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Alamitos FNL

OC Friday Night Live Partnership honors two school chapters, one advisor

Vicky Nguyen May 19, 2022
PAL Awards Las Flores Elementary

Five schools, four advisors honored for increasing engagement and building positive school environments

Vicky Nguyen May 18, 2022

OC Supt. Al Mijares to host virtual forum celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Ian Hanigan May 17, 2022
Smoke over Orange County

OC wildfire update: Coastal Fire in Laguna Niguel reaches 100 percent containment

Staff reports May 17, 2022
Sierra Vista Middle School students and their championship medals at National History Day state contest.

Thirteen Orange County student projects advance to National History Day championships

Madeline Gray May 17, 2022
Title with star Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year

Honoring Orange County’s classified school employees of 2022

Vicky Nguyen May 16, 2022
There is a common thread that connects the nine exemplary school workers who were announced as the 2022 Orange County...
Wood Canyon Elementary Principal Chris Dembiec, CUSD Board of Education President Martha McNicholas, County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares, CUSD Superintendent Kirsten M. Vital Brulte and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond

State and county officials offer support to schools impacted by Coastal Fire

Madeline Gray May 13, 2022
With their own campus temporarily closed as a result of the Coastal Fire, more than 300 students from Moulton Elementary...
News blocks

Weekly roundup: Student-built electric cars hit the track, governor unveils revised budget, and more

Ian Hanigan May 13, 2022
Students and their vehicle at the Vital Link Energy Invitational
Al Mijares at his desk

Mijares: Classified employees perform roles essential to student learning, safety and success

Al Mijares May 12, 2022
Even if you’re not familiar with the term “classified” school employees, you’re surely aware of their contributions. These are the...
Corona Del Mar HS

13 OC schools honored and considered models for civic engagement

Vicky Nguyen May 11, 2022
More than half of the schools recognized by the California Courts system for engaging their students in civics, particularly during...
TOTY Sergio Sanabria with Dr. Mijares

OCDE makes surprise visits to announce the 2023 Orange County Teachers of the Year

Vicky Nguyen May 10, 2022
Six of the best and brightest teachers in Orange County experienced disruptions in their lesson plans for very good reasons today.  Over the span of six hours, Orange County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares, along with camera crews, reporters, sponsors and...
Buena Park book vending machine

Buena Park school unveils book vending machine to foster love of reading

Vicky Nguyen May 9, 2022
There are no candy bars and drinks inside the new vending machine at Pendleton Elementary School. Instead, students will be...
White House 2022 National and State Teachers of the Year

Weekly roundup: OC teacher goes to the White House, appreciating educators, cybersecurity training and more

Vicky Nguyen May 6, 2022
An educator of 15 years from the Saddleback Valley Unified School District returned to Southern California to be interviewed live...
Memorial Day Essay Contest 2022

OCDE students reflect on the nation’s heroes and their own in Memorial Day essay contest

Vicky Nguyen May 6, 2022
Keon Ferber remembers being at a loss for words when his family visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.  Standing in front of the wall, he watched as strangers placed white sheets of paper over the names of their...
Four classified employees

Four of California’s top nine classified school employees for 2022 are from Orange County

Ian Hanigan May 5, 2022
Sheri Saladow, Armando Gomez, Erik Estrada and Shannon Lauricella — all from Orange County — were named among California’s nine...
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101.ocde.us

Tweets by @OCDeptofEd

ocdeptofed

For the first time in three years, OCDE’s @Orang For the first time in three years, OCDE’s @OrangeCountyFNL Partnership chapters were able to celebrate in person as two schools and an advisor were honored with awards. They were recognized for their efforts of promoting youth leadership while leading alcohol and drug prevention initiatives. 

Congratulations @alamitoscondorsggusd, @hssavanna and FNL Advisor Catarina Bañales from khigh4life!

Link in bio: http://ow.ly/rTsF50JcmWW
Four people who were selected by OCDE to be 2022’s Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year advanced to State Superintendent Tony Thurmond’s list of the top nine Classified School Employees of the Year. 

