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Weekly roundup: Newport Harbor freshman presents at global festival, OC schools celebrate Lunar New Year, and more

Madeline Gray January 27, 2023
Westminster High School students perform in the annual Tet Fair and Show.

Here’s how OC schools and districts celebrated the Lunar New Year

Madeline Gray January 26, 2023
Discovery Cube

OC’s Discovery Cube invites educational community to celebrate Teachers Night Out on Feb. 9

Ian Hanigan January 25, 2023
46th annual VSA Festival

Arts festival celebrating Orange County artists with disabilities returns with a new look

Vicky Nguyen January 24, 2023
Cybersecurity class at Troy High School

Weekly roundup: Seven OC schools earn College Board’s Female Diversity Award, career technical education opportunities, and more

Vicky Nguyen January 20, 2023

Bank of America coordinates community-based internships in student leadership program

Madeline Gray December 6, 2022
Bank of America has provided internship experiences for high school students since 2004, citing its commitment to youth employment and...

Weekly roundup: Orange County music and arts organization announces awardees, Westminster park dedicated to Mendez family opens, and more

Madeline Gray December 2, 2022
The Orange County Music and Arts Administrators named 73 outstanding arts educators ahead of their 2023 awards ceremony coming up...
Sylvia Mendez and city officials

WATCH: Park honoring historic Mendez v. Westminster civil rights case opens to the public

Ian Hanigan December 1, 2022
Mendez Tribute Monument Park is officially open to visitors. On Thursday, Dec. 1, the City of Westminster formally debuted a new quarter-acre public space honoring the landmark Mendez v. Westminster case, which put an end to forced segregation in California’s...
Native American Heritage Month 2022

VIDEO: Influential leaders celebrate Native American Heritage Month with personal stories, historic perspectives

Vicky Nguyen November 30, 2022
In celebration of National Native American Heritage Month, the Orange County Department of Education connected with three influential and distinguished...
Valencia High Helping Hands Donation

#kindness1billion: Here’s a photo collection of schools celebrating the season of giving with food drives

Vicky Nguyen November 28, 2022
Many schools and districts across Orange County organized food drives throughout November to help families in need feel a sense...
NARCAN Nasal Spray

Naloxone can reverse the effects of a fentanyl overdose. Here’s what parents should know.

Madeline Gray November 23, 2022
At a recent forum, Sheriff Don Barnes shared that the synthetic opioid known as fentanyl is now the No. 1 cause of death among youth in Orange County. Yet there is a prescription drug that’s been proven to reverse the...
Mendez Tribute Monument Park rendering

VIDEO: Community invited to grand opening for park honoring landmark Mendez v. Westminster case

Ian Hanigan November 21, 2022
The City of Westminster, in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education, will host a grand opening ceremony on...
computer and newspaper

Weekly roundup: Irvine Unified alumna named ‘Outstanding Youth,’ Los Alamitos Instacart program, new WellSpace, and more

Vicky Nguyen November 18, 2022
An alumna from the Irvine Unified School District earned honors as an “Outstanding Youth” for her work in the community...
Rancho Santiago Community College District trustee Lawrence Labrado with his family and district colleagues.

Rancho Santiago Community College District trustee celebrated after 28 years of service

Madeline Gray November 18, 2022
Family, friends and colleagues of Rancho Santiago Community College District board trustee Lawrence “Larry” R. Labrado gathered on Nov. 14 to celebrate his accomplished career and share fond memories at a retirement reception for the longtime education advocate. Labrado was...
Los Alamitos Adult Transition Program student shopping

VIDEO: Los Alamitos Unified’s adult transition program promotes independence and opportunities for students

Vicky Nguyen November 17, 2022
It can be difficult for most people to stick to a shopping list at Target, but not for students in...
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Newport Harbor High School freshman Ryan Honary cr Newport Harbor High School freshman Ryan Honary created his own artificial intelligence-powered wildfire detection system. 

This week, he will present his innovative AI technology and host a panel discussion as part of the Learning Planet Festival organized by UNESCO and the Learning Planet Institute in Paris. 

Story link in bio. 
📸 Newport-Mesa Unified School District
Westminster High School students performed lion da Westminster High School students performed lion dances, played traditional Vietnamese drums and held a fashion show of Vietnamese dresses, known as áo dài, for their annual Tết Fair and Show on Jan. 19. 

Many Orange County schools and districts organized celebrations like this one to honor students' cultures and ring in the Lunar New Year. 

Story link in bio. 
đź“· Huntington Beach Union High School District
VSA Orange County, which has existed since 1976, h VSA Orange County, which has existed since 1976, has a new name. 

This week, the program now known as Orange County Arts and Disability unveiled its new name and logo ahead of the 47th annual arts festival, which in April will celebrate the artistic achievements of individuals with disabilities. 

Link in bio.
Schools across Orange County are joining campuses Schools across Orange County are joining campuses worldwide in the Great Kindness Challenge. 

The Orange County Department of Education has noticed many schools and districts engaging students in activities to spread kindness. 

This morning, Raymond Temple School Principal Shawn Stuht from the Centralia Elementary School District gave a special shoutout to a staff member for bringing baked goods into the office. 

Looking forward to seeing more posts!
Happy Lunar New Year! Many families will be welc Happy Lunar New Year! 

Many families will be welcoming the Year of the Rabbit — or the Year of the Cat, depending on which cultural traditions they follow — on Jan. 22 as the start of the three-day holiday. 

The Orange County Department of Education wishes everyone a new year of happiness, new beginnings and prosperity.
Seven schools in Orange County were recognized by Seven schools in Orange County were recognized by the College Board for their work toward equal gender representation by engaging more female students in computer science.

Troy High School in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Cypress High School and Oxford Academy in the Anaheim Union High School District, Ocean View High School and Huntington Beach High School in the Huntington Beach Union High School District, Foothill High School in the Tustin Unified School District and the Orange County High School of the Arts were recognized with the 2022 AP Computer Science Female Diversity Award on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Link in bio.
Video production, aerospace engineering and graphi Video production, aerospace engineering and graphic design are just a few potential jobs for students enrolled in today's career technical education programs. 

These initiatives connect high schools, colleges, universities, local businesses and regional occupational programs to provide students with opportunities to explore their future careers. 

For a closer look at academic options for Orange County students, we have gathered five facts families need to know about career technical education. 

Story link in bio.
Schools across Orange County are getting ready to Schools across Orange County are getting ready to participate in the Great Kindness Challenge, which kicks off Monday, Jan. 23.

Created by the nonprofit group Kids for Peace, and endorsed by state Superintendent Tony Thurmond, the Great Kindness Challenge is a national program dedicated to recording as many acts of kindness as possible in a single week — typically the last full week of January. This year’s theme is “Grow Kindness.”

Link in bio.
In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the O In observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Orange County Department of Education’s offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 16.
Three high school students from Orange County were Three high school students from Orange County were named finalists in the Society for Science’s list of the top 300 scholars in the 2023 Regeneron Science Talent Search.

The program is billed as the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. Along with the recognition, the scholars will each be awarded $2,000 and their respective schools will receive $2,000.

The three seniors from Orange County are Thaddaeus Kiker from Sunny Hills High School in the Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Tyler Benjamin Yang from Yorba Linda High in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District and Akshata Tiwari from Aliso Niguel High in the Capistrano Unified School District.

Link in bio. 
📸 @society4science
For high school juniors and seniors interested in For high school juniors and seniors interested in volunteer work, the Bank of America Student Leaders program can help them serve their communities while building leadership skills and gaining first-hand experience in the workforce. 

This summer, the company will select 300 students from across the U.S. to participate in an eight-week paid internship with a local nonprofit organization. 

The deadline to apply is Friday, Jan. 13. Interested students can submit their applications at: https://about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/student-leaders 

Story link in bio.
Inspired by her colleagues, teacher Alyssa Moreno Inspired by her colleagues, teacher Alyssa Moreno from Orangethorpe Elementary School in the Fullerton School District gifted new books for each of her students to bring home. 

This act of kindness was one of many displayed by students, teachers, schools and districts in Orange County this winter. 📚

Link to story in bio.
OCDE’s 2023 winter career fair is being held tod OCDE’s 2023 winter career fair is being held today from 2 to 6 p.m. 

Inside the Building D Conference Center on 200 Kalmus Drive in Costa Mesa, there are representatives from 17 different school districts who are eager to meet candidates for open positions. 

Districts are seeking applicants for the following positions: classroom teachers, substitute teachers, speech and language professionals, special education staff, instructional assistants/paraeducators, clerical support staff, custodial/operational support, accounting positions, and information technology specialists.

OCDE is welcoming walk-in registrants. 

Link in bio: https://newsroom.ocde.us/ocde-to-host-orange-county-schools-winter-career-fair-on-jan-10/
On Feb. 7, the 13th annual Creative Edge Lecture s On Feb. 7, the 13th annual Creative Edge Lecture series will present an in-person talk hosted by the National Endowment for the Arts chair, Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. 

For more than 25 years, Dr. Jackson's work has been dedicated to understanding and elevating arts, culture and design as crucial elements to revitalizing communities. 

This event, hosted by Arts Orange County in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education and the Fourth District PTA, is free to the public, with reservations required. Reserve your spot for the lecture at: http://ow.ly/81Ig50Mn9kS 

Story link in bio.
We have officially entered academic event season. We have officially entered academic event season. 

From spelling bees to science olympiads, here is our annual rundown of some of the standards-based contests and events that OCDE and Orange County schools will participate in from now through June. 

Story link in bio.
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond has named 38 Or State Superintendent Tony Thurmond has named 38 Orange County elementary campuses as 2023 California Distinguished Schools.

More than 350 schools were recognized throughout the state for their ability to provide quality education to students while navigating the effects of the pandemic. 👏 

Find the complete list of selected Orange County schools at the link in bio.
Are you interested in starting the new year with a Are you interested in starting the new year with a career in education, or are you an educator looking for an opportunity to serve students? 

Orange County school districts are looking for dynamic, dedicated individuals like you. Whether you’re an experienced educator, a professional seeking a change or a candidate just beginning your search for a meaningful career, the OCDE’s 2023 Winter Career Fair on Tuesday, Jan. 10, will give you a chance to explore some of the career opportunities available in Orange County.

Registration link in bio.
The Orange County Department of Education sends wa The Orange County Department of Education sends warmest wishes to you and your family as we wrap the holiday season. 

We hope your holidays are peaceful and full of joy. We look forward to a new year full of opportunities. 

Be safe and well.
2022 began inauspiciously enough, with a massive C 2022 began inauspiciously enough, with a massive Covid-19 spike that caused widespread absences following winter break. But then case rates fell just quickly, and there were plenty of other educational storylines that went on to define the year.

Here’s a look back at some of our most notable stories from the past 12 months.

Link in bio.
On a crisp December morning, the City of Westminst On a crisp December morning, the City of Westminster and the Orange County Department of Education celebrated the opening of a new park honoring the historic case of Mendez v. Westminster, which put an end to forced segregation in California’s public schools while laying the foundation for the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Brown v. Board decision.

As the year comes to an end, the Orange County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Al Mijares reflected on what the park means for the Mendez family and community. 

Link in bio.
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