Information

2007-2008 Outstanding Service Award

Cathy McConnell has been a valuable member of CASCWA Bay Section for the last 9 years. In her board position as Treasurer, she has demonstrated exceptional competence and diligence in balancing our books and coordinating all functions pertinent to Bay Section revenues.

She joined CASCWA with a solid background of working with children and families. She earned her bachelor degree in Child Development with a minor in Business Administration and has worked with this population for over 20 years. She is the Executive Secretary to the Executive Director of Student Services with the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District and continues to provide exceptional services to families and children. She was recognized as the Classified Staff Employee of the Year in 2007-2008. She leaves her mark of excellence wherever she works but is most proud of her family, happily married with two grown children, ages 26 and 22. She spends her leisure time traveling, gardening and decorating her home.

She is most appreciative of CASCWA because of its hometown approach, "Everyone is willing to help each other. Everyone has the same mind set, to reach and help families in need . . . whatever that need is." And - we in Bay Section, are most appreciative of Cathy for her loyal support and willingness to get the job done --- right! That is why we unanimously selected her as the recipient of the 2007-2008 Outstanding Service Award.

President's Report - Bay Section: October 27, 2006

2006-2007 looks to be an exciting year for the Bay Section of CASCWA. This year we have the honor of hosting our organization's annual State Conference, to be held in Napa, on April 25-27. The conference will begin with two full day academies. John Vigallon, C.E.O. of H.E.L.P., and Officer Rod Little, Fremont Police, will present an advanced course on gangs and drugs. The second academy will be CWA 101, where we will provide the best legal and leadership practices for CWA practitioners. Following the academies the conference workshops will provide attendees the tools to C.R.U.S.H. (Cultivate student success, Recognize at-risk behavior, Uncork student potential, Stomp out truancy, Help students achieve) with CASCWA. Look for further information in this issue, or on the CASCWA website, and register early.

Of course, being the "go-getters" that we are, planning the State Conference is not enough. We are also moving forward with our plan to continue Bay Section's tradition of providing expert advice, and opportunities for learning and growth, by offering both a Fall, and a Winter, Bay Section Conference. On November 20th Jan Treff, Legal Liaison, CWA, Alameda C.O.E. and Sherman Garnett, Coordinator of CWA, San Bernadino C.O.E. will present our Bay Section Fall Conference, a "Student Discipline, Suspension & Expulsion Workshop" at the Alameda C.O.E., in Hayward. In line with our goal of "bringing CASCWA to the people" via remote conferences, in addition to the State Conference in Napa, our Bay Section Winter Conference "Effective Techniques for Developing Safe and Successful School Environments" will be held in Morgan Hill on December 8th. Ray Culberson will present on "Kids in Chaos" and Ana-Marie Jones will present on "Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disasters". There will be a raffle (all proceeds go to the Bay Section scholarship fund), prizes, and, immediately following, a networking event at Guglielmo Winery and Gift Shop. Come for the information, come for the networking, come for fun, but don't miss this exciting and valuable conference. We look forward to seeing you at one of our Bay Section events.

President's Report - Bay Section: March 18, 2005

As we enter the final quarter of the academic year, all of us are feeling a little weary. A great way to get re-energized is to attend Bay Section's Spring Conference. The conference will be held at the new Martinelli Conference Center at the Garre Winery in Livermore. The date is May 20, 2005 and will take place from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. Members are encouraged to attend and visitors are welcome. Possible speakers include: Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Jim Hernandez; "Beyond the Behaviors" Thomas Jewel; a Child Abduction and Abuse Prevention speaker, and of course, Joe Taylor to provide a legislative update.

We will also elect officers at the Spring conference. Current candidates include: Jan Treff, President; Frank Valadez, Vice President; Janet McMurray, Secretary; Cathy McConnell , Membership; Alan Del Simone, Scholarship. The office of Treasurer is currently vacant. Ballots will be included with the conference mailing and members are requested to cast their vote and include any "write-in" candidates for consideration. Retirees will also be invited quests at the conference to be honored for their contributions and years of committed service to child welfare and attendance.

Alan DelSimone continues to lead our scholarship program. If you know of a student for consideration for this award, please contact Alan at adelsimone@wccusd.kl 2.ca.us.

Thanks!

President's Report - January 14, 2005

Ron Kinninger, Bay Section's 2004 award winner received his award at a staff meeting at his District office and from all accounts was very surprised and honored to be recognized by his peers. We appreciate Ron's continuing efforts to share his expertise with all of us.

Membership is our number one priority this year and we are happy to announce that Janet McMurray from the West Contra Costa Unified School District is adapting well to the challenge of Communications Chair for our section. For those interested in joining forces with us, please contact Janet directly at jmcmurray@wccusd.k12.ca.us or at 510/620-2124.

In our effort to bring the Bay Section into the 21st century, we wrote to all current members for whom we did not have a current email address. Just think how efficient we can be with access to this vital resource. If you are one of those folks who have not provided an email address to us, please do so by contacting Janet directly. Your assistance is really appreciated.

Our scholarship program is well under way and we are fortunate to have so many outstanding students who have embraced the need for good attendance in order to be successful in their future educational careers. Alan DelSimone continues to lead us in this venture and if you have a student for consideration for this award, please contact Alan at adelsimone@wccusd.k12.ca.us.

Thanks!

2003-04 Bay Section Distinguished Service Award

Ron Kinninger, Director of Child Welfare and Attendance for the Pajaro Valley Unified School District was the CASCWA Bay Section Award Winner for 2004. Although Ron has never served on the Executive Board, he has been a long-time, faithful Bay CASCWA member. Ron has rarely missed a CASCWA event, has several times been a presenter, has brought non-members to events, and has provided valuable input and assistance, including bar tending at conferences! He served on our Monterey conference planning committee and was going to be a presenter until he ran into a deer while riding his bike. Ron made sure though that the team from Pajaro Valley still made a wonderful presentation. Ron has a wealth of ideas and been been a strong CWA leader in his district and county. Way to go Ron and thanks!