Together, we have navigated another difficult year of uncertainties and we are not yet through the challenges. However, I know that we have the resolve to emerge a stronger and better organization because our KCSOS family is truly remarkable. I am continually amazed by our staff’s tenacity, strength, grace, and willingness to continue to meet these uncertain times head on and do whatever it takes to support children and families. h diffi l hi d i h b h
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Celebrating KCSOS People & Programs
The work that we collectively do is vast, diverse, and reaches into every corner of Kern County’s expansive landscape and impacts the lives of 200,000 TK-12 children and their families. Whether you work directly with students or are in one of our office’s many supporting roles, each one of us is an ‘advocate for children’ in our own unique way. Thank you for all that you do!
Challenges and opportunities lie ahead, but I am confident that with your continued dedication, competence, can-do attitude and perhaps most importantly, a positive outlook, we will continue to thrive. Together we make a real difference in our community. Please join me as we eagerly embark together on a new academic year filled with vision and hope. Be well,
I am equally proud of the way we responded to coordinate our efforts across 46 school districts to provide high quality online instruction and student supports. A recent PACE report (click below to read), describes how each of us did our part to bring extraordinary support to Kern’s children and families. In order to remain strong and continue to offer supports to our families, we must tend to our own health and well being Doing so will help us all sustain ourselves through these uncertain times I hope you al holiday seaso take some tim with laughter As I reflect on for the collab KCSOS, our 4 the children and families we serve.
A Year Filled With Vision & Hope
Happy New Year KCSOS Family KCSOS STAFF NEWS C E L E B R A T I N G K C S O S P E O P L E & P R O G R A M S 1
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It’s hard to believe another academic year is upon us. Where has the time gone? I hope you had a chance to take some time away from the office or classroom to enjoy some well-deserved rest and relaxation this summer. As I reflect on the past couple years, I am overcome with appreciation. The collaborative spirit and tenacity of KCSOS employees, the 46 school districts we serve, and the children and families we support together makes me so very proud. We truly have a special education community here in Kern County and you help make that a reality. I am continually amazed by the determination and willingness to always do serve — students, families, school districts, and the larger Kern County community. While we have navigated through difficult and uncertain times together, our resolve to emerge a stronger and better organization has never wavered.
August 26, 2022KCSOS Staff News
“I enjoy music for its entertainment value more than studying it in a classroom,” said Rojas. “It’s therapeutic for me and allows people to communicate in a unique
Even though he doesn’t regularly play shows anymore, Rojas enjoys writing and creating music and says he hopes to one day relive his eighties rock’n roll glory days and play in a band once again.
Carlos Rojas
Carlos Rojas, who joined KCSOS in 2001, picked up his first bass guitar at 13 years old and instantly fell in love. Over the years, he has played in numerous rock bands and even moved to New York City to fulfill his dream of making it big. While he says it was a great experience, eventually he moved back to south Florida where he was originally from and enrolled in college where he studied jazz bass guitar. As time went on, Rojas realized he preferred playing music for fun and switched his major to education, beginning his long career in the field.
Carlos Rojas c. 2017 c. 2017
Rojas has played gigs with various bands in Bakersfield, including Roadhouse Revival. While he enjoyed that experience for several years, it ultimately became too demanding for his schedule.
For Carlos Rojas, Assistant Superintendent of State and Local Initiatives, and Chris Persons, Management Analyst, music has always been an important part of their lives. In fact, both Rojas and Persons even play the same instrument: the bass. way. I still try to play as much as I can outside of my work hours.”
All About Those Bass-ists
Although Persons got rid of the long hair and goatee, he looks forward to playing the same bass guitar he’s used since he was 19 years old in his church’s weekly worship team, alongside his daughter Drew, who is a vocalist. Additionally, the worship team leader was one of Person’s first music class students, making it an even better way to spend the end of his weekend. At the end of day, Persons is thankful that his passion to share music with others in concerts and in the classroom has changed his life. It motivated him to finish college and gave him the opportunity to change the trajectory of his family.
doctorate in conducting. By the end of the first week teaching in a high school classroom, he knew there was a new plan.
Chris Persons also started his music journey at a young age. Growing up in the Midwest, his elementary school required all students to pick an instrument to learn in 5th grade. Since he was sick the day the rest of his classmates were able to choose their preferred instrument, he was limited to what was left: the tuba or string bass. He ultimately chose the latter not knowing that music would be the catalyst to change his life — Persons meet his wife through music and it even become the tool that allowed him to work with high school students throughout his career.
c. 1995 Chris Persons
“I never expected for music to have taken such a prominent role in my life,” said Persons. “Whether I was playing in a band, teaching music to students or conducting a choir, I experienced a feeling of togetherness that cannot be replicated anywhere else. Creating music together as an ensemble is absolutely wonderful.”
