News and Updates - March 2026
Embedded Files
March has officially arrived — bringing shamrocks, Pi Day, testing season, and yes… LCAP planning. With so much happening and in the honor of St. Patrick's Day, I couldn’t resist sharing a limerick...
With CAASPP and LCAP near,
It’s planning time once more this year.
Not checking a box,
But lifting the blocks,
To make student outcomes more clear.
That really is the heart of this month’s work. As we prepare for CAASPP administration, supporting ELPAC testing, and moving into SPSA and LCAP Development sessions, our focus remains on improvement and support. The upcoming LCAP webinars and resources are designed to make the process clearer, more collaborative, and aligned to student needs.
Alongside this work, you’ll find reminders, events, and March classroom activities (Pi Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and more), professional learning opportunities, attendance and SARB guidance, Foster & Homeless resources, Title III updates, math curriculum information, and practical “Working Smarter” tips to help lighten the load during this busy season.
Here’s to a month of clarity, collaboration, and continuous improvement — with maybe a little fun mixed in, too.
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:
SAVE THE DATE for Health & Attendance Best Practices on April 22nd hosted by TCDE's SELPA and Attendance Teams to give insight into guidelines for managing medical documentation, providing clarity in handling student absences, and overall attendance and absence policies. Flier linked here.
Please share your needs for LCAP information, training, overview, and general supports! The survey is available here and make sure to see the upcoming LCAP Sessions (Information here).
Administrator/Leadership Community of Practice (CoP): Wednesday, April 1 to discuss curriculum mapping (we encourage you to bring a teacher leader with you as well) - we will put this into practice and put a plan together based on a grade level and subject level, Reader Screener updates, and shared practices, share common practices, and discuss upcoming deadlines and resources.
SAVE THE DATE for hands-on unit planning and pacing guide work for The Power of Clarity: Designing Units to Drive Learning. Scheduled for July 29–30 from 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM for a two-day collaborative learning experience focused on designing standards-aligned units that drive meaningful student learning and achievement. Particpants will create clear learning targets based on grade-level and content standards, align assessments with daily instruction, design and analyze common formative assessments. More information to come.
Share your MTSS Feedback with us to help plan and shape our MTSS planned professional learning and coaching opportunities for the 2026-27 school year. Please take a few minutes to complete the MTSS Feedback survey to help us better understand current implementation, identify what is working well, and determine where additional support may be helpful. Please provide MTSS Feedback by March 18th. MTSS SURVEY HERE
Please take a few minutes to share the math curriculum that you plan to pilot and/or adopt. The link is below and will include information for other districts and school sites in Tehama County. Adoption Interests in the County
60-DAY SUBSTITUTE UPDATE
At the Feb. meeting, the CTC decided to approve the proposed regulations regarding sub assignments beyond 30 days with PD, orientation, and mentorship hours matching the Teaching Permit for Statutory Leave (TPSL). Here is a recent EdCal article regarding the recent action and the attachment on page 5 has the regs.
ACSA and other agencies are gathering feedback from educators statewide on the amount of PD and orientation hours required. Please take the time to fill it out this week as your input will directly contribute to negotiations. The survey responses need to be provided by the end of the day March 6th, but your feedback is important. Access the survey HERE!
MATH CURRICULUM & ADOPTIONS
Thank you to those of you that joined us at the Publisher Fair. Please take a few minutes to share the math curriculum that you plan to pilot and/or adopt. The link is below and will include information for other districts and school sites in Tehama County.
Adoption Interests in the County
Keep in mind that just because the Publisher Fair is over, we still have supports available to guide your team through piloting, adoptions, and other math-related needs. See the latest math flier here and check out the information in the Curriculum Section below.
LCAP DEVELOPMENT & UPDATE SESSIONS
With few changes to the 2026 - 27 LCAP template and instructions, we invite LCAP writers, LCAP teams, and CBOs - those who are new to the LCAP process or looking for a refresher—to join our upcoming LCAP Development Support Sessions. These sessions will provide practical guidance, clarify expectations, and highlight key resources to help you navigate the development process with confidence.
Format: Virtual
Recording Available: Each session will be recorded and linked to the LCAP Overview Document shortly after the scheduled session.
Whether you are developing your first LCAP or simply want to ensure alignment and clarity, we invite you to tune in and take advantage of this support. We look forward to partnering with you in this year’s LCAP development process!
Registration Link and Work Session/LCAP Development Flier
LCAP REVIEW APPOINTMENTS
Please see the Calendar Link above to schedule a virtual meeting for the review of your LCAP.
