Student board members from across Orange County gathered in Fullerton last week for the inaugural Student Board Member Summit, a first-of-its-kind event to connect, collaborate and build a countywide network of student leaders.
Orange County education and health leaders gathered to celebrate local progress tied to a statewide initiative that has expanded student mental health services. Speakers pointed to new wellness spaces, added clinicians and stronger referral systems, while pledging to sustain and grow these supports.
OCDE’s Communications and Media Services team has reimagined the Orange County Schools Directory as a continuously updated online resource. It's available at directory.ocde.us.
The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District has appointed Dr. Kym LeBlanc-Esparza as its next superintendent, effective Oct. 6. Known to colleagues as Dr. Kym, she is a veteran educator with more than 30 years of experience and most recently served as deputy superintendent of Jeffco Public Schools in Colorado.
This year's second High School Voter Education Week will take place Sept. 15 through Sept. 26. The statewide initiative encourages students to learn about elections and preregister to vote, with resources available through the Secretary of State and the California Department of Education.
Cypress High School senior Parsmi Rajput and teacher Shelley Hawkins have been named 2025 Bezos Scholars, joining a cohort of just 17 student-educator teams worldwide. Their Community Change Project will focus on creating a resource hub to connect students and families with critical services.