They include Sheri Saladow, Armando Gomez, Erik Estrada and Shannon Lauricella. The state nominated two individuals for the Recognizing Inspiring School Employees – or RISE — award, which is a national accolade that will be announced by the U.S. Department of Education in 2023. Lauricella, the bus driver from Garden Grove Unified, was named a RISE nominee this year, along with Gayla Hager, a food service lead in the Ramona Unified School District. 

A special thanks to Saladow, Gomez and Estrada. OCDE will introduce you to Lauricella tomorrow. 

Sheri Saladow
Guidance Technician
Capistrano Unified School District (@capounified)
As an academic advisor, Saladow’s investment in the success of her students positively impacts not only their lives, but her colleagues’ lives as well. She credits the caring nature of the Capistrano Unified School District for allowing her to play such an influential role.

Armando Gomez
Database Specialist
Los Alamitos Unified School District (@losalamitosusd) 
Gomez’s work as a database specialist constantly motivates and inspires his colleagues. He exceeds his job duties while providing additional support to students and families in his native language of Spanish as they navigate online learning platforms. 

Erik Estrada
Campus Supervisor
Huntington Beach Union High School District (@hb_uhsd) 
Estrada has served for 15 years in the security services department at Valley Vista High School. His colleagues have commended his abilities as campus supervisor to keep the campus safe and serve as a guiding force for students facing tough times. 

https://newsroom.ocde.us/honoring-orange-countys-classified-school-employees-of-2022/
Join County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares for a co Join County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares for a conversation in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a panel of distinguished speakers who will share personal stories and perspectives on building student agency, strengthening democracy and fortifying the workforce.

May 24 | 3:30 p.m. 
Register: http://ow.ly/I5El50JbAOi

Featured speakers
 
Jeff Kim, Ed.D., MPH, NBCT
Teacher, Anaheim Union High School District
Lecturer, California State University, Fullerton

Isaac Huang, Ed.D.
Executive Board Chairperson, California Association of Asian and Pacific Leaders in Education
Principal, Conejo Valley Unified School District

Kimmie Tang, Ed.D.
Associate Professor, Special Education and Early Childhood
School of Education, Biola University

Tu-Uyen Nguyen, Ph.D., MPH
Associate Professor, Asian American Studies Department
California State University, Fullerton

This forum is free to those who register at http://ow.ly/5R1B50JbAOl. Teachers, counselors, administrators, parents and others who educate and support students are encouraged to attend.

Link in bio: http://ow.ly/Zqrm50JbAOk
Nine exemplary school workers were selected by OCD Nine exemplary school workers were selected by OCDE to be the 2022 Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year. They were judged based on their work performance, leadership, dedication and involvement with their schools and communities. In honor of Classified School Employee Week, OCDE will dedicate posts of gratitude for each honoree throughout the week. Today, we’re giving a special thanks to Evan Jacobs and Luis Camarena. 

Evan Jacobs
Behavior Interventionist/Paraprofessional
Tustin Unified School District (@tustinusd)
Jacobs’ support for students with special needs has gained the attention of his colleagues on campus. He’s honored to receive this recognition and is inspired to help all students meet and exceed their goals. 

Luis Camarena
Skilled Maintenance Worker
Ocean View School District (@ovsdsupt)
Camarena is considered the district’s facilities department’s “go-to” guy for carpentry, painting, electrical services, HVAC, window repair and replacement, and, most recently, plumbing. He’s taken it upon himself to go beyond his job description to help his campus be a safe and clean environment. 

https://newsroom.ocde.us/honoring-orange-countys-classified-school-employees-of-2022/
Last night, the @CADeptEd held its annual CA Teach Last night, the @CADeptEd held its annual CA Teachers of the Year Gala where State Superintendent Tony Thurmond congratulated and expressed thanks to the five 2022 CA Teachers of the Year honorees. Teachers Alondra Diaz from @saddlebackvalleyusd and Sovantevy Long-Latteri from @fullerton_joint_union_hsd were among the awardees.

