OCDE Newsroom

‘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. […]

An image of Westminster High School's Academic Decathlon team

Westminster High leads a pack of five OC schools headed to the California Academic Decathlon

Ian Hanigan February 18, 2015

Marking a first in the 47-year history of the Orange County Academic Decathlon, five O.C. schools have been selected to advance to next month’s state decathlon in Sacramento. Cheers rang out in a packed Orange Coast College auditorium on Feb. 17 night as perennial powerhouse Westminster High was named the overall team winner with 50,981.8 points. Along with a special plaque, individual medals and local bragging rights, the school will receive a $4,000 travel stipend from the Orange County Academic Decathlon Association, which joined OCDE in announcing this year’s winners. [...]

A dozen Science Olympiad teams from Orange County advance to state competition

Ian Hanigan February 14, 2015

On a day for roses, it was all about STEM at UCI on Saturday. More than 650 students from 17 middle schools and 28 high schools spent a good part of Valentine’s Day competing in the 30th Annual Orange County Regional Science Olympiad on the campus of the University of California, Irvine. […]

An image of students at the Orange County Academic Decathlon

Academic Decathlon is all about teamwork, building 21st-century skills — and having fun

Ian Hanigan February 9, 2015

They enter the gym dressed in matching outfits, some carrying pom-poms, others with painted faces. They look nervous and excited. Students spend months preparing for this day. In fact, the average Orange County Academic Decathlon participant reports spending about 20 to 25 hours a week practicing. Staged over two weekends in January and February, this year's Decathlon drew 41 high schools and more than 500 students who competed as individuals and teams for top honors -- and a chance to represent the OC at the state-level contest. […]

30th Annual Regional Science Olympiad promotes STEM education in OC

Ian Hanigan January 29, 2015

This is the first year that all teams will be combined in one competition location, with 18 middle schools and 28 high schools registered to participate. The winning teams from the competition will move forward to compete in the State Science Olympiad in April. [...]

High schools