By her own admission, Dolly Levi is a meddler. The

principal character in the classic musical Hello, Dolly! is a schemer, a matchmaker, an entrepreneur and a woman who

loves life. This month, the Theatre Company is preparing to

perform Hello, Dolly! – its 20th summer production since the

founding of the program.

“The timing of our production couldn’t be better,” said

Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Jim Vidak. “The

revival of Hello, Dolly! is on Broadway this summer and stars

Bette Midler. For theater lovers who can’t make the trip to

New York, we’ll offer a production equally as entertaining

and perhaps even more meaningful as they watch a future

generation of Broadway stars!”

Hello, Dolly! was composed by Jerry Herman and opened on Broadway in 1964, winning 10 Tony Awards – a

record it held with South Pacific for over 30 years. The Theatre Company production will feature over 50 Tulare

County students, including Kaley McConnaughey, who plays the larger-than-life Dolly. “It’s a challenge to

maintain Dolly’s energy,” she says of the character who confidently meddles her way through every scene. “An

hour before the show and even when I’m off stage, I never disconnect from her.” Kaley, who recently graduated

from Redwood High School and who starred in many Theatre Company productions, will attend Oklahoma City

University in the fall. Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

Theatre Company celebrates its 20th summer production with classic American musical

Seven performances of Hello, Dolly! offered

T H E N E W S L E T T E R o f T H E T U L A R E C O U N T Y O F F I C E o f E D U C A T I O N

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July-August 2017

HELLO, DOLLY! PERFORMANCESL.J. Williams Theater, 1001 West Main Street in downtown Visalia

Show TimesEvening Shows (7:30 p.m.): July 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29Matinee Shows (2:00 p.m.): July 22 and 29

Show Ticket Information$15 general admission / $25 VIP ticketsavailable at Visalia TCOE locations beginning July 5: 6200 S. Mooney Blvd. and 7000 Doe Ave. Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Cash or check only.Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

Pendleton, Jarvis and Schuler dedicated to connecting students to their futures

Excellence in Education winners announcedWill you do me a favor?” John Pendleton asked Jim

Vidak. “If I call my dad, would you tell him what you

just told me?” Mr. Pendleton, the principal at Wilson

Elementary School in Tulare, phoned his father and

explained that he had someone in his office that wanted

to say “hello.” The county superintendent took the

phone and explained to Mr. Pendleton’s father that he

was visiting John to tell him that he had been selected

as the administrator of the year in the 2017 Excellence

in Education Awards program. Before John Pendleton

ended the call with

his father, who was a

former Tulare Joint

Union High School

administrator, he

said, “Dad, I guess

when you

encouraged me to do

some substitute

teaching after

college, you were

right,” he smiled.

On June 2, Tulare

County

Superintendent of

Schools Jim Vidak

also paid surprise

visits to Teacher of

the Year Kathleen

Jarvis of Alpine

School in Tulare and

School Employee of

the Year Naomi Schuler of Porterville Unified. “Each of

the winners is an incredible person, dedicated to student

engagement and success,” said Mr. Vidak. “They are

supporting their students with community resources and

giving them a vision of their futures in college and

career so they can meet their greatest potential.”

Each year, a selection committee of Tulare County business and educational leaders reviews the Tulare County

Administrator/Manager of the Year, Teacher of the Year and School Employee of the Year nominations. The

Excellence in Education Awards program, now celebrating its 23rd year, honors “the best of the best” in the three

educational categories. A total of 27 nominations were received this year from Tulare County school districts. Each

nomination was reviewed and scored individually by every member of the selection committee. Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

July-August 2017

(upper photo) County Superintendent Jim Vidak speaks to Bill Pendleton on the phone, telling him that his son, John, has been selected as the 2017 Administrator of the Year. (middle photo). Mr. Vidak poses with School Employee of the Year Mimi Schuler and Dr. Ken Gibbs, superintendent of Porterville Unified School District. (lower photo) Kathy Jarvis (in black) of Alpine Vista School in Tulare was selected Teacher of the Year. She is pictured with (l-r) Jim Vidak; Terri Martindale, principal; and Dr. Clare Gist, superintendent of Tulare City School District.

“

On June 14, the Human Resources Division hosted its

annual Retiree Reception in the Redwood Conference

Center. Thirty-two TCOE teachers, administrators and

support staff members retired during 2016-2017, having

contributed a total of 784 years of service to the students

of Tulare County.

John Rodriguez, director of Human Resources,

introduced each of the retirees in attendance and their

supervisor. Many retirees who spoke mentioned the

positive work environment that made their experience so

enjoyable and thanked County Superintendent of Schools

Jim Vidak for creating a culture of support.

