February Newsletter 2019 - CCEA Plus - California Continuation Education Association Plus

A Message from CCEA’s newly appointed Executive Director, Vic Whitaker:

Greetings! My name is Vic Whitaker, and I’m CCEA’s newly appointed Executive Director. Please allow me an opportunity to introduce myself.

I retired several years ago after teaching for 35 years in the same continuation high school, Chaparral High School in San Diego, California. I’ve been a continuous member of CCEA for 53 years, attending all conferences except for one. I have served in all Executive Board positions over the years — President, Past President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. I’ve even been a Board Consultant on two separate occasions.

Along with my friend and colleague, Mr. Joe Stits (an honorary life-time CCEA member), and others from the California Department of Education, we established the “California State Model Continuation High School Recognition Program” and I have served as the chief consultant to the CDE for that program since its inception.

As your new Executive Director, I would like to welcome you to our ever-evolving organization. CCEA is on the move — new, refreshed, inspired and in pursuit of effective, efficient advocacy and resourcing.

Your new and very talented Executive Board and Regional Advisors have been working tirelessly to bring you a new and up to date CCEA which will meet your needs far into the future. We have also brought to you a very exciting, redesigned and interactive website — cceanet.org. It truly is an interactive one-stop shop for all your questions, educational needs, purchases and information. I encourage you to visit again soon, and often, as there are daily changes occurring.

Please know that I, along with the other Executive Board and Regional Representatives, am always available to you.

Kindest Regards,
Vic Whitaker, CCEA Executive Director

Coming Up: CCEA 2019 Conference

Join your fellow continuation school educators for the upcoming CCEA Conference “Moving into the Future Together”. This is a once a year opportunity where you can connect with other alternative educators who understand the unique nuances of working within continuation schools.

Whether you are a teacher, an administrator, or classified staff member – this conference is for you! You will attend workshops, network, and take back information that is directly related to our unique needs.

Celebrate with CCEA at Levis Stadium!

Friday evening there will be an awards dinner at the world-famous Levi’s Stadium to celebrate our 2019 California Department of Education Model Continuation Schools.

The celebration and networking will continue on Saturday with a Professional Awards dinner to honor Exemplary Programs, Student Essay winners, Superintendent of the Year, Administrator of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and Classified Employee of the Year. Reserve Tables | Get Tickets

The Conference will be held at the Santa Clara Marriott on April 26 – 28, 2019. Register online before March 17th and get 10% off!

Already an active member? Register CCEA Members
Registering a group? Group Registration

Meet the CCEA Team – We’re Here to Support You!

CCEA strives to provide professional development to support the needs of educators working within continuation and alternative settings. To support our distinctive needs, CCEA is planning to begin hosting webinars. More details to come as the project develops. Please share your own ideas and topics with us anytime. Have an idea for CCEA? Please share it with us!

State Board

Executive Director – Vic Whitaker III | Email: vwhit3 (at) aol (dot) com
President – Scott Braden | Email: sbraden (at) portervilleschools (dot) org
Vice President – Daniel Barajas | Email: dbarajas (at) euhsd (dot) org
Secretary – Marty Martin | Email: william.martin (at) wuhsd (dot) org

Click to Expand the Region Map

2018 – 2019 Regional Advisors

Region I
Joe Antonelli | Email: jantonelli (at) cnusd.k12.ca.us
Sharon Clark | Email: sclark (at) euhsd.org

Region II
Jill Adams | Email: jadams (at) busd.k12.ca.us
Jaime Alarcon | Email: jalarcon (at) gusd.net

Region III
Gerardo “Jerry” Abrica | Email: gerardoabrica (at) portervilleschools.org
Rees Warne | Email: reeswarne (at) cusd.com

Region IV
Jillian Damon | Email: jdamon (at) ycusd.org
Tim Cooper | Email: timcooper (at) antioch.k12.ca.us

See our Regional Map | Read more about the Team

Call for Presenters

Are you doing some awesome things in alternative education in your classroom or on your campus? We want to hear from you! We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to share your ideas and successes with colleagues around California.

Remember, if you have seen one continuation school – you have only seen one continuation school. As continuation school educators, you are highly creative, dynamic, and eager to share your great stuff.

