According to the 2015-16 CA Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS), less than 50% of Contra Costa students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) feel SAFE or VERY SAFE at school, as compared to over 70% of their peers who identify as straight/heterosexual.

Dates: December 1, 1:00-4:00 p.m. * December 4, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

For info: Visit the workshops' Eventbrite link for details and registration

Fee: Free

Date: November 10, 12:00 p.m.

Registration: Link

Fee: Free

Date: December 8, 12:00 p.m.

Registration: Link

Fee: Free

Revitalize your spirit in a rapidly changing teaching and learning environment! Get ready for three days of energizing moments, remarkable stories of inspiration, engaging sessions aimed at fostering organic interactions and collaborative problem solving, thought leadership, and much more.

Dates: November 13-15

For info: Visit the event's website for details and registration

Fee: $97 for members, $147 for non-members (which includes membership)

This training is to build skills of people working with adolescents. Brief Intervention is a short-term intervention that consists of two to four sessions aimed at adolescents who use alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. This approach uses motivational interviewing, cognitive behavior therapy and the stages of change model to meet the needs of adolescents. Target Audience: School Administrators, Educators, Staff, Counselors, School Nurses, and Community-Based Organization Staff. This event is for those who have already completed the Brief Intervention for Substance-Using Adolescents Training (October 23).

Dates: November 13, 1:00-4:00 p.m. and November 18, 1:00-4:00 p.m. (2 part training)

For info: Visit the program's Eventbrite link

Fee: Free

Parents/guardians and other adults are welcome. This live webinar will focus on:

Dates: November 19, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

For info: Visit the program's flyer

Fee: Free, although attendees must register

The CA STEAM Symposium will provide excellent peer-led professional learning, highlighting ideas, strategies, and innovations that work for ALL students. Our goal: Advancing STEAM Equity In All Learning Environments. This virtual symposium will include on-demand access to sessions to provide greater learning opportunities.

Dates: December 11-13

For info: Visit the event's website for details and registration #CASTEAM20

Fee: $85 early bird price

In partnership with the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE), the California Association of African-American Superintendents and Administrators (CAAASA) and the University of California Los Angeles Center for the Transformation of Schools (CTS) offered this free online series. These virtual seminars provide families and educators with the tools and strategies they need to ensure greater equity for students who continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 school closures.

For info: Visit their website for numerous recent webinars

Fee: Free

ASCD's free webinar series brings experts in the field of education to a screen near you. These webinars address timely and relevant topics like student engagement, classroom technology, and instructional strategies. Webinars are archived and available as professional development on demand.

For info: Visit their website

Fee: Free

Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Common Sense can help you prepare with remote teaching resources, family education materials, and research-backed strategies to ease stress and encourage learning.

For info: Visit their website

Fee: Free

Nature Journaling is collecting and organizing your observations, questions, connections, and explanations on the pages of a notebook using words pictures, and numbers. The process is creative, fun, and opens your eyes to wonder. It helps you discover, think, remember, and use new information, and integrate it with old. The skills can be learned by anyone and develop with deliberate practice. Audience: TK-12 Teachers and Instructional Leaders.

Dates: Nature Journaling Next Level, November 3 and 10, 3:15-5:15 p.m.

For info: Contact Hanna Ma at (925) 942-3396

Fee: Free

Californians Together has witnessed, through various hosted Zoom webinars and meetings, the need for people to be connected and wanting to share and learn from each other. With that in mind, they are offering various opportunities to uplift each other and at the same time make a difference for our students.

Dates: Tuesdays, 4:00–5:30 p.m.

For info: Visit their web page

Fee: Free

The Contra Costa County Office of Education and Solano County Office of Education have partnered with the Sacramento County Office of Education and the California Department of Education to support training needs for the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP)and English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC). The virtual ELPAC training is for coordinators who have been in their roles for less than 12 months.

Dates and location: November 9; virtual attendance

For info: Contact Jason Murphy at jmurphy@cccoe.k12.ca.us or Tracey Rodgers at trodgers@solanocoe.net – to register, visit their Eventbrite link

Fee: Free

What is the Administrative Leadership Program (ALP)?

CCCOE-ALP is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing as a Professional Preparation Program for the Clear Administrative Services Credential. In partnership with the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA), CCCOE-ALP provides high-quality, researched-based professional learning and development for new leaders. Credential candidates expand and deepen their leadership knowledge, skills, and behaviors through individualized, job-embedded induction.

