OutlookOn March 4, San Joaquin County Education Coalition, along with students, parents, community groups, the faith community, and other education stakeholders, called on the governor and legislators to stop cutting funding for public education. The governor has proposed

reneging on the July budget agreement he signed into law and his commitment to restore more than $11.2 billion to schools, as required by Proposition 98.

“San Joaquin County school districts’ budgets will have lost more than $200 million by 2010-11,” said Fredrick Wentworth, San Joaquin County Superintendent of Schools. “What we have actually received versus what we should have received under statutes

is a difference of nearly $400 million. In these dire times, when California already ranks 47th in the nation in per-pupil funding, our students and the future of our community cannot afford these cuts to education.”

With $2.5 billion in proposed budget cuts on top of $17 billion already slashed over the last two years, the impacts to public schools are devastating. Despite promising in his State of the State address to protect school funding, the Governor’s proposal would cut funding for every

APRIL 2010 www.sjcoe.org

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Photo courtesy of Mauro Ruiz

them valuable life skills to aid in their transition back into society upon completing their sentence.

According to Gallagher, the general public is not always supportive of education for the incarcerated; however, with suffi cient funding to run these programs, inmates who receive a high school education will be better equipped to become valuable members of society and save taxpayers several hundred thousand dollars a year. In fact, for every inmate who does not return to the county jail, taxpayers would save $33,000 per year.

With a handshake and a smile Mike Gallagher, Correctional Educator at the San Joaquin County Honor Farm, handed off the 1,000th General Education Diploma (GED) to Suelaine Spangler. Spangler may have made some mistakes in her past, but she is working toward a brighter future. After three attempts at the GED test, she fi nally achieved her goal. “Each time she failed she made a greater effort to complete the test. Her diligence fi nally paid off,” shared Gallagher.

On February 12, the Honor Farm handed out six diplomas that had everyone celebrating the students’ and community’s success. While incarcerated, inmates at the Honor Farm are given a month to prepare for the GED test, with help from Gallagher and other teachers. The program is designed not only to teach the inmates history and geometry, but also to teach

They’re better than ever.HONOR FARM CELEBRATES 1,000TH GED AT GRADUATION CEREMONY

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Got milk?SAN JOAQUIN THIRD-GRADERS LEARN WHAT COUNTY AG LIFE HAS TO OFFER

Third-grade Rio Calaveras Elementary student Anahi Vega saw fi rst-hand the agriculture of San Joaquin at the 4th Annual Select San Joaquin AgVenture held at the San Joaquin Fair grounds on February 17. “I learned a lot about local farm animals and plants. I liked getting out of the classroom,” said Veta.

Veta was among almost 4,000 students that experienced the locally grown agriculture and jobs the fi eld has to offer. “It’s important for kids to know where their food is coming from and the health benefi ts of locally grown agriculture,” event coordinator Janet Dyke said.

AgVenture is made possible by a partnership between the San Joaquin Farm Bureau, Food 4 Less, and San Joaquin County Offi ce of Education, among others.

“These kids are getting great exposure and hands-on experience toward what San Joaquin County has to offer,” McKinley Elementary teacher Shirley Hansen said.

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APRIL 2010

OutlookSUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS Fredrick A. Wentworth, Ed.D.

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT STUDENT PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Mick Founts, Ed.D. DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT

BUSINESS SERVICES

Jim Thomas

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Gary Dei Rossi, Ed.D.

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT

COUNTY OPERATED SCHOOLS & PROGRAMS

James Mousalimas

ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT

SPECIAL EDUCATION / SELPAKathleen Skeels

EDITOR

Jacqueline Ratto

ASSISTANT EDITORS Karla Caldwell, Patrick Gannon, Tera Garcia, Anne LaFreniere, Nou Vang, and Kelsey Wood

Outlook is published monthly, September through May of each year, by the SJCOE Public Information Offi ce.

Submissions and story ideas are welcomed and must be received by the fi rst day of the month prior to the month of publication. Email: jratto@sjcoe.netwww.sjcoe.org

Continued from page one...

California student in grades K-12 by $2,500 per year.

After decades of budget cuts and California’s students being forced to do more with less, a recent report from University of California Los Angeles, titled “Educational Opportunities in Hard Times,” found that 67 percent of principals statewide reported that class sizes had increased. The same study showed that 75 percent of principals reported that summer school had been reduced or eliminated.The staggering impact of cuts to education is hitting students and public schools hard. On March 4, the community marched to show that the time has come for our state’s leaders to take a stand for students and make the right decision to invest in our state’s future.

“Today is the day that lawmakers must stop the cuts to public education, and fi nd additional revenue to protect the future of our schools, students and California,” said Gail Mendes, Secretary-Treasurer of the California Teachers Association.

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The 29th Annual Academic Decathlon was held on January 30 and February 6 at University of the Pacifi c and the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Stockton. Thirteen San Joaquin County high schools competed for medals, plaques, scholarships, and cash awards.

