Student Future Ready Events has developed a countywide Esports League, giving students the chance to face off in regular matches throughout the school year. Teams will compete for top honors in two major tournaments — one on December 13 and one planned for May 16. The cost to participate is $75 per team.

Esports in education goes far beyond gaming — it builds teamwork, communication, problem-solving skills, fosters sportsmanship, and connects students with peers who share similar interests. Participation can also spark interest in careers in technology, design, and media.

Schools interested in joining the league should attend the next Community of Practice meeting on September 3 at 4:00 p.m. in the Sycamore Room at the Doe Avenue Complex. To attend, complete the online registration form at tcoe.org/esports. The first Esports League Community of Practice was attended by school from 19 Tulare County districts.

For more information, contact Paula Terrill at paula.terrill@tcoe.org or Doug Cairns at doug.cairns@tcoe.org.

High school athletic directors are encouraged to register their students for the Huddle, a student-athlete sportsmanship development conference on September 24. Athletic directors may select up to six student-athletes to attend.

The conference will feature Bear Pascoe, a Super Bowl champion and Porterville native as the keynote speaker. The conference will also feature group activities and a number of workshops for student-athletes and coaches alike. Members of the Sportsmanship Action Team Youth Council will present the student-athlete workshops. The council is a volunteer organization of high school student-athletes from throughout the county that plans this and the middle school Huddle conference – which is held each spring. Workshops will include sessions on topics such as team building, nutrition, how to be a leader/captain, sportsmanship, and building a stronger team and school culture.

The Huddle will also offer Pursuing Victory with Honor (PVWH) trainings for athletic directors and coaches that attend.

Breakfast snacks and lunches are provided to attendees. The deadline to register for the Huddle is September 10. Space is limited so register today at tcoe.org/PVWH/Conference.

The Huddle Jr. for middle school student-athletes will take place on March 24, 2026.

For more information about Huddle or Huddle Jr., contact Zoty Briceño at miozoty.briceno@tcoe.org or (559) 737-6349.

Registration is now open for Tulare County educators interested in attending the annual Reimagining Early Learning Conference on September 27. Early childhood educators in all other counties may register beginning August 29.

This year, the event will feature keynote speaker Christian Bellissimo, a renown play therapist who will discuss building children’s resilience and positive behaviors. Bellissimo has maintained a private counseling practice for nearly 25 years, where he has worked with thousands of children between the ages of 3-8. He has also supported a domestic violence agency, Child Protective Services, and a school district in New Jersey, working with children who have experienced trauma, or social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. His work with children who lost parents and family members on September 11, 2001 was referenced in the book, “Middletown, America: One Town’s Passage from Trauma to Hope,” by Gail Sheehy. Currently, Bellissimo shares the skills he utilizes as a play therapist with early childhood educators and caregivers across the United States through professional development, consulting, and coaching.

In addition to Bellissimo’s presentation, attendees will also learn about supporting healthy brain development and the importance of movement in supporting gross motor development, confidence, and self-regulation.

The conference will also feature free resources and classroom material giveaways.

Editor: Robert Herman, Communications Director
Contributors: Nayirah Dosu, Jennifer Fisher, Jaime Burnitzki, Paula Terrill, Zoty Briceño, Amy Sullivan

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