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 August’s Weekly Memos

“Alone we can do so little;
together we can do so much.”
— Hellen Keller

Week of August 4

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Jewelee is on vacation this week and will return Monday 8/11/25, please reach out to Chris Lemings for any assistance.

Is it too hot to go outside?

To answer this question, we will be following the guidance of the National Weather Service https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/ (updated link). We will be reviewing this website weekly to plan for safe outdoor time. For the week of July 28th. We are expected to be in Yellow all week. Here is the Heat Risk Guidance for Sites (print and reference weekly). Also, for more detailed information, here is the full Heat Risk Grid from the National Weather Service (English/Spanish)

Emergency Evacuation Drills

·       Fire dills must occur monthly and during different times of the day.

·       Earthquake and Lockdown drills must occur quarterly.

·       Document all drills on your posted Emergency Evacuation Drills Log.

 Head Start Works!

National Head Start Association has provided a website for those wishing to advocate for the Head Start Program

https://nhsa.org/take-action/

MJC Practicum—Mentor Teacher Opportunity

At the earliest, we would like to have offsite locations to start Spring of 2026. The fall practicum for working professionals (CLDDV 128-2820) is open to students who are currently working in the field and would like do their practicum hours at their worksite. If you know of teachers who may be eligible for this course, please have them reach me directly so that we can fill the class.

MJC Practicum Class—Fall 2025

MJC is recruiting for their Fall Preschool Practicum Class . The fall practicum for working professionals (CLDDV 128-2820) is open to students who are currently working in the field and would like do their practicum hours at their worksite. This class is at risk of being cancelled due to lack of interest so please sign up if you need it and share with your friends! Email the instructor, Yumi Lee leey@yosemite.edu to sign up

MJC Off Site Practicum Class—Spring 2026

MJC is looking for Mentor Teachers for the Fall CDLV 128-2820 Practicum Course. This class will provide an opportunity for students to complete their practicum hours outside of the MJC Lab. The opportunity is open to both (Full Year) Preschool Teachers and (Full Year) Preschool Associate Teachers. Attached is an informational flyer regarding an upcoming meeting for potential teacher mentors.

Mentor Teachers must:

  • Work in a licensed preschool classroom

  • Hold a Master Teacher Permit or higher

  • Agree to allow a student to shadow them and work in their classroom for a minimum of 8 hours per week for the duration of the 13-week course.

  • Observe & provide feedback on child activities the student provides and

  • Would receive a small stipend at the end of the semester. Note: This is still in the works

Note: If you qualify and might be interested in being a Mentor Teacher for MJC’s Practicum class, please email Yumi Lee leey@yosemite.edu for information on upcoming information sessions.

Hanging Items

We have been directed by SCOE Facilities to remove items that are hanging from ceilings. This is due to fire codes as well as repeated issues with alarms going off after hours. Please ensure items are removed by August 30th.

25/26 Parent / Teacher Referrals/ Volunteers (new name, old name: Parent/ Teacher Referrals) in COPA (Educators read too!!)

Let’s get our credit by documenting referrals and volunteers when meeting with parents to share screening results and to share DRDP assessments. These results count as referrals under Parent Education and volunteers count as Volunteers in COPA and all count towards PIR. We will need to work together to document these efforts as we did in our 24/25 school year. We have created this 25/26 Parent / Teacher Referrals/ Volunteers Google Sheet to complete the data entry.

  • Center Based Educators-- enter the dates ASQ/ASQ SE Screening Results were shared with families and the date of the initial Parent Teacher Conference/Home visit when DRDP Results were shared. If parent request to volunteer and was approved, please add Parent Name, Service/Item, and Hours spent in 15mins increments. The data requested is added on the 25/26 Parent / Teacher Referrals/ Volunteers Google Sheet. These may or may not be the same date. 

  • Family Advocates -- please input in COPA the data collected on Parent/ Teacher Referrals/ Volunteers based on the dates provided by teachers in the 25/26 Parent / Teacher Referrals/ Volunteers Google Sheet. Mark check box when complete.

