The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) is inviting schools in the county, especially schools in the hardest-to-count districts that receive Title I, Part A funds and serve 90 percent socio-economically disadvantaged students, to dedicate a week during January 2010 through March 2010 for "Census in Schools Week," which will help reinforce the importance of their participation in the census.

The resolution "encourages all local superintendents, board members, principals, teachers and parent organizations to relay the importance of the census to parents and community members to ensure everyone is counted in order to maximize political representation and funding appropriations within our county."

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the County of Sacramento is one of the top 10 hardest-to-count counties in California, and receives more than $56 million in Title I, Part A funds.

The "It's About Us: 2010 Census in Schools" program gives schools a wide range of free, optional, standards-based lesson plans on subjects related to the census, ranging from math to social studies. The program is designed for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) proudly announces the 11th annual grand opening of one of Sacramento County's best-kept dining secrets: the Culinary Arts Café.

The acclaimed Café opens to the general public on Tuesday, November 10, 2009. It is a classroom-based instructional program that provides students with hands-on opportunities to reinforce their newly acquired skills in food preparation, storage and handling, teamwork and customer services. The Café is a project of SCOE and operated through its Special Education Department and Regional Occupational Program.

Students taking part in the LINKS Culinary Arts program learn to prepare meals, serve customers, maintain a clean kitchen, and operate a business. They are young people with special needs who have difficulty managing in a conventional school environment. One of the main goals behind the program is to teach students important skills designed to help them find employment some day.

In addition to their regular academic studies, students attend class in the school's home economics lab to main mastery of entry-level skills in the food service profession. Many students have subsequently attained jobs or have used their vocational and social skills to help them further their education.

Beginning November 10th, the Café will be open to the public Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. For the low cost of only $6.00, weekly lunch offerings include a main course, vegetable, salad, beverage and dessert. Gratuities for students are always appreciated. All proceeds return to the program.

Lunch seating is available for 30 people. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Café at (916) 566-2039. A calendar showing menu items is available online.

The Culinary Arts Café is located on the campus of Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School (2040 Ethan Way, near Cottage Way and Howe Avenue, three blocks north of Arden Fair Mall).

The Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) is again awarding high school diplomas to qualifying U.S. veterans and Japanese American citizens through its popular "Operation Recognition" program.

The Operation Recognition program was adopted in October 2001 by the Sacramento County Board of Education to honor the contributions and sacrifices of individuals who missed completing high school to serve in the U.S. military (specifically World War II or the Korean War) or relocate to a World War II internment camp for Japanese American citizens. In 2005, the County Board of Education expanded the program to include veterans of the Vietnam War.

"During times of war, thousands of young men and women across this country left high school to serve in the armed forces. Their sacrifices ensured our freedom, and shaped the course of history," said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon. "Operation Recognition is a small, and overdue, gesture of gratitude for the great sacrifices and contributions these individuals made in the name of freedom."

The Sacramento County Board of Education has provided diplomas to 142 qualifying veterans and Japanese American citizens through Operation Recognition since 2001. Four of the diplomas have been awarded posthumously.

Residents of Sacramento County are encouraged to request diplomas on behalf of themselves or qualifying family members, including persons who are now deceased. May 3, 2010, is the deadline to submit applications. The Sacramento County Board of Education is scheduled to hold its next Operation Recognition diploma awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 18, 2010.

Operation Recognition applications are available online or by mail from:

Operation Recognition
P.O. Box 269003
Sacramento, CA 95826-9003

To request that an application be mailed, phone (916) 228-2416. Applications are also available from the Sacramento County Veterans Service Office, located in midtown Sacramento at 2007-19th Street.

Qualifications for an Operation Recognition diploma include:

1. Applicant or recipient is a Sacramento County resident;
2. Veterans—show proof of Honorable Discharge from U.S. military service occurring during WW II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War (DD Form 214 preferred);
3. Japanese American citizens—show proof of internment in a WW II relocation camp; and
4. Veterans and Japanese American citizens—give name of high school applicant was attending at time of induction into military service or internment.