Program highlights include:

For info: Contact Julie Dooley at (925) 942-3357, or visit the program's web page

Dates : Two cohorts will be available for the 2019-2020 school year. The remaining cohort begins in fall with enrollment is currently open.

Future college students can learn about their college options from schools that are located throughout the US and from around the globe. More than 600 college representatives will be online to talk with students about their programs.

Date: November 8

For info: Visit their website for additional info and registration

Fee: Free

Check out the Diablo Valley College Art Gallery exhibit CHANGES from your computer. The artwork in this show was created by the students, staff, and faculty at DVC.

Dates: October 9 - November 19

For info: Visit their website view the artwork

Fee: Free

The Contra Costa County Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) provides up to $2,500 grants to improve the preparedness of Contra Costa County schools and agencies in responding effectively to shelter-in-place emergencies. The proposed drills and exercises must have a stated list of objectives and goals that must be addressed.

For info: Contact Lori McDonald at (925) 313-9296 or visit CAER's website

Deadline: February 12

The National Science Teachers Association offers 17 different awards, with more than $80,000 in cash and prizes are just waiting to be claimed, that recognize teachers for their development and implementation of unique science programs and curricula, outstanding leadership and dedication to the profession. The NSTA awards offer recognition and a multitude of prizes for educators. Prizes include cash awards and grants, school supplies and materials, and trips to our national conferences. For more information or to download an application, visit the NSTA Teacher Awards Program website.

For info: Visit their website for additional information and registration

Deadline: December 10

The California State Library has launched a new website that streamlines all available state agency grants for education, small businesses, nonprofits, individuals, tribal governments, and more!

For info: Visit their website

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is searching for top youth volunteers in grades 5 through 12 in the areas of serving those in need, promoting health and safety, protecting the environment, and more. The awards program, sponsored by Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, is the largest youth-recognition program in the country and is based exclusively on volunteer community service. The nomination process begins at the school level, and candidates can advance to state- and national-level judging. Two California winners will receive a $1,000 scholarship, a medallion, and a trip to Washington, D.C. Additional awards will be given at the national level.

For info: Visit the Prudential awards website

Deadlines: Student applications are due November 10

The 2021 Civic Learning Award will shine light on the people and programs elevating a school's fundamental commitment to civics. Typical grants are between $2,500 - $10,000. This year, the Civics Learning Award seeks applicants/nominations for:

A SINGLE PROGRAM: One program that supports, promotes, and improves civic learning and advocacy opportunities for students. Programs paused during the pandemic, adapted for remote delivery, or created during quarantine all qualify.

CHAMPION OF CIVICS: Every great cause needs a champion who goes the extra mile to promote active citizenship among their students. Business owners, school personnel, parents, and members of the general public have all taken on the charge to make sure students in California take part in their democracy. If you know one, nominate them for a Champion of Civics Award!

For info: Visit their website

Deadline: February 12

ecoSolution™ Grants (previously called "Small Grants") have been the defining basis of Captain Planet Foundation's work over the last 25 years. In that time, they've funded more than 2,100 projects that have impacted 1.2 million youth around the world - actively fulfilling their mission to build the next generation of environmental stewards and change-agents. The grants range from $500-$2,500 and are intended to support solution-oriented, youth-led projects that result in real environmental outcomes. They are available to educators working with youth in the United States (international projects are by invitation only).

For info: Visit their website

Deadlines: Cycle 1: Opens September 15-Closes January 15 * Cycle 2: Opens March 15-Closes July 15

ecoTech™ Grants were created to combat the notion that students needed to choose between "the screen" or "the green" and to encourage educators and students to explore the role technology can play in designing and implementing solutions to some of our most pressing environmental challenges. We believe that technology can present innovative ways to address environmental challenges - and that when dealing with digital natives, we do ourselves a disservice by asking them to unplug. ecoTech™ Grants are specifically offered to engage children in inquiry-based, STEM-related projects that leverage technology and/or use nature-based design to address environmental problems in local communities.

For info: Visit their website

Deadlines: Cycle 1: Opens September 15-Closes January 15 * Cycle 2: Opens March 15-Closes July 15

The Contra Costa County Office of Education is working closely with Contra Costa Health Services to keep our communities informed regarding the Coronavirus emergency. The CCCOE is providing updated information and resources to schools and school districts in our county so they can offer accurate news to their communities.

