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Edison High School arts educator Autumn Garcia and her students attend the opening reception of the "OC Arts and Disability: Arts on the Move Stamped!" exhibit at the Huntington Beach Art Center Saturday, Nov. 7. (Courtesy of Huntington Beach Art Center)

Weekly roundup: Students with disabilities curate exhibit at Huntington Beach Art Center, and more

Madeline Gray November 13, 2026
A laptop on a desk displays an Outlook-style email icon with a red warning symbol, with a coffee mug, potted plant and stacked books with an apple in the background.

Nationwide Microsoft outage disrupts email services for OCDE, other organizations

Ian Hanigan November 12, 2026
OCDE and County of Orange Social Services Agency staff gather for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Nov. 24, 2025, celebrating the transformation of four spaces at the Orangewood Children and Family Center into welcoming, trauma-informed environments for children and families.

OCDE, County of Orange Social Services Agency team up to encourage more families to foster

Vicky Nguyen November 10, 2026
Veterans, families and students in group photo

PHOTOS: Veterans Day takes on special meaning in Los Alamitos Unified

Ian Hanigan November 10, 2026
Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean, seated in a wheelchair, poses with Dr. Christine Olmstead in the FutureCurrent podcast studio. Microphones, recording equipment and a screen displaying the podcast logo are visible in the background.

FutureCurrent: Christine Olmstead on belonging, engagement and redesigning schools

Ian Hanigan November 10, 2026
Orange County Youth Council students

Orange County Youth Council students launch Season 2 of ‘Keep in Mind’ podcast

Nathaniel Martinez May 28, 2026
Quick look: The Orange County Youth Council has launched the second season of “Keep in Mind,” a podcast on substance...
Kari Adams speaks onstage at the 2025 Thompson Policy Institute Summit on Disability and Inclusion at Chapman University, standing in front of a presentation screen displaying the words “Inclusive Leadership.”

OCDE, Chapman University partner to strengthen inclusive leadership for students with disabilities

Ian Hanigan May 27, 2026
Quick look: OCDE and Chapman University’s Thompson Policy Institute on Disability are partnering to strengthen inclusive leadership practices for current...
An aerial view shows emergency crews cooling a large industrial storage tank with water at the site of the Garden Grove chemical leak as mist rises from the facility.

Chemical tank update: Evacuation orders lifted as officials declare no further risk to public

Staff reports May 26, 2026
Emergency crews have been working to stabilize a compromised storage tank containing methyl methacrylate at a Garden Grove aerospace facility after an incident that prompted widespread evacuations, school closures and a state of emergency declaration. Below is our running digest,...
Lainie Rowell, Dr. Stefan Bean and David Blair stand together on the set of the FutureCurrent podcast studio at the Orange County Department of Education.

FutureCurrent: Bright Futures Foundation leader David Blair discusses student-centered innovation

Ian Hanigan May 26, 2026
Quick look: On the latest episode of FutureCurrent, Bright Futures Foundation Executive Director David Blair discusses his unconventional path from...
From left, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Raelene Velasquez, Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Aller, Sunburst Youth Academy Director Lt. Col. Sarah Rambo, Principal Dinah Ismail, OCDE Executive Director of Special Education Dr. Amita Cloke and OCDE Manager of Human Resources Support Services Lorena Villa pose for a photo during the 2026 California Classified School Employees of the Year recognition ceremony in Sacramento.

Sunburst Youth Academy paraeducator honored as California Classified School Employee of the Year

Vicky Nguyen May 26, 2026
Sunburst Youth Academy paraeducator Raelene Velasquez was recognized in Sacramento on May 20 as one of California’s 2026 Classified School Employees of the Year and as the state’s nominee for the national RISE Award.
Sierra Vista Middle School students Aryan Shah, Krish Marfatia, Kaito Yamashita and Davis Barbee win the Stephenson Family Award for Sports History at the NHD-CA contest earlier this month.

Orange County claims state-leading honors at National History Day, sends 21 students to finals

Madeline Gray May 22, 2026
Quick look: Twenty-one young local historians are headed to nationals next month after a standout performance at the National History Day-California contest, earning 15 championship titles. Orange County students once again emerged among California’s top young historians, earning a state-leading...
Students participating in the OC GRIP program gather at Angel Stadium before the Los Angeles Angels’ May 19 game against the Oakland Athletics.

Weekly roundup: Sports Illustrated highlights OC GRIP mentorship event at Angel Stadium, and more

Vicky Nguyen May 22, 2026
More than 1,500 Orange County students participating in the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership, also known as OC...
From left, Rebekah Rylant of Don Juan Avila Middle School in the Capistrano Unified School District, Rolando Vivar of Fulton Middle School in the Fountain Valley School District and Pam McShea of Dysinger Elementary School in the Centralia Elementary School District were recognized with 2025-26 Outstanding PAL Advisor Awards from the Orange County Department of Education.

OCDE PAL team honors six campuses, three advisors for building positive school environments

Vicky Nguyen May 21, 2026
Six school-based Peer Assistance Leadership programs and three advisors were recognized by the Orange County Department of Education for promoting school environments that are safe, inclusive and supportive for students.
Aissa (left) and a fellow cast member performing in University High School's "Dreamland."

Student from Connections at University High DHH program brings artistic ASL to school musical

Nathaniel Martinez May 20, 2026
Quick look: Aissa Carvalho — a junior at the Connections at University High School DHH program — was nominated by the OC Cappies Critics and Awards Program for his performance using artistic ASL in University High’s production of “Dreamland.” As...
A note from Dr. Bean

Bean: OC Teacher of the Year announcements give us a chance to lift up those who lift others

Stefan Bean May 19, 2026
There is a moment during Orange County Teachers of the Year surprise visits that I wish everyone could experience. A...
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