SLO COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION JUNE 2016

SLOCOE eNews

S pring cleaning and

summer transitions are

two primary themes that

have landed on my desk this

semester. As we focus on

efficiency, and streamline

our organization, you will

observe some changes in the

landscape. Ashley Lightfoot,

our MOT Director, is

working with his team to

inventory the assets

currently stored in several of

our SLOCOE facilities. Spring cleaning enables our

team to maximize our supplies, share equipment with

other locations, and surplus any materials no longer

necessary for operations. You may also observe some

movement of offices and consolidation of positions as

we best leverage our physical assets and employee

talents.

Redevelopment Agency funds (restricted for

facilities improvement by Government Code) will pay

for safety fencing to the perimeter road on our main

site, demolition of three buildings on the Rancho El

Chorro campus, and some internal facility improve-

ments to the main office complex. All SLOCOE

properties are being inspected for safety compliance,

and several buildings are being repainted over the

summer recess. We continue to meet with the San

Luis Obispo County Government officials to secure

funds that will improve our television studio and MOT

complex. Additionally, our business team is actively

working to lease any of our unoccupied facility space

with outside agencies to generate revenue.

As we continue to explore grant opportunities,

we were successful in securing an additional grant from

the Marcled Foundation for our Career Technical

Education program, and with First 5 San Luis Obispo

for county-wide early childhood education. We have

continued our combined efforts with local Rotary clubs

to improve the Rancho El Chorro property. We are

thankful for our generous partners, and anticipate the

construction of a Yurt educational village along with

some cabin renovations in the early fall. We are being

presented new opportunities, challenges, and demands

for the entire SLOCOE work force.

In a speech that Robert F. Kennedy gave at the

University of Cape Town in 1966, he referenced a

Chinese saying or curse: “May you live in interesting

times.” We are most certainly living in interesting

times. Just as the seasons begin to change, we too

must learn to embrace our changing landscape.

As always, I thank you for your service and

dedication to the families of San Luis Obispo County. I

consider it an honor to work with such excellent

professionals.

Jim Brescia

Calendar of Events

It’s Graduation Time! Congratulations to Court & Community School students and

staff on the graduating Class of 2016. (Ceremony: 4 pm, June 7, Cuesta College PAC)

Congratulations to SLOCOE’s New Moms! Two of our three expectant mothers have given birth! On Thursday, May 19,

Teresa Jimenez gave birth to her lovely daughter, Emma. One week later, on

Thursday, May 26, Erin Miller gave birth to Ella Makenzie Miller, a

beautiful 8lb.-9oz. baby girl! Mothers and daughters are all doing well and

enjoying their bonding time! We can’t wait to meet the new additions to our

SLOCOE family! (Right: Ella Makenzie Miller)

SLOCOE eNEWS 2

Meet Norma Ochsner Naturalist I, Rancho

El Chorro, Educational Support Services

C an you guess what Norma enjoyed doing as a child? If you can, you’ll also have a pretty good inkling

about what brings her joy as an adult. Inheriting a love for nature from her grandfather and father, Norma spent

her growing-up years climbing trees, playing in mud puddles, and pretending to be various animals that lived in the woods near her home in Colorado. Norma’s natural sense of curiosity helped lead her to her present career path. Starting out as a psychology major at CSU-Fort Collins, she soon switched majors when a study trip abroad in China helped her to see that not all

children have sufficient opportunities to encounter nature. After earning a BA in Environmental Studies from CU-Boulder, Norma set to work counteracting “nature deficit disorder,” working as a naturalist in state and county parks. She loves environmental education because of the connections it fosters between children and the natural world. Norma enjoys spending time with her husband in the outdoors—rock-climbing, trail-running, hiking, and reading. She says she is ecstatic about joining the team at Rancho El Chorro Outdoor School. Welcome to SLOCOE!

Welcome to the SLOCOE Family Lindsey Eckersley, Human Resources Technician, HR Bruce Huston, Instructional Assistant-Visually Impaired

Program, SPS Michelle Mayabb, Fiscal Specialist I, Business Services Joe Pauly, School Bus Driver, MOT Jaclyn Rivas, Interpreter for the Deaf, SPS Kelly Sola, School Bus Driver, MOT

Thank You for Your Service Jennifer Chassman, Program Director, ESS Fran Coughlin, Credentialed School Nurse, SPS Julie Halverson, Speech/Language Specialist, SPS Deborah Klann, School Bus Driver, MOT Brandi Lykes, Registered Nurse, SPS Carolyn Miles, Eduational Occupational Therapist, SPS Mike Peeples,, Independent Study Teacher, SPS Alicia Phillips, DHH Classroom, SPS Sara Roudebush, Instr. Assistant w/signing skills, SPS Debbie Stone, Administrative Assistant I, SELPA

Theresa Sherwin, Job Placement Specialist, SELPA Annie Turner, Teacher, Grizzly ChalleNGe Youth Academy Michelle Vidal, Job Placement Specialist, SELPA Kelly Yungman, Certificated Sr. Coordinator, ESS

ESS—Educational Support Services; HR—Human Resources; MOT—Maintenance, Operations, & Transportation; SELPA—Special Education Local Plan Area; SPS—Student Programs & Services

School Bus Driver Debbie Klann (below with Denise Palermo-Blakely) received handmade cards and posters from

students and staff at Chalk Mountain Community School on her last day. Debbie is moving away to be closer to family.

