Take 5 - October 2026
Take 5! is a monthly spotlight of promising practices happening at county offices of education throughout the state, rotating the five that are featured and the focus areas covered. The map coordinates with the location of the stories featured this month from across our state.
You can view past bright spots by clicking the link at the bottom of this page.
Butte, Glenn and Tehama COEs Partner with University to Strengthen Rural Teacher Pipeline
California State University, Chico has received nearly $8 million over five years through a federal Teacher Quality Partnership grant to launch ROOTS (Rural Opportunities for Outstanding Teaching & Schools). The program targets the North State’s teacher shortage, where about 170 new elementary teachers are needed in 2026–27 alone. ROOTS will prepare four cohorts of 15 residents, 60 in total, in a yearlong residency focused on literacy and math instruction. Residents will earn a Master of Arts in Teaching and a multiple subject credential, and each will receive a $42,000 stipend so they can teach by day and study at night.
The Butte County Office of Education, Glenn County Office of Education and Tehama County Department of Education will provide support for program graduates and help connect the graduates with employment opportunities. The ROOTS grant team will provide professional development and ongoing support for residents and mentor teachers throughout the program. The project will also study retention and student outcomes to guide teacher preparation in other rural communities.
SchoolRule Sonoma County Distributes Over $242,400 to Public Schools Countywide
SchoolsRule Sonoma County, a fundraising project of the Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE), distributed about $242,423 to public school districts and education foundations across the county at a recent event at SCOE. County Superintendent Dr. Amie Carter, who launched the initiative in 2023, said the money will expand educational opportunities and resources for students countywide. Recipients direct the funds to schools and classrooms in four areas: literacy, student well-being, agriculture and hospitality, and STEAM.
At the event, recipients described funded projects such as field trips, beehives, campus beautification, and school gardens that serve both science and culinary classes. CCLA’s mariachi program, which used past funding to buy a guitarrón, performed for attendees. Geyserville Educational Foundation said its grant sent 11th graders to Oregon’s Shakespeare Festival, inspiring one student to pursue college. A Redwood Credit Union executive called the initiative a community-wide investment in helping students thrive.
Emergency Preparedness Top of Mind for Leaders in Merced County
Earlier this week, Merced County Office of Education hosted agencies from across the county to discuss emergency preparedness and coordination initiatives ahead of potential winter storms associated with El Niño.
The meeting brought together school district superintendents and their leadership teams, Merced County’s Executive Office, the local Office of Emergency Services, and the Merced County Sheriff’s Office to discuss emergency communication plans, joint-use agreements, and emphasize the importance of preparing ahead for hazardous weather conditions. Attendees reviewed information provided by the California Student Emergency Response Network (CSERN).
In 2023, several Merced County school districts were heavily impacted by flooding and closed for varying lengths of time. Building on lessons learned from this experience, the meeting also focused on how agencies can work better together to ensure community members receive accurate and timely information during an emergency.
Groundbreaking Marks Return of Outdoor Program in Orange County Destroyed by Fire
The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) broke ground on October 6 on a $21 million environmental education center at Rancho Soñado in the Santa Ana Mountains. The site was the longtime home of its Inside the Outdoors program until the December 2020 Bond Fire destroyed two of its three structures, including a staff residence, and killed many of the program’s animal ambassadors. County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean said that while the buildings were lost, the program’s mission survived.
The new campus will include classrooms, a multipurpose science building, trailside teaching pavilions, and a 133-seat amphitheater. It will also be built with fire-resistant materials, sprinklers, and an on-site hydrant. Construction is expected to run through December 2027. Since 1974, Inside the Outdoors has reached more than 3.5 million students and still serves about 100,000 each year. Staff look forward to students once again calling Rancho Soñado their best field trip ever.
San Diego Juvenile Court and Community Schools Recognized for Outstanding PBIS Practices
Eight schools in the San Diego County Office of Education’s Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS) program have been recognized by California PBIS, a statewide organization, for faithfully implementing positive behavioral interventions and supports. PBIS is a framework for teaching and reinforcing positive behavior and strengthening school culture. Seven sites earned Gold: 37ECB, Bayside Community School, Global Academy of California, Monarch School, SOAR Academy East Mesa, SOUL Academy, and South County Community School. SOAR Academy Youth Transition Campus earned Silver.
JCCS Executive Director Roberto Carrillo credited staff who build supportive environments and meaningful relationships that prepare students for their next steps. The honored sites also use alternatives to suspension and restorative practices. Most offer cooling spaces with staff who guide students through a cooldown and reflection, which keeps them from losing significant time out of class. Research shows PBIS improves students’ social-emotional skills, academic success, and school climate, and also supports teacher well-being.
