A Note from the Superintendent
 On behalf of the San Mateo County Office of Education and the County Board of Education, welcome back to a new school year! As we launch into the 2019-2020 year we are excited to partner with teachers, school staff, and local leaders to support active and inspiring learning opportunities for all of our 94,000 students in the county.
The new school year also promises to be a year of possibility for California, as Governor Gavin Newsom and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond begin their work together to tackle some of the system-wide challenges that face schools across the state. While our educators dedicate themselves each day to nurturing and growing our leaders of tomorrow, the rest of us must do all we can to support and strengthen public education. Stay informed, get involved, speak up. It takes all of us to educate a child.
I am energized to be kicking off my first school year as County Superintendent and am thrilled to lead such an impressive team of talented and equity-driven educators who are eager to break down systemic barriers and support student success. You can read more about some of our newest leaders below. Additionally, we will continue to prioritize our community partnerships in areas such as school safety, high quality early learning, college and career readiness, environmental literacy, and special education. I know that through the collective efforts of our entire county, we can launch our children successfully into a diverse and globalized world.
Here is to a successful, safe, and joyful school year.
Nancy Magee, San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools
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Staffing Changes at the County Office
The County Office of Education is proud to introduce two new executive leaders who serve the organization's ongoing vision: Jeneé Littrell, who was promoted to Deputy Superintendent, Student Services, and Jennifer Frentress, Ed.D, who joined the organization as Associate Superintendent, Instructional Services.
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 Jeneé Littrell
Deputy Superintendent, Student Services
Jeneé assumed the role of Deputy Superintendent this year in addition to her responsibilities as division head of Student Services. She joined the County Office of Education in 2015, and has served as both Director and Administrator of Safe and Supportive Schools. She was promoted to Associate Superintendent, Student Services, in 2018. Jeneé is a recognized leader, serving on several boards and committees that support San Mateo County students including StarVista; the Children, Youth and Families System of Care; and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission. Jeneé has worked with the County Office of Education's partners in the Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities to develop supports and tools for student success. “Students are experiencing more stressors and pressures than ever before. Our Student Services team is committed to working with our County Office of Education colleagues and all 23 districts in the county to ensure each student’s social-emotional, behavioral, and academic needs are met.”
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 Jennifer Frentress, Ed.D.
Associate Superintendent, Instructional Services
Jennifer joined the County Office of Education in March as Associate Superintendent, Instructional Services. Most recently, she advised districts and schools across the country on district and school improvement. Jennifer taught in the classroom for 11 years before serving in diverse roles such as school principal, school district director of teaching and learning, and adjunct professor of education. Jennifer has immersed herself in the County Office of Education’s work with districts and joined current efforts to improve outcomes for all students. “All students deserve equitable access to opportunities. With the breadth of programs we offer and the partnerships we’ve built with district and school leaders and our community, reaching bold goals for the students we serve is possible."
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Pictured left to right: Cheryl Agrawal, Joy Dardenelle, Sarah Notch, Wendy Richard
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New Administrators at the County Office
The County Office of Education welcomes several administrative leaders who recently joined or are acting in a new capacity in the organization. Each leader brings an extraordinary amount of experience to their role.
CHERYL AGRAWAL - Administrator, Teacher and Administrator Development
Cheryl joined the County Office of Education in 2015 as Coordinator, Leadership and Administrator Services and was later promoted to Director, Administrator and Beginning Teacher Services. Cheryl currently oversees the County Office of Education's new teacher induction and administrative credential programs.
JOY DARDENELLE - Administrator, District Improvement and Support
Joy joined the County Office of Education in July as Administrator, District Improvement and Support. She oversees the County Office's Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP), continuous improvement, and differentiated assistance programs for school districts. She previously served as Cabrillo Unified School District's Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction.
SARAH NOTCH - Administrator, Special Education and Instruction
Sarah joined the County Office of Education in August as its new Administrator, Special Education and Instruction. She coordinates and directs the County Office of Education's special education student programs. Sarah most recently served as the Director of Special Education and Student Services for San Bruno Park School District.
WENDY RICHARD - Administrator, District Business Services
Wendy rejoined the County Office of Education in July as Administrator, District Business Services. She oversees the County Office's many financial and business services for school districts, including reviewing and approving budgets. Wendy previously served as San Bruno Park School District's Associate Superintendent for Business Services.
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Welcome Back to School!
Paraeducators: Stars in our Classroom
Paraeducators play a vitally important role in the County Office of Education's special education programs. Watch the video above to learn more about how paraeducators bring excellence and equity into our classrooms.
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San Mateo County
School District Highlights
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Pictured left to right: Roberta Zarea, Dr. Sharon Kamberg, Gina Sudaria, Dr. Sean McPhetridge
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New Superintendents in San Mateo County
The County Office of Education and the San Mateo County Superintendents Association hosted an orientation in August to welcome and support five new superintendents and interim superintendents in San Mateo County.
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ROBERTA ZAREA (Superintendent) - Portola Valley School District
Ms. Zarea served as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services for the Saratoga Union School District since 2013. Previously, she worked as a principal, vice principal, coordinator of special projects, and elementary school teacher in Saratoga Union.
DR. SHARON KAMBERG (Interim Superintendent) - San Bruno Park School District
Dr. Kamberg served for six years as Superintendent of the Burton School District, located in Tulare County. Dr. Kamberg earned her doctorate from the University of La Verne and holds a master’s degree in special education and administration.