An application may be submitted by a family member of a qualifying individual, living or deceased. Persons who meet the qualifications, but earned a GED, are eligible. Those living outside Sacramento County will be referred to their local county office of education.

California law (Education Code § 51440) authorizes the granting of retroactive high school diplomas to eligible veterans. California Assembly Bill 781 was enacted as law (Education Code § 51430) on January 1, 2004, specifically authorizing the retroactive granting of diplomas to persons whose internment by federal order in World War II prevented them from graduating from their home town high school.

Sacramento County is home to one of the most richly diverse education communities in the country. A data review conducted by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) finds that of the 238,000 students who attend public schools in Sacramento County, 18 percent are English learners.

The data, compiled by local districts and reported to the California Department of Education as part of the 2009 Language Census and the annual California English Language Development Test results, were analyzed by SCOE's K-12 Curriculum and Intervention Department. The report serves as a resource for teachers and administrators throughout the county to provide a more accurate accounting of English learners.

"It is important to be aware of the composition of our student population as we work together to close the achievement gap, and ensure that our English learners achieve academic success and become proficient in the English language," said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon.

The report finds that more than half of the English learners in Sacramento County speak Spanish as their primary language. The overall school population is linguistically diverse with students representing more than 55 language groups.

English learners attend schools in all 13 districts in the county and Sacramento is in the top nine counties for enrollment of English learning pupils in the state. The 2009 data show that there are more than 1.5 million English learners enrolled in California schools.

Sacramento County 2008-2009 Demographic Summary: English Learners

The Sacramento County Board of Education announces its intention to select and appoint individuals to the Sacramento County Local Child Care and Development Planning Council for a 2009-2010 term in the Consumer category.

Download nomination form

Sacramento County Office of Education
Attn: Carole Alexander, Personnel
P.O. Box 269003
Sacramento, CA 95826-9003
Fax: (916) 228-2624

The Red Ribbon Campaign was started after the murder of DEA agent Kiki Camarena by drug traffickers in Mexico City, in 1985. This began the continuing tradition and displaying Red Ribbons as a symbol of intolerance towards the use of drugs. The mission of the Red Ribbon Campaign is to present a unified and visible commitment towards the creation of a Drug-Free America.

The National Family Partnership organized the first Nationwide Red Ribbon Campaign in 1988. Since that time, the campaign has reached millions of U.S. children. The week-long event is a way for people and communities to unite and take a visible stand against drugs.

Red Ribbon Week serves as a vehicle for communities and individuals to take a stand for the hopes and dreams of our children through a commitment to drug prevention and education and a personal commitment to live drug free lives with the ultimate goal being the creation of drug free America.

The County Board of Education has designated October 7–November 6 as SCOE's United Way campaign period.

"One of three families in the community will be helped by a United Way agency this year," said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon. "The United Way funds programs and initiatives that support children's health, foster youth services, child abuse prevention and intervention, and helping teens succeed. Many of our own students benefit from United Way-funded programs."

The United Way Community Care Fund supports more than 160 local programs which focus on assuring that children enter school ready to learn, that children develop in order to achieve life's goals and that parents, families and caregivers have the necessary support to meet the ongoing needs of their children.

Forty students of Leo A. Palmiter and Elinor Lincoln Hickey Jr./Sr. High Schools greeted 21-year-old "Chef Tyler" when he visited Palmiter School in Sacramento.

Stone, a graduate of Sacramento's El Camino High School, was the first presenter in a new Guest Speaker Series for students involved in SCOE's LINKS Service Learning program. LINKS helps at-risk youth get on the right track, find a new direction, build a better future, and take control of life. Students benefit from individualized learning plans, extra support, role models and mentoring, career development, job skills training, and more. LINKS is provided to students at SCOE Juvenile Court, community school campuses, as well as at Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School.

