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In This Issue Special Education student honored · Special Education student recognized Onna Bejarano-Perkins has made big strides in school. · Migrant Ed program helps youth graduate · Board elects Mah, Chang as In fact, her accomplishments were officers so great that Onna recently · Program cultivates civic earned special recognition from leadership · Reelected board members sworn the Santa Clara County Board of in Education. · Tournament teaches students sportsmanship "This award is great for me and for other kids," Onna said after accepting her accolade late last month.

Jeff McCahan, Onna's therapist, said that since the 10-year-old enrolled in the COE's special education program for children with emotional disturbances about a year ago, she has shown remarkable growth and progress.

"She's consistently worked hard, displayed appropriate classroom behavior, and got along well with other kids," Jeff said. "This is one place where she's been really successful. She compartmentalizes things and really shines."

Onna attends fourth grade at Sanders Elementary, one of the Earlier this month, I had the schools in the COE's Santa Teresa special education cluster. pleasure of giving one of the keynote addresses at the 13th "As staff, we are in awe of Onna's resiliency and her ability to annual Accountability Leadership perform at such a high level," Jeff said. Institute, which was held in Santa Clara. This annual gathering is designed to help educators develop effective policies and successful programs for English Migrant Ed program helps youth graduate learners and immigrant students. Six students recently As the superintendent of schools in realized their dreams of Santa Clara County, I'm especially interested in this work. Nearly 25 high school graduation percent of our county's students thanks to a program are classified as English learners. offered by the COE. We are strongly committed to supporting those students in learning English and supporting The Migrant Out of School their fluency in other languages at Youth program identifies the same time. students of age 14 to 21

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Silicon Valley is a diverse who are no longer enrolled in school and have not graduated or community, a microcosm of the passed the General Educational Development (GED) test. world, if you will. Nearly 60 languages are spoken here, and just as many cultural backgrounds Working closely with a Morgan Hill-based adult school and a COE exist. The ability to speak, read Migrant Education program advocate, the students received and write in two or more languages netbook computers and completed high school credits online. is increasingly important to workplace success. Citizens of the global economy need language Earlier this month, the six students participated in a small, skills and cultural awareness to personal graduation ceremony in which each student could thank thrive in a multicultural and the people who helped them achieve their dreams. multilingual world.

The presidential election last month demonstrated just how Board elects Mah, Chang as officers significant multicultural awareness can be. As we have learned, Here's a summary of actions taken by the Santa Clara County Board demographics played a major role of Education at its Nov. 28 and Dec. 12 meetings: in the outcome. President Obama earned an overwhelming share of the Asian-American and Hispanic • Denied a petition from Discovery vote. Charter School to open three facilities as countywide charter Going forward, demographics schools undoubtedly will play an even greater role in national politics. In •Elected Grace H. Mah as board the coming years, anyone who president and Michael Chang as aspires to be president -- or for board vice president that matter, a senator or governor • Approved a countywide charter -- will need a voice that resonates with a wide spectrum of petition for Summit Public School: constituents. Those candidates Denali who understand the value of • Amended its 2013 meeting to biliteracy will have a huge schedule to add a Jan. 23 meeting, advantage over those who do not. as well as other changes And the advantage will not stop • Recognized Pauline Daly as once they are elected. We see December 2012 Employee of the evidence every day of a world Month becoming flatter. For the United States to continue to be the leader • Recognized student volunteers of the free world, our leaders will with the "My Vote, Our Future" have to appreciate the customs campaign and beliefs of different people all over the globe. One sure path to The Board of Education is the elected governing body of the COE. that understanding is through biliteracy -- believing in it, Its seven members serve four-year terms and are elected by fostering it, rewarding it. different regions of the county. Learn more about the members, and view their meeting schedule, agendas and minutes. That's why, at the Santa Clara County Office of Education, we have instituted the local Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes high Program cultivates Asian, Latino American school seniors who have mastered two or more languages. Last leadership skills spring, we awarded the Seal of Another session of a leadership program Biliteracy to more than 200 students. for Asian Americans and Latino Americans in Silicon Valley begins next month. We feel that this award not only honors the individual students and Participants in the Asian Pacific American their accomplishments, but also recognizes the overarching value Leadership Institute's Civic Leadership Program (CLP) at De Anza of biliteracy. And who knows? College will meet Thursday evenings between Jan. 10 to March Maybe one day, one of those 28. honored students -- that boy or girl in your town, in your local school -- will serve as our nation's Learn more about the CLP, including application information for biliterate Commander in Chief. De Anza students and community members.

The group gathers 25

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practicing and emerging leaders. This year's program leaders are Santa Clara County Board of Education Vice President Michael Chang and Mayra Cruz, CLP director and San Workshop address Jose Evergreen College District trustee. suicide prevention, The 2013 CLP will particularly benefit those exploring civic response engagement in local government commissions, elected office or Attendees of an upcoming staff positions; public policy advocacy; leadership in nonprofit or workshop will learn about the community-based organizations; or corporate sector government latest research and data in suicide and community relations. prevention, as well as strategies for suicide response. Reelected board members sworn in Suicide Prevention and Four members of the County Board of Education began new terms Intervention: An Educational Response will be held Jan. 7 from this month. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the COE, 1290 Board members Leon F. Ridder Park Drive in San Jose. Beauchman, Joseph Di Salvo, Grace Mah and Anna The free workshop is geared toward school health crisis teams, Song took the Oath of nurses, teachers, counselors, Office on Dec. 12, about a school psychologists, and district month after maintaining and school-site administrators. their respective seats on Register online. For more the county Board of information, contact Myrna Education. Zendejas at (408) 453-6762. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Brian Walsh swore in the group.

Links of Interest Beauchman and Di Salvo, who respectively represent Areas 3 and 4 of Santa Clara County, both run unopposed for their seats. Voters reelected Mah and Song, who respectively represent Areas 1 and Who We Are 5, in the Nov. 6 election. Watch a video that details the essential services that the Family and friends joined the trio for the festive occasion. COE provides students, teachers, districts and the community of Students to learn sportsmanship at Santa Clara County. tournament Local students will have a chance to learn about fitness and good sportsmanship at an upcoming professional tennis tournament.

The 2013 SAP Open Kids Day runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 15 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose. The event is open to second- through eighth-grade students, teachers and chaperones. See registration information.

Now in its 18th year, the free event includes a demonstration by professional tennis players, and information about health and fitness.

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The SAP Open also hosts an essay contest for all students scheduled to attend the event. Twelve students will win a prize package and be invited down to the court to meet the pros and participate in various tennis drills.

For more information about the event, contact Lynley Takaki at (408) 977-4758.

The top men's tennis tournament in the region runs Feb. 11 to 17, and will feature players like , , and . Since 1852, the Santa Clara County Office of Education has provided vital services and resources to the county's 31 K-12 public school districts and more than 250,000 students. The COE strives to provide advocacy and leadership on education issues, student programs that are models of excellence, and indispensable services to schools and community partners. The COE takes pride in being a premier employer and a champion for children, schools, and community.

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