“It is hard to believe how many lives have been touched because of the Academic Decathlon,” said Student Events and Activities Coordinator, Meredith Davis. Davis has been organizing the Academic Decathlon for 10 years, this year being the largest in the competition’s history with a total of 19 teams.

Lodi High’s Red and White teams took home several awards, and placed fi rst in the Top Three Large Schools category. “My goal is to make this a team more than a class. I try to be more of a coach than a teacher,” said Jeff Palmquist, Lodi High School’s Decathlon coach.

Derek Schatz, a junior on the Lodi White team, was the overall top-scoring student. Schatz took home seven medals as well as $1,500 in scholarships, and has hopes of one day attending University of California Berkeley or Los Angeles as a History major.

Kathy Ikeda, mother of Tokay High School junior Andrea Ikeda, shared, “it is amazing what they do… there are a lot of late nights.” The late night study sessions clearly paid off for all the students involved, many with hopes to be on next year’s winning team.

Lodi High brings home the Gold

In order for Special Education Paraprofessionals to better understand how to work with students with disabilities, San Joaquin County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) trained more than 350 paraprofessionals in a variety of topics. The training was divided into eight sections, covering everything from ethics and disability awareness to behavioral support and describing the role of a paraeducator in educating students with autism.

Division Director for San Joaquin County Offi ce of Education Special Education programs, Brandie Brunni, is very enthusiastic about the training. “The paraprofessional series provides staff with foundational knowledge that they can use immediately when working with students with disabilities.”

The modules were created based on research from a variety of sources and in response to a need expressed for more specifi c preparation for paraprofessionals by local districts.

“After the fi rst module on ethics I was refreshed and remembered why I’m here, and what I love about my job,” said Debbie Brown from North Valley School in Lodi.

For more information about this program, call 468.4908.

San Joaquin County SELPA Trains Paraprofessionals

Venture Academy Family of Schools (VAFS) student Melissa Barreiro earned top honors on February 6, receiving the Award of Excellence in the 79th Annual Robert T. McKee Student Art Exhibit and Contest at Haggin Museum. Barreiro was VAFS’ sole representative in the Art Contest, which collected approximately 1,000 entries from students of grades K-12 throughout San Joaquin County.

Barreiro, a ninth-grade student, submitted a pencil sketch of her friend on a Harley Davidson Motorcycle. Enrolled in Venture Academy Family of Schools Teacher Michael Olivia’s Drawing Class and Haggin Museum Figure Drawing Course, Barreiro is very enthusiastic about the Arts.

“Drawing has been a passion of mine since I was three years old. When I saw the award next to my drawing I was so excited,” said Barreiro.

The Robert McKee Student Art Exhibit is displayed at Haggin Museum until May 2.

For more information, contact Lisa Cooperman at 940-6315 or education@hagginmuseum.org.

Venture student wins Award of Excellence in Student Art Contest

SAN JOAQUIN A+ TEACHER AWARD CEREMONY AND VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION RECEPTIONMay 13, StocktonSan Joaquin A+ is seeking nominations for its San Joaquin A+ Teaching Award. The award honors talented and dedicated teachers who have an innate desire and ability to turn students into successful adults. To nominate a teacher you know, call 462.6113 or email sjaread@aol.com today! Applications must be submitted by April 26. San Joaquin A+ recognizes outstanding teachers and volunteers, Brookside Country Club, 462.6113, www.sanjoaquinaplus.org.

EDUCATOR TIP OF THE MONTH: ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY Research shows three important elements help students learn effectively: teachers’ content knowledge in their subject area, instructional strategies, and classroom management tactics.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT. It is an important factor when it comes to increasing student learning and a teacher’s ability to teach. Use nonverbal cues to establish credibility.VOICE SHIFTS. At the end of each phrase, drop your chin and the tone of your voice to get student’s attention and be more convincing. Using a higher pitch at the end of a sentence, as well as raising the chin, is the opposite of credible, but is inviting and considered a more approachable voice pattern. STANCE. A credential stance is when your weight is evenly distributed on both feet with feet planted at a hip-distance apart. Stand straight with your arms at your sides. If you’d like to increase your relationship with students, put more weight on one leg and tilt your head for a more approachable stance. GESTURES. A gesture contributes to credibility when it is held still during a pause. When giving instructions hold a gesture still in order to emphasize a point, or palm down to manage students and get them to stop. An open, palm up, gesture invites students to respond.

Podcasts On Refi ning Teaching and Learning (PORTAL) are a series of podcasts sponsored by San Joaquin County Offi ce of Education’s Teacher Development. PORTAL and “Educator Tips” aim to provide teachers with tips on classroom management, in an effort to help educators enhance student learning and understanding. To listen to more podcasts, visit http://podcast.sjcoe.net/portal.

