Newsletter | Friday, September 5, 2025

MCOE Honors Dedicated Employees at Years of Service Celebrations

The Monterey County Office of Education celebrates the people who keep its mission moving forward every single day. Across multiple ceremonies, MCOE recognized dedicated employees from a wide range of divisions and departments for their years of service, honoring the commitment and care that help students and schools thrive year after year.

On Tuesday, August 19, the spotlight shone on Main and West Campus employees during a special recognition ceremony paired with a lively back-to-school barbecue. In the annual tradition, Cabinet leaders and members of management rolled up their sleeves and served lunch to staff, adding a personal touch to the day’s festivities.

Employees were recognized beginning at five years of service and every five years thereafter. County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Deneen Guss and Chief Human Resources Officer Leigh Butler personally honored each employee, thanking them for their service and support to educators, students, and families across Monterey County.

Honorees received a certificate and a commemorative pin featuring a gemstone that represents their years of service: 5 years (Sapphire Blue), 10 years (Garnet), 15 years (Emerald), 20 years (Amethyst), 25 years (Crystal), 30 years (Onyx), 35 years (Alexandria), and an impressive 40 years (Gold).

These celebrations serve as a reminder that MCOE’s strength lies in the passion and perseverance of its people. Their unwavering commitment to leading, supporting, and serving students is what makes a lasting difference in the lives of children throughout the county.

See the full list of 2025 honorees by department.

Senior Night Kicks Off the New School Year With A Strong Start

Senior year was celebrated strongly at the Salinas Community School (SCS) as it kicked things off in style with a well-attended Senior Night on Wednesday, August 20. Families, students, and staff came together for an evening packed with information, connection, and collaboration, all designed to help seniors make the most of their final year in the Monterey County Office of Education’s (MCOE) Alternative Education Program.

Led by Academic Counselor Allie Ferguson and the dedicated SCS team, the event offered families practical tools and insights for supporting their students through this milestone year. Topics included tips for a successful senior year, what to expect as graduation approaches, opportunities for concurrent enrollment, one-on-one transcript reviews, and ways to stay connected as a school community.

What made the evening especially noteworthy was the turnout. MCOE’s new Alternative Education Director, Stephanie Omste, and a veteran educator, shared that the level of parent engagement at SCS Senior Night was one of the strongest she has seen in her extensive years in Alternative Education settings. The positive energy in the room was proof of how deeply families care about their students’ success, and how ready the SCS team is to partner with them every step of the way.

Senior Night takes students and families far beyond an information session. The night is a celebration of collaboration, communication, and community spirit. Here’s to a fantastic senior year for SCS students, filled with opportunity, growth, and achievement!

A Bright New Year Ahead for Our MCOE Migrant Education Program

Countless months of advocacy, persistence, and hope, have led to the release of Title I Part C funding, ensuring that the Monterey County Office of Education’s Migrant Education Program will continue through the 2025-26 school year. After a season of uncertainty, this news brings relief, renewal, and the promise of continued support for the students and families who depend on us most. As the largest Migrant Education Program in California, the positive news expands far and wide beyond Monterey County, ensuring that valuable educational programs such as the Migrant Education State Speech and Debate Tournament will continue to be funded into the current school year. 

At its core, this victory is about keeping doors open for children who deserve every opportunity as every other child in the state. MCOE’s Migrant Education team has stood strong through the ongoing challenges, fully steadfast, dedicated, and ready to go full force into the new school year. Like the students we serve, who navigate challenges with courage and resilience, the Migrant Education team has shown that together we can withstand any obstacle placed in our path.

With this support secured, we will continue providing academic tutoring, summer enrichment programs, family advocacy, health resources, and professional development for educators. Each service reflects our core mission: to ensure migrant children have the tools and opportunities to thrive, no matter how often they move or how difficult the circumstances.

Even as we celebrate this hard-earned victory, we know the journey is not over. Securing federal funding for the 2026-27 school year and beyond will require the same determination and unity that brought us here. Together, with the support of legislators, MCOE administrators, Migrant Education Program staff, local and statewide educators, community partners, and advocates, we will continue to raise our voices for the students and families who depend on us. They deserve nothing less than our unwavering commitment, and we will stand with them every step of the way to ensure their education and future remain a promise fulfilled.

Empowering Schools with Tools to Identify and Address Student Safety Risks

On Tuesday, September 2, the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) hosted a full-day Behavioral Threat Assessment Training designed to help educators identify, assess, and respond to potential threats of harmful behavior. The training equipped attendees with practical skills to recognize warning signs that may indicate risks of violence or self-harm, with the overarching goal of protecting students and intervening early to address the underlying causes of concerning behavior.

The session was led by Mason Henricks, Coordinator of School Safety and Risk Prevention from the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE), and brought together approximately 45 educational leaders from across Monterey County. Participants engaged in hands-on learning about effective threat assessment processes and protocols that can be implemented in their schools and districts.

This training is part of a broader initiative under the Monterey County Safe and Healthy Schools and Communities Coalition, which offers resources and professional development on critical safety topics such as The Big Five, Suicide Prevention, Child Sexual Abuse Protocols, Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC), and Human Trafficking Protocols for Educators.

Through efforts like these, MCOE continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing impactful, cost-effective safety training that empowers schools to create safe, supportive learning environments for all students.

