Thank You, Contra Costa County Board of Education!

California school district and county office of education board members are the largest group of elected officials in the state — that aid in supporting student success by establishing their local educational agency’s mission, vision, policy priorities, budget and benchmarks. We join local education agencies across the state in recognizing the contributions of school board members.

Volunteer Legal Professionals Needed for Contra Costa County's Mock Trial Program in January and February

Sign-Up Information

CPIN – California Preschool Instructional Network  

CPIN invites you to attend our regional professional development sessions for PK/TK teachers, IAs, home based providers and others in the early learning field – virtually and in person.   

Topic: Preschool English Language (PEL) Guide Chapter 8 – Extended Module Series in English and Spanish  

Audience: PK and TK teachers, assistants, administrators, coaches, family day care providers and other early learning professionals. 

Date(s): English series begins January 13, 2024 and Spanish series begins January 18, 2024  

Location: Virtual   

Cost: Free 

Registration 

English sessions

Spanish sessions

Topic: Mathematics – Number Sense in Spanish  

Audience: PK and TK teachers, assistants, administrators, coaches, family day care providers and other early learning professionals. 

Date(s) and Time(s): January 16, 2024

Time: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. 

Location: Virtual   

Cost: Free  

Registration

Topic: Mathematics – Algebra and Function in Spanish  

Audience: PK and TK teachers, assistants, administrators, coaches, family day care providers and other early learning professionals. 

Date(s) and Time(s): January 30, 2024

Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. 

Location: Virtual   

Cost: Free  

Registration

*Participants need a Workforce Registry (WFR) Number to enroll in these sessions. More information about the WFR can be found at caregistry.org  

Registration for all sessions closes one week prior to each session. 

California Arts Education Summit 2024 “Small Places and Rural Spaces” 

Learn how to expand access to the arts in rural settings with peers in arts leadership.   

Audience: District leaders 

Date: January 17, 18, 2024

Location: Sacramento 

Cost: $100 

Registration

Digital Abuse: Parent Guidelines for Social Media

TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat - there are 20+ popular social apps children and youth use daily. We see the fallout in everything from harmful social media threats - such as the TikTok challenges - to troubling incidents like school shooting threats and the rise of anonymous "Fake or Fight" accounts. Learn how to handle any social media emergency - from bullying to campus threats.

Audience: Educators and Parents

Date: Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Time: 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free

Registration

Cannabis Awareness & Prevention Curriculum Training with Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher from Stanford University’s REACH Lab

Learn about the new 5-lesson Smart Talk curriculum from Stanford University's REACH Lab (Tobacco Prevention Toolkit / Cannabis Awareness & Prevention Toolkit). Review the curriculum content, learn how to access the program and related resources, and discuss how best to use the program with students.

Audience: Educators, High School and Middle School TUPE Curriculum Instructors, Teachers/Staff

Date: Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Time: 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Location: Virtual/Zoom

Cost: Free

Registration

California Dyslexia Initiative Online Resources

The California Dyslexia Initiative presents a free, statewide professional learning bundle for California educators offered in partnership with the Sacramento County Office of Education and Glean Education. This professional learning opportunity is focused on building awareness and capacity to support struggling readers and students at risk for or with dyslexia throughout the state.

On-Demand Dyslexia Online Course Bundle: This three-part online course covers the topics of understanding dyslexia and dysgraphia, intensifying instruction for struggling readers, and serving students with dyslexia for school psychologists.

Audience: Educators K-12 

Date: Participants have until October 1, 2024, to complete

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free 

Registration

Dyslexia Training Series: In collaboration with the CDE Diagnostic Center Northern California, the California Dyslexia Initiative presents a three-part webinar series covering topics such as screening, assessments, and intervention to support struggling readers and students with dyslexia.

Audience: Educators K-12 

Date: December 14, January 18, and February 15, 2024

Location: Virtual

Cost: Free 

Registration

Distinguished Speaker - Doug Clements: What Does Subitizing Have to Do with Development of Students’ Understanding of Number Sense? 

Subitizing is an under-realized, critical skill needed for number sense such as conservation, unitizing, composing/decomposing, place value, and even arithmetic. Understanding these learning trajectories across TK-8 support educators to diagnose student understanding and identify what students need to learn within their developmental path. This session, facilitated by Dr. Doug Clements will discuss subitizing types, when and how they can be taught, implications on TK-8 mathematics learning, and provide tasks for small or whole group instruction. 

Audience: TK- 8 Educators   

Date: January 23, 2024

Time: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. 

Location: Willow Pass Community Center, Concord 

Cost: FREE  

Registration

Fertile Ground – California Dance Education Association 

This conference serves as a platform to share knowledge, experiences, and resources to enhance teaching practices.  