Please submit your proposal for a workshop here, or consider leading an academic open forum discussion in your content area. Get more details here on presenting and showcasing at the round tables.

Better Together: Get Involved

The California Continuation Education Association (CCEA) was formed in 1962 to advocate for the interests of continuation school students and staff. CCEA’s member-driven organization serves as the advocacy group and professional community for continuation schools. Please consider becoming a member of this worthy organization that advocates and empowers on behalf our educator’s unique needs. We’re better, together!

Benefits include: (view more benefits)

Special member access to CCEA website info and data.
Discounted rates and special options at the annual conference.
Certificate for members; or plaque for schools and businesses.
Exclusive access to member forums and message boards.
Participation in CCEA advocacy efforts and direction.
Subscription to our newsletter, regional workshops and more!

Professional members are the driving force behind CCEA and continuation education. Become a professional member right now and get instant access. Sign up now!

Get Social

Did you know CCEA is on social media? Please join us as we celebrate our successes and find a community of educators to network with.

We invite you to showcase all the special things happening at your site.

Post to our Facebook, tag us on Instagram, or Twitter @CCEAeducation #cceaalted

SOCIAL MEDIA SHOWCASE
#cceaalted

Things You Should Know

Accrediting Commission for Schools Western Association of Schools and Colleges

Have you considered volunteering to serve as a member of an ACS WASC visiting committee? WASC is one of the six regional accreditation agencies in the United States. An ACS WASC accreditation validates the diploma your school provides as well as makes your school eligible for Model Continuation School status. If you are interested in serving on a committee and learning the process of the ACS WASC, process please volunteer. It is often stated that ACS WASC visits are a useful form of professional development for educators.

Lost in Paradise

Ridgeview Damage - Facebook post by Mike Lerch

Ridgeview High School After the Camp Fire’s Destruction

Ridgeview High School was completely destroyed in the 2018 Camp Fire, along with many of the students and staffs homes. On behalf of our CCEA’s officers, reps and members, we’d like to express our condolences and support to the staff, students, teachers, and the community affected by this tragedy. Many of these students feel forgotten, and are not seeing the same level of support their general education peers are. To support those affected, please consider donating a gift card of $25 or more to those impacted by the tragedy. We are encouraging registrants to drop off their donation to the registration table upon conference check-in. Read more

Conference Program Cover Design Contest

This year we are adding a new contest for students! We are asking students to design the cover for the Conference program. Our conference theme this year is: Moving into the Future Together. We are excited to have another avenue to showcase our student’s work!

Please submit designs through the CCEA website by the contest’s March 22nd deadline. Get details

Teachers, Administrators, and Classified…Oh My!

Please look at the awards that CCEA awards each year and submit those exemplary people and programs at your site! The State Association wishes to join with the local districts in recognizing those individuals who stand above their peers in providing excellence to students in California’s Continuation High schools. Do you have an amazing Classified Staff Member, Teacher, or Administrator? Consider nominating them.

Exemplary Programs Award

Do you have something special happening at your school? CCEA wants to recognize and celebrate outstanding programs and projects that support “at-risk” students. We are looking for applicants to share their exemplary, outside the box ideas in practice at their site or within their district. Submit an application for consideration for this award. Learn how to apply

Student Art Show

Give your students the opportunity to shine — display your student’s artwork and highlight what you have been creating throughout the year.

We will be featuring student artwork displays at the annual CCEA Conference, hosted in Santa Clara, California, on the weekend of April 26 – 28. Get details on the Show

Student Essay Contest

The purpose of this contest is to recognize our outstanding students and their writing. Please consider entering your top student’s essay. Each school may submit up to two essays, one from a Senior and one from a Junior.

The top six essays will be recognized. The top three will receive awards and recognition at our annual CCEA Conference in April. The student must be sponsored by a current professional member of CCEA or an employee of a CCEA member school. Get more details, including rubric

Member’s Benefits

All members of CCEA will soon have access to member webinars. We are looking forward to growing as a community and facilitating on-going professional development specifically for alternative education and continuation schools. More to come!

Have an idea for CCEA? Please share it with us! Send us a message

We look forward to seeing you at the conference in Santa Clara!