1. Healthcare

MCOE News
The newsletter of the Monterey County Office of Education
V o l u m e
Mission
The Monterey County
Office of Education, in
partnership with our
community, provides
the leadership, support,
and service excellence
needed to prepare all of
Monterey County’s
diverse students for
success in each step of
their educational
journey today and in the
future.
Vision
The Monterey County
Office of Education
champions excellence in
educational results. We
distinguish ourselves
through exemplary
leadership, support and
service that enables all
Monterey County’s
diverse students to be
well prepared for
success in the
interdependent world of
the future.
4 ,
I s s u e
1
J a n u a r y
2 0 1 5
MCOE Migrant Ed students take a tour of
CSUMB’s campus
Making the leap from high school to college can be difficult. Everything about
college just seems bigger. The campuses are larger, there are more students,
more classrooms, and more teachers. Throw in factors like tuition, financial aid,
and housing, and college life can seem pretty intimidating.
In an effort to de-mystify the process, MCOE’s Migrant Education Program
Region XVI recently partnered with California State University Monterey Bay to
present “High School Migrant Youth Day at CSUMB.”
Close to 100 Monterey County high school sophomores and juniors attended
the event, where they got a firsthand look at college life – everything from
academics to campus food and dorm life. For some, it was their first visit to a
college campus.
“The idea is to break down barriers,” said Summer Prather-Smith, Coordinator/
Administrator for Migrant Education, Region XVI. “We want to broaden their
horizons as to the career opportunities available to them.”
The students attended workshops on job opportunities in Global Studies,
Health, Human Services, and Public Policy. They also toured the campus,
visiting the Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library, the University Center,
Chapman Science Academic Center and a residence hall.
MCOE’s Migrant Education Program Region XVI serves approximately 13,000
students in Monterey County, making it the largest Migrant Ed program in the
state.
Page 2
Message from the Superintendent:
Starting an exciting new year in Education
2015 began with the personal honor of being sworn in for my third term
as County Superintendent of Schools.
It is a great honor and responsibility to lead the important mission we
share in preparing every one of our students for success at each step of
their educational journey. I am proud of our MCOE team of teachers,
staff and administrators who serve on the frontlines, working with our
schools throughout Monterey to fulfill this mission.
“It is a great honor and
responsibility to lead the
important mission we
share in preparing every
one of our students for
success.” - Dr. Nancy
Kotowski
MCOE News
In this month’s MCOE News, you will learn about the Techmobile, an
18-wheel high-tech classroom operated by the Media Center for Art, Education and Technology (MCAET), a division of the Monterey County
Office of Education. You will also find information about the upcoming
Monterey County Science and Engineering Fair, Monterey County’s
25th Annual History Day, and Migrant Youth Day at California State
University Monterey Bay, where high school sophomores and juniors
get a “real world” look at the many career paths available to them at
CSUMB.
This is truly an exciting new era for Education in California. I hope you
enjoy this edition of MCOE News, and please accept my best wishes for
a wonderful new year.
Volume 4, Issue 1
Page 3
The TechMobile hits the road in January.
Have you ever tried to park an 18-wheeler on a busy downtown street? It wasn’t a problem for Joanna
Owens. She is the new driver of the TechMobile, and on January 27, she had a curbside spot already
reserved.
The prime parking spot was just outside the headquarters of the California Department of Education in
Sacramento. It was Career Technical Education Week and the TechMobile was the featured attraction.
Students from Millennium Charter High School and staff from MCOE’s Media Center for Art, Education
and Technology (MCAET) were there to give visitors an up close look at the rolling, state-of-the-art high
tech classroom. The TechMobile is equipped with a satellite dish, computer stations and audio/video
equipment, offering students hands-on instruction using 21st Century digital media technology.
Millennium students know plenty about technology. At their campus at the Monterey County Office of
Education, they have access to a digital media lab, TV studios and control rooms, and a radio/podcast
studio. The school’s second site, at Sherwood Hall, offers classrooms and performance space.
During a visit last year, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, referred to Millennium
as a “role model for the rest of California.”
On January 21, the Monterey County Board of Education voted to renew Millennium’s charter for five
years, through the 2020 school year.
MCAET will also be showcased at “Create CA, January 30-31, at the Oakland School for the Arts. The twoday event will focus on arts education and will be attended by Governor Jerry Brown and educators from
around the state.
Hamish Tyler, MCAET Director, joined by Emiliano Valdez from El Teatro Campesino, will present a
workshop on the ACTOS program for middle school students. Millennium students are working side-byside with MCAET professionals to provide video services for the entire event.
All in all, it’s been a busy and successful year for Millennium and MCAET. And it’s only January.
Accommodating up to 20 students, the TechMobile is a converted semi-trailer equipped with highspeed internet workstations, a compact audio recording booth, a green screen, a student common
area and an awning-covered outdoor meeting space.
