Coco and Pixie stand tethered to a post on the J-Bar Ranch

near Ivanhoe. While the ponies and other horses at the ranch

may look forward to meeting a new group of students who

will brush them and perhaps offer them a treat, they will soon

be playing a much more profound role in the lives of the

young people approaching them. Most of students have little,

if any, experience with horses. Some are timid as they

approach the ponies, but within minutes of the introduction

– and with a little instruction from J-Bar staff members –

students are leading them confidently around the arena.

The students visiting the J-Bar Ranch, which is an

experiential learning center operated by Dr. Jan Loveless and

her husband Sid, are from a new program created by the

Tulare County Office of Education’s Special Services

division. Known as the Alternative Achievement Program

(AAP), the program is an extension of the division’s

Behavioral Health Services.

The partnership between J-Bar Ranch and AAP is one of many

components of the program designed to build students’ self-esteem

and behavioral coping skills. Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

Alternative Achievement Program weaves academic with intensive therapeutic activities

Program provides students behavioral supports

T H E N E W S L E T T E R o f T H E T U L A R E C O U N T Y O F F I C E o f E D U C A T I O N

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October 2017

(upper photo) The Alternative Achievement Program (AAP) has partnered with J-Bar Ranch to help students build self-esteem and coping skills while working with horses. Sid Loveless of J-Bar Ranch explains to AAP student Valentin how to properly lead a horse. (lower photo) Meade Williams, AAP’s mental health clinician, teacher, and program specialist, covers a science lesson related to the school’s garden.

TCOE receives grant to support districts statewide with teacher recruitment, credentialing

Credentialing commission awards CalED grant The New Teacher & Leadership Development (NTLD) program recently received a $9.4 million grant from the

California Educator Development (CalED) program. The grant is part of an ongoing partnership with the California

Commission on Teacher Credentialing (the Commission) and will be made available to school districts, charter

schools and county offices of education throughout the state that apply for funding to support their teacher

recruitment, retention and credentialing.

In December, the Commission awarded the Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE) a $5 million grant to

establish and administer the California Center on Teaching Careers (the Center). TCOE was the only agency in

California to receive the award. The purpose of the grant was to

support the recruitment, retention, and advancement of a qualified

teacher candidate pool for the state of California. Since the award, the

Center has begun the development of an innovative web-based tool to

recruit individuals into the teaching profession and to provide

information on credentialing and teacher preparation programs. In the

future, the new website (californiateach.org) will serve as a referral

database linked to existing databases for teachers seeking employment.

The website will also serve as a place to engage high school and college

students interested in the teaching profession, as well as current

credentialed teachers interested in advancing their careers.

This month, California school districts, charter schools and county

offices of education are being invited to apply to the Commission for

grants drawn from the new CalED funds to enhance their own efforts

to address teacher recruitment and retention. California educational

agencies may apply for grants to either assist in attracting and supporting

the preparation and continued learning of teachers, principals, and other school leaders and/or they may apply for

grants that help produce teachers with new credentials targeting special education, mathematics, science, and

bilingual education. California educational agencies may submit proposals for CalED grants of not less than

$100,000 and not more than $1,250,000. If awarded, grants will extend for three years through the 2019-2020

school year.

“The Center was conceived to support educators in all stages of their careers with a continuum of programs and

services,” said NTLD/Center Executive Director Donna Glassman-Sommer. “With the CalED grant being

disseminated through the Center, we will have more opportunities to collect best practices from around the state and

use this information as we support current and future teachers and administrators throughout California.”

Administrators interested in applying for a CalED grant are urged to visit center.californiateach.org/caled-grant.html.

Grant proposals, which are due October 27. For more information on the CalED grant, contact Donna

Glassman-Sommer at donnags@tcoe.org, or (559) 730-2549.

October 2017

California educational agencies may apply for CalED grants to either assist in attracting and supporting the preparation and continued learning of teachers, principals, and other school leaders and/or they may apply for grants that help produce teachers with new credentials targeting special education, mathematics, science, and bilingual education.

Educational Resource Services (ERS) is coordinating a large

regional conference entitled Best Results for English Learners. Scheduled for November 7 at the Fresno Convention Center,

the conference will showcase programs and resources for

educators addressing needs of English learners. The conference is

a collaboration between the California Department of Education

(CDE) and the county offices of education in Region VII

(Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced and Tulare).

