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Multi-Tiered System of Support for All Students
Esteemed Stakeholders and Colleagues,
Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS) is blossoming much like the flowers this spring due to your commitment, support, and collaboration. As an organization that believes in continuous improvement, JCCS is working to customize support throughout our programs for the benefit of our students and their families.
We are currently working with experts in improvement science from the Imperial County Office of Education to dig deep into our data to inform program development and resource allocation, and implement best practices. We are also fortunate to work with experts from the Santa Clara County Office of Education on our work aligned to the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework. The MTSS framework will provide the structure for all students to succeed academically and behaviorally in school. To move this work forward, JCCS has created a District Equity Leadership Team and Regional Equity Leadership Teams to focus on providing high-quality instruction, supports, and interventions. These teams are diverse, value all voices, and represent all staff member classifications within our organization.
These efforts, along with our other work to increase career technical education pathways, parent and stakeholder engagements, access to the arts, and restorative and trauma-informed practices, are integrated into the SDCOE Local Control and Accountability Plan, the School Plan for Student Achievement, and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) plan.
As Rosa Parks once shared, “You must never be fearful about what you’re doing when it’s right.” Thanks to each and every one of you for your ongoing support, commitment, and leadership. What we are doing is right and it's making a difference in the lives of JCCS students and their families.
Much appreciation to all,
Executive Director
Juvenile Court and Community Schools
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Student Spotlight: Joshua
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The student representative for March on the San Diego County Board of Education was Joshua, a junior at Youth Day Center (YDC)/Reflections North.
Since he started attending YDC/Reflections North, Joshua has been a model for other students.
“Joshua is one of the ambassadors at YDC/Reflections North. He is a peer model who helps students with their work and their behavior, reminding them of the classroom expectations,” said Principal Joel Spengler. “He is also always willing to participate in all kinds of activities. He recently was part of the group of students that wrote the play ‘A Quest for Happiness’ and presented it on stage at the Carlsbad Village Theatre.”
As a peer model, he encourages his fellow students to stay focused on doing the right thing and attending school every day.
“Pay attention and participate in the lessons,” Joshua said. “It’s OK to ask questions when the subject is not clear; it’s not OK to just sit behind a desk and wait for time to go by.”
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JCCS Teacher Among Nominees for Statewide Honor
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Ellen De La Cruz, teacher at San Diego SOAR Academy at Kearny Mesa, is one of seven teachers in the state nominated for 2019 Teacher of the Year as awarded by the Juvenile Court, Community and Alternative School Administrators of California.
Her colleague Sean Scott said in a letter of recommendation that De La Cruz has proven to be an outstanding teacher and advocate for her students.
“She shows tremendous patience and professionalism while working with this highly reactive population,” said Scott. "She strives to recognize even the smallest improvements in behavior and/or academic achievement.”
Ellen is grateful for the nomination and said it’s a team effort at the SOAR Academy site, which serves students in juvenile hall.
“We have a ‘Let’s roll’ mentality, meaning we roll with the challenges that each day brings, and we bring together our best effort in service to our students, said De La Cruz.
“If I can be a consistent, calm force in their lives, then I feel successful," she added. "I want my students to grow and learn each day; I don’t want them to waste time while they are in juvenile hall.”
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Three SOAR East Mesa Students Graduate From Music Internship
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The goal of
David's Harp Foundation is to inspire, educate, and empower youth who are at-risk to achieve academic success through music education, sound engineering, and multimedia production.
Three students at San Diego SOAR East Mesa have realized this goal through an internship they completed with the organization and were recently recognized for their achievement.
"This experience has given me confidence and made me realize I am good at motivating people," one student said.
To participate in the internship, the students had to apply, interview, and maintain a high level of conduct. They will have the opportunity to continue their training as interns once released from the facility, and in the future, they have the potential to work for the David's Harp organization full time.
Other students at the site also received music instruction at various times throughout the year. The David Harp’s crew showed students the basics of music production and helped students write and record lyrics.
Site Administrator Nathan Head said that many students are passionate about music, which makes the program appealing, and added that students look forward to the sessions weeks in advance.