Appointments can be made May 4 - June 2. This will be solely based on the narrative portion and not the budget review portion. Use the “Jump to the next available date” link, scroll to the available date and time you’d like, then click on the time and submit your name, email address, and district name.
Please submit your draft LCAP 48 hours prior to your appointment to this folder: Draft LCAP for Preview.
CARRO UPDATES
The California Department of Education’s Categorical Allocations and Audit Resolution Office (CAARO) publishes regular updates to keep LEAs informed about important reporting deadlines, funding applications, audits, and other program requirements. You can view the latest issue and subscribe to receive future updates directly from CDE to stay current on key compliance information.
RAISE Network
We are working regionally with the RAISE Network. RAISE stands for Reduce Chronic Absence through Inclusive Supports and Engagement. More information to come on how districts and/or school teams can be a part of this network for minimal cost.
We are excited to announce that we are partnering with the Nor Cal Regional RAISE Hub for improving Chronic Absenteeism rates in Northern California! If you are interested in becoming a team, please review the attached information for more details. There is a pretty quick onboarding process for teams, which will allow for the May 2o26 launch session
The California RAISE Network (Attendance) is a statewide initiative that supports districts and schools in reducing chronic absenteeism through research-based strategies, data use, and collaborative problem-solving.
The network focuses on building local capacity to:
Improve student attendance systems
Strengthen family and community engagement
Use data to identify and respond to attendance barriers
Implement prevention-focused, equity-centered practices
RAISE is aligned with California’s emphasis on Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), LCAP goals, and accountability measures related to chronic absenteeism
Flier with more information as well as registration information is available HERE.
Teams will launch in May 2026. Link to RAISE Network Website
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March/April: Provide CAASPP training for staff administering the assessment
April 1st: Home-to-School Transportation-Develop and adopt a plan on or before April 1, 2023, and update annually thereafter (Some of you may have a 5 year plan)
April 1, 2026: Designate ELPAC Coordinator for 2026-2027
July 1, 2026: Designate CAASPP Coordinator for 2026-2027
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS INFORMATION
CA Digital Commons website is live and provides practical tools, guidance, and examples to help educators in our county strengthen community school implementation and build meaningful partnerships that support the whole child.
Annual Progress Report to be released March 2
Deadlines: June 30 (schools) & July 31 (LEAs/Consortiums)
Annual Expenditure Report due Sep 12
Regional & Statewide Learning Opportunities for Community Schools
RTAC Regional Webinar Series - See the link for the remaining webinars for Community Schools information.
March 18 – Family Engagement
May 20 – Annual Progress Report
Below is information about a Community Schools Conference that brings together educators, community partners, and family engagement leaders from across the country to share best practices, build collaborative strategies, and strengthen community-driven approaches that support student success.
National Community School and Family Engagement Conference
Hosted by Institute for Educational Leadership
May 27–29, 2026 | Long Beach
CAASPP INFORMATION
With CAASPP just around the corner, make sure to provide CAASPP training for staff administering the assessment. Below is a slide deck you can customize for training your staff for CAASPP administration.
We are well underway with our CAASPP Sessions and our March virtual CAASPP training on March 17th will cover CERS Reporting and Tools for Teachers. The flyer with session information is available here!
Check out our TCDE CAASPP webpage with resource information (BELOW) , the slide decks we used for our current CAASPP Workshop Sessions, and other information.
Megan Palermo / Emma Gordon
HEALTH & ATTENDANCE BEST PRACTICES PD
Join us on April 22nd from 9:30–11:30 AM for an essential Best Practices: Health & Attendance session hosted by SELPA and Continuous Improvement. This informative training will provide clear guidance on consistently accepting doctor’s notes, staying compliant with legal requirements, and effectively managing medical documentation related to student absences. Designed for attendance and health secretaries, principals, vice principals, independent study program facilitators, and school nurses, this session offers practical tools you can use right away. Attend in person or virtually and gain the clarity and confidence you need to support student success—Register now!
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.
Home and Hospital Instruction: Nuts and Bolts for Effective Implementation
This is an online virtual learning and may help give insights into Home and Hospital processes, requirements, and other information.
Home and Hospital Instruction is a required district program, but ensuring it is compliant and effectively implemented can be complex. This virtual workshop covers legal mandates, step-by-step implementation and sample handbooks and documents, equipping participants with practical tools they can immediately use in their districts.
