San Mateo County Office of Education

Passionate about sustainability? Apply to be our Green Facilities & Operations Analyst!

Be a key player in our efforts to make San Mateo County schools more sustainable and climate-ready. As our Green Facilities and Operations Analyst, you will:
- support with environmental literacy fellowship and training programs
- help schools and districts develop and maintain more sustainable practices and campuses
- provide technical assistance and connecting partners with resources
- identify and implement best practices for sustainability
- support with environmental literacy fellowship and training programs
- and more!

View details about the position and apply by Friday, July 12: https://bit.ly/3zqZ6XI

🎉 Our 2023-24 Report to the Community is here!🎉

The 2023-24 school year has been transformative for the San Mateo County Office of Education. Since launching a new strategic plan in the fall to carry us forward over the next five years, we have been actively working to implement each of our four strategic goals and actualize our vision of excellence and equity in education.

The Report to the Community highlights our work over the past year, focusing on our impact on public education, and shines a light on our county’s students.

Read the full report at www.smcoe.org/communityreport.

Today, June 19th, we celebrate Juneteenth National Independence Day!

This important day commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. We honor the resilience and contributions of Black Americans throughout history, and reflect on the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality.

Please note that our office and school sites will be closed tomorrow, June 19, in recognition of Juneteenth. All sites will reopen on Thursday, June 20.

As you celebrate with your friends and family, we encourage you to reflect on freedom, the ongoing struggles faced by Black Americans, and how you can help build a more just and equitable future.

This morning, SMCOE held a flag-raising ceremony in recognition of Juneteenth, the oldest national holiday celebrating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.

“This week, we honor the resilience and brilliance of Black Americans who have continuously fought for freedom despite facing systemic racism​​,” said San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools Nancy Magee.

“Juneteenth serves as a powerful beacon reminding us that our collective journey for racial justice is ongoing and takes all of us. Let’s renew our commitment each day to dismantle the barriers of systemic inequity that hinder the progress of Black students, families, and communities. Together, let's forge a future driven by equity, justice, and opportunity for all.”

SMCOE will fly the Juneteenth flag at all its sites through Friday, June 21. In addition, all sites will be closed on Wednesday, June 19, in observance of the holiday.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/3VvMJku

Our Progress Pride flag was waving proudly this morning as people walked in to work!

The San Mateo County Office of Education raises the Progress Pride flag across its sites every June in honor of Pride Month, a time to reflect on our progress towards LGBTQ+ equality and remember that much work remains.

We stand with our students, families, and staff in the LGBTQ+ community in advocating for a future where everyone can live authentically and thrive. Every year, SMCOE actively works with schools across the county to recognize the unique perspectives and experiences our LGBTQ+ students and staff bring to our classrooms and school communities.

Join us in celebrating Pride Month by attending local community events such as the San Mateo County Pride Parade on Saturday, June 8! SMCOE staff and their families will be walking in the parade and joining in the event afterwards.

Learn more about the parade and event at www.smcpridecelebration.com. See you there!

Happy Classified School Employee Week!

Classified school staff are the essential frontline workers who keep our schools up and running while empowering the students they serve and ensuring they are ready and able to learn.

Thank you for all you do for our schools, students, and families!

Today is the day! Families, school officials, and community leaders across San Mateo County strapped on helmets and laced up their shoes to participate in the 13th annual National Bike & Roll to School Day!

Thank you to all who joined in today and helped highlight the importance of safe, active transportation to school.

Learn more about our efforts to promote active transportation through our Safe Routes to School program at www.smcoe.org/srts

Walk, Bike & Roll to School Days

School nurses care for the entire school population, especially the most vulnerable, playing an essential role in keeping all students in school, healthy, safe, and ready to learn.

This National School Nurse Day, we celebrate all of our school nurses for providing quality care to all our students!

Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than he**in and is present in many illegal drugs, yet most kids don’t understand the dangers of fentanyl.

This National Fentanyl Awareness Day, learn more about the dangers of fentanyl and how you can help prevent drug overdoses in the US: fentanylawarenessday.org.

Our teachers play a pivotal role in our children’s lives, inspiring a lifelong love of learning and making a difference in their well-being and long-term success.

Thank you, teachers, for providing space spaces where all students can learn and grow!

We're excited to celebrate this year's winners of the Art Takes a Bus Ride student art competition with SamTrans!

The contest promotes creativity and emphasizes arts in San Mateo County. This year's theme, "Exploring Nature with SamTrans," celebrates the wonder of the natural world and highlights the importance of sustainable transportation in our community.

Congratulations to all! Read more at https://bit.ly/4b1VvNM

Jewish American Heritage Month provides an opportunity for all to celebrate and draw inspiration from Jewish Americans’ many contributions to our nation’s history and culture.

Jewish Americans have faced discrimination and adversity, with many continuing to be impacted by antisemitism. This year, we recognize May as Jewish American Heritage Month and encourage school administrators, teachers, students, and community members to study and celebrate the rich history of Jewish Americans.

Congrats to Millbrae Elementary School District Paraeducator at Green Hills Elementary Sara Sanchez for being named one of the California Department of Education's Classified School Employees of the Year!

Sara excels in making immediate, nurturing connections with families in the Millbrae community. She understands the importance of building strong relationships with parents and caregivers and actively engages with them to support student success. Sanchez’s advocacy for students and their families further demonstrates her commitment to ensuring that every student receives the support and resources they need to thrive. Her natural leadership abilities, proactive approach, and genuine care for students and families make her an invaluable asset to the school community. Sanchez’s dedication to serving others and her advocacy efforts contribute significantly to the positive and inclusive environment the district strives to maintain.

