A Word from our President - Daric Jackson
Our Region 8 members enjoyed fellowshipping together at the President's Holiday Celebration as we counted down the days to the holiday season and new year. Thank you to those who attended and we missed those who could not attend. I would like to encourage you to take time out of your busy schedules this new year to join your Region 8 family at our next membership event on March 22, 2024. More information about that event from our Membership Chair David Putney coming soon. Be on the lookout for that communication.
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and for the work we do to impact the lives of students, I would like to share a poem by Langston Hughes titled, "Dreams". This poem was written to remind us of the significance of King's dream and its resilience in the face of adversity. Hughes' poignant words urge us to keep King's dream alive, emphasizing the importance of hope and determination in the pursuit of justice.
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Look at Region 8! - Eric Andrew, Executive Director
I am always amazed by the work of our Region 8 educational leaders. Everyday our members strive to create an educational environment that supports student engagement, learning, and achievement. In addition, we support each other through our networks and other professional development opportunities.
This effort is never more evident than when we engage in meaningful dialogue about the State-of-Education here in Santa Clara County and commit to making our educational system accessible to all students, families, staff, and community partners. Soon, the Region 8 influence will shine again with two incredible events for both ACSA members and non members.
On February 9 and 10, Region 8 will join Regions 5, 6 and the California Subject Matter Project out of Stanford to convene an Equity Symposium. There will be dynamic speakers, useful presentations and a chance to be in the presence of each other to build community. The event will be held at the Santa Clara Marriott on Friday, February 9 at 5:00 PM and continue with a full day of events on Saturday, February 10. We hope to see you there.
On February 13, the Region 8 Retiree Charter will host a luncheon featuring retired judge, author, and activist LaDoris Cardell. Many of us have seen her on CNN as an expert analyst, however, the opportunity to be in her presence as she speaks to us about the legal and ethical challenges we face is an extraordinary chance to listen, ask questions, and contemplate the words of wisdom uttered by Judge Cordell.
Yes, Region 8 is always leading the way and now you have two opportunities to be an integral part of the movement to improve educational outcomes for our students. Please refer to the respective websites for registration information and details.
Be Efficacious.
Legislative Action Day
CHANGE OF DATE: Legislative Action Days was inadvertently scheduled on the Passover Seder, a Jewish ritual that has great significance. To avoid the conflict, it has been rescheduled to Sunday, April 28 and Monday, April 29.
I hope you’ll join ACSA Region 8 school and district leaders in this year’s ACSA Legislative Action Days activities, scheduled during the week of April 28, 2024.
Legislative Action Day is a wonderful opportunity to come together with our region’s and state’s educational leaders to meet our local legislators and advocate for public education. We’re fortunate in Santa Clara County that our legislators want to hear from us and value our stories and perspectives as they create policy.
No experience is necessary! We’ll ease you into the process so that everyone has an opportunity to comfortably participate. Also, it’s important to remember that this activity is considered “advocacy” as opposed to political activity.
Pre-registration is required to participate in the ACSA program on April 28 and 29. That information and link will be sent out once released by ACSA.
ACSA’s Government Relations Team will finalize and share a “talking points” document in advance of Legislative Action Days. We’ll share that with you as soon as it’s ready.
If you are interested in participating, please complete this interest survey.
If you have any questions, please Heather Wellendorf at hwellendorf@campbellusd.org
2024 Spring Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) Event
Friday, May 10, 8:00-10:00 a.m. San Jose Room | SCCOE Ridder Park
Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, County Superintendent of Schools, invites education leaders throughout our county to participate in an in-person networking event sponsored by ACSA Region 8, the County Office of Education Administrators Association (COEAA) Charter, and the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE). Join us for Imagine the Possibilities, the spring 2024 WLN Event on Friday, May 10, 8:00-10:00 a.m., in the San Jose Room at the Ridder Park campus! Attendees are encouraged to arrive as early as 7:45 a.m. for a continental breakfast and to mingle before the event starts.
What have we been doing to be bigger and better versions of ourselves as leaders, coaches and collaborative team members? At this event, we will take the time to acknowledge our growth and look ahead as well. The keynote will be based on Jennifer Abrams' newest work, Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work, where we will look at the five facets of development we should acknowledge as we celebrate being our best selves at work as women leaders - better understanding our identities, suspending our certainty, taking responsibility for our side of interactions, working interdependently with others, and building our resiliency. Join us to celebrate the development of our skills and capacities as lead learners in our schools and districts.
Preview our event promotional trailer here.
Members of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) may attend for free and are encouraged to bring a colleague as our guest. For additional guests and non-ACSA members, a $15 fee is associated with the event.
Space is limited so register early. To register, go to https://sccoe.to/wln051024. Register by April 19 to receive an event gift.
From the Retirees Charter - Denise Williams, President
Greetings to ACSA Equity Warriors
Happy 2024! What a great year to continue the work of such an amazing organization. ACSA Region 8 Retiree Charter strives to be leaders and be a sounding board to address issues impacting the diverse needs of students and administrators that support them in California. Our charter has demonstrated how we embody the work that it takes to be in support of equitable practices for students and advocating for social justice. One of the elements of our Strategic Plan is to sustain practices of equity in and around the greater community. We also ensure that we provide our community access to legislators and any individuals that support our goals and objectives. On February 13, 2024, our charter will host the honorable Judge LaDoris Cordell. She always exemplifies awareness access and fairness and attention to social justice. ACSA Region 8 Retiree Charter is thrilled to present Judge Cordell at our general session. ACSA supports all that she stands for and weaves her beliefs into the fabric of our work.
The Oak Grove Management Association hosted a dinner for our Board Members and Executive Team before the Board Meeting on January 18th. We wanted to show our appreciation for their service and the hard work they do to support our district. Also, back in October we hosted Fireside Chat Region 8 Executive Director, Dr. Eric Andrew He shared the value of being involved with ACSA and inspired us to ensure we have a "seat at the table!” It was a great afternoon of community building.
