CDE Today for February 11, 2022

Welcome to CDE Today, a weekly publication from CDE Communications designed to provide you with clear, consistent updates on what is important to California schools.

Updates

State Superintendent Thurmond Announces Support for Bill that Helps Fund Schools Equitably, Addresses Absenteeism and Truancy

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D-La Cañada Flintridge) joined state school leaders and partners this week to urge support of a bill that would inject new funding into schools using a more equitable funding calculation and finance efforts to address chronic absenteeism and truancy. Read more in the CDE news release on SB 830.

Renaissance Digital Reading Partnership Extended through February

On January 25, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced that unlimited access to myON digital books and daily news articles for students in California has been extended until Monday, February 28, 2022. A partnership with Renaissance Learning, Inc., was originally announced in December to give students from pre-K to twelfth grade The Gift of Literacy and provide them an opportunity to engage in reading at home, at school, and in the community. The digital reading partnership is part of Superintendent Thurmond’s statewide literacy campaign to help all California students reach the goal of literacy by third grade by the year 2026. Read more about the digital reading partnership and on the extension in the CDE news release regarding myON and Renaissance Learning, Inc.

School Health, Safety & Support

Mask Requirements Remain in Place for Schools

On February 7, the California Department of Public Health released the following statement: With COVID-19 Conditions Improving, State Public Health Leaders Modify Omicron Surge Policies . This statement recognizes that “the state is continuing to work with education, public health, and community leaders to update masking requirements at schools to adapt to changing conditions and ensure the safety of kids, teachers, and staff.”

At this time, masking requirements remain in place for schools, although the California indoor masking requirement for public settings will expire after February 15. On that date, general masking guidance will revert to the previous guidance, which requires masking for unvaccinated individuals in all indoor public settings and requires masking for all individuals regardless of vaccination status in higher-risk settings like public transit and congregate living.

Visit the California for All Safe Schools for All Hub website for more information and updates.

Program Highlights

Social Isolation Grants

The Social Isolation Supports grant, funded through a $2 million appropriation in the 2021–22 California State Budget, serves as a part of the ongoing efforts to address the impacts of COVID-19 on students and communities. Grants are available to community-based organizations to counter social isolation experienced by students. Read more on the CDE Social Isolation web page.

Dual Language Immersion Grant

The CDE is pleased to announce the Dual Language Immersion Grant (DLIG) opportunity. The purpose of the DLIG is to expand or establish dual language immersion programs that provide integrated language learning and academic instruction for native speakers of English and native speakers of another language with the goals of high academic achievement, first and second language proficiency, and cross-cultural understanding. Access to multilingual programs continues the commitment of State Superintendent Tony Thurmond to transform California schools.

For more information regarding the DLIG, visit the CDE Dual Language Immersion Grant Request for Applications web page.

Interested applicants are required to submit the DLIG Intent to Submit , an Application Electronic Form, to the CDE Language Policy and Leadership Office by 4 p.m. on February 25, 2022.

Completed applications are due by Friday, March 18, 2022, at 4 p.m. PST.

Ethnic Studies Professional Development RFA Deadline Extended to February 14

To support schools offering new or expanded ethnic studies courses, $5 million was included in the 2021 State Budget (Assembly Bill 130, Section 132 ) specifically for ethnic studies professional development and resources. A Request for Applications (RFA) process will determine the county office of education (COE), or consortium of COEs, that will enter into a $5 million contract with the CDE to provide professional development opportunities in ethnic studies along with creating and maintaining an online resource repository. This funding will be distributed to a COE, or a consortium of COEs, in the 2022–23 fiscal year. On December 31, 2021, the CDE posted an RFA for this project on the CDE Ethnic Studies Professional Development RFA web page. The application deadline has been extended by one week and is now due on February 14 before 4 p.m. Contract work is scheduled to begin July 1, 2022, pending contract approval from the Department of General Services.

Events and Opportunities

WEBINARS

Panel Discussion: Youth Voice and Equitable Change in California's Education System—February 16

This webinar will be led by the young people on State Superintendent Tony Thurmond’s Youth Advisory Council. This panel will discuss mental health, the education gap, and the uplifting of youth voices in California's education system. Our hope is that we all can gain more understanding around youth voice and advocacy as we continue to create equality change in California's community. Register in advance via Zoom for the Youth Voice and Equitable Change webinar .

Resilient Practices for Educators, Staff Members, Administrators and Teams—February 17

Build a Positive Work Culture by Leveraging Team Members’ Strengths

Apply strengths-based values to increase team effectiveness. We will reflect on our identities, values, and unique contributions to boost team dynamics. All school and district staff are welcome to join, including cafeteria workers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, teachers, and administrators. Register in advance via Zoom for the Resilient Practices webinar . For more information, contact Monica Nepomuceno at mnepomuceno@cde.ca.gov.

