Education Headlines
February 3, 2012
Lamorinda Sun School Notes -- It's Kindergarten registration season
The Moraga School District will hold kindergarten registration for the 2012-2013 school year in February, but postpone transitional kindergarten signups due to a lack of state funding.
February 2, 2012
Lessons about peace, nonviolence help students understand themselves and the world
After watching video of UC Berkeley police clad in riot gear hitting young adults peacefully protesting on campus, students at Mt. Diablo High shared their reactions.
She's All That!
DANVILLE -- Girls in middle schools from throughout the Bay Area will be able to discover ways to become "all that" at a Feb. 11 conference in Danville.
Jerry Brown, lawmakers back bill protecting school bus money
Rural and urban school districts in California that make heavy use of buses appear safe -- for now.
February 1, 2012
Clayton Valley High charter agreement up for discussion by Contra Costa County Board of Education
PLEASANT HILL -- The Clayton Valley Charter High School is moving forward with enthusiasm, but there are still many details to be worked out before it can open in the fall.
California schools get an 'A' in science
California is one of only two states to receive an "A" for meeting science education standards, according to a national report being released today.
January 31, 2012
Contra Costa health officials caution parents to watch for norovirus symptoms
MORAGA -- The Contra Costa Public Health Department is blaming norovirus as the likely cause of gastrointestinal symptoms that have resulted in a number of recent student absences.
January 30, 2012
Revamp of English-language arts in schools on way
Tests will be revamped, individualized learning explored and development standards revised as part of reform efforts for English-language learners in California.
Kindergarten math skills key to later success, researchers say
It's one of the biggest debates going on among early childhood development experts: Is it more important for kindergartners to focus on academics and learn their ABC's and numbers? Or spend more time on social and emotional issues, like how to play nice and pay attention?
COE Press Releases and Advisories - 2012
- Contra Costa County 2012 Academic Decathlon concludes with the always electrifying Super Quiz™
- Controlling the Spread of Norovirus in Schools and Child Care Settings
- Contra Costa County Mock Trial Program Looking for Legal Professionals to Assist
February
Contra Costa County 2012 Academic Decathlon concludes with the always electrifying Super Quiz™
WHAT: This year's Contra Costa County 2012 High School Academic Decathlon, which takes place over two consecutive Saturdays, will conclude this coming Saturday, (part one, was held the morning of January 28). 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™. Approximately 155 participating high school students have been studying and preparing for this event with their coaches since September. This year's Academic Decathlon theme is 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™ will include 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.
ACTION: Providing outstanding audio, video, and photo opportunities, the approximately 75-minute Super Quiz™ portion of the Athletic Decathlon (a team-relay event) always produces the excitement and electricity mixture of the remaining minute of a tied county-wide basketball championship game and the final winning question on a TV game show. The gym's bleachers are populated with families, friends, and teachers, cheering on their teams.
WHO: This year's teams represent the following high schools: Acalanes (Lafayette), Antioch (Antioch), 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). The winning team will 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.
DATES / LOCATIONS:
Saturday, February 4, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Los Medanos College (gymnasium), 2700 E. Leland Rd., Pittsburg ** Super Quiz™ begins at 2:30 p.m., finishing around 3:45 p.m.
Best time for photo, video, and audio opportunities:
**Saturday, February 4, 2:30 - 3:45 p.m. at Los Medanos College (gymnasium) The Super Quiz™ Relay.
Awards Ceremony
Wednesday, February 8, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Contra Costa County Office of Education (Stewart Building), 77 Santa Barbara Rd., Pleasant Hill
For more information about the Contra Costa County Academic Decathlon, contact Peggy Marshburn, event coordinator, at (925) 942-3420.
HISTORY: 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.
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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COE Press Releases and Advisories - 2011
Controlling the Spread of Norovirus in Schools and Child Care Settings
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Read the California Department of Health's Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) informational documents
211database.org - A comprehensive, up-to-date database of local health and social services.
Dial 211 for information on whooping cough shots
Read the LPC Child Care Needs Assessment Executive Summary (pdf)
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