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Hundreds Provide Input for LCAP
Dear JCCS Family, Friends, and Partners,
The start of the second semester is one of the busiest times for all of us in JCCS. In addition to preparing for the testing season, an influx of students, and budget development and planning, JCCS hosts our annual Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) forums throughout the county. LCAP provides staff, students, and educational partners the opportunity to review and modify current plans. This process includes reviewing our data and evaluating whether our resources are making the impact we hope they are. As my colleague, Dr. Leilah Kirkendoll often shares, “this is our chance to take into account a holistic approach to supporting students, families, and staff… and it’s our opportunity to put our money where our mouth is.”
I am pleased to share that we had more than 250 forum participants this year, including students, teachers, support staff, administration, probation, instructional coaches, counselors, social workers, community-based organizations, and parents/guardians. We also received 303 survey responses to help inform our next steps.
San Pasqual Academy (SPA) had a great turnout for its LCAP forum and has a number of other great things happening I want to share. SPA is starting semester two with a new principal, David Sosa. Mr. Sosa comes to SPA after serving as an assistant principal in the Vista Unified School District. He has leadership experience in several areas, including multi-tiered systems of support, trauma-informed care, positive behavioral interventions supports, Special Education, and more. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 12 years prior to starting his education career.
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SPA Counselor Chris Toomey was named the San Diego County High School Counselor of the Year and the girls’ and boys’ basketball teams were league champions. I also want to send a special shout out to the New Alternatives organization for more than 20 years of service loving, caring for, and supporting our SPA youth. The Rite of Passage organization will assume on-site responsibilities beginning March 4.
Additional highlights from this past month include:
- JCCS celebrated the amazing work and contributions of our counselors during National School Counseling Week, Feb. 6-10.
- More than 40 classified, certificated, and management staff participated in a threat assessment training.
- JCCS facilitated the “Loving Your Heart” blood pressure events at 37ECB, Lindsay Community School, and the South County Regional Education Center. There were nearly 90 students, staff, parent/guardians, and community members that participated. Read more about it below.
- We recognized our Career Technical Education (CTE) staff during CTE month, as they are critical as they partner with teachers to prepare our students for college and career success.
- National School Social Work Week takes place the week of March 10. SDCOE is celebrating by hosting its annual awards program “Reaching for the Stars: You Make a Difference.” Meet the nominees for School Social Worker of the Year and register for the event at the awards website.
Given that February is Black History Month, I leave you with a quote from
Rosa Parks, “You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right.”
I am so grateful and appreciative to work in partnership with so many fearless leaders doing right by our students, families, and one another. Each of you brings your unique contributions that allow our students to grow, learn, and thrive. I sincerely thank each of you for your sacrifices and ongoing support, leadership, and care for our students and one another. Please know that having the freedom to do right by our students and families is expected of each of us.
With much admiration and appreciation,
Executive Director
Juvenile Court and Community Schools
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Pre-Apprenticeship Program Creates Options For JCCS Students |
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A student's life can be forever changed for the better if they have a job or training program lined up after they graduate or are released from the custody of probation.
The College and Career Readiness (CCR) team at SDCOE works with districts and schools across the county to prepare students for college and careers. Recently, Ernesto Rivera, a project specialist on the team, focused his efforts on developing a pre-apprenticeship program for students at JCCS. Currently, students from SOAR Academy at the Youth Transition Campus (YTC) are participating in the program with the goal of expanding to additional JCCS sites in the future.
“We’re very excited about the program because it helps us achieve our goal of helping youth in custody transition back into society,” said Tracy Thompson, executive director of JCCS.
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JCCS Participates in Love Your Heart Event |
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Several Juvenile Court and Community School (JCCS) sites served as locations for their school and larger communities to check their heart health as part of the Love Your Heart event offered in partnership with the County of San Diego.
Lindsay Community School, 37ECB, and the South County Regional Education Center each hosted county representatives to conduct blood pressure screenings for students, staff, and any members of the community.
“I went to the Love Your Heart event and when it was my turn, Nurse Elly told me I had had a really good one!” said student Emily Arrona. “It made me happy and I am healthy.”
Live Well San Diego says the purpose of the event is to bring together community partners to prevent heart disease and stroke and empower individuals to take control of their heart health, know their blood pressure numbers, and know what they mean.
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Student Spotlight: Carlos |
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The Juvenile Court and Community Schools student representative on the San Diego County Board of Education for February was Carlos, a senior at SOUL Academy.
Carlos was selected as student representative because of his growth, energy, leadership skills, and determination to graduate high school.
Principal Theresa Fox says that Carlos welcomes new students to the school and often gives tours to prospective students and parents. He also enjoys serving as emcee during school events like a recent Design Jam art show.
Carlos attends school full time and also holds a part-time job as a busser. Through the school, he’s enrolled in driver’s education, the ACCESS program, and a college course at Palomar College.
Counselor Jessica Pena says that Carlos makes her laugh every day.
“He brings a smile to my face when I see him," she said. "It’s been such an honor to see how much he’s grown in the last few years. He faces his challenges head on and is always willing to try new opportunities."
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JCCASAC Conference May 10-12: Registration Now Open |
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The Juvenile Court and Community and Alternative School Administrators of California (JCCASAC) is hosting its 53rd Annual Conference May 10 to 12 at the Bahia Resort and Hotel in San Diego. The annual conference is an opportunity for colleagues to network, share best practices, learn from each other and experts in the field, and celebrate the great work of our students, teachers, and administrators. This year's theme is "#YOUMATTER!" Please mark your calendars now and register.
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Low-Cost Computers Available March 4 In San Diego
Families in San Diego can get used laptop and desktop computers loaded with educational software for as little as $100 at a drive-thru event organized by the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) and Computers 2 Kids.
The event will be from 9 a.m. to noon March 4 at Kearny High School, 1954 Komet Way in San Diego. Debit and credit cards will be accepted along with cash.
Those who wish to get one of the computers are asked to register by Feb. 28 to ensure a computer will be available. Walk-ups will also be accommodated if possible.
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Scholarship And Contest Opportunities For San Diego County Students
There are many local scholarship and contest opportunities available for students in San Diego County. New opportunities are added frequently. There are several listed in this website story, and more student awards and free or low-cost opportunities are posted regularly on SDCOE's What's Happening webpage. |
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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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