In December, retailers release a f lood of wall calendars for

the New Year – glossy pinups featuring anything from

Schnauzer puppies and English gardens to works by Monet

and classic cars – each vying for a spot in our home or

office. In Tulare County, thousands of thoughtful

educators and community service and healthcare providers

forgo the monthly display of cuddly kittens and scenic

beaches for a copy of the annual Community Advisory

Committee (CAC) calendar. For more than 20 years, the

special education advocacy group has produced beautiful

color calendars that focus on the services available for, and

abilities of, children with special needs.

This year is no exception. Entitled “Meeting Challenges

through Home & School Interventions,” the 2014 calendar

features monthly profiles of intervention services students

receive at school and home. Each month, the calendar

highlights a different program or service available to

Tulare County students. To read more, visit www.tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

December 2013 - January 2014

Community Advisory Committee promotes, studies, recognizes and advocates for special ed

CAC releases new calendar on interventions

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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(photos above) The new CAC calendar highlights the abilities of students with special needs as they receive a variety of intervention services at home and at school.

History Theater and Planetarium welcome audiences for special family entertainment

Impact Center offers holiday double featureThis month, the Impact Center will show four double features of its popular holiday shows Christmas Traditions Around the World and Mystery of the Christmas Star. Audiences will begin the double feature in the History Theater with a showing of Christmas Traditions Around the World. This perennial favorite with elementary-age students was reanimated and rescored last year from the original show produced by retired Impact Center supervisor Sam Peña. The show explores the different winter season traditions people across the globe celebrate at this time of the year.

Viewers will then move into the planetarium for a showing of Mystery of the Christmas Star. This show investigates the possible dates for the birth of Christ and looks at the historical sightings of major astronomical events which so intrigued three wise men to cross a desert in search of a newborn King. Mystery of the Christmas Star is a charming program for audiences of all ages.

The double features will be held at 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. on two Fridays, December 6 and 13. For ticket information, call the Impact Center at (559) 737-6334.

Visitors to the Impact Center this month have an opportunity to enjoy a showing of Mystery of the Christmas Star (photo above) along with a showing of Christmas Traditions Around the World.

This fall, the Behavior Health Services (BHS) program expanded the reach of its successful Intervention Resource

Classroom (IRC) first piloted at Lindsay High School last semester. The Lindsay High School pilot, known as the

Green Zone (profiled in the February 2013 News Gallery), is a safe and highly supportive classroom where students

with identified behavior management issues can go when they feel overwhelmed. In the Green Zone, students learn

strategies for mitigating the stress they feel in their regular academic classes and obtain the one-on-one academic

support so that they can be successful in their core academic subjects. At the November meeting of the Tulare

County Board of Education, Dr. Eileen Whelan, administrator of the Behavioral Services program, and staff

members Tiffany Stark and Ryan Tanney, shared the promising data collected from students in the program. While

the sample size was small, administrators recorded a substantial decrease in problem behavior and suspensions, and an

increase in attendance and parent participation in the program.

BHS now operates 17 IRCs in schools across the county, with plans to open four more sites in January. The students

served by IRCs include those in elementary, middle and high schools, as well as TCOE Court/Community Schools

and one center for the severely handicapped. About half of the 130 students served in the IRCs this fall have not

previously received any type of special education services; over one-third have not received mental health services.

To read more, visit www.tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

Behavioral Health Services spreads successful pilot program to 21 school sites

Intervention Resource Classrooms expanded

December 2013 - January 2014

The annual TCOE Longevity Awards Dinner was held on Wednesday, November 13 in the Education Center. The dinner was hosted by the Human Resources Division, with Director John Rodriguez serving as emcee. This year, 58 employees were honored for service milestones of 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years. Among them was 35-year speech and language specialist Robin Hoffman. Ms. Hoffman came to the Tulare County Office of Education almost 36 years ago from Washington State University. She learned of the position at TCOE from graduate school classmate Scott Aldrich, who is the program manager for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program.

