Hot Topics

  • Equity/Diversity Resources

    Marin COE and community organizations take an active role in addressing equity and diversity through workshops and trainings throughout the year. Below are some examples:

    MCOE Communication re Immigration Law AB 450 - January 2018

    Please see the attached communication from Superintendent Mary Jane Burke regarding the Marin County Office of Education's stand for the rights of undocumented children to receive a public education.

    Black History Month Resources

    February is Black History Month.  We want to be sure you have some of the below electronic resources to share with your staff, community partners and/or use with your students.

    Association for the Study of African American History and Life

    • founded by Carter G. Woodson
    • founders of Black History Month
    • This year's theme is African American's in times of war   
    • 2018 Black History Theme

    Scholastic Black history resources

    African American History Month

    Links to Library of Congress and National Museum of African American History and Culture (webcasts of events).

    National Archives

    • Links to various resources 
      (websites, research, historical accounts,  university library collections )
    • Black History References

    2018 Classified School Employees of the Year Program

    See the attached letter from Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, outlining the 2018 Classified School Employees of the Year (CSEY) Program. The 2018 CSEY Program will identify and honor classified employees working in the following categories: Child Nutrition; Maintenance, Operations, and Facilities; Office and Technical; Para-Educator and Instructional Assistance; Support Services and Security; and Transportation.  Visit the California Department of Education website for detailed information and program deadlines. 

    California Distinguished Schools Award Program

    Following a three-year hiatus, the California Distinguished Schools Award Program will return to honor elementary schools in 2018.  Multiple measure s from the California School Dashboard will be used to determine eligibility for the award. The California Department of Education has not yet released final information about the award timeline and process.  We will provide additional information as it is available.

    Education for a Global Economy Model Program Award

    Please see the attached letter from the California Department of Education (CDE) regarding the Education for a Global Economy Model Program Award opportunity.  The CDE would like to invite schools currently meeting the challenge of providing key elements of a global education to apply for this program.  The CDE seeks to recognize five schools within the state that may serve as replicable and sustainable models of effective programming, structures, and strategies in global education, laying the groundwork to encourage all California schools in the strategic integration of global education practices into every grade level and across all subject areas.

    The Marin County Teacher Induction Program

    Over the past few years the funding structure for the Induction Program has shifted.  In 2014-15 a program fee was implemented for participating teachers and the MCOE annually decreased the subsidized funds to the districts.  As shared in Spring of 2017, beginning in the 2018-19 school year, the Marin County Induction Program will move to a full fee for service program.  Click here to view the memo for additional background and the anticipated cost per participating new teacher.

    Marin Leadership Institute and Administrative Program

    The Marin County Office of Education, in collaboration with San Francisco State University, has been hosting the Marin Leadership Institute and Administrative program for quite some time now.  Our interest in hosting the program is to support our local certificated staff to gain additional professional growth and obtain the administrative credential, which leads to more local administrators. The new cohort has begun so if you know of staff that may be interested in this extended learning opportunity, please share the information and application link.  Please note applications are due November 1st, 2018 and need to be submitted to Dr. Valerie Pitts, former Superintendent, Larkspur-Corte Madera School District at vpitts@me.com.  Dr. Pitts is also available to answer any questions you may have about the program.

    Landed - Engagement Partnerships

    Landed is a down payment assistance investment company that has been working with school districts in the Bay Area to help educators build financial security near the communities they serve by providing half of a down payment, up to $120,000, when an educator is ready to purchase a home.  In exchange, the educator will share in the gain (or loss) of their home when they sell or refinance.  There are no monthly payments to support.

    Colonial Williamsburg Marin Teacher Institute - Application Deadline February 9, 2018

    Attached please find the registration application for the 2018 Colonial Williamsburg Marin Teacher Institute.  Through a generous donation, Marin educators have been allotted scholarships to attend the Teacher Institute at Colonial Williamsburg.  This scholarship is primarily for 5th and/or 7th grade educators.  Priority is given to teachers that have not attended the Institute.  Spots are on a first come, first serve basis.

    Find Your Voice - Teens Tackle Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs and Youth Wellness Conferences - February 8, March 8 and 9, 2018

    Students, parents, and educators are encouraged to join the 20th Annual High School and Middle School Conferences designed by youth and for youth that will include discussions and interactive workshops on healthy relationships; peer education on drugs and alcohol; coping with stress; mixed messages: tobacco, vaping and marijuana; youth preventing violence; and more!

    Anti-Defamation League Series - February 7 and March 14, 2018

    The Anti-Defamation League will facilitate a series of discussions designed to highlight topics that allow participants to inspect and understand their biases.  Topics to consider for this work are: Freedom of speech and hate speech; Bullying and disrupting bullying.  Click here to register for the workshop.

    Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness Film Screening and Panel Discussion – February 13, 2018

    Not In Our Town is a 30-minute documentary about a town coming together to take action after anti-immigrant violence devastates the community.  Join concerned civic leaders, community members, students, and parents for a film screening and community discussion about how to stop hate in Marin.

    Light Up the Night - Gathering and Candlelight Walk for Love and Unity - February 14, 2018

    This Marin County community event will bring friends, neighbors, classmates and families together from all walks of life in support of a strong and diverse Marin community.  Individuals, groups, and families with children of all ages are welcome to attend and battery-operated candles will be provided. 5:00pm at the San Rafael Community Center.

    Beyond_Diversity - February 26-27, 2018

    New dates have been added for Courageous Conversation's Beyond Diversity two-day seminar hosted at the Marin County Office of Education.  Beyond Diversity is a powerful, personally transforming, two-day seminar that helps leaders, employees, and organizations understand the impact of race on their lives and their work.  The attached flyer holds more information and registration details.

    California Summer School for the Arts - Applications due February 28, 2018

    For 32 years the CA State Summer School for the Arts has sought the most talented high school aged visual, literary, media and performing artists in California.  The teenagers who are selected are designated California Arts Scholars and attend one of the country's premier summer arts programs on the campus of the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, CA, this year from July 7 - August 3, 2018.