Search
OCDE Newsroom logo
  • Home
  • OCDE.us
  • About OCDE
  • About the OCDE Newsroom
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe for updates

Author Fermin Leal

Fermin Leal

Fermin Leal serves as a communications specialist for Orange County Department of Education's Communications and Media Services Department where he works to highlight news and successful education initiatives at OCDE and at public schools across Orange County. Before joining OCDE, Fermin worked as an education journalist for 15 years, most recently at the nonprofit education news site EdSource. Prior to that, he worked for the Orange County Register. In this role, he wrote features and news articles about career and college readiness, the state’s implementation of the Common Core and Smarter Balanced exams and challenges facing students in higher education.

replica of a mural

Weekly roundup: Mendez memorial funding approved, Santa Ana Unified launches superintendent search, and more

Fermin Leal
July 12, 2019
The Westminster City Council this week approved funding of $450,000 to help build the Mendez Historic Freedom Trail and Monument. The memorial will honor the Mendez v. Westminster case that ended segregation... Read More
Capitol building

2019 state bill tracker: 7 proposed laws that could impact education in OC

Fermin Leal
July 11, 2019
The California State Legislature is once again busy this summer considering dozens of proposed education bills that could affect everything from charter schools and mental health support, to when the school day... Read More
Students at spelling bee

OC Bee champ’s passion for spelling developed early on

Fermin Leal
July 9, 2019
In the first grade, Nicholas D’Sa told his teacher that one of his goals in life was to become a good speller. He's not sure exactly why that was the first thought when other students in his class offered re... Read More
news, education news

Weekly roundup: Students to receive active-shooter training, new science standards implementation, and more

Fermin Leal
June 28, 2019
Newport-Mesa Unified School District will pilot a program to train students to respond to emergencies on campuses. The one-year program, which will be piloted at three campuses starting July 1 will provide t... Read More
a group of children under water in a swimming pool

As you prepare to dive into summer, here are some pool safety tips for kids

Fermin Leal
June 25, 2019
As the temperatures rise and children on summer break look for fun activities, splashing and swimming in pools seems like a cool option. Scores of children will dive into summer in backyard, community or res... Read More
Godinez High softball team

Godinez High School softball team reaches elite status with CIF crown

Fermin Leal
June 18, 2019
Orange County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares recently offered some words of praise for Godinez High School's girls softball team for winning Santa Ana Unified School District's first-ever softball CIF championsh... Read More
high school grads pose in front of angel stadium

Weekly roundup: Orange Unified grads celebrate at Angel Stadium, student receives ‘Harry Potter’ themed wheelchair, and more

Fermin Leal
June 14, 2019
High school seniors from the Orange Unified School District's five high schools couldn't celebrate their graduation ceremonies at the typical sites on campuses or at the district's stadium because of ongoing re... Read More
Elementary Pupils Collecting Healthy Lunch In Cafeteria

Free meals offered at schools, community centers across OC this summer

Fermin Leal
June 13, 2019
Dozens of schools, community centers, parks and other locations across Orange County have begun serving free lunches and breakfasts this summer to children ages 18 and under. No forms are needed. Everyone is we... Read More
World War 2 veteran receives diploma on stage

WWII veteran receives high school diploma 76 years later

Fermin Leal
June 12, 2019
Filiberto Lopez Montano missed his high school graduation 76 years ago so he could serve his country during World War II. The Valencia High student was serving in the U.S. Navy, deployed in the South Pacific... Read More
historical photo of world war 2 soldiers in front of a tank.

Retired judge and OCDE partner traveled to Normandy to commemorate 75th anniversary of D-Day

Fermin Leal
June 11, 2019
Retired Orange County Superior Court Judge Frederick Aguirre honored the role of Mexican Americans from Orange County in the U.S. military by traveling last week to commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day in ... Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 23

Credits

Orange County Department of Education
Al Mijares, Ph.D.
County Superintendent of Schools

Contact

Thanks for visiting the OCDE Newsroom. Questions and story suggestions should be sent to communications@ocde.us.

And if you’re a member of the media in need of information about the Orange County Department of Education, you can contact Communications Officer Ian Hanigan at ihanigan@ocde.us or 714-966-4008.

Tags

academic competition ACCESS acts of kindness Al Mijares career exploration college and career readiness education contest education in the news education news in the news kindness kindness1billion OCDE ocde weekly roundup one billion acts of kindness Orange County Department of Education project based learning STEM top stories Weekly Roundup