Audience: Dance educators K-12 

Date: February 9, 10, 2024

Location: Cal State East Bay Hayward 

Cost: $95 

Registration

2024 CDE California All Titles Conference

Early registration is now open for the 2024 CDE California All Titles Conference, “Serving the Whole Child Through School Transformation." Join us for two days of informative workshops, inspiring keynote speakers, and networking opportunities with your colleagues at the CDE and in the field. Participants will learn and engage with promising practices, practical strategies, and innovative ideas ranging from program support, accountability, and professional development to supporting equitable learning experiences for all students. Advance registration is required, and space is limited.

Date: March 6-7, 2024

Location: Los Angeles

Cost: $700+

Registration

Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT) Summer Sessions 

FIT provides forest-based training in environmental literacy with NGSS aligned curriculum. This weeklong Institute is offered in 5 different Northern California locations.  

Audience: PK-12 Educators 

Date: June 16 through July 20, 2024 

Cost: $300 stipend upon completion 

Registration 

CCLA Mathematics Community of Practice

Collaborate on practical ways to integrate learning acceleration approaches to support student success! The Mathematics Community of Practice (CoP) is a space for learning and collaboration. Together, we will leverage the expertise of each other to gain knowledge and deepen understanding of learning acceleration in mathematics utilizing evidence-based practices and the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy (CSP). 

Audience: TK-12 Educators 

Location: Virtual  

Date(s): 5 sessions, August 2023 - April 2024, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Cost: FREE 

Registration

Flyer 

CCLA Online Courses for Learning Acceleration

The California Collaborative for Learning Acceleration (CCLA) offers access to free self-paced courses that provide evidence-based strategies to boost learning acceleration in the classroom. 

Available Online Courses: Learning Acceleration Introduction Course: This course provides an understanding of what learning acceleration is and why it is needed. It introduces the five components of CCLA: mastery of priority content, evidence-based strategies, Universal Design for Learning, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and social-emotional learning practices. Online Content Courses: These courses support evidence-based strategies to accelerate learning in math, literacy, and language development.

Audience: All TK – 12 educators 

Location: Virtual

Cost: FREE 

Date: Asynchronous Online Courses

Website & Online Course Access 

CCLA Literacy Community of Practice:

The intent of this Community of Practice (CoP) is to leverage the expertise of others, to gain knowledge and deepen understanding of learning acceleration in foundational literacy skills and reading comprehension utilizing evidence-based practices and elements of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy (CSP). 

Audience: TK-12 Educators   

Location: Virtual

Date(s): 5 sessions, September 2023 - May 2024, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.

Cost: FREE

Registration & Flyer 

Preliminary Administrative Services Credential (PASC)  

Are you an aspiring administrator? CCCOE offers an 11-month program that results in earning a preliminary administrative credential. We also partner with National University to provide an option to earn a master’s degree. The application window opens June 2, 2023, for the cohort starting February 2024. For more information, please visit our PASC website and complete our interest form.  

Audience: TK-12 educators 

Start Date: February 3, 2024 

Cost: $8,000 for the 11-month credential program 

Community Reads for Kids Program 

This January, the Library is celebrating reading and dogs with a fun book for the Community Reads for Kids program. It is a countywide reading program that encourages everyone in the community to read and discuss the same book.

This year’s book is “Dogtown,” a new middle- grade novel by Newbery Award winners Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko. “Dogtown” is set in an animal shelter and tells the story of two dogs hoping for a fresh start. In celebration of the book's theme, the Library is partnering with Contra Costa Animal Services to host a series of pet-related programs including how to care for your pet, multiple adoption events and a pet toy drive. There is also a book discussion and a chance to hear from one of the authors.

• Care for Your Pet with Animal Services – Tuesday, January 16 at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom
• “Dogtown” Book Discussion – Tuesday, January 23 at 4:00 p.m. via Zoom
• Author Talk with Gennifer Choldenko – Tuesday, January 30 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom

Stay tuned to ccclib.org throughout the month of January for details and locations about more programs and events.

Digital Resources

• LinkedIn Learning - Choose from thousands of online courses to learn in-demand skills from real-world industry experts. Learn business, creative, and technology skills to achieve your personal and professional goals. New courses are added each week.
• National Geographic Kids - Get access to the National Geographic Kids magazine, more than 500 National Geographic Kids books, 900 kid-friendly, downloadable images, and more than 200 videos. Enjoy endless opportunities for kids to explore amazing adventures in science, nature, culture, archaeology, and space. Best for children aged 6–14. 

