News and Updates - February 2026
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Welcome to February!
As we move through February, this newsletter shares a variety of updates and resources intended to support your ongoing work, including upcoming deadlines, professional learning opportunities, accountability information, and student support resources. This can also be a helpful time to check in on attendance reports and trends, as early attendance interventions can support conversations and connections for students and families. We have included additional guidance in the Attendance section below, as we are here for attendance meeting supports for SART, SARB and other attendance needs. As testing season approaches, we hope the information shared here helps support your planning and preparation for CAASPP and ELPAC in the months ahead, and we are here to support you along the way.
Have a great month and enjoy the February break!
Cathy Henderson
Cathy Henderson
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NEWS/HOT TOPICS
Our Continuous Improvement focus and commitment remains with the needs of each the districts and school sites in Tehama County. Please continue to check our PD Calendar and also provided in a short list with registration/flier links at the end of our Monthly Newsletter.
A few opportunities to highlight include:
Upcoming CAASPP Workshop Sessions - more information provided on the flyer found in the PD Section below. Our third session is next week, February 10th focused around ELA CAST and Performance Task.
LCAP Annual Update season is approaching, if not underway. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey to share specific needs and areas of support helpful for you during the LCAP Process.
The 3rd-Grade County-Wide Winter Fluency Data Due is coming up on February 19th. Please reference the protocol for the winter scoring booklet and student passage. If you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance with administration, please email jtinsley@tehamaschools.org.
Math Adoption Publisher Fair on February 11th (make sure to register if you plan to attend). This will be a great opportunity for one-on-one time with the publishers and time with your adoption team.
Administrator/Leadership Community of Practice (CoP): Monday, February 9th where we will discuss PLCs, and Assessments, share common practices, and discuss upcoming deadlines and resources.
The Spelling Bee is quickly approaching - don't miss the February 20th deadline in which spellers from your school site need to be identified and submitted to TCDE (jtinsley@tehamaschools.org) for the 4-6th grade age group and the 7-9th grade age group.
This week is National School Counseling Week! Check out the Webinars in February from Character Strong to support school culture strategies, supporting students and Tier 2 supports - registration information.
KINDNESS WEEK
The Continuous Improvement Team enjoyed getting out to every school site in Tehama County last week to spread some kindness during Kindness Week. We hope you all enjoyed the week and the Emergency Snack Packs we dropped off. We appreciate you all so much!
LCAP, LCAP, AND MORE LCAP!
Just a reminder that the Mid-Year LCAP report needs to be presented to LEA School Board’s by February 28th.
Look out for the upcoming LCAP Webinars/Workshops beginning in March, but don't hesitate to reach out to chenderson@tehamaschools.org for LCAP meetings, introducations, etc. ahead of time. Please take the survey linked to the right, to provide TCDE feedback on your LCAP support needs.
A few general LCAP resources
LCAP 101 Common Terms
CDE LCAP Resources Page
LREBG FUNDS AND THE LCAP
Just a reminder if your LEA plans to use the 2025 to 26 learning recovery emergency block grant allocation this year a LREBG needs assessment must be included in the adopted 2025 LCAP.
A LREBG Template is available here for to assist. For allocation information, please visit this link.
Keep in mind that any actions or expenditures with LREBG funding must remain in the LCAP until the LEA has expended the remainder of its LREBG funds.
Plan to include the LREBG Needs Assessment in your upcoming 2026-27 Annual LCAP update.
ACCOUNTABILITY, CAASPP & ELPAC TESTING & INFORMATION
Join the TCDE Continuous Improvement Team for the CAASPP Foundations Series. The next session on February 10th, Session #3, is focused around ELA CAT & Performance Tasks and Session #4 on February 24th will cover Math CAT & Performance Tasks. All sessions are virtual from 3-4:30 pm.
The flyer with session information is available here!
CALIFORNIA SCHOOL DASHBOARD NAVIGATOR
Check out the Dashboard Navigator. The Navigator is an interactive mapping tool for visualizing school performance based on results reported from the Dashboard.
The Navigator displays schools by their color-coded performance level for each of the Dashboard state indicators.
Users can refine their searches by geographic area, charter status, DASS status, and student group. A series of interactive charts provide a visual summary of the mapped results. Detailed Dashboard results for individual schools can be easily accessed by selecting a specific school on the map.
