Building Connections Webinar Series

About the Series

Join CLSBA for meaningful conversation in August and September, our 2021 Building Connections Professional Learning Webinar Series offers insightful perspectives and research while providing school board members with background knowledge and expertise related to current issues such as Promoting Equity in Math Education, Meeting the Mental Health Needs of Latino/a/x Students, and Dual Enrollment Equity and Affordability.

All sessions will run from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm (PST) and there is no cost to attend. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Stay tuned for more information on how to register. View a summary of upcoming topics below and subscribe to our mailing list for webinar updates.

PROMOTING EQUITY IN MATH EDUCATION

Thursday, August 12 2021

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. PST

Location: Zoom

Not all students have the same access to rigorous curriculum materials which perpetuates the opportunity gap, especially for students who have been systemically underserved. High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) in Math need to be culturally responsive, equitable, and accessible to all students, including English Language Learners. HQIM in mathematics provides a roadmap for educators to re-imagine more equitable systems. This webinar will provide guidance on how school board members can support districts to adopt quality instructional materials.

Webinar Recording

Webinar presentations and resources

Key Objectives:

The importance of culturally responsive education
Share strategies for advocating for HQIM at the state level and in local communities.
Highlight available resources for supporting HQIM in mathematics

Presenters:

The Education Trust-West
Californians Together
English Learners Success Forum

Moderator:

Dr. Barbara Flores, Elected Trustee, San Bernardino City Unified School District

Moderator

Dr. Barbara Flores
California Latino School Boards Association

Presenters

Shelly Spiegel-Coleman
Strategic Advisor
Californians Together

Rachel Ruffalo
Director of Educator Engagement
The Education Trust-West

Martha Hernandez
Executive Director
Californians Together

Crystal Gonzales
Executive Director
English Learners Success Forum

Manuel Buenrostro
Policy Associate
Californians Together

MEETING THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS OF LATINo/a/x STUDENTS

Thursday, August 26 2021

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. PST

Location: Zoom

Cost: FREE

Join school board members for a virtual panel discussion examining how mental wellness impacts education. The purpose of the panel is to hear the perspectives of public education leaders on how they are addressing mental health and wellness and how to impact student wellbeing. This webinar will offer school board members strategies and resources for how to address mental wellness for Latino/a/x and other racially diverse communities.

Learn more HERE about the Wellness program collaboration between Auburn Union School District, Placer County Office of Education and Children System of Care.

Key Objectives:

Share strategies for implementing policies that address mental health and social emotional learning.
Collaborate and discuss how school board leaders can partner with fellow stakeholder groups
Provide a culturally safe learning environment for school board leaders
Highlight available resources for implementing mental health policies on a district level

Presenters:

Amber Lee-Alva, Superintendent, Auburn Union School District
Michelle Lucci Garcia, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Auburn Union School District
Laurie Balsano-Wright, Principal, Skyridge Elementary School, Auburn Union School District
Amy Barrios, Youth Promotora, Latino Leadership Council

Moderator:

Michelle Sierra-Sammons, Vice President, Auburn Union School District

Moderator

Michelle Sierra-Sammons
Vice President, Auburn Union School District

Presenters

Amber Lee-Alva
Superintendent, Auburn UnionSchool District

Michelle Lucci Garcia
Assistant Superintendent of Educational ServicesAuburn Union School District

Laurie Balsano-Wright
Principal, Skyridge Elementary School, Auburn Union School District

Amy Barrios
Youth Promotora, Latino Leadership Council

DUAL ENROLLMENT: EQUITY AND AFFORDABILITY FOR LATINo/a/x STUDENTS

Thursday, September 9 2021

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. PST

Location: Zoom

Cost: FREE

College Credit for High School Students

Join school board members for a virtual panel discussion examining how dual enrollment fosters a positive impact for Latino/a/x students and what school boards leaders can do to support these actions. The dual enrollment component of K–12 education is a dynamic and changing part of the landscape. As legislation and initiatives for these programs are expanding across the US, school board leaders must be knowledgeable of the opportunities for students seeking advanced scholastic courses. The purpose of this panel is to showcase how one district and one neighboring community college are working together. This webinar will offer school board members strategies and resources for how to enhance educational opportunities for college access for Latino/a/x students and other racially diverse communities.

Webinar Resources

Key Objectives:

Share strategies for implementing policies that address dual enrollment.
Collaborate and discuss how school board leaders can partner with colleges.
Provide a culturally safe learning environment for school board leaders.
Highlight available resources for implementing dual enrollment policies on a district level.

Presenters: