California Department of Education

We are excited to announce two outstanding high school students who will represent California in the 59th annual United States Senate Youth Program: Jamaal Willis, a senior at Barstow High School in the Barstow Unified School District, and Sathvik Nori, a senior at Menlo-Atherton High School in the Sequoia Union High School District! State Superintendent Tony Thurmond also named two alternates: Emma Barrosa, a senior at Glendora High School in the Glendora Unified School Dist...rict, and Michael Zhao, a senior at Lynbrook High School in the Fremont Union High School District. The delegates will receive a $10,000 scholarship and represent California and participate this year in Washington Week Online, an interactive experience, from March 14-18, 2021. These exceptional student leaders have a strong passion to make a difference in the lives of others. Read more about them here: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr21/yr21rel08.asp #USSYP

State Superintendent Tony Thurmondjoined Kristen Sze at ABC7 News yesterday to discuss reopening schools safely, learning loss and other issues related to California K-12 education. Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/abc7news/videos/262572488811657

Today, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond along with other government representatives throughout the state, participated in a virtual panel event for community college students that focused on Black identity and leadership. The conversation touched on a variety of issues including implicit bias and dispelling racial and gender stereotypes. The State Superintendent shared personal stories on defining moments in his life that led to a career in government and the many mentors and teachers that helped and encouraged him.

Before and after the end of World War II, rates of car ownership exploded and people took to the highways for interstate travel. However, for African Americans, road trips had to be carefully planned since there weren’t guaranteed places Black travelers could find food, gas, bathrooms or places to stay. In 1936, a Harlem-based postal carrier named Victor Hugo Green created 'The Negro Motorist Green-Book' which helped Black Americans indulge in travel without fear. Over the n...ext three decades, 'The Green Book' became a travel bible for Black people and expanded from a motorists’ companion to an international guide and included information on airline and cruise ship travel. The last edition of 'The Green Book' was published in 1964. View the books as part of the New York Public Library's digital collections: https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/collecti/the-green-book #BlackHistoryMonth #blackhistorymonth2021 #bhm

Prevención del Suicidio para Padres: Las Señales y Qué Hacer

2020 California Classified School Employee of the Year Profile; Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities: Joel Magallon, Tradesman ll, Monterey County Office of Education, Monterey County, 5 years in current position. Joel can fix or repair anything. He has vast knowledge of the building trades. Joel’s strengths are problem-solving, honesty, integrity, and willingness to work collaboratively with others to get the job done. He donates his time, materials, and expertise to community building projects and to the Early Learning Program outside of normal business hours. His commitment to helping others is his top priority. He has a wealth of knowledge and loves to share with anyone that is looking to grow personally and professionally. Read more about this award here: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr20/yr20rel94.asp

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond this week joined State Senator Connie Leyva, Chair of the Senate Education Committee, on the Then There’s California podcast to discuss public school closures and online learning during the COVID pandemic, and the efforts being made to help educators, parents and students navigate the educational and logistical challenges. Listen to the podcast here: https://thentherescalifornia.libsyn.com/senator-connie-leyv

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced the release of a new tool designed to aid educators who support students learning English: an Integrated and Designated English Language Development (ELD) Video Series. The series is intended to support educators who are teaching English learner students the features and functions of English and using the language to teach grade-level appropriate content. CDE's Multilingual Support Division led the development of this video series with the participation of the talented teachers and students featured in the videos. In addition to videos, there is corresponding guidance for using the series in professional learning settings and links to existing CDE resources that support educators in implementing integrated and designated ELD. Read more: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr20/yr20rel105.asp

Earlier this afternoon, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond joined First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, #SEL champions, and partners in a discussion hosted by City Year. The virtual town hall focused on the critical role that social emotional learning can play in supporting students during these unprecedented times.

Yesterday, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond spoke with ABC7 News anchor Kristen Sze during an interactive newscast featuring viewer-driven questions regarding COVID, schools, reopening, and education-related issues. Watch the full recording here (segment begins at 14:36): https://www.facebook.com/57427307078/videos/235658461501648

SEL Workshop for School Well-Being

The State Board of Education on Thursday unanimously approved the use of shorter standardized tests in English language arts and math this spring, creating a path for collecting critical student data amidst COVID-19 uncertainties. The Board’s action also recognizes the need for innovative solutions to support students, schools, and districts as they confront myriad challenges associated with the pandemic. Read more: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr20/yr20rel90.asp

