Juvenile Court and Community Schools

• January 2023
• December 2022
• October 2022
• September 2022
• July 2022 
• June 2022
• April 2022
• March 2022

Sign up for Breaking Barriers monthly newsletter. 

The Juvenile Court and Community Schools Scholarship Foundation, popularly known as Dollars for Scholars, was created in 1986 to provide scholarships for JCCS students. Awards enable selected JCCS students and graduates to continue their education at community colleges, universities, and vocational schools.

JCCS serves about 1,200 students on any given day. These "at risk" students include homeless teens, youth in foster care, and young adults with special circumstances. The Dollars for Scholars Foundation provides a way for these students to continue their education after high school. Since 1986, the foundation has granted awards to more than 600 students. Award recipients have received a combined total of over $110,000.

The foundation is an affiliate chapter of the Citizens Scholarship Foundation of America. There are more than 785 chapters throughout the United States annually donating more than $14 million dollars in scholarships.

​All students have a variety of opportunities for higher education, and it may take several years to explore all appropriate options. Students who wait until their senior year too often feel rushed since applications for college admission must often be completed in October of the senior year. Even ninth-grade students need to become aware of college opportunities since college entrance often depends upon selecting an appropriate high school program.

In narrowing college choices, consider both the size of the campus and the availability of a good program in your desired field.

Size of Campus

• Large schools (15,000-35,000) offer many majors, extensive activities, large libraries, urban atmosphere, well known athletic teams, and usually problems in housing.
• Small schools (under 5,000) usually offer smaller classes, fewer majors, smaller libraries, fewer total activities, and usually provide greater opportunities for participation in student activities and/or sports.

Availability of a Good Program in the Desired Field

• Check college catalogs in the Pupil Services Assessment office or library.
• Visit the college campus and major department.
• Talk to college representatives and attend college sponsored information sessions.
• The library and school office (principal or counselor) have the entrance requirements for most colleges nationwide.

Community College System

There are more than 100 community colleges statewide in California. These schools offer two-year programs leading to the Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees.

• ADMISSION: Admission to a community college is offered to:
  • Any student who is a high school graduate.
  • Any person eighteen years of age or older who shows evidence of being capable of profiting from college courses.
  • Any person who has passed the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) or General Education Development (GED).
• TEST REQUIREMENTS: All students must complete a college placement test before registration when enrolling for more than six units or enrolling for English, Mathematics, or Chemistry 1A. Test results are used in placing students only, and college admission does not depend upon them.
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS: No specific grade point average is required for admission.
• TRANSFER STUDENT: All community colleges offer a full range of academic courses that enable a student to prepare for a transfer to a four-year college or university. "Transfer" students who plan carefully may enter a four year college as a junior after two years. Planning should be with the guidance of the community college counselor.

Community Colleges in the Area

• Mira Costa College
• Palomar College
• Cuyamaca College
• College of the Desert
• Southwestern College
• San Diego Mesa College
• San Diego Miramar College
• Grossmont College
• Imperial Valley College
• San Diego City College

State University System

There are 20 campuses in the California State University (CSU) system. San Diego State and San Marcos State Universities are located in San Diego County. These schools offer four-year programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees.

University of California 

There are nine campuses statewide in the University of California (UC) system. The University of California at San Diego is located in San Diego County. These schools offer four-year programs leading to Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees.

Private Colleges and Universities

There are more than 50 private colleges and universities in this system which includes the University of San Diego (USD) and Point Loma College. These schools offer four year programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees. Note: Financial aid is usually available to those students who qualify in each of these systems.

Community College Skill Center 

The Skill Center is a vocational education program of the San Diego Community College district with a variety of skills programs that run between 10 and 30 weeks. The program is open to anyone 18 and over who can benefit from the instruction and wants to secure employment in the area he/she is studying. For more information contact Pupil Services.

Financial Aid Information

Where to begin your search for free information on student aid?

The financial aid office at the school you plan to attend is the best place to begin your search for free information. The financial aid administrator can tell you about student aid available from the federal government, your state government, institutional, private aid, the school itself, and other sources. You can also find free information about student aid in the reference section of your local library.

Where to find free information about Federal Student Aid?

The major source of student Financial Aid is the U.S. Department of Education. Nearly 70% of the student aid that is awarded each year comes from the U.S. Department of Education's programs. Student aid is also available from other federal agencies. The free materials available in the financial aid office at your school include the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and The Student Guide and Funding your Education. You may also request copies of the FAFSA or either of the two booklets by calling the Federal Student Aid Information Center (FSAIC) toll-free at 1-800-4 FED AID (1-800-433-3243)(TDD 1-800-730-8913). Most federal student aid is awarded based on financial need rather than scholastic achievement. For instance, most grants are targeted to low-income students. However, you do not have to show financial need to receive PLUS loans or certain Stafford or Direct Loans.