  • Home Based Educators -- please enter the dates you shared screening and assessment results with families as Family Referrals. You do not need to use the Google Sheet

For more information on Parent Education Referrals, please refer to the monitoring guidance: FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FILE MONITORING GUIDANCE, page 5 and 6 under Service Referral / Education Referral / Involvement in discussing their child’s screening and assessment results and their child’s progress. For more information on Volunteer Records, please refer the COPA Procedures COPA-H05.

Community Resource

·       The Basic Needs Committee has Emergency Grant funding available to help students stay enrolled! The goal is to provide immediate, short-term assistance to help students directly stabilize their situation and continue on their journey of educational success.

https://gocolumbia.edu/financial_aid/basic_needs_emergency_grant

 Help is available when you need it:

  • Access support from CFS Mental Health & Wellness team at cfs-mentalhealth@stancoe.org

  • SCOE’s Employee Assistance Program—In the moment counseling support is available by phone 24/7 at 800-295-8323.

  • Please Live Hotlines: https://www.pleaselive.org/hotlines/

  • Stanislaus County Warm Line—available by phone 24/7. Call 209-558-4600 Stanislaus Co residents can call when they are having a hard time making it through the day but not in crisis, need a caring listener to provide effective feedback to help explore options, or want support, assistance and resources toward recovery.

  • Stanislaus Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (STAN BHRS) Access Line: 1-888-376-6246

  • CA state hotline 833-544-2374 that people — particularly older, isolated Californians — can call for local non-medical services, such as food delivery and mental health care.

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline—available by phone 24/7. No holds and no busy signals Dial 988

  • Your health insurance. Call the phone number on your card to access a provider who accepts your insurance. You can access a professional at just the cost of a co-pay

  • Anthem Total Health, Total You-created to help you take care of your health, work on lifestyle changes and connect with specialized health professionals. Services include 24/7 Nurseline, Behavioral Health Resource, Case Management, Emotional Well-Being Resources & Inclusive Care

  • Carelon Wellbeing provides support with counseling, work-live support, legal services and financial services

  • Kaiser-Mental Health and Addiction Care Services

  • BrightLife Kids Parenting Support

  • BrightLife Kids Mental Health Services for Children & Teens

PDF Copy of the Memo 8/4/25

Week of August 11

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Is it too hot to go outside?

To answer this question, we will be following the guidance of the National Weather Service https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/ (updated link). We will be reviewing this website weekly to plan for safe outdoor time. For the week of August 11th. We are expected to be in Orange Monday and Tuesday and Yellow the remainder of the week. Here is the Heat Risk Guidance for Sites (print and reference weekly). Also, for more detailed information, here is the full Heat Risk Grid from the National Weather Service (English/Spanish)

Mandatory Trainings

As a reminder, we have all been assigned the mandatory annual trainings. For staff who are not attending the DRDP 2025 training on Friday afternoon, I recommend you use this time period for that purpose. For staff who have not attended the DRDP 2025 training and were unable to register for the 8/15/25 training, we are working to schedule a session for you.

Parent to Teacher

  • Applications are being accepted now see the flyer for the QR code

  • In Person classes start in October

Case Management

  • The updated flyer is attached

  • The BORs are optional unless you are specifically asked to complete them. Support will be provided when the time comes, so please don’t let this be a reason to avoid attending Case Management. Our goal is to support you and help keep your classroom running smoothly.

Clear Your Clutter

In the spirit of promoting environmental wellness, the CFS Wellness Committee invites you to participate in our Clear Your Clutter event during preservice! Please see the attached flyer for full details. This is a wonderful opportunity to bring items and clothing you no longer use or need, and help them find a new home with a family who does.