The Navigator can be found here: California School Dashboard Navigator.
A How-To-Guide is available to help familiarize users with the tool: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/cm/navhowtoguideasp.asp.
Additionally, a Frequently Asked Questions page is available here: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/ac/cm/dashboardnavigatorfaq.asp.
CALIFORNIA ACCOUNTABILITY WORK PLAN
The California Accountability Work Plan outlines potential future updates to the School Dashboard, including possible additions such as a growth model indicator, expanded measures within the College/Career Indicator, and changes to how Long-Term English Learners are reflected—these items are informational at this time and will be considered by the State Board of Education, but we wanted to share the considerations.
Growth Model Data & Science: May be considered a new indicator on the Dashboard as Informational only
College Career Indicator: Looking to add Cambridge Courses, more IB courses & State Seal of Civic Engagement, Internships, Student-Led Enterprises, ASVAB, Simulated Work Based Learning
Long Term English Learners (LTEL): State Board will decide whether to include RFEPs in the English Learner Progress Indicator.
SAFETY PLAN 2025-26 NEW REQUIRED SECTIONS
A reminder that each LEA must have their Comprehensive School Safety Plan (CSSP) approved by March 1, 2026. Additionally, there are new Requirements in place. Below as an overview of recent legislation requires the CSSP to be amended to address the following:
Adaptations for Students with Disabilities in the Disaster Procedures section (more information)
Cardiac Emergency Response (more information)
Opioid Prevention and Life-Saving Response Procedures (more information)
Response Procedures for Dangerous, Violent, or Unlawful Activity (more information)
Instructional Continuity Plan (more information)
SAFE Act Notification Procedures Plan (more information)
Procedures Regarding Pupil Smartphone Use During Emergencies (more information)
ATLAS - NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS TEST BANK & RESOURCES
The CDE and the Los Angeles County Office of Education are excited to announce thatthe ATLAS bank became available to all California educators on January 1, 2026. ATLAS is one component of the CAST Innovations Concept Paper presented to the SBE in January 2024. The ATLAS bank is a user-friendly, online resource offering a rich repository of over 1,300 performance tasks for grades K–12 that are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
The CDE and the Los Angeles County Office of Education are excited to announce thatthe ATLAS bank became available to all California educators on January 1, 2026. ATLAS is one component of the CAST Innovations Concept Paper presented to the SBE in January 2024. The ATLAS bank is a user-friendly, online resource offering a rich repository of over 1,300 performance tasks for grades K–12 that are aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Each task is designed to support authentic science inquiry and performance assessment with the intention of enhancing educator instructional practice and student learning in science. The ATLAS bank represents a major advancement in California’s commitment to providing curriculum-embedded performance tasks aligned to the California NGSS. California educators can access the ATLAS task bank by visiting the ATLAS website.
Each task is designed to support authentic science inquiry and performance assessment with the intention of enhancing educator instructional practice and student learning in science. The ATLAS bank represents a major advancement in California’s commitment to providing curriculum-embedded performance tasks aligned to the California NGSS. California educators can access the ATLAS task bank by visiting the ATLAS website.
SUMMATIVE ELPAC
The Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC will be available in the secure TDS from February 2 through May 31, 2026.
The Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC will be available in the secure TDS from February 2 through May 31, 2026.
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STUDENT SUPPORT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
The Student Support and Professional Development Grant provides discretionary funding to support student needs and strengthen educator learning and capacity.
Allowable / Intended Uses Include:
Professional development aligned to the ELA/ELD Framework, Literacy Roadmap, and Mathematics Framework
Training and support to strengthen instructional practices for all learners, including English learners
Teacher recruitment and retention strategies
Expansion of career pathways and dual enrollment opportunities
Addressing locally identified priorities and rising operational costs
Flexible use of funds to support student needs and educator capacity based on local context
For additional information, check out the CDE page here.
PROPOSITION 28 - ARTS & MUSIC IN SCHOOLS FUNDS
Proposition 28 Arts and Music in Schools funds for the 2023-24 year allocations must be fully expended by June 30th 2026.
Unexpended funds will be returned to the California Department of Education (CDE) and redistributed to all eligible schools in the following year’s Proposition 28 apportionment.
LEAs must submit an annual report
LEAs must submit a final expenditure report for the 2023-24 AMS allocation this year.