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION STUDENT TALENT AND READINESS SHOWCASEMay 1, Stockton Don’t miss out on an opportunity to play, learn, and explore San Joaquin County Offi ce of Education’s student programs and services. Expect high energy as favorites such as The Advocates and the NASA Space Shuttle provide kids and adults with an opportunity to go and see what no woman or man has ever seen before. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. San Joaquin County Offi ce of Education, 2707 Transworld Drive, Stockton, 209.468.4937, www.sjcoe.org/community

EDUCATION DAY WITH THE STOCKTON PORTSApril 20 or May 12Bring your students out for Education Day with the Stockton Ports! For only $5 per student, your class can enjoy educational games, a picnic lunch, and a Stockton Ports game! Five dollars per student. 11:05 a.m., Stockton Ports, Banner Island Ballpark, 404 West Fremont Street, Stockton, 209.644.1952, www.stocktonports.com

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DATES TO SAVE & TOOLS TO USE

Outlook: CALENDAR

APRILMathematics Awareness Month Month of the Military Child

4/1 LSH Spring Fling 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. • 468.49074/7 Secondary Transition: Planning for Success 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. • 468.4907 4/10 9th Annual Autism Collaborative Forum 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. • 468.49074/13 2nd Advanced Microsoft Excel XP 5:15 – 8:15 p.m. • 468.48834/16 RSC Dinner Dance 6 – 9 p.m. • 403.88784/ 17 NorCal – Science Olympiad State Finals 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. • 468.90304/ 20 AVID Student Recognition 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. • 468.91894/21 Mock Trial Coaches Meeting 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. • 468-90304/21 San Joaquin Board of Education Meeting 12 – 2 p.m. • 468-48024/21 – 4/24 Academic Decathlon National Finals 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. • 468.90304/22 Recreational Sports Club Bowling 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. • 403.8878

MAYNational Asian Pacifi c American Heritage MonthNational Physical Fitness and Sports Month

5/1 Academic Pentathlon Seventh- and Eighth- Grade Competitions 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. • 468.90305/1 SJCOE S.T.A.R. Showcase 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. • 468.49375/6 AVID Coordinator Workshop 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. • 468.91895/8 Academic Pentathlon Sixth-Grade Competition 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. • 468.90305/8 California State Junior High Spelling Bee 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. • 468.90305/14 RSC Spring Fling 6 – 9 p.m. • 403.8878

5/15 California State Elementary Spelling Bee 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. • 468.90305/21 Recreational Sports Club Fishing and BBQ 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. • 403.88785/21 San Joaquin County Board of Education Meeting 12 – 2 p.m. • 468-48025/22 one.Alternative Education Graduation Ceremony 10 a.m. • 468.4809 5/25 Academic Decathlon Coaches Meeting 3:45 – 5:00 p.m. • 468.90305/26 Special Education Graduation Ceremony 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. • 931.4047

JUNEFireworks Safety Month (June 1-July 4)

6/2 Venture Academy Family of Schools Graduation Ceremony 7 p.m. • 468.59376/4 Recreational Sports Club Dinner Dance 6 – 9 p.m. • 403.88786/14 13th Annual Service Learning Summer Institute 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. • 468.90216/14-19 HILT (Spanish Camp) Summer 2010 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. • 468.49786/23 San Joaquin County Board of Education Budget Review Session 12 – 2 p.m. • 468.48026/30 San Joaquin County Board of Education 12 – 2 p.m. • 468.4802

JULY7/18 Recreational Sports Club Dinner Dance 6 – 9 p.m. • 403.8878

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OutlookSan Joaquin County Offi ce of EducationPublic Information Offi ce 2901 Arch-Airport RoadStockton, CA 95206

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COUCH-POTATO CUREEXERCISE ACROSS CALIFORNIA TURNS EXERCISE INTO ADVENTURE FOR SAN JOAQUIN FOURTH-GRADERS

Nightingale Elementary fourth-graders got pumped with the help of Kaiser Permanente mascot Nutribeast on February 3 for San Joaquin County Offi ce of Education’s Exercise Across California program. Nightingale is one of 10 schools in San Joaquin County participating in the program, which encourages students to stay active while learning about proper nutrition.

Each participating school is given $2,000 to spend on physical education equipment for the program. Students received pedometers to measure miles walked and how many calories they burned.

“I think the best thing kids get from this experience is a true love to exercise. This experience will teach them to get outside and move,” said Nightingale Elementary Principal, Kathryn Byers.

The virtual trek across California will take students past 13 state landmarks, highlighting social science and state history. “We’re very excited to be here. These kids will travel, altogether, over 2,000 miles through this

initiative,” said program coordinator Kathryn Downs-Stroh.

The top four students, who go the most miles, from each participating school will win a trip to San Francisco, walk across Golden Gate Bridge, and watch a San Francisco Giants game.

Exercise Across California is a collaborative effort by San Joaquin County Offi ce of Education, Kaiser Permanente, and Power Play!, a statewide nutrition initiative to get children to eat healthy and stay active. The following elementary schools are participating in this year’s program: Montezuma, Alexander Hamilton, Lathrop, French Camp, South/West Park, Dent, Lincoln, Glenwood, Clyde W. Needham, and Nightingale.