February 6, 2023

February is Black History Month

2023 Black History Month Theme: Black Resistance


As a nation and community, we recognize Black History Month during the entire month of February, as it is important to learn as much as we can about Black history and recognize the progression, achieved triumphs and successes, and to pay tribute to the contributions of past generations.


The 2023 theme, Black Resistance, explores how African- Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppressions, in all forms, since the nation’s earliest days and how they have consistently pushed the United States to live up to its ideals of freedom, liberty, and justice for all.


The Monterey County Board of Education adopted Resolution No. 22.23.25 to honor Black History Month and to encourage educators, students, and families to learn about the heritage and achievements of African-Americans.

MCOE Debuts New Logos

It was time for a fresh, modern look !


At the beginning of the school year, MCOE embarked on a mission to define and differentiate our educational institution by pursuing a new logo, one that would illustrate the diversity of our county and educational community. 


MCOE is proud to announce the launch of a new logo created by TMD Creative, who did a fantastic job brainstorming with our leadership team and grasping our quest to develop an image that would illustrate and capture our complexities. MCOE's new logo captures our lush agricultural fields, beautful coastline and mountain ranges and stunning sunsets, as well as significantly features the pillars of learning and torches of knowledge.


MCOE is excited to start featuring this vibrant new logo on all our platforms, communications, and workwear in the days and months to come. 

EDUCATIONAL LEADERS FROM THROUGHOUT THE STATE GATHERED IN MONTEREY TO COLLABORATE

School leaders were excited and eager to gather for their annual events to plan and work together to

promote, influence, and advocate for a public education system that supports ALL students. 

Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey County Superintendents of Schools Dr. Faris Sabbah, Krystal Lomanto and Dr. Deneen Guss attend the California County Superintendents' General Membership Meeting in

Monterey

LEADING IN UNCHARTERED WATERS: ACSA Superintendents' Symposium was a great two days

of professional learning and networking. Pictured above are panel members of a workshop, including MCOE's Director of Leadership and School Systems Roberto Nunez

California Association of

Latino Superintendents and Administrators (CALSA)

President Zandra Galvan

led effort at their

conference to address the

needs of administrators

in advocating for and

serving Latino students

Monterey County Safe & Healthy Schools and Communities Coalition

The Monterey County Office of Education is working to create and sustain safe and positive school and community environments, so that all of our youth can thrive and succeed.

FBI ASSISTS IN TRAINING EDUCATION LEADERS


Recently, the Monterey County Office of Education hosted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to assist in educating local school leaders from around the county in response to active shooter scenarios and mass violence attacks.


These training efforts are to improve school safety by providing teachers and staff with the tools they need to recognize, respond to quickly, and help prevent acts of violence.

ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING


The Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) held a professional development opportunity in partnership with M.C. Kimball and Associates, assisting our Alternative Education Department with response preparation to active shooter scenarios and mass violence attacks. Educators were able to practice securing and barricading classrooms, communication with law enforcement, evacuation, and reunification of students and families.

Pictured: County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Deneen Guss, Pacific Grove USD Superintendent Dr. Ralph Porras and Soledad USD Superintendent Randy Bangs presented on School Safety at the ACSA Superintendents' Symposium

The School Safety presentation presented at the ACSA Superintendents' Symposium covered the goals of the Monterey County Safe & Healthy Schools and Community Coalition, implementation of the Big Five, and how school districts are addressing school violence through staff trainings.

Pacific Grove Breaker Choir

Led by Music Teacher Michelle Boulware

The choir sang during the opening of the California County Superintendents' General Membership Meeting held at the Monterey Marriott.

Seaside High School JROTC

Led by Chieff Warrant Officer 3 Jordan Yard

The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) presented the Colors during the opening of the California County Superintendents' General Membership Meeting held in Monterey.

INSIDE EDUCATION COHORT VISITS SCHOOL SITES SHOWCASING STEAM PROGRAMS


MCOE's Inside Education cohort visited several schools throughout the county to view STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) programs. The unique opportunity provided participants with a first-hand, interactive look at school programs and services and to learn about the challenges, intricacies and the remarkable work educators and school administrators are doing to improve education and the well-being of students.