The report window for both the annual report and the 2023-24 final expenditure report on May 1, 2026 and must be submitted to the CDE by October 1, 2026.
LEAs with enrollment exceeding 500 students that anticipate requesting a waiver from the requirement to spend at least 80% of their AMS funds on certificated and classified employees supplementing arts and music education for the 2023-24 allocation must submit their waiver requests before the end of the expenditure period on June 30, 2026.
For more information on Proposition 28 and reporting requirements, see here.
Ensure your LEA’s website provides the required information (see link for more information). Required Website Posting
Megan Palermo / Emma Gordon
MESSAGE FOR OUR NEW ATTENDANCE SPECIALIST!
TCDE ATTENDANCE PROCESS OVERVIEW
Attendance meetings play a key role in identifying barriers and connecting students and families with support. The information below provides an overview of the attendance process and the various levels of attendance meetings and supports available to schools. Running attendance letters helps to identify students who may need additional support. Truancy letters and the 10% Attendance letter are key indicators for when an attendance meeting should be considered. If you need assistance in how to run these reports/queries in Aeries, please reach out and we can support your school sites with these reporting how-tos.
School Attendance Review Team (SART) Meetings
We recommend scheduling a SART meeting after a student receives their second truancy letter, typically when they have 4–7 unexcused absences.
Students with an excessive amount of excused absences should also be scheduled for a SART meeting after the 10% attendance letter is sent.
Who Participates in a SART Meeting
A SART (School Attendance Review Team Meeting) brings together:
The student
Parents or guardians
School administration
School and district support
The County Attendance Department
If absences are related to illness, physical or mental health concerns, it is strongly recommended that the school nurse and counselor or mental health support be invited. The purpose of the team is to identify barriers to attendance, provide education, and connect families with appropriate supports, resources, and community referrals.
Additional Support
At any point in the attendance process, schools may request a home visit from the County and District Attorney SARB Investigator. These visits are intended to strengthen or reconnect communication between the home and school and to directly offer support.
Referral to SARB
If a student has:
Received all three truancy letters, and
Participated in an attendance meeting (or an attempt has been made to hold a meeting), and
Continues to be truant
The student should then be referred to SARB (School Attendance Review Board) for further support.
UPCOMING SARB HEARINGS
South County SARB is February 12th
North County SARB is February 26th; referrals are due February 12th.
SARB Resources
Below are a few links for SARB resources. Should you have any questions, however, don't hesitate to reach out.
Barbara Weaver / Dani Taylor
ABOUT US
The Foster, Homeless, & Student Resource Program supports students and families in need by providing advocacy, guidance, and essential resources to promote well-being and educational success. Services include clothing and school supplies, educational rights support, trauma-informed training, and coordination between schools, families, and community agencies.
Here are the flyers you can discuss at your school site. English and Spanish
RESOURCES
Resources for homeless education information and the McKinney-Vento definition can be found at the following links:
https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/hs/homelessdef.asp
https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/hs/cy/index.asp
Resources for Foster Youth education rights can be found in the following links:
https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/pf/fy/fyedrights.asp
https://www.cfyetf.org/_files/ugd/e7e2f5_4a5e194dfaa14bca8645b44e28189a70.pdf
TEHAMA COUNTY RESOURCES
Updated and Extensive list of Support programs, Food shelters, Housing assistance and Shelters, Public assistance, Counseling Resources along with Medical and Dental Services offered throughout all of Tehama County.
drive.google.com/file/d/19ZgBYzmwzky-U1hkWe2MsE0jWHZ-E1DK/view?usp=sharing
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Liz Lurie
Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC
The test administration window is Feb. 2, 2026-May 31, 2026.
2025-26 ELPAC LEA Coordinator Checklist
ELPAC DESIGNED SUPPORTS
ELPAC Designated Supports (available to all ELs) must be entered in TOMS. Students need practice using assigned supports and should do this using the ELPAC Interims. This checklist can be provided to teachers so you can track supports and enter them in TOMS. Reach out to Liz with any questions on this: llurie@tehamaschools.org
TITLE III CONSORTIUM/MULTILINGUAL LEARNER NETWORK
Our next meeting is Feb. 26, 9am at TCDE or 3:30 via Zoom. Email Liz (llurie@tehamaschools.org) to be added to these meetings.