Page 4
Registration is open for the 2015 Science Fair
The annual Monterey County Science and Engineering Fair will be held March 13-15, 2015 at California
State University Monterey Bay. Through the annual Fair competition, hundreds of the county's students are
challenged to go beyond their classroom studies to do independent project-based research. They work
independently or in a team of two to address questions in the fields of Computer Science, Environmental
Science, Medicine & Health, Chemistry, Biology, and a half dozen other categories.
Students will present projects in junior (6th - 8th grade) and senior (9th - 12th grade) divisions in multiple areas
of study. Fair participants are drawn from public, private, parochial and home-schools in Monterey County.
Judging will occur on Saturday, March 14, at 8
a.m. Outstanding projects in each category are
recognized at an Awards Ceremony held in the
same location on Sunday afternoon, March 15 at
1 p.m. Select winners go on to compete in other
state and national competitions, including the
prestigious Intel International Science & Engineering Fair.
Students may register online at
www.montereycountysciencefair.com .
The deadline to register is February 18, 2015.
Science Fair workshop inspires middle school students
Monterey County Office of Education hosted its first Science Fair Project Workshop on Saturday, November 1 to
help middle school students gear up for the annual Monterey County Science & Engineering Fair which will be
held this coming year on March 13-15. Bright and early on the day after Halloween, our meeting room filled to
capacity with 79 eager-to-learn students from across the county. This unique workshop provided four different
session topics which included selecting an inspirational project topic, researching and designing the experiment;
constructing, collecting, and testing data and creating and preparing for the presentation. All four workshop
sessions were presented by Chapman Caddell, one of our previous top County winners, who took one of three
First Place awards and best of category in Physics at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.
Chapman, who had graciously volunteered to share his science fair experience and his tips on developing an
award winning project, was a big hit with the attending students.
Volume 4, Issue 1
Page 5
Fast Takes: Students and staff on the move
A Day at the Opera – Dr. Nancy Kotowski joined Monterey
County students, parents, and teachers at the Del Monte
Center’s Century Theatre for a live HD broadcast of an
opera from the Metropolitan in New York City. Special
thanks to the Occhiata Foundation which brings arts
engagement to Monterey County schools through the
multi-discipline prism of opera.
Special thanks go out to MCOE employees who donated
items during our holiday food and coat drive. Two full
barrels of food were picked up by the Food Bank of
Monterey County, two large bags of new or gently used
coats were delivered to the Girl Scouts at Macy’s in
Monterey and a large barrel of pet food, toys and blankets
was delivered to the Salinas Animal Shelter .
MCOE Shares the Holidays – Dr. Nancy Kotowski
appeared on television with news anchor Erin Clark during
KSBW’s annual “Share Your Holidays” food and toy drive.
MCOE employees donated a large box of toys, which was
distributed to Monterey County families by the
Salvation Army. Special thanks to MCOE employees for
sharing the spirit of the holidays.
The Monterey County Office of Education's
Transportation Department hosted a special training day
for approximately 125 school bus drivers from all over
Monterey County, Santa Cruz County, and even San Luis
Obispo County. Two State Troopers from Missouri
presented on: School Bus Hijacking Awareness &
Response, Active Shooter Response, Gang Awareness,
Indicators of Violence, and De-escalation Techniques.
Submit your picture today. If you have pictures from a student or staff event that you’d like to see published, please send them to
[email protected] with a brief description of the event or activity, along with the names and departments represented.
Page 6
Monterey County's 25th Annual History
Day will be held March 7th.
This year's national theme is “Leadership & Legacy in History.”
History Day is a statewide program sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation
in conjunction with National History Day. It is open to students from grades 4 through
12. History Day is an exciting enrichment program that furthers students’ understanding
of historical issues, ideas, people and events. It is an academic adventure that provides
teachers with an innovative teaching tool that fosters students' enthusiasm for learning. Students develop invaluable research and analytical skills as they progress through
their projects and define the significance of their topics. Students can compete in the
following six categories: historical paper, exhibit, performance, documentary, historical
web site, or 4/5th grade poster.
History day will be held March 6th and 7th at Los Arboles Middle School in Marina.
The afternoon of Friday, March 6 is for exhibit setup only.
For additional information: 831-372-6098 or [email protected].
History Day judges are needed and require
no special knowledge.
Requirements: Must be 18 years of age or older. A
background check may be required.
NO special knowledge of History is necessary.
History Day cannot be a successful event without the
contribution of judges. Judging the History Day
Competition is a great way to get involved in this event
and provide students with feedback on projects they
have spent so much time and energy creating. The
Lyceum and the Monterey County Office of Education
offer judge orientations, instructed by experienced
judges, to provide all the information you will need to judge students’ projects.
History Day is an experience that positively impacts students throughout the Monterey
Bay. It helps students further develop their research skills and bolsters their confidence,
which ultimately improves their academic success! Participating students spend months
brainstorming, researching, writing, editing, and preparing for the History Day
Competition.