Reminder: Join us today at 3 p.m. for our SEL Workshop for School Well-Being. Coordinated in partnership with Beyond Differences and the Social-Emotional Learning Alliance for California - sel4ca.org, this interactive professional development webinar for educators will provide resources and strategies for building supportive connections with students in the virtual world across K12 grade levels. This event will be streamed live here on the CDE Facebook page and on Zoom: http...s://us02web.zoom.us//register/WN_Zm2y6tkaSz6YhFo344nEdA. Read more: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr20/yr20rel99.asp

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond just kicked off the 2020 California STEAM Symposium this afternoon! Register now at www.steamcalifornia.org and join us today for the first of three days bringing together teachers, administrators, students, program providers, philanthropic and industry representatives to engage in #STEAM education. And learn about strategies and resources for program implementation! #CASTEAM20 is cohosted by California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, CDE, and Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation. #education #EdEquity #STEMDiversity #WomenInSTEM #sports #art #science #math #engineering #technology

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced that CDE will release today its latest recommendations to the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum, which will contain expanded resources that reflect California’s diversity, promote critical thinking, and empower educators to lead courageous conversations that are relevant to students of all backgrounds. Read more: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr20/yr20rel91.asp

Superintendent Thurmond Media Check-In

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond on Wednesday joined leaders from the Museum of Tolerance in a virtual classroom session on countering anti-Semitism, part of the ongoing Education to End Hate initiative designed to explore and confront multiple forms of racism, hate, and bigotry that persist in schools and communities today. Understanding Contemporary Anti-Semitism: An Introduction for California Educators, focused on how anti-Semitism has evolved over time, how it spread...s in digital spaces, and provided tools to identify contemporary anti-Semitism and hate. Speakers included Liebe Geft, Director of the Museum of Tolerance, and Emily Thompson, Associate Director of the Research Department at the museum, which is dedicated to challenging visitors to understand the Holocaust in both historic and contemporary contexts and confront all forms of prejudice and discrimination in our world today. Read more: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr20/yr20rel100.asp Watch the full session: https://www.facebook.com/CAEducation/videos/375415770427983

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond will hold a virtual news media briefing tomorrow at 10 a.m. to provide an update on CDE's latest recommendations to the draft Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum. Watch it here on Facebook Live. California is required by law to develop a model curriculum in ethnic studies to be utilized as a guide and outline for schools as they consider implementing ethnic studies courses. The CDE will release its next set of recommendations to the draft model ...curriculum in advance of the Nov. 18 meeting of the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC). State law requires the State Board of Education to take final action on the model curriculum by March 31, 2021. More information on the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum can be found on the CDE Model Curriculum Projects webpage: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/modelcurriculumprojects.asp

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced that the CDE has selected recipients of mini grants totaling nearly $200,000 that will fund educator trainings across the state to combat hate, bigotry, racism, and other forms of bias or prejudice in schools as part of the Education to End Hate initiative. CDE will also host a series of virtual classroom and educator professional development sessions broadcast live throughout the state that will be designed to engage students, edu...cators, and families in a wide-ranging dialogue about the many forms of bias young people face across Californiaand ways schools can lead efforts to end discrimination. The first three dates and topics in the webinar series will be: Week of November 16: Pedagogical Approaches to Teaching about Native Americans December 8: Countering anti-Semitism January 12, 2021: Countering Islamophobia Read more: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr20/yr20rel89.asp

Webinar tomorrow at 1 p.m.: State of California Healthy Kids Survey Please join us for a free webinar on the Results of the 201719 State of California Healthy Kids Survey: The 17th Biennial Student Survey. This webinar will be presented by Greg Austin, PhD and Leslie Poynor, PhD of WestEd. They will share the latest statewide findings on school climate and student well-being; social, emotional and mental health; alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use; and tobacco use and vap...ing. In addition to the survey findings, state and district leaders and prevention practitioners will learn about how to use the survey and the data dashboard to inform programing. Please register in advance: https://wested.zoom.us//tJ0rduChrjorG9HvVp6BUFVsg9CeFnWQK8

Webinar today at 3:15 p.m.: Supporting English Learners in the Rural Setting. This free session will focus on connecting with learners, learning and language by providing resources for districts and schools located in rural areas of California. It will focus on the resource developed by statewide partners, "Considerations for Inclusivity and Support within Designated English Language Development in Remote Learning," and use this as a tool to highlight best practices. Register: https://us02web.zoom.us//register/WN_pjydW-2qQyW4YQv07RB90Q

