STOCKTON – When the 2015 California State Elementary Spelling Bee started Saturday morning, there were 54 students from 28 counties across the state lined up and ready to show what got them to the state championship in the first place.

By the final four rounds it was down to two spellers in a back-and-forth duel, correctly spelling word after word: pneumonia, dulcimer, caterwauling, filigree and others.

Ananya Vinay, a 10-year-old fourth grader from Fresno County, started off the 18^th round correctly spelling “stroganoff.”

Varnika Kailash, a 12-year-old sixth grader from Sonoma County, just missed the mark when asked to spell “lugubrious.”

And so ended a dramatic day where brilliant students spelled difficult words in front of a crowd of more than 300 at the State Elementary Spelling Bee, hosted by the San Joaquin County Office of Education and sponsored by the Teachers College of San Joaquin.

“They have competed in local bees to get to this spot, so these are the best-of-the-best spellers,” said Annie Cunial, Coordinator of Student Events and Activities at the San Joaquin County Office of Education. “All of the students should be commended, not just for their spelling abilities, but for their bravery to take part. They can draw on this experience later on in life, and it will take them farther than any trophy or medal that they receive.”

Ananya received the championship trophy, and the remaining nine finalists received trophies of their own. Everybody who competed received a medal, as well as an iPod Shuffle inside a Spelling Bee backpack, courtesy of Teachers College of San Joaquin. Ananya received an iPad.

Before the State Elementary Spelling Bee got started on the morning of April 18, spellers posed for pictures outside the Wentworth Education Center at the San Joaquin County Office of Education in Stockton.  Some ate breakfast with family members as they waited for the contest to begin.

San Joaquin County Office of Education Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Jane Steinkamp welcomed all the competitors before Round 1 began. Spell Master Tim Daly, reporter from News 10, presided over the competition.

At the end of the day, Ananya’s family gathered around her before she left the stage.  She said she loved reading, and that helped her prepare for the Bee.

“I just read a lot, and I looked up words when I didn’t know the meeting,” she said with a bright smile.

“I’m feeling very happy.”

STOCKTON – For Grace Esquivel, a single mother raising two children, the idea that she could one day own a home seemed like just a dream.

Every time she went to the bank to try and get a home loan, her income from her job at a local charity was never enough to qualify. “Even when I had savings, it still wasn’t enough,” she said.

 But her luck changed.

 She recently received the keys to a new home built by Habitat for Humanity of San Joaquin volunteers and students in the San Joaquin County Office of Education’s YouthBuild San Joaquin program.  For her part, Esquivel put in hours of “sweat equity” working on the home, one of 19 homes in Dream Creek, an ongoing project of Habitat for Humanity of San Joaquin.

 “The homes are the result of the community coming together. It’s really a blessing,” Esquivel said. “Dreams do come true.”

 She received the keys to her dream home in an April Key Dedication ceremony and house-warming party, joined by volunteers, students and supporters in the community.

 The partnership between Habitat for Humanity and YouthBuild provides students a way to receive hands-on-experience that will prepare them to join the San Joaquin County workforce and embark on their new careers. It lines up with the purpose of YouthBuild to give students a second chance at success, teaching them a trade and helping to connect them to good-paying jobs through partnerships with the labor and business communities.

 But it does more than that, YouthBuild San Joaquin Director Sheilah Goulart said. “There are a lot of programs out there that teach job skills that help a young person get their high school diploma. But they don’t focus on the leadership-development qualities. They don’t focus on what students can do to give back to their own community,” she said. “That’s what is so powerful about YouthBuild. They get this opportunity to give back, and that resonates with them for the rest of their lives.”

 Habitat for Humanity offers a hand up, not a handout, to families who can’t afford a home on the open market, Executive Director Michael Huber said. “We at Habitat for Humanity of San Joaquin are dedicated to building beautiful, safe and affordable homes for well-qualified, lower-income families to buy.”