NEW CDE RESOURCES
Integrated ELD Strategies for Content Teachers Handout
Title III Immigrant Student Program Funds Quick Reference Guide
A collection of CDE Resources that Support the Success of ELs: ELD Compendium
Jordyn Tinsley / Elena Velasquez / Erin Sutter
There is still time to join our team for a CAASPP Foundations Series. This virtual training provides foundational knowledge, assessment overviews, accessibility tools, and content-area sessions to help strengthen assessment literacy and support high-quality instruction, scope and sequence/Curriculum mapping, interim assessments, and more.
Sign up via the linked flyer and attend all or specific topics.
MLMC - 2026 - Flyer - FINAL (1).pdfWe are excited to invite you to the Mt. Lassen Math Conference on Saturday, March 7th, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Parsons Junior High School (750 Hartnell Ave, Redding).
This year’s conference features an inspiring keynote address from Dr. Ivan Cheng of California State University, Northridge. Dr. Cheng is passionate about collaboration and deeply committed to helping ALL students succeed. His message is sure to energize and empower educators at every level.
Why Attend?
Engage in powerful, practice-ready math professional learning
Connect with fellow educators from across the region
Gain strategies to elevate instruction and support student success
Learn from expert presenters, including our nationally respected keynote speaker
Registration
General Admission: $75
Pre-Service Teachers & Retired Educators: $40
We encourage you to secure your spot early and be part of a day dedicated to strengthening math education, building community, and supporting every learner.
Register now and join us for an inspiring day of learning!
Registration Link
We look forward to seeing you on March 7th!
READING PALS
We are excited to announce the launch of a partnership between Tehama County schools and Reading Pals. Reading Pals developed a simple system anyone can use to make a tremendous difference in the life of a child. Volunteers follow a simple curriculum and invest just 1 hour a week with two students.
No special skills are needed! From their investment, we see 90% of Reading Pals quadruple their reading levels! More than that, we see them gain confidence in themselves and their abilities and maintain their gains through middle school and beyond. Reading with a child doesn’t just teach them to read; it changes the trajectory of their life.
If you are a school site interested in learning more about Reading Pals.
Please fill out: Tehama Schools Reading Pals Interest Form. If you are interested in volunteering, you can sign up here: Reading Pals Volunteer Interest Form.
County Wide Spelling Bee
Register a Spot for Your School's Winners!
Join us for the County-Wide Spelling Bee, on March 18th at Red Bluff High School Performing Arts Center, bringing together students from schools across the county to celebrate academic excellence and the love of language!
Participants will compete in two divisions: Elementary and Junior High. If your site is interested in bringing students to the spelling bee
Please fill out this form if your site is interested in participating and you will receive the Google Folder of resources to prepare students for participation.
Those who advance in each division at the county level will have the opportunity to go to the State Spelling Bee at Great Wolf Lodge in Manteca on April 25, 2026.
For further questions, email jtinsley@tehamaschools.org
MATHCOUNTS
A Math Enrichment & Competition Opportunity for Grades 6-8 students to represent Tehama County while building critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
Schools form teams that meet weekly, with students competing individually and as a team in a county competition on February 10, 2026. The program is open to all students who enjoy math, with support available to help schools get started.
See Flyer for Details.
COMPUTER SCIENCE PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY WITH STIPEND!
Computer Science Community of Practice - integrated CS through deeper learning - in partnership with the Cal-MSCS grant and the Anaheim Union High School District. In person community of practice:
✅ Educators register in teams of 3-4
✅ Includes immersive classroom experiences and professional learning
✅ Eligible to receive a $5,000 Professional Learning
✅ Eligible to receive a $5,000 Professional Learning Stipend (Limit three LEAs per district)
March 2, 2026 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM - Anaheim Union High School District
More information available here!
Third-Grade Countywide Winter Fluency Data Due 2/19
Our second DIBELS 3rd-grade fluency data is approaching. Please reference the protocol for the winter scoring booklet and student passage. All winter administration student data is due by 2/19. If you have any questions, concerns, or need assistance with administration, please email jtinsley@tehamaschools.org.
Thank you so much for all the efforts you are putting in to gather common data and improve literacy outcomes.