We are accepting:

  • Clothing for men, women, and children

  • Small household items

  • Lightly used toys

  • Other gently used goods

Home Based YAG

Here is the 25-26 Year At A Glance for the Home Based program

Help is available when you need it:

  • Access support from CFS Mental Health & Wellness team at cfs-mentalhealth@stancoe.org

  • SCOE’s Employee Assistance Program—In the moment counseling support is available by phone 24/7 at 800-295-8323.

  • CalHOPE: Call or text the CalHOPE Warm Line: (833) 317-HOPE (4673) The CalHOPE warm line connects callers to people who have persevered through struggles with stress, anxiety, depression—emotions triggered by circumstances and events in everyday life. The peer counselors listen with compassion, provide non-judgmental support, and guide you to additional resources that can give hope and help you cope.

  • Stanislaus County Warm Line—available by phone 24/7. Call 209-558-4600 Stanislaus Co residents can call when they are having a hard time making it through the day but not in crisis, need a caring listener to provide effective feedback to help explore options, or want support, assistance and resources toward recovery.

  • Stanislaus Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (STAN BHRS) Access Line: 1-888-376-6246

  • CA state hotline 833-544-2374 that people — particularly older, isolated Californians — can call for local non-medical services, such as food delivery and mental health care.

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline—available by phone 24/7. No holds and no busy signals Dial 988

  • Your health insurance. Call the phone number on your card to access a provider who accepts your insurance. You can access a professional at just the cost of a co-pay

  • Anthem Total Health, Total You-created to help you take care of your health, work on lifestyle changes and connect with specialized health professionals. Services include 24/7 Nurseline, Behavioral Health Resource, Case Management, Emotional Well-Being Resources & Inclusive Care

  • Carelon Wellbeing provides support with counseling, work-live support, legal services and financial services

  • Kaiser-Mental Health and Addiction Care Services

  • BrightLife Kids Parenting Support

  • BrightLife Kids Mental Health Services for Children & Teens

  PDF Copy of 8/11/25 Memo

Week of August 18

Is it too hot to go outside?

To answer this question, we will be following the guidance of the National Weather Service https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/ (updated link). We will be reviewing this website weekly to plan for safe outdoor time. For the week of August 18th. We are expected to be in Yellow Monday-Wednesday. Thursday will be Orange and Friday will be Red Here is the Heat Risk Guidance for Sites (print and reference weekly). Also, for more detailed information, here is the full Heat Risk Grid from the National Weather Service (English/Spanish)

Active Supervision

Ensure Active Supervision Plan are updated to accommodate staffing and routine changes and for the new year for extended day.  Please ensure you adopt age and developmentally appropriate strategies for the children in your classroom. If you need to make changes to your strategies, be sure to update you plan to reflect what you are doing.

Choking

Due to some recent choking incidents Sylvan Nutrition will be sending all cooked veggies to our sites. When berries are served, staff will need to cut them into safe pieces (slice apples, cut berries in two).

Eligibility Guidance

Although there has been discussion regarding updated eligibility requirements, do not change the current process.  We will provide eligibility updates as we receive them. 

Family/Community Services  

The next FCE Training will be held on August 19, 2025 at the Event Center from 8:30am-11:30am. This training will be for all Family Services Staff from MSHS, HSP, EHS, and EHS-CCP. The QA Team will be going over Self-Monitoring specific to family and community engagement. Please bring 2 family files and an electronic device (if available) to participate in a monitoring activity.  All staff attending will need to register in COPA. 

School Readiness Resources for 2025-2026

CFS Mental Health & Wellness Team

August Message from MHW Team

As we begin the new school year, we want to take a moment to highlight an important reminder: children learn as much from what we do as from what we say. Our actions, tone, and responses, especially during challenging moments, serve as a powerful models for how they learn to manage their own emotions. Children learn how to respond to life's challenges by watching the adults around them. Children observe and imitate emotional behaviors of adults which is part of the social learning process; this is part of the modeling process which is powerful when it comes to children's learning. Neuroscience research shows that children's brains naturally "mirror" the emotions they see, influencing their own emotional state. Consistent exposure to healthy coping strategies improves emotional regulation skills into adulthood. Children are emotional mirrors. When we model calm, controlled responses, we give them a blueprint for handling stress with confidence! 

Here is a handout from the MHW Team “Little Eyes, Big Feelings” on emotional regulation and the way children mirror the behavior of the adults around them. We hope it provides helpful insights and practical strategies to support the work you do every day in fostering a calm, supportive, and emotionally safe learning enjoinment!

Thank you for the incredible impact you make in the lives of students and families! Here's to a year of modeling the calm, empathy, and resilience we want our students to carry forward! 

Policy Council 25-26

Here are the 2025-2026 Policy Council meeting dates

Save the Date: Head Start California Advocacy Day

In Sacramento, Tuesday, March 17th Early Bird: $119 (ends January 30) Regular: $149 (January 31-March 2). SCOE GO has budgeted for 4 staff to attend.

ECE Articles

Below you will find two articles that may be of interest to you regarding our ECE field.

State Updates

Free Inclusion Webinar Series! Register Now!

  • Each webinar will be held on a Wednesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., in English with Spanish interpretation. Following each webinar, participants will be invited to a ninety-minute virtual small group session called “Collaborative Conversations: Follow-up to Inclusion Webinars and Support on Inclusion”. These sessions are designed to facilitate conversations with others in similar roles to discuss specific areas of interest or concern in relation to supporting inclusion and will be facilitated by a Beginning Together trainer who can provide technical assistance, additional information, and resources. Webinar Series:

    • August 20, 2025: Improving Behavior with the CA Teaching Pyramid

    • September 24, 2025: Inclusion Works! Part A: Universal Design & Belonging

    • November 5, 2025: Inclusion Works! Part B: Collaboration & Adaptation

    • January 21, 2026: Inclusion Works! Part C: Modifications & Accommodations

    • March 4, 2026: Building Relationships Across Teams: Connections and Continuity

Visit Inclusion Webinar Series to learn more and register today! Email beginningtogether@wested.org with any questions.

State of California Tips to Communities Impacted by Federal Immigration Raids

  •  California is offering support for communities experiencing federal immigration raids, sharing new “know your rights” resources.

  • The Governor’s Office has released new fact sheets in English and Spanish that include tips on what to do if you witness an immigration arrest, how to recognize federal immigration agents, and answers to frequently answered questions.

  • The State’s CA.gov website provides more information for immigrant families, including details about access to public education, support for mental health, and information on how to report hate crimes and discrimination. https://www.ca.gov/immigration/ 

GO Budgets 2025-2026

Pediatric CPR/First Aid

Here is the flyer for the 10/10 Hybrid CPR & First Aid Class. Remember you are required to attend if you register.

Welcome Back Extended Day Staff!!

Welcome Back! Here are some important updates as you begin the year:

DRDP 2025 Implementation

This year, we are early adopters of the DRDP 2025. Expect adjustments throughout the year. While the transition may not be seamless, the reduced number of measures should help ease the workload.

➡️ As early adopters, we are “held harmless”—no findings will be issued for DRDP this year. Starting next year, DRDP 2025 will be required for all programs.

  • The DRDP 2015 must be completed for Children with Disabilities

Start Up Resources

Classroom & Professional Requirements

  • Classroom setup: complete Health & Safety Screener + Fidelity Tools (Creative Curriculum).

  • Professional Development Plans → due September 1, 2025 (submit via Incident IQ).

  • Active Supervision Plans complete by first day of school. Ensure that transition strategies are age-appropriate for your children’s age. Update as needed

New Process for Weekly Sign-In Sheets – 2025-2026 Program Year

  • Beginning with the 2025–2026 program year, we will be uploading the weekly sign-in sheets to a shared Google Drive folder. You can access the folder using the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0AKhkenj4l4z0Uk9PVA

  • Supervisors, please be sure to save your weekly sign in sheets in the folder as one document with COPA 236-Child Absentee Report at the front of every class by Tuesday of each week, label by date. Please note if the end of the month falls in the middle of the week, sign in sheets are due by the 2nd of the following month.

  • We will also be sharing this link with Sylvan Food Services so they can access and copy the sign-in sheets directly for their records. Going forward, you will no longer need to send them the sign-in sheets manually.

25/26 Parent / Teacher Referrals/ Volunteers (new name, old name: Parent/ Teacher Referrals) in COPA (Educators read too!!)

Let’s get our credit by documenting referrals and volunteers when meeting with parents to share screening results and to share DRDP assessments. These results count as referrals under Parent Education and volunteers count as Volunteers in COPA and all count towards PIR. We will need to work together to document these efforts as we did in our 24/25 school year. We have created this 25/26 Parent / Teacher Referrals/ Volunteers Google Sheet to complete the data entry.

  • Center Based Educators-- enter the dates ASQ/ASQ SE Screening Results were shared with families and the date of the initial Parent Teacher Conference/Home visit when DRDP Results were shared. If parent request to volunteer and was approved, please add Parent Name, Service/Item, and Hours spent in 15mins increments. The data requested is added on the 25/26 Parent / Teacher Referrals/ Volunteers Google Sheet. These may or may not be the same date. 

Updates Processes & Resources

  • Parent Volunteer Procedure and Parent Volunteer Packet have been updated

  • We are participating in the Art of Sculpture this year: Supply boxes were delivered (open in spring only).

  • Parent/Teacher Referrals: New Year Google Sheet is live; teachers enter conference/screening info → Family Advocates add referrals in COPA.

  • Printer Maintenance: We are transitioning from Lucas printers to MoCal shared printers, which offer next-day ink). Rita is visiting sites to complete inventory and plan for new MoCal printers. As we transition, limit how much Lucas ink you orders, use your monthly ordering form to get ink

  • CFS Family Health & Safety Fund: $20,000 is available this year to support the health & safety needs of families. If you become aware of a family who is in need of support, do not promise gift cards, please alert your Family Advocate to follow up.

  • Harvest of the Month: Program is ending due to SNAP-Ed cuts. We are working on new nutrition supports.

  • WeRock Updates: We are working on updating the library sections for better usability.

Please note—please go back and read the summer memos. There is some important info I did not copy over for you to this memo.

Help is available when you need it:

  • Access support from CFS Mental Health & Wellness team at cfs-mentalhealth@stancoe.org

  • SCOE’s Employee Assistance Program—In the moment counseling support is available by phone 24/7 at 800-295-8323.

  • CalHOPE: Call or text the CalHOPE Warm Line: (833) 317-HOPE (4673) The CalHOPE warm line connects callers to people who have persevered through struggles with stress, anxiety, depression—emotions triggered by circumstances and events in everyday life. The peer counselors listen with compassion, provide non-judgmental support, and guide you to additional resources that can give hope and help you cope.

  • Stanislaus County Warm Line—available by phone 24/7. Call 209-558-4600 Stanislaus Co residents can call when they are having a hard time making it through the day but not in crisis, need a caring listener to provide effective feedback to help explore options, or want support, assistance and resources toward recovery.

  • Stanislaus Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (STAN BHRS) Access Line: 1-888-376-6246

  • CA state hotline 833-544-2374 that people — particularly older, isolated Californians — can call for local non-medical services, such as food delivery and mental health care.

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline—available by phone 24/7. No holds and no busy signals Dial 988

  • Your health insurance. Call the phone number on your card to access a provider who accepts your insurance. You can access a professional at just the cost of a co-pay

  • Anthem Total Health, Total You-created to help you take care of your health, work on lifestyle changes and connect with specialized health professionals. Services include 24/7 Nurseline, Behavioral Health Resource, Case Management, Emotional Well-Being Resources & Inclusive Care

  • Carelon Wellbeing provides support with counseling, work-live support, legal services and financial services

  • Kaiser-Mental Health and Addiction Care Services

  • BrightLife Kids Parenting Support

  • BrightLife Kids Mental Health Services for Children & Teens

PDF Copy of 8-18-25 Memo

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Week of August 25

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Is it too hot to go outside?