 The YouthBuild students working with the organization have shown a willingness to both learn and work, Habitat for Humanity Construction Manager George Koertzen said. “It has been a real joy having the students from YouthBuild working at our jobsite,” he said. “It is especially gratifying to have students return with a grateful attitude for what they have had an opportunity to learn.”

 YouthBuild student Roosevelt Webb said the program changed his life.

 “The best part about it is getting a chance to go to work and school at the same time and actually learning a trade, and actually getting to do something with that trade,” he said.

For more information about the partnership between YouthBuild San Joaquin and Habitat for Humanity of San Joaquin, please click here to watch this new video.

To read a story in The Record about the welcome received by Grace Esquivel and her two children, please click here.

Communities in San Joaquin County raised more than $82,000 to send students to an educational adventure in the coastal redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is enough to cover the cost for more than 325 students to participate in San Joaquin County Office of Education’s Outdoor Education program, a four-night excursion known to generations of county students as “Science Camp.”

 Buying ticket by $5 ticket, supporters raised the money during a yearlong raffle. The three lucky names drawn by San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools James Mousalimas are:

            1^st Prize:    $3,500     John Salas (ticket sold by Rio Calaveras Elementary)

            2^nd Prize:   $1,000      Rickey Jenkins (ticket sold by Mossdale Elementary)

            3^rd Prize:    $500         Tim Brown (ticket sold by Grunsky Elementary)

 All San Joaquin County schools were invited to participate in the raffle coordinated by the San Joaquin County Office of Education Educational Foundation.  All proceeds went directly to the school that sold the ticket for their Outdoor Education trip.  This raffle was made possible through generous donations; Kelly’s Express Car Wash donated $5,000 for prize money and Valley Oak Dental sponsored the printing of 20,000 raffle tickets.

 This year, 31 schools participated in the Outdoor Education Raffle.  The astonishing $82,000 raised is $20,000 more than last year’s amount and is the largest amount in fundraiser history.

 Since 1957, more than 500,000 elementary students have participated in SJCOE’s Outdoor Education program, formerly known as Science Camp.  More than 4,000 fifth- and sixth-graders, and nearly 600 high school cabin leaders attend Outdoor Education each year, spending five days and four nights exploring and learning in nature.  For more information, visit http://www.sjcoe.org/outdoored/.

Participating Schools:

 August Knodt; Banta; Discovery Charter; El Dorado; Elmwood; Golden West; Grunsky; Hong Kingston; John Adams; Julia Morgan; Lammersville; Lincoln; Madison; Marshall; Mossdale; Park View; Primary Years Academy; Questa; Rio Calaveras; Ripon; River Islands Technology Academy; San Joaquin; Sequoia; Shasta; Stockton Christian Academy; TEAM Charter; Venture Academy; Veritas; Weston; Wicklund; and Walter Woodward.

 The tournament drew 27 teams from 16 schools, bringing about 170 mathletes to the San Joaquin County Office of Education on April 25. Bethany Elementary School from Lammersville Unified School District led the scoring when the high-energy competition finished.

 To read about the tournament results in The Record, please click here.

STOCKTON – The roughly 170 students who streamed into the San Joaquin County Office of Education on April 25 rode in on a wave of noise and excitement for the Fifth Annual San Joaquin County Math Tournament for grades four through six.

 But when it was time to pick up their pencils and get to work, a silence fell over the competition room filled with 27 teams from 16 schools within San Joaquin County.

 The tournament helps schools promote excellence in math, raise student test scores, increase student self-esteem, develop problem-solving skills and hone cooperative skills in a competitive environment. Seventh- and eighth-grade students competed on March 21. The April 25 group of competitors was fourth- through sixth-grade students.

 The silence broke and the excitement returned during the awards ceremony, where Lammersville Unified School District’s Bethany Elementary School came out on top.

 The Bethany students had been working hard for months, but they had fun, too.

 Bethany fifth-grader Vishnu Matta, 11, said he likes solving algebra problems. “It’s almost like a mystery game that you have to keep solving.”

 Individuals worked on problems on their own during the first session of the morning. The late-morning session allowed team members to tackle problems together. Results from both the individual and team events went toward the final score.

