Mon December 2, 2024 | Community News

FAFSA Application Now Open: Kern Leaders Urge Students to Apply Early

Applications officially opened for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) today. Y2LEF teamed up with the Kern Regional K-16 Education Collaborative and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) to host a news conference highlighting financial aid opportunities here in Kern County. Local education leaders and community officials joined the conference, stressing the importance of access to higher education.

By Katie Avery

Tue November 19, 2024 | KCSOS News

PHOTO GALLERY: Condors Field Trip Day

More than 6,000 students descended on Mechanics Bank Arena today to watch the Bakersfield Condors take on the Abbotsford Canucks for the annual Field Trip Day. Students were bused in from more than two dozen school districts to take part in the event, presented by Valley Strong Credit Union. The Canucks beat the Condors 4-2. The Condors’ next game is on Friday.

By Katie Avery

Mon November 18, 2024 | KCSOS News

Ishmeet Singh: A Champion for Equity, Mental Health in High School and Beyond

Ishmeet Singh, a junior at Stockdale High School, is reshaping how students across California receive critical mental health support. He spearheaded an initiative to integrate QR codes on all school ID cards across the state, linking students directly to the mental health resources they need. 

By Katie Avery

Thu October 31, 2024 | District News

County Special Ed Program Reimagined to Reduce Commutes, Enhance Inclusivity

KCSOS has introduced a regionalized model for special education, cutting travel times and fostering deeper connections between families and schools. Fruitvale School District’s Endeavour Elementary, a key partner of this initiative, exemplifies the powerful social and emotional impacts of inclusion.

By Robert Meszaros

Fri October 25, 2024 | KCSOS News

KCSOS Marks 30 Years at City Centre, Bell Tower Addition Advances Blanton’s Vision for Downtown Education Hub

In the early 1990s, former Kern County Superintendent Kelly Blanton dreamed of moving KCSOS to downtown Bakersfield to create a lively hub of learning and community. His vision became reality in 1994 with the dedication of City Centre, which has since become the beating heart of KCSOS, serving thousands who have worked tirelessly to support Kern County’s children and families over the years. Now, as KCSOS marks 30 years downtown, the addition of the iconic Bell Tower signals an exciting new chapter in Blanton’s enduring legacy.

By Jennifer Bryan

Thu October 17, 2024 | District News

First-Ever SEL Symposium Promotes Student Well-Being in Kern County

School representatives from all over Kern County came out to the Padre Hotel Thursday morning for Kern County Superintendent of Schools’ (KCSOS) Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Symposium. The event, themed “Cultivating Hearts and Minds: Empowering the Whole Child,” emphasized the importance of supporting all students from academics to behavior to mental health and well-being.

By Katie Avery

Fri October 11, 2024 | Community News

Foster Youth Find Path to Success Through Early Childhood Education Partnership

Inside a classroom at Bakersfield College, a group of young adults is working on building futures that, for some of them, seemed out of reach. The cohort, made up of former foster students, is part of a unique program designed to help them gain skills in early childhood education, a field that is not only in high demand but also offers them a personal connection through their lived experiences.

By Katie Avery

Mon October 7, 2024 | Community News

Kern Network for Children Leadership Program Now Accepting Applications

The Kern County Leadership Program, operated by the Kern County Network for Children, is accepting applications for its next class. Running from January to May, this program is designed to foster leadership skills in those passionate about improving the lives of children and families in the community.

By Katie Avery

Mon September 30, 2024 | District News

Kern County Schools Earn Recognition for Excellence in PBIS Implementation

Several schools across Kern County have been recognized for their outstanding work implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). PBIS, an evidence-based approach designed to create positive school environments and improve student behavior, has gained traction across California.

By Katie Avery

Fri September 27, 2024 | Community News

Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Candi Huizar, a Shining Example of Equity & Compassion

As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, Candi Huizar, KCSOS’s director of equity and inclusion, knows firsthand the power of resilience and determination. Growing up, she and her seven siblings navigated the challenges of language barriers, poverty, and adapting to a new way of life in the U.S. Now, forty years later, Huizar looks back on her family’s incredible journey — eight children, all college graduates, three with master’s degrees, and Huizar herself on the path to earning her doctorate.

By Jennifer Bryan

Thu September 12, 2024 | Community News

Youth Leaders Stand Against Drug Use at Annual Drug Free Youth Summit

More than 250 youth leaders from 24 schools across Kern County rallied behind drug prevention efforts at the annual Drug-Free Youth Summit hosted today by Kern County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (KernBHRS). Student representatives came together to sharpen their strategies for drug and alcohol prevention, connect with their peers, and plan impactful activities like Red Ribbon Week.

