington Elementary School of Lodi Unified School District watched intently as Kaiser Permanente's Educational Theatre performed The Best Me.  

The performance encouraged students to make informed choices and live healthier lives by playing hard for at least 60 minutes daily, limiting screen time, drinking water instead of sugary drinks, and eating at least five fruits and vegetables a day. Each student received a magnetic picture frame, and all teachers received a soccer ball for their class, as well as a CD with songs and other related program material. 

The project is supported by Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community Benefits Programs.

Favian Moreno, San Joaquin County Office of Education’s Technical Support Specialist of Information Technology, has the heart of a lamb and courage of a lion. Anyone will attest it upon hearing about his act of heroism on Tuesday, March 17. Thanks to him, a man who was caught in a fiery crash is alive. Favian didn’t think twice about pulling over at the scene of the car crash to help two men trapped inside a burning vehicle. “I could see the people in the car and other cars just kept driving by, and I know if it were me or my family members I would certainly hope somebody would try and help them,” he said.

The pickup truck burst into flames after slamming head-on into a concrete construction barrier along northbound Highway 99 near French Camp Road.

Favian worked with two others to pull the driver to safety. He attempted to free the passenger by smashing out the windows with a baseball bat, until the flames swept through the cab. One brother died, but Favian saved another. Watch Channel 13’s news report about his act of heroism: http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2015/03/19/hero-saves-man-from-fiery-highway-99-accident/

On March 7, over 200 students from 10 San Joaquin County districts representing 34 schools had the opportunity to showcase their musical talents at the 2015 San Joaquin County Middle School Honors Concert, held at San Joaquin Delta College Atherton Auditorium. The concert marks 60years of Musical Services provided by the San Joaquin County Office of Education. 

Gifted students from middle schools throughout the County were chosen to participate in the Honor Band, Honor Orchestra, and Honor Choir, under the direction of Choir Guest Conductor Joan Calonico, Orchestra Guest Conductor Shane Kalbach, and Band Guest Conductor Jason Ryan.

The San Joaquin County Office of Education, in partnership with the San Joaquin County Music Educators’ Association (SJCMEA) and San Joaquin Delta College sponsor this event.

For information about the San Joaquin County Middle School Honors Concert, visit: http://www.sjcoe.org/VisualPerformingArts

PG&E and California State Department of Education provide funding for students at Venture Academy to participate in courses focusing on energy efficiency. These students are in Venture’s New Energy Academy.  On March 18, students were able to visit with legislators at the State Capital during Lobby Day. This link contains the article on PG&E’s website: http://www.pgecurrents.com/2015/03/24/sacramento-pge-sponsored-energy-academy-students-meet-leaders-at-state-capitol/

For more information on Venture Academy’s programs please visit www.ventureacademyca.org

San Joaquin County Office of Education, Migrant Education Program (MEP) is seeking proposals from interested, independent, established and experienced outside educational agencies to conduct a Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) of the Region 23 Migrant Education Program.

Please see the attached flyer for information on upcoming professional development workshops during April and May 2015.

Download the attachment below to view the 2014-2015 San Joaquin County high school graduation and senior awards ceremony dates.

The following classes with be offered! Check out our flyer for more information!

• LEGO WeDo for Grades 2-4

• Discovering Robotics with LEGO EV3 - Grades 3-8

• Power of the Microcontroller - Programming the Arduino - Grades 7-12

• Simple Arduino Robotics - Grades 7-12

• Corel Draw, 2D CAD & Laser Cutting - Grades 7-12

For more information, contact Debra Elsey at (209) 468-4883 or delsey@sjcoe.net

Staff members at John McFall and Joshua Cowell schools wear blue to show support for World Autism Awareness Day!

Carolina Mendez, Venture Academy Family of Schools Foundations Academy 12th grader, won the Yes! Magazine National Student Writing Competition.  Her essay, "To Be Determined," describes her experience of coming to terms with a skin condition called Vitiligo.  Carolina wrote: I know I couldn’t throw away my Vitiligo, but I could throw away the negativity that I let get under my skin. All I really needed was hope. With hope, I gained much more than positivity. I gained security, trust, and confidence. This realization has been life-changing and eye-opening in more ways than anyone can understand.

Please visit the link to read the entire essay:  http://www.yesmagazine.org/for-teachers/writing-competition-essays/winter-2015/letting-go-of-worry-powerful-voice-winner-carolina-mendez

All Foundations Academy students submitted essays for the competition, writing with a remarkable blend of truth, grace and storytelling.  Three top essays were selected from each class to enter the contest, competing against over 1,100 middle school, high school and college students from across the country.  While one winner was selected from each school level, Carolina’s essay was selected out of all of the submissions as the single “Powerful Voice” winner.

The judges said her essay “stood head and shoulders above the impressive crowd.”  They applauded the risks Carolina took with her writing and gave this encouragement for her and all student writers:  "I appreciate that you not only shared your opinion and experience, but also opened yourself up to having your essay judged for this competition. That’s what good writers do.  With an honest voice and a storyteller's touch, you shared your struggles  — and yourself.  It's amazing how life can change when you are open to change.”