Chris Persons
“High schoolers are my jam,” said Persons. “It never fails. They all grow up, mature, and all have the potential to bust out as the leader you never expected. Choir was the subject, but supporting kids as they get ready to head out into the world, that is my purpose and my mission.”
Now, 41 years later, Persons has played in orchestras, musicals, and toured with all sorts of bands – including a heavy metal cover band in the 90s called The Dirt Princess. Originally wanting to become a collegiate choral conductor, he studied music at the University of Minnesota - Duluth with the initial goal of teaching for a few years, then heading back to school to complete a masters and
Chris was in the classroom for 10 years serving at Centennial, Highland, and West High Schools before working in administration supporting students at the district office and at Ridgeview and North High schools. He later joined KCSOS as a proud member of The Learning Network and is still supporting kids through systems of improvement.
KCSOSAwardsTransportationAnnounced
are this year’s award recipients: CHP Awards CHP 100,000-mile award — Orlando Flores, Cristina Garza, Jamie Aviles CHP 200,000-mile award — Chequila Jackson CHP 300,000-mile award — Elizabeth Olivarez CHP 500,000-mile award — Keisha Dean CHP 600,000-mile award — Ronnie Dixon KCSOS Years of Safe Driving Awards 1 YEAR — Dymond Lands, Isabel Ruiz, Adriana Miranda, Leticia Navejas, Floyd Marin 3 YEARS — Jaime Aviles, Raymond Palomo 4 YEARS — Sandra Caballero, Orlando Flores, Akeiliah Haynes, Chequila Jackson, Patricia Pulido 5 YEARS – LaTisha Ross 6 YEARS — Mina Franco, Stephanie Ruffus 9 YEARS — Elizabeth Olivarez 12 YEARS — Maria Mafabon, Diana Medrano, Cynthia Pullman 13 YEARS — Veronica Pearman 15 YEARS — Teresa Coleman, Marleny Reyes, Dana 17YasinYEARS — Ronnie Dixon 20 YEARS — Keisha Dean Join us as we celebrate and thank these incredible individuals for their dedication to keeping Kern County children safe! Dr. Mary Barlow, Keisha Dean, and James McClelland pose for a photo. You can view more award photos HERE.
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Employees working in the Transportation Department recently came together to recognize the impact of their work for children in Kern County. As some of the first people children see in the morning and the last they say goodbye to as they head home in the afternoon, bus drivers, transportation aides, and sometimes even dispatchers who fill in when needed, are among the many essential employees in education. hundreds of children stepping aboard KCSOS buses each day, it’s important to say thank you to the employees who do their job efficiently and safely. why, in conjunction with the California Highway Patrol, KCSOS Transportation awarded drivers who have driven for at least 10 years — or a minimum of 100,000 miles without a preventable accident — with their coveted CHP Safe Driving Certificates. Safe Driving Pins were also Theawarded.following
bus
KCSOS’s
“I’ve seen how Adriana goes above and beyond in her work and for the people around her,” said Building Security Specialist Antonia Johnson, who frequently witnesses Smith going above and beyond the call of duty. “Whether she’s offering rides to coworkers at the end of the day or her keen eye for cleaning the building — inside or out — she’s one of a kind and deserves recognition.”
Kudos
KUDOS
Adriana Smith poses in front of the Christine Lizardi Frazier Center.Do you want to give praise to someone who deserves recognition? If you know someone who always goes the extra mile, we want to recognize them. Contact Jennifer Bryan at jebryan@kern.org for nomination information. CORNER
Adriana Smith, a Custodian working at the CLF Center, joined KCSOS almost six years ago and is known around the office as a hard worker who always strives to get the job done right. When she’s not at work, Smith can be found cleaning other people’s homes. Rotating on a weekly basis, Smith visits a home every Saturday of someone who can no longer clean their own home due to their age or a Whendisability.sheis at work, her colleagues are quick to notice that she’s just as compassionate and detailoriented in everything she touches.
Most of us look forward to weekends as a time to relax and recharge after a week of work. However, for one KCSOS employee, the weekend is a time to roll up her sleeves and give back to those who need her.
Smith, who genuinely enjoys what she does and praises the culture at KCSOS, loves being able to serve those who may need a little extra help. to Adriana!
Kudos Corner: Adriana Smith
It’s a tale as old as time. Kids want a pet and beg their parents for one. Parents say no. And then inevitably, for some families, it finally happens. Such is the case for Claudia Huerta who began hearing from her kids about how badly they wanted a puppy many years ago. Sadly, Huerta had to undergo a kidney transplant in 2013 and was advised by doctors that bringing a dog into the house while her body recovered was not in the best interest of her health.