By Katie Avery

Thu September 5, 2024 | KCSOS News

“Do the Math” Debuts New Studio Set for 23rd Season Beginning Sept. 10 

For over 20 years, Kern County students have turned to “Do the Math,” a math tutoring TV show produced by KCSOS’s Kern Education Television Network. The 23rd season starts on September 10, featuring a newly renovated studio with advanced technology, a larger demonstration area, and a modern and sophisticated look.

By Robert Meszaros

Thu August 29, 2024 | Community News

High School Seniors Prepare for College: Resources, Support Available

Applying to college requires time and effort. Just ask the more than 2,500 Kern County high school seniors who have started, or will start soon, navigating the sometimes complex process. Thankfully, several resources are available to students and families.

By Katie Avery

Tue August 20, 2024 | Community News

HopSkipDrive Provides Transportation Services for Bakersfield’s Most Vulnerable Students

The Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) and the Kern County Department of Human Services (DHS) have partnered with HopSkipDrive, a rideshare service designed to get students to and from school. The service aims to fill gaps in transportation for some of the community’s most vulnerable children, including those in foster care and experiencing homelessness.

By Katie Avery

Fri August 16, 2024 | KCSOS News

Noor El Kereamy: A Young Visionary Bridging Science and Art

The story of Noor El Kereamy is one of tremendous ambition and achievement. The recent Stockdale High School graduate seamlessly blends her passions for science, dance, and community service into a story of success that inspires others. Now, this distinguished young woman has her sights set on the prestigious halls of Stanford University.

By Katie Avery

Tue August 13, 2024 | KCSOS News

KCSOS Transportation Awards Recognize Safe Driving

Employees working in KCSOS’s Transportation Department came together today to recognize the impact of their work for children in Kern County. The awards included the coveted CHP Safe Driving Certificates and KCSOS’s Safe Driving Pins.

By Jennifer Bryan

Mon August 12, 2024 | Community News

Annual Kern County College Night Returns September 9 for 25th Year

Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS), in conjunction with the Kern High School District, Bakersfield College, CSU, Bakersfield, and Taft College will host the annual Kern County College Night on Monday, Sept. 9 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mechanics Bank Convention Center.

By Robert Meszaros

Thu July 25, 2024 | KCSOS News

Inspiring Future STEM Leaders While Modeling Diversity, Inclusion

Students from Kern County’s Migrant Education Program (MEP) are seeing themselves represented in STEM (Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics) fields and getting the unique opportunity to engage in hands-on STEM lessons. Migrant students participated in a free STEM Institute this summer at UC Santa Barbara.

By Katie Avery

Tue July 23, 2024 | KCSOS News

Combining Learning and Play at Beale Memorial Library

This summer, the Beale Memorial Library in Bakersfield is a hub of creativity and learning, thanks to an interactive wind tube exhibit. The Kern County Superintendent of Schools, in partnership with the library, is hosting this exhibit every Monday from 3-4 p.m. and Wednesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. until the end of July.

By Katie Avery

Fri July 19, 2024 | KCSOS News

Educators Prepare for New Ethnic Studies Graduation Requirement

California recently enacted a new law that will require high school students to complete a semester-long ethnic studies course before graduation. In anticipation, the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) is taking significant steps to prepare educators for the new requirement.

By Katie Avery

Mon June 24, 2024 | KCSOS News

KCSOS’s Do the Math Wins Beautiful Bakersfield Education Award

The Beautiful Bakersfield Awards, presented by the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, honored the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) for their impactful Do the Math television program in the education category. This award serves as a testament to the program’s remarkable influence on education in Kern County. 

By Jennifer Bryan

Fri June 14, 2024 | District News

Inspiring and Empowering New Teachers With Day of Learning

The Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) Educator Development program is getting ready to host the annual New Educator Summit Day of Learning, and local teachers still have an opportunity to sign up.

By Katie Avery

Tue June 11, 2024 | District News

Camp KEEP Secures Grant to Enhance Environment Sustainability Education

Camp KEEP is the recipient of a Whale Tail Grant from the California Coastal Commission. Funding will be used to enhance the student experience at the KEEP Ocean and KEEP By the Sea campuses beginning in the fall.