Meet Maria Ruelas, Accounting

Technician III, Business Services

Y ou would never know it to look at her but Maria is the mother of FIVE children—the oldest, a girl, is a

student at Hancock college! She also has twin 17-year-old sons and two more daughters, ages 14 and 10. Even though she was only 16 when she and her husband, Gilbert, had their first child, Maria was able to complete high school and graduate with her class. Maria started working when she was only 14. In high school she worked at Jiffy Lube and learned how to change oil and rotate tires. She also worked in a bank for 10 years. She now enjoys working at SLOCOE and says the best part is that her co-workers are open and friendly. She also enjoys the challenges of learning the “back-end” of school business. Once she gets a better handle on her new position, Maria plans to go back to Hancock College to finish the last few credits for her accounting degree. Maria enjoys supporting her children in their many sporting activities, including softball, soccer, swimming, and baseball. In what little spare time she has she loves to read a variety of genre of books. We’re very glad you’re here, Maria!

~ TRANS IT IONS ~

SLOCOE eNEWS 3

I n early May, SLOCOE and the SLO Jazz Festival hosted “Get Jazzed,” their first Music in Education mixer. Members of the SLO Jazz Band performed while guests mingled and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres. The next Arts in Education reception will occur Friday, June 17, 5:00-7:30 p.m. in the Board Room. Art has been on display all year long at SLOCOE as part of the SLO Museum of Art’s business exhibit program, otherwise known as

“Art About Town.” SLOCOE staff and visitors are cur-rently enjoying the mixed media work of Ellen Jewett (in Administration); abstract art by Kurt Waldo (in the Board Room); paintings by Sandra Lee (main hallway); and photographs by Doris Goodill (Training Room). Students of all ages

are exhibiting their colorful art in the Reception Area. All efforts are to promote music and arts in education.

SLOCOE Hosts Music Mixers & Ar t Forums

Super Awesome is a phrase heard frequently by staff in Student Programs & Services (SPS), to

applaud all who are observed performing exemplary work on behalf of students, their families, and co-workers. The phrase has been heard ringing in SLOCOE’s corridors, in fact, all year long! Here are some May highlights of “super awesome” efforts of staff “to involve parents and folks that support our students at home,” as noted by Assistant Superintendent DJ Pittenger, and other program administrators. Parent Night and Potluck for Students and Families (Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Program) Parents of deaf-and-hard-of-hearing students came to a potluck designed to allow them to fellowship with each other and hear presentations that offered information and support. It was very well attended. Super awesome! Annual Family Picnic (Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Program) An estimated 75-100 people, from classrooms and the community, enjoyed a Sunday BBQ picnic at Atascadero Lake Park, with games, face painting, and drumming performances Super-awesome kudos to Dianne Purnell, who organized the event. MOVE Training (Medically Fragile Classrooms) “The team from SLOCOE’s medically fragile classrooms sponsored MOVE training. Says DJ, “The philosophy behind MOVE is that if students can sit, stand, walk, and transition, it will provide a better quality of life for them and their caregivers. Classroom staff and parents/caregivers participated in a very well-organized day, and have not stopped talking about how much they appreciate it.” Super awesome! Parent Project (Community Schools) A ten-week parenting class, held between April 9 and June 9, for parents and caregivers of at-risk and defiant youth, provided adults with the tools they need to show their children they love them, while also holding them accountable for their actions. Ten lessons designed to strengthen the family unit, increase parent involvement, and reduce harmful behaviors, were presented by Patty Ramirez, Ruben Lopez, Amanda Thomas, and Mike Gray. Super awesome! The Vision Services Team Supported Special Olympics Student athletes participating in the May 6 Special Olympics at Cuesta College had a special cheering section from Vison Services staff, who took time out of their busy day to support them. “The students served by our very own Vision Team received especially loud cheers that day,” says Program Specialist Molly Lawrence-Shattuck. Super awesome!

SLOCOE eNEWS 4

Business Staff Learns How To Paint with Mrs. Smith

W hat does one call a whole lot of turtles together? A flock? A herd? A gaggle? The first to email

the correct answer to newsletter@slocoe.org will receive a special prize. In the meantime, enjoy the turtle art created by Business Services staff in a painting class, courtesy of Dr. Sheldon Smith, and his wife, Tisha, who is a gifted artist and instructor. Also participating in the painting class were staff from Information Technology Services and Operational Services.

O n April 30, students and teachers met at Templeton High School to collaborate through innovation! Teachers from throughout the county learned to use exciting new tech tools and resources in the classroom,

and students had the opportunity to showcase their intriguing technology projects. The day included more than 30 workshops from which participants could choose, including “Creating Digital Portfolios” and “Green Screen Technology.” During the lunch break participants were treated to demonstrations of drones (otherwise known as multi-copters), potato launchers, solar telescopes, sound mixing, and a special guest appearance by

R2D2! Innovation Learning Camp was one of many events sponsored

by SLO CUE this past year.

SLOCOE and SLO Computer-Using Educators (SLO CUE) Hosted April’s Innovation Learning Camp in Templeton

Below, Left to Right: Students and adults enjoyed encounters with R2D2, multi-copter demonstrations by our own Ashley Lightfoot , a solar telescope, and student-built robots.