Education to End Hate grant recipients announced The California Department of Education has selected recipients of mini grants totaling nearly $200,000 that will fund educator trainings across the state to combat hate, bigotry, racism, and other forms of bias or prejudice in schools as part of the Education to End Hate initiative. More than 300 schools and districts across California applied for the grants funded by a contribution from philanthropic partner the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation. Topics addressed by the first round of grantees include anti-racist pedagogy, implicit bias and its impact on students and families, privilege and systems of oppression, improving coursework on California and Native American Studies, and more. “The overwhelming response to this grant program speaks volumes: California’s educators are more committed than ever to educational equity through the creation of safe, inclusive learning environments for all students, and they are hungry for more training and tools,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, in a news release. “Congratulations to these school districts for showing their communities that education has the power to make meaningful, lasting change.” Thurmond launched the Education to End Hate Initiative in September as a multifaceted effort to confront incidents of hate, bigotry and racism rising across the state and nation, including anti-Semitic behavior, bullying of Asian American students, Islamophobia, LGBTQ discrimination and violence directed at historically marginalized and oppressed peoples. The first round of Education to End Hate mini grant recipients are: Eureka City Schools — $20,000 Lucia Mar Unified School District — $14,600 Madera Unified School District — $19,999 Mountain Empire Unified School District — $15,000 Ojai Unified School District — $20,000 Petaluma City Schools District — $20,000 San Lorenzo Unified School District — $20,000 Union Elementary School District — $20,000 Willits Elementary Charter School — $6,200 Wright Elementary School District — $20,000. Grant recipients indicated they are seeking workshops and training opportunities for both staff and teachers. Some applicants also indicated providing opportunities to students and parents. Recipients noted that training and professional development would support the improvement or development of curriculum and address systemic problems in policies and procedures. As part of the Education to End Hate Initiative, the CDE will also host a series of virtual classroom and educator professional development sessions broadcast live throughout the state that will be designed to engage students, educators, and families in a wide-ranging dialogue about the many forms of bias young people face across California — and ways schools can lead efforts to end discrimination. Grant will support military-connected students in CVESD The Chula Vista Elementary School District was recently awarded a nearly $900,000 grant from the Department of Defense Education Activity to enhance STEM opportunities for military-connected students. The Military-Connected Student Academic and Support Program grant is a five-year commitment to enhancing STEM programs. The first year is a planning year, where the district will focus on logistics and professional development to help build capacity. “We are honored and appreciative of this opportunity to provide our military-connected families with critical support for their children’s career interests and exploration,” said Matthew R. Tessier, Ed.D., assistant superintendent for Innovation and Instruction, in a news release. “With these programs, military-connected students will have the opportunity to take on the role of scientists and engineers in STEM fields, particularly in the health sciences.” The district’s project is called STEAMing into the Health Sciences. The project will be implemented at five CVESD schools to increase student exposure to careers in health sciences, improve awareness and knowledge of health science careers and how it aligns with the strengths and interests for military-connected students. 2021 bid threshold for school districts increased to $96,700 The inflation adjusted bid threshold for K-12 school districts in 2021 is $96,700, according to the California Department of Education. Effective Jan. 1, 2021, school district governing boards will have to competitively bid and award any contracts involving an expenditure of more than $96,700 to the lowest responsible bidder. Contracts subject to competitive bidding include purchase of equipment, materials, or supplies to be furnished, sold, or leased to the school district and repairs as defined by Public Contract Code. This threshold does not apply to construction services — the bid limit for construction projects remains at $15,000 and is not adjusted for inflation. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction is required to annually adjust the $50,000 amount specified in PCC Section 20111(a) to reflect the percentage change in the annual average value of the Implicit Price Deflator for State and Local Government Purchases of Goods and Services for the United States, as published by the United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analyst for the 12-month period ending in the prior fiscal year. New campaign hopes to boost awareness of skilled trades To help generate awareness of and interest in a career in the skilled trades, the California chapter of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association has launched Choose Bigger California, a recruitment program for industry professionals both in the field and in the office. Choose Bigger California was designed with two distinct audiences in mind: apprenticeship candidates and students who are working toward or have obtained a college degree. Potential applicants to the apprenticeship program can browse an overview of a career in California’s sheet metal industry, including average wages, career benefits and requirements of a successful candidate. The recruitment campaign extends to the parents, school counselors and other influencers in a student’s life. Visit ChooseBigger.com/California for more information.