The annual JCCS All-Staff Kickoff brings employees together, provides a shared vision for the year, and offers a variety of professional development opportunities. This year, the event featured a student exhibition, much like the showcases done at school sites, so that employees got the chance to see what students across the region are learning and doing during the year.

Students from Lindsay Community School and 37ECB were in attendance, offering products for purchase that they created and developed marketing plans for during this past school year.

Zeke, a senior at 37ECB, is part of the entrepreneur program at the school. With assistance from arts partner Mid-City Community Music, he makes clothes, hats, and other items and sells them on his website.

“I like creating more ideas, making money, expanding what else I can do, and learning new ways to sell my clothing,” he said.

The amazing woodworking projects created by students at the San Diego SOAR Academy Youth Transition Campus were on display and attendees also had the opportunity to sample cookies made by students in their culinary arts program.

Staff also had the opportunity to get portraits and fun photos taken in a photo booth run by several JCCS students and arts partner Outside the Lens.

The next time you’re at SDCOE’s Linda Vista campus, make sure to check out the new artwork atop the 400 building. Students at 37ECB continued the grant-funded mural project that was started by South County students in 2019 with the help of ARTS: A Reason to Survive. Artists started working in June with eight students from Marysol Duran’s math class to create the art pieces. Students visited the SDCOE main campus to get a feel of the existing mural so they could create something complementary in style and color. They created the pieces in the ARTS studio in National City and ARTS transported and installed the pieces at SDCOE at the beginning of August.

The JCCS student representative on the San Diego County Board of Education for September was Edgar, an 8th grader at Global Academy of California.

“Edgar was recognized for his maturity, rigor, and willingness to learn,” said South Region Principal Roberto Carrillo. “He has a high level of respect for himself and also for his peers and staff.”

He became a student at the school last year after having only been in the U.S for just a few months. Staff says he has made great strides in English and his ability to learn, to interact, and be part of a learning environment that is supportive of others. He is also viewed as a role model to both younger and older students.

Edgar is always one of the first ones at school each day and says his motto is “don’t be late because you might miss out.” He aspires to be a biologist and work in a zoo.

During the board of education meeting, Edgar thanked his mom and teachers Ms. Rodriguez and Mr. Guillen, who have helped him gain confidence in his English and participate more in class.

“I am proud of myself, because when I started at Global Academy of California, it was hard for me to do anything in English. Through determination, I have gained the confidence to not just participate in class but also in public speaking.”

Each month, the San Diego County Board of Education recognizes a student from JCCS at its regular meeting.

"In addition to giving the board a chance to honor a student, participation in the meeting also gives students valuable experience in leadership," said Dr. Paul Gothold, San Diego County superintendent of schools.

Mark your calendars for the 2023 Black College Expo scheduled for Jan. 26 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at Bayview Baptist Church in San Diego. The Black College Expo features historically black colleges and universities with on-the-spot college scholarships and acceptances awarded to qualifying students. Some college application fees may also be waived. There will be informational seminars on financial aid and other helpful sessions. Juniors and seniors of all racial and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to attend this event hosted by the San Diego County Office of Education in partnership with the National College Resources Foundation. Scholarships are available with the deadline of Jan. 16, 2023 to apply.

Schools operated by a school district, county office of education, or charter agency that maintain any combination of classes from grades 6 to 12 are required to stock at all times an adequate supply of menstrual products, available and accessible, free of cost, in all women’s restrooms and all-gender restrooms, and in at least one men’s restroom. Assembly Bill 367 requires these items be provided and notices to be posted about the requirements in every restroom required to stock menstrual products. Learn more about this and access materials created by SDCOE.

Individuals in need of immediate mental health assistance can now dial or text 988 or web chat at 988lifeline.org and be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network. Assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The new number, which launched earlier this year, was designated as the universal telephone number for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline as a result of the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act of 2020. You can read more about the importance of this network on SDCOE’s news page.

Anyone 18 or under can ride transit for free in San Diego County with a PRONTO account. SANDAG has teamed up with MTS, NCTD, and the County of San Diego to connect youth to school, jobs, entertainment, and more with the SANDAG Youth Opportunity Pass pilot program. This includes unlimited rides on the bus, Trolley, COASTER, and SPRINTER at no cost through June 30, 2023. To learn how youth can ride for free with the SANDAG Youth Opportunity Pass pilot program, visit YouthOpportunityPass.sandag.org.