Ms. Hoffman serves students in the Palo Verde, Strathmore, Sunnyside and Tipton school districts. She says she always knew she wanted to be a teacher, but was recruited into the field of speech pathology. Nearly 36 years later, she still loves seeing the growth students make. “I’ve seen dozens of students make remarkable progress,” she says. “One recent example was a first-grader at Tipton who was a selective mute. If he spoke at all, he would only whisper.” To read more, visit www.tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

Annual Longevity Award Dinner recognizes 58 employees for nearly 1,000 years of service

Employee milestone anniversaries celebrated

Read more at www.tcoe.org

(top left photo) This year, Robin Hoffman, a speech and language specialist, celebrated her 35th anniversary. (middle left photo) Audiologist and 30-year honoree Dr. Jim Beauchamp shakes hands with County Superintendent Jim Vidak as trustees (l-r) Celia Maldonado-Arroyo, Debby Holguin and Joe Enea look on. (lower left photo) Honorees in the 20-year category present at the awards dinner were (l-r) Nu Cha from the Services for Education and Employment (SEE) Youth Program, Carol Hodson from the California Friday Night Live Partnership, Linda Patino from the Ticket to Success/MOVE Program and Emily Rivera, a psychologist with Special Services. (lower right photo) Martha Alexandros, director of the SEE Program, celebrated her 25th anniversary this year.

30, 35 and 40 year milestones celebrated by Early Childhood Education Program employees

30 Years

Sandra Andalon, Elva Ramirez, Alma

Villarreal and Yolanda Villarreal

35 Years

Lidia Cabrajal, Mona Espino, Maria

Franco and Julie Ruiz-Gonzales

40 Years

Virgie Luna

(photo 1) Within the Human Resources Division, CalSTRS regional benefits counselors Enid Brinkman and Ken Hochnadel have advised thousands of Kings and Tulare County school employees prior to retirement. Kings and Tulare County teachers have appreciated the personal service Ms. Brinkman and Mr. Hochnadel provided for a combined total of nearly 40 years. In the new year, school employees will be advised by benefits counselors from the CalSTRS regional office in Fresno. For more information, visit www.calstrs.com/counseling-office/fresno. (photo 2) Public Information Officer Rob Herman (l) is pictured with members of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) board at the President’s Celebration/Awards Dinner held last month in San Jose. Pictured (l-r) are ACSA’s Past President David Gomez, President Marc Ecker and Vice President Tom Armelino. Mr. Herman was honored as the state Classified Leader of the Year, along with 20 other administrators working as principals, superintendents, curriculum leaders and special education administrators. (photo 3) Visitors to the Burrel Avenue office in Visalia this month can enjoy a display of artwork as part of the annual Student Art Exhibition. One of the pieces featured is a watercolor entitled “Green Zebra” by Marinn Browne, a junior at Mt. Whitney High School in Visalia. In March, pieces selected as “Best of Show” from the current exhibition and the January-February exhibition will be displayed. A public reception honoring the student artists will be held 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on March 21. The annual Access to Higher Education Summit for high school-age foster youth will be held on February 1, 2014 at College of the Sequoias, Visalia. Attendees will have an opportunity to speak with former foster youth now in college, meet with representatives from area universities, and learn about available resources. (photo 4) The summit’s keynote speaker will be Sade Daniels, a California native who spent many years in group homes and transitional housing placement programs. After experiencing many trials while in the foster care system, Sade developed a strong desire to help those in similar circumstances. She has been active in many youth advocacy organizations and has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle and Essence Magazine. For student registration, call Pete Martinez at (559) 623-0357. Last month, SCICON director Rick Mitchell came before the Tulare County Board of Education to present two donations made to the outdoor education program. (photo 5) Mr. Mitchell smiles as Porterville Breakfast Rotary President Bill Bennett (podium) describes how the club came to donate $30,000 to the program for new exhibits in the recently completed Phyllis Wall Museum expansion. Also present from the Porterville Rotary were (l-r) Jackie Witzel, Janice Castle and Kent Sorrells. (photo 6, l) Lisa Ludovici with Charter Communications is shown presenting a check to Rick Mitchell for $2,500. Ms. Ludovici contacted State Senator Jean Fuller (center) for direction on supporting a worthy educational program. Mr. Mitchell and the SCICON staff are grateful for Senator Fuller’s endorsement.