During his Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School appearance Chef Tyler gave a cooking demonstration, showing the students how to prepare one of his favorite dishes (Mediterranean Salad) which is featured in his published cookbook The Kid's Cooking. While fashioning the impressive salad out of simple ingredients, he told the students, "It's easy to do things when you are inspired by passion and creativity."

The chef, featured often on local TV and in national culinary events, autographed copies of his book and advised students, "See yourself doing what it is you plan to do. If you don't have an 'end vision' then how can you start? Find something you love to do, and learn to do it well." He also spoke about the need to explore other avenues related to one's interests.

The Culinary Arts Café, operated by Palmiter and Hickey School students, has scheduled its annual fall public opening for November 10. Reservations for lunch, offered Tuesdays and Thursdays noon to 1 p.m. at the school, can be made by phoning (916) 566-2039.

Students from six alternative school campuses in Sacramento County will have their work showcased October 10 in Sacramento's Second Saturday midtown art walk.

"ArtEscapes: Real Life, Real Teens" will be featured at the VIBE Center, 1725 K Street, from 5-8 p.m. Guests will enjoy live music and a chance to meet some of the talented young artists. There is no charge for admission.

The art show is presented by the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) in conjunction with the Sacramento County Juvenile Justice Commission, the SCOE Arts Executive Advisory Committee, the SCOE Art Links program and the VIBE Foundation.

"Infusing the arts into our regular curriculum has given our students a new way to demonstrate their feelings in a positive way and to explore or discover their hidden talents," said David W. Gordon, Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools. "We have seen improvements in attendance and student behavior where we have student art programs.

Among the works featured in the show are two- and three-dimensional works expressing the "ArtEscapes" of alternative education students.

"Since we began integrating the arts with our Career and Technical Education programs, students have become energized about their school day. They also have produced some great pieces of art," said Tim Taylor, SCOE Assistant Superintendent of Court/Community Schools & ROP. "We hope to extend this program to every one of our students."

"Doorways," a professional development class now in its third year, prepares teachers and other instructional staff to deliver sequential, comprehensive, Standards-based art instruction to SCOE students.

"I love this class and the support of the instructors and students," said SCOE Juvenile Court Schools art teacher Tereze Lear. "Each month I get the chance to network and to work on a lesson that I can take back to my students — we are all growing together."

The SCOE students' 2009 arts calendar garnered an Award of Excellence — the highest honor presented for a special print project — from the California School Public Relations Association. The 2010 calendar will be available for purchase in December 2009.

Every year in Sacramento County hundreds of students are expelled from school because of involvement in on-campus violence. Many of these instances of violence involve weapons. In order for these students to be readmitted to their schools, especially in cases reaching the court system, they must successfully complete a sanctioned violence prevention program. Project SAVE (Safe Alternatives and Violence Education) is one such program. It is a program that needs the public's help and support.

The 7th Annual Project SAVE Golf Tournament is scheduled for October 12, 2009 at the Sunset Whitney Country Club in Rocklin, California. This is a best ball tournament with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. This annual fundraiser is the main source of funding for this model community project that has been proven to prevent and reduce youth violence and bullying behaviors. The program has a 98% success rate, meaning 98% of participants do not commit another offense.

Entry fees for the golf tournament are $110 per person or $440 for a foursome. Tournament host, contest sponsor and individual hole sponsor opportunities are also available. Participation also includes breakfast, snack and an awards banquet luncheon. Golfers receive a commemorative T-shirt and a golfer survival kit. Participants also have the opportunity to win fun prizes!

• Download brochure and entry form

For more information about the October 12 golf tournament or to find out about sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, e-mail or phone Cheryl Raney: (916) 228-2201.

Additional Background

Project SAVE is a collaborative project involving the County Probation Department, County Sheriff's Office, Sacramento City Police Department, Superior and Municipal Courts, Sacramento County School Districts and community members and is coordinated by the Prevention and Student Services division of the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE).