“Educators across the state are collaborating and building

resources that meet the needs of our English learners to address

the requirements of California’s new accountability system,”

said Jen Francone, ERS administrator. “This conference will be

filled with many of these valuable resources shared from the

CDE, local districts, and county offices to empower educators at

all levels to provide high quality learning for our English

learners. Whether you're a classroom teacher, principal,

coordinator, or district leader, there will be something for you

to take back to your district and use right away.” Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

ERS coordinates regional conference in partnership with state and regional county offices

Conference offers English learners resources

Expanding Your Horizons conference expected to attract hundreds of young women

Registration open for science, math conference Registration for the annual Expanding Your Horizons (EYH)

conference on Saturday, November 4, at the Visalia campus of

College of the Sequoia is now open. Attended by hundreds of

students each year, the event is designed to encourage young

women in grades 4 through 10 to explore careers in science,

technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The

conference showcases math- and science-related fields in

interesting, hands-on ways, and helps young women form

personal contacts with women working in professions

traditionally held by men.

This year, Melanie LeGro, a third-year doctoral student at the

University of California, Merced will be the keynote presenter at

the opening of the conference. Ms. LeGro is an early career

scientist in the fields of molecular cell biology and computational

biology. Her current research focuses on understanding the

molecular regulators of cell fate decisions that result from

genomic instability and ultimately drive the formation of tumors.

Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

Melanie LeGro, a doctoral student at UC Merced, will be the keynote speaker at the Expanding Your Horizons conference for young women November 4.

Read more at tcoe.org

Dr. Aida Walqui will be the keynote speaker at the Region VII Conference entitled Best Results for English Learners. The conference is scheduled for November 7 in Fresno.

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Read more at tcoe.org

On September 20, the CHOICES Prevention Program hosted its annual T.U.P.E. (Tobacco Use Prevention Education) Leadership Training. Nearly 200 middle school students from 24 Tulare County schools participated in the leadership skills development event. As part of the training, students participated in sessions on the role of leaders, the dangers of hookahs and e-cigarettes, and character in leadership. Students were also trained in Video Voice – a tool for students to record short messages about important issues they can share in school assemblies and on social media. (photo 1) Students from Monson-Sultana Joint Union School are pictured with Catherine Diaz, the school’s after school administrator, working to develop a script for a message on bullying prevention. Three Tulare County teachers were honored at the 24th Annual Confucius’ Birthday/ Educators of the Year event held September 21 at the Central California Chinese Cultural Center in Visalia. (photo 2) Pictured (l-r) are Educators of the Year Joel Muller, a sixth-grade teacher at Columbine School in Delano; Jodi Fortney, a Tulare County Office of Education teacher of students with special needs at Mt. Whitney High School in Visalia; and Yesenia Martinez, a transitional kindergarten teacher at Woodville Union School near Porterville. To see a video tribute to the winners, visit tcoe.org/EducatorsOfTheYear. (photo 3) On September 14, educator, author and humorist Dr. Debbie Silver spoke to district and county school administrators on topics from her latest book, Teaching Kids to Thrive. Dr. Silver, a former Louisiana Teacher of the Year, later spoke to hundreds of Tulare and Kings county teachers at the annual dinner hosted by the local California Teachers Association. More information on Dr. Silver’s motivational theory and guidelines for helping students overcome setbacks and failure to foster lifelong success are available on her website at www.debbiesilver.com. Thousands of students and parents attended the annual Tulare County College Night September 12 to speak to representatives and students from nearly 80 colleges, universities and trade schools, including Biola University in Los Angeles (photo 4). Attendees also received a copy of the Tulare County College Night Planning Guide – a resource for parents and students published in English and Spanish. Copies of the guide can be accessed at tcoe.org/CollegeNight. The SCICON outdoor education program appreciated the help of Cal Fire crews who worked to protect the campus from the threat of the Pier Fire in September. The fire, which burned 36,566 acres, is now fully contained. (photo 5) Cal Fire, which has a permanent station on the SCICON campus, made the protection of the program a priority by constructing dozer lines and working with staff to ensure the safety of the campus. (photo 6) Hundreds of high school-age youth and adult allies were brought together by the California Friday Night Live Partnership (CFNLP) September 16-17 for its Ninth Annual Youth Traffic Safety Summit in Anaheim. Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

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Tulare County Board of Education

News Gallery CommitteeEditor: Robert Herman, Public Information OfficerContributors: Marlene Moreno, Jennifer Fisher, Lorena White, Kate Stover, Donna Glassman-Sommer, Shelley Chappell, Tammy Bradford,

Jen Francone, Yesenia Tadao, Paula Terrill, Juliana Davidian, Nani Dodson, Kellie Goodwin and Dianne Shew.

The News Gallery is published monthly with the exception of double issues printed for July/August and December/January. If you would

like to receive The News Gallery, visit tcoe.org/GetTheGallery or

contact Jennifer Fisher at (559) 733-6172, or at jenniferf@tcoe.org.

