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NEWS & PRESS RELEASES

Education Headlines

May 17, 2012

Rona Zollinger is Martinez school district Teacher of the Year
Teachers are always seeking innovative ways to educate their students, and a Martinez alternative school teacher has kids turning over a new leaf.

Essays Win Scholarships for Two El Cerrito High Seniors
El Cerrito Mayor Bill Jones did the honors Wednesday at the Mira Vista Golf and Country Club, handing over checks to the two El Cerrito High School seniors whose essays won the annual Chamber of Commerce scholarship competition.

May 16, 2012

Ricard is Mt. Diablo School District's Teacher of the Year
Mona Lisa Ricard's manner is admittedly boisterous and replete with humor when she teaches.She greets each of her 34 fifth-graders who come through her door each morning. And, her students must offer up something new they have learned when they exit the classroom at the end of the instructional day.

Federal appeals court OKs teachers in training
Thousands of teachers in training in California can remain in their classrooms and be regularly assigned to low-income and minority areas at least through mid-2013, because Congress approved it, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday.

May 15, 2012

Governor's Budget – May Revision
A year ago, the state faced an immediate $26.6 billion budget shortfall and future estimated annual gaps of $20 billion. The state's fiscal challenges were exacerbatedby an unprecedented level of debts, deferrals, and budgetary obligations accumulated over the prior decade.

May 14, 2012

Students of Excellence show public education still can work
There aren't many reasons to feel good about K-12 public education in California these days. A shrinking tax base has meant slashed budgets, which has resulted in teacher layoffs, crowded classrooms, fewer library hours and more furlough days. If the sky isn't falling, it's at least several hundred feet closer to the ground than it used to be.

Bay Area school districts rescinding layoff notices
Bay Area school districts will lay off fewer teachers than expected next year -- but many schools are shrinking by attrition, and they're all maintaining backup plans for possible deep cuts next year.

May 11, 2012

Lamorinda Teachers Make the Grade
Three Lamorinda teachers with more than 60 years of combined classroom experience were named semifinalists of the Contra Costa County Office of Education's Teacher of the Year award.

Las Lomas, Northgate Among Nation's Top Schools
Las Lomas and Northgate were both named top high schools by U.S. News & World Report today.

WCCUSD Students to Receive Award for English Proficiency
More than 1,000 West County students will be recognized on May 21 for reaching academic and conversational fluency in English.

Monte Vista Seniors Finish 1st in the State at Speech & Debate Championships
Monte Vista High School seniors Gabe Bronshteyn and Brian Jue finished first in the state in their respective events at the 54th annual California High School Speech Association's State Championships April 27-29 at Lowell HS in San Francisco.

May 10, 2012

'Students Of Excellence' To Receive Recognition
Two Alhambra High School and two College Park High School students will be recognized, along with 34 other Contra Costa and Alameda county seniors, this afternoon at the Contra Costa County Office of Education's (CCCOE) Students of Excellence Awards.

Mt. Diablo school district bracing for more cuts
Voters may approve the governor's proposed tax increases this fall, but those votes might not be enough to prevent the Mt. Diablo school district from a $3.6 million shortfall by June, 2014, according to latest projections.

May 8, 2012

Danville student wins California State Science Fair
DANVILLE -- Monte Vista High School junior Aryo Sorayya is the grand-prize winner of the 61st California State Science Fair.

Mt. Diablo school district bands celebrate mothers on Saturday
CONCORD -- To celebrate moms a day early, several bands from Mt. Diablo district schools will perform in the third All Area Music Festival on Saturday in Todos Santos Plaza at Salvio and Grant streets, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

May 7, 2012

Teacher Appreciation Week 2012: 7th – 11th May
Teachers – the people who educate us and give us the vital knowledge which we need to live our lives. They encourage, support, discipline and prepare us for the road ahead and now it's time for us to show them our appreciation.

Pittsburg schools launch free dinner program for kids
The Pittsburg and Oakland school districts are the first in the Bay Area to take advantage of a new federal program to provide free dinners to low-income students.

May 4, 2012

Contra Costa County seventh- and eighth-graders learn college is cool at 'COOL Nite'
CONCORD -- Seventh- and eighth-graders in Contra Costa County and their parents are invited to attend a "COOL Nite" event Friday, where they can learn how college can bring new opportunities for career and life experiences.

