CDE Today for June 3, 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

Uplifting California Education Through Community Schools

On Thursday, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond virtually greeted over 3,000 educators and community leaders in Los Angeles for the Institute for Educational Leadership’s National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference. Thurmond shared about California’s nation-leading, equity driven investment in community schools through the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP). The CCSP will launch this fall with planning grants in 171 LEAs and implementation grants in over 400 school sites across the state.

CDE and Cal OES Release Joint Letter Encouraging Emergency Preparedness for Schools and Districts

On May 25, State Superintendent Thurmond and California Homeland Security Advisor Mark Ghilarducci issued a joint letter to local educational agencies (LEAs) about the tragic shootings at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Our hearts are heavy with the loss of more innocent lives. The California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has compiled a wide range of resources from the federal, state, and local levels to support school safety in California. You can find resources on the Cal OES website , on the CDE Project Cal-STOP page, and read the full joint letter about the tragic shooting on the CDE Letters web page. CDE also sent LEAs a document with resources for families (PDF).

Program Highlights

Register Your School Today for 2022 California Student Mock Elections

The 2022 California primary and U.S. general election are quickly approaching, and it is time once again to get students involved and excited about civic engagement. California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber and State Superintendent Thurmond are partnering to host the 2022 California Student Mock Election on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. This important program helps young people discover the importance of elections and the power of their votes in the democratic process. Through your school’s involvement, students will discover how government and politics affect their daily lives. The CDE strongly encourages you to incorporate this great program into your curriculum. Registration for the 2022 California Student Mock Election can be found on the Secretary of State California Student Mock Election web page . Read a CDE/CA SOS joint letter for more information and resources.

Find Summer Meals Online and Through the California Meals for Kids App

Families and caregivers can download the California Meals for Kids mobile app, making it easy to find summer and after school meal locations. Summer meals provide children with access to essential nutrition during school closures throughout the summer break. Beginning July 1, California will become the first state in the nation to implement a universal meals program in which all children are eligible to receive a free breakfast and lunch regardless of their individual eligibility. You can download the CA Meals for Kids app from the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, or the Microsoft app store here through the CDE CA Meals for Kids web page. To find meal services in your area, go to the CDE 2022 Summer Meal Service Sites web page.

School Health, Safety & Support

Preliminary School COVID-19 Testing Framework

The California Department of Public Health and California Testing Task Force released the Preliminary Testing Framework (PTF) for K–12 Schools (PDF) this week, which outlines anticipated updates to COVID-19 testing strategies for the 2022–23 school year.

The PTF is intended to support local health and educational agencies in their ongoing planning processes. For more information, please visit the California Testing Task Force and Safe Schools for All Hub websites.

Vaccine Resources

As children and teens continue to get vaccinated against COVID-19, the CDC has produced the following new resources for parents, vaccine providers, and partners:

• A new COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens website for parents and caregivers, with information on COVID-19 vaccination for children and adolescents.
• Two new fact sheets available in nine languages that can be printed and shared.
• A list of resources for vaccine providers , to help support conversations with families about vaccination and to highlight ways to improve vaccine accessibility for children, including those with disabilities and special health care needs.
• Local health jurisdictions, community partners, vaccine providers, and others can also visit COVID-19 Vaccination for Children: Information for Jurisdictions, Clinicians, Pharmacists, Schools, Early Care and Education (ECE)/Child Care Programs, and Community Partners for up-to-date information and resources to help inform planning for pediatric vaccination.

Statewide Public Listening Session (June 7)

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), in collaboration with the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) and the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) is hosting a statewide public listening session to gather perspectives on the current state and opportunities for K–12 school-linked behavioral health services work streams, including:

• School-linked partnership, infrastructure and capacity grants (DHCS);
• Establishing behavioral health coaches (HCAI) in the behavioral health workforce; and
• Development of a statewide all-payer fee schedule for behavioral health services

The event will take place Tuesday, June 7, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Register for the public listening session through Webex .

