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Santa Cruz County Office of Education Government Announcements

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Address:   400 Encinal St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

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Announcements

Youth Led Leadership Alliance Honored With Golden Bell Award

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education (Santa Cruz COE) is pleased to announce it has received a 2024 Golden Bell Award for its countywide student leadership program, the Youth Led Leadership Alliance (YLLA). A program of the California School Boards Association, the Golden Bell Awards recognize outstanding programs and governance practices in school districts [...] The post Youth Led …
10/24/2024

Welcoming New Student Trustees

Dear community member, Its been a big week for student leadership in our school community. Yesterday I was thrilled to swear in Ruben Marcus (pictured), as Student Trustee on the Santa Cruz County Board of Education. A senior at Soquel High School, Ruben has been involved as a student leader in numerous extracurricular programs, including [...] The post Welcoming New …
10/18/2024

Career Advancement Charter (CAC): Empowering Adult Learners in Santa Cruz County

The Career Advancement Charter (CAC) program offers adult learners the unique opportunity to earn their high school diploma while building essential academic and technical skills for college and career success. Our program is designed to support the diverse needs of our students through flexible, independent study options and a variety of enrichment services that provide [...] The post Career Advancement …
10/14/2024

New and Growing Programs in Medical, Dental, and Building Trades

This school year, the Santa Cruz County Office of Education (COE) is thrilled to report the strong start of our Medical, Dental, and Building Trades Pre-Apprenticeship (BTPA) programs. These programs are designed to equip students with industry-specific skills and experience, providing clear pathways into in-demand career fields. With enthusiastic new students, dedicated instructors, and innovative [...] The post New and …
10/14/2024

Local Families Claim Over $46,000 in College Savings

Were excited to announce the success of our recent College Savings Workshop, held in partnership with CalKIDS and Semillitas on September 25th! During the event, local families claimed 140 college savings accounts, totaling an impressive $46,500. At the workshop, families learned how CalKIDS provides newborns and eligible low-income public school students with an initial deposit [...] The post Local Families …
10/14/2024

Exploring Career Opportunities: New and Expanded CTE Courses for the 2024-2025 School Year

Career Technical Education (CTE) courses offer high school students invaluable opportunities to explore future careers across various sectors. At the Santa Cruz County Office of Education (COE), we are proud to offer high-quality CTE courses that allow students to earn both high school and college credits while meeting the UC A-G requirements. This year, we [...] The post Exploring Career …
10/11/2024

An Environmental Health Milestone

Dear community member, The COE has a longstanding commitment to educating students and families about the harms of tobacco use. Through our Tobacco Use Prevention and Education Program and as a member of the County Tobacco Education Coalition, we partner to advocate for a tobacco-free community and environment. We do not do this work alone. [...] The post An Environmental …
10/11/2024

Celebrating Digital Citizenship Week: Empowering Our Community with Media Literacy and Cyber Safety

October 14-18, 2024 is Digital Citizenship Week, a time dedicated to promoting safe, ethical, and responsible use of technology. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education (COE) is proud to support our educators, students, and families with a wealth of resources to enhance media literacy and cyber safety across all grade levels. Spotlight on California [...] The post Celebrating Digital …
10/11/2024

Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year from the Career and Adult Learning Services Team!

As we step into a new academic year, the Career and Adult Learning Services (CALS) team is thrilled to welcome back our students, staff, and community members. We look forward to a year filled with growth, innovation, and achievement, and we are excited to have you with us for this journey. A special welcome goes [...] The post Welcome to …
10/09/2024

Fall Focus

ed.PATH October Newsletter! In the newsletter, you will find resources and opportunities to help make a difference! Join a statewide cohort of educators to develop instructional materials and receive a stipend Submit a written comment to CTC and take an active participation in improving teaching performance assessments Take the challenge to address chronic absenteeism Apply [...] The post Fall Focus …
10/09/2024

Smartphones at School

Dear community member, Important discussions are happening in our community and across the state about students use of smartphones during the school day. As you may be aware, last week Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law requiring every school district in California to develop a policy limiting students smartphone use during the school day. This [...] The post …
10/04/2024

Suicide Prevention

Dear community member, September is Suicide Prevention Month, a crucial time to raise awareness about a preventable public health issue that so deeply affects our youth and communities. Youth suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults between the ages of 10 and 24. In 2024, 13% of youth in [...] The post Suicide Prevention …
09/27/2024