Campolindo Gets a New Principal
San Ramon Valley High School Assistant Principal John Walker has been tapped to serve as the next principal at Campolindo High School. Walker replaces the outgoing Carol Kitchens, who is leaving after 12 years at Campolindo.

May 2, 2012

A new kind of competition for Special Olympians
LAFAYETTE -- For student athletes in sports-centric Bay Area schools, traveling to away meets and games can mean a boring bus ride, unfamiliar turf and borrowing team uniforms that were forgotten at the last minute.

Mt. Diablo school district and SunPower celebrate K-12 solar project
WALNUT CREEK -- Not to be outdone by smaller solar projects, the Mt. Diablo school district and SunPower Corp. have teamed up to build what they assert is the largest K-12 solar photovoltaic installation on earth.

May 1, 2012

UC students 'spread the word' about college life to Richmond High students
BERKELEY -- The halls of Richmond High School may seem isolated at times from the challenges and rewards of attending UC Berkeley, but an alliance of inspired Cal students called "Spread the Word" is trying to narrow the gap.

Moraga Measure A vote nears
Voters wishing to drop off completed mail ballots for the Moraga School District's Measure A special parcel tax election can do so in person from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 8 at the Contra Costa County Election offices, 555 Escobar St. in Martinez.

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COE Press Releases and Advisories - 2012

May 2012

Annual ROP Students of Excellence Awards Ceremony Honors 38 Students

April 2012

2012-2013 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Semi Finalists Named
County Superintendent of Schools Names Appointees to Oversight Boards for RDA Successor Agencies
Former 49er great inspires the boys at Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility

March 2012

Campolindo High School's Academic Decathlon Team Earns Impressive Individual Awards at State Competition
County Board of Education Seeks Applicants to Fill Charter High School Board Vacancy
Eighth Annual Young Children's Issues Forum
Contra Costa County Single Subject and Specialty* Teacher Job Fair

February 2012

Campolindo High School Returns as Contra Costa County's 2012 Academic Decathlon Champion

January 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

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May

Annual ROP Students of Excellence Awards Ceremony Honors 38 Students

WHAT:

The Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) will be honoring 38 high school seniors, representing 24 schools in Contra Costa and Alameda counties, with the Students of Excellence Awards for their outstanding achievement in their ROP (Regional Occupational Program) classes. Honored students will each be awarded a certificate of merit and a $200.00 scholarship award.

WHO:

The Contra Costa County ROP serves nearly 12,000 students with classes in 34 high schools throughout Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Currently, there are 366 state-of-the-art career development classes in this program. ROP focuses on career preparation, hands-on experience, and academic excellence to prepare students for success in college and future careers. ROP provides students with the newest equipment, rigorous academic standards, and classes in emerging technologies. All of the ROP classes and programs are directed by and funded through the CCCOE. For more information about ROP classes, visit their website.

WHEN:

Thursday, May 10, 4:00-5:00 p.m.

WHERE:

Concord Senior Center, 2727 Parkside Circle, Concord, Calif.

MEDIA NOTES:

*JPEG photos of each of the awarded students, as well as a PDF copy of the Students of the Excellence Awards program are available upon request.

*More than 200 will be on hand for this event. Along with the honored students and their families, also attending will be ROP teachers and business-partnership representatives. In addition, Contra Costa County Board of Education President Cynthia Ruehlig, Board Members Richard Asadoorian and Pamela Mirabella, and Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Joseph A. Ovick, Ed.D., will address the attendees and hand out the awards.

*Flash photography and video and audio recording are allowed.

*For more information about this special event, contact CCCOE Director, Student Programs Janet Haun at (925) 942-3368.

The following outstanding students will receive certificates of merit plus $200.00 in scholarship awards (also listed their instructors and title of classes):

(See below list, alphabetical by city)

ALBANY

Albany High School
Nir Maoz, Journalism Publications and Video Productions,
Instructor Ned Purdom

ANTIOCH

Antioch High School
Amber Slovick, Game Art Design,
Instructor Erin Susoev

Deer Valley High School
Manilette Uy, Marketing, Instructor Steve Kish

Dozier-Libbey High School
Morgan Perry, Sports Medicine,
Instructor Kim O'Leary

BERKELEY

Berkeley High School
Nick Cutright-Ross, Advanced Digital Photography,
Instructor Gabriel Berent
Fifer Garbesi, Advanced Video Production,
Instructor Dharini Rasiah

