Author Ian Hanigan

Ian Hanigan
Ian Hanigan serves as chief communications officer for the Orange County Department of Education, overseeing the Communications and Media Services unit. Along with producing stories and videos for the OCDE Newsroom, this team facilitates copywriting, video production, media relations, graphic design, web design and event support for OCDE. Prior to joining the department in 2015, Ian spent eight years as public information officer for the 30,000-student Irvine Unified School District. Before that, he was a local journalist, writing for the Long Beach Press-Telegram from 1999 to 2003 and the South Bay’s Daily Breeze newspaper from 2003 to 2006. His beats included education, city government, business and aerospace.
Raising of America graphic

Local groups to discuss early childhood issues at next month’s ‘Raising of America’ event

Ian Hanigan
A coalition of Orange County organizations serving children and families will host a community conversation next month on early childhood care and education based on the PBS documentary series, “The Raising of America: Early Childhood and the Future of Our Nation.” OCDE will take part in the event, which will be held from 1:30 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Brandman University in Irvine. Click through for RSVP details.
Susan Henry, president of the Huntington Beach Union High School District’s Board of Trustees, with an award

OCSBA honors trustees from two Huntington Beach districts with prestigious service awards

Ian Hanigan
Two school board members from districts serving Huntington Beach walked away with awards at this week's Orange County School Boards Association dinner. Susan Henry, president of the Huntington Beach Union High School District’s Board of Trustees, earned the prestigious Marian Bergeson Award, while Celia Jaffe, a former Huntington Beach City School District board member, was named the winner of OCSBA's Maureen DiMarco Award. [...]
Adult handing student a starfish

Anaheim district is first to make OCDE’s Inside the Outdoors program available to all students (video)

Ian Hanigan
Marking a first for Orange County, the Anaheim City School District is giving every one of its students the opportunity to receive quality outdoor science education through OCDE’s long-running Inside the Outdoors program. You read that right -- every student at every grade level. For Anaheim City, that means approximately 20,000 kids in transitional kindergarten through grade six will receive hands-on lessons covering science and nature. [...]
Thermometer on the beach

With more scorching temperatures ahead, OC health officials offer tips for keeping your cool

Ian Hanigan
Here we go again. Temperatures in some Orange County communities are expected to approach triple-digits this week, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses, particularly for more sensitive populations. “During extremely hot weather it is important to check on those who are at high risk to make sure they are staying cool,” says County Health Officer Dr. Eric Handler. “The people at highest risk during extreme heat include seniors who live alone, people with heart or lung disease, and young children.” [...]
Students using a computer

High School Inc. program leverages local businesses to promote college and career readiness

Ian Hanigan
The High School Inc. program at Valley High School in Santa Ana may have raised a few eyebrows when it announced that students who entered as sophomores had posted a near-perfect graduation rate of 98.5 percent in 2014. But graduation statistics only tell part of the story. What’s perhaps most unique is this school-within-a-school’s approach to blending college and career readiness. Click through to learn more.