The tour began with participants loading on a bus and traveling to San Antonio School. During the drive, MCOE Program Coordinators Rod Garcia and Lora Carey held a rich discussion surrounding new approaches to teaching and learning that combines science, technology, engineering, the arts and math to guide student inquiry, development, and problem-solving skills.


After visiting several classrooms at San Antonio School, the group traveled to Main Street Middle School in Soledad to tour a math class, and then headed back to MCOE to tour the Media Center for Art, Education and Technology (MCAET) studio , Black Box Theater, and Mobile Fab Lab.


The next Inside Education tour is scheduled for Friday, February 17 and will highlight language and literacy programs in Monterey County. For more information or to register to attend, click here

MCHCS Names Spelling Bee Champs


The annual Monterey County Home Charter School (MCHCS) Spelling Bee took place on Thursday, February 2.


Students were well prepared for the bee, with the 3rd grade class participants completing 14 rounds of words.


Abby Fernandez (pictured) took the winning title of the 3rd-5th grade Bee and Avery Hernandez was the winner of the 6th-8th grade Bee. 

MCOE Welcomes New Employees


  • Alexis Cruz-Maldonado, Youth Liaison, Migrant Education
  • Maria Jimenez Nieto, Administrative Assistant, Migrant Education
  • Adam Pineda, Paraeducator, Special Education
  • Estefania Viscarra, Administrative Assistant, Educational Services


To view open positions at MCOE, visit EdJoin.org

Sean True

Fab Lab Program Manager

Educational Services

JUDGES NEEDED

for the MCOE Migrant Education Program

Speech & Debate Tournament


For information and to sign up, contact Migrant Program Specialist Esther Medina at 831-261-4204 or

email: emedina@montereycoe.org


Judge Training Sessions will be held in-person on

Friday, March 10 from 5 - 8 pm or

Monday, March 13 from 5 - 8 pm


Help support this unique opportunity for 6-12th grade migrant students, allowing them to sharpen their

public speaking skills.

California Missions Foundation

Virtual Field Trip

The California Missions Foundation will be offering free Virtual Student Mission Field Trips this spring for fourth grade classrooms throughout the state of California.

The virtual event will be made available for viewing on Wednesday, March 22 at 10 am. Principals and teachers can register their classrooms here.

Scholarship Opportunity for

Salinas Valley High School Students


The Burke-Weber Memorial Scholarship is for graduates of a Salinas Valley high school pursuing a career in Pharmacy or Agriculture at a college or university.


Scholarships are awarded to students who have previously achieved high academic ability and whose financial circumstance merits scholarship assistance. 


The scholarships range in value from $100 to a maximum

of $2,000 per year and is renewable annually upon re-application.


The scholarship application can be found here.

Deadline to apply is April 28.

Calling All Young Artists!


Monterey Ocean Arts Festival is seeking young artists to submit ocean-themed works of visual art, music, spoken word, theater, dance or any other genres.


SpectorDance and the Monterey Museum of Art are preparing now for the Ocean Arts Festival- Monterey 2023 to be held on May 21 from 1-4 pm at the Museum of Art, 229 Pacific Street in Monterey.


For more information and to apply, click here

Deadline is March 16.


This is a family-friendly event that brings together science and art and helps to expand awareness of ocean science.

Jack Franscioni Celebrated his 100th Birthday

at Jack Franscioni School in Soledad

Soledad students, board members, school leaders, and city officials joined in the celebration,

by singing Happy Birthday and sharing cake with Mr. Franscioni and his family.

A strong supporter of education and the growth of Soledad, Jack Franscioni donated land

to build a school and enhance opportunities for children and families.

49ers FIELD TRIP


Bob Hoover Academy at MCOE students were recently gifted a wonderful field trip by a generous private donor, which included team jerseys pictured here. 


Chaperoned by MCOE administrators, the students attended the 49ers/Cowboys playoff

19-12 win on Sunday, 1/22/23. Students also met and cheered alongside the family of Deebo Samuel, jersey #19. Many of the students donned the #19 jersey by complete coincidence!   

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 

To be included in future e-newsletters and on MCOE social media feeds, email a

photo with caption or full story to tpimentel@montereycoe.org 

MONTEREY COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION
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