“Being in the institution is hard and sometimes students have trouble getting motivated,” said Head. “When students learn about something they are passionate about, in this case, music production, they are intrinsically motivated and eager to learn. This program is important for developing relationships and interpersonal life skills they need to be competitive in the job market.”
Pictured above: Amanda Wallace, JCCS VAPA technician; Mindy McCartney, division chief, probation; Joseph Mack, student 1, student 2, Genevieve Jones-Wright, deputy public defender; Brandon Steppe, founder, David's Harp; Nathan Head, site administrator, SOAR East Mesa; and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Gothold. Two of the students who completed the program are pictured, but their images cannot be shown.
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Individuals Recognized for Contributions to Special Education
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Each year, the Community Advisory Committees (CAC) for the Special Education Local Area Plans (SELPAs) recognize individuals from school districts and communities who make notable contributions to the field of special education.
The
South County SELPA honored eight people in its area as part of its annual student art show in March, and San Pasqual Academy’s (SPA) Elmer Vigilia was one of two San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) employees honored with a CAC award.
Vigilia, pictured with Cara Schukoske, SDCOE executive director for Special Education Services, was nominated by the SDCOE special education department for his outstanding service to students with special needs. He has worked in special education for more than 30 years, the last five at SPA.
“I feel humbled, honored, and thankful to be working with such a great team of professional educators and leaders who truly care for the future of our students we serve,” said Vigilia. “I wish they could all be honored and not just me for their hard work and dedication that they give every day at San Pasqual Academy. This honor to me means we are making a positive difference in the lives of our students and their families.”
Schukoske said that as the only special education assistant on the SPA campus, Vigilia has been invaluable in his support and collaboration for the success of all students.
Kelley Fialho, a speech-language pathologist at Davila Day School, was the other SDCOE employee honored.
Since 2015, the South County SELPA has been honoring individuals who have made notable contributions to the special education field. These individuals are recognized for providing effective services to students with disabilities in creative and unique ways and contributing to a culture of community participation for their students and their families.
The SELPAs are operated by SDCOE in collaboration with the school districts in each area. The South County SELPA Community Advisory Committee includes directors, program specialists, parents, and staff members. This body reviews and provides input regarding annual priorities and the triennial development of the Local Plan. The committee assists in the development of workshops, conferences, and other activities, promoting parent awareness and education.
This year’s CAC honorees are:
- Elmer Vigilia, education specialist, SDCOE
- Kelley Fialho, speech language pathologist, Davila Day School, SDCOE
- Tammie Sheldon, adapted physical education, Chula Vista Elementary School District
- Katie Quinly, education specialist and workability coordinator, Coronado Unified School District
- Irma Y. Beltran, special education teacher, San Ysidro School District
- Latisha Cervantes, school psychologist, National School District
- Jeannette Ford, transportation director, South Bay Union School District
- Dan Smirniotis, teacher on special assignment, Sweetwater Union High School District
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Activities Around the County
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Reflections Central and La Mesa Community School: Students at Reflections Central recently exhibited their art for staff and stakeholders, created in collaboration with the
AjA project. Students shared details about the process and the meaning behind their art. The audience asked questions and listened to students talk about their experiences and connections to their personal lives.
La Mesa Community School students also exhibited their artwork and presented on the process and meaning behind their pieces.
The AjA Project uses photography as a creative modality through which students critically examine their personal and social landscapes and use their images as a platform for discussion on factors that influence their identity, behavior, and choices.
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Monarch School: Students and staff celebrated Pi Day, an annual celebration of the mathematical constant π, with some special guests from SDG&E. Students integrated their math and baking skills to make pies, which turned out to be a recipe for fun.
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Lindsay Community School: The Coronado Jr. Optimist Club recently donated nearly 200 books to Lindsay Community School. The local service organization, which is dedicated to bringing out the best in youth through the empowerment of positive attitude, collected the books for National Read Across America to read to kids at the Coronado Public Library. Following the event, the group donated the books to Lindsay Community School so the students could read the books to their children.
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La Mesa Community School: The school hosted an Exhibition of Learning where students shared what they've been learning about civil rights, math, and in their student activism unit. Students shared their work and engaged in conversation with visitors, who included parents, probation, partner district administrators, and other stakeholders.
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Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at the San Diego County Office of Education and in school districts across the county.
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