Don't delay, the California STEAM Symposium starts today! Register NOW at steamcalifornia.org. and give yourself the gift of inspiration. Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first American woman to compete in the Olympics in hijab, will be our keynote today. Named to Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential list, Ibtihaj is an important figure in a larger global discussion on equality and the importance of sport. Come hear her inspiring words this afternoon. #CASTEAM20 is cohosted by Californ...ia Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, CDE, and Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation. #education #steam #EdEquity #RacialEquity #STEMDiversity #WomenInSTEM #sports #art #science #math #engineering #technology

Happy Retired Teachers Week! The week of November 1 to November 7 is California’s 22nd annual Retired Teachers Week. Since 1998, California Retired Teachers Association has sponsored the week as a way to not only spotlight members’ extensive volunteerism but to encourage others to do the same. Members of CalRTA also donated more than $600,000 in grants, scholarships and donations to schools and current and future teachers last year.... Learn more about CalRTA online at calrta.org or at Facebook.com/CalRTA.

Understanding Contemporary Anti-Semitism: An Introduction For California Educators

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond's weekly COVID-19 Update message is pictured below. Teachers of the Year: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr20/yr20rel86.asp Social Emotional Learning: https://edsource.org//expanding-social-emotional-le/642286... Youth Mental Health First Aid: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/el/le/yr20ltr1019.asp Subscribe to our weekly COVID-19 Update email by sending a blank email to: [email protected].

Today’s #SSPEEK is from Justin Sewell, who works at the Krause Center for Innovation. Justin will be presenting ‘Bridging COVID-19 With Partnerships.’ To learn more, hear him #SSPEEK! #CASTEAM20 is cohosted by California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, CDE, and Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation. Register NOW at steamcalifornia.org. #education #steam #CASTEAM20 #sspeek #covid

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced that CDE is launching additional virtual educator trainings and mini-grants designed to accelerate ongoing efforts to address equity gaps, strengthen distance learning, and support students’ social emotional wellness during the pandemic. The professional development webinars and the new grant opportunities are the latest efforts to build on the CDE’s training, guidance, and direct assistance provided to schools and educators throughout the months-long pandemic. Read more: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr20/yr20rel99.asp. Stay tuned for more details in the coming days.

The California STEAM Symposium is excited to welcome Dianna Cowern, Phil Hansen, Heather McGhee, Ibtihaj Muhammad, and Darrion Nguyen as keynote speakers! Join us Dec. 11-13 by visiting steamcalifornia.org and registering today. #CASTEAM20 is cohosted by California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, CDE, and Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation. Register NOW at steamcalifornia.org. #education #steam #EdEquity #RacialEquity #STEMDiversity #WomenInSTEM #sports #art #science #theatre

Congrats to all of the California National Agricultural Proficiency winners announced at the 93rd National FFA Organization Convention & Expo last week. And special shout out to David Lopez, a member of the Holtville FFA Chapter and currently a Freshman at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, who was elected to serve as a National Officer! David will take a year out of college and represent the more than 650,000 FFA members across this country. His travels will allow him to meet CEOs, c...ommunity leaders, industry leaders and government representatives in addition to the thousands of schools he will visit. Later in the year, he, along with the other five officers, will travel to Japan to meet with government officials, stay with host families and learn about their agriculture industry. Since 1928, the Agricultural Education Unit of the CDE has been the official sponsor of the California Association of Future Farmers of America. The mission of FFA is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth, and career success through Agricultural Education. Read more: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/ct/ae/

This Thursday, on behalf of the Office of the California Governor and the State Board of Education, California Collaborative for Educational Excellence is hosting a webinar with California Heath & Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly and California Department of Public Health Acting State Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan to share how LEAs can navigate a safe return to in-person instruction. Register: http://bit.ly/2Ldp9J3

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond recently spoke with Carl Cohn for EdSource's podcast. Against the backdrop of growing movement focused on eradicating racial inequities in California and beyond, the conversation covered using education to counter hate, the coronavirus pandemic, and creating opportunity for all, including ensuring internet and technology access for all students. Listen to the conversation here: https://edsource.org//carl-cohn-podcast-superintendent-of-

Carlene Crocker of Roseland Elementary School in Santa Rosa keeps students engaged in distance learning with hands-on science experiments over Zoom. Read more in latest edition of CDE Currents: https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/nl/cdecurrentsnovember2020.asp To subscribe to CDE Currents: [email protected]

Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation is hosting a California STEAM Symposium Pre-Conference focused on Celebrating Teachers and the Art of Teaching. Scheduled to take place on November 17, registration for the afternoon event is included with a completed registration for the California STEAM Symposium. There's also a spooky season flash sale now until Sunday midnight. Use code "Boo!" for big savings and to get exclusive access to the upcoming pre-conference. One registration, two events! Read more: https://web.cvent.com//websitePage:a95301d7-c7c3-48de-9fe4

