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APRIL 2021 ISSUE 9, VOL. 6
SLOCOE e-News
Monthly News from the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education
A recent "ESS Virtual Drop-In" session with Lauren Thorne offered a peek at a zoom lesson for early learners. Other Virtual
Drop-in Sessions in March included presentations by Brent Moser, Joe Koski, and Jessica Thomas.
IN THIS ISSUE We Make a Difference!
by James Brescia, County Superintendent
Meet Marisol Espino, The COVID-19 pandemic reinforces the power
Early Learning and of communication to promote good work. As
public servants, we can make a difference and
Educational Support provide hope for positive change in our part of
the globe. Positive change is reflected every
day through our work with the families whom
we serve in our efforts to foster inclusive,
Staff Instill College collaborative approaches.
Aspirations in Homeless
I recently reviewed our strategic planning data
and Foster Youth illustrating our accomplishments, and the
quality service provided throughout our
organization and county. The professional
trust between our office and the agencies we
A Rainbow Message serve continues to grow as we improve
communication and collaboration with our
at a Milestone Moment
stakeholders utilizing practical and sustainable
methods. This trust is because of your actions.
Staff Transitions & News I see evidence of those actions. Two local LEAs
(lead education agencies) are increasing the
responsibility and scope of Early Childhood
APRIL 2021 PAGE 2
Education services that foster other quality
Hope is being able to see
services. Our office continues to attract
exceptional employees for our job openings,
that there is light despite
and we grow in several service sectors. As
I reflect on the SLOCOE spirit, the mantra of
Business Services comes to
all of the darkness.
mind: Educate, Collaborate,
Serve.
~Desmond Tutu
Our leadership team, together with the entire SLOCOE staff,
led positive, proactive and professional actions taken during
the past year. Navigating the challenges of constantly
changing information, uncertainty, and anxiety, the SLOCOE
team consistently demonstrated flexibility, patience and
kindness. Our progress is directly related to your hard work
and dedication.
Thank you once again for your service to the community.
~Jim Brescia
Meet Marisol Espino
Administrative Assistant II, Educational Support Services
A strong motivation to help others through education runs
through Marisol's life story and family experience. A
native of Santa Maria, she recalls visiting her sister's
workplace at UCSB, and exposure to her parents'
experiences with Migrant Education, which her father
served for a time as a regional program president.
Following examples modeled for her, Marisol volunteered
as a Big Sister for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program,
and also helped high school seniors with their college
applications. Now she supports students, families and
teachers in SLOCOE's Early Learning and Educational
Support Program under the leadership of Lauren Thorne.
Marisol earned a BA degree in History from San Jose State, remaining in San Jose
after graduation to work as a YMCA site director for an after-school program. When
asked what led her to return to the Central Coast area where her family lives, she
replied, "The pandemic! When everything shut down last year in March, I wanted to
be closer to family."
While Marisol enjoyed her life and work in San Jose, she realized how much she took
for granted about the beauty of her surroundings on the Central Coast. Now she
enjoys weekend breakfasts with her sister on the beach, a tradition they created
during the pandemic. She loves her work with SLOCOE, in particular being part of a
team and learning about SLOCOE's educational programs. She enjoys the informative
"ESS
APRIL 2021 PAGE 3
"ESS Virtual Drop-In" sessions that began in March, through which participants hear
directly from leaders about their programs and ask questions. When restrictions
ease, she hopes to visit Early Learning classrooms in person.
One fun connection Marisol made since joining SLOCOE centers around soccer. She
discovered a fellow fan of the Barcelona soccer club (more correctly known as
Futbol Club Barcelona) in Thomas Alvarez. While Marisol does not play the sport,
she grew up watching soccer games with her family.
Welcome to the SLOCOE family, Marisol! We hope to exchange unmasked smiles
someday soon.
A Clothing Closet for SLOCOE Students
Donations of clean, gently used items, such as clothing, jackets,
towels, linens, and shoes (sanitized) are being sought for a student
closet organized by Shirley Marshall, Cook at Loma Vista, to benefit
students in Loma Vista Community School, Chris Jespersen School,
and our special education programs. Please bring hangers with
the clothing items. Items for infants are also welcome.
Explains Shirley, who interacts with students often through her duties as Cook,
"We have students who are in foster care, or experiencing homelessness, some with
babies of their own. I believe that nice clothes can boost self-esteem, especially
for job interviews. The possibilities are endless if we all come together like the
villagers we are." For more information, contact Shirley at smarshall@slocoe.org.
Reaching Out to Homeless & Foster Youth
A peek into the work of our main office staff on behalf of these students
Photo at Left: Amy Embree, of the Homeless
and Foster Youth Services Coordinating
Program, assembles 55 college and career
packets. The team mailed information to
San Luis Obispo County high school students
in foster care to encourage the idea, "Say
yes to college or a career tech program."
Staff work diligently to instill confidence in
foster youth that they can go to college.
They provide assistance with financial aid,
college applications, and career exploration.
The packet is filled with details regarding
college programs that help students who are
in foster care. It includes a financial guide, educational planning guide, grant
information, and specific Cuesta College and Allan Hancock College financial aid and
college degree information. Robin Kirby expressed appreciation for the work of Chris
Rojas in Operational Services, who stamped and mailed the packets.
APRIL 2021 PAGE 4
Double Rainbow Inspires COVID Anniversary Well Wishes
Bill Barnhill
The sight of a double rainbow over Highway One inspired this photograph and thoughts from Bill Barnhill.
My fellow co-workers,
It has been one full year since we all crawled down the rabbit hole together. I saw this on the
way in today. Today of all days. Directly below and beyond this full double rainbow is the place
where today I will receive my first of two vaccinations. I send this out to all our friends, family,
healthcare workers, frontline workers and first responders. Also, lest we forget, the unsung heroes,
our dedicated food store workers who kept us fed for the past year while at the same time exposing
themselves thousands of times over. Finally, this to all families who lost someone. Not only to
COVID, but those who lost a loved one and could not be with them at their time of passing because
of COVID. In a year of sorrow, uncertainty, loss and sad division, let us come together and find
peace and a new normalcy. Be well and be safe. ~ Bill Barnhill (March 12, 2021)
STAFF TRANSITIONS & NEWS
WELCOME TO SLOCOE!
Sherry Lopez-Dewolf, Payroll Retirement Specialist, Business Services
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE
Olga Lopez, Migrant Education Services Specialist/Recruiter, Bilingual, Educational
Support Services
Right: Safety Incentive Funds (dispersed by the
Health Management & Safety Committee and SIPE)
supported the purchase of items designed to
promote safety and wellbeing among SLOCOE staff.
Business Services staff received cheerfully packaged
gift bags with selections of tea, coffee and granola,
an idea of Sheldon Smith and his wife that also
served to support a local business! Far Right:
Jennie Curto volunteers with South County
Womenade's food distribution program in Nipomo -
making a difference during the pandemic.
Photo by Sonia Stuart
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