HMONG HISTORY & CULTURAL STUDIES MODEL CURRICULUM- PAID PD OPPORTUNITY
The Orange County Department of Education is proud to introduce the Hmong History and Cultural Studies Model Curriculum (HHCSMC) at the Chico Conference on February 27-28, 2026. The HHCSMC will assist educators in teaching about the diaspora, histories, cultures, and traditions of Hmong people as part of Education Finance Bill AB 167. Stipends are available for teachers in Tehama County districts.
Visual and Performing Arts Networking Series
Calling all Visual and Performing Arts Teachers!
Join teachers from the greater region to discuss best practices and success stories, share student work and arts pedagogy, and highlight exemplary programs, among other topics. This is a four-session networking series.
Register here.
Region 2 Arts Teacher Network.pdf
The next chapter for Arts Education in California begins with you!
Use Prop 28 funds to join fellow educational leaders for a two-day professional learning experience that brings leadership, creativity, and storytelling together-set inside the magic of Disneyland Resort. Bring your leadership. Bring your imagination.
Let’s write the next chapter for the Arts in our schools.
LEARN MORE & FAQ | PRE-REGISTER HERE
CALIFORNIA LITERACY ROADMAP WEBINAR!
March 17, 2026 | 3:30–5:00 PM
California Literacy Roadmap: Providing Best First Instruction and Intervention in Integrated Reading and Writing, TK–5
Using the Literacy Content Blocks, this webinar will examine best practices for teaching integrated reading and writing and incorporating integrated English language development in English-medium classrooms. The session will also explore ways to provide intervention for students who need supplemental or intensified support. Participants will hear from researchers and practitioners about successful strategies and resources. Register here
LITERATURE ACCESS WITH BOOKSHARE
Bookshare curated a list for the 2025 update! Bookshare provides access to a huge collection of
ebooks that are customizable for people with reading barriers. The U.S. Department of Education
funds this project, so Bookshare is able to provide free access to U.S. students and schools. Make
sure to check them out!
WINTER READING PROGRAM
Just Right Reader is partnering with districts to support continued literacy development during the
winter season by providing five million personalized Science of Reading decodable books. The Winter
Reading Program includes three rounds of Take-Everywhere Literacy PacksTM, which meet Every
Student Succeeds Act Tier 2 evidence-based criteria, along with family engagement resources and
phonics video lessons in more than 14 languages. Teachers also receive ready-to-use instructional
materials to support small-group phonics instruction. This initiative is designed to help districts extend evidence-based literacy learning into the home and provide students with accessible reading
opportunities throughout the winter months. For additional information, visit Just Right Reader.
LITERACY AND READING ARTICLES
Please take a few minutes to check out the articles below.
This article highlights how a Michigan school district is strengthening early literacy outcomes by shifting to a research-based science of reading approach, emphasizing structured instruction, coherence, and intentional support for all learners.
Literacy Article on Michigan SD
This second article highlights schools that are “beating the odds” in teaching children to read by implementing evidence-based practices, focusing on intentional literacy instruction, strong leadership, and data-driven strategies that support all learners.
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🚀 Tools to Work Smarter This February
🚀 Tools to Work Smarter This February
Looking to save time and streamline your work? Google for Education, Canva for Education, and Google NotebookLM offer free tools and training that help teachers, administrators, and office staff plan faster, communicate more clearly, and turn information into action. From creating lessons and visuals to summarizing documents and building confidence with everyday tech, these tools support smarter workflows across the entire school community. Find more information in this month's Work Smarter Newsletter
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The Strong Workforce Program took the STEAM trailer to Los Molinos this month; their highschoolers along with 7th & 8th grade students got to experience healthcare hands on and learn all about different careers relating to STEAM.
Students from Corning High got to visit Chico Trades Day where they got to learn from professionals in industry, trade, and post-secondary education. The goal was to inspire students to start a career in construction, learn to build with their hands, and get excited about starting a career in a trade.
FEBRUARY PD & LEARNING EVENTS:
February 3: Reading Pals Volunteer Orientation
February 3 & 4: School Counseling Summit
February 4: Keys to Content Writing
February 9: Administrator & Leadership Community of Practice
February 10: Math Counts
February 10: Visual and Preforming Arts Teachers
February 11: Math Curriculum Publisher Fair at TCDE
February 10 and February 24: Tools for Math Success by CDE
February 10th & 24th: CAASPP Foundations Knowledge and Overview
February 27 and 28: Hmong History & Cultural Studies Curriculum Conference
You can access the Professional Development Calendar here!
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