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OCDE Prevention Education Coordinator Stephan Lambert speaks with an attendee during the department’s Thrive Resource Fair on Sept. 25, 2025, at the OCDE Conference Center in Costa Mesa.

Weekly roundup: OCDE staff featured in Educational Leadership article on student digital wellness, and more

Vicky Nguyen September 11, 2026
Person viewing OCDE’s redesigned website on a laptop and smartphone, showing the site’s responsive layout across desktop and mobile devices.

OCDE launches redesigned website with fresh look and improved user experience

Ian Hanigan September 10, 2026
Los Alamitos High School students work behind the microphones during the school’s first student-produced live varsity football broadcast on Sept. 4.

Los Alamitos High students take the controls for first live sports broadcast

Vicky Nguyen September 10, 2026
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School students in the Santa Ana Unified School District earn special certificates and prizes for completing the 2025 STEAM Race to Space Reading Challenge. (Courtesy of Mendez Intermediate)

Blue Origin astronaut to help launch fifth STEAM Reading Challenge

Madeline Gray September 9, 2026
Attendees make their way to sessions during OCDE’s AI Forward Summit on Aug. 3 at the department’s Conference Center in Costa Mesa.

OCDE Connected Leadership Conference to bring district professionals together Oct. 20

Vicky Nguyen September 9, 2026
Dr. Bob Pletka, superintendent of Fullerton School District, speaking at a podium during the district’s second Tiny Home Project ribbon-cutting ceremony

Fullerton School District’s ‘Dr. Bob’ to retire after more than a decade as superintendent

Ian Hanigan September 12, 2025
Fullerton School District Superintendent Dr. Bob Pletka has announced he will retire on Feb. 1, 2026, after more than 13 years leading the district. During his tenure, FSD expanded technology access, introduced new instructional programs and launched initiatives ranging from dual language immersion to student-built Tiny Homes.
Sunburst students get off the bus

Sunburst Youth Academy opens with its largest class yet

Nathaniel Martinez September 12, 2025
Sunburst Youth Academy’s Class 36 is the largest in the program’s history — and the first in nearly a decade...
Youth apprentice playing with children

OC Pathways Apprenticeship Program connects students with career opportunities

Nathaniel Martinez September 11, 2025
Finding a job after graduating from college can feel like an uphill battle, especially when employers often ask for at least two years of experience. So how can students be work-ready on day one when it’s only their first day?...
Dr. Kym LeBlanc-Esparza

PYLUSD names Dr. Kym LeBlanc-Esparza as next superintendent

Ian Hanigan September 10, 2025
The Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District has appointed Dr. Kym LeBlanc-Esparza as its next superintendent, effective Oct. 6. Known to colleagues as Dr. Kym, she is a veteran educator with more than 30 years of experience and most recently served as deputy superintendent of Jeffco Public Schools in Colorado.
Volunteers collect debris during the 2024 California Coastal Cleanup Day at Upper Newport Bay.

Inside the Outdoors, partners to host Coastal Cleanup Day at Upper Newport Bay

Vicky Nguyen September 10, 2025
Inside the Outdoors, OCDE’s environmental education program, is partnering with OC Parks and other local organizations to host the 2025 California Coastal Cleanup Day at Upper Newport Bay on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Studio crew adjusting cameras, lighting and sound equipment while two people sit at a table under stage lights.

OCDE and UC Irvine partner to launch ‘Earn and Learn’ apprenticeships in fall 2025

Ian Hanigan September 8, 2025
OCDE and UC Irvine are converting existing student internships into registered apprenticeships, giving participants paid experience plus industry-recognized credentials. Backed by state funding, the partnership supports California’s goal of 500,000 apprentices by 2029 while opening pathways into high-demand careers in education, business and the arts.
Students from Bryant Arts Academy in the Garden Grove Unified School District show their school spirit. The campus was among those recognized in the California PBIS Coalition’s 2024-25 recognition program.

Weekly roundup: PBIS recognition program spotlights OC schools, Huntington Beach High standout earns 18U Team USA spot, and more

Vicky Nguyen September 5, 2025
The California PBIS Coalition has recognized more than 2,500 schools across the state, including dozens in Orange County, as part...
Orange County students gear up to the compete in day one of the Orange County Academic Decathlon on Jan. 25 at Westminster High School.

OCDE to prepare new coaches for Academic Decathlon, Pentathlon season

Madeline Gray September 4, 2025
Quick look: OCDE is set to host virtual orientations this September for new coaches interested in forming Academic Decathlon or...
Participants visit vendor tables during the inaugural Thrive Resource Fair in 2024, hosted by the Orange County Department of Education.

OCDE’s Thrive Resource Fair to connect school staff with tools and services in September

Vicky Nguyen September 4, 2025
Quick look: More than 60 vendors will take part in OCDE’s second annual Thrive Resource Fair on Sept. 25 at the OCDE Conference Center. The event is designed to connect school and district staff with services supporting health, education and...
Daniel Tamayo presenting at the International Translation Day celebration.

OCDE to celebrate International Translation Day with keynote and networking event

Vicky Nguyen September 3, 2025
Quick look: OCDE will host its second annual International Translation Day celebration on Sept. 30 at its Costa Mesa campus....
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