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

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Annual Chili Cookoff benefitting United Way $5, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Elderwood Rm., 7000 Doe. Ave.For information, call Luci Castanon at (559) 651-3022

Planetarium Holiday Double Feature6:00 & 7:00 p.m. showings of both Christmas Traditions Around the World and Mystery of the Christmas StarImpact Center, 2500 W. Burrel Ave., Visalia For ticket information, call (559) 737-6334

Annual Holiday Social 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., Teleconference Rm., 2637 W. Burrel Ave.Unwrapped gifts accepted for Toy for Tots (ages 2-teens) For information, call Erika Delgado at (559) 733-6332

Annual Student Art Exhibition/Second InstallationEducation Center, 2637 W. Burrel Ave., VisaliaFor information, call Brian Roberts at (559) 651-1482

COOL Night South (A college/career interest event for middle school students in the Porterville area)5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Porterville College, 100 E. College Ave.For information, call Randy Wallace at (559) 733-6101

Academic DecathlonInterview, Speech and Essays: January 25, 8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Porterville CollegeTesting, Super Quiz Relay and Awards: February 1, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Mission Oak High School, TulareFor information, call Laura Voshall at (559) 651-3044

SCICON Open House (for elementary-age students and their families)12:00 - 4:00 p.m., SCICON Campus, SpringvilleFor information, call Rick Mitchell at (559) 539-2642

Mock Trial - Competition Rounds5:00 - 8:00pm, Tulare County Courthouse, VisaliaFor information, call Gina Mechigian at (559) 651-3031

Mock Trial - Semi-Finals Round5:00 - 8:00 p.m., Tulare County Courthouse, VisaliaFor information, call Gina Mechigian at (559) 651-3031

Mock Trial - Final Round5:00 - 8:00 p.m., El Diamante High School Theater, VisaliaFor information, call Gina Mechigian at (559) 651-3031

National CHARACTER COUNTS! Character Development Seminar (CDS)8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Education Center, 2637 W. Burrel Ave., VisaliaFor information, call Kelley Petty at (559) 740-4303 Tulare County Spelling Championship(open to students in grades 4-8)8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Visalia Convention CenterFor information, call Nancy Bellin at (559) 733-6734

Anti-Tobacco Challenge Bowl9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Visalia Holiday Inn, 9000 W. Airport Dr., VisaliaFor information, call Adam Valencia at (559) 651-0155

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Tulare County Board of Education

News Gallery CommitteeEditor: Robert Herman, Public Information OfficerContributors: Marlene Moreno, Jennifer Fisher, Lorena White, Shelly DiCenzo, Rick Mitchell, Leslie Berry, Norma Erwin, Conan Palmer, Tiffany Stark, Eileen Whelan, Christine Glass, Jeanne Croson and Olivia Velasquez.

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

The 2013 Red Ribbon committee is pleased to report that $3,500 in donations was received from activities held October 21-25. Red Ribbon Committee chairperson Jennifer Fisher would like to thank the hard-working committee members, generous donors and staff who participated in the week’s activities. TCOE programs donated more than 30 wonderful raff le prizes. The proceeds have been given to CASA of Tulare County, which advocates for abused, neglected, and abandoned children.

Several long-time employees will be retiring this month from the Tulare County Office of Education. Angel Vázquez, who has supervised the Court/Community Schools, will retire after 33 years of service. Most recently, Mr. Vázquez was promoted to administrator of the Educational Options Program, which oversees the Court/ Community Schools, La Sierra Military Academy and University Preparatory High School. Also retiring are: Linda Shiba (20 years, Business Services), Candice Haas (18.5 years, Court/ Community Schools), and Dennis Sirkin (10.5 years, La Sierra Military Academy).

La Sierra Military Academy is one of 11 schools statewide chosen as a finalist in the California State University System’s California Academic Partnership Program (CAPP) Demonstration Partnership Grant. In Tulare County, Orosi High School was also selected as a finalist. The purpose of the three-year Demonstration Partnership Grant is to help schools build partnerships with post-secondary institutions for successful college and career readiness as part of the Common Core State Standards. Over the next three years, La Sierra teachers and administrators will work to align some of its high school courses with College of the Sequoias and Fresno State courses to enable dual enrollment. Once completed, La Sierra students will have the opportunity to earn college credits in high school.

Educational Resource Services has recently welcomed two new instructional consultants: Shelah Feldstein and Gina Mechigian. To read more, visit www.tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

Tulare County Superintendent of Schools: Jim VidakPresident: Celia Maldonado-Arroyo, Trustee Area No. 1; Vice President: Joe Enea, Trustee Area No. 5; Trustees: Debby Holguin, Trustee Area No. 2; Tom Link, Trustee Area No. 3; Judy Coble, Trustee Area No. 4; Chris Reed, Trustee Area No. 6; and Patricia Hillman, Trustee Area No. 7

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