Tulare County Office of Education

Student Events

Download the 2011-12 Student Events Brochure.

Student Art Exhibits
November 14, 2011 - March 2, 2012
Best of Show Exhibit: March 5 - 30, 2012

The Tulare County Office of Education hosts two art exhibits each year, one in November/December and one in January/February. The artwork is displayed throughout the Education Building at 2637 West Burrel Avenue in Visalia. The exhibits are open to the public. Both of these art exhibits are judged by people in the art community, and each school may win up to 10 BEST OF SHOW ratings. There are no first, second or third place rankings.

In March, which is Arts-in-the-Schools-Month, all of the BEST OF SHOW art pieces are exhibited, and those students and their families are invited to attend a reception in honor of these talented young artists. It is an evening event, and the public is invited to attend.

For more information, contact Brian Roberts at brianr@tcoe.org or call (559) 651-1482 ext.3645.

Mock Trial
January 24, 26 & 31; February 2, 9, & 16, 2012

Mock Trial logo

High school students throughout Tulare County compete as lawyers, plaintiffs, and defendants to gain experience in public speaking and the law. Local lawyers serve as judges and advisors.

For more information, contact Glenn Williams at glennw@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-3047.

Academic Decathlon
February 4, 2012

Academic Decathlon is a countywide student event for grades nine through twelve. It is part of the National Academic Decathlon competition. Schools field teams of up to nine members divided by thirds into Honors, Scholastic, and Varsity. Students compete in a series of ten academic events including written examinations, speech, interview and Super Quiz. The winner in Tulare County competes at the state level; the state winner competes at the national level.

For more information, contact Glenn Williams at glennw@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-3047.

Young Authors' Faire
February 27 - March 2, 2012

Young Authors' Faire offers budding writers in grades K-8 an opportunity to have their books read by others. The books, which are written by students, are on display for a week in the Elderwood Room of the Tulare County Office of Education' Doe Avenue campus (7000 Doe Avenue). During the week, visitors are invited to read and comment on the books. This event always has a great response. An evening reception is held so that the public can meet the young authors and help them celebrate in their success.

Download the Teachers' Packet.

For more information, contact Glenn Williams at glennw@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-3047.

Battle of the Books
March 7, 2012: Middle Schools
March 8, 2012: High Schools

Battle of the Books, an event to promote literacy and the joy of reading, is open to teams of students in grades 6-12. Teams of students will answer questions drawn from a limited list of titles released in the fall. Following schoolwide competitions, schools send their top team to contend at the county event.

For more information, contact Beth Olshewsky at bolshewsky@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-3042.

Science Olympiad
March 10, 2012 - Division B/C
April 21, 2012 - Division A

Science Olympiad is an international non-profit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science, and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. Science Olympiad tournaments are rigorous academic interscholastic competitions that consist of a series of individual and team events for which students prepare throughout the year. These events are balanced between the various science disciplines of biology, earth science, chemistry, physics and technology. There is also a balance between science facts, process, skills and applications. Locally, over 550 students from more than 25 schools compete in the annual regional competition held at College of the Sequoias. The Science Olympiad is divided up into three divisions:

Division A - grades 3 - 6
Division B - grades 6 - 9
Division C - grades 9 - 12

County Superintendent of Schools Jim Vidak congratulates winners

Individual and team awards are presented with the top four teams in the B and C divisions advancing to the NorCal State Science competition.

View videos of the 2010 events:
Division A (69MB.wmv)
Division B/C (108MB.wmv)

View the flyer for 2012 Division A information.
View the flyer for 2012 Division B/C information.

For more information, contact Jonathan Janzen at jonathanj@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-3043.

History Day
March 16, 2012

History Day Logo

For over 15 years, the Tulare County Office of Education has hosted Tulare County History Day. The event is an exciting, history-based competition. Fourth through twelfth grade students learn about issues, ideas, people and events in history, and then illustrate what they have learned with creative and original productions.

Tulare County History Day is coordinated with the National and California State History Days. Each year, a broad theme is selected at the national level to encompass local, state, American and world history entries. The theme gives a central focus to the work of all participants and provides a common "yardstick" by which the quality of research and understanding may be judged. Locally, over 200 students participate in the History Day competition held in late March. The top competitors from each event and division advance to the California State History Day.

View a video of the 2010 event. (17MB.wmv)

For more information, contact Glenn Williams at glennw@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-3047.