Whether you have a dog, cat, bird, turtle or guinea pig, having a pet can be a rewarding adventure filled with selfless love, happiness, and joy. To celebrate these incredible companions, we are inviting KCSOS employees to share their pet stories and photos for upcoming issues of Staff News. You can submit your pet below!
The mailman and delivery people can be scary!
Nominate your pet for Staff News Pet of the Month!
SUBMIT YOUR PET
Lola, for the most part, stays away from the tortoises, and from most other people. Her strong and often vocal personality favors spending time with Huerta and her kids. But who could blame her?
Lola, a Terrier mix, is pictured on the left with Lily and Bella on the right.
Meet Lola, Lily and Bella
As time went on and Huerta got better, she softened to the idea of getting a dog. In 2017, a family friend welcomed a set of Terrier-mix puppies, and she knew it was time. Ensuring that her children would be able to be surprised, she selected Lola, the tiniest and cutest of the bunch and brought her home to her children.
In 2020, Huerta and her family decided to bring another pet into the family, this time a desert tortoise. Bella, as she was named, came from another family friend. Adding Bella to the family had been a long, patient journey as tortoises can only be bred during the summer months. Rounding out the bunch is Lily, another desert tortoise, who was brought home in April of 2022.
Although the two tortoises are not always on their best behavior and oftentimes bicker about food, Huerta thinks they’re great pets and easy to care for, even when there are times when keeping their tank clean seems like a never-ending battle.
Employees On the Move December New Hires . . . 7 Geoffrey Welch Coordinator I School Community Partnerships Perla Wofford Clerk Typist II Bilingual Community Connection for Child Care D'Schelle Chatman Singh Mental Health Clinician Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA) Savannah Esparza Speech & Language Pathologist Special Education Eliah Evangelio Paraprofessional Valley Oaks Charter School Zenaida Gallardo Program Specialist Math Curriculum, Instruction & Accountability Cassidy Lambeth Paraprofessional Valley Oaks Charter School Patricia Lopez Supervisor Food & Nutrition Foot & Nutrition Services Mollie Montgomery Human Resources Assistant Human Resources & Special Development Paula Ramos Teacher Autism Special Education Marisa Rodriguez Paraprofessional Valley Oaks Charter School December Promotions . . . Andrew Bagley Manager, Emergency Preparedness & Utility Conservation Maintenance & Operations Sean Darrington Custodian II Maintenance & Operations Dolores Jimenez Administrative Secretary I Special Education Local Plan Area CONTINUED on page 8 New Hires Margarita Altamirano Foster Youth Specialist Kern County Network for Children Matthew Clark CSIS-Field Support Specialist California School Information Services Jazmin Elguezabal Account Clerk II External Business Services Gennessa Fisher Peer Support Specialist Foster Youth Services Joanna Garcia Retirement Technician I External Business Services Luis Garcia Coordinator II - Social Emotional & Academic Supports School Community Partnerships Kristi Henry ValleyPrincipalOaks Charter Schools JULY 2022 April Pickett Coordinator III - Mathematics Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability Scott Raymoure Program Specialist - Career Education & Professional Learning Professional Learning & Student Support Donna Smith ValleyPrincipalOaks Charter Schools Susan Sporleder Program Facilitator II Community Connection for Child Care Gina Valdez Coordinator III-Health Services Education SchoolProgramsCommunity Partnerships Promotions Michael Adams Maintenance Worker II Maintenance & Operations Janeth Barajas Coordinator I - Instructional Support Educator Development & Data Support
Rebecca Bartz Director II Valley Oaks Charter School Brittany Bishop Program Specialist - Data Assessment EducatorAnalyst Development & Data Support Zenaida Gallardo Coordinator III - Mathematics Curriculum, Instruction & Accountability Joe Garcia Lead Building Security Specialist Facilities Lee Knotts Executive Director Special Education Local Plan Area Geoffrey Luna CSIS - Testing Analyst California School Information Services Sharon Mahinan Instructional Resource Technician Valley Oaks Charter School Daniel Ramirez Network Systems Engineer I Technology Felipe Reyes Defined Benefit Specialist I Self-Insured Schools of California – Finance Janeyle Thomas Program Specialist - K14 Educational Career ProfessionalAdvising Learning & Student Support Retirements Julie Auvil Intervention Specialist Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team Patricia Croxton Program Facilitator II - Bilingual Community Connection for Child Care Steven Hollick TeacherAlternativeCourtEducation Lashun Littlejohn-Smith School Bus TransportationDriver Kim Rhodes Early Learning Coach I Early Childhood Services Jack Romines Custodian MaintenanceI & Operations Pauline Terrell Payroll Technician Human Resources & Staff Development