Team MCOE Joins the Fight Against Cancer

The Monterey County Office of Education’s brand new Team MCOE is hitting the ground running in support of Relay For Life of The Salinas Valley. Led by the unstoppable Irenea Herrera, Administrative Assistant III in SELPA, along with her dedicated all-star support team, we’re rallying our education community to join the fight against cancer. Bringing awareness, MCOE celebrated Paint Our Town Purple by hanging ribbons and signs along our Main campus on Blanco Road in Salinas. 

Cancer touches so many lives, including those of our incredible MCOE employees and their families. That’s why we’re all in and are selling car raffle tickets, luminarias, and raising funds to support this vital cause. Our goal: $1,000 to help fund cancer research and support services.

For questions about how else you can help support the cause or how to join our team, reach out to us at communications@montereycoe.org.

Celebrating Monterey County’s Blue Zones Community Certification

On Friday, August 22, County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Deneen Guss joined community members and leaders at the Blue Zones Project Community Certification Celebration, honoring the growing movement for healthier, happier living across Monterey County.

This milestone follows Salinas’ Blue Zones Community® certification last fall and now extends to Gonzales, King City, Marina, Monterey, and Seaside, which were all officially recognized as Blue Zones Communities. Each city earned this certification through ongoing efforts to create environments where the healthy choice is the easy choice.

Dr. Guss shared her excitement about the celebration, noting the dedication of local champions and award recipients to include the team at the Greenfield Family Resource Center (featured above to include Mayra Villagomez and Raul Rodriguez), as well as Gonzales resident Lucy Stewart, who has been instrumental in engaging her entire community in Blue Zones activities and initiatives. These individuals' energy and passion have helped bring their communities together to embrace the meaningful changes that lead to longer, better lives.

The event brought together purpose-driven leaders, plant-strong partners, and well-being advocates from across the county for an evening of connection, celebration, and inspiration. Attendees enjoyed good food, great company, and the shared joy of marking a major step forward in building healthier communities for all.

To learn more about the Blue Zones Project and how it’s shaping well-being in Monterey County, visit bluezones.com.

Kicking Off the New School Year at the First Leadership Team Meeting

On Monday, August 18, department leaders from the Monterey County Office of Education came together for the first Leadership Team meeting of the 2025-2026 school year, launching a new year of collaboration and progress. The meeting began with a warm welcome from Superintendent Dr. Deneen Guss, followed by a lively team-building activity that set a positive tone for the months ahead.

Special guests included Neddie Sarmiento, Executive Director of MCSIG (Municipalities, Colleges, Schools, Insurance Group), and Tierney O’Brien, Director of Business Development and Account Management at CVT (California’s Valued Trust). Both shared valuable information about employee health benefits and provided updates as MCOE’s trusted health partners.

Safety was another key focus, with leadership members receiving information about upcoming trainings such as Level I Threat Assessment Training, The Big 5 Train the Trainers, CPR/AED/First Aid/Stop the Bleed, and the annual Safety Symposium.

Additional updates covered a range of topics, including Human Resources, Technology Assets, General Services Facilities, Cleaning and Maintenance, and plans for a free Lions Club eye clinic coming soon to MCOE. These monthly leadership meetings help ensure effective, system-wide implementation of MCOE’s mission, goals, and policies, and this first meeting set the stage for a successful school year ahead.

The SPCA Monterey County is offering Animal Camps, a fun learning experience for children ages 7 to 12 that builds compassion, teaches animal care, and brings kids up close with furry and feathered friends.

Upcoming One-Day Camps are held from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. on the following dates:

Sept 27: Canine Companions

Oct 25: Boo-tiful Bats

Nov 15: Feline Friends

Dec 13: Happy Howlidays & Winter Whiskers

Jan 3: Jr. Vet Day Camp

Feb 14: Pawsome Valentine’s Day

Mar 23–25: Spring 3-Day Camp

Apr 18: Hay Day Camp

Learn more at www.spcamc.org.

The 2026 Application is open! High school students graduating during the 2025-2026 school year and who meet the other criteria can apply for the Coca-Cola Scholars Program $20,000 scholarship application now through September 30, 2025. Find full details and the application at Cokeurl.com/Apply2026.

CASI will launch its 2026 Student Scholarship and Creative Contest Season on September 9 at 4:30 PM at the Carmel Barnyard. The free event for students, teachers, parents, and CASI members will unveil the expanded scholarship program and introduce the new Student Film Contest, alongside the returning Art and Writing Contests. Highlights include mentoring opportunities, theme brainstorming, and storytelling techniques from keynote speaker and filmmaker Stephen Altman. Submissions for all contests will be due in early 2026. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. Visit casicalifornia.org to learn more.

Join Community Human Services and the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce for the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the launch of the new Adolescent Drug Treatment Program!

Date: Tuesday, September 9

Time: 4:30–6:00 p.m.

Location: 2511 Garden Rd., Ste. A165, Monterey

Enjoy snacks and hear from guest speakers as they open this important new resource for our community.

Learn more at chservices.org.

School districts are invited to participate in the 2025 High School Voter Education Weeks from September 15-26. The goal is to bring civic engagement awareness to young and future voters. Eligible students, ages sixteen and seventeen, can pre-register to vote, and they will automatically become registered voters at eighteen.  

The Secretary of State's High School and Youth Program portal contains information on initiatives to educate and engage young Californians in the democratic process. Learn more at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/high-school-programs

More than 60% of California public school students already have a CalKIDS Scholarship Account waiting for them. With no application, no GPA requirement, and no waiting, CalKIDS makes it easy to get started. By using ScholarShare 529, California's official college savings plan, savers enjoy tax advantages. To learn more visit www.CalKIDS.com.

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