Sonoma County Office of Education

News & Announcements

News & Announcements

Press releases issued by the Sonoma County Office of Education and other news items related to Sonoma County schools are included here. Do you have questions about a story on this page or are you a member of the media seeking information for an article? Please contact Communications Director Eric Wittmershaus at communications@scoe.org or call 707-524-2620.

Joint Statement on Hate Speech During Public Meetings

09/14/2023 -

Sonoma County Office of Education exterior 2023Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie R. Carter and Sonoma County Board of Education President Herman G. Hernandez issued a joint statement responding to hate speech during recent public meetings.

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Dr. Amie Carter Addresses Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action

07/10/2023 -

Sonoma County Office of EducationSonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie R. Carter responded to the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling prohibiting the use of race in college admissions.

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Sonoma County Office of Education Flag-Raising Celebrates Juneteenth

06/16/2023 -

Juneteenth Flag-Raising at Sonoma COEThe Sonoma County Office of Education raised a flag in celebration of Juneteenth, at a ceremony featuring leaders from Black student and community groups, as well as SCOE employees.

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Mental Health Experts, Educators, Community Come Together for Conversation About Toxic Stress

06/09/2023 -

Nadine Burke Harris Conversations in CommunityTwo nationally recognized experts helped lead a conversation organized by the Sonoma County Office of Education about childhood trauma and toxic stress, their effects on educational outcomes, and resilience and healing.

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Sonoma County Office of Education Raises Flag to Support Students, Celebrate Pride Month

06/01/2023 -

Pride Flag Raising 2023The Sonoma County Office of Education raised the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride flag in celebration of Pride month.

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Dr. Amie Carter's Remarks Upon Raising the Pride Flag at SCOE

06/01/2023 -

Pride Flag Raising 2023 Amie CarterSonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie R. Carter delivered the following remarks as the Sonoma County Office of Education raised the Intersex-Inclusive Progress Pride Flag in celebration of Pride Month.

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Diann Kitamura Joining Sonoma County Office of Education to Oversee Realignment

05/16/2023 -

Diann KitamuraFormer Santa Rosa City Schools Superintendent Dr. Diann Kitamura will be joining the Sonoma County Office of Education for the 2023-24 school year as Interim Deputy Superintendent in charge of Educational Support Services.

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Teacher of the Month: Ethan Cosgrove

05/11/2023 -

Ethan Cosgrove Teacher of the Month May 2023Ethan Cosgrove, a dual 7th grade math and 8th grade history teacher at Spring Lake Middle School in the Rincon Valley Union School District, was named the Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for May 2023.

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Celebrating Classified School Employees

04/28/2023 - Classified School Employee of the YearThe Sonoma County finalists for the statewide Classified School Employee of the Year (CSEY) program were announced April 26 at a celebration held at the Sonoma County Office of Education. These dedicated school employees were nominated by their districts for the important roles they play in creating and maintaining positive school environments for the students of Sonoma County.

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Sonoma County Office of Education Adds Assistant Superintendent for School Safety

04/25/2023 -

Louis GanzlerThe Sonoma County Office of Education has hired Dr. Louis Ganzler as an assistant superintendent overseeing efforts involving school safety, community partnerships, and college and career readiness.

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SCOE Welcoming 500 Students to 20th Annual Robotics Challenge

04/24/2023 -

Media are invited to attend as more than 500 elementary and middle school students from grades 4-8 will show off their problem-solving skills and creativity at the Sonoma County Robotics Challenge on Saturday, May 6, at Elsie Allen High School in Santa Rosa.

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County Superintendent of Schools Applauds Sonoma County's Mental Health Commitment to Youth

04/18/2023 -

Dr. Amie CarterThe Sonoma County Board of Supervisors’ vote on Tuesday, April 18, to approve $250,500 in additional mental health funding for students delivers on a promise made to the voters who passed Measure O in 2020, said Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter.

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Sonoma County Office of Education Event Series Will Spotlight Youth Mental Health

04/18/2023 -

Conversations In Community Drs. Nadine Burke Harris and Bruce PerryConversations in Community begins June 8 and will feature Drs. Nadine Burke Harris and Bruce Perry, two nationally recognized experts in the field of youth mental health.

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Teacher of the Month: James Greenwald

04/14/2023 -

James Greenwald Teacher of the Month April 2023James Greenwald, a transitional kindergarten and kindergarten teacher at West Side School, was named the April 2023 Sonoma County Teacher of the Month.

