What's Happening
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.
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Free and low-cost opportunities for educators and students
![Students holding up their plants at Plant-Grow-Eat program]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1704925714/sdcoenet/sy8ktimodlcohzzeh4dh/WHPlant-grow-eatprogramSDFair.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1704925714/sdcoenet/sy8ktimodlcohzzeh4dh/WHPlant-grow-eatprogramSDFair.png","width":460}])
Educators can apply for their class to participate in the San Diego County Fair’s Plant*Grow*Eat program. This free and fun program teaches K-3 students about agriculture and nutrition and includes a field trip to The Farm at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in May. Transportation funding is available for Title I schools.
![Band of four adults (two women and two men) playing instruments and singing on a stage]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743604356/sdcoenet/o7ue2kiisiqturaynavg/WH-FreeConcertPuertoRico.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1743604356/sdcoenet/o7ue2kiisiqturaynavg/WH-FreeConcertPuertoRico.png","width":460}])
Experience the colorful world of Puerto Rican music, dance, and culture during a free virtual concert on YouTube from April 15 through May 14. This bilingual concert presented by Classics 4 Kids is designed for grades TK-6 students.
![Teens at Mingei Program Text logo for 2025]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1741217014/sdcoenet/cjpydxwrzkaiyoiu9r5b/WH-TAM2025.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1741217014/sdcoenet/cjpydxwrzkaiyoiu9r5b/WH-TAM2025.png","width":460}])
Teens at Mingei is a paid, eight-month internship program that offers 10th and 11th grade high school students a chance to meet artists and art professionals from San Diego, and gain insight into the inner workings of an art museum.
![View of Balboa Park museum buildings at sunset]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1711822763/sdcoenet/tmww0j6savoxfuvud9tt/WHBalboamuseums.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1711822763/sdcoenet/tmww0j6savoxfuvud9tt/WHBalboamuseums.png","width":460}])
Mark your calendars for Educator Appreciation Night at the San Diego Natural History Museum on May 7. Register today for this free and fun event.
![Chargers Champions School Grant Application Banner]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1742830179/sdcoenet/avuutzmjoudx7dymkiez/WH-ChargersChampions2025.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1742830179/sdcoenet/avuutzmjoudx7dymkiez/WH-ChargersChampions2025.png","width":460}])
The Chargers Champions School Grant Program is now open to assist schools with meeting some of the basic physical fitness, nutrition, and athletic needs of their students.
![Nurse caring for student at school]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738023109/sdcoenet/l0hya9ftwrbcni9nrwvn/Nurse-student.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1738023109/sdcoenet/l0hya9ftwrbcni9nrwvn/Nurse-student.jpg","width":460}])
The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency is offering a free five-day student workshop with hands-on training from public health professionals, career exploration, and more. Rising juniors and seniors can apply.
![Give Back During National Volunteer Month]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1706907587/sdcoenet/pfrlle7h7qfxvlvooukb/mural-04.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1706907587/sdcoenet/pfrlle7h7qfxvlvooukb/mural-04.jpg","width":460}])
April is National Volunteer Month and it's a great time to encourage others to join the impact of volunteerism and get involved in their communities. See a list of resources, including some with opportunities for youth volunteers.
![Padres Educator Appreciation Night]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1743199274/sdcoenet/jgmrcgwpjgsqeatyd2ma/WH-PadresEdNight-2025.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1743199274/sdcoenet/jgmrcgwpjgsqeatyd2ma/WH-PadresEdNight-2025.png","width":460}])
The Padres will celebrate all San Diego County teachers and school staff at Educator Appreciation Night on May 30. See the Padres play the Pirates at 6:40 p.m. The 2025 San Diego County Teachers of the Year and the 2025-26 School District Teachers of the Year will be recognized during the game.
![PBS Kids Logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1742938585/sdcoenet/bua5ocoknpt1pfhsbbo6/WH-2025-BeMyNeighborDay.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1742938585/sdcoenet/bua5ocoknpt1pfhsbbo6/WH-2025-BeMyNeighborDay.png","width":460}])
Celebrate National Volunteer Month and Month of the Military Child with community neighbors at the third annual Be My Neighbor event hosted by KPBS. This is a free outdoor event for all ages.
Resources from SDCOE
![High school students on campus]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1736362645/sdcoenet/lix7ccnbajpkczmlaq5b/High-school-campus.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1736362645/sdcoenet/lix7ccnbajpkczmlaq5b/High-school-campus.jpg","width":460}])
These materials are designed to support school leaders to identify proposed immigration policies that may impact their school communities and how they can address their community's needs.
![Blue graphic with now hiring sign and text SDCOE Careers in Education Job Fair April 26]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1742834525/sdcoenet/ovci5iiavb2n8eelmhvd/CareersinEdJobFair2025.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1742834525/sdcoenet/ovci5iiavb2n8eelmhvd/CareersinEdJobFair2025.png","width":460}])
School districts and charter schools across the county are hiring for a variety of teaching and non-teaching positions, and the upcoming job fair will help connect local job seekers to quality opportunities.
![U.S. flag hanging in classroom]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1675806994/sdcoenet/c3r5erojmrf0gaxfqgoq/flaginclass.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1675806994/sdcoenet/c3r5erojmrf0gaxfqgoq/flaginclass.jpg","width":460}])
The San Diego County Office of Education is proud to recognize and celebrate the Month of the Military Child in April, during which time we recognize and celebrate the unique challenges and contributions of military children and youth.
![High school students learning outdoors]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738791466/sdcoenet/vfiilr0hcxlrpba8nkgy/highschool-outdoors.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1738791466/sdcoenet/vfiilr0hcxlrpba8nkgy/highschool-outdoors.jpg","width":460}])
Wheelhouse Credit Union is encouraging San Diego college-bound high school seniors to apply for its 2025 scholarship programs. Open to any local students, these programs will provide $10,000 in scholarships.
![lighthouse awards logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1695307664/sdcoenet/eypecei05xw9mgv2ugul/LLS-EC-Lighthouse-master-logo.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1695307664/sdcoenet/eypecei05xw9mgv2ugul/LLS-EC-Lighthouse-master-logo.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1695307664/sdcoenet/eypecei05xw9mgv2ugul/LLS-EC-Lighthouse-master-logo.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1695307664/sdcoenet/eypecei05xw9mgv2ugul/LLS-EC-Lighthouse-master-logo.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1695307664/sdcoenet/eypecei05xw9mgv2ugul/LLS-EC-Lighthouse-master-logo.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1695307664/sdcoenet/eypecei05xw9mgv2ugul/LLS-EC-Lighthouse-master-logo.png","width":2200}]){kind=logo}
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Lighthouse Awards, which honor school and community leaders in equity, diversity, and inclusion. The honorees will be recognized during the SDCOE Equity Conference on May 28-30.
![Universal Design for Learning Design Jam image]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738252415/sdcoenet/jfwhnnjqlidof16itigi/UDLThumb.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1738252415/sdcoenet/jfwhnnjqlidof16itigi/UDLThumb.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1738252415/sdcoenet/jfwhnnjqlidof16itigi/UDLThumb.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1738252415/sdcoenet/jfwhnnjqlidof16itigi/UDLThumb.png","width":959}])
A new Universal Design for Learning Design Jam from SDCOE connects educators with opportunities and the chance to work through barriers and challenges in planning lessons for all students. Register now for the June 17 event.