Since 1959, the Tulare County Office of Education and the Tulare County Symphony have partnered to bring symphonic music to the students of Tulare County. During the annual Young People’s Concerts, students are treated to a live orchestral performance, coupled with lessons in music history and concert etiquette. Over 9,000 students from across the area attend each year. Spanning seven separate concerts and three different venues – Visalia, Tulare, and Porterville – the Tulare County Young People’s Concerts are one of the oldest and largest youth concert programs in the nation. The Young People’s Concerts are open to students in grades 3-8. The Visalia concerts are offered October 24, the Tulare concerts are offered October 30, and the Porterville concerts will round out the event on November 1. This year, the symphony will perform Musical Adventures, with selections from film and television scores highlighting the program. Special classroom curriculum has been created for the program and seats are still available for each venue. For registration information, teachers are encouraged to call Kate Stover at (559) 741-0809.

The TCOE Health & Wellness Committee is planning two Employee Health Fairs October 4 and 19. The October 4 fair will be held in Room

C/D in the Redwood Conference Center on the Mooney Boulevard campus from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Several organizations that provide support services to TCOE employees, including Buckman- Mitchell Insurance, SISC, Vision Service Plan (VSP), Delta Dental, Anthem Blue Cross, and the Employee Assistance Program from Anthem, will be on hand with useful information. Also, employees can receive flu shots in the Sugar Pine conference room (on the first floor) from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Employees also have the opportunity to purchase a healthy taco salad from Chapala’s by contacting Cori Bernal at cori.bernal@tcoe.org or (559) 739-0320, ext. 1205. A drawing for prizes provided by the vendors will be held following the Health Fair for those who attend the event. A second Employee Health Fair will be held October 19 at the Doe Avenue complex. Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Jim VidakPresident: Chris Reed, Trustee Area No. 6

Vice President: Judy Coble, Trustee Area No. 4Trustees: Celia Maldonado-Arroyo, Trustee Area No. 1; Debby Holguin, Trustee Area No. 2; Tom Link, Trustee Area No. 3; Joe Enea, Trustee Area No. 5; And Patricia Hillman, Trustee Area No. 7

gal lerynotes

For more events, programs and meetings, visit our online calendar at www.tcoe.org/CalendarOfEvents

upcomingevents

Step Up Youth Challenge Youth Summit(training for student teams, grades 6-8 and 9-12)8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., International Agri-Center, 4500 S. Laspina St., TulareFor information, call Rob Herman at (559) 733-6606.

CHARACTER COUNTS! Week (all grades)For information, call Kelley Petty at (559) 740-4303.

Tulare County Red Ribbon Celebration (all grades)3:00- 6:00 p.m., Visalia Convention CenterFor information, call Adam Valencia at (559) 651-0155.

Civil War Time Travelers (grade 8)Civil War Reenactment at Kearney Park in FresnoLimited number of 8th-grade classes eligible.For information, call Gay Atmajian at (559) 651-3350.

Circle J Astronomy Night (for students and families, open to the public)6:30 - 9:00 p.m., Circle J-Norris Ranch, 41893 Yokohl Valley Rd., SpringvilleFor information, call Nancy Bruce (559) 539-2263.

Young People's Concerts (grades 3-8)Oct. 24: 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m., L.J. Williams Theater, VisaliaOct. 30: 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., Tulare Community Auditorium, 755 E. Tulare Ave., TulareNov. 1: 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., Buck Shaffer Theater, 415 W. Olive Ave., PortervilleFor information, call Kate Stover at (559) 741-0809.

Circle J Ecological Research and Restoration Project (grades 9-12)Circle J-Norris Ranch, 41893 Yokohl Valley Rd., SpringvilleFor information, call Nancy Bruce (559) 539-2263.

Excellence in Education Awards Ceremony7:30 a.m., Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia, VisaliaFor information, call Marlene Moreno at (559) 733-6302.

CHARACTER COUNTS! Provident-Salierno Family Foundation Awards Reception6:00 p.m., TCOE Administration Building, 6200 S. Mooney Blvd., VisaliaFor information, call Kelley Petty at (559) 740-4303.

Expanding Your Horizons(for young women in grades 4-10)8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., College of the Sequoias, 915 S. Mooney Blvd., VisaliaFor information, call Katherine Goyette at (559) 651-3008.

Circle J Astronomy Night(for students and families, open to the public)6:00 - 8:30 p.m., Circle J-Norris Ranch, 41893 Yokohl Valley Rd., SpringvilleTo register, call Nancy Bruce at (559) 539-2263.

Fall Institute (for Tulare County School Board Members, School Administrators, County Committee on School District Organization members)5:00 p.m., Wyndham Visalia, 9000 W. Airport Dr., VisaliaFor information, call Marlene Moreno at (559) 733-6302.

Theatre Company Fall Musical, Elf The Musical JRL. J. Williams Theater, 1001 Main St., VisaliaFor information, call Bethany Rader at (559) 651-1482.

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