 Like students from other schools taking part in the contest, students in the two teams from Lincoln Unified School District’s Brookside Elementary School had been meeting after school to prepare for this contest since November.  One of the Brookside teams took fifth place.

 Coach Leah Galan said they had visits from a college mathematics professor and other instructors specializing in math to help prepare. It’s the third year the school has taken part in the event.

 It is also a time for competitors and their families to get together for lunch after the competition, but before the winners are announced, Galan said. “This day is like a big picnic. Everyone shares food. This is a great event.”

 “The benefits of competing in the Math Tournament are long lasting,” said Satinder Singh, Director of the San Joaquin County Office of Education Mathematics Department. "In order for our kids to thrive in the 21^st Century, they need to think creatively and develop collaboration, communication and critical-thinking skills.  The problems that students practice in preparation for the Math Tournament and during the Math Tournament are non-routine mental exercises, which help students in their development of these necessary skills,” Singh said.

 Students don’t usually see the types of problems from the competition in the classroom. “Our Math Tournament provides an opportunity for these mathletes to use their brainpower to not only collaborate with each other but also compete with other teams to score points.  Additionally, celebrating the students’ academic successes is imperative in their well-rounded development and overall sense of confidence," Singh said.

 Top-five teams:

• First Place: Bethany Elementary, Lammersville Unified School District.
• Second Place: Discovery Charter-Tracy Learning Center, Tracy Unified School District.
• Third Place:?Rio Calaveras Elementary, Stockton Unified School District.
• Fourth Place: Monte Vista Middle, Tracy Unified School District.
• Fifth Place: Brookside Elementary, Lincoln Unified School District.

Highest scoring individuals:

• James Camacho, Discovery Charter-Tracy Learning Center, Tracy Unified School District.
• Dominic Galang, Discovery Charter-Tracy Learning Center, Tracy Unified School District.
• Jonathan Guite, Tom Hawkins Elementary, Jefferson Elementary School District.
• Mysha Mamsa, Discovery Charter-Tracy Learning Center, Tracy Unified School District.
• Ananth Manibushan, Altamont Elementary, Lammersville Unified School District.

 The 2015 edition of the San Joaquin Literacy Directory is now available.

 Published by San Joaquin Delta College, the directory is a resource intended to provide families, social-service professionals and educators with information about literacy services available within San Joaquin County.

 This year’s edition is dedicated to the late Dr. Robert Morrow, emeritus professor of education of the University of Pacific’s Gladys Benerd School of Education. He was a pioneer in early education.

 To access the 2015 San Joaquin Literacy Directory, please download the attachment below.

Please see the attached flyer for information on upcoming San Joaquin County SELPA professional development workshops during May and June 2015.

MANTECA – Students stomped their feet in the bleachers at the East Union High School Large Gymnasium as they cheered on their teammates during the Super Quiz, the final – and most raucous – event at the 2015 San Joaquin County Academic Pentathlon for seventh- and eighth-grade students held on Saturday, May 2. Earlier events were more subdued, with students inside classrooms taking math, science and other tests.

 Saturday’s competition saw 14 teams of seventh-graders and 19 teams of eighth-graders. In all, nearly 350 students from 15 schools across San Joaquin County competed.

 Competing in the Academic Pentathlon leaves a lasting impression on students, said Todd Foss, coach for Stockton Unified School District’s McKinley Elementary School. “I have 30-year-olds coming up to me talking about their experience,” he said.  “It’s all about belonging to something. It’s a team. They really bond together.”

 Teamwork is at the heart of the San Joaquin County Academic Pentathlon, which encourages and rewards academic excellence among students of all ability levels. It provides an environment conducive to learning, where individual leadership, cooperation and peer support are incorporated as motivators.

 “The kids learn how to study and have fun when they study,” said Jennifer Duren, coach at Rio Calaveras Elementary School, also in Stockton Unified School District.

 Organized by the San Joaquin County Office of Education, the Pentathlon covers five subject areas: essay, literature, science, math and social studies. Sixth-grade students will compete in the San Joaquin County Pentathlon on May 9 at Manteca High School in Manteca Unified School District.

