• Latest News
  • Featured
    • Notes from Dr. Bean
    • OC fire update
  • About the OCDE Newsroom
  • Subscribe for updates
  • OCDE.us
  • About OCDE
  • County Superintendent of Schools
Stacey Middle School students perform El Baile de las Cintas, or the dance of the ribbons, at the City's Fall Festival Culture Night on Sept. 24 honoring Hispanic Heritage Month. (Photos courtesy of Westminster School District)

Weekly roundup: Westminster students honor Hispanic Heritage Month through music and dance, and more

Madeline Gray October 2, 2026

New podcast in English and Spanish guides Orange County families through educational landscape

Madeline Gray October 1, 2026
OCDE leaders and staff surprise Language Services Coordinator Natalia Abarca, center, with a Visionary Leadership Award in recognition of her work advancing language access in education.

10th annual OCDE conference celebrates growth of language access profession

Vicky Nguyen September 30, 2026
Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean and Project Tomorrow CEO Julie Evans pose together in the OCDE Media Services studio

FutureCurrent: Project Tomorrow CEO Julie Evans on AI, student voice and the future of learning

Ian Hanigan September 29, 2026
OCDE Student Programs and Services Coordinator Jeanne Awrey, left, and Senior Administrative Assistant Terri Glover hold welcome gifts prepared for children and youth staying in local homeless shelters. The gifts include school supplies, books and other items selected for students of different ages.

School data offer a different look at student homelessness in Orange County

Vicky Nguyen September 28, 2026
Student performers take the stage during the 2025 Orange County Arts and Disability Festival at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana, themed “Art from the Heart.”

OC Arts and Disability Festival shines for 50th anniversary on April 25

Vicky Nguyen April 16, 2026
The 50th annual Orange County Arts and Disability Festival will return April 25 at MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana, celebrating five decades of creativity, inclusion and artistic expression with performances, exhibits and hands-on activities for the community.
Dr. Gretchen Janson stands with five Fullerton School District trustees in a boardroom, holding a bouquet of flowers with a district sign and artwork in the background.

Fullerton School District appoints Dr. Gretchen Janson as next superintendent

Ian Hanigan April 15, 2026
Quick look: The Fullerton School District has named Dr. Gretchen Janson as its next superintendent. Currently the assistant superintendent of...
A parent signs up a student for Westminster School District’s new after-school Scouts program during a kickoff event at an elementary school campus.

Westminster School District launches free after-school Scouts pilot program

Vicky Nguyen April 15, 2026
The Westminster School District has launched a free after-school Scouts pilot for grades 1–5 at Finley and Schmitt elementary schools, offering weekly, on-campus enrichment focused on leadership, teamwork and hands-on learning, with plans to expand.
Interpretive panels and seating along the Mendez Freedom Trail in Westminster, as a man takes a photo and attendees gather in the background during the dedication ceremony.

WATCH: With an assist from OCDE, Mendez Freedom Trail opens along Westminster’s Hoover Street

Ian Hanigan April 14, 2026
Quick look: Westminster leaders and community partners dedicated the Mendez Freedom Trail, a two-mile project that brings the story of...
County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean speaks with Segerstrom Center for the Arts President and CEO Casey Reitz and educator Lainie Rowell during a FutureCurrent podcast recording.

FutureCurrent: Segerstrom Center CEO Casey Reitz on why arts education is about more than just performance

Ian Hanigan April 14, 2026
Quick look: On the latest FutureCurrent podcast, Segerstrom Center for the Arts President and CEO Casey Reitz discusses how the...
Elementary student assembling a small wheeled STEM project with wires and components in a classroom.