MANTECA – Music pumped while a couple dozen students at Lincoln Elementary School skipped rope as they ran back and forth across the blacktop at recess.

But this was no ordinary recess.

At a word from one of the excited players from the Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre group, the students changed gears, doing their best impressions of what jumping rope might look like in a slow-motion scene in an action movie.

All around them, dozens more of their school mates twirled hula hoops, cleared low hurdles and did jumping jacks as they kicked off the Fire Up Your Feet activity challenge, a statewide program to not only stress the importance of exercise to stay healthy, but to show that getting daily exercise can be a fun thing to do.

It didn’t look like the Lincoln Elementary School students needed much convincing.

“Physical activity is one of our goals. We see it as a lifelong learning piece,” said Lincoln Elementary School Principal Steve Anderson, who added it was why his school tries to join in these kinds of programs whenever possible.  “In this electronic world we’re in, there is a tendency to sit more. Getting on your feet and doing some kind of movement is extremely beneficial. It has classroom benefits, it has physical benefits.”

 The fun at recess was just the start.

The goal of Fire Up Your Feet San Joaquin is to help teach children how to stay healthy by keeping physically active throughout the day. Students will keep the ball rolling by tracking their activity levels using an online tool that also provides tips on how to engage in exercise that revolves around the school day.

As an added incentive, the online tracker will keep tabs on how well each school is doing compared to other schools in this statewide program to ignite an early love of being physically active. In the statewide contest, schools can win up to $5,000. In the competition between schools in San Joaquin County, the top purse is $1,500.

“It gets the whole school involved,” said Katy Downs-Stroh, Program Coordinator with the San Joaquin County Office of Education. The schools taking part in the challenge are among the 12 schools in the county participating in Exercise Across California. Both programs are supported by grants from Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California Community Benefit Programs.  Fire Up Your Feet is a core piece of Safe Routes to School National Partnership.

Manteca Unified School District’s Lincoln Elementary School was not the only school in the county to launch the Fire Up Your Feet challenge with a kickoff event this week. The Kaiser Educational Theatre group had assemblies scheduled at Dolores Huerta Elementary School in Stockton Unified School District and at Lodi Unified School District’s George Washington Elementary School, too.

For more information on Fire Up Your Feet, please go online to: http://thrivingschools.kaiserpermanente.org/wellness-resources/physical-activity/fire- up-your-feet/.

Read more about Fire Up Your Feet activity challenge in this story in The Record: http://www.recordnet.com/article/20150414/NEWS/150419886/101092/A_NEWS.

The Lodi News-Sentinel caught the Fire Up Your Feet Activity Challenge launch at George Washington Elementary School: http://www.lodinews.com/news/article_bd2e928e-e338-11e4-87fa-9b96256a9109.html.

ESCALON – Before starting his teaching day on a recent morning, Vista High School teacher Marlin Moreno received a visit from an entourage bearing a giant check to recognize his work as a teacher.

Moreno is one of the five amazing teachers to receive this year’s 2015 Cortopassi Family Foundation Annual Excellence in Teaching Awards.

He’s the recipient of the award in the area of Alternative Education. Representatives from the Cortopassi Family Foundation planned to visit all the award winners.

Richard Newton of Tracy High School and Kristin Winterhalter of Lodi High School, won the Math Award. Ronald McNair High School teachers David Pires and Alicia Wong both won the Science Award.

Winners receive a check for $5,000. Their schools get one, too.

Read more about what these teachers have done to win this prestigious award in this recent story in The Record.

The recipients for the 2014-2015 Lincoln Center Scholarship Program are: Brady Banks, Lodi High School; Dana Brady, Linden High School; Samantha Heinrich, John C. Kimball High School; Sophia Hernandez, Lincoln High School; Margarito Meza, Franklin High School; Joseph Salazar, St. Mary’s High School; Nicholas Traverso, St. Mary’s High School.

In its second year, the scholarship program was created to promote and support the educational growth of students in San Joaquin County, according to an announcement from the Lincoln Center.

This year, $5,000 in scholarship money was awarded with money raised at the Lincoln Center LIVE! Classic Car Show held each August.

Scholarships are open to high school seniors in San Joaquin County with at least a 3.0 GPA. Applications for next year’s scholarships will be available later this year at lincolncentershops.com/scholarship-program.

A new video released by the San Joaquin County Office of Education’s YouthBuild San Joaquin shows students hard at work building a home for a lower-income family.

The partnership between Habitat for Humanity of San Joaquin County and YouthBuild gives students a chance to receive hands-on-experience that will prepare them to join the San Joaquin County workforce and embark on their new careers.

But the students are getting more out of YouthBuild than work experience when they build a house.

“It was a tough process. It got me tired sometimes,” YouthBuild student Steven Arias said. “But it was worth it seeing these families getting into their homes, getting the keys to their houses. It really hits somebody in the heart, making sure that someone has a roof over their head.”

To view the video, click here.