Read more at tcoe.org

Thirty-two employees retire having provided nearly 800 years of service to Tulare County

Retirees honored for service to students

Circle J introduces new Ecological Research and Restoration Project for 9-12 students

Conservation program focuses on researchIn September, the Circle J-Norris Ranch program will launch a new student event entitled the Ecological Research

and Restoration Project. The program has been designed to engage high school students and their science teachers in

conducting scientific research projects on the ranch. On Saturday, September 30, registered students will work with

university scientists and naturalists to complete a variety of studies on vernal pools, native plant pollinators, oak

forest ecology, pond turtles and birds.

“The goal of this event is to create a community of researchers and to spark students’ interest in conducting research

and in engaging in ecological restoration of the ranch,” said Nancy Bruce, lead teacher for Circle J-Norris Ranch.

“We are looking for students who have identified an interest in science and conservation careers to participate in this

exciting event.”

Circle J-Norris Ranch is the beautiful 620-acre field trip site in the Sierra foothills that is part of the SCICON

program. The program offers all grade levels a wide variety of field study experiences that enrich and extend

classroom learning. Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

(photos clockwise from above) Information Systems retiree Mike Keller (c) listens as John Rodriguez reads highlights from his 27-year career. Jim Vidak poses with Graciela Garibay, who worked for the Early Childhood Education Program for 16 years. Bob May reflects on his career with Special Services. Mr. May retired as a program manager for the severely handicapped after 17 years.

spot l ight

Read more at tcoe.org

In May and June, La Sierra Charter School, University Preparatory High School (UPHS) and Special Services celebrated the graduations of 158 students. (photo 1) Jalicia Beard, a featured La Sierra student speaker, addresses the audience during the graduation ceremony, reflecting on her life-changing experiences at the school. (photo 2) Seniors in the UPHS choir perform “Stand By Me” during the graduation ceremony. UPHS Principal Eric Thiessen reports that seniors Alison Peters, Brooke Santos and Kylie Morphis also earned associate of arts (AA) degrees from College of the Sequoias through the school's dual enrollment program. Remarkably, Kylie was able to earn a total of four AA degrees. (photo 3) Quavon Meadows of the Community Based Instruction Classroom (CBIC) in Tulare leads his classmates to a dance that followed the graduation ceremony. This year, Special Services graduated 44 students from its CBIC programs and severely handicapped centers in the county. On June 15, the Tulare County Office of Education CHARACTER COUNTS! (CC!) Program, together with its partner KSEE24, celebrated the students featured in the station’s weekly Your Character Matters program. During the 2016-17 school year, CC! coordinator Kelley Petty and KSEE24 reporter Stefanie Bainum worked to produce 28 inspiring stories featuring Tulare County students that exhibited good character or admirable acts of service. The stories were aired on Central Valley Today, which Ms. Bainum cohosts, and on the station’s evening news programs. (photo 4) Among the honorees were Yolanda Pruneda’s second-grade students from Monson-Sultana Joint Union School. The students were featured for their support of a fellow student, Daniel Meza (far right), who has cerebral palsy. The students were commended for not only including Daniel in activities and encouraging his independence, but helping him when he needed it. Administrators with the schools that helped submit and coordinate the development of the stories were also honored. (photo 5) Pictured is Kristi Blatner, vice principal for Kings River Union School. (photo 6) Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Jim Vidak poses with KSEE24 Your Character Matters reporter Stefanie Bainum and the station’s general manager Matt Rosenfeld. To see the stories, visit ksee24.com and click on Your Character Matters on the “Sections” tab. Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

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For more events, programs and meetings, visit our online calendar at www.tcoe.org/CalendarOfEvents

upcomingevents

Career Technical Education (CTE) Credential Program Information Meeting4:00 - 5:30 p.m., TCOE Administration Building, Room Oak B, 6200 S. Mooney Blvd., VisaliaFor information, call Marvin Lopez at (559) 624-1035.

Preliminary Educational Specialist Credential Information Meeting3:30 - 4:30 p.m., TCOE Administration Building, NTLD office, 3rd f loor, 6200 S. Mooney Blvd., VisaliaFor information, call Norma Lovelace at (559) 624-1035.

Clear Administrative Services Credential Program Information Meeting4:30 p.m., TCOE Administration Building, 3rd f loor, Room Oak B, 6200 S. Mooney Blvd., VisaliaFor information, call Donna Glassman-Sommer at (559) 624-1035.

IMPACT Intern Program Information Meeting5:30 - 7:00 p.m., TCOE Conference Center, Room Redwood E, 6200 S. Mooney Blvd., VisaliaFor information, call Marvin Lopez at (559) 624-1035.