The mission of Project SAVE is to reduce youth violence and weapons possession through strong partnerships with local agencies. The mission emphasizes that weapons possession and violent behavior are unacceptable, especially on school grounds. Since 1998, Project SAVE has served more than 1,800 young people and their families.

A 6th grade teacher from the San Juan Unified School District and a 2nd grade teacher from the Elk Grove Unified School District are the Sacramento County Teachers of the Year 2010, the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) announced September 2nd at a county-wide teacher recognition banquet.

Deb House, who teaches 6th grade math, science and language arts at Kingswood Elementary School in the San Juan District and JoEllen Shanks, who teaches 2nd grade at Stone Lake Elementary in Elk Grove, were selected from the 15 Sacramento area district Teachers of the Year representing Sacramento County in the California Teachers of the Year competition.

A community selection committee comprised of education professionals, including previous Teachers of the Year, met to interview each local district Teacher of the Year and selected the two finalists.

All 15 Sacramento area teachers will be honored when the Sacramento Kings host the Phoenix Suns on Friday, February 5, 2010 at ARCO Arena. The Sacramento River Cats will also host a special Teacher Appreciation Night on Monday, May 3, 2010 when the River Cats host the Salt Lake Bees.

All of the school districts within the County of Sacramento, along with the Sacramento County Office of Education, are invited each year to participate in the Sacramento County Teachers of the Year Program. Larger districts are eligible to submit two entries. Eleven local districts including the Sacramento County Office of Education participated this year. Each district's Teacher of the Year completed a comprehensive application packet, which included an extensive biography and answering questions ranging from personal philosophy of teaching to an understanding of current educational issues.

During the awards banquet, each district Teacher of the Year was introduced by either a current or former student. David W. Gordon, County Superintendent of Schools, and trustees from the Sacramento County Board of Education, presented each of the Teachers of the Year with an inscribed award. Outgoing Teacher of the Year Janet Anderson announced the names of the 2010 Teachers of the Year. County School Board Trustee Adriana Echandía presented the winners with the Elinor Lincoln Hickey Award of Merit, the highest honor bestowed by the County Board of Education. Ken McIver, representing the Sacramento Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasonry, awarded a perpetual trophy to the County Teachers of the Year.

Deb House and JoEllen Shanks now are eligible to advance to the statewide competition, out of which five teachers will be chosen as California Teachers of the Year.

The five California Teachers of the Year are responsible for representing the teaching profession in a variety of settings and assisting their teaching colleagues in numerous ways throughout the calendar year of 2010. Their names and that of the one individual of the group selected as the state's nominee to the National Teacher of the Year program will be announced later in the fall by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

The Sacramento County Teachers of the Year Program is presented by the Sacramento County Office of Education in partnership with Maloof Sports and Entertainment, the Sacramento River Cats, the Intel Corporation Folsom and the Sacramento Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasonry.

With the 2009-10 school year underway, school administrators throughout Sacramento County face many questions regarding the H1N1 flu virus and the best practices to follow when dealing with it. With that in mind, the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) and the Sacramento County Public Health Division co-sponsored an H1N1flu workshop and discussion on Monday, August 24th.

The workshop was attended by nearly 60 people representing a wide range of public and private school administrators, health, school nurse and emergency personnel.

"We must take the necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of our students, families and staff. Your presence here today is proof of your commitment to your school communities," said Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon as he welcomed attendees.

The workshop featured a presentation on the latest H1N1 virus information from Sacramento County Health Officer Glennah Trochet, M.D. During her presentation, Dr. Trochet reminded attendees of the need to practice good hygiene. She also advised school administrators to send students, teachers and staff home if they are sick, and to separate ill students and staff from the general school population when possible.

"If you are able to exclude sick children from the school community that would be the key," said Dr. Trochet. "What we are telling you are our minimum recommendations but if you choose to do more that is your choice."

Dr. Trochet also requested when recording students absences that school personnel gather information from families to determine if those students missing school are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

The Sacramento County Public Health Division also announced that the health agency is utilizing various forms of communications and social media, including Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, to inform the local community about the latest information regarding the H1N1 flu virus.

