Education Headlines
February 22, 2012
West Contra Costa school board unanimously agrees to ask voters for more parcel tax money
RICHMOND -- In June, West Contra Costa school district voters will be asked to increase a parcel tax they are already paying to support schools and extend it to 2017.
Chris Treadway: Richmond high school poet takes top spot in county
Richmond student Denica Garcia has been exercising her poetic skills in different venues for some time and on Feb. 11 was awarded first place in the countywide "Poetry Out Loud."
February 21, 2012
West Contra Costa school board unanimously agrees to ask voters for more parcel tax money
RICHMOND -- In June, West Contra Costa school district voters will be asked to increase a parcel tax they are already paying to support schools and extend it to 2017.
Barnidge: The not-quite-ready Kindergarten Readiness Act
If there is a soon-to-be 5-year-old in your family, you don't need to be told that February is kindergarten sign-up month. It's a milestone that evokes every parental emotion from pride to nostalgia to angst.
Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce to Host State of Education Luncheon
The Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce welcomes the public to attend its annual State of Education Breakfast at the Pittsburg Yacht Club from 8:30AM to 10:30AM on Wednesday, February 22. The focus of the State of Education Breakfast is to inform the Pittsburg business community about ongoing initiatives and pressing issues faced by today's educators.
February 16, 2012
SRVUSD Board Favoring November Ballot for Bond Measure
In a comprehensive survey of district voters, 52 percent said they would vote in favor of the facilities bond measure if voting was held today.
Career Readiness Campaign
Through his California Career Readiness Initiative, SSPI Tom Torlakson has directed the California Department of Education to proceed with 17 key objectives to support, sustain and strengthen Career and Technical Education (CTE) in the State. His Initiative builds upon goals outlined in "A Blueprint For Great Schools."
February 15, 2012
Schools preparing for new standards
Even though teaching materials for this new system are not likely to be adopted before 2015, California students are expected to take the new tests a year earlier.
Mt. Diablo High restrooms reopened in after national publicity regarding principal locking out students
CONCORD -- Students at Mt. Diablo High got a sweet Valentine's Day gift Tuesday, when they learned that all restrooms were open and stocked with toilet paper, soap and paper towels.
February 14, 2012
Jerry Brown signs bill preserving school bus funds
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gov. Jerry Brown has signed compromise legislation that allows school districts to preserve transportation funding after parents and advocates complained about losing school bus services.
No Child Left Behind waivers given to 10 states
President Obama will waive central provisions of the No Child Left Behind federal education law for 10 states that have embraced his educational agenda and promised to raise standards and improve accountability and teacher effectiveness, the White House announced Thursday morning. California has not applied for a waiver.
COE Press Releases and Advisories - 2012
- Campolindo High School Returns as Contra Costa County's 2012 Academic Decathlon Champion
- Controlling the Spread of Norovirus in Schools and Child Care Settings
- Contra Costa County Mock Trial Program Looking for Legal Professionals to Assist
February
Campolindo High School Returns as Contra Costa County's 2012 Academic Decathlon Champion
PLEASANT HILL, Calif., February 9, 2012 – Last night, during an exciting awards reception, it was announced that Campolindo High School (Moraga) Red Team successfully defended its title as the overall team winner of the 2012 Contra Costa County High School Academic Decathlon. Along with Campolindo Red Team's triumphant return, the school's Blue Team also repeated its second place standing from last year, as well. This year's third place award went to Acalanes High School (Lafayette). The Campolindo Red Team will now represent Contra Costa County at the California State Academic Decathlon, to be held in Sacramento, March 15-18. (This year's National Academic Decathlon will be held in Albuquerque, N.M., April 26 – 28.)
Also noteworthy, of the two Alameda County participating schools, Irvington took first place; the school will represent their county at the California State Academic Decathlon. (Alameda County Office of Education does not produce a county-wide Academic Decathlon.)
Directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), and with the assistance of community volunteers, the county's Academic Decathlon provides an opportunity for high school students to compete as individuals and teams in a series of ten academic tests and demonstrations. The curriculum includes art, economics, language and literature, mathematics, music, science, essay, interview, speech (prepared and impromptu), and the Super Quiz™. More than 155 participating high school students had been studying and preparing for this event with their coaches since September. This year's Academic Decathlon theme was The Age of Empire, and the Super Quiz™ will focus on the topic of The Age of Imperialism: The Making of a European Global Order. The Super Quiz™ included readings on such topics as mercantile empires, the Atlantic economy, motives for imperialism, the role of technology in the age of imperialism, New Imperialism, tactics of colonial rule, and decolonization and postcolonial immigration.
This year's participating teams represent the following high schools: Acalanes (Lafayette), Antioch (Anticoch), California (San Ramon), Campolindo (Moraga), Dublin (Dublin), Freedom (Oakley), Irvington (Fremont), Las Lomas (Walnut Creek), Miramonte (Orinda), and Pittsburg (Pittsburg). Acalanes High School has won the past four years. High school teams are made up of nine students, grades 9-12, with a maximum of three students in each of the following divisions: Honors (3.75-4.00 GPA), Scholastic (3.00-3.74 GPA) and Varsity (2.99 GPA and below). High schools that have more than nine students who want to participate in Academic Decathlon, can field more than one team, e.g., Campolindo's Red and Blue Teams. The teams can also bring guests or alternate participants from their school.
During the awards ceremony, many individual awards were also given out. (All Academic Decathlon statistics will be posted on the CCCOE's website in the very near future.)
The Academic Decathlon was first created by Dr. Robert Peterson, former Superintendent of Schools in Orange County, California. Firmly believing that everyone's learning potential can be maximized through competitive challenge, Dr. Peterson set in motion the contest that has since come to be recognized as the most prestigious high school academic team competition in the United States. The program spread rapidly throughout the states due to the success and excitement it engendered. USAD was founded in 1981. Note: Quality jpeg team photo of the Campolindo Red Team, with their medals, as well as photos of all participating teams, with their team banners, are available upon request.
January
Controlling the Spread of Norovirus in Schools
and
Child Care Settings
Outbreaks of norovirus infection are more likely to occur during winter months within institutions such as residential facilities, hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, and child care settings. The virus is easily spread from person-to-person through direct contact, contact with contaminated surfaces, and ingestion of contaminated food. This information is provided by Contra Costa County Communicable Disease Control to assist with the recognition and control of norovirus infections in schools and child care facilities.
Norovirus Characteristics
The typical symptoms of norovirus are nausea, vomiting, low-grade fever, abdominal cramps, and watery, non-bloody diarrhea. Vomiting is more common in children. Symptoms usually develop within 24 to 48 hours after exposure, but can appear as early as 12 hours. Illness typically lasts 12 to 60 hours and usually will resolve on its own.
Norovirus is spread very easily from person to person, and people can become infected with the virus in several ways, including:
- Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus.
- Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus, and then eating or placing their hand in their mouth.
- Having direct contact with another person who has norovirus. Examples include, caring for someone with illness, or sharing foods or eating utensils with someone who is ill.
The virus can persist on surfaces in the environment for weeks and is not destroyed by many disinfecting products. When an individual with norovirus handles or prepares food and drinks improperly, they can contaminate those items and can cause infections in people who consume those products; therefore, food workers with diarrhea or vomiting should not work until at least 48 hours after their symptoms have stopped.
