Through a partnership with the Department of Healthcare Services, Orange County Department of Education, Sacramento County Office of Education, and the Project Cal-HOPE Grant, educators across California have access to a free professional development course in Social Emotional Learning offered by the UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center. The self-paced course comes with study guides and discussion questions and is great for staff, professional-learning communities or individuals to deepen their understanding of Social Emotional Learning.

For info: Visit their website

Fee: Free

CCCOE will be hosting the Region 4 FPM Training led by CDE’s Technical Assistance and Monitoring Office (TAMO) staff on Monday 9/13 from 9:00am-12:00pm. The regional training will give an overview of the EL FPM process and the 2021-22 EL instrument and provide the region time for questions in regards to compliance. Please use this link to register for the FPM Training and submit your questions to allow us the opportunity to spend more time on items that are important to you. A Zoom link and meeting information will be sent to registered participants the week before the FPM Regional Training.

Audience: District Administrators

Date: September 13; 9 a.m. - Noon

Cost: Free

Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance) has organized all of their free, on-demand webinars on their website. Topics include Teaching Hard History in Grades K-5, What is White Privilege Really?, and Teaching Digital Literacy.

Dates: On Demand

Fee: Free

Common Sense Education is hosting a series of free webinars focusing on topics like Teaching Digital Citizenship in Grades K-5, Incorporating Digital Citizenship into Everyday Instruction, and How to Incorporate Digital Citizenship into School Culture as an Administrator. Register for these sessions and more at: https://www.commonsense.org/education/events

Dates: Various dates in June

Fee: Free

The California Assessment Conference is a unique opportunity for classroom educators to explore connections between assessments and classroom instruction, learn how to utilize assessment tools and resources to support teaching and learning, and hear from other local educational agencies. This conference has been designed to create collaboration opportunities for educators who wish to discover how other educators, schools, and districts integrate all components of the state assessment system. A variety of sessions and key topics, covered over three days, allow for a customized learning experience while minimizing time away from the classroom. Participants will learn, explore, find inspiration, and return to the classroom ready to apply new skills and knowledge. Registration will close September 27, 2021 or when conference reaches capacity, whichever is first. Registration is non-refundable. If the conference is cancelled for any reason registrations will be refunded.

Audience: Classroom Educators

Dates: October 12 - 14, 2021 (virtual)

For info: Register at https://www.cdecac.org/

Cost: $79

Embark on asynchronous learning experiences focused on the 5 Key Principles for Quality Distance Learning facilitated by Julie Dooley and Christen Northrop. backchannel. Please use this GUIDE to access more information and links to recordings and resources.

Audience: K-5 teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators

Dates: N/A

Cost: Free

Teachers, instructional coaches, and educators on special assignment: Openings are still available for next week’s virtual Interim Assessment Hand Scoring trainings! Separate sessions are available for English language arts/literacy and for mathematics. These four-hour hand scoring trainings, which are free of charge, comprise one of three modules in the 2021 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series. The other two modules are as follows:

Register on the 2021 Interim and Formative Assessment Training Series website, where you can find training dates and additional information about this training series. If you have questions, email ETS at CalOutreach@ets.org.

Audience: Teachers, instructional coaches, and educators on special assignment

For info: Email ETS at CalOutreach@ets.org

Cost: Free

The California Department of Education (CDE) HSE Office welcomes you to the 2021 HSE Summer Convenings! This is a series of free, one-hour training webinars being held during August to provide updates on HSE for 2021. If you are unable to attend the live webinars, you will still have the opportunity to access them after the series concludes. They will be recorded, and later posted on the CDE HSE Administrative Documents web page.

Audience: HSE chief examiners and test site administrators

Dates: August 5, 12, and 19 at 10 a.m.

For info: Registration Page

Cost: Free

Our program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing as a Professional Preparation Program for the Clear Administrative Services Credential. In partnership with the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), CCCOE-ALP provides high-quality, researched-based professional learning and development for new leaders. Across the two-year program, credential candidates expand and deepen their leadership knowledge, skills, and behaviors through individualized, job-embedded induction.