GINA SUDARIA (Interim Superintendent) - Ravenswood City School District
Ms. Sudaria has worked in the Ravenswood City School District for the past 21 years. She has served the district as Director of Student Services, Director of Human Resources, principal, vice principal, and teacher.
DR. SEAN MCPHETRIDGE (Superintendent) - Cabrillo Unified School District
Dr. McPhetridge served as Alameda Unified School District's Superintendent for five years before joining Cabrillo Unified School District. He previously worked as an assistant superintendent, principal, vice principal, and teacher.
STEVEN FRANK (Not Pictured) (Superintendent) - Woodside Elementary School District
Mr. Frank has worked at the Woodside Elementary School District for the last 17 years, most recently serving as Middle School Principal. He has also worked as an assistant principal and middle school social studies teacher.
DR. BETH POLITO (Not Pictured) (Superintendent) - Las Lomitas Elementary School District
While Beth Polito is not new to San Mateo County, she is new to the Las Lomitas Elementary School District. She served most recently as Woodside Elementary School District's Superintendent. Prior to joining Woodside, she spent 18 years in the Saratoga Union School District where she served as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, principal, vice principal, dean, and middle school English and Social Studies teacher.
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Spotlight on SMCOE
Programs and Events
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SMCOE Welcomed Summer Interns
The County Office of Education placed more than 35 high school students as interns at nine local companies and organizations, including the County Office, through its summer internship program. The interns appreciated the opportunity to get hands-on experience, and their employers were grateful for their work and professionalism.
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Environmental Literacy Institutes Continue to Inspire
More than 150 teachers participated in the County Office of Education's four environmental literacy institutes this summer. The teachers designed problem-based units of study to teach in the 2019-20 school year. The institutes are part of the County Office’s San Mateo Environmental Literacy Collaborative Teacher Fellowship Program.
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Teachers Learn a Civics Approach to History Education
Thirty teachers participated in a week-long institute as part of an exciting two-year Informed Action Civics pilot program, which supports the implementation of a civics approach to history education. During the institute, participants learned how to develop their own projects to promote advocacy and civic engagement.
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Continued Collaboration on District LCAPs and Budgets
This summer, County Office of Education staff were busy working collaboratively with districts to finalize their Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs) and budgets. County Office staff work together as a multi-divisional team to help districts continuously improve outcomes for all students.
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2019-2020 Big Five Protocols are Released
This month, the Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities released the 2019-2020 edition of the Big Five, San Mateo County’s emergency response protocols, as well as a new Facilities Report to guide districts and their partners in creating and sustaining safe and supportive school campuses.
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County Office Shines Spotlight on MTSS
One of the County Office of Education's priorities is to embed California’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) in its school programs and provide for districts. MTSS is an integrated, comprehensive model that supports students’ academic, behavioral, and social success. Four staff who attended Know My Name, Face & Story, the California MTSS Professional Learning Institute, shared a quick highlight from what they learned at the conference.
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 Carrie Blanton
Coordinator, District Improvement and Support
"We know that if children are segregated in ELL (English Language Learning) settings, they are three times more likely to remain segregated throughout school. Inclusive education does not cost more – except initially when resources are needed to align logistics and provide trainings. The benefits of inclusive education far outweigh these initial costs and promote greater movement toward equity and social justice."
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 Marisol Briones
Assistant Principal, Anne Campbell Center for Children and Families
"l gained ideas on how to implement a supportive and tiered-learning environment in early learning settings and what inclusion looks like in the early learning classroom."
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 Mefula Fairley
Senior Administrator, Superintendent/Board Support and Community Relations
"Justice matters – education is the front line of civil rights today. Emotions matter – they impact relationships, memory, attention, and learning. Relationships matter – if you want to teach me, you first have to reach me."
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 Wendy Richard
Administrator, District Business Services
"From the lens of a non-educational professional, the conference was very interesting and an eye-opener. I learned how the implementation of this framework can differ from school to school, but how the process benefits all students and is a continuous effort. One session showed a documentary, Teach Us All, that I would like to share and discuss with my staff."
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Teacher and Administrator Development Classes Begin
This fall, 35 new administrators will join 34 administrators who are already in the process of clearing their preliminary administrative credential as part of a two-year program. The County Office of Education also welcomes back 26 candidates who are pursuing administrative credentials and more than 250 new teachers who are clearing their teaching credential.
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September is Attendance Awareness Month
The County Office of Education endorses and promotes September as Attendance Awareness Month. Research shows that children who are chronically absent are much less likely to read at grade level by the third grade. Chronic absenteeism is also a predictor of whether students will drop out before graduation. Increasing school attendance begins with awareness.
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Register for These Upcoming Events and Programs
Clear Administrative Services Credential Program
The ACT II Program is dedicated to the development of highly effective, equity-minded leaders who provide rigorous educational programs and develop a strong sense of community with schools, programs, and districts to support all students. Registration ends September 13, 2019.
TUPE Summit
San Mateo County educators and community partners are invited to learn and discuss strategies to reduce tobacco use among students at the TUPE (Tobacco-Use Prevention Education) Summit on September 27, 2019.
Additional Events and Professional Development
Visit the San Mateo County Office of Education's website for information on additional events and professional development opportunities.
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