 On May 2, family members waiting for their seventh- and eighth-graders gathered together, getting ready for the potlucks and picnics that would follow the competition. Parents from Discovery Charter School in Tracy Unified School District brought their own shade, where they sat as Pentathletes kicked a soccer ball around.

 Discovery Charter School parent Balbir Sian, said she was glad her seventh-grade daughter joined the pentathlon team. “They learn a lot and they feel good about themselves,” Sian said.

 The day ended with an awards ceremony, where both teams and individuals won a wide range of awards. The overall top-scoring teams are as follows:

Seventh Grade:

1^st:       Rio Calaveras Elementary School – Gold Team, Stockton Unified School District

2^nd:      Rio Calaveras Elementary School – Green Team, Stockton Unified School District

3^rd:       Sebastian Questa Elementary School – Red Team, Lammersville Unified School District

Eighth Grade:

1^st:       Rio Calaveras Elementary School – Gold Team, Stockton Unified School District

2^nd:      Rio Calaveras Elementary School – Green Team, Stockton Unified School District

3^rd:       McKinley Elementary School – Red Team, Stockton Unified School District

Alondra Soto is the 2015 Migrant Education Region 23 student of the year.  She was selected among many migrant education seniors in San Joaquin County and East Contra Costa County. The migrant honor student is selected for their academic work, student involvement, leadership, and character. Alondra was recognized on Saturday, April 11^th, 2015 at the 36^th Annual State Migrant Parent Conference in Los Angeles (please see picture).  On the same morning Alondra found herself back in Stockton at University of the Pacific participating in an interview for the opportunity to qualify for the University of the Pacific Community Involvement Program (CIP) Scholarship.  A couple of weeks later she found out that she had been awarded the scholarship and she was admitted into the program.  CIP is a comprehensive, need-based scholarship program for first-generation college students from the Stockton community who have demonstrated the potential for sustainable leadership, community awareness, and involvement.  The program serves the educational needs of low-income students by providing access to college along with a wide range of support to the CIP Scholars as they pursue higher education.      

Alondra is a senior at Merlo Institute of Environmental Technology.  Some of Alondra’s many qualities include her determination to succeed, a positive outlook, and the ability to take initiative.  In addition to serving in her community as a volunteer after-school tutor at Aspire Rosa Parks Academy, Alondra has a part-time job at a local supermarket and serves as the president of The Friday Night Live Club that promotes drug prevention and a healthy lifestyle. She stated that this experience helped to further develop her organizational and public speaking skills. Additionally, she was involved in the FARMS Leadership program where she learned about how agriculture impacts her community and the benefits of healthy eating and sustainable practices. Alondra strongly believes that her community involvement, her part-time job, and extracurricular school activities have helped her become a better leader.    

In the Fall of 2015, Alondra will be attending University of the Pacific where she will be majoring in Human Health and Criminal Psychology.  She wants to work towards a Doctorate degree and she is interested in Human Health because she wants to help her community and others to develop and practice a healthier lifestyle. Likewise, she is interested in Criminal Psychology because she wants to help victims of crime, as well as, come to understand how to better prevent crimes in her community.

Alondra works hard for what she wants and is fully aware that the hardest things to accomplish in life come with the greatest benefits.  She considers herself a leader because she always takes the initiative and sets the example for those who are afraid to speak up.  She wants to make her family and community proud and inspire those who don’t believe in themselves by showing them that anything is possible when they set their minds to it.   

Three San Joaquin County Office of Education employees were honored by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).

 Congratulations to the following 2015 award recipients for their admirable leadership in public education: Continuation/Educational Option Administrator of the Year—Corleen Estes of Alternative Education; Retired Administrator of the Year—Greg Clark of Operations; and Technology Administrator of the Year—Ed Babakhan of one.Resource.

 The SJCOE administrators received their awards at a ceremony at the ACSA Region VII Annual Spring Conference, held May 1-3.

 All three embody ACSA Region VII’s mantra: Lead to Inspire.

