OCDE Newsroom

Fresh produce is available at the Dolphin Food Market at Pacific Drive Elementary School in Fullerton. The food pantry serves families throughout the year, including during the summer months.

Weekly roundup: Fullerton’s Dolphin Food Market extends support through summer break, and more

Vicky Nguyen June 18, 2026

Tustin Memorial Academy students Vivienne, Cora, Miles, Maddie and Delnia win first place and the community-focused award from the Municipal Water District of OC for their dynamic prototype called "The Cat Robot."

PHOTOS: Orange County student makers celebrated for creating problem-solving innovations

Madeline Gray June 16, 2026

“A Moment in the Sun,” created by Juni Lee, a 12th-grade student at Sunny Hills High School in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District, will be featured in the 2026 Festival of Arts Junior Art Exhibit in Laguna Beach.

93rd Festival of Arts to showcase more than 330 pieces by Orange County students

Vicky Nguyen June 16, 2026

Participants sit at round tables during the State of the Student Forum at the OCDE Conference Center in Costa Mesa while listening to a panel discussion and presentation about student outcomes and community partnerships.

State of the Student Forum sparks conversation about supporting OC learners

Ian Hanigan June 15, 2026

Painters from Warner Middle School and Westminster High School pose for a photo while working on a mural depicting the ecosystems of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands.

Weekly roundup: Westminster students create mural inspired by Bolsa Chica Wetlands, and more

Vicky Nguyen June 12, 2026

This year’s AVID scholarship winners celebrated virtually

Ian Hanigan April 6, 2020

Since 2009, more than 1,000 high school seniors have been awarded college scholarships of up to $25,000 each — and...

Distanced for now, OCDE Deaf and Hard of Hearing team reminds students it’s a small world

Ian Hanigan April 2, 2020

OCDE’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing team has a message for students who can’t be at school and are probably...

This website helps essential workers find open child care sites

Ian Hanigan April 2, 2020

Early Childhood OC is maintaining a list of open child care sites for essential workers during the COVID-19 crisis. The searchable database features child care centers and family child care homes that are currently open and serving children from birth...

County superintendent recommends keeping campuses closed to students, focusing on distance learning this school year

Al Mijares April 1, 2020

On Friday, March 13, school districts across Orange County made the difficult decision to temporarily dismiss students in response to...

Here’s how internet providers are working to offer service to students in need

Fermin Leal April 1, 2020

Orange County’s major internet service providers have began programs to offer free or reduced internet access for families so students...

5 ways school counselors are using technology to support students — plus a counseling toolkit

Ian Hanigan April 1, 2020

With their campuses temporarily closed, school counselors across Orange County are embracing innovative ways to support the emotional wellbeing and academic success of students. “Since no one knows how long schools may be closed, or when the world may return...

Cal State Fullerton program honors three educators from OCDE, Westminster School District

Ian Hanigan March 27, 2020

An associate superintendent and two alternative education teachers at the Orange County Department of Education were among dozens of educators...

OCDE’s Harbor Learning Center shows ‘virtual doesn’t have to be impersonal’

Staff reports March 26, 2020

Up until recently, students at OCDE’s Harbor Learning Center had been working in a sustainable garden with teacher Marianne Taylor,...

teacher and students pose for photo holding up props

Santa Ana educator nominated for National History Day’s top teacher honor

Fermin Leal March 25, 2020

Erik Peterson, a teacher at Santiago Elementary in Santa Ana Unified School District, has been nominated for National History Day’s Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year award. Peterson is the junior division nominee from California. Each of the 58 National...

video conference screen with 9 participants

Check out what distance learning looks like across Orange County

Fermin Leal March 24, 2020

School districts and teachers have been working to build virtual classrooms pretty much from scratch over the past week to...