Science & Engineering Fair
March 19 - 23, 2012

The Tulare County Science & Engineering Fair is held annually during March. Traditionally, over 230 science fair projects from grades 3-12 representing schools throughout the county are on display for public view. These projects recognize the outstanding effort and scientific achievement of Tulare County students. Science experts from a wide variety of fields involving both the private and public sectors judge the projects. All projects are categorized within six major areas of content:

Botany
Earth/Space/Environmental
Engineering/Mathematics
General Biology
Medicine/Health/Behavioral Science
Physical Science

Outstanding projects receive special recognition through the awarding of ribbons and plaques. The top High School project receives a special award from a community-based business. Local industries, such as the health and farming community, often sponsor special awards for projects meeting specific criteria. The Tulare County Science & Engineering Fair is affiliated with the California State Science Fair. The top science fair projects, as judged by a panel of experts, will continue on to compete in the California State Science Fair.

View the flyer for 2012 information.

For more information, contact Jonathan Janzen at jonathanj@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-3043.

Foundations for Life
Essays due March 23, 2012

A national, maxim-based essay contest for middle and high school students sponsored by the Josephson Institute of Ethics. Top essays from each grade level will receive a cash prize (grades 6-12).

View the flyer.

Information Packet

Maxims Issue 1
Maxims Issue 2
Maxims Issue 3
Maxims Issue 4

2011 Winners & Essays

Malia Sine, 6th Grade, Central Valley Christian School
Caitlyn Wells, 7th Grade, Cherry Avenue Middle School
Jessica Ackerson, 8th Grade, Eleanor Roosevelt Community Learning Center
Allison Nguyen, 10th Grade, El Diamante High School
Beatriz Corralez, 11th Grade, Mission Oak High School
Renan de Lima, 12th Grade, Tulare Union High School

For more information, contact Charlene Stringham at charlenes@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-0562.

Math Super Bowl
March 29, 2012

Math Super Bowl logo

This student event is for 7th-8th grade students throughout Tulare County. Over 700 students participate in the day-long series of mathematics challenges. Students work with members of other schools to solve one open-ended problem in the Pro Bowl test, which is evaluated against a rubric. They also work with members of their own team to solve 15 free-answer questions in the Team Bowl. The Power Bowl challenges students individually with 35 enhanced multiple-choice questions. Awards are given to students in both large and small school categories. Ribbons, medallions and trophies are awarded for excellent mathematical performances.

View a video of the 2010 event. (22MB.wmv)

For more information, contact Glenn Williams at glennw@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-3047.

Theatre Company Productions
November 17-19, 2011, Fall Musical: Disney's Mulan, Jr.
April 26-28, 2012, Spring Musical: Fabulous Fifties Flashback
Summer Production: Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Theatre Company offers free classes, including set construction and performance opportunities, to all Tulare County youth. Fall and Spring semester workshops culminate in a recital production. Troupe TCOE (by audition only) performs at special events throughout the community.

For more information, contact Brian Roberts at brianr@tcoe.org or call (559) 651-1482 ext.3645.

Arbor Day Celebration
May 17, 2012

Arbor Day Celebration is a hands-on student event provided to all 3rd - 5th grade students in Tulare County. This late spring event provides the opportunity for students to learn about the importance and care of our trees in the environment. Students who participate will experience environmental lessons within Mooney Grove Park. Local environmental experts conduct these fun-filled, activity-based lessons. Students will get the opportunity to tour the County museum and learn about the rich history of our valley. Each class will help plant a tree at Mooney Grove for the restoration of the park. Each student will not only learn how to plant trees properly, but will be given their very own tree to take home and plant with their Mother in celebration of Mother's day!

Arbor Day Celebration

Teachers get to have fun celebrating with their students, participating in the environmental lessons conducted by skilled gardeners. Each teacher will receive materials with information on trees and environmental education that aligns to state science standards.

Traditionally the National Arbor Day, founded by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1872, is celebrated each year on the last Friday in April. The Tulare County Arbor Day Celebration is held in early May to accommodate schools involved in the California STAR testing.

View a video of the 2008 event. [.wmv] [.mov]

For more information, contact Glenn Williams at glennw@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-3047.

