March 2021
SDCOE Resources
The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) continues to share COVID-19 information and important resources for school employees on its main webpage and on social media. Also, its dedicated COVID-19 website has resources and materials to assist administrators, educators, and families during the pandemic.

Be sure to follow @SanDiegoCOE if you're on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook for new information as it's available.
Equity Leadership Program Free for Current and Aspiring School Leaders

SDCOE is working to intentionally create pathways to recruit, retain, and support ethnically diverse educators. To achieve this, we have partnered with RISE San Diego and Teach for America to create the RISE Urban Principal Preparation (UPP) program for current and future school leaders.

The RISE UPP program is a free, year-long learning opportunity that helps school leaders develop the equity consciousness and adaptive leadership skillsets to lead school systems toward equitable outcomes for all students.

The program provides:
  • Concentrated focus on cultivating an equity mindset for transforming San Diego’s urban schools into places of excellence and innovation
  • Class credit for SDCOE administrative credential programs
  • Intensive leadership development in an active environment

If you are an interested educator or know someone who might benefit from this initiative, visit www.sdcoe.net/RISEUPP for details and the application. The deadline to apply is March 19.
Free Learning Opportunities for Educators and Aspiring Teachers

SDCOE’s Teacher Effectiveness and Preparation unit has created a free professional learning series developed to help current teachers and those who would like to become educators take their careers to the next level by learning more about credentials, authorizations, certificates, and degrees from a variety of institutions.

The Level Up virtual series will run from March 15 to 27 and features 30-minute sessions throughout the day that can be viewed live or afterward. Learn more by viewing the schedule of sessions.
Ready 2 Go: Ed Tech Workshops for Education Leaders

The educational technology team at SDCOE is offering a series of free online workshops aimed at improving the technology knowledge, communication, and efficiency of district leaders, principals, vice principals, and any educator aspiring to lead from within their organization.

Walk away with new skills, useful plans for moving forward, and an improved ability to lead through example in the area of technology integrations. The goal is for you to be “Ready 2 Go” on day one when you start school next year. For more information and to register visit the Ready 2 Go webpage.
Profiles in Power: Celebrating Black Educators

During Black History Month, the SDCOE Equity team created the new Profiles in Power video interview series to highlight and celebrate the stories of Black education leaders in our region. Listening, sharing our stories, and connecting with each other on a personal level are simple but impactful ways to practice equity and learn about the common values and beliefs we have about education.

During student panels held throughout the year, we’ve consistently heard students say that representation matters, whether it’s the adult in the classroom, district office, or board room. SDCOE is working to honor educators who are making a difference and highlight their impact. The video series will continue past February to highlight several educators each month as they share their story of becoming an educator, including their unique experience and learning.
San Diego County Board of Education Seeking Student Members
This is the final week for 10th- and 11th-grade students to apply for a new opportunity to learn about government processes and use their voice to represent other young people across our region. The San Diego County Board of Education is seeking student applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences for a new student board member position. Young people are powerful agents of change and their perspective is an important part of decision-making in education.

A student representative from public high schools throughout the 42 districts will be selected from each of the five board regions and will serve on a rotating basis for two months of meetings with the first term beginning in May. View complete details and access the application packet. Applications are due by March 5. Questions can be emailed to Matt Hayes or call him at 858-295-8857.
High School Students Can Win a New Laptop
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), Coca-Cola, and SDCOE announce the annual Laptop Scholarship Essay Contest. The 40 students in San Diego County with the best-scored essays will win a brand new laptop and other great prizes.

Students in grades 9 to 12 can submit an essay for this year's prompt, which is about the new MTS fare collection system and how it can enhance the rider experience. For more information and to enter, visit the MTS website. The essay submission period opens March 8 and runs through April 9.
Encuentros Leadership and Education Summit
Cuyamaca College and Encuentros Leadership will be hosting the Encuentros Leadership and Education Summit on March 6 from noon to 2 p.m.

The free summit includes online workshops on college and career opportunities for students as well as sessions for parents in English and Spanish. Parents are also invited to a drive-through food and supply pick up March 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. Download event flyers in English and Spanish. Click here to register for either event.
County of San Diego Emergency Rental Assistance Program
San Diego County residents financially impacted by COVID-19 who need help paying their rent and utilities may qualify for assistance.

Applications for the County of San Diego’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) 2021 can be submitted starting March 2 through March 16. The County’s ERAP 2021 serves all areas of the San Diego region except for the cities of San Diego and Chula Vista. For more information on this program, visit www.sdhcd.org or call 858-694-4801 to speak to a housing representative.

If you are a resident of the cities of San Diego and Chula Vista, or if you are not sure which program serves your area, visit www.ERAPsandiego.org for more information.

Download informative flyers containing eligibility criteria for ERAP 2021 in English, Spanish, Tagalog, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Mandarin.
Life Science XP Education Symposium for Educators, Industry Partners
biocom-logo
The Biocom Institute is hosting the inaugural Life Science XP Education Symposium to bring together K-12 educators, partners, and industry members who are reimagining life science/biotech learning experiences in their classrooms, schools, and districts.

The goal of the symposium is to experience and learn from these innovations first-hand with active practitioners and partner providers. Participants engage in a variety of professional learning and networking opportunities to connect educators, industry experts, and scientists. The virtual symposium takes place April 28 and 29, from 3 to 5:15 p.m. Learn more details here and register here.
Read-Aloud Storytime With a Police Officer
STAR/PAL is designed to connect law enforcement officers with children in grades K-5 in a fun and interactive way, and in turn helps foster a positive relationship with and opinion of law enforcement.

Through STAR/PAL's Storytime With an Officer program, officers visit virtually with students to read aloud an entertaining picture book, focused on a character-building trait. There is a question-and-answer session at the end. Teachers can also choose from a library of pre-recorded readings on the STAR/PAL YouTube channel. Contact program manager Carly Mitchell to schedule a live, virtual session. Download an informational flyer.
Virtual Field Trips Through ArtsBusXpress
ArtsBusXpress, a nonprofit organization that connects students with arts and science opportunities, is partnering with several San Diego County museums and institutions to provide virtual field trips for K-12 educators and their students.

Currently, there are 55 unique Virtual Field Trip Xperiences available from nine arts and science venue partners:
  • La Jolla Playhouse 
  • Living Coast Discovery Center 
  • New Village Arts 
  • The Fleet Science Center 
  • San Diego Air and Space Museum 
  • San Diego History Center 
  • San Diego Model Railroad Museum 
  • San Diego Zoo/Safari Park
  • Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans
Each experience is live, interactive, and personalized for a class of up to 40 students. Venues will work with educators to ensure the best possible experience for their students. Teachers can apply for the necessary funding for the selected program. For more information, visit the ArtsBusXpress website or email info@artsbusxpress.org.
San Diego Family Magazine March Digital Issue
San Diego Family Magazine welcomes spring with its March digital edition.

Find these helpful articles in the latest issue:
  • Courage and Conviction - four young women sparking change and unity
  • Unplug and Connect! - 24 hours of untethered family fun
  • Grow, Learn, Eat - gardening adventures with kids
  • St. Patrick's Day ideas, family events calendar, and more

Flip through the digital edition. More ideas and resources are available at sandiegofamily.com.
Grant and Award Opportunities for Educators
Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant Program

Awards up to $3,000 to K-12 schools for new or existing gardening projects. Requests may be made for educational gardens that grow fruits, vegetables, herbs, edible flowers, and grains. Funding is intended for projects that turn outdoor spaces into hands-on learning gardens that connect kids with food, spark curiosity, and support classroom curriculum. Visit the grant website. The application deadline is March 31.
McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation

Awards academic enrichment grants of up to $10,000 a year to help develop in-class and extracurricular programs that improve K-12 student learning and develops the abilities of children from low-income households. Eligible project examples include unique ideas that supplement regular classroom curriculum or after-school activities; student-generated ideas for enrichment activities; projects that have facilities, expertise, and community endorsement, but need additional resources for materials. Visit the grant website. The application deadline is April 15.
First Book Marketplace
 
First Book is a nonprofit organization that provides free and inexpensive children’s books and educational resources to schools and programs that serve children in need, from birth to age 18. Eligible participants include Title I schools and their educators and other school personnel. For complete details and to register to participate, visit the program page. Applications are ongoing.
Scholarship and Award Opportunities for Students
North Island Credit Union Scholarship

Awards $1,000 to college-bound high school seniors based on academic performance and school or community involvement. Learn more and access the application at the North Island Credit Union website. View an informational flyer. The application deadline is March 26.
Don Diego Scholarship Foundation

Awards scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 to students residing in the San Diego area who in previous years have participated in the San Diego County Fair and/or other activities associated with the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Visit the Don Diego Scholarship Foundation website for complete information. The application deadline is March 29.
UPAC Beverly Yip Scholarship

The Union of Pan Asian Communities (UPAC) Beverly Yip scholarship awards $2,500 each to two high school seniors in San Diego County who want to pursue a degree in social work, behavioral health, addiction treatment and recovery, or related health care fields. Download an information sheet. The application deadline is April 1.
Ninth Circuit Civics Contest

The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has an essay and video contest for high school students with the theme, "What Does Our American Community Ask of Us?" Contest winners could receive up to $1,000 for the local Southern California contest, and up to $3,000 for the main contest. Visit the contest page for full details. The entry deadline is April 1.
Flying Leatherneck Art and Essay Contests

Marines in Flight Art Contest - The Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation's (FLHF) annual student art contest is now open. Students in grades 6 through 12 can express their creative skills while learning about U.S. and aviation history. Cash awards of $100 to $300 are given in two grade-level categories. All winning artwork will be displayed at the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum. Visit the contest webpage to learn more. The deadline to submit is April 6.

Flying Leatherneck Essay Contest - The University of San Diego's Character Development Center and the FLHF are accepting entries for their annual essay contest. This year's prompt, "Who is Your Hero?" asks students in grades 6 through 12 to reflect on the core values of the U.S. Marine Corps and our society by exploring what the virtues of honor, courage, and commitment mean in their own lives. Cash prizes of $100 to $300 are given to first through third place winners, and teachers of winning students receive a cash award as well. The deadline for submissions is April 14. Visit the contest page for more details.
Taiwanese American Foundation of San Diego Scholarship

Awards $2,000 scholarships to college-bound high school seniors in San Diego County. Of the six scholarships awarded, two are for students of Taiwanese descent, and two are for students with financial need. The application deadline is April 15. Access the application form for complete information.
Pass Along What's Happening
What's Happening is a monthly publication from the San Diego County Office of Education that highlights free and low-cost enrichment opportunities for San Diego County students, teachers, and schools.

If you know someone who would like to receive What's Happening in their inbox each month, share this link with them. They can also email communications@sdcoe.net and ask to be added to the mailing list.
Have feedback on What's Happening? Email the San Diego County Office of Education Communications department: communications@sdcoe.net
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