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Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE) — Logo contest, Library Day, Student-Led Candidate Forum, and more

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2026 • Comments Off

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Dr. César Morales, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

September 2026

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).

VCOE Logo Contest is Now Open

Ventura County students are invited to showcase their artistic talents by designing logos for the 2027 Academic Decathlon, Batalla de los Libros, Battle of the Books, Mock Trial, Science Fair, and Civic Action Project.

The winning designs will be featured on event lapel pins, awards, and competition materials. Students can compete for the opportunity to leave their mark on these prestigious events and win a plaque at the competition awards ceremonies. The deadline to submit entries is Friday, October 16, and details on how to enter are available at this link.

Student-Led Candidate Forum

Ventura County students in grades 6-12 can learn about the electoral process at an upcoming candidate forum that’s being run entirely by their fellow students. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of local candidates appearing on the ballot in the upcoming November election. The forum takes place on Wednesday, September 30, at the Museum of Ventura County in Ventura. Free registration for this civic engagement opportunity is available here.

Library & Literacy Day is November 17

VCOE’s 2026 Library and Literacy Day will be dedicated to celebrating the gift of story and the vital role libraries play in every learning community. The theme of this year’s event is “Under the Story Sky: Celebrating the Gift of Story.”

Join fellow library staff, teacher librarians, literacy leaders, and educators in Camarillo on Tuesday, November 17, for inspiring professional learning, meaningful collaboration, and practical takeaways. You will also get to hear from keynote speaker John Schu, an acclaimed librarian, author, and literacy advocate. More information and registration are available here.

Substance Abuse Prevention Workshop

Next week, VCOE will help educators strengthen prevention efforts at an interactive workshop entitled “Prevention in Action: Connecting TUPE, Youth Leadership, and Expanded Learning.”

Participants will explore practical ways to integrate prevention efforts into school and after-school settings. Attendees will also receive a ready-to-use prevention resources box with materials to support Red Ribbon Week, infographics, and more.

This free workshop takes place in Camarillo on Tuesday, September 15, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM and is presented by the VCOE TUPE team in collaboration with the Region 8 Expanded Learning. For more information and registration, click here.

Reach New Heights: Aviation Career Day

Ventura County middle and high school students are invited to explore job opportunities in the local aviation industry at Aviation Career Day. Students will get to connect with aviation professionals, enjoy interactive activities, and learn about various educational pathways and available scholarship opportunities.

Aviation Career Day will be held at the Camarillo Airport on Friday, October 30, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. To register and for more information, click here.

Early Childhood Lunchtime Book Study

Join VCOE Early Childhood Programs for a lunchtime book study on the topic of Teacher Well-Being in Early Childhood. This virtual series is aimed at early care and education professionals and will explore the concept of well-being and how it applies to teachers of young children.

The first session is set for Tuesday, September 29, and registration is available here.

VCOE CARES about Mental Health

VCOE’s Comprehensive Health and Prevention Programs is excited to announce a mini-podcast series hosted by three students who served as wellness peer mentors at their school wellness centers. It’s part of an initiative we’re calling VCOE CARES, which stands for Compassion, Awareness, Resilience, Education, and Support.

Join Monserrat Sanchez, Elena Pomposo, and Natalie Torres as they discuss mental health issues affecting young people and how to get help. Episode 1 and episode 2 are now available, and you can follow VCOE CARES on Instagram. More information about VCOE CARES is at www.vcoe.org/cares.

Cathi Nye Honored for Supporting Homeless Students

Few people do their work with as much heart and compassion as VCOE Homeless Youth Program Coordinator Cathi Nye. Her dedication was recently recognized in a big way as she received the Douglas Shively Award for Outstanding Community Impact at the United Way’s Spirit Awards.

The award recognizes individuals who have served the Ventura County community through United Way programs. For years, Cathi has been a driving force behind United Way’s Stuff the Bus campaign, which provides school supplies to students experiencing homelessness.

This is an especially fitting honor as Cathi prepares to retire in November. Thank you, Cathi, for all you’ve done to improve the lives of countless students in Ventura County.

Claim Your Child’s CalKIDS Scholarship

Did you know that California students can receive up to $1,500 from the state to jumpstart their college savings? The scholarships are available through the CalKIDS program and can be used for college tuition and related expenses.

The awards start at $100, with higher amounts available for foster, homeless, and socioeconomically disadvantaged youth. Parents and guardians can confirm eligibility and claim their child’s funds at CalKIDS.org.

VCOE Team to Present on Educator Wellness at State Conference

A team from VCOE has been selected to present at the Annual Education Conference of the California School Boards Association in December. Their workshop entitled “The Compassion–Compliance Paradox: A Governance Approach to Educator Wellness” will explore using compassionate, trauma-informed practices to reduce educator burnout, improve retention, and strengthen school climate.

The presentation involves staff from VCOE Educator Support and Effectiveness, Local District Support Services, and Comprehensive Health and Prevention Programs. We’re so excited for them to share their insights with a statewide audience. More information about the conference can be found at aec.csba.org.

Upcoming Events and Workshops

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