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Weekly roundup: Santa Ana to hold graduations at Angel Stadium, signing day a time for celebration, and more

Ian Hanigan
April 16, 2021
COVID-19 virus illustration

COVID-19 update: State issues new guidance for indoor performances, private events

Staff reports
April 15, 2021
VSA Festival 2021

Annual arts and disability festival celebrates 45 years

Nichole Pichardo
April 15, 2021
Superintendent Toy Thurmond

2 OC districts recognized for model school attendance review boards

Ian Hanigan
April 14, 2021
Arcade cabinets

Online gaming nights encourage friendships, inclusivity through shared experiences

Ian Hanigan
April 13, 2021
A blurred image of a broadcast newsroom

Weekly roundup: Extended in-person learning plans, revised youth sports guidance and more

Nichole Pichardo
March 26, 2021
A growing number of Orange County school districts are developing plans to offer in-person learning five days a week. The extended instruction models come on the heels of updated state guidance, including more ... Read More
Title with star Orange County Classified School Employees of the Year

OCDE announces the county’s top classified school employees for 2021

Ian Hanigan
March 24, 2021
OCDE has named its top classified school employees of the year — and this year there are even more to celebrate. The California Department of Education has reorganized its categories for 2021, increasing the... Read More
RESET Toolbox

VIDEO: A new online toolbox is helping local students buffer the negative effects of the pandemic

Nichole Pichardo
March 23, 2021
Physical distancing and economic hardship have exponentially increased the mental health needs of children and teens in Orange County. To help local students and families buffer the effects of the pandemic, ... Read More
Superintendent Toy Thurmond

State Board of Education approves ethnic studies curriculum for high schools

Nichole Pichardo
March 22, 2021
The California State Board of Education has unanimously approved the nation’s first statewide ethnic studies curriculum for high schools. The new curriculum focuses primarily on the contributions and str... Read More
Students in Chargers shirts

Weekly roundup: Costa Mesa students’ football launcher scores big, Laguna Beach secondary students return, and more

Ian Hanigan
March 19, 2021
Three juniors from Costa Mesa High School earned first place in a STEM competition that tasked them with coding, building and programing a robotic football launcher. Students across Orange and Los Angeles co... Read More
A California Distinguished School logo

11 OC campuses are named California Distinguished Schools

Ian Hanigan
March 18, 2021
Eleven Orange County secondary schools have earned the state’s highest honor as California Distinguished Schools. The local winners are: Oxford Academy, Anaheim Union High School District Ladera Ranc... Read More
Aarav Pal Hindi lessons

Brea siblings turn virtual language lessons into a charitable business

Nichole Pichardo
March 18, 2021
What started as a weekly game of “Go Fish” with grandma has turned into a charitable business for a brother-sister duo from Brea. Aria and Aarav Pal, siblings from Olinda Elementary in the Brea Olinda Unifie... Read More
California Department of Education (CDE) logo

State Board of Education seeks additional testing flexibility for schools

Ian Hanigan
March 17, 2021
The state Board of Education is looking to give California school districts expanded options for assessing student learning this spring — including local tests that align with state standards. Under the Ever... Read More
Graphic celebrating 5 million meals served in SAUSD

Santa Ana Unified has served more than 5 million meals during the pandemic

Ian Hanigan
March 17, 2021
A year after Santa Ana Unified began providing free, nutritious food to local children impacted by campus closures, the district has reached a noteworthy milestone: Its staff has now served more than 5 million ... Read More
ACSA 2021 Adminstrators

Weekly roundup: Honoring OC’s school administrators, adjusting high school sports transportation strategies, and more

Nichole Pichardo
March 12, 2021
More than 20 Orange County educational leaders and a local nonprofit were celebrated this week by the Association of California School Administrators, or better known as ACSA. Established in 1971, ACSA serve... Read More
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ocdeptofed

Each year around this time, OCDE and VSA Orange Co Each year around this time, OCDE and VSA Orange County team up to spotlight the artistic achievements of individuals with disabilities. Taking place virtually for the second year in a row, the 45th annual festival takes place one week from today, Saturday April 24. 

