The Theatre Company’s upcoming production of Elf The Musical JR is a fitting way to welcome the holiday season to

Tulare County. Based on the beloved holiday film starring Will

Ferrell, Elf JR is a heartwarming, fish-out-of-water musical that

chronicles Buddy the Elf ’s quest to find his true identity.

“Following the very dramatic productions we featured in

2016, including The Secret Garden and Les Misérables, I knew

that I wanted to direct a feel-good, funny and exciting

musical for our fall 2017 show,” said the show’s director and

Theatre Company vocal coach Charlotte Garcia Da Rosa.

After reading the script and listening to the music for Elf, I knew I had found the show! With a cast of 107 performers,

this show offers many kids the chance to be featured in a

truly joy-filled, family show!”

The story of Elf begins with Buddy, an orphan toddler, mistakenly crawling into Santa's bag of gifts. Transported

to the North Pole, Buddy is raised as an elf, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor

toy- making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New

York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh reality that his father is on the

naughty list and that his half-brother doesn't even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new

family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

Theatre Company’s production of heartwarming musical features cast of 107

Elf The Musical JR arrives for the holidays

T H E N E W S L E T T E R o f T H E T U L A R E C O U N T Y O F F I C E o f E D U C A T I O N

newsgallerynewsgallery

November 2017

SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCESL.J. Williams Theater, 1001 W. Main St., Visalia

Show TimesEvening Shows (7:00 p.m.): November 16, 17 and 18Matinee Show (2:00 p.m.): November 18

Show Ticket Information$10 preshow “Buddy’s North Pole Adventure” passes / $12 general admission / $20 reserved seating tickets available at Visalia TCOE locations: 6200 S. Mooney Blvd. and 7000 Doe Ave. Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Cash or check only. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.

Nearly 400 high school students learn postsecondary college and career opportunities

Special Services hosts College and Career Fair Travis, a junior at Visalia Unified’s VTEC High

School, has a plan for his future, which he clearly

articulated in the crowd of young people at the

annual College and Career Fair. “I’m interested in

enlisting in the US Army to build my welding skills

and learn more about engineering.” The young

man shared that he appreciates that the Army may

pay for additional studies after his service, saying

“I’m glad to serve while gaining skills that will

enable me to support myself and help others. I want

to be able to contribute to the economy.”

Travis was among

nearly 400 high school

seniors and juniors

from districts

throughout Tulare

County who attended

the annual College

and Career Fair in the

Tulare County Office

of Education

Redwood Conference

Center on October

25. Organized by the

Tulare County Office

of Education Special

Education Local Plan

Area (SELPA), the

College and Career

Fair is an event

designed to provide

students with various

learning disabilities

exposure to post-secondary education and training

opportunities as they transition to adult life.

The College and Career Fair featured dozens of

representatives from area community colleges, adult

schools and trade institutes, and military recruiters

and local employment supporters, including

California Highway Patrol, TCOE’s Services for

Education & Employment (SEE), Proteus and the

California Department of Rehabilitation. Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

November 2017

(upper photo) Travis, a junior at VTEC High School in Visalia, discusses the programs offered in the US Army with a local recruiter. (middle photo) Students also had the opportunity to speak to representatives from local trade schools, including Estes Institute Of Cosmetology in Visalia. (lower photo, l-r) Job developers Mang Chang and Benny Rivera share information on TCOE’s A Ticket to Success Program.

The conversation between members of an

Earlimart Middle School after school STEM

program was a snapshot of quality 21st century

learning. The team of students had gathered on the

dusty baseball field with their facilitator to assemble

and test a trebuchet, a type of catapult they had

designed and constructed. All the elements of

learning were there: collaboration, critical

thinking, communication and creativity. “I think

the weight is too low,” Manuel theorized as the

team fitted the launching arm with a sling designed

to propel a 10-pound exercise ball through the air.

For nearly two hours the team worked together,

testing and modifying the trebuchet. “We need a

lighter ball, maybe a basketball,” said Andrick.

Modifications and further testing continued into

the early evening. Through the process, the

students remained optimistic. “The ball will

probably hit the score board,” they joked, looking

at the object that sat across the field some 40 yards

away. Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

Earlimart students benefit from after school, summer science and engineering activities

Community partners join, create STEM program

CHOICES Prevention Program offers valuable mental health support to local districts

Youth Mental Health First Aid training availableNow in effect, California Assembly Bill 2246 mandates each school district develop a policy on pupil suicide

prevention to specifically address the needs of high-risk groups. To assist districts in satisfying their policy requirements

and meeting the mental health needs of their students, the CHOICES Prevention Program has created additional

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training opportunities throughout the 2017-18 school year.

