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.
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.
![Text announcing the event with a heart shaped apple and green border]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1778869091/sdcoenet/uhh7w3czsjqdqnomtifc/WHIKEAeducatorday2026.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1778869091/sdcoenet/uhh7w3czsjqdqnomtifc/WHIKEAeducatorday2026.png","width":460}])
Educators won't want to miss the IKEA San Diego Teacher Appreciation Event on Aug. 15. Teachers will enjoy a fun day of sweet treats, games, discounts, chances to win prizes, and more. Advanced registration is required for this free event.
![Flyer with QR Code for game tickets]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1785784518/sdcoenet/bs0pzlgar6bcloxxnicb/WHAztecsExtraYard2026.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1785784518/sdcoenet/bs0pzlgar6bcloxxnicb/WHAztecsExtraYard2026.png","width":460}])
San Diego County teachers and school staff can get discounted $20 tickets to the Sept. 19 Aztec football game vs. JMU at Snapdragon Stadium. Come cheer on the Aztecs as they celebrate all teachers!
![teens hiking through field]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1785178198/sdcoenet/spaw9jmph57njkmwmhvy/WHEcoAmbassStudentGroup.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1785178198/sdcoenet/spaw9jmph57njkmwmhvy/WHEcoAmbassStudentGroup.png","width":460}])
San Diego County high school students can participate in the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation's Eco Ambassadors program to explore nature and conservation. The application deadline for the fall program has been extended to Aug. 14.
![San Diego FC logo on white background]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1781302873/sdcoenet/ktdlwzxcihrmu7z22shv/WHSanDiegoFClogo.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1781302873/sdcoenet/ktdlwzxcihrmu7z22shv/WHSanDiegoFClogo.png","width":460}])
San Diego County teachers and school staff can take advantage of discounted pricing to the San Diego FC game on Sept. 9. Bring your crew to a fun night of soccer and nonstop energy at Snapdragon Stadium.
![Elementary student watering plants in outdoor garden]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1755277067/sdcoenet/gw9newqhqwoqjr6ea5ki/Elementary-outdoors-AG-03.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1755277067/sdcoenet/gw9newqhqwoqjr6ea5ki/Elementary-outdoors-AG-03.jpg","width":460}])
Grow together. Learn together. Explore the School Garden Open House at the Chaparral Elementary School Garden in Poway on Sept. 22 and learn how to help your school garden grow!
![view of park entrance sign with mountain landscape in background]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780598082/sdcoenet/rq3t0jkpfuomi5xyona0/WHmissiontrailspark.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1780598082/sdcoenet/rq3t0jkpfuomi5xyona0/WHmissiontrailspark.png","width":460}])
Did you know that the nonprofit Mission Trails Regional Park (MTRP) Foundation offers free field trips for students in grades 2-8? Sign up by Aug. 16 to enter the lottery to participate this school year.
![Get Fit and Thrive Logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1685571962/sdcoenet/ajripjaa4om8qc0s2em1/WHKaiserGetFitlogo.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1685571962/sdcoenet/ajripjaa4om8qc0s2em1/WHKaiserGetFitlogo.png","width":460}])
The Kaiser Permanente Get Fit and Thrive Challenge, now in its 22nd year, is designed to promote healthy family living during the summer months. Kids ages 6 to 14 can find easy activities to participate in and get a chance to win great prizes.
![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}])
Explore state parks this summer! Check out these offers that allow free day-use entry to participating California State Parks -- the Adventure Pass Program for fourth grade students and the Library Parks Pass program for any library card holder.
![two teen boys wearing fire fighter jackets stand together and smile for a photo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1771027780/sdcoenet/i8epculc9dxtcp1k7hly/FireScienceLabFSThumb.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1771027780/sdcoenet/i8epculc9dxtcp1k7hly/FireScienceLabFSThumb.png","width":460}])
Help prepare your students for the world beyond high school. SDCOE offers immersive events where students can meet professionals and explore career paths through real-world, local experiences.
Resources from SDCOE
![Two students with binoculars stand in a dry, grassy field, pointing towards a distant, tree-covered hillside under a clear blue sky.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1706484604/sdcoenet/z8dgu1ytsdt8nwyey2xa/COS-binoculars.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1706484604/sdcoenet/z8dgu1ytsdt8nwyey2xa/COS-binoculars.jpg","width":460}])
Come visit Cuyamaca Outdoor School and see what students experience during their week-long visit! The county's longest running 6th grade camp will host an open house on Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
![KPBS San Diego Book Festival logo]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1784908674/sdcoenet/l0a9jjwwo1ey67ui7saq/KPBSBookFestivalthumb.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1784908674/sdcoenet/l0a9jjwwo1ey67ui7saq/KPBSBookFestivalthumb.png","width":460}])
The free annual event held at the University of San Diego brings together readers of all ages to celebrate the love of books, learning, and literacy.
![Appears to be female student sitting in the shade reading a book]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1719766041/sdcoenet/gp9pn8efjevcfrqt3dar/heat-wave-thumbnail-news-outdoors-frisbee.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1719766041/sdcoenet/gp9pn8efjevcfrqt3dar/heat-wave-thumbnail-news-outdoors-frisbee.png","width":460}])
With hot conditions in San Diego County, it's important to plan ahead and take precautions. Here are some tips and resources to help beat the heat.
![Four female teachers sit at a large table with laptops during a professional learning event.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1685631776/sdcoenet/p0u8xclxhmsawk5xbhse/teachers-professional-learning.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1685631776/sdcoenet/p0u8xclxhmsawk5xbhse/teachers-professional-learning.png","width":460}])
SDCOE and other institutions have a variety of professional learning opportunities available to educators at low or no cost this summer. Review them by topic or date and register to attend.
![Image of fruits in boxes]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1709600402/sdcoenet/ngolryyxyhrscw9dklxj/jccs-social-work-food-delivery-460.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1709600402/sdcoenet/ngolryyxyhrscw9dklxj/jccs-social-work-food-delivery-460.jpg","width":460}])
Find information on CalFresh benefits, food resources, and community supports for medical, mental health, and more as new changes in federal laws and funding impact our communities.
![Friendship School student smiling outdoors]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1688151949/sdcoenet/urxkqdnwp6oh6mzkqjje/2023-07-03-outside-friendship.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1688151949/sdcoenet/urxkqdnwp6oh6mzkqjje/2023-07-03-outside-friendship.jpg","width":460}])
The South County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) curated some ideas and resources to help kids of all ability levels have a great summer.
