What's Happening
Single Hero Image interior pages
COMWhats-Happening-HERO827.png
Free and low-cost opportunities for educators and students
What’s Happening is a community service from the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) to connect families, students, and educators with free and low-cost opportunities and resources, including educator grants and scholarships/contests for students. Helpful information is updated regularly on this page with highlights published at the start of each month as an e-newsletter.
Email communications@sdcoe.net if you have an opportunity to share with educators, students, and families in San Diego County.
Sign up to receive the What's Happening monthly newsletter by clicking the 'Sign Up' icon below.
![Youth Lab Visions Project]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1757022187/sdcoenet/rj6w4au2s2trnkdjvcdb/elementary-hands-02.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1757022187/sdcoenet/rj6w4au2s2trnkdjvcdb/elementary-hands-02.jpg","width":460}])
Students in grades 8-11 are encouraged to join the Youth Vision Labs Project to help shape their community’s future. Participants will collaborate, identify key issues, and present actionable solutions directly to local leaders that can drive real change.
![Sign up for the Great Kindness Challenge]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764002023/sdcoenet/jgo8ghdltdx5tt3ofqqm/WH-2526-GreatKindnessChallenge.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764002023/sdcoenet/jgo8ghdltdx5tt3ofqqm/WH-2526-GreatKindnessChallenge.png","width":460}])
Kids for Peace, home to The Great Kindness Challenge, invites your school to help create a culture of kindness through their weeklong kindness celebration, Jan. 26 to 30. Show the world that kindness has the power to bring people together!
![Free Financial Aid Events for Students and Families]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1757022189/sdcoenet/dxmp8znhldz8txa4bawo/highschoolclassroom-04.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1757022189/sdcoenet/dxmp8znhldz8txa4bawo/highschoolclassroom-04.jpg","width":460}])
San Diego and Imperial Counties Cal-SOAP is offering free in person and virtual workshops about financial aid. These events aim to help students and their families learn about scholarship applications and local financial aid resources.
![Tickets Now Available for Aztecs Women's Basketball Field Trip Days]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695942028/sdcoenet/rhzlpjxsepzm2aokkvqz/WHAztecsfanscheering.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1695942028/sdcoenet/rhzlpjxsepzm2aokkvqz/WHAztecsfanscheering.png","width":460}])
The SDSU Aztecs invite K-8 students, teachers, and chaperones to this season's women's basketball Field Trip Days. Reserve your tickets today for the next game on Jan. 14.
![San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering: Art Contest]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1730320261/sdcoenet/seqriztojckagqqukg2i/WHSDSTEMfestivallogo.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1730320261/sdcoenet/seqriztojckagqqukg2i/WHSDSTEMfestivallogo.png","width":460}])
Students in grades K-12 can enter the STEAM Design Contest now for a chance to have their art displayed at the San Diego Festival of Science and Engineering next March along with other great incentives. The deadline for submitting artwork is Jan. 1.
![Engineering Council Call for Speakers]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1761947375/sdcoenet/eq3fjt1f9ajl6pa16pl4/WHengineeringspeakers2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1761947375/sdcoenet/eq3fjt1f9ajl6pa16pl4/WHengineeringspeakers2.png","width":460}])
The San Diego County Engineering Council invites educators to become on-demand speakers and share their inspirational messages through a video to help advance engineering and technology in education.
![Affordable Internet and Devices]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1744304500/sdcoenet/gbabdrfn0nqpbnunnrjt/migrantedstudentwithlaptop.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1744304500/sdcoenet/gbabdrfn0nqpbnunnrjt/migrantedstudentwithlaptop.png","width":460}])
Get connected with Everyone On’s Offer Locator Tool to find low-cost internet services and affordable computers in your area. Free digital learning services, job search and career support, online financial management tools, and more are also available.