The event will once again feature links to a variety of offerings such as a 200-piece art gallery, performance videos, and various activities to help students learn more about individuals with disabilities. Additional information on this very special event can be found in the OCDE Newsroom. (link in bio.)
Congrats to the @Centraliaschooldistrict and @Sant Congrats to the @Centraliaschooldistrict and @Santaanausd who were recognized this week by the @cadepted for the work of their school attendance review boards, or SARBs, which are being hailed as model programs that devised innovative strategies to support students during distance learning.
These awesome OCDE employees spent the week delive These awesome OCDE employees spent the week delivering some very special balloons and signs to the 11 campuses across the county recognized as @cadepted California Distinguished Schools! 🙌🏻👏🏻
The North America Scholastic Esports Federation is The North America Scholastic Esports Federation is piloting a Community Game Nights initiative for OC high school students to promote inclusivity and friendships. 

Community Game Nights are currently open to teens and families from Orange County schools. Here’s a list of the dates and times:

Friday, April 16 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Friday, April 30 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Friday, May 14 from 6 to 7 p.m.
Friday, May 28 from 6 to 7 p.m.

And a registration link can be found in the OCDE Newsroom (link in bio).
Save the date! Join Orange County Superintendent D Save the date! Join Orange County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares on Wednesday, May 12 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islanders month. Additional details, including a full list of guest panelists, coming soon! #aapiheritagemonth
To celebrate national Week of the Young Child, we' To celebrate national Week of the Young Child, we're shining a light on OCDE’s Early Learning team and offering up the following six tips to help families with school readiness. 

1. Read daily 
2. Play games 
3. Develop a routine 
4. Ask questions 
5. Talk about feelings 
6. Build and create 

You can read more in the OCDE Newsroom (link in bio). #weekoftheyoungchild
Join the OCDE team! Check out this post to see the Join the OCDE team! Check out this post to see the many job offerings currently available and help us by sharing with qualified candidates. #joinourteam
Five Orange County school districts this week were Five Orange County school districts this week were named among the 2021 Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation. Anaheim Elementary, Anaheim Union High, Capistrano Unified, Garden Grove Unified and Irvine Unified were among the 19 districts in California — and only four percent of districts nationwide — to receive this prestigious honor for their commitment to music and education.
@irvine_unified @anaheimelementary @anaheimunion @capounified @gardengroveusd 👏🏻👏🏻
As part of a campus-wide Kindness Week, students a As part of a campus-wide Kindness Week, students at @Davis_Magnet_School in the @NewportMesaUSD sold kindness grams and raised $2464 for OCDE's @InsidetheOutdoors Foundation. Donated funds will help with rebuilding ITO's headquarters that were lost to the fast-moving Bond Fire in December. You can read more about this generous act of kindness in the OCDE Newsroom (link in bio). #kindness1billion
Next week, vaccine eligibility in California is ex Next week, vaccine eligibility in California is expanding to include all residents 16 and older, but vaccines are not mandatory. The state and local school districts are not mandating students or staff to be vaccinated in order to reopen school campuses. 

While receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is strictly voluntary, parents of teenagers who are 16 years of age or older may register through the online Othena system to schedule a vaccination appointment at a POD — or point of dispensing — operated by the Orange County Health Care Agency. Families can also schedule appointments through local pharmacy chains or physicians.

More information can be found in the OCDE Newsroom (link in bio).
Congrats again to our @oc_acadec students and team Congrats again to our @oc_acadec students and teams for your success at the California Academic Decathlon! We are so proud of you! 👍🏽🙌🏻👌🏼
Tenth grader Esmerelda Espejo from @santaana_highs Tenth grader Esmerelda Espejo from @santaana_highschool was recently named the winner of Imagination Celebration’s poster contest for her design titled “A Thought Outside of the Universe.” Her design will be used as the official poster for the 2021 event aimed at celebrating the arts and promoting student achievement. More information about Imagination Celebration can be found in the OCDE Newsroom (link in bio).
We are mourning with our community today over the We are mourning with our community today over the four lives lost in Orange last night. We send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in this terrible tragedy. 