Building a Robust, Diverse, Effective, and Well-Supported P-3 Workforce—February 17

On February 17, the Opportunities for All Branch at the CDE will host a webinar focused on supporting local educational agencies and their partners as they begin the process of (1) building a robust and diverse P-3 teacher pipeline and (2) identifying professional development needs and implementing programs to ensure an effective and supported P-3 teacher workforce, with a focus on Universal Prekindergarten (UPK). Please register through Zoom to attend the Building a Robust, Diverse, Effective, and Well-Supported P-3 Workforce webinar . For information on Department news related to our P-3 initiative, email “subscribe” to subscribe-cdep3updates@mlist.cde.ca.gov.

Building a Network of Safety for School Communities Webinar Series: Suicide Risk Screening in Schools—February 22

This training provides a free opportunity for school staff to learning about best practices in school-based screening for suicide risk and how to respond effectively to keep youth and students safe. The training also incorporates content on Suicide Safety Planning Intervention, data and tracking related to suicide risk screening, and cultural considerations. Attendees will receive materials necessary for implementation. Presenter: Stan P. Collins, Suicide Prevention Specialist/Consultant, Mental Health Services Oversight Accountability Commission. Register in advance via Zoom for the Building a Network of Safety webinar . For more information, contact Monica Nepomuceno at mnepomuceno@cde.ca.gov.

Community Engagement and Partnerships for Universal Prekindergarten Implementation—February 24

The Early Education Division, in collaboration with the Opportunities for All Branch at the CDE, is pleased to announce the next installment of the UPK Webinar Series focused on working with and supporting our education partners as they consider, plan for, and implement UPK. This second webinar, entitled UPK Implementation: Community Engagement and Partnerships, will be on Thursday, February 24, 2022, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. This webinar will provide the latest information on the importance of early learning and creating partnerships, the goals and sample models of a mixed delivery system, and details for more funding opportunities. UPK resources can be found on the CDE Elementary web page. Please register in advance via Zoom for the Community Engagement and Partnerships for UPK Implementation webinar .

Panel Discussion: A Personal Discussion on Alzheimer's with Carla Preyer—February 24

Self-care life coach Carla Preyer’s presentation will cover the symptoms and behaviors that are prominently noticed, how to obtain diagnosis, available resources, applying for financial assistance, and many other items of concern to African Americans who are dealing with dementia and Alzheimer's in themselves or loved ones. Register in advance for A Personal Discussion on Alzheimer's webinar via Zoom .

Mind Out Loud Virtual Student Event—March 12

The CDE is pleased to partner with Wellness Together School Mental Health and the San Diego County Office of Education to co-sponsor the Second Annual Mind Out Loud (MOL) Virtual Student Mental Health Event. This event will encourage middle and high school students from across California and the United States—and around the world—to hear from each other about mental health and wellness, gain practical tools and resources to advocate for their peers on campus, and to learn about MOL's Four Pillars of Mental Health: Personal Wellness, Suicide Prevention, Support for Marginalized Communities, Awareness and Advocacy. For more information on involving your middle and high school students in the MOL 2022 event and the ongoing MOL Student Rep Program, please visit the MOL website . For more information, contact Monica Nepomuceno at mnepomuceno@cde.ca.gov.

OPPORTUNITY

Applications Open for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), California Dream Act Application (CADAA)

California is offering grants to eligible college students! Students can apply via the #FAFSA or #CADreamAct Application to get grant money to pay for school from the California Student Aid Commission. Whether a student is completing a bachelor’s program, associate’s program, a credential program, or a career technical education program, there’s money available to help. Grants are money for an education that families don’t have to pay back. Work with your student to complete the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by March 2, 2022. Find out if you qualify and apply on the California Student Aid Commission How to Apply web page .

Celebrations

Model Continuation High Schools

Congratulations to the 36 schools recognized as Model Continuation High Schools for 2022! Continuation high schools provide a high school diploma program for students ages sixteen through eighteen who have not graduated from high school, are required to attend school, and are at risk of not completing their education. Read more in the CDE news release on Model Continuation High Schools.

National School Counseling Week (February 8–11)

The CDE thanks all California school counselors this week as we recognize and celebrate National School Counseling Week (February 8–11). School counselors help meet the needs of the whole child, which we know is instrumental to success in school and life. A comprehensive, well-staffed counseling program provides the foundation students need to be academically, emotionally, and socially successful. Read about State Superintendent Thurmond's plans to recruit 10,000 new clinicians to provide for the mental health needs of California students in the CDE news release on recruiting mental health clinicians.

Important Dates and Deadlines

Presidents’ Day (February 21)

CDE is closed Monday, February 21, in honor of Presidents’ Day, a California public school holiday and state holiday.

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