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May 4, 2024

Recognize a Teacher

Dear community member, 

One of the highlights of the role of County Superintendent of Schools is getting to recognize the exemplary educators who work across all levels of our TK-12 school community.

As we head into Teacher Appreciation Week, from May 6-10, the COE is thrilled to provide a way for students and families to share their own appreciation for our outstanding teachers.

If you know a teacher who should be recognized, please take a moment to fill the form linked here and below. When you’re done, we’ll create a personalized certificate of appreciation that will be shared with the teacher next week. Nominations can be submitted any time through the end of the day on Friday, May 10. Last year, we received more than 900 nominations – let’s see if our community can share even more appreciation this year!

I also want to thank Verve Coffee Roasters and Cafe Delmarette for continuing to show their appreciation for teachers by providing complimentary beverages on National Teacher Appreciation Day, which falls on Tuesday, May 7 (please check with the shops directly for details about their promotion). If you know of any other fun local promotions or recognitions taking place, please please reply to this email and let us know!

Finally, I want to welcome Dr. Heather Contreras as Superintendent of Schools in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District! It was a pleasure to meet with Dr. Contreras this week and I look forward to working with her to support PVUSD students and families.

Yours in education and equity,
Dr. Faris Sabbah
County Superintendent of Schools

RECOGNIZE A TEACHER

PVUSD Welcomes Dr. Contreras

The Pajaro Valley Unified School District this week welcomed Dr. Heather Contreras as Superintendent of Schools!

Dr. Contreras met with community members on Wednesday, and has invited families to several upcoming “Look, Listen, and Learn” sessions. Find the details and read a message from Dr. Contreras through the link below. 

READ THE MESSAGE

New 'Fentanyl High' Screening

We are partnering to present a second screening of the student-produced documentary "Fentanyl High" at the Green Valley CineLux in Watsonville on May 15!

The screening will include a panel, Q&A, and free distribution of naloxone, the life-saving opioid overdose reversal medication. We are thrilled to once again be joined by the filmmaker Kyle Santoro, a high school senior who produced the documentary. Tickets are free but space is limited, so register now to save your seat.

RESERVE A TICKET

Join Author Francisco Jimenez 

Bookshop Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz COE  welcome bestselling author Francisco Jiménez (The Circuit) for a celebration of The Circuit Graphic Novel at Sequoia High School in Freedom at 6 p.m. May 23.

Poignantly told from a young boy's perspective, the popular and award-winning memoir centered on a Mexican family working California's fields is now a powerful graphic novel. Admission is free, with food and beverages provided by the Santa Cruz COE. 
 

FIND OUT MORE

Youth Art Exhibit

More than 400 works of art created by Santa Cruz County students are on display at the Government Center on Ocean Street through May 3!

The works are part of the 2024 Youth Art Exhibit, facilitated by the Santa Cruz COE and Arts Council Santa Cruz County. Community members are invited to view the art 8am-5pm Monday through Friday and to attend the reception for the from 5-7pm May 3.

FIND OUT MORE

Join the Student Trustee Academy

High school students preparing to become student trustees or with a general interest in district leadership and governance are encouraged to apply to the Student Trustee Academy. 

The training consists of six different sessions to learn about the role and responsibilities of a school board over the course of six sessions. Thanks to the generous support of Bank of America, students who complete the program are able to receive an iPad to support their continued development as student leaders. 

APPLY NOW

Queer Youth Leadership Awards

The Queer Youth Task Force is proud to announce the 27th Annual Queer Youth Leadership Awards will take place on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at 5:30 pm at Scotts Valley High School in Scotts Valley.

QYLA is about gathering as a community, bearing witness, visibility, celebration, raucous applause, and, above all, an outpouring of love. 

FIND OUT MORE
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“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”

—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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