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Orange County Board of Education members with featured speakers at the "Savvy Safety in Public Schools Forum."

VIDEO: Orange County Board of Education hosts school safety forum

Ian Hanigan September 27, 2023
Nicolas Junior High School wood shop students

Eighth-graders from Fullerton School District begin tiny home construction project

Vicky Nguyen September 27, 2023
Ryan Honary speaks before world leaders

Weekly roundup: Newport Harbor High student speaks before world leaders, OC schools earn Blue Ribbon honors, and more

Vicky Nguyen September 22, 2023
Los Alamitos Unified School District board trustees, administrators and community members "cut the ribbon" to open its new WellSpace garden on Sept. 6. (Courtesy of Los Alamitos Unified)

Los Alamitos cultivates mental health support with new outdoor garden for students

Madeline Gray September 20, 2023
Blue Ribbon Schools Program logo

Six Orange County schools earn national Blue Ribbon honors

Vicky Nguyen September 19, 2023
The Westminster School District welcomes students and school staff back to campuses on Tuesday, Aug. 29. (Courtesy of Westminster School District)

Orange County campuses ring in the 2023-24 school year with new and returning students

Madeline Gray August 31, 2023
“Make today great.” “Spread happiness.” “You got this.” These are just a few of the messages of encouragement students were...
U.S. News Best High Schools logo

OC schools rank among nation’s best in latest U.S. News report

Vicky Nguyen August 30, 2023
Numerous public schools in Orange County made their way onto the U.S. News & World Report’s yearly breakdown of the...
Anaheim Elementary School District educator Mark Anderson is recognized alongside district board members at the 2022 Orange County Music & Arts Administrators Awards ceremony.

OCDE seeks nominations for annual music and arts administrator awards

Madeline Gray August 30, 2023
Education and community leaders play an important role in creating opportunities for students to explore their interests through visual and performing arts curriculum.  In recognition of their impact in and out of the classroom, the Orange County Music and Arts...
From the desk of Ramon Miramontes, Ed.D.

Miramontes: Charting a course for the future of artificial intelligence in education

Ramon Miramontes August 28, 2023
In the Star Wars universe, whenever a spacecraft makes the jump to light speed, the stars outside the cockpit stretch...
A news graphic

Weekly roundup: Anaheim Elementary adds playgrounds with community support, Orange Unified appoints new superintendent, and more

Vicky Nguyen August 25, 2023
Community support for two bond measures led to the transformation of three playgrounds in the Anaheim Elementary School District. Jefferson,...
OCDE signage

OCDE deputy superintendent issues statement on shooting at Cook’s Corner

Staff reports August 24, 2023
OCDE Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes issued the following statement on Thursday in response to the fatal shooting at Cook’s Corner in Trabuco Canyon. It was beyond devastating to learn of the tragic scene that unfolded last night at the...
Santiago STEAM Magnet Elementary School donation

#kindness1billion: Here are some of the acts of kindness shared in the 2022-23 school year

Vicky Nguyen August 23, 2023
Acts of kindness are taking place every day in our communities, offering a glimpse of hope and resilience. The Orange...
2019 Interpreters and Translators Conference

OCDE’s annual Interpreters and Translators Conference returns in September

Vicky Nguyen August 22, 2023
Language access advocates in the K-12 educational system will convene in Costa Mesa for the Orange County Department of Education’s...
Satellite image of Hurricane Hilary

Tropical Storm Hilary: All OC districts expected to resume their regular schedules on Tuesday

Ian Hanigan August 21, 2023
OCDE is tracking the latest developments related to Tropical Storm Hilary. Below is our running digest, with newer stories posted at the top. Updated at 4:19 p.m. on Aug. 21, 2023 All OC districts expected to resume their regular schedules...
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Weekly roundup: Girls flag football season kicks off in OC, OCDE outdoor science program nears 50 years, and more

