SSDA Newsletter

November Newsletter

As we head into Thanksgiving and the holiday season, I want to take a moment to share how thankful I am. This time of year always brings into focus what truly matters most—and for me, that’s family. There’s nothing more important than the love and support we share with those closest to us, and I’m beyond grateful for mine.

I’m also so thankful for the friends and colleagues in my life who bring encouragement, laughter, and joy. You remind me every day how much brighter life is when shared with people who care.

When it comes to work, I feel so lucky to be in education. It’s such a privilege to see students not only rise to meet challenges but exceed every expectation along the way. Their determination and resilience inspire me constantly. And the incredible educators I work alongside—what can I say? You put kids first in every decision, pour your hearts into what you do, and create spaces where students can thrive.  Beyond that, the ability to learn from you helps me become a better educator and better advocate for students.

I am very grateful for my association with SSDA.  This past year and half as President has been a tremendous growing opportunity for myself and the organization.  The leadership and support that SSDA provides is needed and will continue to be the voice for students at the State level.  SSDA is moving in the right direction and even more is to come.

As we move into this special time of year, I hope you can take a moment to slow down, relax, and enjoy time with the people who mean the most to you. Let’s all take this opportunity to recharge and reflect on the many blessings in our lives.

Eric Bonniksen
Amy Roehl
Amy Roehl, SSDA Director of Programs

Meet Amy Roehl, SSDA's New Director of Programs

Amy joins SSDA with a deep dedication to small schools and over 30 years of experience across all levels of education. Her background in teaching and executive leadership, combined with her project management expertise, makes her a valuable asset to our team. Amy’s mix of knowledge, passion, and energy will enhance our programs and initiatives, ensuring the best support for small school district leaders as they shape students' futures. You can contact Amy at amy@ssda.org.

Graves Elementary School District: Overcoming Obstacles with Visionary Leadership and Community Support

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Graves
Graves School

In the heart of Salinas, California, Graves Elementary School District faced a crisis that threatened not only the health and safety of its students but also the future of the entire district. As the primary source of clean drinking water for Graves Elementary School, the district's aging well system had finally begun to fail. Without immediate action, the school would no longer have access to potable water for drinking, washing, and maintaining sanitation—an unimaginable situation for any learning environment. For a small district like Graves, however, securing the necessary funds to repair or replace essential infrastructure posed a formidable challenge.

Read the Full Article Here!

Yuri Calderon

By Yuri Calderon, SSDA Executive Director

Veregy Ad

How Bradley Union School District is Growing and Thriving

Bradley USD Students

Located on the border of Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, Bradley Union School District has long been known as a close-knit rural community. However, in recent years, the district faced significant challenges, including six consecutive years of declining enrollment. Last year marked a turning point as the district saw its first enrollment increase in years.

Read the Full Article Here!

Sonora High School Significantly Boosts Student Punctuality by Over 90% Through Innovative Initiatives

Sonora High School

Sonora High School is celebrating a significant achievement in student punctuality, reducing daily tardies by over 90% through a series of creative and engaging initiatives. This transformative shift, from an average of 100 tardies a day to just a handful, reflects the school’s dedication to fostering a positive learning environment for both students and staff.

Read the Full Article Here!

Parsec Education

Join Us at The Measure What We Value Summit!📊

Don’t miss the 2025 Measure What We Value Summit, where educators and thought leaders gather for two impactful days of inspiration and learning. You’ll hear from inspiring speakers like Chaka Booker, Jamila Dugan, Dr. Jamila Lyiscott, and Pepper Miller, plus many many more! Wondering what you can expect from attending, let me give you an overview:

  • Student Speakers: Hear directly from students, offering unique perspectives that reveal the impact of policies and teaching practices on their daily lives.

  • Improving Feedback Process: Learn new approaches to integrating qualitative data, making it easier to assess the full story behind student performance and growth.

  • Unlock LCAP Strategies: Discover actionable tools and strategies to streamline your LCAP process.

  • Reframe Success Metrics: Explore methods to redefine student achievement beyond test scores, focusing on holistic measures that celebrate student individuality and potential.

  • Strategies To Support Students In The Margins: Equip yourself with strategies to foster a welcoming school culture that supports every student’s voice and identity.

  • Math Student Achievement: Learn practical strategies for implementing accelerated math programs to set students up for success after middle school.

  • Connect with Like-Minded Leaders: Collaborate with education leaders who are dedicated to rethinking traditional practices and embracing innovative solutions.

