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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
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: Officials reduce evac zone; some schools to reopen Tuesday

Staff reports May 25, 2026
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
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
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
MTSS logo

Unite, Empower, Impact: A guide to this year’s California MTSS Professional Learning Institute

Madeline Gray July 7, 2025
Quick look: Set for July 22–24 at the Anaheim Convention Center, the 2025 California MTSS Professional Learning Institute will bring...
Writing in a journal

OCDE to host ‘Write to Joy’ conference for K-12 educators focused on writing instruction and inspiration

Vicky Nguyen July 7, 2025
Educators from across Orange County are invited to attend the Write to Joy: K-12 Writing Conference, a daylong professional learning event focused on strengthening writing instruction and inspiring a deeper appreciation for literacy.
Zack Wojtaszek, a senior at Ocean View High School, participates in a signing day event on May 16, 2025. He was one of seven student-athletes from Ocean View to officially commit to collegiate athletics.

Weekly roundup: Ocean View High student to study at top-ranked STEM college, Santa Ana launches AI Compass to guide classroom use, and more

Vicky Nguyen July 3, 2025
Zack Wojtaszek, a recent graduate of Ocean View High School, is headed to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Indiana, the nation’s top-ranked undergraduate engineering school, where he plans to study mechanical engineering and compete in both football and track and...
Jay Seidel, director of the Fullerton College Drone Technology Department, leads a lesson inside the Fullerton College Drone Lab. Through an expanded partnership, Brea Olinda High School students will gain access to college-level instruction and the opportunity to earn drone piloting certificates beginning in fall 2025.

Brea Olinda High drone certificate program cleared for takeoff through partnership with Fullerton College

Vicky Nguyen July 2, 2025
Brea Olinda High School students will soon be able to take their education to new heights through an expanded dual enrollment partnership with Fullerton College that offers a professional drone piloting certificate beginning in fall 2025.
Dave Long speaks at the 2019 Safe Schools Conference

New name, same mission: National Safe Schools Conference to unite educators and law enforcement

Ian Hanigan June 30, 2025
The long-running Safe Schools Conference is now the National Safe Schools Conference, reflecting its growing national reach. This year's three-day event kicks off July 9, bringing together educators and law enforcement to share strategies for safer, more supportive campuses.
Student visits CESD food truck

Weekly roundup: Free summer meals offered to OC youth, student artists curate museum exhibit, and more

Madeline Gray June 27, 2025
This summer, families across Orange County can access free meals for children and teens — thanks to local school districts and community partners working together to ensure no child goes hungry during the break. From June through early August, participating...
Exterior view of the California State Capitol building in Sacramento

State budget preserves education funding despite fiscal challenges

Ian Hanigan June 27, 2025
California’s new budget protects school funding and invests in literacy, teacher training and transitional kindergarten — a better-than-expected outcome in a tough fiscal year.
Orange County School of the Arts student Emily Yi shows her third-place project, “Legacy of Betrayal and Medical Immorality: The Rights, Responsibilities, and Redemption of Tuskegee" to OCDE Coordinator Julie Hull at the NHD Finals in Maryland.

OC student historians help California lead the nation in National History Day medals

Madeline Gray June 26, 2025
Quick look: Orange County students earned four national medals, three finalist honors and one special award at the 2025 National...
SAUSD new superintendent

Dr. Lorraine M. Perez named next superintendent of Santa Ana Unified School District

Nathaniel Martinez June 25, 2025
Quick look: Dr. Lorraine M. Perez has been appointed superintendent of the Santa Ana Unified School District, bringing over 20 years of educational leadership experience. Known for her student-centered approach, she will continue focusing on academic achievement and strengthening community...
Cadets from Sunburst Youth Academy pose for a group photo in front of the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run attraction at Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Sunburst cadets explore STEM magic during Disneyland experience

Vicky Nguyen June 25, 2025
Sixteen cadets from Sunburst Youth Academy recently got a surprise trip to the “Happiest Place on Earth,” but their visit to Disneyland was more than just a day of fun. It was an opportunity to see how science and creativity power the park’s most iconic attractions.
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