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Bilingual report — Ventura County Office of Education — Back to School, Mobile Library, Financial Literacy, and more

by Community Contributor • August 21, 2024 • Comments Off

Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

August 2024

Focus on Education provides news about Ventura County public schools for families and educators. It is published by the Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE).

A Back to School Message

From Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

The start of the new school year is always a magical time as classrooms and schoolyards come roaring back to life after summer break. Ventura County’s public school system serves nearly 125,000 students and provides a comprehensive range of educational services. This school year will see expanded learning opportunities for students of all ages, from the continued expansion of transitional kindergarten (TK) to new career education options. Some of the most exciting new initiatives are highlighted in my annual back to school message, which I invite you to read at this link.

Read Superintendent Morales’s Back to School Message

New School Bookmobile Hits the Road

A brand new bookmobile dedicated to serving local students will be on the road in Ventura County starting this school year. The School Mobile Library will visit schools throughout Ventura County, with a particular focus on those that do not have credentialed librarians on staff.

While libraries throughout the state, including the Ventura County Library, operate bookmobiles that serve the general public, this is the first in California to be specifically for students. Using the bookmobile, library professionals will offer books for students in multiple formats and languages, lessons in media literacy, STEAM instruction and programs, homework support, and access to technology and online resources.

The School Mobile Library is a joint project of the Ventura County Office of Education and the Ventura County Library. Click here to learn more about it and here to take a brief video tour.

Financial Literacy for High Schoolers

Knowing how to manage a bank account, avoid credit card debt, and earn interest on savings are critical skills that too many students lack. A new state law will ensure that high schoolers graduate with knowledge that will help them build a firm financial footing.

Starting in 2027, all high schools will begin to offer a one-semester class in personal finance. It will be a required course for all students graduating in the 2030-31 school year.

Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools, was recently interviewed by the Pacific Coast Business Times about the importance of this new requirement. Click here to read the article.

High School Voter Education Weeks

September 16-27 are High School Voter Education Weeks in California. During those dates, the Ventura County League of Women Voters is offering in-class presentations on voting for high school students.

The presentations include a history of voting in the United States, student discussions on why voting matters, and information about voter registration. They’ll also explain how students as young as 16 can pre-register to vote in California.

Interested high school teachers can email lwvvc.info@gmail.com to set up a classroom visit. More information is available in this flyer.

Hands-On Learning at the LMNOP Lab

Local students had a hands-on opportunity to learn about computer coding, robotics, and artificial intelligence this summer at the Ventura County Office of Education. The annual summer day camp at our LMNOP Lab hosted students from Somis and Mesa Union Schools. They had an amazing time while learning to build robots and create computer programs.

The LMNOP Lab is just one of the many ways the VCOE EdTech team is helping local students and educators stay on top of the latest technology. Learn more at www.vcoe.org/edtech.

Take the Survey: Student Cell Phone Use

Evidence is mounting that cell phones are a distraction to learning and socializing in school and may even be linked to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. That’s led to growing calls for schools to restrict student cell phone use. The Ventura County Office of Education would like to know what you think about this topic. We invite you to take an anonymous survey in English or Spanish to share your thoughts.

School Safety Series Begins Third Year

Ventura County is home to one of the leading efforts in the nation to enhance school safety. Now in its third year, this series of workshops promotes collaboration between schools and local law enforcement agencies. The seminars help school leaders take the necessary steps at their school sites to ensure the safety of students and staff.

In the coming year, attendees will examine the lessons learned from local incidents, learn how to combat cyber threats on social media, and strategize on ways to maximize safety on school buses. The safety series is presented by the Ventura County Office of Education and the Ventura County Schools Self-Funding Authority. You can learn more about it in this brief video.

First-Ever Ethnic Studies Conference

All California high schools will be required to teach a course on ethnic studies starting in 2025, and a recent conference in Camarillo helped local educators prepare. The first-ever Gold Coast Ethnic Studies Conference drew about 150 educators from throughout Ventura County and as far away as San Diego and Sacramento.

The event featured a keynote address from Dr. Miguel Zavala, Associate Professor of Urban Learning at Cal State Los Angeles and a variety of breakout sessions. Ethnic studies teaches the history and stories of marginalized peoples and helps ensure that students from various backgrounds see their own communities reflected in the school curriculum.

The conference was jointly presented by the Ventura County Office of Education and the Oxnard Union High School District, which already teaches ethnic studies, well ahead of the state requirement.

Preparing Students for Local Jobs

Ventura County has a unique economy that offers employment in areas from agriculture to engineering to manufacturing. Helping students prepare for jobs in the manufacturing sector is the focus of the first-ever Industry and Education Summit that will take place on October 25, 2024, in Camarillo.

The goal is to make it easier for businesses to fill their open positions and to give students the opportunity to find high-paying jobs that will allow them to stay in Ventura County as they start their careers.

The summit is being presented by the Ventura County Office of Education in partnership with the Ventura County Community College District and the Ventura County Industry Council. Educators and industry professionals are invited to register at this link.

California Community Schools Initiative

The State of California is launching a new effort to help schools partner with community agencies and local government to improve access to resources that help students thrive and succeed. The California Community Schools Partnership Program will transform neighborhood schools into hubs that provide a variety of services like mental health counseling, academic mentoring, and food distribution.

Community Schools are already starting to roll out in Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Fillmore, and Santa Paula, with more expected soon in other parts of the county. The Ventura County Office of Education is providing support and guidance to districts who are implementing community schools. Learn more about the Community Schools program at www.vcoe.org/cs.

Upcoming Events and Workshops

The Ventura County Office of Education and its partners present a wide variety of workshops and events for educators, students, and community members. Some upcoming offerings are below, and you can browse our full calendar of events at vcoe.k12oms.org.