![Help Share New Resources for Kinship Families in San Diego]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1682973889/sdcoenet/mcarutokxmpwwvzc9nan/WHselflovestudents.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1682973889/sdcoenet/mcarutokxmpwwvzc9nan/WHselflovestudents.png","width":460}])
Help raise awareness in your school community about the new resources from Live Well San Diego designed to support kinship families in our county.
![Anza-Borrego Foundation Teacher Symposiums]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1671755328/sdcoenet/d4ad8b7lxfiuiyujrjb5/WHAnzaBorregologo.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1671755328/sdcoenet/d4ad8b7lxfiuiyujrjb5/WHAnzaBorregologo.png","width":460}])
The Anza-Borrego Foundation invites any educator interested in preserving and sharing the wonders of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park the opportunity to immerse themselves in a weekend teacher symposium.
Resources from SDCOE
![Free Mindfulness Classes for Parents and Caregivers in January]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1637658232/sdcoenet/be6oa1kwurbmf5mcsbqj/Wellness-boximages-Mindfulness.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1637658232/sdcoenet/be6oa1kwurbmf5mcsbqj/Wellness-boximages-Mindfulness.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1637658232/sdcoenet/be6oa1kwurbmf5mcsbqj/Wellness-boximages-Mindfulness.jpg","width":532}])
SDCOE is offering free virtual sessions on mindfulness in English and Spanish for parents and caregivers of school-aged children. The series is designed to help manage stress, relax, and lead a happier, healthier life.
![Virtual Series Helps Parents with Online Safety]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1681857877/sdcoenet/vzkcomzqqlirzius3xya/laptop2.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1681857877/sdcoenet/vzkcomzqqlirzius3xya/laptop2.jpg","width":460}])
This free learning opportunity continues in 2026 with new topics to support parents as they become confident digital partners in their child's online safety.
![Teaching Winter Celebrations in San Diego County Classrooms]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1764708768/sdcoenet/sdcoenet/yao3dty0n7uxgokmopip/Thumbnails-Finalsite460x340px.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1764708768/sdcoenet/sdcoenet/yao3dty0n7uxgokmopip/Thumbnails-Finalsite460x340px.png","width":460}])
The winter season is a joyful time for many families across San Diego County, and the celebrations reflect the county’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity.
![County Board Seeks Student Representatives for 2026-27]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1715707670/sdcoenet/ajafw91f1coehjqqkcuo/24-04-10-jccs-student-spotlight-sofia-460.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1715707670/sdcoenet/ajafw91f1coehjqqkcuo/24-04-10-jccs-student-spotlight-sofia-460.png","width":460}])
Students in 10th and 11th grade from all public high schools in San Diego County are invited to submit an application to represent youth voice across our region as a member of the San Diego County Board of Education for 2026-27.
![2026 Innovation in Education STEAM Grant Application Now Open]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1734545015/sdcoenet/rbdbnymph7iqoesuho16/25-cff-innovation-in-education-grant-application.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1734545015/sdcoenet/rbdbnymph7iqoesuho16/25-cff-innovation-in-education-grant-application.png","width":460}])
The Classroom of the Future Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2025 Innovation in Education STEAM grants. A total of $25,000 in grant funds are available for San Diego County K-12 school districts and charter schools. The deadline to apply is Dec. 19.
![Take the Next Step in a Career in Education with Level Up! Virtual Event]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1748472510/sdcoenet/ti7rxuxrgorbs88ld5er/Teacher-10.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1748472510/sdcoenet/ti7rxuxrgorbs88ld5er/Teacher-10.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1748472510/sdcoenet/ti7rxuxrgorbs88ld5er/Teacher-10.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1748472510/sdcoenet/ti7rxuxrgorbs88ld5er/Teacher-10.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1748472510/sdcoenet/ti7rxuxrgorbs88ld5er/Teacher-10.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1748472510/sdcoenet/ti7rxuxrgorbs88ld5er/Teacher-10.jpg","width":2200}])
Prospective and current educators can connect directly with colleges and universities to learn more about how to earn an education-related degree, credential, authorization, or permit and take the next step toward your education career goals.