BRENTWOOD

Heritage High School
Devon David, Advanced Architectural Design,
Instructor Barbara Worden
Caitlyn Rose Freeman, Law Enforcement Careers,
Instructor Matt Carr
Samuel Grace, TV Broadcasting,
Instructor Gus Guardado
Ben Pierce, Fire Science,
Instructor Ben Whitener

Liberty High School
Gustavo Jimenez, Automotive Technology
Instructor Jon Dorr
Christopher McEvoy, Desktop Publishing,
Instructor Sharon Johnson

CONCORD

Concord High School
Gerald Ashcraft, Computer Applications,
Instructor Laurie B. Harris
Eduardo Cisneros, Accounting,
Instructor Laurie B. Harris
Dana Lund, AP Biotechnology,
Instructor Ernie Liu

Yagnacio Valley High
Alexis Sangalang, Biotechnology, Instructor Maria Fletcher

DANVILLE

Monte Vista High School
Kaitlyn Faria, Computer Graphic Arts,
Instructor Diana Govnik
Phillip Nelson, AP Computer Science,
Instructor Bhupinder Anwar

HERCULES

Hercules High School
Aizelle Adap, Creative Writing,
Instructor Jamey Genn

LAFAYETTE

Acalanes High School
Matt Brewer, Biotechnology
Instructor Karen Kelly

MARTINEZ

Alhambra High School
Kameron DuQuette, Cabinetmaking,
Instructor Jay Heeb
Tod Loebel, Advanced Architectural Design,
Instructor Jeffrey Smith

MORAGA

Campolindo High School
Jacqueline Miller, Sports Medicine,
Instructor Ray Albiento

OAKLEY

Freedom High School
ChristaLeach, Careers with Children,
Instructor Elizabeth Rodriguez

PIEDMONT

Piedmont High School
Ellen Davis, Sports Medicine
Instructor Stan Nakahara,
Hana Wasserman, Biotechnology
Instructor Tom Huffaker

PINOLE

Pinole Valley High School
Garrison Sexson, Law Enforcement Careers,
Instructor Patricia Blades

PITTSBURG

Pittsburg High School
Frank Chung, Robotics Engineering Technology
Instructor Andy Kaiser

PLEASANT HILL

College Park High
Kaitlynn Bailey, Cosmetology
Instructor Anna Solberg
Hope Curran, Advanced Photography
Instructor Jen Kennedy

RICHMOND

Richmond High School
David Tran, Animation and Computer Graphics
Instructor Mario Ferrari

Kennedy High School
Estefania Espinoza, Web Design
Instructor Krys Simon

SAN RAMON

California High School
Tim Farley, Engineering Design and Develop
Instructor John Reed
Patrice Mardo, Journalism Publications
Instructor Brian Barr
Natalie Oberhauser-Lim, Medical Interventions
Instructor Andrew White

Dougherty Valley High School
Micaelyn Richmeier, Careers in Teaching
Instructor Jeff Silverman
Alexandra Silva, Sports Medicine
Instructor Juli Westcott

WALNUT CREEK

Las Lomas High School
James Glover, Automotive Technology
Instructor Steve Boone

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April

2012-2013 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Semifinalists Named

PLEASANT HILL, Calif., April 20, 2012 Earlier this week, it was announced that the following teachers were named the 2012-2013 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Semifinalists: Kim Burris, Orinda USD, (serves all five OUSD Schools); Mona Keeler, San Ramon Valley USD, Iron Horse Middle; Terryl Miller, Moraga SD, Los Perales Elementary; Mette Thallaug, Lafayette SD, Burton Valley Elementary; and Dr. Rona Zollinger, Martinez USD, Vicente Martinez High.

Currently, there are more than 7,942 teachers educating approximately 169,000 students in Contra Costa County’s public schools. To recognize their efforts and bring much-deserved honor to the teaching profession, the participating school districts in the county recently named their Teachers of the Year (TOY) representatives. (See entire list below.) This year's 21 TOYs represent 17 Contra Costa County school districts, the Contra Costa Community College District, and the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE). Twenty of these representatives, those who teach grades pre-K through 12, are eligible to compete in the Contra Costa County TOY competition. The winner of the county TOY program will represent Contra Costa County in the California State TOY Program this coming fall.

The county's TOY program is directed by the CCCOE. With such a high caliber of teaching professionals to draw from, the CCCOE’s TOY program uses a three-stage selection process, with a point and percentage system to determine the final candidate as follows:

I Application Screening:

On April 13, a committee of 13, representing the county’s education, business, and public-sector partners meticulously reviewed the applications submitted by the school districts. This committee independently rated each application. After the application screening and scoring were completed, five teachers were selected to advance to the next phase as semifinalists.