By Robert Meszaros

Tue June 4, 2024 | KCSOS News

KCSOS Alt Ed Receives Grants, Uses Funds to Invest in CTE Programming

Career Technical Education (CTE) is not just vocational training. For those in Alternative Education (Alt Ed) settings like KCSOS’s court and community schools, CTE programming offers a unique opportunity for growth and is a transformative journey for many students.

By Jennifer Bryan

Wed May 29, 2024 | Community News

AmeriCorps Mentors Celebrate Graduation, Embrace New Horizons

The KCSOS AmeriCorps Program has become an invaluable resource in Kern County. Through the deployment of mentors across various school sites, the program provides crucial one-on-one support to students, assisting their academic and personal development and fostering positive learning environments.

By Jennifer Bryan

Wed May 15, 2024 | KCSOS News

KCSOS Honors Four Students with Graduate Memorial Awards

KCSOS has announced the recipients of its Alternative Education program annual Graduate Memorial Awards, paying tribute to four staff members who have passed away.

By Jennifer Bryan

Fri May 10, 2024 | District News

$49M in Community School Grants Awarded to Kern School Districts

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced Wednesday that the California State Board of Education approved $1.3 billion in Community Schools implementation grants. Just over $49 million of the pot will make its way to 11 Kern County school districts.

By Katie Avery

Fri May 10, 2024 | Community News

Strength in Numbers: Pooling Resources Means More Money for Kids 

Self-Insured Schools of California is the largest public school pool in the United States, fostering the health and well-being of California’s educators and their families.

By Katie Avery

Thu May 9, 2024 | KCSOS News

Ryan Merkle Named KCSOS’s Teacher of the Year Honoree

Ryan Merkle was selected as KCSOS’s Teacher of the Year nominee. Merkle was recognized alongside 58 other Kern County Teachers of the Year district nominees during the Education Champions awards dinner held May 7.

By Jennifer Bryan

Tue May 7, 2024 | Community News

School Classified Employee of the Year Spotlight: Tony Cervantes

This is one in a series of stories highlighting the 2024 Kern County School Classified Employees of the Year Selections. Eight employees were selected by a committee from a pool of thirty nominees in a variety of job classifications. The eight are now eligible for the statewide award program.

By Jennifer Bryan

Fri April 5, 2024 | District News

Empowering Foster Youth: YES! Conference Brings Inspiration, Solutions

The annual Youth Empowering Success (YES!) Conference, held at Bakersfield College Friday, brought together more than 150 middle and high school foster youth along with caregivers, educators, and community agencies to help students forge a path to success.

By Katie Avery

Fri April 5, 2024 | Community News

Inaugural Tobacco Youth Summit Educates Students on the Power of Advocacy

Middle and high school students from across Kern County attended the first-ever Tobacco Youth Summit today. The event aimed to empower youth against tobacco use and the importance of advocacy.

By Jennifer Bryan

Fri March 15, 2024 | KCSOS News

Youth Leadership Conference Empowers Kern County Teens

For over two decades, Leaders in Life has been one of California’s premier youth leadership conferences created by teens, for teens. Thursday, nearly 1,100 teens turned out for the 24th annual conference, almost doubling last year’s figures.

By Katie Avery

Tue March 12, 2024 | District News

2024 Kern County Regional Science Fair Results Announced

Approximately 540 4th through 12th grade students took part in Kern County’s 36th annual Regional Science Fair. The annual event is the culmination of months of hard work for students who rose through their school and district ranks for a chance to showcase their science projects and compete at the county level.

By Robert Meszaros

Tue March 12, 2024 | Community News

Literary Lunchtime: Beardsley Elementary Hosts Family Reading Picnic

Students and parents are discovering the joy of reading thanks to a Lunchtime Literacy program at Beardsley Elementary School (Beardsley School District). Parents brought lunch for their students Friday, and the families sat down in the playground to read together.

By Katie Avery

Tue February 13, 2024 | Community News

Community Schools Support the Whole Child, Whole Families

Community Schools are a nationwide initiative to bring education together with whole communities. They not only focus on academics, but also on providing students and families with wraparound support services such as social emotional support, healthcare, transportation and much more.

By Katie Avery

Fri February 9, 2024 | Community News

Young People’s Concerts Take Kids on a Journey of Music and Self Discovery

Kids from across Kern County were taken on a musical journey this week at the Young People’s Concerts, courtesy of the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra.