YMHFA is an international program proven to be effective and is part of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Service Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices. YMHFA is

designed to teach adults how to identify and help adolescents experiencing mental health issues, addiction challenges or

personal crisis. The training covers common mental health challenges, reviews typical adolescent development, and

teaches a five-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered

during the full-day training include anxiety, depression, suicide ideation, substance use, disorders in which psychosis

may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD) and eating disorders.

In 2015, nearly 39,000 California youth, ages 5 to 19, were admitted to hospitals for mental health issues, most

commonly depression. Additionally, data indicates that in 90% of suicides, a mental health condition existed. “Building

the capacity of school staff to identify and support students experiencing mental health issues is key to ensuring that

they become healthy, productive young adults,” said Jim Vidak, Tulare County Superintendent of Schools. “The Youth

Mental Health First Aid training is a valuable first step in this process.” Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

Read more at tcoe.org

Earlimart Middle School students are participating in a STEM after school program that began this summer and continues into the spring. This fall, the students designed and constructed a trebuchet, a type of catapult.

spot l ight

Read more at tcoe.org

The annual Young People’s Concert series began October 24 with performances in Visalia. Since 1959, the Tulare County Office of Education (TCOE) and the Tulare County Symphony have partnered to bring symphonic music to the students of Tulare County. During the concerts, students were treated to a live orchestral performance, coupled with lessons in music history and concert etiquette. Nearly 8,000 elementary and middle school students attended seven separate concerts at three different venues in Visalia, Tulare, and Porterville, making the program one of the oldest and largest youth concert series in the nation. (photo 1) Tulare County Symphony League’s Rita Crandall is pictured presenting Logan Wells, a Redwood High School student, with the Lorraine Burtner Young Artist Competition Award. Logan performed with the symphony during its program entitled Musical Adventures, which featured selections from film and television scores. On October 24, the Tulare County Council on Child and Youth Development held its annual Legislative Breakfast. (photo 2) The keynote speaker was Dr. Junlei Li, a professor and co-director of the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media at St. Vincent College in Pennsylvania, who spoke about research on the importance of early childhood teachers and the investment needed to ensure their success. At the breakfast, Visalia Unified’s Goshen State Preschool received the annual Impact Award. The award was given for the preschool’s outstanding service to the children and families it serves. The Goshen State Preschool recently completed TCOE Early Childhood Education’s Quality Rating Improvement System program, receiving a five-star rating and a $40,000 grant. (photo 3, l-r) Pictured are Houa Vang and lead teacher Sandra German. Over 1,300 students and parents attended the annual Tulare County Red Ribbon Week Celebration on October 18 at the Visalia Convention Center – an event cohosted by the CHOICES Prevention Programs and Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency (HHSA). Thirty-five youth and community agencies were on hand to provide students with safe and healthy activities that are part of productive lives free from drugs, alcohol and gang activity. (photo 4) Among them was the Visalia Judo Club and member Jessica Fung, a TCOE external business services technician. (photo 5) Amanda Timblin, an HHSA health education specialist, is pictured discussing with students lung damage that results from smoking. (photo 6) Members of the Cal Water Visalia office straighten a new CHARACTER COUNTS! (CC!) banner that flew on the water tower adjacent to Mineral King Bowl during CC! Week in October. The TCOE CC! Office will wrap up its annual celebration of good student character at the Provident- Salierno Family Foundation Awards event on November 2. Thirty-eight student winners and finalists in the 2017 Kids of Character Awards will be awarded scholarships. Many of these same students will be profiled through weekly news stories on KSEE24’s Your Character Matters, an ongoing character recognition partnership with TCOE. Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

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For more events, programs and meetings, visit our online calendar at www.tcoe.org/CalendarOfEvents

upcomingevents

Excellence in Education Awards Ceremony7:30 a.m., Visalia Convention Center, 303 E. Acequia, VisaliaFor information, call Marlene Moreno at (559) 733-6302.

CHARACTER COUNTS! Provident-Salierno Family Foundation Awards Reception6:00 p.m., TCOE Administration Building, 6200 S. Mooney Blvd., VisaliaFor information, call Kelley Petty at (559) 740-4303.

Expanding Your Horizons(for young women in grades 4-10)8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., College of the Sequoias, 915 S. Mooney Blvd., VisaliaFor information, call Katherine Goyette at (559) 651-3008.