Enrollment/Registration HERE
ATTENDANCE LETTER FLOW CHART
UPCOMING SARB HEARINGS
South County SARB is March 12th
North County SARB is March 26th; referrals are due March 12th.
RAISE NETWORK:
We are working regionally with the RAISE Network. RAISE stands for Reduce Chronic Absence through Inclusive Supports and Engagement. More information to come on how districts and/or school teams can be a part of this network for minimal cost.
We are excited to announce that we are partnering with the Nor Cal Regional RAISE Hub for improving Chronic Absenteeism rates in Northern California! If you are interested in becoming a team, please review the attached information for more details. There is a pretty quick onboarding process for teams, which will allow for the May 2o26 launch session
The California RAISE Network (Attendance) is a statewide initiative that supports districts and schools in reducing chronic absenteeism through research-based strategies, data use, and collaborative problem-solving.
The network focuses on building local capacity to:
Improve student attendance systems
Strengthen family and community engagement
Use data to identify and respond to attendance barriers
Implement prevention-focused, equity-centered practices
RAISE is aligned with California’s emphasis on Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), LCAP goals, and accountability measures related to chronic absenteeism
Flier with more information as well as registration information is available HERE.
Teams will launch in May 2026. Link to RAISE Network Website
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
TK-12 Multilingual Learners
Join us for the last session in TK-12 Multilingual Learners Nuts and Bolts on March 10, 3:30-4:30!
This is a standalone session–you do not need to have attended prior sessions!
Summative ELPAC and Summative Alternate ELPAC
The test administration window is Feb. 2, 2026-May 31, 2026.
2025-26 ELPAC LEA Coordinator Checklist
Spread the word: Bilingual Story Hour at the Corning Library!
The first Monday of the month at 5pm !
Best Practice Webinar #1: Designing an Equitable and Evidence Based Comprehensive ELD Program
April 15, 10:00-11:00AM
This webinar guides educational leaders through the essential components of a Comprehensive ELD Program and offers a synthesis of evidence‑based resources and tools to strengthen multilingual learner outcomes. Participants will also be introduced to CEEL as the Statewide English Learner Technical Assistance provider through the STACS subgrant.
Register HERE
Best Practice Webinar #2: Integrated ELD: Ensuring students’ access to core curriculum
May 13, 10:00-11:00AM
This webinar deepens school leaders’ understanding of Integrated ELD as a powerful approach for ensuring multilingual learners’ full access to grade‑level core curriculum. Participants will explore what rigorous, language‑rich instruction looks like across content areas and learn how to support teachers in differentiating for a range of English proficiency levels. Leaders will leave with concrete systems level and classroom strategies to strengthen equitable instructional practices schoolwide.
Register HERE
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
California's Great Start Preschool through 3rd Grade TOOLKIT
Jordyn Tinsley / Elena Velasquez / Erin Sutter
READING PALS
We are excited to announce Tehama County schools launch of a partnership with 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 2 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. We have Evergreen, Vina, and Gerber up and running as of March 2nd. Reed’s Creek, Bend, Richfield, Lassen View, Los Molinos, and Kirkwood will be starting soon pending volunteer clearance! If you are interested in volunteering, you can sign up for an orientation date here: Reading Pals Volunteer Orientation
CAASPP FOUNDATIONS PD
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.
CA Serves Grant Awarded to Tehama County!
Tehama County has been awarded funding through the CA Serves grant to expand civic learning opportunities for our students. This exciting award will help support seniors in earning the State Seal of Civic Engagement on their high school diplomas.
Through this initiative, we will partner with the California Global Education Project and Teach Democracy to provide high-quality professional development for educators interested in strengthening civic engagement in their classrooms. Together, we are empowering Tehama County students to become informed, engaged, and active members of their communities. We will be hosting a Civic Leadership Summit for administrators, counselors, and cross-disciplinary educators to join TCDE and the California Global Education Project to strengthen civic learning in Tehama County. Participants will receive a $400 stipend to attend both days while helping build local SSCE criteria, explore the Global Competence Framework, clarify what civic engagement is, learn how students can take meaningful local action, and hear insights from SSCE recipients and coordinators on June 11 & 12 at TCDE.
Sign up via the linked flyer and attend all or specific topics.
Math Adoption Support
Following the county math adoption and publisher fair, this support series is designed to help districts move from selecting instructional materials to implementing them thoughtfully and, where applicable, deciding whether piloted curricula are the right fit. The focus is on grounding decisions in classroom evidence, honoring educator experience, and supporting sustainable implementation.