II Classroom Observation and Interview:

During the upcoming weeks of late April and early May, a small committee of education specialists and business partners will observe the semifinalists interacting with their students. Immediately following, the committee interviews the candidates, discussing topics such as their teaching philosophy and techniques. The results of the two screening processes are then combined to determine the three finalists. (The three finalists will be announced in late May.)

III Speech Presentation:

This coming August, the three TOY finalists will each give a three- to five-minute speech to another panel of a dozen educators, business, and public-sector representatives who will judge the finalists on their speech and presentation skills.

On the evening of September 20, 2012, all 21 TOYs, accompanied by their families, friends, and co-workers (an audience of approximately 400) will be honored at the annual Teacher of the Year Dinner Celebration, held at the Hilton Concord. Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Joseph A. Ovick, Ed.D., who serves as master of ceremonies, introduces the TOYs by sharing a special story that reflects his classroom visits of each teacher during the recent spring and summer months. This will be followed by the three finalists giving their three- to five-minute speeches (same speeches given in August) to the filled banquet room. The excitement-filled evening will come to a dramatic close with the announcement of the 2012-2013 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year.

The 2012-2013 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year Representatives

Vanesa Arreola-Navarro, Pittsburg USD, Foothill Elementary

Dan Auza, John Swett USD, Carquinez Middle

Michael Buchel, Acalanes UHSD, Acalanes High

Kim Burris, Orinda USD, all five OUSD Schools

Erin Carson, Walnut Creek SD, Indian Valley Elementary

Marina Chinchilla, Knightsen ESD, Knightsen Elementary

Kathy DeRenzi, San Ramon Valley USD, Quail Run Elementary

Rochelle Gardiner, Oakley Union Elementary SD, Vintage Parkway Elementary

Heather Harper, Liberty UHSD, Freedom High

Joshua Hastings, West Contra Costa USD, Richmond High

William Hyers, CCCOE, Golden Gate Community School Rodeo

Mona Keeler, San Ramon Valley USD, Iron Horse Middle

Kevin Lindell, Byron USD, Excelsior Middle

Terryl Miller, Moraga SD, Los Perales Elementary

Naomi Phillips, Brentwood USD, Edna Hill Middle

Mona Lisa Ricard, Mt. Diablo USD, Sequoia Elementary

Tracey Singh-Poole, West Contra Costa USD, DeAnza High

Mette Thallaug, Lafayette SD, Burton Valley Elementary

Stacey Wickware, Antioch USD, Dozier-Libbey Medical High

Dr. Rona Zollinger, Martinez USD, Vicente Martinez High

Note regarding eligible participants:

Seventeen of the eighteen Contra Costa County school districts represented (plus the CCCOE) are participating in this year’s TOY program.
Each year, one instructor from Contra Costa Community College District is submitted to the TOY program for his/her outstanding body of work with their designated college. The colleges rotate each year between Diablo Valley, Los Medanos, and Contra Costa. This year, it is Los Mendanos’ turn; at this time, the college has yet to choose their TOY. (These instructors do not compete in the State Teacher of the Year competition.)
Due to the larger number of students in their districts, West Contra Costa USD, Mt. Diablo USD, and San Ramon Valley USD are allowed to select two TOY candidates. (This year, Mt. Diablo USD only submitted one District TOY.)

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County Superintendent of Schools Names Appointees to Oversight Boards for RDA Successor Agencies

PLEASANT HILL, Calif, April 9, 2012—Joseph A. Ovick, Ed.D., Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools, has appointed 14 to oversight boards which will oversee agencies operating the dissolved redevelopment agencies (RDA) in Contra Costa County.

The California Supreme Court issued a ruling in December effectively shutting down redevelopment agencies as of February 1, 2012. Starting May 1, each RDA will be operated by a “Successor Agency” board to manage property tax revenues, debt retirement, and asset disposal. Each of these successor agencies will be governed by a seven-member oversight board. The County Superintendent of Schools appoints one member to each oversight board to represent schools.

There are 17 redevelopment agencies in Contra Costa County. Members of the oversight boards will serve at the pleasure of the entity that appointed them and will not receive compensation or reimbursement of expenses. An individual may serve on up to five separate oversight boards at any one time and may hold an office in a school or community college district.

