The Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) Leadership Center is delighted to share our monthly newsletter. Our mission in this newsletter is to keep you engaged and informed. In addition, we will spotlight exemplary leaders from various sectors across the county.

At the RCOE Leadership Center, we understand the value of continuous growth and development in leadership. We are dedicated to supporting your journey toward becoming a more effective and impactful leader. Should you have any questions on customized supports to meet your leadership needs, please do not hesitate to reach out.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude for being a part of this leadership community and look forward to navigating the path forward alongside you in the 2024-2025 school year.

Visit www.rcoe.us/leadership-center to learn more about the RCOE Leadership Center.

In the heart of many Riverside County communities, vibrant hubs are emerging on school campuses and in adjacent locations, welcoming students, families, and community members into safe spaces for accessing healthcare, mental healthcare, basic needs resources, and much more! Community members like Eric Peteroski, parent of six Val Verde Unified School District students, feel the impact their Community Schools are having close to home. Peteroski says of the Val Verde Family Engagement, Community Resource, and Learning Center, “Having access to something like this is an absolute game-changer for a lot of people.” As our communities access the resources they need, we are reminded of the true impact we are making as Community Schools.

A Community School is a public PK-12 school that partners with its district, community, and outside organizations to provide a comprehensive range of services and supports to its students and their families and caregivers. In 2021, the California state legislature enacted the California Community Schools Partnership Program, making a commitment with State Superintendent Tony Thurmond as one of his statewide initiatives to address and mitigate barriers to learning in schools. To fulfill this vision, Community Schools serve as a “hub” for the community to access resources, from basic needs like food, clothing, and wash facilities, to mental and physical health care. Community schools listen to the needs of their community, completing comprehensive, in-depth assets and needs assessments to determine how to effectively and efficiently use their time and resources to best serve their schools' needs.

Guided by the California Community Schools Framework, Community Schools use the four pillars of the framework to create implementation plans which best serve their communities. Integrated Student Supports, Community and Family Engagement, Extended Learning Opportunities, and Collaborative Leadership allow Community Schools to prioritize the work they do to meet the needs of their community. One way that the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE) Community Schools Partnership is helping to meet the needs of our community is through the support of our district and site leadership as a technical assistance center for all our Community Schools, or prospective Community Schools.

Our families and communities in Riverside County deserve dignified, expedient care, with the best resources, without cost being a barrier to accessing care. That’s why the Community Schools Partnership is working to support our communities by partnering with "findhelp". Findhelp is a social care network platform that can be used by anyone to access free or low-cost services in their community. The "findhelp" platform can be used by school site and district staff and is also able to be used by any community member, in 50+ languages, free of cost. Simply put, breaking down (all) barriers to learning is what we do in Community Schools!

To learn more about the RCOE Community Schools Partnerships, contact Coordinator Amanda Wade at awade@rcoe.us or 951-826-4780.

The Leadership Academy is a dynamic educational environment of forward-thinking, systems conscientious professionals integrating learning with practical application for results. As leaders navigate the path forward, these academies underpin the support, calibration, and expertise needed by new and experienced administrators to create enduring success in schools and districts.

A gathering of leaders to discuss, collaborate, and be inspired by other leaders who are navigating the path forward and setting improved direction in the organizational proficiency and well-being. These conferences will build your capacity as a leader in whatever type of role you serve.

Breaking Barriers Takes ALL Of Us

Equity starts with everyone, and each step toward equity requires the collective stride of every soul. In order to break down barriers in our schools, every voice and every action matters.

Now in its 11th year, the Excellence Through Equity Conference is expanding to include strands and speakers that are inclusive to every department in every school district.

Staff from accounting and health services to human resources and technology, and every role in between, are invited to the 2024 Excellence Through Equity Conference to identify the essential nature of their roles through the lens of equity.

This year's conference will engage, equip, and uplift more educators than ever before through mindset shifting, collaboration, and professional learning.

This year’s conference will be held at the Palm Springs Convention Center on September 19-20, 2024.

Registration link

“Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are able to become.” - John Wooden

The Riverside County Office of Education Leadership Center offers opportunities for leaders to improve self-awareness, communication, and relationships. With a foundational understanding of your own emotional intelligences, time will be spent in co-creating a personalized plan to ensure growth in yourself as a leader.

The Riverside County Office of Education Leadership Coaches

Our esteemed coaches are equipped with advanced degrees in Administration, Leadership and Counseling, along with TK-12 site, district, and county level experience. Additionally, our coaches have a deep understanding of current leadership frameworks and research, which enables them to provide high-quality coaching services.

Contact Dr. Emily M. Devor, Administrator, RCOE Leadership Center at edevor@rcoe.us or

(951) 826-6107.

Connection: “...the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” - Brené Brown

Come together as a leadership community to network, learn, and connect with each other during Office Hours.

Office Hours is time set aside for you to discuss issues that are relevant to leadership today. It may include research from current readings, new legislation, and/or trouble shooting an existing issue.

Monthly Office Hours: 30 - 45 minutes with specific topics followed by open discussions

Who Should Attend: Anyone in a role of leadership.

Date and Time

11:00 AM.

August 28, 2024

September 25, 2024

October 30, 2024

January 29, 2025

March 26, 2025

May 28, 2025

REGISTER HERE

If there are any changes to the roles of School Site Leadership in your district, please let the Leadership Center know by emailing Dr. Emily M. Devor at edevor@rcoe.us. We want to make sure everyone receives the communications of how the Riverside County Office of Education Leadership Center is supporting growth of all site leaders in Riverside County.