Teach for the Bay

ed.PATH September Newsletter! Check out the exciting sessions at the 5th Annual Teach for the Bay conference, happening virtually from October 2-5, 2024! This FREE event is open to students and educators, focusing on pathways to teaching and counseling in ECE, Elementary, Special Ed, CTE, Middle, and High School. The Santa Cruz COE and Cabrillo College are co-hosting a workshop …
09/20/2024

Child Food Insecurity

Dear community member, Child food insecurity is on the rise nationwide for the second consecutive year, and we know the need in our community is even greater. In Santa Cruz County, about 1 in 4 youth face food insecurity. And recently released data from the USDA shows the rate of hunger among youth in our [...] The post Child Food …
09/13/2024

Free Funds for College

Dear community member, Saving for college makes a difference for more than our bank accounts. In fact, research shows that children with a college savings account between $1 and $500 are three times more likely to enroll in college and nearly four times as likely to graduate. Santa Cruz County families are fortunate to [...] The post Free Funds for …
09/06/2024

EdTech Trailblazers’ Free Padcaster Program Returns for its Third Year

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education (Santa Cruz COE), through its EdTech Trailblazers initiative, is proud to announce the return of the FREE Padcaster Program for Santa Cruz County educators. Now in its third year, this successful partnership with Santa Cruz CTV continues to provide teachers with professional-grade video production equipment to enhance classroom [...] The post EdTech Trailblazers …
09/05/2024

College Essay Application Workshop

October 16-30, 2024 For high school juniors and seniors working on the essay portion of their application Four, free online meetings with professional mentors Oct. 16-30 1st meeting: leave with outline (1-2 hours). 2nd meeting: read and edit rough draft (under an hour) 3rd meeting:read and edit second draft(under an hour) 4th meeting: work on [...] The post College Essay …
08/26/2024

Youth Led Leadership Alliance Now Accepting Students for 2024-25

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is happy to announce that we are now accepting student applications for the Youth Led Leadership Alliance (YLLA) of the 2024-25 school year! YLLA is open to all Santa Cruz County high school students at no cost. The Alliance follows a project-based design that facilitates expression, builds leadership [...] The post Youth Led …
08/22/2024

Belonging

Dear community member, Welcome to the 2024-25 school year! Students are now back in class across each of Santa Cruz Countys 10 school districts, as well as here at the COE in our Alternative Education and Special Education programs. Our schools are more than centers of learning. They are communities where we strive to ensure [...] The post Belonging appeared …
08/16/2024

Santa Cruz Gardens: “Time to Grow”

Over the last couple of years, the Santa Cruz COE Social Emotional Learning (SEL) team has been actively collaborating with three focal sites, including Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary in the Soquel Union Elementary School District, to enhance their SEL initiatives and support student well-being schoolwide. We are excited to share an inspiring 6-minute video titled [...] The post Santa Cruz …
08/15/2024

Welcome Back to School

ed.PATH August Newsletter! In the newsletter, you will find resources to start a career in teaching: Become a substitute teacher and gain rewarding experience to further your career Take a self-assessment and learn what your strengths and interests are UMass Global is offering CTEL courses at no cost for a limited time CTC's Teacher Candidate [...] The post Welcome Back …
08/14/2024

Dental Assisting Apprenticeship Program Debuts Earn and Learn Model

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education (Santa Cruz COE), in partnership with nonprofit Dientes Community Dental Care, is proud to announce the launch of the Dental Assisting Apprenticeship Program. The program, which welcomed its first cohort of students on Monday, August 12, 2024, is designed to bridge the gap between education, training, and employment [...] The post Dental Assisting …
08/14/2024

Celebrating Longevity Milestones: Honoring our Dedicated Staff

At the County Office of Education, we honor the dedicated members of our staff who have reached significant longevity milestones at our office. It's a celebration of not just years spent, but of dedication, growth, and shared student success. Five Years of Growth These individuals have transitioned from being newcomers to seasoned team members. They've [...] The post Celebrating Longevity …
08/07/2024

Lorraine’s Legacy Of Love

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education (Santa Cruz COE) is proud to recognize Lorraine Trombino for 35 years of service in alternative education. Lorraines journey with the Santa Cruz COE began in 1989 as an aide at Watsonville Community School. The school served both local high school students and students from outside the county, [...] The post Lorraine's Legacy …
08/07/2024

The School Year Ahead

Dear community member, Its hard to believe, but the new school year is around the corner! Educators across our community are hard at work preparing to welcome students back into the classroom, which for most districts, is happening over the next week. Each new school year is a chance for renewed excitement and opportunity. And [...] The post The School …
08/02/2024