The appointees to the 17 RDA Oversight Boards in Contra Costa County are:

Board	Appointee
Antioch	Tim Forrester, Associate Superintendent, Business Services and Operations, Antioch Unified School District
Brentwood, Oakley	Eric Volta, Superintendent, Liberty Union High School District
Pittsburg	Enrique Palacios, Associate Superintendent, Business Services, Pittsburg Unified School District
Clayton	Jan Shamieh, Controller, Business Operations, Contra Costa County Office of Education
Concord	Bryan Richards, Chief Financial Officer, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Contra Costa County	Bill Clark, Associate Superintendent, Business Services, Contra Costa County Office of Education
Danville, San Ramon	Gary Black, Associate Superintendent, Business, San Ramon Unified School District
El Cerrito	Sandi Potter, Former El Cerrito City Council Member
Pinole	Norma Martinez-Rubin, Owner, Evaluation Focused Consulting
Lafayette	Chris Learned, Associate Superintendent, Business Services, Acalanes Union High School District
Richmond, Hercules	Sheri Gamba, Associate Superintendent, Business Services, West Contra Costa Unified School District
Pleasant Hill	Joseph A. Ovick, Ed.D., Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools
San Pablo	Bill Fay, Associate Superintendent, Operations, West Contra Costa Unified School District
Walnut Creek	Kevin Collins, Ed.D., Chief Business Official, Walnut Creek School District

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Former 49er great inspires the boys at Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility

Keena Turner and OAKLEY, CA, April 6, 2012—As he stood alone, in front of an audience of 100 boys at the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility, quietly nodding and smiling back to the audience who were settling into their chairs, former San Francisco 49er football star Keena Turner patiently waited for his introduction. The moments of anticipation were followed by an impressive hour and a half of speaker and audience engagement. This past Tuesday’s presentation was so successful, everyone was shocked by how fast the time flew by.

Now at age 53, Turner still looked like he could make the key tackles on Sundays like he did back in the 1980s. Though speaking in a gentle and positive manner, it was obvious his words meant quite a bit to the young men, as well as the facility’s attending guards, teachers, and administrators. The former All-Pro linebacker told the boys, “Life is about chasing goals, and I know many of you have goals right now, here in this facility. Just remember, there will be challenges that act as roadblocks to you achieving your positive goals, but you need to break through them. You are all at the beginning of your life journey, and that journey starts with you—right now.”

Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) teacher Allan Cacciaroni, who teaches at Delta Vista High School, a CCCOE school that provides state-accredited education to the resident youth inside the rehabilitation facility, brought Turner out to give the boys the inspirational presentation. “The boys really love hearing from these speakers.” It was obvious, the way Turner had the entire audience’s attention. “They showed Mr. Turner lots of respect by listening so intently.” Through the years, Cacciaroni has brought in additional inspirational presenters to speak to the boys, including other grid-iron greats, such as Ronnie Lott, Eason Ramson, and Bennie Blades.

Turner, who earned four Super Bowl rings during his eleven seasons with the 49ers, was kind enough to hand out two of them for all the boys to hold, try on, and marvel at. “I am very happy to have those rings and other accolades that my team and I accomplished, but I’m more proud of the college degree I earned,” said Turner. Before his pro career, Turner attended Purdue University, where he majored in physical education – though he did not finish his degree. “After my playing days, I went straight back to college, and earned my BS degree in organizational behavior, at the University of San Francisco. “Let me tell you guys, I keep my Super Bowl rings in my sock drawer, but I have my college diploma hanging up on a wall in my house.”

Turner talked about his current life: father of three, an active volunteer for the Boys & Girls Club, and his job as vice president of football affairs with the San Francisco 49ers. He also talked about his younger days, before the 49ers, his childhood, high school football, growing up in Chicago, and attending Purdue University.
Through the rest of the morning, Turner answered numerous diverse questions: How much money did he make while playing? Who was the hardest hitter on the team? Did he get in trouble as a young man? Who was the most difficult player to tackle? Did he do drugs? Are you related to Tina Turner? It was interesting how many questions were asked about players that Turner played with or against whose careers were well over before these young men were even born.

Before leaving, Turner reminded the boys to set and achieve their goals for a better life, and to start their positive journeys immediately. It was certainly heartening to the popular speaker as many of the boys nodded back in agreement.