Programs

Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services Assistance

Every Tuesday, 1 – 5 p.m. - Antioch Library

The Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) will be offering services in the community meeting room to discuss and answer child support questions, open child support cases, accept credit card payments, and provide information to make payments at 3rd party locations.

More Info

For more information on all Contra Costa County Library programs, resources and events, visit ccclib.org.

California Grant Portal

The California State Library has launched a new website that streamlines all available state agency grants for education, small businesses, nonprofits, individuals, tribal governments, and more!

Kids to Parks Day School Grants Program 

This grant program offers up to $1,000 for in-park field trips to Title 1 schools.  

Audience: Title 1 Schools, PK-12 educators 

Date: Apply by February 2, 2024

Cost: Up to $1,000 in funding  

Registration

New CDE STEAM Learning Podcast

Listen today to a new and exciting podcast related to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). A collaboration from CDE and the CDE Foundation, The STEAM Learning Podcast allows listeners to explore innovative practices, new resources, and practical solutions benefitting our students and educational communities and features fellow educators and technologists. In the first episode, CDE Computer Science Coordinator Katherine Goyette and Karyn Warner, Associate Director of STEAM Initiatives at the CDE Foundation, talk with Stephen Callahan about the impact of the FabLab, a 7,000-square-foot makerspace at the San Joaquin County Office of Education, on student learning. Start listening to The STEAM Learning Podcast now on Spotify.

CDE’s California Literacy Landscape Survey

(Deadline Extended to January 31)

Administrators and Literacy Coordinators: State Superintendent Thurmond wants to hear from you as the CDE designs next steps to improve early literacy. The California Literacy Landscape Survey deadline has been extended to Wednesday, January 31, 2024. Please provide your Spring 2023 K–2 Literacy Snapshots to help guide California’s efforts toward achieving the goal of reading by third grade and beyond by completing a survey online. Read more about our literacy webinars and the survey in the September 20, 2023, CDE letter. If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact Dr. Bonnie Garcia, State Literacy Co-Director, at 916-445-7098 or bogarcia@cde.ca.gov.

Directing Change Program Student Film Contest

(Submission Deadline: March 1)

The CDE is pleased to support the annual Directing Change Program and Film Contest, which is sponsored by the California Mental Health Services Authority. This statewide program invites California students from grades six through twelve to create 60-second films about suicide prevention, mental health, and other health-related topics to support awareness, education, and advocacy. Film submissions are due by Friday, March 1, 2024. For more information, including resources to support your school’s prevention efforts and how to submit, visit the Directing Change website. Please contact Stan Collins, Directing Change Program Coordinator, at Stan@SuicideIsPreventable.org, with any questions.

Poetry Out Loud

CCCOE, in partnership with Contra Costa County, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Poetry Foundation, is hosting a Poetry Out Loud regional competition on Saturday, February 10, 2024.  

Preparedness Ambassadors Program Open

Disasters such as wildfires, floods, and earthquakes can strike at any moment, but are your students prepared? Schools are encouraged to share with students information about the Preparedness Ambassadors program, which was created by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services in partnership with the CDE, CalRecycle, and the Sacramento County Office of Education. This free program offers a curriculum designed to engage fourth-grade students to develop and promote disaster preparedness guidelines for their homes, school, and the local community. All classroom curriculum is available on the Preparedness Ambassadors web page.

Mental Health Resources

Recent events can be tough on children’s overall mental wellness and make access to resources even more important. Resources to help support children who have experienced these events are available on the California Health and Human Services Children's Mental Health Resource Hub web page. Additional resources for students and staff are available on the CA Safe Schools for All Mental Health: Student and Staff Support web page and on the CDE Mental Health web page.

Educational Programming of edTV 

Looking for some additional quality Monday-Friday educational programming at home or in the classroom? Check out the latest edTV broadcasts here.

Programs scheduled include (times are approximate):

• Library Storytime, 8:30 a.m.
• Betty McPeek's Circle Time, 8:45 a.m.
• Number Talk, presented by the Khan Academy and CCCOE , K-5 math lessons in English and Spanish: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• Farm to Taste, Mother-daughter culinary arts teachers at Mt. Diablo High School host healthy cooking show: 12:00-12:30 p.m.
• STEM in 30, Emmy-nominated program produced by the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum: 12:30 -1:00 p.m.
• National Arts Gallery, outstanding stories about artists and art movements from around the world: 1:00-2:00 p.m.
• Classic Arts Showcase, performances, visual arts, and films that change every week: Airs most nights, depending on programming, 5:00 p.m.

edTV can be found in most of Contra Costa County on cable channels 32 (Comcast) or 99 (AT&T U-Verse). For info: Daily schedule can be found here.