 Corie Estes shows consideration and leadership for students every day. Perhaps the most significant contribution was the creation of one.STOP Mental Health Services, a holistic, school-based mental health services program which provides in-depth therapeutic counseling access, support to assist students in achieving academic and societal success, and wraparound services to students and their families.

 For SJCOE students, mental health issues continue to be a barrier to academic and societal success. Through the formation of the one.STOP community-based partnerships, mental health therapists link students to appropriate agencies and services when necessary.

 “Without Corie’s passion for our students, staff and community success, these potentially life-saving services would not be a reality,” said Wendy Frink, Division Director of Alternative Education at SJCOE.  

 Much like Corie, Greg Clark promoted student success the moment he walked through the doors of education.

 Greg worked in multiple educational roles and for school districts throughout San Joaquin County. His diverse understanding of the needs of students and families, coupled with the nexus of community resources, ensure exceptional services are offered to students.

 As the SJCOE Risk Manager, Greg made sure that SJCOE employees received up-to-date mandated information. He also served as part of Administrative Council, which examined and supported comprehensive learning to promote a positive workplace and organizational culture.

 “As an advocate, Greg always looked out for the bottom line when it came to protecting SJCOE assets via contracts, purchase orders and warrants,” said Sheri Coburn, Director of Comprehensive Health at SJCOE.

 Ed Babakhan is committed to providing the most up-to-date technology and sharing of knowledge to administrators and teachers so they are best equipped to implement the latest instructional strategies in their classrooms.

 He spearheaded a project to design and build a state-of-the-art recording studio for one.Charter - Academy of Visual and Performing Arts.  He took the lead in soliciting designs and bids and worked closely with the contractor and companies selected to do the work. Ed’s services didn’t stop there. He continued to work after hours with the equipment to provide training to teachers and students. Due to Ed’s diligence and professionalism, students have access to a quality recording studio that is positively impacting school culture through enrollment, attendance, and love for the arts.

 “Ed’s passion to live life fully and devoted to others is evidenced in all that he does,” said Janine Cuaresma, Assistant Superintendent of County Operated Schools and Programs at SJCOE. “The goal of providing an education that compels students to succeed in school and be competitive in higher education and the world of work is evident in how Ed and his team provide technology leadership.”

 Ed has been appointed the San Joaquin County Office of Education Director of Information Technology, effective July 1.

 (Pictured, from left: one.Resource Coordinator Ed Babakhan, retired Operations Director Greg Clark,  Alternative Education Coordinator Corleen Estes and San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools James A. Mousalimas.)

The purpose of 211 San Joaquin (211SJ) is to make it easy for people to find the help they need when they need it. 

211 San Joaquin:

- Helps organizations extend their services to people who need them.

- Maintains a comprehensive database of agencies that offer programs and services in San Joaquin County.

- Promotes civic engagement and community pride.

- Connects people to services 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

- Uses Language Line for translation services in over 200 languages.

- Links San Joaquin County to the 211 network of California.

Family Resource and Referral Center

509 W. Weber Ave., Suite 104

Stockton, CA  95203

www.211sj.org

Venture Academy Family of Schools'(VAFS) Mock Trial team is hosting 2-day sessions for students to learn about the justice system and hone their skills in preparation for future Mock Trial team events.  This is open to all students countywide.  The sessions are June 10-11, and June 22-23.  Sessions will run from 8:30 am. to 3:00 pm and include breakfast and lunch.  The cost per session is $50. Come and learn from VAFS' 6-time regional champions!   See the flyer attached for all the details and contact Joni Hellstrom at 209.986.5035 or jhellstrom@sjcoe.net to register.  Sessions are already starting to fill so hurry!!

 The Record Editorial Board praised the 2015 Pinnacle team in the May 12 edition of the newspaper.

 For the past 20 years, the San Joaquin County Office of Education and The Record have worked together to recognize the achievements of top graduating seniors in San Joaquin and Calaveras counties.

 To read The Record editorial, please click here.

STOCKTON – It takes more than one language to describe the world.