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March

Campolindo High School's Academic Decathlon Team Earns Impressive Individual Awards at State Competition

SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 20, 2012 – Over this past weekend, Campolindo High School’s Academic Decathlon team competed in the California State Academic Decathlon Competition, in Sacramento. Representing Contra Costa County in this state-wide event, six team members earned some very impressive individual-achievement medals:

Anastasia Fedorova (Senior):

Bronze in Music

Laura Gustafson (Junior):

Bronze in Physics

Jacob Phillips (Senior):

Gold in Speech

Christoph Steefel (sophomore):

Gold in Economics
Gold in Physics
Silver in Highest Overall Score in Division
Silver in math

Evelyn Steefel (Junior):

Silver in Super Quiz

Roman Wright (Junior):

Gold in Economics
Gold in Physics
Gold in Highest Overall Score by Team
Bronze in Essay

As for the team competition, Campolindo’s team finished in the middle of the pack of the 63 statewide competing high schools.

Earlier this year, Campolindo’s team took first place in the Contra Costa County High School Academic Decathlon, earning the honor of representing the county (see story). The Contra Costa County Academic Decathlon is directed by the Contra Costa County Office of Education.

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County Board of Education Seeks Applicants to Fill Charter High School Board Vacancy

PLEASANT HILL, Calif., March 16, 2012—The Contra Costa County Board of Education voted at its March 7, 2012 meeting to fill the Clayton Valley Charter High School (CVCHS) Board vacancy through an appointment.

Persons interested in applying for the appointment should contact Karen Sakata, Associate Superintendent/Human Resources at (925) 942-3407 for an application packet, or download the application packet here (PDF). Employees of the Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools or the Mt. Diablo Unified School District are not eligible to apply.

Provisional Appointment

The period for submitting an application is from March 16, 2012 through 5:00 p.m. on April 4, 2012. Each applicant’s residency in Contra Costa County will be verified. Public session interviews by the County Board will be scheduled for April 18, 2012.

The County Board plans to make its provisional appointment on April 18, 2012.

The person appointed as representative to the CVCHS Governing Board will serve a two year term.

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Eighth Annual Young Children's Issues Forum

CONCORD, Calif., March 5, 2012 – The public is invited to The Eighth Annual Young Children's Issues Forum, to be held on Saturday, March 24, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at the Willow Pass Community Center, 2748 East Olivera Rd., Concord. This free annual community event is sponsored and organized by the Local Planning Council for Child Care and Development (LPC), and is coordinated by the Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE).

The purpose of the program is to provide a forum for discussion among legislators, local officials, and the community regarding current children's issues. This year’s event will feature two panel presentations and discussions. Ted Lempert, Executive Director of Children Now, will be the guest moderator and will lead discussions of approximately 12 state legislators and local officials who will speak about the current status of young children's health, education, social and child care services. There will also be time for questions from the audience after each panel. Confirmed presenters include Assembly Members Joan Buchanan, Nancy Skinner and Susan Bonilla, Senators Mark DeSaulnier and Loni Hancock and County Supervisors Karen Mitchoff and Federal Glover.

Historically, the majority of the event attendees are early childhood educators, preschool teachers, program administrators, community college faculty, and representatives from community agencies. Resources, services, and other information related to child care and education, a benefit to parents, will be available at the event. The LPC hopes to encourage and foster parent participation, as well as participation of all early care and education professionals in the county, including private and state-funded child development centers and family care providers.

For more information about the annual Young Children’s Issues Forum, please contact the Contra Costa Local Planning Council for Child Care and Development Coordinator Ruth Fernández at (925) 942-3413. This is a free event, but attendance registration is required. Please visit the LPC website to register and for more details: www.plan4kids.org/events.html.

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Contra Costa County Single Subject and Specialty* Teacher Job Fair

PITTSBURG, Calif., February 8, 2012– The Contra Costa County Office of Education (CCCOE) will present their Contra Costa County Single Subject and Specialty* Teacher Job Fair, on Saturday, March 24, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, at the Pittsburg High School gymnasium, 1750 Harbor St., in Pittsburg. (*Specialty teachers: special education, math, science, and bilingual.)
Attendees will discover a number of Contra Costa County teaching positions that will be available in the next school year. Along with the CCCOE, representatives from seven Contra Costa County school districts: Antioch, Liberty Union High, Mt. Diablo, Oakley, Pittsburg, San Ramon, and West Contra Costa, will be recruiting for open positions. Some interviews will be held on site.
For additional information about this free event, call (925) 942-3387 or visit the Job Fair's website.

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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.

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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: