What Skills Do Google, Pinterest, and Twitter Employees Think Kids Need To Succeed?

https://www.edsurge.com/news/2017-06-21-what-skills-do-google-pinterest-and-twitter-employees-think-kids-need-to-succeed

1. I quickly found that the skill people should master is clear writing—the ability to write well. I think that writing English might seem mundane compared with writing an iPhone app, but it really gives you a leg up on people who have just the technical skills. Being able to write well is never wasted—it forces you to understand your own thoughts and goals and what you’re trying to accomplish, and break them down in a way that actually ends up being parallel to the work that you do in programming computers.
2. I think that public speaking is so important. I think it’s being at Google where I really developed that skill… I think that’s something we don’t put a lot of emphasis on, but it is super important, from my perspective.
3. Having critical thinking around what you’re doing and where it is that you want to go is something I think is really important. Having a good idea of what it is you want to learn and where you want to go can do a lot to help further your career.
4. I also think we should cultivate being unafraid of technical things. I think it’s important to arrive with the skill that you are capable of learning anything—even if it’s technical.
5. To add to that, I think with problem solving, there also comes this notion of resiliency. I know we teach that failure should be embraced, because that way, you uncover more successes… Sometimes in those failures, you reveal your biggest triumphs, too. How do you bounce back from a failure and don’t get less confident or you don’t feel that you can’t move on from that?
6.  It comes back to growth mindset for me. I think that really helps you have that resiliency and grow faster.

Shared by Lisa Russo, Hillsdale Middle School (Thank you Lisa)

CBS News 8 – San Diego, CA News Station – KFMB Channel 8

EL CAJON (NEWS 8) — Sometimes, what a student needs the most is encouragement.

In Thursday’s Zevely Zone, Jeff visited El Cajon to meet a special teacher who dug deep into her heart – and pocket – to help a student in need.

Jason showed up in Miss Wilson’s class 8 years ago and he was a bit of a handful. But he had good reason to be – when he was younger his mother went to prison and when he was 12 years old his father was murdered. Jason then went to live with a family friend.

Still, growing up without parents had many challenges and Miss Wilson became family to Jason.

Click here to see the full story.

Our Extended Day Program’s second week of Summer Day Camp went off with out a hitch!   Our theme this week was “Anything Goes!” .  Just to name a few of the fun and engaging activities students enjoyed this week week we had Park Rangers guest speaking, We put our engineering skills to the test and built towers at of pencils, and enjoyed a week of coding from the Code to the Future group!  The fun just keeps on happening!

Week Three of EDP Summer Camp was “Community Helpers”  We kicked off the week working together to build Rosie the Riveter. Students moved on to learning the fine art of seeing bones by making “x-rays” of their hands with q-tips!  Kids enjoyed the outdoors with parachute play and then ended their week with a visit from the El Cajon Fire Department.  Fun, laughter and learning was had by all!

Week four, “The Wonderful World of Water” had students enjoying water games, the Bubble lady and ended in a Kickball tournament!  Students also made sure to give a big “thank you” to the El Cajon Fire Department for taking time to show our kids how to be safe and still have fun!

Kaarn Hopkins-Wolfe, Program Supervisor

Cajon Valley Extended Day Program

Our Extended Day Program’s Summer Day Camp has started off on the right foot!  Our first weekly theme this summer was “The Wonderful World of Disney” .  One of our many STEM activities included Cinderella’s Slipper!  Students used their engineering skills to design a new shoe for Cinderella!  Check out some of their designs!

Kaarn Hopkins-Wolfe, Program Supervisor

Cajon Valley Extended Day Program

Kari Hull, Joan Knoernschild, Steve Spence, and a team of directors and student musicians received permission from global recording artist Matisyahu, to make some age appropriate modifications to and record our own version of his hit song  “One Day” for our annual TEDxKids@ElCajon event.  The idea came from Avocado Principal Keith Himaka… Deputy Superintendent, Kari Hull, took it from there.  The result was a beautiful collaboration with the city of El Cajon and an opportunity to provide yet another stage for Cajon Valley Students to shine. We are grateful to the City of El Cajon and the El Cajon Police Department for closing down Main Street for the shooting of this music video.

Thank you for all those who participated!

As a part of Cajon Valley Union School District and in partnership with Code to the Future™, Los Coches Creek is the new premier Computer Science and Media Arts Magnet Middle School of the East County. Starting in the 2017-18 school year, in addition to our traditional honors English and accelerated math curriculum, students at Los Coches Creek will experience Computer Science and Media Arts through out their academic day in this public, tuition free 6-8 grade middle school. We invite you to schedule a guided tour of our campus and see our curriculum in action as we bring endless opportunities to each and every student. We look forward to being a part of your child’s future. 

Los Coches Creek Staff and PTA

Cajon Valley Union School District Water Lead Testing Results

As part of the new State program in 2017, school districts could work with their local water agencies to provide free testing of drinking water at all school sites. The District worked with our three water agencies: Helix Water District, Otay Water District and Padre Dam Municipal Water District during March – May to take several samples at each school to test and provide results.

Following the strict sampling instructions set forth by the State Water Resources Control Board, testing has been completed and we are pleased to report that all of CVUSD’s school campuses passed with good results. All schools were below the minimum recordable levels.

Click here to view the test results.

Scott Buxbaum, Assistant Superintendent and Chief Business Officer

Several months ago, we posted on this blog “a call for stories” about immigrant and refugee students. We have been blown away by all the responses! We have since taken all those stories and compiled them into a little booklet. Physical copies are also available through the print shop. Thank you to all the teachers that wrote in. I don’t believe there is another profession in America that has more daily interaction or long-term impact on immigrants than teachers. Teachers make the difference in our communities!

We’ve been distributing these booklets to lawmakers in Sacramento. On April 25th, Governing Board member Tamara Otero was invited to testify in the Education Finance Subcommittee in the California Assembly on a funding package that would distribute $5 million across the state to districts that receive large amounts of refugees. Her testimony made quite an impact on lawmakers. On May 23rd, the Subcommittee voted UNANIMOUSLY (across party lines) to approve the package, and actually increased it to $10 million! There’s still a long way to go before the funding is approved, but we’re hopeful these efforts will lead to additional funding to support our newest students. 

Tamara’s Opening Testimony is Here….

To See the Full Budget Subcommittee Hearing See Below…

To

Thank you to everyone who wrote in a story, and to all of you who do your part to improve the lives of our immigrant students every day. 

Eyal Bergman

Family & Community Engagement Officer

Yesterday June 7, 2017 as part of DELAC Awards Night that was held at Lexington Elementary school, we recognized our English Learner students for their outstanding achievement/progress, and the classified/certificated/ administrator staff as well for their contributions and outstanding support for our EL Program. Eyal Bergman, FACE Officer started the meeting and welcomed all the attendees, and introduced the Instructional Program Director, Denise Parnell and the DELAC Officers. Then students/staff were called to the stage to receive their achievement and recognition award. During the break, The Lexington Ballet Folklórico performed a dance from a Spanish culture. The event continued and more students/staff received their awards. Selected reclassified English Learners spoke and share their EL experience. It was a heartwarming event for everyone.

At the end, Dr. Denise Parnell, the Director of Instructional Services, thanked all the students, parents and the staff for their hard work and perseverance throughout the year, and encouraged the parents to get more involved in their children’s education and participate in the DELAC meetings to have a voice in their English Learners education.

Souad Naoum, Educational Services Department

Bicultural/Bilingual/Translator – Chaldean/Arabic

Snapshot From TEDxKids@ElCajon 2016

Preview of TEDxKids@ElCajon 2017… Saturday June 3rd

Dear Cajon Valley Families… It’s time to Power Up!

Channel your favorite superhero on June 3rd when Cajon Valley Union School District presents TEDxKids@ElCajon in the Greenfield Middle School Theater. This is a family and community event open to the public. TEDxKids@ElCajon will have four theater sessions starting at 10:00am showcasing TED talks and performances from Cajon Valley Students. Outside on the Greenfield track area, we will have exhibitors from our community partners and schools. We are excited to add an activity area with an enormous inflatable giant slide, inflatable obstacle course and climbing wall to the event. Additional parking with shuttles are available at Bostonia Language Academy and Kaiser Permanente off of Main Street. The parking, theater sessions, outside activities are all part of your admission to the event.

Cajon Valley students are free and by  attending the TEDx event can make up one missed absence for the 2016-2017 school year. Students simply sign up for a free student ticket on tedxkidselcajon.eventbrite.com. For attendance credit we ask that students stay for 4 hours, complete a scavenger hunt activity and enjoy the event.

This is a family event celebrating the Cajon Valley community! General admission is $6.00 per person and again…Cajon Valley students are FREE!  Register online @  tedxkidselcajon.eventbrite.com. See you on June 3rd at Greenfield Middle School Don’t forget your Superhero Cape!

The TEDxKids@ElCajon Team