Superintendent Thurmond, 2021 Orange County and California Teacher of the Year Laura Gomez and 2018 Orange County and California Teacher of the Year Greg Gardiner are standing in between Diaz and Long-Latteri.
Nine exemplary school workers were selected by OCD Nine exemplary school workers were selected by OCDE to be the 2022 Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year. They were judged based on their work performance, leadership, dedication and involvement with their schools and communities. In honor of Classified School Employee Week, OCDE will dedicate posts of gratitude for each honoree throughout the week. Today, we’re giving a special thanks to Sonia Arreguin, Jason Munier and Lorena Simerson. 

Sonia Arreguin
Administrative Technician
Orange County Department of Education
Alternative, Community, and Correctional Education Schools and Services (ACCESS)
Colleagues describe Arreguin as a hard worker and an extremely driven person, qualities she credits to being a first-generation immigrant and seeing her parents work hard to achieve the American dream. 

Jason Munier
Day Custodian
La Habra City School District (@lhschools)
School leadership is constantly impressed by Munier, who ensures faculty, staff and students have a clean and safe environment to thrive. When he is out sick or off campus, the difference is noticeable. 

Lorena Simerson
Nutrition Services Assistant
Santa Ana Unified School District (@santaanausd /@sausdnutrition)
Simerson is described by co-workers as dedicated, helpful, positive — and always ready to serve. She helped the district provide more than a million free and healthy meals to children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Link in bio: http://ow.ly/bco450J9gKt
School employees are essential to our districts, s School employees are essential to our districts, schools and offices. Their contributions lead to better learning environments for educators and students. OCDE would like to thank them and the nine workers who are the 2022 Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year. Happy Classified School Employee Week!

http://ow.ly/YXtt50J967G
As we close out the work week, here’s a look bac As we close out the work week, here’s a look back to when County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares and OCDE representatives made unannounced visits to six different campuses to surprise the 2023 Orange County Teachers of the Year. 


Our sincerest congratulations goes out to: 
Dr. Emily Liu from @irvinevalleycollege
Jill Summerhays from Plavan Elementary School in the Fountain Valley School District (@fvsdsupt) 
Jamie Morgan from Cerritos Elementary School in the @savannaschooldistrict
Sergio Sanabria from Marco Forster Middle School in the @capounified
Tracy Dawson from Arnold O. Beckman High School in the @tustinusd
Ben Case from Northwood High School in the @irvine_unified

Link in bio. 
https://newsroom.ocde.us/ocde-makes-surprise-visits-to-announce-the-2023-orange-county-teachers-of-the-year/
13 Orange County schools were honored and consider 13 Orange County schools were honored and considered models for civic engagement by Chief Justice of California Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye and @CADeptEd State Supt. Tony Thurmond. 

Corona Del Mar High School in the @newportmesausd and Doig Intermediate School in the @gardengroveusd earned the Civic Learning Award of Excellence. 

http://ow.ly/qktL50J5nQG
Tears, laughter and complete shock were just some Tears, laughter and complete shock were just some of the emotions that six teachers had when Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares and OCDE representatives walked into their classrooms unannounced today. These educators are 2023’s OC Teachers of the Year. 

First photo: Dr. Emily Liu from @irvinevalleycollege
Second photo: Jill Summerhays from Plavan Elementary School in the Fountain Valley School District (@fvsdsupt) 
Third photo: Jamie Morgan from Cerritos Elementary School in the @savannaschooldistrict
Fourth photo: Sergio Sanabria from Marco Forster Middle School in the @capounified
Fifth photo: Tracy Dawson from Arnold O. Beckman High School in the @tustinusd
Sixth photo: Ben Case from Northwood High School in the @irvine_unified

http://ow.ly/Y9EH50J4EuJ or click the 🔗 link in the bio.
There are no candy bars and drinks inside the new There are no candy bars and drinks inside the new vending machine at Pendleton Elementary School in the @buenaparkschool. Instead, students will be able to fuel their imagination and boost their literacy with popular books from series such as “Goosebumps,” “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and “Clifford the Big Red Dog.” 