For info: Contact Julie Dooley at (925) 942-3357, or visit the program's web page

Dates: The enrollment window for the 2021-23 fall cohort will open July 1, 2021.

This training is offered online once per month. If your organization is interested, we can schedule a group training session online. 211Database Resource Training is provided at no cost.

Sessions Covers:

For info: Contact Blanca Gutierrez, or visit the program's web page

Dates: Held every 2nd Thursday of the month; (Virtual)

Fee: Free

Creating a comprehensive ELD program is a central priority for effectively serving English learners. By planning before the academic year begins and carefully nurturing the program during the first weeks of school, administrators can create schools that

accelerate learning for English learners. This three-hour session focuses on how administrators can enact Principle Two Intellectual Quality of Instruction and Meaningful Access of the English Learner Roadmap policy in their virtual or in-person school. Participants will learn specific skills and strategies to lead staff, assess instructional materials, and guide a strong Integrated and Designated ELD Program.

For info: Contact Dr. Margarita Gonzalez-Amador

Dates: August 12, 2021; 9 a.m. - Noon

Register: Registration Form

Cost: Free; Priority to the first 150 registrants from the 20 EL RISE! Partner County Offices of Education

The California Arts Standards Introduction virtual workshop is designed for arts educators, multiple subject teachers, school and district administrators, and teaching artists to deepen their understanding of the 2019 California Arts Standards for Public Schools and explore strategies for implementation.

Audience:  K-12 teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators

Date: August 12; 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. (virtual)

For info: Registration Form

Cost: Free

Learn how to bring NGSS-aligned, inquiry-based science exploration into your classroom with hands-on, synchronous online workshops for educators. Engage as a learner, explore hands-on phenomena, reflect and plan with colleagues, and learn how to use our teacher resources designed to support student learning in a variety of settings.

Audience:  K-12 teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators

Date: Various dates between August and November; 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. or 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Cost: Free

Low Floor, High Ceiling experiences are those with BOTH easy access points for all learners (low floor), AND the potential for expansive thinking (high ceiling). In this online workshop, we pose the question, “What do Low Floor, High Ceiling experiences look like in science, and how can they foster a positive science identity for all students?” Participate in example activities, discuss the benefits and characteristics of this approach with your peers, and consider how to bring these ideas into your own classroom.

Audience:  K-12 teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators

Date: September 22, 2021; 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

For info: California Academy of Sciences

Cost: $25

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based $20,000 scholarship awarded to 150 qualifying high school seniors who will pursue a degree at a post-secondary institution in the U.S. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

For info: Visit their website

Deadline: October 31

These general scholarships are offered to all students who identify as LGBT. Some are limited to students who reside in specific regions of the country, while others are available at the national level.

For info: Visit their website

Deadlines: Vary

Safeway funds grant applications for communities where stores are located. Grants should focus on Safeway's priorities, including education. The Safeway Foundation's Grants are accepted throughout the year. Typical grants are between $2,500 - $10,000

For info: Visit their website

The Ross Store-Based Giving Program provides donations to eligible schools and government programs within 25 miles of a Ross Dress for Less store. Funding is intended to build academic achievement and life skills in economically disadvantaged youth, ages 3-24. Schools must be either Title 1 designees or have at least 40% of their students participate in free or reduced lunch. Programs with a focus on literacy, STEM, tutoring, stay-in-school efforts, and college readiness can qualify. Support is provided primarily in the form of gift cards.

For info: Visit their website

Deadline: Applications are ongoing

ecoTech™ Grants were created to combat the notion that students needed to choose between "the screen" or "the green" and to encourage educators and students to explore the role technology can play in designing and implementing solutions to some of our most pressing environmental challenges. We believe that technology can present innovative ways to address environmental challenges - and that when dealing with digital natives, we do ourselves a disservice by asking them to unplug. ecoTech™ Grants are specifically offered to engage children in inquiry-based, STEM-related projects that leverage technology and/or use nature-based design to address environmental problems in local communities.