Circle J Astronomy Night(for students and families, open to the public)6:00 - 8:30 p.m., Circle J-Norris Ranch, 41893 Yokohl Valley Rd., SpringvilleTo register, call Nancy Bruce at (559) 539-2263.

Fall Institute (for Tulare County School Board Members, School Administrators, County Committee on School District Organization members)5:00 p.m., Wyndham Visalia, 9000 W. Airport Dr., VisaliaFor information, call Marlene Moreno at (559) 733-6302.

Theatre Company Fall Musical: Elf The Musical JRL. J. Williams Theater, 1001 Main St., VisaliaFor information, call Bethany Rader at (559) 651-1482.

Planetarium Public Show: Wildest Weather in the Solar System6:00 pm & 7:00 p.m., Peña Planetarium11535 Avenue 264, VisaliaFor more information, call (559) 737-6334.

Student Art Exhibition (featuring school districts R-W)TCOE Administration Building,6200 S. Mooney Blvd., VisaliaFor information, call Kate Stover at (559) 741-0809.

Foster Youth Education Summit8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., TCOE Administration Building, 6200 S. Mooney Blvd., VisaliaFor information, call Beth Wilshire at (559) 730-2910, ext. 5131.

CyberQuest (grades 4-12)8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., TCOE Administration & Conference Center, 6200 S. Mooney Blvd., VisaliaFor information, call Katherine Goyette at (559) 651-3008.

Birding 101 at Circle J9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Circle J-Norris Ranch41893 Yokohl Valley Rd., SpringvilleFor reservations, call Nancy Bruce at (559) 539-2263.

SCICON and Circle J Christmas Bird Count8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., SCICON and Circle J-Norris Ranch. 41893 Yokohl Valley Rd., SpringvilleFor reservations, call Nancy Bruce at (559) 539-2263.

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News Gallery CommitteeEditor: Robert Herman, Public Information OfficerContributors: Marlene Moreno, Jennifer Fisher, Lorena White, Kate Stover, Paula Terrill, Juliana Davidian, Virginia Sepeda, Bethany Rader,

Charlotte Garcia Da Rosa, Jennifer Reimer, Tiffany Owens-Stark,

Kathleen Green-Martins and Dianne Shew.

The News Gallery is published monthly with the exception of double issues printed for July/August and December/January. If you would

like to receive The News Gallery, visit tcoe.org/GetTheGallery or

contact Jennifer Fisher at (559) 733-6172, or at jenniferf@tcoe.org.

The TCOE Foster & Homeless Youth Services Program will be hosting its annual Foster Youth Education Summit on November 30 in the Redwood Conference Center at 6200 S. Mooney Blvd. in Visalia. Social workers and educators in all school settings are invited to attend the full-day event, which will include opportunities to hear from foster youth about their needs and concerns, learn about resources the Foster & Homeless Youth Services Program and districts can provide, network with local social workers and educators, and participate in an interactive exercise designed to show conference attendees what it’s like to be in foster care. To register for this free event, visit: tulare.k12oms.org/146-141561. On October 10, the California Friday Night Live Partnership coordinated with Friday Night Live (FNL) chapters in 30 counties across California to conduct its annual Roadwatch survey. From 7:00 to 8:00 a.m., FNL student members surveyed 88 intersections near high schools and middle schools and observed 10,252 cases of distracted driving during the one-hour period – an average of 116.5 instances per intersection surveyed. Across the state, students observed drivers distracted by phones, passengers, pets, food and more as they drove past California schools. In Tulare County, FNL students surveyed four intersections, recording nearly 500 instances of distracted driving. Year after year, Roadwatch, which is funded by the Allstate Foundation, proves to be a vital tool for raising awareness about the issue of distracted driving and creating student-led change in traffic safety throughout California.

Registration is now open for the fourth annual Cal Water H2O Challenge – a project-based, environmentally-focused competition for grades 4-6. Aligned with the California State Standards and complimentary to the Next Generation Science Standards, the statewide Cal Water H2O Challenge offers a unique opportunity for upper elementary students to initiate, develop, and implement a 4-8 week-long project focusing on water. Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Jim VidakPresident: Chris Reed, Trustee Area No. 6Vice President: Judy Coble, Trustee Area No. 4

Trustees: Celia Maldonado-Arroyo, Trustee Area No. 1; Debby Holguin, Trustee Area No. 2; Tom Link, Trustee Area No. 3; Joe Enea, Trustee Area No. 5; And Patricia Hillman, Trustee Area No. 7

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