Re-infection can occur multiple times during a lifetime. An outbreak of norovirus infection is suspected when more than two students and/or staff in a facility or classroom have symptoms of this virus, starting within a 48 hour period. Report any suspected outbreaks to Communicable Disease Programs at 925-313-6740.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Individuals with diarrhea and vomiting should drink plenty of fluids and follow the control measures on the next page to prevent spread in their households. There is no vaccine or specific therapy for norovirus infection; treatment is supportive and focuses on preventing dehydration. If symptoms do not improve, individuals should contact their primary care physician. Confirmatory laboratory testing for norovirus during an outbreak can be arranged through the Contra Costa Public Health Laboratory by contacting the Communicable Disease Program. During community-wide outbreaks or periods of high norovirus transmission, laboratory diagnosis may not be necessary.
Control Measures
Strict infection control practices are necessary to control norovirus spread. Hands should be washed vigorously with soap and warm water for> 20 seconds:
Wash Hands AFTER:
- Toilet visits
- Cleaning up vomit or diarrhea
- Changing diapers
- Handling soiled clothing or linens
- Contact with a symptomatic person
- Sneezing, coughing
Wash Hands BEFORE:
- Eating or feeding children
- Food preparation
- Serving food
- Providing healthcare services
Read Complete Article Here
Contra Costa Health Services Link
Contra Costa County Mock Trial Program Looking for Legal Professionals to Assist
MARTINEZ, Calif., January 10, 2011—Bay Area practicing and retired attorneys are needed to provide assistance to their future brethren at the 31st Annual Contra Costa County High School Mock Trial Program, held in early evenings throughout the month of February, at the Martinez Court Houses. (A complete schedule of dates and times listed below.) Along with attorneys, 2nd- and 3rd-year law students are also welcome to participate with the scoring process. Last year, 150 Bay Area practicing and retired attorneys, law students, and sworn judges volunteered their time with Contra Costa County’s Mock Trials.
Coordinated by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE), Mock Trial is an academic activity for high school students. The hands-on educational program was created to help students acquire a working knowledge of our judicial system, develop analytical abilities and communication skills, and gain an understanding of their obligations and responsibilities as participating members of our society. This year’s case is a murder trial: People vs. Buschell.
Teams of high school students work with teachers and attorney coaches to prepare their version of the criminal case, from both the prosecution and defense perspectives. Students assume the roles of trial attorneys, pre-trial motion attorneys, witnesses, clerks, bailiffs, artists, and court journalists. Real life judges and attorneys score their performance and provide immediate feedback. Winning teams advance through seven rounds of competition. The county’s champion advances to the State finals. This year, there will be 16 Contra Costa County high school Mock Trial teams competing.
Attorneys and law students, who volunteer with this program, will score the two competing schools that argue their cases in court. Each night, will begin with a 15-minute rules and regulations session, then the volunteers will go into their scheduled courtrooms to serve as Mock Trial scorers—between three to seven scorers in each courtroom. The Mock Trials’ scorers are made up of Bay Area district attorneys, public defenders, and private practice and corporate lawyers, as well as seasoned law students. A practicing judge or commissioner will preside over each trial, and also serves as one of the trial’s scorers.
The two highest-scoring teams will advance to the finals on Tuesday, February 28. The winning team will then represent Contra Costa County at the State Mock Trial competition in Sacramento, Calif., March 23-25. The California state finalist team will then compete in the National Mock Trial Competition, held in Albuquerque, N.M. May 3-5.In 1977, the Constitutional Rights Foundation (CRF) introduced the concept of mock trials to the Los Angeles schools. In 1980, the program expanded to the state level. The California Mock Trial Program currently involves more than 36 counties and over 8,000 student participants from more than 400 teams. Approximately 1,500 attorney volunteers serve as team coaches and scorers, and 500 Municipal, Superior, and Appellate Court judges preside over the trials.
Schedule for 2012 Contra Costa County High School Mock Trials
- Preliminaries Rounds: February 7, 9, 15, 16 (5:00-7:30 p.m.)
- Quarterfinals: February 21 (5:00-7:30 p.m.)
- Semifinals: February 23 (5:00-7:30 p.m.)
- Finals and Consolation: March 8 (5:00-7:30 p.m.)
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