Students can earn free book tokens by accomplishing self-made academic goals to further their education. Once they’ve selected a book, it is theirs to keep and bring home. Principal Loriann Leota said the program is a perfect way to get students excited about learning and help improve literacy rates as they transition to becoming an International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme school. 

http://ow.ly/OWih50J2Z6Q
The OC Schools Career Fair is underway! Come meet The OC Schools Career Fair is underway! Come meet OCDE Chief Technology Officer Carl Fong and his team, and learn about the amazing IT opportunities within the OC Department of Education. We'll be at 200 Kalmus Drive in Costa Mesa until noon on Saturday. #schooljobs #ocjobs
Two OCDE employees were honored by @girlscoutsoc w Two OCDE employees were honored by @girlscoutsoc with the Spotlight Award this morning at the Voice for Girls 2022 event. The annual ceremony is an interactive think tank for Orange County's decision-makers and key influencers, hosted by Girl Scouts of Orange County to align local leaders around a vital mission: to support and champion girls in reaching their full potential in society.

Machele Kilgore is a principal in OCDE’s Alternative Education division. In this role, she makes contributions and gets feedback on the most efficient ways to educate students through an independent study model. Kilgore makes an impact in advancing women in leadership by sharing her perspective, guidance and understanding to male colleagues about the challenges women face daily in leadership roles. 

OCDE’s Executive Director of Human Resources Gina Lance is a mentor to women early in their leadership career. She cultivates a positive and encouraging safe space for women leaders to take chances, be creative, and celebrate not only successes, but also efforts that are sometimes more meaningful than the outcomes themselves. 

#VFG2022 #GirlScoutsOC
Four of California’s top nine school employees a Four of California’s top nine school employees are from Orange County. @CADeptEd State Superintendent Tony Thurmond announced the exemplary school workers late Thursday afternoon, with one county accounting for 44% of the awards. 

Congratulations Sheri Saladow from @CapoUnified, Erik Estrada from @HB_UHSD, Armando Gomez from @LosAlamitosUSD and Shannon Lauricella from @gardengroveusd.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/four-of-californias-top-nine-school-employees-for-2022-are-from-orange-county/
The month of May is annually recognized as Mental The month of May is annually recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, but OCDE works to address and support mental health needs in OC every day. From school-based “WellSpace” centers that encourage students to take a break from life’s daily stressors to hiring additional regional mental health coordinators, the department and local school districts want people to know that they have someone in their corner. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing depression or anxiety, there are a number of free resources available to help. Here are a few: http://ow.ly/BECX50J0ruR
Continuing our celebration of educators, here is a Continuing our celebration of educators, here is a look at the 2021 and 2022 Orange County Teachers of the Year dinner. More than a hundred teachers were honored and recognized at the annual event which was held at the Disneyland Hotel last week. OCDE is thankful for all of the educators who are making a difference in education. 

Here’s a look back at the event: http://ow.ly/AsCo50IXtvL.
A good teacher can bring joy to their students and A good teacher can bring joy to their students and leave a positive impression that will last a lifetime. But from time to time, every educator can use a little reminder of just how important they are, and how far their influence can go.

During this National Teacher Appreciation Week and every week, OCDE would like to thank educators for their hard work and dedication to our youth.
Are you considering a career in education or an ed Are you considering a career in education or an educator looking for a new opportunity to serve students? Are you a business or IT professional that wants to work in an industry that makes a difference in the community?

Orange County school districts are looking for dynamic, dedicated individuals like you. Whether you’re an experienced educator, a professional seeking a change, or a candidate just beginning your search for a meaningful career, we invite you to OCDE's 2022 Spring Career Fair to explore some of the career opportunities available in Orange County. 

The Spring Career Fair will be held on Saturday, May 7th, from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at the OCDE Administrative Offices located at 200 Kalmus Drive, Building A - Boardroom, Costa Mesa 92626. To register, please complete this survey: link.ocde.us/career-fair.
Orange County’s best and brightest educators fro Orange County’s best and brightest educators from 2021 and 2022 are being honored tonight at the Disneyland Resort Hotel. The annual Orange County Teachers of the Year dinner celebrates classroom heroes for their extraordinary contributions to education.
Today is Earth Day 🌎! How will you celebrate th Today is Earth Day 🌎! How will you celebrate the planet and take care of the Earth today?
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