OCDE Newsroom

OCDE teams with Kaiser Permanente, St. Jude to bring Fit Kid Centers to schools (video)

Ian Hanigan April 13, 2015

Chris Corliss wants kids to move more and eat healthy. And that’s precisely why he started the Orange County Department of Education’s Move More Eat Healthy at School initiative, which aims to make both choices a little easier for students across the county. [...]

OCDE helps Ocean View School District recoup general fund revenue

Ian Hanigan April 8, 2015

With support from the Orange County Department of Education, the Ocean View School District has been granted an attendance credit by the state that will restore approximately $800,000 worth of potentially lost general fund revenue for the 2015-16 fiscal year. [...]

An image of a backpack in front of boxes

Hundreds of students to receive free backpacks, school supplies

Staff reports March 16, 2015

On a warm Monday morning, a Feed the Children truck rolled into the Orange County Department of Education’s main campus and workers began unloading 22 pallets with boxes full of donated supplies for students experiencing homelessness. In total, over 1,900 items were dropped off, including backpacks filled with school supplies, non-perishable food, hygiene essentials and children’s books. [...]

‘Restorative practices’ can nurture positive relationships, prevent unwanted behavior

Ian Hanigan March 3, 2015

How can teachers address conflicts and behavioral issues in a manner that re-engages students -- and keeps them in the classroom? That’s a question that has stirred plenty of discussion among educators. But the use of restorative practices is one potential answer that’s been gaining momentum in Orange County. [...]

Orange County teens to stage ‘Reality Party’ to spotlight the dangers of underage drinking

Ian Hanigan February 24, 2015

Local prevention organizations are joining forces to raise awareness about the dangers of underage drinking by staging a “Reality Party for Parents” in Lake Forest this Saturday. Teen actors from the Santiago de Compostela Church Youth Ministry’s Friday Night Live chapter plan to portray typical party scenes exposing the perils of underage alcohol consumption, as well as the culture of binge-drinking. Participants will also voice concerns about adults who host drinking parties for minors. [...]

OC students earn grant funding for campaigns to address traffic safety, underage drinking

Ian Hanigan February 19, 2015

Working through a program called Friday Night Live, some enterprising students from Orange County are taking it upon themselves to promote traffic safety and prevent underage drinking. And now they’re about to get a little extra help -- in the form of a $17,500 grant from the California Friday Night Live Partnership. […]

Human Trafficking Summit at OCDE draws nearly 200 educators and school-based professionals

Ian Hanigan January 31, 2015

OCDE, in partnership with the Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force and Vanguard University, hosted a Human Trafficking Summit for nearly 200 educators and school-based professionals on Jan. 29 at the department’s headquarters in Costa Mesa. The summit’s objective was to teach those working at the frontlines of education about human trafficking, how to identify it and how to report suspicious activities. Experts say that could be the difference in saving a life. [...]