Slick Rock Film Festival
May 19, 2012

Provides the opportunity for middle and high school students to submit their videos created about various categories. The best videos will receive an award and be presented to the public. Some videos may also be aired on television (grades 7-12).

For more information, contact Glenn Williams at glennw@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-3047.

Holocaust Presentations

The Tulare County Office of Education co-sponsors presentations given by Holocaust Survivors. This offering is for students in seventh through twelfth grades who are studying the Holocaust in conjunction with their history/social science curriculum. Survivors share their personal stories with students and answer questions pertinent to these experiences.

For more information, contact Marsha Ingrao at marshai@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-0680.

Past Events

College Night
September 13, 2011

In early September each year, the Tulare County Office of Education hosts Tulare County College Night. Hundreds of high school students from throughout Tulare and surrounding counties attend to meet representatives from over 90 universities and colleges from around the country. Representatives from national trade, art and specialty institutions also attend.

College Night also features a variety of informational seminars, both in English and Spanish, on topics ranging from the application process and financial aid to foreign exchange opportunities and transfering credits.

For more information, contact Kim Rice at krice@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-3031.

Physics Day
September 15, 2011

Tulare and Kings County middle school students head to the Tulare County Fair armed with worksheets, calculators and accelerometers for lessons in physics.

View a video of the 2007 event. [.wmv] [.mov]

For more information, contact Jonathan Janzen at jonathanj@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-3043.

Cowboy Poetry
October 7, 2011

Cowboys are an important part of our American history. Poetry, songs and campfire stories are an integral part of their story. Cowboys and cowgirls are available to visit classrooms prior to the Annual Cowboy Round-Up held in Tulare County in October.

View a video of the 2007 event. [.wmv] [.mov]

For more information, contact Glenn Williams at glennw@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-3047.

Young People's Concerts
October 18, 26, & 27, 2011

A series of seven concerts performed by the Tulare County Symphony Orchestra and co-sponsored and coordinated by the Tulare County Office of Education are offered to the students of Tulare County. Concerts are performed at the L.J. Williams Theatre in Visalia, the Tulare Union High School Auditorium in Tulare, and the Buck Shaffer Auditorium in Porterville. Students in first through sixth grades are invited to attend the concerts.

View the flyer.

For more information, contact Brian Roberts at brianr@tcoe.org or call (559) 651-1482 ext.3645.

Civil War Time Travelers
October 21, 2011

Civil War Time Travelers is a tour of educational stations at the Civil War reenactment held at Kearney Park in Fresno. Ten classes, grades 5 through 8, from Tulare County are invited to visit with actors, view medical tents, sing at campfires, and learn about canons and cavalry. The reenactment brings to life a time when the United States was faced with one of its greatest challenges.

For more information, contact Marsha Ingrao at marshai@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-0680.

Expanding Your Horizons
October 22, 2011

Expanding Your Horizons logo

This student event is for 4th- through 10th-grade young women. Its focus is to enlighten and spark an interest in careers for women in the fields of Mathematics, Science, Engineering, and Technology. This conference will help young women discover how interesting and fun math and science can be, form personal contacts with women working in traditionally male occupations, and help them meet other young women interested in math and science.

View a video of the 2007 event. [.wmv] [.mov]

For more information and to register, contact Glenn Williams at glennw@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-0565.

CyberQuest
November 19, 2011

CyberQuest is a student event in which student teams must research a problem, create a multimedia presentation and then present to a panel of judges - all within three weeks. Students use the Internet, magazines, interviews, books, video and other forms of information to put their presentations together. The research skills they will use are based on the "Big6^TM Information Skills."

View video from the 2007 event. [.wmv file] [.mov file]

For more information, contact Glenn Williams at glennw@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-3047.

Storytelling
January 30 - February 2, 2012

Wackety! Wack! Get Back in the Sack! This is only part of the many stories that students from second to fifth grade have the opportunity to hear. This event features storytellers from different cultures who share both traditional and contemporary stories. The Education Center echos with the voices of young students as they eagerly join into the telling!

For more information, contact Glenn Williams at glennw@ers.tcoe.org or call (559) 651-3047.

Tulare County Office of Education
Educational Resource Services
7000 Doe Avenue, Suite A
Visalia, CA 93291

Guadalupe Solis, Ed. D.,
Student Academic Services Administrator
(559) 651-3031
fax: (559) 651-1012

Please direct web site problems or comments to tcoeweb@tcoe.org.