15 Years of Stuff the Bus

Dear community member, I hope you and your family are enjoying a wonderful summer and staying cool during this historic heat wave. This month, the Santa Cruz COE is thrilled to be celebrating 15 years of partnership with United Way of Santa Cruz County to provide backpacks and school supplies to students experiencing homelessness and [...] The post 15 Years …
07/12/2024

What’s happening in July!

ed.PATH July Newsletter! On June 29, 2024, Governor Newsom signed a budget trailer bill, SB 153 (Chap. 38, Statutes of 2024), that allows teaching credential candidates to use their bachelors degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education as a demonstration of the basic skills requirement, effective immediately. For most credentials, with some exceptions [...] The post What's happening …
07/11/2024

Cradle-to-Career’s Student Pathways Feedback Opportunity

EXCITING NEWS! Cradle-to-Career wants to hear from Californians about the research questions guiding its Student Pathways data story. The data story will provide a holistic view of students journeys over time. Take part in the development of Californias longitudinal data system: https://bit.ly/student-pathways-user-feedback The post Cradle-to-Career's Student Pathways Feedback Opportunity appeared first on Santa Cruz County Office Of Education.
07/08/2024

Join Us for the Credential Pathway Information Sessions

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is thrilled to announce the second year of the California Classified School Employee Teacher Credentialing Program and is now accepting applications for the 2024-2025 academic year. Whether you're completing your Bachelor's degree or starting your credential program, we invite you to join one of our information sessions to [...] The post Join Us …
07/01/2024

Stuff the Bus Campaign Celebrates 15 Years of Support for Students

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education (Santa Cruz COE) and United Way of Santa Cruz County are celebrating 15 years of partnership to provide backpacks and school supplies to students experiencing homelessness and other hardships. Starting July 1, the community is invited to support the 15th Annual Stuff the Bus campaign by donating funds [...] The post Stuff the …
07/01/2024

Image of Santa Cruz County Office of Education seal.     Events

College and Career Week, October 23-27, 2023

The countywide week dedicated to college and career awareness and exploration Students Can Earn College Credit While in High School! Cabrillo dual enrollment resources are available for counselors, students, and parents. The Dual Enrollment DE eForm must …
(10/03/2023)

Legislation Supporting Youth

Dear community member, In recent days Gov. Newsom signed into law a number of bills that take important strides to support our schools and protect the rights and safety of students across California. This is a significant raft of legislation that increase…
(09/29/2023)

Robotics Club Hosts Open Houses

The Santa Cruz County Office of Education, in partnership with the X Academy, is thrilled to announce the launch of the new Santa Cruz COE X Academy Robotics Club. With chapters in Santa Cruz and Watsonville, the club is available at no cost to all high s…
(09/29/2023)

An Inclusive School Community

Dear community member, Education isn’t just about textbooks and grades – it’s about fostering understanding, compassion, and ensuring every student feels included, valued, and safe. While we’ve made strides, there’s more to be done to cr…
(09/22/2023)

Navigating the Future: CALS Department’s Commitment to Student Success & Career Development

As our department continues to grow in both the high school and adult career technical education areas, our team remains focused on our mission that CALS provides students with the opportunity to acquire academic, career, and technical skills and to prepa…
(09/21/2023)

Exciting Poetry Opportunities for Students in Santa Cruz County!

We have two amazing poetry opportunities for students this year. We have POETRY OUT LOUD, where students participate in a classroom, school, or poetry club to memorize and recite a poem from an anthology of poetry. The Poetry Out Loud event will be held o…
(09/21/2023)

SIT and FosterEd Programs Outreaching to Students & Families

This month, the Students in Transition Program and the FosterEd program hit the ground running with outreach and training opportunities. Staff educated parents and educators about these student populations, as well as shared educational rights and best pr…
(09/21/2023)

Santa Cruz COE’s Commitment to Youth Mental Health First Aid

Santa Cruz COE is supporting Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) as one branch of our larger Behavioral Health and Mental Health Initiatives. With one trainer based at the COE, we were able to train 77 school staff between March 2023 and August 2023. Ou…
(09/20/2023)

Students Return to Campus

Cypress High School Cypress High School is working hard this year to support its current students and families as well as spend some valuable planning time looking into recruitment for next year! School Leadership Club celebrated “Club Sign-Ups Day&…
(09/20/2023)

Social Emotional Learning Across the County

Professional Development at the Districts Suzanne Denham and Shannon McQuaide facilitated a 4-hour professional development around “Creating Cultures of Belonging” on September 1 at San Lorenzo Valley High School and Middle School. Mountain Elementary is …
(09/20/2023)
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