Preliminary Administrative Services Credential Program Information Meeting4:00 p.m., TCOE Administration Building, 3rd f loor, Room Oak B, 6200 S. Mooney Blvd., VisaliaFor information, call Donna Glassman-Sommer at (559) 624-1035.

Theatre Company Summer Musical, Hello, Dolly!L. J. Williams Theater, 1001 Main St., Visalia2:00 p.m. matinees July 22 & 29; 7:30 p.m. evening performances July 21, 22, 27, 28 & 29. Tickets: $15 general admission/$25 reserved seating available at TCOE Visalia offices at 6200 S. Mooney Blvd. and 7000 Doe Ave., Suite A beginning July 5. For information, call Bethany Rader at (559) 651-1482.

Breaking Barriers Conference (cohosted with the University of California and the California State University Chancellor’s Office for K-16 educators interested in learning strategies for providing seamless student transitions to college and career)8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Visalia Convention CenterFor information, call René Moncada at (559) 651-0155. CHARACTER COUNTS! Training & Workshop 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., TCOE Conference Center, Room Redwood EF, 6200 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia For information, call Kelley Petty at (559) 740-4303.

Pursuing Victory With Honor Workshop 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., TCOE Conference Center, Room Redwood CD, 6200 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia For information, call Kelley Petty at (559) 740-4303.

Tulare County College Night5:30 – 8:00 p.m., Visalia Convention CenterFor information, call Joy Soares at (559) 733-6101.

Circle J Astronomy Night (for students and families)7:00 – 9:30 p.m., Circle J-Norris Ranch, 41893 Yokohl Valley Rd., Springville For information, call Nancy Bruce at (559) 539-2263.

Friday Night Live TUPE Leadership Training (for middle school students)8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., TCOE Doe Avenue ComplexFor information, call Tony Cavanagh at (559) 651-0155.

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August ‘1728

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10 & 28& 8/3

11 & 8/8

11 & 25

12 & 8/2

30 & 9/7

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15

September ‘17

20 Tulare County Board of Education

News Gallery CommitteeEditor: Robert Herman, Public Information OfficerContributors: Marlene Moreno, Jennifer Fisher, Lorena White, Paula

Terrill, Juliana Davidian, Ramon Garcia, Anabel Gonzalez, Nancy Bruce and Bethany Rader.

The News Gallery is published monthly with the exception of double issues printed for July/August and December/January. If you would

like to receive The News Gallery, visit tcoe.org/GetTheGallery or contact Jennifer Fisher at (559) 733-6172, or at jenniferf@tcoe.org.

On May 25, TCOE employees participated in Jeans for Troops – a national campaign of the GI Go Fund to raise support for veteran services, such as career coaching, housing, employment and training, and legal support. TCOE employees raised $900 for the organization, with over $500 contributed by the staff and students at La Sierra Charter School.

In May, ERS held its literacy competition, Reading Revolution. The event is comprised of two divisions – one for upper elementary students (grades 4-6) and one for middle school students (grades 7-8). Students competed in four team events based on 15 books selected for each division. In the middle school division, the winners were the Power Readers from Sycamore Valley Academy in Visalia. Team members included Faye Lewis, Peyton Mitchell, Peytan Baeza and Kylie Lara. This year, the elementary school division grew so large – with 41 elementary teams entered – that event organizers divided the division into two competitions. The winners from the morning elementary competition were the Book Bureau team from Cottonwood Creek Elementary in Visalia. Team members included Eddie Rhyman, Wesley Shafer and Paige Thomason. The elementary division afternoon winners were the Waukena Wildcats. Team members included Ainsley Boydstun, Alyeda Ceballos, Samara Chavez and Paola Mora.

Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Jim Vidak recently created a new assistant superintendent position within the Instructional Division. The division, led by Deputy Superintendent Dr. Guadalupe Solis, now has two branches: District Support Services and Student Support Services. The new position, which has been filled by Early Childhood Education Program (ECEP) administrator Julie Berk, oversees the Student Support Services Branch and includes the CHOICES Prevention and After School Programs, ECEP, Educational Options (Court/Community Schools, La Sierra Charter School and University Preparatory High School), Migrant Education, School Health Programs and SCICON. Read more at tcoe.org/NewsGallery.

Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Jim VidakPresident: Chris Reed, Trustee Area No. 6

Vice President: Judy Coble, Trustee Area No. 4Trustees: Celia Maldonado-Arroyo, Trustee Area No. 1; Debby Holguin, Trustee Area No. 2; Tom Link, Trustee Area No. 3; Joe Enea, Trustee Area No. 5; And Patricia Hillman, Trustee Area No. 7

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