To answer this question, we will be following the guidance of the National Weather Service https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/ (updated link). We will be reviewing this website weekly to plan for safe outdoor time. For the week of August 25th. We are expected to be in Orange Monday and Yellow the rest of the week. Here is the Heat Risk Guidance for Sites (print and reference weekly). Also, for more detailed information, here is the full Heat Risk Grid from the National Weather Service (English/Spanish)

Preservice Feedback

We received feedback about staff being loud, using phones, and causing general disruptions. No specific individuals or agencies were mentioned, but we’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the following:

  • We represent SCOE and the Head Start community—let’s do so with professionalism and respect.

  • Please keep conversations for break times or step outside if needed.

  • Sound travels easily in the event center, especially from the area near the bathrooms and kitchen—please be extra mindful in those spaces.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued commitment to a positive and respectful environment.

DRDP 2025 Update:

  • All children 2.8 (33 Months) and younger will use the infant toddler tool

  • Children 33 months and older will use the Preschool Fundamental Tool

  • If you have started a tool, don’t change continue with what you are doing.

Staff Kickoff - Friday, September 12, 2025 (Mandatory Event)

  • Get energized, connected, and informed at the 2025 Staff Kickoff! Join Superintendent Scott Kuykendall at the Gallo Center for the Arts (1000 I Street, Modesto) on September 12. This year's theme is Stanislaus Rewired & Inspired! The doors open at 8:30 a.m. 

  • The program will include the premiere of the staff music video, a keynote presentation, an introduction to the 2025-26 SCOE goals, the Division Lip Sync Contest, and the division scholarship baskets.

  • Immediately following the program at the Gallo Center, a networking lunch will be available at the Petersen Event Center (720 12th Street). Boxed BBQ lunches will be served starting at 12:00 p.m.

  • Register Here

Help is available when you need it:

  • Access support from CFS Mental Health & Wellness team at cfs-mentalhealth@stancoe.org

  • SCOE’s Employee Assistance Program—In the moment counseling support is available by phone 24/7 at 800-295-8323.

  • CalHOPE: Call or text the CalHOPE Warm Line: (833) 317-HOPE (4673) The CalHOPE warm line connects callers to people who have persevered through struggles with stress, anxiety, depression—emotions triggered by circumstances and events in everyday life. The peer counselors listen with compassion, provide non-judgmental support, and guide you to additional resources that can give hope and help you cope.

  • Stanislaus County Warm Line—available by phone 24/7. Call 209-558-4600 Stanislaus Co residents can call when they are having a hard time making it through the day but not in crisis, need a caring listener to provide effective feedback to help explore options, or want support, assistance and resources toward recovery.

  • Stanislaus Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (STAN BHRS) Access Line: 1-888-376-6246

  • CA state hotline 833-544-2374 that people — particularly older, isolated Californians — can call for local non-medical services, such as food delivery and mental health care.

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline—available by phone 24/7. No holds and no busy signals Dial 988

  • Your health insurance. Call the phone number on your card to access a provider who accepts your insurance. You can access a professional at just the cost of a co-pay

  • Anthem Total Health, Total You-created to help you take care of your health, work on lifestyle changes and connect with specialized health professionals. Services include 24/7 Nurseline, Behavioral Health Resource, Case Management, Emotional Well-Being Resources & Inclusive Care

  • Carelon Wellbeing provides support with counseling, work-live support, legal services and financial services

  • Kaiser-Mental Health and Addiction Care Services

  • BrightLife Kids Parenting Support

  • BrightLife Kids Mental Health Services for Children & Teens

PDF Copy of 8-25-25 Memo

Reserved

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