Whenever there’s national or local trauma, it’s important to remember that kids may be experiencing increased levels of stress or anxiety.

Even if they’re not personally affected, exposure to tragic events through the media or overheard conversations can affect a child’s emotional well-being. In light of recent events, we’re re-sharing this list of things to keep in mind when helping children cope with tragedy. This list can be found in the OCDE Newsroom (link in bio).
Today marks the first day that Orange County is of Today marks the first day that Orange County is officially an “Orange” county! 

With key COVID-19 infection rates continuing to fall, Orange County now qualifies for the orange tier of California’s color-coded tracking system, signaling moderate transmission. 

The shift doesn’t have much of an impact on classrooms, but it’s certainly good news from a public health standpoint, and it means more establishments and activities get the green light to resume or expand with modifications.
Two high schools from @irvine_unified posted top-1 Two high schools from @irvine_unified posted top-10 scores over the weekend at the 2021 California Academic Decathlon. University High School earned seventh place overall at the state-level contest, while Woodbridge High finished one spot away in eighth place. Read more in the OCDE Newsroom (link in bio).
During the past month, students at Otto A. Fischer During the past month, students at Otto A. Fischer School have been building desks for families across the county, giving local students a workspace to call their own and helping them get through virtual learning.

Fischer is one of two schools operated by OCDE’s ACCESS division inside detention facilities run by the Orange County Probation Department.

Built in the school’s on-campus woodshop and designed to be lightweight and compact, the finished desks are currently being delivered to OCDE ACCESS students in area schools across the county.

As a thank you for their support, Fischer staff presented OC Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares and OC Chief Probation Officer Steve Sentman with desks to place in their respective offices.
#operationstudyhall #ocde
Extended in-person learning plans, revised youth s Extended in-person learning plans, revised youth sports guidance,  and vaccine expansion in California are among the top stories we're featuring in the Weekly Roundup. Click on our link in bio to catch on this week's top education news. #educationnews #weeklyroundup #OCeducationnews
Drum roll please...OCDE is proud to announce the t Drum roll please...OCDE is proud to announce the top classified school employees of the year — and this year there are even more to celebrate. This year's nine honorees are: 

Clerical and Administrative Services
Allison Goettman
School Clerk
La Habra City School District

Custodian and Maintenance Services
Miguel Laris
Senior Custodian
Westminster School District

Food and Nutrition Services
Rosemary Tamayo
Food Services Lead
Garden Grove Unified School District @gardengroveusd

Health and Student Services
Cassandra Palacios
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Los Alamitos Unified School District

Paraprofessional
Jessica Lee
Para-educator
Huntington Beach City School District 

Security Services
Patricia Mendez
Activity Monitor
Santa Ana Unified School District @santaanausd

Skilled Trades
Adrian Prieto
HVAC Technician
Anaheim Union High School District @anaheimunion

Technical Services
Chris Martinez
Systems Network Technician
Magnolia School District

Transportation Services
Mathew Sobelman
Bus Driver
Huntington Beach Union High School District
Did you know that in just four short weeks OC Scho Did you know that in just four short weeks OC School PODs, operated by OCDE, have delivered more than 12,000 vaccines to educators across the county? Updates on vaccine efforts and more can be viewed in our COVID-19 updates section of the OCDE Newsroom (link in bio).
As we reflect back on this week, our hearts are he As we reflect back on this week, our hearts are heavy by the recent incidents of anti-Asian racism and xenophobia across the United States. We want our Asian-American educators, staff, students and community to know that we stand with you during this difficult time. We acknowledge your pain, and we recognize that acts of racism hurt our entire community. 