Madeline Gray August 18, 2023
Girls flag football games will commence this Friday at high schools throughout Orange County as part of the sport’s first...
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Supports for students’ mental health are flouris Supports for students’ mental health are flourishing in the Los Alamitos Unified School District thanks to a brand-new outdoor retreat on its high school campus.🪴☀️ Serving as an addition to Los Alamitos High School's WellSpace center, known as “The Loft,” the space is intended to help students relax and foster a sense of peace away from the everyday stressors of their academic and extracurricular responsibilities. 💻 Story link in bio: https://ow.ly/BA0O50POIJM 📸 @losalamitosusd
A trio of trailblazing students from the Huntingto A trio of trailblazing students from the Huntington Beach Union High School District has earned two prestigious awards at Intel’s third annual AI Global Impact Festival. Kevin Vo, Larry Le and Ryan Huynh from Westminster High School created and submitted an artificial intelligence-powered robotic service animal, designed for people with visual disabilities. In addition to clinching top honors for the United States, the entry took home the AI for Accessibility Award, along with a total of $2,500 in prize money. 💻 Story link in bio: https://ow.ly/Veuw50PNw1E
Twelve students from Orange County have been recog Twelve students from Orange County have been recognized as top junior innovators in the inaugural Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. Congratulations, students! 👏 Sharvil Buradkar Lakeside Middle School, Irvine Unified School District “Hot Water Nitinol Engine” Sailee Charlu Orange County School of the Arts “The Persuasive Power of Humor” Ivy Dinh Warner Middle School, Westminster School District “The Effects of Commonly Polluted Items on Concrete Bricks” Maya Gandhi Fairmont Private School – Anaheim Hills Campus “Optimizing Plant Microbial Fuel Cell Energy Output: The Effect of Anodic Substance and Configuration” Donna Kim Huynh Warner Middle School, Westminster School District “The Effects of Exogenous Melatonin on the Germination and Growth of Bamboo” Audrey Kim Sierra Vista Middle School, Irvine Unified School District “BeeHappy and BeeSion: A Raspberry Pi-Based Artificial Intelligence Live-Streaming Camera Detector and a Portable Prototype With a Mobile App for Monitoring and Alerting About the Condition of Beehives” Kayla Jing Lam Pioneer Middle School, Tustin Unified School District “Which Recyclable Home Products Make the Best Natural Fertilizer for Plant Growth?” Esther Lee Warner Middle School, Westminster School District “The Effects of Commonly Polluted Items on Concrete Bricks” Elijah Keith Lunde Fairmont Private School – North Tustin “It’s All About Offense” Maryan Nguyen Warner Middle School, Westminster School District “The Effects of Exogenous Melatonin on the Germination and Growth of Bamboo” Yazmin Orozco Warner Middle School, Westminster School District “The Effects of Commonly Polluted Items on Concrete Bricks” Meghana Wuppalapati Deerfield Elementary School, Irvine Unified School District “Battle of the Best: Testing the Antibacterial Properties of Extracts From Azadirachta indica (Neem) vs. Piper betel (Betel) Against E. coli” 💻 Story link in bio: https://ow.ly/mj7z50PNvKB
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded six O The U.S. Department of Education has awarded six Orange County schools 2023 National Blue Ribbons, considered the nation’s top honor for individual campuses based on academic achievement. The recipients are A.G. Cook Elementary School, Susan B. Anthony Elementary School and Thomas Paine Elementary School in the Garden Grove Unified School District; Buena Terra Elementary School in the Centralia Elementary School District; Early College High School in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District; and Crean Lutheran High School, which is a private campus in Irvine. 💻 Story link in bio: https://ow.ly/ni2j50PNvTV
This week ushers in Hispanic Heritage Month. We co This week ushers in Hispanic Heritage Month. We continue to recognize and celebrate our Hispanic and Latino-identified communities, their rich cultures and histories. We also honor the trailblazers for their contributions to our nation and the world.
More than a million students in the state have pre More than a million students in the state have pre-registered to vote through the High School Voter Education Weeks initiative, which was established in 2016. 🗳️ Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond are convening to remind young people about the significant power they have in shaping their future ahead of the program, which spans Sept. 18 through Sept. 29 and again next year in the final two weeks of April. 💻 Link in bio: https://ow.ly/yXZA50PLmf7 📸 @ocregistrar
The Orange County Department of Education has tapp The Orange County Department of Education has tapped a veteran business services leader to be its next associate superintendent of Administrative Services. David M. Giordano, an assistant superintendent in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District since 2015, will succeed Renee Hendrick, who was recently promoted to deputy superintendent in charge of Operations, Governance and Community Partnerships. Hendrick is taking over the role held by Nina Boyd, who in June announced her plans to retire from OCDE after 33 years. 💻 Link in bio: https://ow.ly/gcjF50PKG86
Reflecting its ongoing commitment to inclusive edu Reflecting its ongoing commitment to inclusive education, the Orange County Department of Education has been selected by the SWIFT Education Center at the University of Kansas to participate in a national initiative aimed at increasing belonging and learning opportunities for students with disabilities. 💻 Story link in bio: https://ow.ly/wX0950PKf3C
This day in history marked a pivotal moment in the This day in history marked a pivotal moment in the U.S., molding the nation's trajectory. Today, we honor the lives of those lost, the resilience of survivors and the strength of impacted families.
National History Day is commemorating 50 years of National History Day is commemorating 50 years of engaging young historians in cultivating critical thinking, honing research skills and nurturing a deeper understanding of the country’s past. To celebrate, the Orange County Department of Education is assisting National History Day — or NHD — in unveiling the 2023-2024 theme of “Turning Points in History.” 💻 Story link in bio: https://ow.ly/WfyK50PITJU
