San Bernardino County Superintendent Delivers State Of Education Address

Making connections to benefit students and providing opportunities through countywide efforts to pull together as communities in support of educating their children were focal points of the inaugural State of Education Address delivered by San Bernardino County Superintendent Ted Alejandre on Sept. 16. “I must say that one of the great fortunes I have found as county superintendent is the rich diversity of our student population and communities across San Bernardino County,” Alejandre said. “The passion and dedication that individuals and groups make on behalf of our public schools and students truly transforms lives.” The theme of this year’s address is “Unite. Inspire. Transform.” At the San Bernardino event, San Bernardino County Supervisor James Ramos, who is chairman of the Board, served as the emcee. At the Victorville address, County Supervisor Robert Lovingood, vice chairman of the Board, will be the emcee. Working with the Board of Supervisors on its Countywide Vision, Alejandre touched on several key initiatives as a result of Collective Impact efforts, a coming together of communities on social issues that improve and advance positive change. “When education, government, business, non-profits and citizens unite together to address complex social issues, powerful things happen,” Alejandre said. The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools is partnering with the County Library System to promote student literacy in the region. There will be a kickoff of the Vision2Read literacy campaign on Sept. 19 at California State University, San Bernardino with a free Family Reading Rally. About 50,000 books are expected to be donated to families, schools and districts as part of the event. Another area of Collective Impact work this year has been through efforts to cultivate authentic student voice. For the first time, a countywide Student Advisory Panel has been formed with participants from 40 public high schools that is focused on student well-being and pursuit of their dreams. “If we truly want to transform the lives of our students to ensure their success, we must listen and hear their thoughts on what makes for powerful learning and connections,” Alejandre said. Student performances, videos and presentations played a big role during the State of Education. Highlights included video comments from students at Black Rock High School in the Morongo Unified School District, where the students spoke how their school became a statewide model continuation site. Students from Carter High in Rialto Unified, Etiwanda in Chaffey Joint Union and Hesperia High in Hesperia Unified also did video segments on taking part in the first-ever countywide Student Advisory Panels. Providing support for social and emotional needs of students was highlighted by Alejandre, who talked about County Schools’ new Wellness Initiative, as well as the annual Wellness Conference that has attracted more than 500 participants. “Not only is wellness a critical component to academic achievement in the classroom, it’s an essential factor for staff who enrich the educational environment for students,” Alejandre said. In the classroom, Alejandre thanked teachers and recognized their passion and dedication to students, especially among County Schools’ programs in alternative, juvenile court, preschool and special education. Alejandre also provided updates on the state’s Local Control Funding Formula and its supporting model with eight state priority areas in the Local Control Accountability Plan, as well as the just released data from the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress. Alejandre closed his speech talking about the unique processional San Bernardino High School uses during its graduation in the spring. “A kindergarten class led the procession,” Alejandre said. “The school principal told me, “We want the students to know, at the beginning of their educational career, that they will graduate as Cardinals.” He said the moment creates a powerful message for students and families. “Going to college, landing a great job, these are the hopes and dreams to which all of our students should have the opportunity to aspire,” he said. “This is what we can and should expect of them; and of ourselves. “This is how we transform lives.”