By Katie Avery

Sat February 3, 2024 | District News

Frontier High School Named Academic Decathlon Champs

Frontier High School received the Claude W. Richardson perpetual trophy as the overall team winner of the 43rd annual Kern County Academic Decathlon. Nearly 100 students from 12 high schools participated. Frontier High will represent Kern County in the California Academic Decathlon scheduled for next month.

By Robert Meszaros

Thu February 1, 2024 | KCSOS News

Inaugural CTE Summit Highlights the Importance of Career Education

More than 200 Kern County educators gathered for the first-ever CTE Summit hosted by KCSOS to kick-off National CTE Month. The event focused on a variety of CTE topics including curriculum development, the key components of a CTE program, work-based learning, instructional strategies, best practices, and assessment methods.

By Jennifer Bryan

Wed January 24, 2024 | Community News

Fostering Community: Schools Join In On The Great Kindness Challenge

Students across Kern County are embracing and embodying kindness this week for the Great Kindness Challenge (GKC), a worldwide movement, which encourages students to find ways to be kind to others.

By Katie Avery

Wed January 17, 2024 | District News

Five Kern County Schools Chosen as Innovative and Impactful Schools 

Five local schools are being recognized and honored for making a positive impact on their students. The Innovative and Impactful Schools (I2S) recognition program identified the schools across all 46 districts in Kern County that use verified systems to increase student success. 

By Katie Avery

Fri January 12, 2024 | District News

Inspiring Positive Change At Student Voice Matters Day

The voices of students matter. But, what does it mean to truly take students’ opinions and experiences into account, and how do leaders use those voices to make lasting change? That is what students and educational leaders set out to answer during the inaugural Student Voice Matters Day held today at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB).

By Katie Avery

Thu January 11, 2024 | KCSOS News

CALM Welcomes Acclaimed National Geographic Photographer Joel Sartore

In February of 2023, CALM had the privilege of hosting Joel Sartore, an internationally celebrated photographer and conservationist, to take photos of some of CALM’s animals for his decades-long project with National Geographic.

By Jennifer Bryan

Fri December 22, 2023 | District News

Arvin Students Join Winter STEAM Camp at Kern County Museum 

The Arvin Union School District is making the most of its three-week winter holiday break to provide an enriching STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) camp for kids.

By Katie Avery

Thu December 21, 2023 | KCSOS News

Historic Bell Tower to Become Education Training Center

KCSOS has purchased the iconic Bell Tower building in downtown Bakersfield. The complex will become a center for KCSOS’s professional learning opportunities.

By Robert Meszaros

Fri December 15, 2023 | District News

Middle School Curriculum Sets Students on Their Career Path  

A new program has local middle school students thinking ahead to their adult lives and future careers. KCSOS is piloting a new “I have a Plan” Career Exploration Curriculum that introduces students to a variety of career options that they can explore and learn about before they reach high school.   

By Katie Avery

Tue December 12, 2023 | KCSOS News

Bridging Generations: Culinary Connections at W.C. Walker Senior Center 

KCSOS’s Alternative Education program has teamed up with Kern County’s Aging and Adult Services on a unique partnership for the benefit of students and aging adults alike.

By Jennifer Bryan

Fri December 1, 2023 | KCSOS News

KCSOS Announces ‘You Make a Difference’ Award Honorees

Every year, KCSOS solicits nominations for its annual You Make a Difference Awards, which recognize employees in three categories: Overall Excellence, Innovation in Education, and Distinguished Service.

By Jennifer Bryan

Fri November 17, 2023 | KCSOS News

PHOTO GALLERY: Richardson Center’s Holiday Turkey Trot

Happy Thanksgiving from KCSOS! As schools gear up for their well-deserved Thanksgiving break, the Richardson Child Development Center at KCSOS hosted its annual Turkey Trot Parade this Friday morning.

By Jennifer Bryan

Tue November 14, 2023 | KCSOS News

KCSOS chosen as Regional Technical Assistance Center for Golden State Pathways Program 

More than $1.8M has been awarded to the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office to help build California’s cradle-to-career program.

By Robert Meszaros

Wed November 1, 2023 | KCSOS News

Learn how you can be the change during National Homeless Youth Awareness Month this November 

Every November, KCSOS’s Foster and Homeless Youth Education Program, the Kern County Network for Children’s Dream Center, Bakersfield Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative (BKRHC), and many other local organizations pool their resources to bring awareness to youth homelessness. For KCSOS Peer Support Specialist Gennessa Fisher, this month is also a time to advocate for more compassion for all people experiencing homelessness.

By Jennifer Bryan