Events and Opportunities

Webinars

UPK Implementation: Local Partnership Opportunities (June 8)

The third installment of the Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) Webinar Series will focus on working with and supporting our education partners as they consider, plan for, and implement UPK. The CDE will collaborate with Head Start leaders to explore how to leverage the different funding sources to meet the needs of families, students, and programs as well as supporting transitions from Head Start to TK–12. This webinar will take place on Wednesday, June 8, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Register for the UPK webinar on Zoom .

Building a Foundation of Language and Literacy for Students with Complex Communication Needs (June 13)

The Diagnostic Center, Northern California (DCN) has a professional development opportunity on June 13 that is open to the public. Join DCN from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a foundation of language and literacy skills that is essential for social, functional, and academic progress for all students. This workshop will explore how we can help students with significant disabilities build the language and literacy skills they need. Participants will address: how to assess current levels and create measurable goals that will make meaningful change in students’ lives, how to create a communicative environment including communication tools, and how to provide integrated language and literacy interventions. Content will be applicable for all professionals serving students with complex communication needs of all ages and grade levels. Register in advance for Building a Foundation of Language and Literacy for Students with Complex Communication Needs . For more information email contactus@dcn-cde.ca.gov.

Events

Virtual California Elementary Literacy Conference: Everyone Has the Right to Read! (June 16)

This free one-day conference is hosted by the Sacramento County Office of Education and sponsored by the CDE in collaboration with the California Collaborative for Excellence in Education through the Expert Lead in Literacy grant. Join teachers, administrators, district and site colleagues, as well as other partners interested in literacy on June 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. as we learn about evidence-based practices in elementary literacy, grades TK–6. Learn more and register at the Education Speakers Network website .

August 2022 High School Equivalency Summer Convenings

The CDE Proficiency, Equivalency, and Physical Testing Office is hosting a no-cost, in-person, three-session training series this August: the High School Equivalency (HSE) Summer Convenings. These sessions will be key for HSE chief examiners, HSE test site administrators, high school counselors, and others who have a connection to this alternate route for students. The sessions, which will be presented by the CDE, the HiSET Program, and GED Testing Services, will be held at various locations throughout the state. The 2022 HSE Summer Convenings flyer (PDF) provides more information about this HSE professional development opportunity. Please forward this flyer to school site staff who may benefit from the information.  Registration is available on the HSE Summer Convenings registration web page . Questions about the convenings can be emailed to Melissa Stockbridge, Sacramento County Office of Education, at mstockbridge@scoe.net.

2022 California Assessment Conference (October 18–20)

Register or Submit Session Proposal Today

Registration for the 2022 California Assessment Conference (CAC) is now open. The CAC offers a unique chance for educators to connect with peers to discover assessment tools and strategies for improved learning and teaching. Do not miss out on the keynote address by Professor Nancy Frey . This year’s CAC will take place in person in Riverside, CA. A limited virtual offering is also available.

With the theme of Partners in Progress: Harnessing the Power of Student Assessment, the conference will feature knowledgeable K–12 educators from across the state who have developed and implemented best practices for using assessment resources in their classrooms. For more information about the conference, to register, and to submit a session proposal visit the California Assessment Conference website .

Celebrations

Celebrating Graduates

The CDE sends heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2022, wishing both academic and personal success to all of California’s students moving forward!

Important Dates and Deadlines

LGBTQ Pride Month

The CDE encourages you to annually recognize June as LGBTQ Pride Month. The CDE celebrates Pride Month as part of ongoing efforts to acknowledge, recognize, and honor the diverse histories and backgrounds of California students, staff, and families. Every student deserves an education free from discrimination and harassment.

National Safety Month

The CDE encourages you to annually recognize June as National Safety Month to help keep each other safe from the workplace to anyplace. It is a time to reflect on the working conditions around the country and how we can create a safer environment for those who work hard for honest pay.

World Environment Day (June 5)

The CDE encourages you to annually recognize June 5 as World Environment Day. Since 1973, the United Nations has raised global awareness of environmental issues through World Environment Day. This year’s theme is “Only One Earth.”

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The CDE is committed to improving communications with more than 1,000 school districts and county offices and 10,000-plus schools. If you have any feedback about this publication or would like to see information on particular topics, please email communications@cde.ca.gov.