New STEM grant opportunity invites Orange County schools to think big

Ian Hanigan April 13, 2026
Quick look: A new partnership will award $10,000 grants to 10 Orange County public schools, supporting creative STEM ideas through a simple application process open through May 4. If you’ve ever had a big idea for expanding STEM learning at...
Trustee Alva Alvarez, Assistant Superintendent Dena Melland, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Yadira Moreno, Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jack Kochanowicz, Board President Jackie Filbeck, Superintendent Jesús Chavarria and Assistant Superintendent Matthew Slusser pose with an Angels Adopt-A-School banner at Gauer Elementary School in Anaheim.

Weekly roundup: Los Angeles Angels bring Adopt-A-School program to Gauer Elementary in Anaheim, and more

Vicky Nguyen April 10, 2026
Gauer Elementary School in Anaheim welcomed Los Angeles Angels pitcher Jack Kochanowicz and sports radio host Roger Lodge on April...
Aerial view of the Mendez Freedom Trail running alongside Hoover Street in Westminster, featuring a protected bikeway and landscaped path.

Mendez Freedom Trail brings landmark desegregation case to life for OC students

Ian Hanigan April 10, 2026
Quick look: A new interpretive trail in Westminster will connect students and the community to the legacy of Mendez v....
Two volunteers take part in a habitat restoration event hosted by OCDE’s Inside the Outdoors program, helping remove invasive plants and support native ecosystems at a regional park.

Inside the Outdoors to host Earth Day volunteer event at Fairview Park

Vicky Nguyen April 8, 2026
The Orange County Department of Education’s Inside the Outdoors program will host a free Earth Day volunteer event on April 25 at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa, offering hands-on habitat restoration activities.
Representatives from the Orange County Registrar of Voters share voter registration information with students at Loara High School in the Anaheim Union High School District on March 12.

High School Voter Education Weeks return this April across state

Vicky Nguyen April 7, 2026
High School Voter Education Weeks will take place April 13 through April 24. The statewide initiative encourages students to learn about elections and preregister to vote, with resources available through the California Secretary of State and the California Department of Education.
Load More
101.ocde.us

Categories

  • 5-3-1 Strategic Plan
  • Academic competition
  • ACEs Aware
  • Alternative education
  • Artificial intelligence (AI)
  • Arts
  • Assessments and testing
  • AVID
  • Budget
  • California MTSS
  • Career technical education
  • COVID-19
  • Deeper Learning Podcast
  • Distance learning
  • District news
  • Early learning
  • Education in the news
  • Elementary schools
  • Featured
  • Featured topics
  • FutureCurrent podcast
  • Health
  • High school sports
  • High schools
  • History
  • Honors and awards
  • Inside the Outdoors
  • Instruction and curriculum
  • Language services
  • Local Control Funding Formula
  • Mental health
  • Middle schools
  • OC District Pulse
  • OC Pathways
  • OCDE in 30 Seconds
  • One Billion Acts of Kindness
  • Professional development
  • Safety
  • Science
  • Special education
  • State standards
  • STEM
  • Student profile
  • Summer programs
  • Superintendent Stefan Bean
  • Teachers
  • Technology
  • Top stories
  • Uncategorized
  • Weekly roundup
  • Workshops and trainings
OCDE logo

200 Kalmus Drive 
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

P.O. Box 9050 
Costa Mesa, CA 92628-9050

(714) 966-4000

Website publishing policy
Non-discrimination policy
Social media policy

Contact

Thanks for visiting the OCDE Newsroom. Questions and story suggestions should be sent to communications@ocde.us.

If you’re a member of the media in need of information about the Orange County Department of Education, please email communications@ocde.us or call 714-966-4475.

Tags

academic competition ACCESS acts of kindness Al Mijares Anaheim Union High School District career exploration college and career readiness Dr. Stefan Bean education in the news education news Inside the Outdoors kindness1billion OCDE ocde weekly roundup OC Pathways Orange County Department of Education project based learning STEM top stories Weekly Roundup
  • Latest News
  • About the OCDE Newsroom
  • Subscribe for updates
  • OCDE.us
  • About OCDE
  • County Superintendent of Schools
Type to search or hit ESC to close
See all results