The CCCOE Coronavirus web page features:

For info: Visit our web page at cocoschools.org/coronavirus

Contra Costa County seeks nominations for Student and Adult Humanitarian of the Year whose community service impacts our county and reflects the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King's achievements. Winners will be honored at the Contra Costa County 43rd Annual MLK Ceremony.

For info: Visit their website for submission guidelines and contest details

Deadline: November 30

To encourage youth to reflect on the beauty and spirit of our state's beaches and ocean, this special contest challenges California students to create artwork or poetry using a California coastal or marine theme. Prizes, awarded to five separate grade-level categories, include $100 gift certificates to an art-supply or book store. Winners and honorable mentions will receive tickets to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Each winner's teacher will receive a $50 gift certificate for education materials.

For info: Visit their website for submission guidelines and contest details

Deadline: January 31

The California Department of Education (CDE) is pleased to continue supporting the annual Directing Change Program and Film Contest. This event is sponsored by Each Mind Matters: California’s Mental Health Movement and the California Mental Health Services Authority as part of a collaborative statewide effort to prevent suicide, reduce stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, and promote the mental health and wellness of students. This statewide program invites California students from grades seven through twelve to create 60-second films about suicide prevention, mental health, and related cultural perspectives. The primary goal of the Directing Change Program is to support implementation and expansion of mental health and suicide prevention awareness efforts on school campuses.

For info: Visit their website for submission guidelines and contest details

Deadline: April 20

The New York Times is working with Verizon to provide qualifying high school students and teachers with a free digital subscription through September. 1, 2021 — helping them stay connected to the world, even as it continues to change. Teachers or school administrators must first create a free account to be verified and then will be able to send their students an invitation email to access the subscription.

For info: Visit their website

Fee: Free

The Burn Institute offers free fire and burn-prevention programs to students in grades K to 6. Fire Safe Kids is a 25-minute presentation currently being provided remotely and designed in a fun, interactive format to teach children about fire safety through video clips, music, and colorful illustrations.

For info: Visit their website for more information and to request a free virtual presentation for your class; additional educational tools are also available at The Burn Institute website

Fee: Free

To help keep the online interactions of kids and teens safe, productive, and positive, @CommonSenseEd offers helpful guidance for families on social media basics. Learn about the latest apps and websites, and get tips on talking to your kids about sharing, posting, and avoiding digital drama.

For info: Visit their website

Fee: Free

With the global coronavirus pandemic pushing kids' lives even more online, it's safe to say that the need for easily accessible mental health tools is more critical than ever. @CommonSenseED has identified a handful of resources designed for kids that allow for immediate support whenever and wherever they need it.

For info: Visit their website

Fee: Free

East Bay Regional Park District is committed to the idea of lifelong learning and helping people make their own discoveries about our local parks. These resources are designed to be used at home, in a classroom, or part of any online education. Use these resources to build your own learning opportunities.

For info: Visit their website

Fee: Free

High profile acts of violence, particularly in schools, can confuse and frighten children who may feel in danger or worry that their friends or loved-ones are at risk. They will look to adults for information and guidance on how to react. Parents and school personnel can help children feel safe by establishing a sense of normalcy and security and talking with them about their fears.

For info: Visit their website

Fee: Free

When a large-scale tragedy occurs, it can cause strong and deeply felt reactions in adults and children. How adults express their emotions will influence the reactions of children and youth. Caregivers can help youngsters manage their feelings by modeling healthy coping strategies and closely monitoring their own emotional state and that of those in their care.

For info: Visit their website

Fee: Free

CASEL CARES is a new initiative that connects each of you in our global community with experts to address how Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) be most helpful in response to today’s circumstances. The program is filled with free resources and a weekly webinar.

For info: Visit their website

Cash for College workshops provide students and their families an opportunity to receive free, professional help to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CA Dream Act Application.

For info: A full list of upcoming workshops in your area is available online

The FBI's Safe Online Surfing program promotes digital citizenship by educating students in grades 3 to 8 on the essentials of online security. Students play interactive, grade-level games that teach them about online safety. For teachers, the program provides a ready-made curriculum that meets state and federal internet-safety mandates, including online testing, and a competition at the national level to encourage learning and participation.