🗓 When: February 5-6, 2025
📍 Where: DoubleTree Hotel, Fresno, CA
🎟 Tickets: Available now at parsecsummit.com
👀 Special SSDA Promo Code: SSDA15OFF

Join us to engage in transformative conversations, gain actionable tools, and create a place where everyone can thrive.

CS4NorCal

CS4NorCal Project Highlights

Students
Teacher and Students

This data brief provides highlights about individual educators intentions to offer computer science instruction in 2024-25. Respondents have all participated in the CS4NorCal professional learning program between 2021 and 2024.

Click Here to Read More!

Putting the Computer in Science, one classroom at a time!

Garrett Edwards

To his middle school science students, he’s known as Mr. Edwards. However, as a full-time employee at the Lake Elementary School in Glenn County, Garrett Edwards, like most teachers at most CS4NorCal schools, wears many hats: science teacher, basketball coach, head of the yearbook club, drama director (& script writer) and a technology advocate. At such a small, rural school -- with fewer than 200 K - 8 students -- Garrett has become an adopter of adding computer science education into his daily lesson plans.

Read the Full Article Here!

CS4NorCal is Capturing our Story on Video

Karen Mix Interviewing a Student

Last week Karen Mix (CS4NorCal co-director) and filmmaker Bruno Pozo (from Elvira Media) were on the road throughout Siskiyou, Lassen and Plumas -- capturing staff, student, administrator, and county office perspectives on the CS4NorCal project… its impact on their school’s curriculum, computer science challenges and successes.  Their personal stories have been so compelling and it’s exciting to see how the CS4NorCal program has impacted rural schools in so many ways! 

This video project has provided a glimpse into how many innovators we work with in rural Northern California counties! We will be in Shasta, Glenn and Modoc counties very soon to hear your story. 

Recording these stories on video, and collecting drone footage of each area, has been a wonderful privilege. Our goal is to create a 3-5 minute video -- to tell each county’s computer science story as best we can. The footage will also be used to promote future computer science outreach programs in other areas of the state and country. 

Keep checking your email for your invitation to be recorded soon!

First Girl-Powered STEM Event in Redding, California

Girls in STEM

Last Saturday Sonsoles Abbott (last month’s spotlight teacher) held the first Girl-Powered STEM Event for 5th-8th grade girls at the Tree of Life International Charter School. Throughout the day, the 25 girls were engaged in how to program Micro:Bits, fly drones and build robotic cars. Of the various CS activities, the girls shared drone flying was their favorite activity. They also learned more about STEM career opportunities and felt more confident exploring the STEM fields.

Programming Micro:Bits
Programming Micro:Bits
Flying Drones
Flying Drones

For ALL SSDA Members

State Of Computer Science Education

Just released, the annual State of CS Report for 2024 highlights the need for integrated computer science courses for small and rural high schools -- with initiatives like the Small School Districts’ Association’s CS4NorCal Project. You can download the full report by clicking on the link, and you can access the California specific report here.

Are you looking to bring Computer Science to your school or district?

If computer science is on the top of your mind… then look no further than Code.org’s district program! Contact our regional partner, Nikki Navta, nikki.navta@code.org, who can help you navigate a needs assessment of your district and how best to proceed with CS training for your staff.

Code.org

As I travel around and film the stories of the teachers and staff who have participated in the CS4NorCal Project and ask what tools have the CS4NorCal program provided that have been the most helpful for your lessons, 100% of them have responded “Code.org training and the support of my PL cohort.”

Code.org District Program

Districts can now partner with Code.org directly, at no cost, to get support in expanding computer science for all students. 

Participating districts receive:

  • high-quality K-12 computer science curriculum 

  • implementation guidance

  • access to curated communities of practice

. . . and more!!!

More info at https://code.org/districts

Direct enrollment link: https://bit.ly/43CI5EW

Code.org
Teacher's Pension
Legislative Updates - Capitol Advisors

November State Board Update: SBE Adopts LCAP instruction Changes, Delays Update to Assessment Descriptors

By Caitlin Jung, Legislative Counsel, Capitol Advisors Group

At its November Board meeting, the State Board of Education (SBE) adopted updated LCAP instructions on including unexpended Learning Recovery Emergency (LRE) Block Grant funds while delaying the adoption of updated achievement level descriptors for students until its January meeting.

Click Here to Read More!

Emerzian Shankar Legal Inc.

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