That’s something that more than 234 graduating seniors from across San Joaquin County learned as they did the hard work needed to master at least two languages and receive a State Seal of Biliteracy this year.

“It helped me see more perspectives on the world, and I’m grateful for that,” said Terry Ton, a graduating senior from Weston Ranch High School in Manteca Unified School District.

A native Vietnamese speaker, Terry is also fluent in English and Spanish. “It’s a gateway to a better understanding of the world.”

In addition to receiving a State Seal of Biliteracy, he was also one of the featured speakers at the State Seal of Biliteracy and Pathways Award Ceremony hosted by the San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) on May 7.

Created by state law effective since the start of 2012, the State Seal of Biliteracy program recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading and writing one or more languages in addition to English.

Some of the students recognized at the ceremony at the San Joaquin County Office of Education spoke English as their first language. Others learned English in school. Most were biliterate in Spanish, but there were students receiving seals for biliteracy in Italian, French, Japanese, and Khmer.

 “I’m honored to be presented this award,” said Lindsey Ear a graduating senior from Lincoln High School in Lincoln Unified School District.

Her family’s flight from war in Cambodia led them through a refugee camp on the way to the United States, where Lindsey was born. She learned some of the Cambodian language Khmer, at home.  “When I grew up, I picked up a little bit.”

But her study was intensive in the high school program where she spent four years learning about the language and history that is a part of her own heritage.

She said she learned a lot more about the background of her own family’s struggles.  Now she can read and write in Khmer and can engage in more-in-depth conversation. It allowed her to strengthen her connection to her grandparents, who speak little English. “I can communicate with them, and that’s pretty cool.”

“The path to biliteracy can be about learning a new language and culture to some students, while for other students the path can provide greater understanding of their own heritage,” said Jan Gustafson-Corea, the CEO of California Association of Bilingual Education and a guest speaker at the ceremony. “It really gives them a sense of pride in their own culture and language,” she said. “What you’re seeing are these cultures and languages coming together. The world gets bigger.”

And it can also open up future job opportunities, too, she said.

That is something San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools James A. Mousalimas stressed before he handed out awards and medals at the recent ceremony. “The more languages our young people can speak, the more successful they are going to be in the future.”

Being biliterate would definitely be an asset in most jobs, said Giovani Gonzalez, a senior from Linden High School in Linden Unified School District.

Gisell Marin, also a Linden High School senior, agreed. She said having the seal will make it easier for potential employers to know what she can offer. “I think it will make me stand out more.”

Both are biliterate in English and Spanish.

Congratulations also go to the 126 students who earned recognition as recipients of the Pathway to Biliteracy award designed for elementary and middle school students in the third, fifth and eighth grades who meet language proficiency requirements in English and an additional language.

SJCOE is one of the few county offices of education in the state to provide the Pathway awards. “We think it is important to encourage our students to continue developing a second or more languages so that they qualify for the Seal when they are seniors in high school,” Karin Linn-Nieves, Director of Multilingual Education at SJCOE said.

The San Joaquin County Office of Education promotes the development of languages, cultural appreciation, and cross-cultural understanding. SJCOE is committed to the principle of equipping graduating seniors with the knowledge and skills needed for college, their careers and for successful participation in a global, diverse and multilingual 21^st-century society. 

SJCOE was joined by districts who took part in the State Seal of Biliteracy and Pathway Awards Ceremony: Escalon Unified, Jefferson Elementary, Lincoln Unified, Linden Unified, Lodi Unified, Manteca Unified, Oak View Union, Ripon Unified, Stockton Unified and Tracy Joint Unified.

The San Joaquin County Office of Education and Premier Community Credit Union announce the Fifth Annual San Joaquin County Classified Employee and Teacher of the Year Awards Celebration Dinner.

Classified Employees of the Year and Teacher of the Year finalists will be recognized for their outstanding commitment and dedication to education and to San Joaquin County students.  The 2015-16 San Joaquin County Teacher of the Year will be announced at the dinner. Proceeds from the event will go toward student events such as the Academic Decathlon, Spelling Bee, Science Olympiad, Mock Trial and more.