"We are trying to use all types of methods to communicate and get the word out," said Kerry Shearer, Public Health Division, Communications & Media Officer.

For the latest information on the H1N1 flu virus please visit the Sacramento County Public Health Division Web site.

August 24 H1N1 Workshop Handouts

• H1N1 Advice for Administrators and Teachers
• H1N1 Advice for Parents of School-Age Children
• H1N1 and You
• H1N1 Resources and Contact Information

The hard work and commitment of a group of dedicated teenagers, teachers and volunteers drew thunderous applause on Friday, August 21, as students involved with Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) community school programs unveiled the results of a summer long employment and service learning project.

Students designed and built a community garden adjacent to the campus of Elinor L. Hickey Jr./Sr. High School as part of an employment training project. This service learning project, involving 32 students in the SCOE LINKS program, was funded with federal stimulus money and was used to provide job skills training and summer employment for at-risk teens in Sacramento County. The project was sponsored by the Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA) which utilized funding received through the American Recession Recovery Act.

"While we are exposing our students to opportunity through service learning we are also teaching them the types of job skills that employers want," said Deputy Superintendent Marty Cavanaugh.

Also in attendance for the ribbon-cutting and unveiling: David W. Gordon, Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools, Harold Fong, Vice-President of the Sacramento County Board of Education, Greg Geeting, Sacramento County Board of Education Trustee, Don Nottoli, Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, and Robin Purdy, Deputy Director Workforce Development SETA/Sacramento Works, Inc.

Other partners in the community garden project include: Home Depot, Golden 1, City of Sacramento, Taqueria Garibaldi, Green Acres Nursery and Iglesia Cristiana Emmanuel Catholic Church.

LINKS stands for Leadership in everyday life, Integrity in thought and practice, Navigating choices, Keeping promises, and Sufficiency in preparation. The program helps at-risk students get on the right track, find a new direction, build a better future, and take control of life. The program includes individual learning plans, extra support, role models, career development, and job skills training.

The goal of LINKS is to actively engage every student in an individual learning plan that leads to career opportunities.

Adriana X. Echandía Chosen to Represent Area 2

The Sacramento County Board of Education provisionally appointed Adriana X. Echandía as Trustee for Area 2 at its meeting on August 18. She fills the seat that was made vacant following the July 1 resignation of former Area 2 Trustee and Board President Gretchen C. Bender who moved out of the county. The term was scheduled to expire in June 2010.

Ms. Echandía, a bilingual social psychologist and Equity Coordinator for the California State University, Sacramento College of Education, was chosen by the Board of Education following the conducting of public interviews with eight candidates who live within the Area 2 boundaries and who applied for the Trustee position.

"Adriana Echandía possesses all the attributes to make a positive difference for both her community and Sacramento County," said Board of Education President John C. Scribner. "The field of education and community leader applicants for this position was both impressive and inspiring. The community is rich in leaders with the passion and ability to advocate for our students."

According to Sacramento County Board of Education bylaws, the board was required to fill the post by August 30, 2009. The board held a special meeting to receive public input from the local community on August 11 at the Joe Mims Jr. Hagginwood Community Center.

This provisional appointment is effective immediately and shall continue until the end of the term in June 2010, unless a petition calling for a special election pursuant to Education Code Section 5091 is filed in the office of the County Superintendent of Schools within 30 days (by September 17, 2009) of the provisional appointment. Regardless of whether there is a special election pursuant to the petition this Area 2 Trustee seat will be up for re-election in June 2010.

Area 2 includes portions of the following: communities of Antelope, Del Paso Heights, Elverta, Gardenland, Hagginwood, North Highlands, North and South Natomas, North Sacramento, Rio Linda, Robla, and a portion of Foothill Farms. School districts: Center Unified, Twin Rivers Unified, Elverta Joint, Natomas Unified, and Robla.