To begin the new school year, College and Career Readiness (CCR) is introducing two new learning opportunities for middle and high school administrators and counselors. 

On August 26, CCR will welcome presenters from the California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) for training on the system’s new career technical education exploration tools and course management portal maintenance. Registration for the full-day training is available at https://tulare.k12oms.org/2458-281409. The training is free and breakfast and lunch are provided. 

CCR’s second learning opportunity developed from the award of a new state planning grant. The Tulare Kings College and Career Collaborative (TKCCC) – a consortium of 14 school districts, four community colleges, two universities, many local industry partners, and the Kings and Tulare county offices of education– was selected as one of 14 awardees to participate in California’s Secondary School Redesign Pilot Program. 

Through the Secondary School Redesign program, middle and high schools are encouraged to move away from outdated, "factory-model" structures into rich, student-centered learning environments. TKCCC, along with high schools in Corcoran, Cutler-Orosi, Dinuba, Exeter and Woodlake school districts, were awarded the grant based on the steps they are taking toward expanding hands-on career technical pathways, deepening student mentorship programs, and building personalized support systems tailored to regional workforce needs. 

Administrators, counselors, teachers, and district office leaders from Tulare and Kings county middle and high schools are invited to learn how the partner high schools are redesigning their student experiences by attending a series of site visits featuring Exeter Union High School (August 25), Corcoran High School (September 16), Orosi High School (October 2), Woodlake Union High School (November 3) and Dinuba High School (December 8). To register for the first presentation featuring Exeter Union High School, visit https://bit.ly/eusdredesign. 

With the Secondary School Redesign grant, TKCCC aims to establish a blueprint for modern high school education by highlighting innovative strategies developed across these five partner districts that will serve as a scalable model for high schools throughout Tulare County and the broader Central Valley. All area high schools are welcome to participate in site visits and discussions. For more information on the grant or how to participate, contact Lori Narahara at lori.narahara@tcoe.org. 

To support Tulare County educators building or strengthening their character education programs, the CHARACTER COUNTS! (CC!) office offers a variety of free resources, including its annual two-day training, classroom materials, and in-person instructional support.

The annual fall two-day training is being held August 27 and September 3. This training will help participants learn more about CC! and why character development matters for a positive school climate, academic success, and social-emotional growth. Tulare County teachers and administrators are invited to the training to learn how CC! strategies help students build self-awareness, self-management and decision-making skills, social awareness, and relationship skills. Registration is available at https://tulare.k12oms.org/1530-283151.

Additionally, CC! provides consulting to help school teams implement and sustain a successful character education program, showing that CHARACTER COUNTS! is an integrated approach that complements existing curricula. Services include on-site professional development coaching and staff training, recognition events, family nights, leadership opportunities, and grade-specific lessons aligned to SEL and state standards.

For questions about building your character education or sportsmanship programs, contact Zoty Briceño, CHARACTER COUNTS! program coordinator, at miozoty.briceno@tcoe.org.

TCOE's Circle J-Norris Ranch is pleased to announce the availability of a new paid internship for high school students. Interns will work at Circle J-Norris Ranch full days on November 7, 11, 14, and 25 to improve habitat, educate others, and create environmental change.

For the internship, interns will install and expand pollinator gardens, monitor and protect oak seedlings, create and install educational signage, and design, build, and install a variety of wildlife nesting boxes for animals such as wood ducks, American kestrels, bats, and owls.

Students are encouraged to apply by August 31 at https://forms.gle/cK3zxgLLUqf1J3Qe6. For more information, contact Amanda Driver at circlej@tcoe.org.

Editor: Robert Herman, Communications Director
Contributors: Nayirah Dosu, Jennifer Fisher, Jaime Burnitzki, Lori Narahara, Heather Jones