What's Happening
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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.
Sign up to receive the monthly newsletter. Email communications@sdcoe.net if you have an opportunity to share with educators, students, and families in San Diego County.
![three pairs of hands cupped around each other holding a red heart]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1666733012/sdcoenet/cke2t28r9jzfaglri0sr/WH-hands-holding-heart-wellbeing.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1666733012/sdcoenet/cke2t28r9jzfaglri0sr/WH-hands-holding-heart-wellbeing.png","width":460}])
Mental health and well-being is more important than ever for adults and children. The SDCOE Student Wellness team has monthly virtual learning opportunities and resources to support resilience and maintain balance.
![Group of excited high school students]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1670018770/sdcoenet/o0vlnmpblhmjlm7kzcg7/WHyouthleadershipforum.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1670018770/sdcoenet/o0vlnmpblhmjlm7kzcg7/WHyouthleadershipforum.jpg","width":460}])
The California Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, through the California Department of Rehabilitation, holds an annual weeklong leadership program called the Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities.The no-cost program, scheduled for July 2023, is for sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school who have any disability and exhibit leadership potential.
![Adventure Pass logo with drawings of nature and silhouettes of a family walking]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1669836344/sdcoenet/zhvoxfo4oabbubxbkmm9/WHCAstateparksadvpass.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1669836344/sdcoenet/zhvoxfo4oabbubxbkmm9/WHCAstateparksadvpass.png","width":460}])
In partnership with the First Partner’s Office and the Natural Resources Agency, the California State Park Adventure Pass provides free entry for fourth graders and their families at 19 California state parks. The pass is valid from September through August of the student's fourth-grade year.
![SDSU Aztec logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1662067983/sdcoenet/dnzaqlw1k4r5nloxencr/WH-SDSU-Aztecs-logo.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1662067983/sdcoenet/dnzaqlw1k4r5nloxencr/WH-SDSU-Aztecs-logo.png","width":460}]){kind=logo}
Through a partnership between SDSU and SDCOE, free tickets are available for students, teachers, and chaperones to attend one of two Field Trip Days and for students and their famlies to participate in Girls and Women in Sports Day in late January. Don't miss out on these fun events!
![Great Kindness Challenge logo with program dates and a background with flowers and hearts]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1669146750/sdcoenet/txdwvwonjvkv2kiha5ps/WHkindnesschallenge2023.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1669146750/sdcoenet/txdwvwonjvkv2kiha5ps/WHkindnesschallenge2023.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. 23 to 27. Show the world that kindness matters!
![Live Well Youth logo with image of four smiling young people]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1669928428/sdcoenet/mc7ozaav4vzp1mywa0fg/WHLiveWellYouthSector.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1669928428/sdcoenet/mc7ozaav4vzp1mywa0fg/WHLiveWellYouthSector.png","width":460}])
The Live Well San Diego Youth Leadership Team invites all youth in the county to two upcoming forums on mental health on Dec. 10 and 17. At these free events, attendees will learn about youth behavioral health, hear from subject matter experts, and have the opportunity to share their lived experiences
Resources from SDCOE News
![Appears to be father catching son in big hug]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1669683820/sdcoenet/tpphkp778p5ntqpfkeo1/mental-health-holiday-family-hug-father.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1669683820/sdcoenet/tpphkp778p5ntqpfkeo1/mental-health-holiday-family-hug-father.png","width":460}])
The winter holiday season can be a festive, joyful time, but holidays can also bring up big feelings for adults and young people alike. SDCOE gathered resources to support children and adults who may be struggling.
![Hands using laptop]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1667250975/sdcoenet/vbhefmdorfnyktnyaphq/2022-laptop-generic.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1667250975/sdcoenet/vbhefmdorfnyktnyaphq/2022-laptop-generic.png","width":460}])
The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) has teamed up with the UC San Diego esports program to create a mentorship program for high school students focused on esports and gaming.
![10th and 11th Grade Students: Apply for Student Board Member]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1669824275/sdcoenet/slbmitm7pledich3ltf3/student-rep-applications-thumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1669824275/sdcoenet/slbmitm7pledich3ltf3/student-rep-applications-thumbnail.png","width":460}])
Represent the youth voice across the region as a member of the San Diego County Board of Education for 2023-24 as a student representative. Applications accepted now!
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Nominations are now open for the 2023 Lighthouse Awards, which honor school and community leaders in equity, diversity and inclusion.
![Image of conference room with people with text to register for Live Well Advance Conference]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1669309648/sdcoenet/xt28yazmxqi7ccxygbdd/2022-11-24-Live-Well-Advance-Image.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1669309648/sdcoenet/xt28yazmxqi7ccxygbdd/2022-11-24-Live-Well-Advance-Image.jpg","width":460}])
Register now for the seventh annual Live Well Advance Conference and School Summit, which connects participants with community leaders and organizations working to advance a shared vision of a healthy, safe, and thriving San Diego region.
![Matching Funds Available for Area Teachers to Boost STEM and Anti-Racism Education]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1666642584/sdcoenet/ox9qsr1abavlpfvhos2i/2022-10-kids-jumping-thumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1666642584/sdcoenet/ox9qsr1abavlpfvhos2i/2022-10-kids-jumping-thumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1666642584/sdcoenet/ox9qsr1abavlpfvhos2i/2022-10-kids-jumping-thumbnail.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1666642584/sdcoenet/ox9qsr1abavlpfvhos2i/2022-10-kids-jumping-thumbnail.jpg","width":830}])
San Diego Gas & Electric is providing $250,000 in shareholder funds as matching dollars to help teachers supplement classroom learning with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) projects, as well as racial equity and inclusion education, through DonorsChoose.
![STEAM Art Contest announcement with dates and sponsor logos]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1669151990/sdcoenet/whyoutiwydseflnf9941/WHSTEAMartcontest2023.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1669151990/sdcoenet/whyoutiwydseflnf9941/WHSTEAMartcontest2023.png","width":460}])
![Hope and Justice contest logo with colors and art tools]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1667956711/sdcoenet/kyb1exoltcgivwk5ubec/WHDirectingChangelogo.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1667956711/sdcoenet/kyb1exoltcgivwk5ubec/WHDirectingChangelogo.png","width":460}])