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John Laughlin Appointed Deputy Superintendent at Sonoma County Office of Education

04/12/2023 - John Laughlin Swearing In Carousel 2023John Laughlin has been appointed to serve as a deputy superintendent at the Sonoma County Office of Education as part of an agency-wide realignment for the 2023-24 school year.

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SCOE Launching LGBTQ+ Educator Collaborative

04/03/2023 - Dr. Amie Carter, Sonoma County superintendent of schools, recently sent the following letter to school leaders, announcing plans to launch an LGBTQ+ educator collaborative.

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Teacher of the Month: Sacha Campbell

03/10/2023 -

Sacha Campbell Teacher of the Month March 2023Sacha Campbell, who teaches transitional kindergarten and kindergarten-aged students at Horicon Elementary in Annapolis, was selected as the Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for March 2023.

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How to Talk to Children about the Montgomery High Tragedy

03/03/2023 - We would like to share some resources and tips that may be helpful when talking to children about what happened.

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Cómo Hablar con los Niños Sobre la Tragedia en Montgomery High

03/03/2023 - Con el interés de brindar el máximo apoyo a nuestras comunidades escolares y familias, compartimos recursos que pueden ser útiles al hablar con los niños sobre lo que sucedió.

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Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Amie Carter addresses tragedy at Montgomery High

03/01/2023 - Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter released the following statement regarding the stabbing death of a 16-year-old at Montgomery High School.

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Schools, Community Partners Acting on Survey Data from Students, Families, Staff

02/28/2023 - Sonoma County educational leaders and partners at youth-serving nonprofits are diving into feedback from more than 56,000 students, family members, and school staff about how our schools are meeting their needs.

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Sonoma County Transition Fair to Serve Students with Disabilities, Families

02/21/2023 - The 15th annual Transition Fair on March 15, 2023 will provide resources to students with disabilities in middle school, high school and post-secondary programs and their families.

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Feria de Transición del Condado de Sonoma para Servir a Estudiantes con Discapacidades y Familias

02/21/2023 - Se alienta a las familias de los estudiantes con discapacidades del Condado de Sonoma a asistir a la 15ª Feria Anual de Transición del Condado de Sonoma el miércoles 15 de marzo de 2023 en Santa Rosa.

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Teacher of the Month: Abby Mooney

02/10/2023 -

Abby Mooney Teacher of the Month January 2023Abby Mooney, a kindergarten teacher at Sebastopol’s Park Side Elementary School, has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for January 2023.

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For review: Draft of SCOE's Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan

02/06/2023 - The public is encouraged to review the draft of SCOE's Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan by Feb. 16, 2023.

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SCOE Trustee Gina Cuclis Becomes President of the California County Boards of Education

01/31/2023 - Sonoma County Board of Education Area One Trustee Gina Cuclis has assumed a statewide school board leadership position as the president of the California County Boards of Education (CCBE) for 2023.

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Parent and guardian voices sought for survey on schools, student experience in Sonoma County

01/25/2023 -

The Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) is seeking input from parents and guardians of Sonoma County public school students in this year’s YouthTruth survey, an important tool for schools and community organizations to hear directly from students, employees, and school families about their needs.

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Supporting Our Children During Stressful Times

01/13/2023 - motherchildcarouselIn this article, SCOE provides tips and resources for educators and parents on how to talk to children and support them during stressful times, including natural disasters, social unrest, and more.

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Teacher of the Month: Tina Brown

01/13/2023 -

Tina Brown Teacher of the Month 2023Tina Brown, a special day class teacher at Windsor’s Brooks Elementary School, has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for December 2022.

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Five Sonoma County Elementary Schools Named as 2023 California Distinguished Schools

01/12/2023 -

California Distinguished Schools Logo 2023Five Sonoma County elementary schools were recently selected for the 2023 California Distinguished Schools Program.

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Dr. Amie R. Carter Sworn in as County Superintendent

01/05/2023 -

Amie Carter Oath of Office 2022An adapted excerpt of remarks Amie R. Carter, Ed.D, gave to an audience of Sonoma County Office of Education employees, supporters, friends, and family after her swearing-in as 31st Sonoma County superintendent of schools.

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Superintendent-elect Seeks Further Dialogue on Equity Initiatives

12/27/2022 -

Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools-elect Dr. Amie R. Carter has decided not to move ahead with the appointment of a deputy superintendent overseeing equity initiatives.

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Sonoma County Office of Education Hiring Leadership to Focus on Equity

12/15/2022 -

Adrian PalazuelosThe Sonoma County Office of Education and Dr. Adrian Palazuelos have reached a tentative agreement for Palazuelos to serve as a deputy superintendent beginning in 2023.