Information for students such as College Cost Information, College and Admissions Information, or other Higher Education Resources are available at the Office of Postsecondary Education website.

You may apply for federal student aid at no cost by filing a paper FAFSA and mailing it to:

Federal Student Aid Programs
P.O.Box 4008
Mt. Vernon, IL 62864-8608

or apply electronically at FAFSA Online, using the online application for federal student aid. For general information and technical assistance you can call 1-800-801-0576.

Other Online Resources

• California Gear Up for College
• Campus Tours: Virtual College Tours
• College Navigator
• CollegePrep-101
• Guide for Students Paying, Applying & Preparing for College

JCCS is committed to ensuring our students have the social and emotional supports they need to handle some of the challenges they face each day. SDCOE has resources and workshops available to students and families around mental health, suicide prevention and intervention, and overall well-being. 
 

Blackboard Connect is a web-based mass communications tool available to all SDCOE schools. The system enables users to personally communicate via phone, email, and text message with parents/guardians to support emergency preparedness, school community involvement, and student attendance.

SDCOE utilizes voice, email, and text messaging to communicate with employees and parents/guardians. Recipients are contacted using contact information provided through PeopleSoft (employees) and Synergy (parents).

If you are receiving calls and do not have any children in an SDCOE school, please email communications@sdcoe.net If you are a parent and have questions or concerns about Blackboard Connect, first contact your school or parent support liaison. If questions or concerns are not resolved, please email communications@sdcoe.net with the subject line "Blackboard Connect."

Text Messaging
Blackboard Connect allows the district and school sites to send messages via phone, email, and text message. Text messages are sent to the cell phone number indicated in Synergy. Here is some information about text messaging.

From what number will these text messages originate? 
All confirmation text messages and subsequent alerts will come from 53291 or 91841 . Blackboard Connect short codes are 23177, 63079, 82932 for Emergencies and 53291/91841 for Outreach. Please save these numbers and program them as you can quickly recognize these numbers as the official sources of Institution/Agency messages.

How do recipients opt-out of receiving text messages?
You may opt out at any time by texting STOP [keycode] or QUIT [key code] to 23177, 63079, 82932 for Emergencies and 53291/91841  for Outreach (please include the [keycode], when you text Stop and you will receive the following reply: BbConnect Notify Alerts: You have been unsubscribed from [keycode] for Abbreviated Account Name and will no longer receive messages or charges. 

Who pays for the text messages I receive on my phone? 
You are subject to all applicable messaging charges depending on your service provider. Standard message and data rates may apply. 

Student Acceptable Use Policy for use of all Electronic Information Resources

Introduction

The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) / Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS) is providing electronic resources to students including access to the school Local Area Network, SDCOE / JCCS Wide Area Network, and Internet services through the SDCOE / JCCS network. The goal of the San Diego County Office of Education is to promote educational excellence by providing these electronic resources. The intent of the SDCOE / JCCS is for students to use these connections for purposes consistent with the SDCOE / JCCS approved curriculum. Please also reference SDCOE Administrative Regulation AR6163 "Student Use of Technology."

Conditions of Acceptable Use Policies

No students will be allowed to access these electronic resources including the Internet unless the student and a responsible parent / guardian sign and submit the SDCOE/JCCS Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) to the designated program administrator. The combined signatures at the end of this document indicate that student and parent / guardian have read and understand the terms and conditions of appropriate use and agree to abide by them.

Access and Security

Some uses of the SDCOE / JCCS electronic resources may require an individual account with username and password. Students identified as a security risk may be denied access to these resources. Sharing username and password information with others or accessing another user's files without his/her knowledge or permission or under the direction of a teacher / supervisor will result in access being revoked or suspended. In addition, inappropriate use of these electronic resources may result in disciplinary action (including the possibility of suspension or expulsion), and/or referral to legal authorities.

Internet Safety

In compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), SDCOE / JCCS will implement filtering and/or blocking software or hardware to restrict access to Internet sites containing child pornography, obscene illustrations, or other materials harmful to minors less than 18 years of age. However, no filtering is foolproof and there is still the risk a student may be exposed to unacceptable content. If a student accidentally connects to such a site, they should contact his / her teacher / supervisor immediately. If a student sees another user accessing inappropriate sites, he or she should notify a teacher / supervisor immediately.

Cybersafety / Cyberbullying

Students should be aware of online safety rules including protecting yourself and others from online predators. Students should not give out personal or identifiable information about themselves or others. Students need to be aware that there are online predators on the internet disguising themselves to gather personal and identifiable information to do harm to you and others. Cyberbullying will not be tolerated (See: Student Obligations and Responsibilities item #4) and may result in disciplinary/legal actions.