MCOE News
Volume 4, Issue 1
Page 7
Scholarships available for CSEA member dependents
Applications are being accepted through March 1, 2015
CSEA is proud to offer $1,000 scholarships to dependents of CSEA members.
Scholarships are available for graduating high school seniors, as well as for those
attending community college, four year colleges, or vocational school.
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic achievement, citizenship
(including character, leadership, and service), and financial need.
Applications are available now at www.csea.com/scholarships and are due March 1st.
For more details, visit www.csea.com/scholarships or call CSEA Member Benefits at
(866) 487-2732 to request an application.
Youth Preparedness Council accepting applications
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is now seeking applicants for its Youth Preparedness
Council. The Council supports FEMA’s commitment to involving youth in preparedness-related activities and
provides an opportunity for young people to offer their perspectives, feedback and insights on how to help
make America more resilient.
As advocates for preparedness, Council members will complete a self-selected youth preparedness project and
have the opportunity to share their opinions, ideas, solutions and questions about youth disaster preparedness
with FEMA leadership and national organizations working on preparedness initiatives. Members also have the
opportunity to brief FEMA officials on strategies, initiatives and projects throughout their one-year term.
To apply, applicants must be 13 to 17 years old. They must also be engaged in individual and community preparedness or have experienced a disaster that motivated them to make a positive difference in their community. Adults working with youth or on community preparedness are encouraged to share the application with
young people who might be interested in applying for the Youth Preparedness Council.
To be eligible for consideration, applicants must submit a completed application form and two letters of
recommendation. Completed applications and all supporting materials must be received no later than March 2,
2015, 11:59 p.m. EST. New Youth Preparedness Council members will be announced in May 2015.
For more information about completing and submitting the application, please visit:
www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council.
Serve with CERT!
Volunteering, like disaster preparedness, is a year-round activity. If you are looking for opportunities to give
back this year, consider joining your local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Team members
receive training in basic medical operations, light search and rescue, and many other useful disaster skills.
After completing training, CERT volunteers may be able to support their communities in a variety of different
ways before, during, and after emergencies.
To find a CERT program within your community, go to:
http://www.citizencorps.fema.gov/cc/searchCert.do?submitByZip
Welcome to the Monterey County Office of Education. Please
join us in working together to prepare our students for the
future. Preparing students for success requires a unified and
coordinated effort between home, school and the community.
MCOE News
Monterey County Superintendent of Schools
Nancy Kotowski, Ph.D.
Monterey County Board of Education Members
The Monterey County Office of Education provides leadership
to galvanize our community around support for the public's
educational system.
Mary Claypool, President
Our goal is to equip every student to thrive in the global econo-
Ronald Panziera, Vice President
my, to enrich the cultural and intellectual resources of their
John McPherson
community and state, and to contribute to a strong and demo-
Sergio Alejo
cratic American society.
Francisco Javier Estrada
Harvey Kuffner
Ronald Panziera
Judy Pennycook
Monterey County has many world-renowned resources. And, of
them all, our children are our most precious resource and hope
for the future.
Editor: Barry Brown
Please send items for publication, comments and suggestions to Barry
Tel: 831.755.0301 Fax: 831.755.6473
Brown at [email protected]. or Teri James at
901 Blanco Circle | Salinas | CA | 93912
[email protected].
MCOE’s technology training resumes in February
MCOE’s technology training is resuming with new offerings for everyone at MCOE and in Monterey County.
There are 3 new all day workshops for educators about some of the biggest topics in Ed Tech this year, a
teacher tech series where teachers can learn about new tools and strategies then take time to practice and plan
for their implementation, and over 20 classes on commonly used productivity applications including Google
Apps. All members of the educational community are welcome. A reminder: These classes are free to MCOE
employees.
List of Upcoming Classes:
Title
Technology Orientation
How to Make a Webinar
Teacher Tech Series #1: Cyber Safety
Introduction to Google Apps
Making Better Flyers
Flip Your Classroom!
Introduction to Excel
Introduction to PowerPoint
Introduction to Outlook
Word: Beyond Basics
Teacher Tech Series #2: Collaboration
Google Apps: Beyond Basics
Excel: Beyond the Basics
Date
2/2/15
2/2/15
2/12/15
2/17/15
2/17/15
2/26/15
3/3/15
3/3/15
3/10/15
3/10/15
3/12/15
3/17/15
3/17/15
Start Time
11:00 AM
1:30 PM
3:30 PM
11:00 AM
1:30 PM
9:00 AM
1:00 PM
3:00 PM
11:00 AM
1:30 PM
3:30 PM
11:00 AM
1:30 PM
End Time
12:30 PM
3:00 PM
5:30 PM
12:30 PM
3:00 PM
3:30 PM
2:30 PM
4:30 PM
12:30 PM
3:00 PM
5:30 PM
12:30 PM
3:00 PM