For info: Visit their website

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) website lets users create and administer online tests to their students and then compare their students' performance to national norms. You can assemble tests by selecting questions from more than 700 items that have been developed by AAAS Project 2061 to measure what students know in 16 key science topics.

For info: Visit their website

Looking for some additional quality Monday-Friday educational programming at home or in the classroom? Check out the latest edTV broadcasts here.

Programs scheduled include (times are approximate):

edTV can be found on Contra Costa County cable channels 32 (Comcast) or 99 (AT&T U-Verse)

For info: Daily schedule can be found here

The Library Commission is looking for new members. The commission serves in an advisory capacity to the Board of Supervisors and the county librarian, meets six times a year, and is currently holding meetings via Zoom. If you are passionate about libraries and live in Contra Costa County you could be the perfect candidate.

To see a list of the current vacancies and learn more about the commission, visit ccclib.org/commission. Applications, interviews, and appointment procedures vary for each city, town, or special district. If you would like to express your interest in serving on the commission, email Walter Beveridge.

The Concord Library will be closed November 9-29 for improvements to the building’s second floor. This is a planned replacement of the flooring, which is old, worn, and also contains asbestos. For the safety of staff and patrons, the building must be closed during the asbestos-removal process.

The book drop will not be open during the closure, and library materials not picked up by the end of November 7 will remain on the shelf and can be collected when the library reopens November 30. The hold period will be extended an extra week to December 7. During the closure, patrons may place holds and pick them up via front-door service at the nearby Clayton or Martinez libraries or any other Contra Costa County library.

The new Library of Things page on the website includes items like the Outdoor Explorer backpacks that can be used to explore East Bay parks and trails. The energy-efficiency kits include an electric use meter for testing home electric appliances and thermometers to test refrigerators, freezers and room temperatures. The kits can help improve energy efficiency in your home and may save you money. Visit ccclib.org/library-of-things for details and other fun and useful items available for checkout.

Library book drops are open. Please return any long-overdue library materials to your local community library. All items are quarantined for a minimum of 96 hours before being removed from the account. We do not charge daily overdue fines. Replacement and processing fees for long-overdue items will be removed when the items are returned in good condition. Visit any of the 24 libraries open for front-door service to return items. Grab bags of kids’ books are also available to borrow via front-door service. Check out a bag of five books, picked by library staff, in upper elementary, early elementary, easy reader, picture book, and board book genres.

A new resource is available for library cardholders. The Brainfuse JobNow and VetNow programs feature live online assistance and a wide range of tools for job seekers, students, and veterans. Job seekers can work with a career coach for help with searching, applying, and preparing for jobs and get access to free resume templates, a free resume builder, and feedback from experts.

VetNow was developed to help veterans’ transition to civilian life through live and interactive career assistance, academic tutoring, and more. This service can help veterans trying to translate military experience into a civilian resume and with understanding veteran benefits and community resources. Visit ccclib.org/resource to get started.

Each year, libraries, and organizations around the world welcome local indie authors, writers and their communities in for a day of education, networking, mingling, writing, open mics, panels, and more. This November 7, the library system is hosting a virtual Indie Author Day with a host of online classes and live presentations by local California independent authors Lee Wind and L.S. Johnson.

This is a free service that we are now piloting at six of our libraries. To print at the library, please email your request to one of the below locations:

Antioch Library: cccant2020@gmail.com

Bay Point Library: cccbay2020@gmail.com

Concord Library: ccccon2020@gmail.com

Hercules Library: cccher2020@gmail.com

Pittsburg Library: cccpit2020@gmail.com

San Pablo Library: cccspl2020@gmail.com

When picking up at the library, please let staff know your email address. Staff will then print your materials at a designated computer and bring them to the front door. Materials will be printed after you arrive at the library and you will have one week to retrieve print requests. To scan at the library, please go to the front door of one of the above six locations. You can request scanning of documents for printing or emailing to your email address.

Printing is in black and white only.

Double sided printing counts as one page per side.

Limit is 10 pages per person per day.

Visit ccclib.org to sign up for a library card and get connected to books and resources. For questions about library services and programming or account information, contact the library system via online chat, text questions to 925-290-7627 or email ask@library.cccounty.us.

For info: Contact the CWS Staff at (925) 655-0111 or visit their website