We are proud to have you in San Mateo County, Sara!

Congratulations to the nine outstanding classified school employees for their dedication to California’s public school students as State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced the 2024 Classified School Employees of the Year! 🎉 🥳

“My heartfelt congratulations go to these outstanding employees for going the extra mile to step up and support California students so they can continue to learn,” said Thurmond. “These dedicated employees make sure kids have healthy meals, safe campuses and transportation, and systems and supports during difficult and unexpected changes and ensure that all students are supported in their lives and in their education.” Read more: https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr24/yr24rel24a.asp

Every May, we celebrate the historical and cultural contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) – a group that includes more than 24 million Americans across the country, with 6.7 million in California alone.

Find lessons and resources that center around the experiences, achievements, and perspectives of the AAPI community at https://bit.ly/3nbdrBL.

Mental health is essential to our overall health. Despite this, schools across San Mateo County are reporting increasing numbers of students are experiencing mental health challenges.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we encourage all to prioritize their mental health and support others in receiving the help they need. Learn more about how our students can access school-based mental health services on our website.

It’s Autism Acceptance Month!

Thanks to improved early intervention tools, more students are being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) – allowing educators to give students the intervention and treatments they need to succeed.

We’re proud to educate students across the spectrum and give them equitable access to services and opportunities so they can lead happy and healthy lives!

Our inaugural Climate-Ready Schools Symposium kicked off this morning with some amazing speakers, including former County Superintendent of Schools Anne Campbell, UndauntedK12 Co-Founder and CEO Jonathan Klein, and Summit Public Schools: Shasta students Timothy Lee and Trinity Ly!

The symposium is a way to celebrate the sustainability work happening at local school districts and inspire other educators and district leaders to create climate-ready schools.

Is your school district looking for resources on generative artificial intelligence?

We are partnering with Design Tech High School on May 4th, 9am-1pm, to host AI in Our Schools, a workshop for education leaders to get up to speed on the core aspects of artificial intelligence as they relate to schools.

Hear from AI-in-education experts and engage in a workshop to identify the questions and issues of highest priority to you and your school.

Learn more and register here: bit.ly/3WgK3tg

EdSurge MVLA - Mountain View Los Altos High School District

We are thrilled to announce that we received 2024 California Green Ribbon School award, Gold level, for our efforts to adopt sustainable and climate-ready practices!

The California Green Ribbon Schools (CA-GRS) recognition award is an opportunity for public and private schools, districts, and county offices of education to demonstrate their progress in three pillars of sustainability: reducing environmental impacts, improving the health and wellness of the school community, and providing effective environmental education. Applicants are assessed on their ability to demonstrate progress in these three areas and are recognized at either the Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Green Achievers level.

Congratulations also to the Cabrillo Unified School District, which was announced as a California Green Achiever and a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) honoree!

Read more at https://bit.ly/4bdpeTv.

Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

Today, we celebrate the many administrative assistants and professionals in our district and across San Mateo County who keep schools running year after year. Thank you for dedicating your knowledge and skills to support our students!

Calling all students: express your creativity while celebrating the rich history of Juneteenth through our Juneteenth Arts Showcase!

Students are invited to create visual art or poetry/spoken word that captures the essence of Juneteenth, highlighting the journey towards freedom, the strength of the Black community, and the significance of this historical moment. Submissions are due by 5:00 pm on Friday, May 17, and will be displayed at a Juneteenth event at the South San Francisco Civic Center on June 5th from 5-7pm.

Visit www.smcoe.org/juneteenth to learn more and share this opportunity with your students. Link in bio!

Registration slots are filling up fast for our Afrofuturism Student Conference on Saturday, April 27!

Mark your calendars and invite your students to join us in exploring the transformative power of Afrofuturism with the help of teaching artists, including professional Turf dancer Telice Summerfield.

Learn more at www.smcoe.org/afrofuturism!

Climate change poses one of the most significant threats to our environment, ecosystems, and communities worldwide, particularly to our younger generations.

This Earth Day, we celebrate the students, teachers, and school staff who are taking action to address the climate crisis and call on all to join them in living a more sustainable life!

The Afrofuturism Student Conference is just ONE WEEK away!

We are excited to host this unique event to inspire Black youth across the county through the transformative power of Afrofuturism! We have an amazing line-up of teaching artists, including Dr. Rachel Vatannia, who will share the importance and ways in which we can create more equitable systems that center – and sustain – Black joy and excellence.

Learn more and invite your students to join us on April 27th!
www.smcoe.org/afrofuturism

We are looking forward to having teaching artist Jeremy Arey lead students in exploring visual art using artificial intelligence at our inaugural Afrofuturism Student Conference!

The conference is an opportunity for middle and high school students to get inspired about achieving their dreams through the transformative influence of Afrofuturism.

Learn more and invite your students to join us April 27 - https://www.smcoe.org/afrofuturism!

We're gearing up for our inaugural Afrofuturism Student Conference: Imagining Possible Futures on April 27th!

All Black high school students are invited to join us and hear from various teaching artists, including Veronica Talton, a performing arts educator with experience in classroom music, choir, piano, and musical theater. Learn more at https://www.smcoe.org/afrofuturism

Child care is essential, not only to students and their families but to our economy.

This Week of the Young Child, we celebrate all early childhood educators and care providers and call on the county, state, and nation to invest in affordable child care and provide living wages to the child care workforce.

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