Acceptable Use

Acceptable use means that a student uses these resources in an appropriate manner, abiding by the rules and regulations described in this agreement and avoiding all unacceptable uses of these electronic resources as described below.

Unacceptable Use and Potential Consequences

Unacceptable use of SDCOE / JCCS technological resources are outlined in the following section (Student Obligations and Responsibilities). Student use of SDCOE technological resources may be terminated, denied, suspended or revoked at any time.  Disciplinary and/or legal action may be pursued in the event of violation of any conditions of applicable law, Board policy, administrative regulation, or the Student Acceptable Use Policy.

Cell Phones and other electronic gear

Cell phones and other electronic devices must not disrupt the education goals of SDCOE / JCCS. Use of these devices during scheduled class time is prohibited. JCCS acknowledges the need for students and families to communicate with cell phones. Cell phone and other electronic device use during breaks and lunchtime is at the discretion of the classroom teacher and must align with established classroom rules and procedures.

SDCOE/JCCS assumes no liability for cell phone and other electronic devices that may be confiscated (due to violation of SDCOE/JCCS policies) or lost or stolen from the classroom.

Student Obligations and Responsibilities

Students are authorized to use technological resources of the San Diego County Office of Education in accordance with user obligations and responsibilities specified below. In effect, students may not violate any Federal, State or local laws or use the SDCOE / JCCS network for any illegal activity, including the unlawful use of copyrighted works, plagiarism and unlawful downloading of files. Specifically:

1. Students shall not disclose, use, distribute, publish, e-mail, hyperlink, or make available for downloading personal identifying information about themselves or anyone else when using electronic mail, chat rooms, or other forms of direct electronic communication.  Personal identifying information includes, but is not limited to, digital images, full names, personal account access information, home addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and other individually identifiable information.
2. Students shall not use technological resources for commercial or other for-profit activities, political purposes, or personal use unrelated to an educational purpose. 
3. Students are prohibited from accessing, downloading, posting, transmitting, publishing or displaying harmful or inappropriate matter that is threatening, obscene, disruptive or sexually explicit, or that could be construed as harassment or disparagement of any member of a group protected by state or federal law. (Harmful matter as defined by Penal Code section 313(a) means matter, taken as a whole, which to the average person, applying contemporary statewide standards, appeals to the prurient interest, and is matter which, taken as a whole, depicts or describes in a patently offensive way sexual conduct and which, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors.)
4. Students shall not use technological resources to participate in cyberbullying. (Cyberbullying is defined as intentional harm inflicted through electronic media and includes, but is not limited to, the sending or posting on the Internet, social networking sites, or other digital technologies harassing messages, direct threats, socially cruel, intimidating, terrorizing, or otherwise harmful text or images, as well as breaking into another person's account and assuming that person's identity for harmful purposes.)
5. Students shall not use technological resources to encourage the use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco, or to promote or participate in unethical practices, such as cheating and plagiarism, or conduct any activity prohibited by law, Board policy, or administrative regulation.
6. Students shall not use technological resources to post, transmit, or publish copyrighted material, including multimedia and software without appropriate permission or user license. Students may download copyrighted material for their own academic use only as permitted by copyright laws.
7. Students shall not knowingly access and without permission read, delete, copy, or modify other users' electronic files or mail messages; interfere with other users' ability to send or receive electronic content; or forge or fraudulently use other users' electronic files or mail.
8. Students shall not damage or take any equipment or use technological resources to commit acts of vandalism. (Any damage to or theft of SDCOE / JCCS equipment can lead to financial or criminal charges. Vandalism includes, but is not limited to, hacking, intentionally uploading, downloading, transferring, or creating computer viruses and/or any malicious use of SDCOE technology equipment. Also included are any actions that attempt to harm or destroy equipment or materials, whether paper, microform or electronically based, or data in any form of any other user. Public offenses related to computer crime are further defined in Penal Code section 502.)
9. Students shall not purposefully disable or circumvent any technology protection measure installed on SDCOE technological resources.

Students shall report alleged violations of these specified student obligations and responsibilities, the applicable acceptable use policy, and any other misuse of technological resources to a member of the instructional staff, a supervising adult, or a designated SDCOE employee.

Privacy and Monitoring Policy

The students of the SDCOE / JCCS network must be aware that information accessed, created, sent, received or stored on the SDCOE / JCCS Network or its school sites are the property of SDCOE / JCCS. Account users do not have any right to or expectation of privacy regarding such materials. SDCOE / JCCS reserves the right to monitor all traffic on the SDCOE / JCCS network.