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June 2023

Community Prevention and Awareness Efforts

SDCOE Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Gothold

Dear Partners in Education,


Something that weighs heavy on my mind is the deadly fentanyl epidemic impacting our students and their families in San Diego County. I'm proud of the work the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) is doing to increase drug prevention and awareness efforts in our schools, including working with 55 schools and districts on the Naloxone Distribution Project, which places the overdose-reversing drug on school campuses.


We believe it's in the best interest of young people and their family members to be informed and have the tools they need to make the best choices for their own wellness.


It takes a collective partnership and a comprehensive approach that combines education, increased harm-reduction strategies, and mental health and well-being supports. For several years our organization has worked together with the San Diego District Attorney's Office and Drug Enforcement Administration San Diego Office to champion drug prevention and awareness programs in our schools.


This community collaboration is part of an ongoing effort to connect schools and districts to partners that can assist in prevention and intervention, including SDCOE-facilitated assemblies and classroom presentations around the dangers of fentanyl and other substances.


SDCOE's "I Choose My Future" presentation will soon be turned into a video series available to educators locally and around the country, and we will continue to do what it takes to prevent even one more family from experiencing a tragic loss due to opioid abuse.


Connect with SDCOE on social media @SanDiegoCOE to hear more about this work and the great things happening in classrooms across San Diego County.


Paul Gothold

San Diego County Superintendent of Schools

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Graduation 2023 Student Spotlight

SDCOE serves about 1,700 students in its Juvenile Court and Community Schools programs and this month, we're celebrating the extraordinary young people who have overcome incredible challenges to graduate. Meet one of those students below. We'll be highlighting students on our website as they walk the stage later this month. 

JCCS student Luis Abarca at his graduation ceremony.

Luis Abarca

Innovations Academy of Empowerment


For Luis Abarca, it was the one-on-one help at Innovations Academy of Empowerment in North County that helped him reach this important milestone of graduation.  


“They made sure I was on track and didn’t give up on me,” he said of the teachers and staff at the school.  


While a student at Innovations, Luis attended an automotive class at Palomar College and is looking to take additional automotive courses at Palomar after graduation.  


He said he is excited and proud of his accomplishments after a long journey. He advises other high school students facing challenges on their path to graduation to not give up on themselves or the teachers looking to support them.  


“It may seem hard right now but in the future it will all progress. Keep trying because it will pay off,” he shared. 


Group of SDCOE employees pose at CFF event

Celebrating Innovation in Education


Students, educators, and school programs leading innovative educational experiences were recently honored at the 20th annual Innovation in Education Awards hosted by the Classroom of the Future Foundation (CFF) at Qualcomm Incorporated.


CFF is an extension of the San Diego County Office of Education and is known for bringing business, community, and educational leaders around innovation in education in our region.

Two elementary student friends with arms around each other

County Schools and Resource Fair


SDCOE is hosting the second annual San Diego County Schools and Resource Fair next month for the community to learn about school options, access health screenings, and learn about community programs and job opportunities.


Families and interested community members can meet exhibitors and access resources from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 15 at CSU San Marcos - USU Ballroom at 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos.

bus and school supplies montage

Gearing Up to Stuff the Bus for Students Experiencing Homelessness


The 2023 Stuff the Bus school supplies drive for students experiencing homelessness in San Diego County will kick off in July. SDCOE and the San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU) will team up for the ninth straight year to help the region’s students in need.


An estimated 20,000 school-age children in San Diego County have been identified as experiencing homelessness. SDCOE and SDCCU – along with iHeartMedia, and Jersey Mike's Subs locations – aim to collect thousands of dollars in online and in-store donations to purchase much-needed pencils, pens, binders, crayons, backpacks, and more during the SDCCU Stuff the Bus campaign. A portion of donations will also assist San Diego Youth Services in providing meals for homeless youth through its various food programs. Learn more about Stuff the Bus and look for ways to donate next month.

Summer Professional Learning for Educators


We ask a lot from our teachers and administrators during the school year, and a summer break filled with joy, rest, and activities that renew can help our dedicated educators fill their cup so they can continue to support all students.


SDCOE has a variety of professional learning opportunities available to San Diego County educators at low or no cost this summer.

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