For info: Visit their website

Deadlines: Cycle 1: Opens September 15-Closes January 15 * Cycle 2: Opens March 15-Closes July 15

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!

For info: Visit their website

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) website lets users create and administer online tests to their students and then compare their students' performance to national norms. You can assemble tests by selecting questions from more than 700 items that have been developed by AAAS Project 2061 to measure what students know in 16 key science topics.

For info: Visit their website

The Contra Costa County Office of Education is working closely with Contra Costa Health Services to keep our communities informed regarding the Coronavirus emergency. The CCCOE is providing updated information and resources to schools and school districts in our county so they can offer accurate news to their communities.

The CCCOE Coronavirus web page features:

For info: Visit our web page at cocoschools.org/coronavirus

We encourage anyone who is interested in receiving monthly updates on adolescent health and wellness-related issues, including upcoming professional development opportunities and parent/family webinars to check out Health & Wellness Matters.

For info: To learn more and subscribe to Health & Wellness Matters, visit their web page

Fee: Free

The New York Times is working with Verizon to provide qualifying high school students and teachers with a free digital subscription through September. 1, 2021 — helping them stay connected to the world, even as it continues to change. Teachers or school administrators must first create a free account to be verified and then will be able to send their students an invitation email to access the subscription.

For info: Visit their website

Fee: Free

Tools for Teachers is a new website featuring lessons and activities designed to enhance instruction, save time, and boost student learning. This online collection is the new formative assessment component of the Smarter Balanced assessment system and was developed with teachers across the state. Resources are aligned with the California Standards to help K–12 teachers target student needs using the formative assessment process. Formative assessment and accessibility strategies are embedded in every instructional resource and can be used in distance or hybrid learning environments.

For info: Visit their website

Fee: Free

East Bay Regional Park District is committed to the idea of lifelong learning and helping people make their own discoveries about our local parks. These resources are designed to be used at home, in a classroom, or part of any online education. Use these resources to build your own learning opportunities.

For info: Visit their website

Fee: Free

CASEL CARES is a new initiative that connects each of you in our global community with experts to address how Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) be most helpful in response to today’s circumstances. The program is filled with free resources and a weekly webinar.

For info: Visit their website

KidsGardening.org is a website that has plenty of ideas about plants and gardens, teacher resources, and grant opportunities.

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):

edTV can be found on Contra Costa County cable channels 32 (Comcast) or 99 (AT&T U-Verse)

For info: Daily schedule can be found here

The Contra Costa County Library has removed time limits on library visits, brought back tables and chairs, begun returning all public computers into service and opened most study rooms for use. These changes come after California relaxed its COVID-19 restrictions and reopened the economy on June 15 and following guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and County Risk Management. The Library will restore additional programs and services as guided by the state and county. Disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer will remain available for use at all community libraries.

Nineteen community libraries are serving as cooling centers during heat events this summer. Visit ccclib.org for addresses and hours of operation or call (800) 984-4636 for assistance. For a complete list of all the places to cool off in Contra Costa County, visit contracosta.ca.gov.

The Library is happy to announce the return of Career Online High School. The program offers qualified community members the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and credentialed career certificate. The Library will award scholarships to qualified learners looking to earn a high school diploma and advance their careers. Once enrolled, each student is paired with an academic coach, who assists with developing an individual career plan, offers ongoing guidance and encouragement, evaluates performance, and connects the learner with the resources needed to demonstrate mastery of the course material. Classes are supported by board-certified instructors and students have 24/7 access to the online learning platform. Coursework begins in one of eight high-growth, high-demand career fields (across a wide spectrum from childcare and education to certified transportation), before progressing to the core academic subjects. Students are able to graduate in as few as six months by transferring in previously earned high school credits but are given up to 18 months to complete the program. For more information about Career Online High School visit ccclib.org/cohs/or any Contra Costa County Library.

For info: Contact the CWS Staff at (925) 655-0111 or visit their website