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
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
Bring your team to this Computer Science Summit!
Discover how computer science can transform learning in your school! Join educators from across California at the Computer Science Models of Practice Summit to gain practical strategies, connect with peers, and bring innovative CS opportunities to your students.
High School Personal Finance Planning
Join virtually as Shasta or Glenn County provide information reviewing the draft personal finance curriculum outlining the 13 required topics, share the list of approved curriculum providers, discuss the implementation timeline, and offer local planning support.
If you are interested or able to attend either March 4th 3:45 - 4:30 by Shasta COE or March 31st 11:00 - 11:45 by Glenn COE, email jtinsley@tehamaschools.org.
TEHAMA COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Join us for the County-Wide Spelling Bee, on March 18th at Red Bluff High School Performing Arts Center, bringing together students from 15 schools across the county to celebrate academic excellence and the love of language! Participants will compete in two divisions: Elementary at 9:00 am and Junior High at 1:00 pm.
MARCH CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES...
Celebrate the energy of March with engaging, ready-to-use resources for your classroom! From creating imaginative Pi Poems in Google Sheets for Pi Day, to exploring a curated collection of March-themed activities, to discovering practical strategies for integrating Gemini and AI tools into your lesson planning and workflow—there’s something here to spark creativity and boost learning all month long.
Pi Poems: A creative project using Google Sheets to create "Pi Poems" in celebration of Pi Day.
March Classroom Activities: A curated selection of fun activities specifically for the month of March to engage students.
AI Tools and Integration: Gemini App and Gemini in Google Classroom - Strategies for lesson creation and enhancing classroom workflow
SAVE THE DATE
The Power of Clarity: Designing Units to Drive Learning
The Power of Clarity: Designing Units to Drive Learning
July 29–30
8:30 AM – 3:00 PM at TCDE, 1135 Lincoln Street, Red Bluff
When educators share a clear understanding of what students must learn and how they will demonstrate it, instruction becomes more focused, collaborative, and effective. Join us for a two-day learning experience where participants will:
Unpack standards to identify essential learning
Create clear, student-friendly learning targets
Align assessments with daily instruction
Design effective common formative assessments
Analyze student evidence collaboratively
Plan timely supports, interventions, and enrichment opportunities
This work supports high-quality, best-first instruction grounded in standards and aligned curriculum. Through collaborative planning and data-informed decision-making, teams will strengthen coherence across classrooms and grade levels while responding effectively to individual student needs.
Who should attend? Teachers, instructional coaches, site and district leaders, and collaborative teams. Ideal for teachers—whether individual “singletons,” grade-level teams, or content-area departments—who want dedicated, facilitated time with structured guidance on the steps needed to intentionally incorporate intervention and enrichment, and leave with a fully developed, standards-aligned unit plan complete with learning targets, aligned assessments, and a clear pacing guide to launch the school year strong.
More details and registration information coming soon!
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🧠 Work Smarter This March: Low-Prep Review Ideas + Digital Clean-Up
🧠 Work Smarter This March: Low-Prep Review Ideas + Digital Clean-Up
March is the perfect time to simplify. As testing season approaches and schedules get busy, focus on strategies that reduce workload rather than add to it.
Low-prep review can be just as powerful as elaborate test prep. Quick retrieval warm-ups, self-grading Google Forms, short constructed responses, or reusable choice boards help reinforce learning without hours of planning. Small, consistent practice builds confidence and retention far more effectively than last-minute cram sessions.
At the same time, a quick digital clean-up can save you daily frustration. Less digital clutter means less decision fatigue.
Simple systems. Short review cycles. Small resets.
Big impact for the rest of the school year.
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Our Mobile CTE Labs have been actively out in the community, bringing hands-on learning experiences directly to students through our STEAM and Trades trailers. As the first program of its kind in our county, these innovative labs continue to generate excitement and strong interest from schools and community partners alike. With interactive equipment and real-world career exploration opportunities, spots are filling quickly as more sites look to bring this unique experience to their students. If you’re interested in scheduling a visit, be sure to use this link to secure your spot before availability runs out!
MARCH PD & LEARNING EVENTS:
March 19: Tehama County Literacy Network
March 31st: High School Personal Finance Planning
April 1st: Admin. & Leadership Community of Practice
June 11-12th: Tehama Civic Learning Summit
July 29-30th: The Power of Clarity: Designing Units to Drive Learning. Scheduled for July 29–30 from 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM - SAVE THE DATE!
You can access the Professional Development Calendar here!
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