WHEN:

Thursday, June 11, 2015, 6 p.m.

WHERE: 

Burwood Auditorium, Wentworth Education Center

San Joaquin County Office of Education

2707 Transworld Drive, Stockton 

TICKETS: 

$35 per person. For tickets, please email jhodgson@sjcoe.net or call (209) 468-9027.

SPONSORS:

This event is co-sponsored by Premier Community Credit Union and San Joaquin County Office of Education. Courtesy of Premier Community Credit Union, each Classified Employee of the Year and Teacher of the Year finalist will receive $400. The 2015-16 Teacher of the Year will receive $1,000.

HONOREES:         

San Joaquin County Teacher of the Year Finalists:

Alyce Cook

Banta Elementary School, Banta Elementary School District

Cassandra de Wood

Tom Hawkins Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School District

Kristi Michaels

El Portal Middle School, Escalon Unified School District

Gina Mickley

one.Chartville, San Joaquin County Office of Education

Joe Sandoval

Bear Creek High School, Lodi Unified School District

San Joaquin County Classified Employees of the Year:

CHILD NUTRITION
Shelli Nicholas
Dent Elementary School, Escalon Unified School District

MAINTENANCE, OPERATIONS & FACILITIES
John Azevedo
Dent Elementary School, Escalon Unified School District

OFFICE & TECHNICAL
Karen Head
Park View Elementary School, Ripon Unified School District

PARA-EDUCATOR & INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT
Denise Alexander
August Knodt Elementary School, Manteca Unified School District

About the San Joaquin County Office of Education:

San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) provides educational leadership, resources, and services to support schools throughout the county. With its highly regarded programs, innovative staff, and community partnerships, SJCOE ensures that every student in San Joaquin County has the opportunity of a quality education. For more information, visit www.sjcoe.org.

About Premier Community Credit Union:

Premier Community Credit Union was founded in 1931 in the midst of the Great Depression.  A handful of local educators gathered to form a nonprofit, financial cooperative – Stockton Teachers Credit Union – to provide much needed personal financial services to educators.  Over the past 81 years, the credit union has grown and thrived, while maintaining its strong ties to the education community.

To share the financial services with other parts of the community, the credit union has expanded the benefits of membership to all of San Joaquin County communities.  While it expanded, Premier Community Credit Union has always been dedicated to the education community in San Joaquin County – one of the reasons why they are proudly sponsoring the Classified Employee and Teacher of the Year Awards Celebration Dinner.  Standing true to the credit union philosophy of “people helping people,” Premier Community Credit Union is ready to service the needs of the education community as well as the broad communities it serves in San Joaquin County. For more information, visit www.premierccu.org.

The San Joaquin County Office of Education plans to do its part to conserve water during California’s historic drought.

So brown will be the new green with the grounds crew cutting back on water use by 40 percent. The one exception will be the Venture Academy Family of Schools Athletic Fields, which will be kept green to keep the playing surface safe for students.

The grounds crew will keep a close watch to make sure we don’t lose any trees while cutting back on watering the grass.

(Pictured: Brown starting to creep into grass outside the Nelson Education Center in photo taken on May 14.)

STOCKTON – As a student singer-songwriter from one.Charter Douglas sang and strummed her guitar, the crowd pouring into the County Operated Schools and Programs Student Awards Night continued to grow.

Since this was the first Awards Night, organizers could only guess exactly how many family members and supporters would come to celebrate the achievements of the students in their lives.

But they came in droves, filling all the seats first laid out while San Joaquin County Office of Education (SJCOE) employees hustled to bring in more chairs to handle the growing crowd of students, their families and other supporters.

Beyond the awards themselves, this show of support is important for the students, said Janine Cuaresma, Assistant Superintendent of County Operated Schools and Programs at SJCOE. “It endorses all of the hard work and the goals that they’ve accomplished.”

Students received awards for writing, being English-language proficient, having perfect attendance and other achievements. Some of the students have had struggles, both inside and outside the classroom, and might not have received many awards in the past.