Did you know that the first Labor Day was celebrat Did you know that the first Labor Day was celebrated on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, and was declared a national holiday in 1894? The holiday falls on the first Monday of September and we honor the workers' contributions to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country. In observance, all OCDE sites will be closed on Sept. 4. Have a safe and healthy holiday weekend.
With OC school district and charter school classes With OC school district and charter school classes coming back in session through September, campuses are finding creative ways to hype up students about their new schedules and extracurricular activities. In honor of the back-to-school season, the OCDE Newsroom compiled a roundup of social media posts created by local schools as they celebrated the first day back. 🎒📚 💻 Story link in bio: https://ow.ly/4Gpj50PGBBO 📸 @westminster.sd
Numerous public schools in Orange County made thei Numerous public schools in Orange County made their way onto the U.S. News & World Report’s yearly breakdown of the nation’s best high schools, which examined data from more than 25,000 campuses. Overall, nine campuses in Orange County placed within California’s top 100 and 16 local schools placed in the top 1,000 nationally. 💻 Link in bio: https://ow.ly/y0mE50PG7pW
With artificial intelligence poised to reshape wor With artificial intelligence poised to reshape workplaces and society at large, the Orange County Department of Education is moving ahead with an ambitious initiative that will evaluate and determine the best approaches for integrating AI into teaching and learning. 💻 Link in bio: https://ow.ly/yWcG50PFb9G
OCDE is pleased to introduce you to Yarib Dheming, OCDE is pleased to introduce you to Yarib Dheming, who joined the department over 20 years ago. Yarib serves as the school and community outreach manager for Inside the Outdoors. He collaborates with Orange County teachers, administrators, PTAs, community members and partners to promote outdoor education programs and support environmental literacy for all. "My passions have always been the outdoors and education. I was fortunate to combine both of these passions when I joined OCDE’s Outdoors Science School program in the San Bernardino mountains. This experience solidified my interest in pursuing a career in environmental education. I believe that my own experiences with environmental education have shaped me, and it is one of the reasons why I am passionate about providing programs like Inside the Outdoors to all children."
🗓️ Join the Orange County Department of Educa 🗓️ Join the Orange County Department of Education on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30 for the annual Interpreters and Translators Conference. The event is designed to offer bilingual professionals a platform for learning and growth, enabling them to enhance their capacity for delivering impactful language services to the communities they serve. 💻 Link in bio
OCDE Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes is OCDE Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ramon Miramontes issued the following statement on Thursday in response to the fatal shooting at Cook’s Corner in Trabuco Canyon. It was beyond devastating to learn of the tragic scene that unfolded last night at Cook’s Corner bar in Trabuco Canyon. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this senseless act of violence, especially the families who have lost loved ones and those who are currently recovering from their injuries. During times like these, words can hardly convey the shock, sorrow and pain that we collectively feel. Families in our community will be forever changed by this tragedy. Yet our strength has shone brightest during the darkest hours, and I am confident that we will get through this moment by embracing the togetherness and compassion that define who we are. As we grieve, let’s reach out to neighbors, friends and colleagues. Let’s extend a helping hand to those who are hurting, whether through a simple conversation, a kind gesture, or just being there to listen. The Orange County Department of Education similarly stands ready to provide support to any students and families affected by this tragedy. We recognize that the journey to healing may be long and uneven, but we will walk this path together. In the coming days and weeks, we will undoubtedly learn more details about what happened, though none will be sufficient to explain why. However, for now, let us channel our energy into uniting behind our shared values and providing comfort to those who need it most. Thank you for being a community that comes together in times of adversity. Let us honor the memories of those we have lost by being a pillar of support for one another. Dr. Ramon Miramontes Deputy Superintendent Orange County Department of Education 💻 Link in bio: https://ow.ly/o0ne50PE4c4
Hurricane Hilary is expected to be downgraded to a Hurricane Hilary is expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it reaches Southern California, but our region is still bracing for an exceptional weather event that promises heavy rainfall and strong winds over the weekend and on Monday. Dr. Ramon Miramontes, deputy superintendent of the Orange County Department of Education, emphasized the collaborative efforts to keep local communities safe. “While we’re unaccustomed to experiencing such storms, especially in August, we’re closely monitoring the situation and are ready to provide support to our local school districts,” Dr. Miramontes said. “Our priority is the well-being of our students, staff and our community.” 💻 Click the link in bio for more. 📸 Courtesy of the National Weather Service ⬇️ Check the comments for updates.
The Orange County Department of Education is invit The Orange County Department of Education is inviting K-12 teachers and administrators who are interested in developing student voice and agency to the annual OC Civic Learning Institute. Led by Dr. Marika Manos and Dr. Virginia Reischl, alongside their team, educators participating in the institute will convene on Sept. 12 and Sept. 21 in Garden Grove. Oxford Preparatory Academy is returning to the institute this year. With OCDE’s support, the academy increased its civic learning opportunities for students and awarded over 80 percent of fifth and eighth graders with the Civic Learning Pathway Award. 💻 Story link in bio: https://ow.ly/QSyF50PAApW 📸 @oxfordprepsoc
Since 1974, Inside the Outdoors has introduced env Since 1974, Inside the Outdoors has introduced environmental education to Orange County classrooms, allowing students to explore nature firsthand. 🌿☀️ To celebrate nearly half a century of the outdoor science program administered by OCDE, Inside the Outdoors staff recently reflected on its 49th year of service and plans for expanding environmental access for young learners. 💻 Story link in bio: https://ow.ly/LTYz50PAC2H
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