The Orange County Department of Education is committed to engaging in dialogue and action aimed at building a community where everyone, no matter their race or ethnicity, feels supported and valued. 

Our community is stronger when we pull together in the same direction and commit to honoring our humanity. We must not be silent against any hate, in any form, against anyone.
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OCDE in 30 Seconds

  • James Nguyen

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: IT team keeps district computers running with backup servers

    Ian Hanigan
    September 12, 2019
  • Ron Segundo

    OCDE in 30: Does your school have an Academic Pentathlon team?

    Ian Hanigan
    August 28, 2018
  • Natalia Abarca

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: Services for Language Learners provides multilingual and multicultural support

    Staff reports
    July 25, 2017
  • Juan Escobar and Michael Morefield

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: Deaf and Hard of Hearing

    Ian Hanigan
    April 28, 2017
  • Nicole Chavez

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: Services for Language Learners unit offers resources and guidance

    Ian Hanigan
    April 14, 2017
  • Elizabeth Desloge

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: OCDE provides services for infants with hearing loss

    Staff reports
    October 25, 2016
  • An image of OCDE Prevention Coordinator Stacy Deeble-Reynolds

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: Resources and networking opportunities available to OC families

    Ian Hanigan
    September 23, 2016
  • An image of OCDE CTEp Senior Director Diana Schneider

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: Career technical education offers STEM opportunities for all students

    Ian Hanigan
    August 11, 2016
  • An image of OCDE staff member Deirdre Hill

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: PAL program built on the philosophy of students helping students

    Ian Hanigan
    July 14, 2016
  • An image of OCDE staff member Esther Craig

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: Friday Night Live empowers youth to be leaders in their communities

    Ian Hanigan
    June 30, 2016
  • An image of OCDE staff member Susana Fernandez

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: Credential and Fingerprinting Services

    Staff reports
    June 9, 2016
  • OCDE Reprographics Supervisor Shawn Black

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: The OCDE print shop makes business cards, books, brochures and more

    Ian Hanigan
    May 12, 2016
  • An image of Program Specialist Dareen Khatib

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: Nutrition programs focus on ‘the whole child’

    Ian Hanigan
    April 21, 2016
  • An image of consultant Phyllis Berenbeim

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: Now in its 40th year, the VSA Festival is ‘Soaring to Greater Heights’

    Ian Hanigan
    April 7, 2016
  • OCDE Facilities Manager Tom Froehlich

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: Looking for meeting space? ‘We’ve got you covered’

    Ian Hanigan
    March 31, 2016
  • OCDE Director of Support Services Gary Stine

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: Here’s a little known fact about OCDE’s Business Services division

    Ian Hanigan
    March 17, 2016
  • An image of Hailey Quirk, a traveling scientist with Inside the Outdoors, with a red-tailed hawk named Apollo

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: A traveling scientist from Inside the Outdoors brings a guest

    Ian Hanigan
    March 3, 2016
  • Rob Vicario, OCDE’s history and social science coordinator

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: A quick look at the National History Day program

    Ian Hanigan
    February 25, 2016
  • OCDE IT Director Louis Mazzarini

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: IT division supports the technology needs of Orange County schools

    Ian Hanigan
    February 18, 2016
  • Program Coordinator Chris Corliss

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: A brief look at the ‘Move More Eat Healthy’ program

    Ian Hanigan
    February 11, 2016
  • Kristin Rigby, a program specialist in charge of academic events

    OCDE in 30 Seconds: We break down the Orange County Academic Decathlon in half a minute

    Ian Hanigan
    February 3, 2016

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Credits

Orange County Department of Education
Al Mijares, Ph.D.
County Superintendent of Schools

Contact

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

And if you’re a member of the media in need of information about the Orange County Department of Education, you can contact Communications Officer Ian Hanigan at ihanigan@ocde.us or 714-966-4008.

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