Reminder: Tomorrow at 3 p.m., State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and CDE are partnering with the Museum of Tolerance to offer the webinar, Understanding Contemporary Anti-Semitism: An Introduction For California Educators. Experts from the Museum of Tolerance will provide a brief overview of contemporary anti-Semitism and its historic context. We will unpack and examine the different types of anti-Semitism that proliferate in California and our world today. Join this webin...ar to: Increase awareness of the complexity of expressions of anti-Semitism. Explore manifestations of contemporary anti-Semitism online and the impact on our school communities. Share and discuss strategies to respond to this type of hate for students and adults. Learn about free resources from the Museum of Tolerance to support your students and faculty in this work. Attendees will walk away with a high-level understanding of how anti-Semitism has evolved over time, how it spreads in digital spaces, and tools you can use now to combat hate. Register in advance for this webinar at https://us02web.zoom.us//register/WN_BOBn4uhURvqFSYBg9yQAOQ or view the webinar here on Facebook Live.

CBS News' story on the pandemic's impact on kids in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community features an interview with Dr. Nancy Hlibok Amann, Superintendent of California School for the Deaf, Riverside (CSDR). "The ability to converse with their peers is limited at best during this time," said Hlibok Amann, who is Deaf. Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing with hearing families who do not communicate using ASL can feel especially isolated. Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com//kids-in-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing/

Ibtihaj Muhammad, Olympic Medalist, Entrepreneur & New York Times Best-Selling Author, will be a keynote speaker at #CASTEAM20! Visit steamcalifornia.org today to register and give yourself the gift of inspiration! The California STEAM Symposium is delighted to announce Ibtihaj Muhammad, the first American woman to compete in the Olympics in a hijab, will headline a keynote fireside chat. In 2014, Ibtihaj launched her own clothing company, Louella by Ibtihaj, which aims to br...ing modest, fashionable and affordable clothing to the United States market. Named to Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential list, Ibtihaj is an important figure in a larger global discussion on equality and the importance of sport. We look forward to hearing her inspiring words! #CASTEAM20 is cohosted by California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, CDE, and Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation. Register NOW at steamcalifornia.org. #education #steam #CASTEAM20 #STEMDiversity #Olympian #WomenInSTEM #EdEquity #sports

2021 California Teacher of the Year profile: Keisa Brown, who is a seventh- and eighth-grade Introduction to Spanish and AVID 8 teacher at University Heights Middle School in the Riverside Unified School District. Ms. Brown has 20 years of teaching experience and shared that she is a teacher of students who come from adverse situations and are at-promise. Most [students] will never leave Riverside, she said, and I can relate on a personal level. Our classroom space is b...uilt on the empathetic, asset-based premise of safety and high expectations where no one if left behind. Failure is not an option because the ‘fail’ is our first attempt in learning. Ms. Brown creates a warm, Zen-like calm space with her class, decorated with college pennants and posters showing career options and employment earnings. Despite COVID, she continues to hold family reunions with her students and online checks for well-being. She also continues to deliver community building activities through distance learning and is passionate about equity, access, and culturally responsive pedagogy. Read more about our 2021 Teachers of the Year: https://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/nl/cdecurrentsnovember2020.asp

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond's weekly COVID-19 Update message is pictured below. Subscribe to our weekly COVID-19 Update email by sending a blank email to: [email protected]. Links in this message: Racial Equity in Education Faith Summit hosted by Senator Connie Leyva: https://www.facebook.com/CAEducation/posts/3458219204215747... Master Plan for Early Learning and Care: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr20/yr20rel97.asp 2020 Classified Employees of the Year Award Ceremony: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=112762777246886

Today’s #SSPEEK is from Lyle Tavernier, an Educational Technology Specialist at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Lyle earned a BS in Educational Studies and a MEd in Educational Leadership from the University of Oregon, and a MS in Geosciences from Mississippi State University. Before his work at NASA, Lyle was a classroom teacher, instructional technology coach, and new teacher mentor. Lyle will be presenting ‘Develop a Mars Exploration Game with Scratch Programming.’ To learn more, hear him #SSPEEK! #CASTEAM20 is cohosted by California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls, California Department of Education, and Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation. Register NOW at steamcalifornia.org. #education #steam #CASTEAM20 #sspeek #nasa #engineer #marsrover