But that made the achievements stand out even more.

“I thought maybe if we support him, he’d keep doing what he was doing to get this award,” said Paul Hammer, whose son was a Student of the Month.

San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools James Mousalimas added his support in his opening remarks, saying that he was proud of the students for what they had done and what they could do. “We have great confidence in your future.”

The top award for the night – the Concept of one.– was reserved for students who exemplified the core mission of SJCOE Alternative Programs.

It’s a reminder that each individual is important and can make a difference in the world. But it’s also a reminder that individuals can join together and work as one. That’s when miracles can occur.

Jennifer Magana, a 14-year-old freshman at one.Lodi earned one of these awards for reflecting the characteristics at the heart of the county Alternative Programs philosophy.

She earned the award by helping create a welcoming learning environment, one.Lodi teacher Josh Renwick said. “She brings a positive attitude to school every day.”

That goes double for new students, who she will go out of her way to meet. “We made a connection with her, and she’s been able to make a connection with other students,” Renwick said.

Jennifer has been at one.Lodi for almost 2 years, but she remembers what it is like switching schools. “I know how it feels to go to a new environment.”

She said she learned that she could turn to her teachers for help or advice, but it took her some time before she felt comfortable doing that.  Jennifer tries to help students feel comfortable about opening up sooner when they need support.

She said it felt good getting the award, and that it felt even better seeing her family members out in the audience during the ceremony.  She thought this first annual Awards Ceremony was a good idea, and that it could help motivate other students, too, who might strive for the recognition.

By James Bridges, Superintendent, Jefferson Elementary School District

Jefferson Elementary School District is in the midst of a $26 million modernization project.

The current projects include the complete modernization of Jefferson School, a new gymnasium at Anthony C. Traina Elementary School and purchasing Chromebooks for sixth- through eighth-grade students.

Jefferson School was built at its current site in 1928 and has had two major modernizations over the years. In 2010 it was determined that another major modernization would not be feasible and a decision was made to start from the ground up. The new school, now under construction, pays homage to the school built in 1928, with the façade being almost a perfect match to what once graced the corners of Linne and Chrisman roads. The new school is expected to be completed in November 2015 with students moving in January 2016.

When Anthony C. Traina Elementary School was constructed in 2006, there wasn’t enough money from developer fees to cover the construction of a school gymnasium. Students have played all of their sports on the road for the past nine years. With the passage of the Measure J bond, it became possible to have a new 10,000 square foot gymnasium with a stage and band room built on campus.

The new facility is expected to open March 2016.

In addition to the construction projects, the bond funds were used to purchase Chromebooks for sixth- through eighth-grade students throughout the district.

Teachers were provided professional development in Google Docs and Classroom, and the devices are now being used by students for much of their work.

This spring, students in San Joaquin County joined students across the state taking the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) summative assessments in English language arts/literacy and mathematics. These tests are being taken by third- through eighth-grade students as well as students in the 11th grade. It is the first statewide administering of the online tests replacing the paper-based Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program.

This summer, you will receive your child’s results on the first statewide administration of this test. Given that this year’s test is new, you should consider these results a baseline for marking future growth.

We are in a transition period—we have identified new skills that students should master, we have been teaching those skills in new and novel ways, and now we are assessing progress with a new test. The scores on this test will not be comparable to last year’s annual test scores, as the old test assessed a different set of skills. Additionally, we have raised expectations for what students should be able to do, so this year’s results may show that most students will need to make substantial progress to master the desired skills.

This is OK because we are headed in the right direction. As students spend more time with the new curriculum, their skills will improve.

When you receive these test results, please support your child in areas that seem to be more challenging, and take time to celebrate all of the different ways in which your child has grown this year.

For more information about the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) system, please follow this link: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ca/

The new Head Start San Joaquin Web page is now live on the San Joaquin County Office of Education website. It will be updated with latest information about Head Start services in San Joaquin County.

To go to the website, please follow the link below.

www.sjcoe.org/HeadStart/