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Teacher of the Month: Jordan Lewis

12/09/2022 -

Jordan Lewis, who teaches American government and economics at Ridgway High School, has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for November 2022.

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Sonoma County Office of Education Buys Residential Property in Pursuit of Housing for Educators

12/01/2022 -

The Sonoma County Office of Education will be asking the City of Santa Rosa to rezone a parcel of land the agency owns that includes the recently purchased lot to allow for construction of a high-density housing development targeted toward educators and other public employees.

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Dr. Amie Carter Elected Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools

11/10/2022 -

Dr. Amie Carter holds a decisive lead in the Sonoma County superintendent of schools race.

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High school seniors invited to financial aid workshop Nov. 9 (English/Español)

11/01/2022 -

The Sonoma County Office of Education, in partnership with 10,000 Degrees, is inviting high school seniors from throughout Sonoma County and their families to attend a free financial aid workshop.

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State Test Score Data Show Need to Accelerate Student Learning

10/24/2022 -

New student test score data released Monday by the California Department of Education will help guide Sonoma County educators as they seek to accelerate learning and provide support to students.

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Sonoma County Board of Education, Superintendent of Schools Recognized for Support for Students

10/21/2022 -

The Sonoma County Board of Education and Sonoma County’s superintendent of schools have been recognized by the California School Boards Association with a prestigious Golden Bell Award for their work supporting student recovery from natural disaster traumas.

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Dr. Herrington to present feasibility study on SRCS unifying or unionizing with feeder districts

09/29/2022 -

Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Steven D. Herrington, Ph.D., is scheduled to present a feasibility study analyzing proposals for reorganizing Santa Rosa City Schools and its nine feeder elementary school districts on Oct. 3.

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Sonoma ACSA recognizes Jesús Fernández, Sonoma County's 2022 Teacher of the Year

09/23/2022 - The Sonoma County chapter of the Association of California School Administrators recognized Jesús Fernández, Sonoma County’s 2022 Teacher of the Year, and finalist Bridget Clark at its annual kickoff event on Sept. 22.

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SCOE's John Laughlin recognized by County Superintendents for excellence in personnel administration

09/22/2022 -

The Sonoma County Office of Education is proud to announce that John Laughlin, associate superintendent of human resources, has been recognized by the California County Superintendents with its 2022 STAR award for excellence in personnel administrative services.

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Staying Safe During a Heat Wave

09/06/2022 -

Here are some safety tips and information to know with high temperatures expected over the next several days throughout California.

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Geyserville's Jesus Fernandez named Sonoma County Teacher of the Year for 2021-22

08/30/2022 -

Jesus FernandezJesus Fernandez, who motivates his social studies students at Geyserville's New Tech Academy "to be inquisitive life-long learners," has been named Sonoma County Teacher of the Year for the 2021-22 school year.

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A Back-to-School Message from the Sonoma County Office of Education and Sonoma County Public Health

08/12/2022 -

We are excited to see students once again for the beginning of the 2022-23 school year. About half of our public school students returned to campus on Wednesday and Thursday, and most of the rest will return next week.

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Un mensaje de regreso a clases de la Oficina de Educación y Salud Pública del Condado de Sonoma

08/12/2022 -

Estamos emocionados de ver a los estudiantes una vez más para el comienzo del año escolar 2022-23. Aproximadamente la mitad de nuestros estudiantes de escuelas públicas regresaron al campus el miércoles y jueves, y la mayoría de los demás regresará la próxima semana.

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Community Reminder: These Vaccines are Required to Attend School

08/08/2022 -

California state law requires several vaccinations for students entering transitional kindergarten or kindergarten, or entering public or private schools for the first time, and students may have fallen behind on immunizations during the pandemic.

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Sonoma County Office of Education, County of Sonoma Public Health to hold Back-to-School Webinar

08/08/2022 -

The Sonoma County Office of Education and the Sonoma County Department of Health Services invite the public to join a live-streamed webinar Wednesday afternoon to address community questions about COVID-19 and other public health issues as students head back to school.

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Schools to Distribute COVID Test Kits to Every Student, Staff Member

08/01/2022 -

The Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) plans to distribute this week enough COVID-19 antigen test kits to ensure every student and staff member at public, private, and charter schools can test before the first day of school.

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Information session for school board candidates

06/28/2022 -

Community members who are interested in running for school board are invited to an informative meeting on the roles and responsibilities featuring a panel of Sonoma County school board members. The information session will be held on Tuesday, July 12 from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm in the Sonoma County Office of Education’s Teacher Learning Center, 5340 Skylane Blvd., Santa Rosa, 95403.

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