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Stacey Middle School students perform El Baile de las Cintas, or the dance of the ribbons, at the City's Fall Festival Culture Night on Sept. 24 honoring Hispanic Heritage Month. (Photos courtesy of Westminster School District)

Weekly roundup: Westminster students honor Hispanic Heritage Month through music and dance, and more

Madeline Gray October 2, 2026

New podcast in English and Spanish guides Orange County families through educational landscape

Madeline Gray October 1, 2026
OCDE leaders and staff surprise Language Services Coordinator Natalia Abarca, center, with a Visionary Leadership Award in recognition of her work advancing language access in education.

10th annual OCDE conference celebrates growth of language access profession

Vicky Nguyen September 30, 2026
Orange County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean and Project Tomorrow CEO Julie Evans pose together in the OCDE Media Services studio

FutureCurrent: Project Tomorrow CEO Julie Evans on AI, student voice and the future of learning

Ian Hanigan September 29, 2026
OCDE Student Programs and Services Coordinator Jeanne Awrey, left, and Senior Administrative Assistant Terri Glover hold welcome gifts prepared for children and youth staying in local homeless shelters. The gifts include school supplies, books and other items selected for students of different ages.

School data offer a different look at student homelessness in Orange County

Vicky Nguyen September 28, 2026
Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock speaks during the 2025 National Safe Schools Conference at the Delta Hotels Anaheim Garden Grove. The annual conference convenes educators, school safety professionals and law enforcement representatives from across the country.

National Safe Schools Conference brings experts to Orange County for July 8-10 event

Vicky Nguyen July 1, 2026
More than 500 educators, school safety professionals and law enforcement representatives are expected to attend the 17th annual National Safe Schools Conference July 8-10 in Garden Grove, where experts will share practical strategies for creating safer, more supportive schools.
University high DHH students at graduation

ACCESS, Connections students mark graduation milestone

Nathaniel Martinez June 29, 2026
Celebrating the Class of 2026 A look at the ACCESS and Connections graduation ceremonies across Orange County Read now keywords...
Dr. Amita Cloke

OCDE names Dr. Amita Cloke assistant superintendent of Special Education

Ian Hanigan June 29, 2026
Quick look: Dr. Amita Cloke has been named OCDE’s next assistant superintendent of Special Education. The longtime educator, clinician and school psychologist will oversee programs that support students with disabilities across Orange County, including the department’s Connections schools. For Dr....
Students participate in an outdoor hands-on activity during the Tustin Summer Academy, which offers a variety of enrichment classes for elementary and middle school students.

Weekly roundup: Tustin Summer Academy offers hands-on learning beyond the classroom, and more

Vicky Nguyen June 26, 2026
Students are spending part of their summer baking sourdough bread, designing robots, publishing children’s books and exploring cuisines from around...
Crossed-out substances

OCDE equips parents with Family Digital Toolkit to combat substance-use trends

Nathaniel Martinez June 25, 2026
A few taps and swipes on a social media app can quickly shape what a student sees online — including...
California students and educators participate in the Parade of States during the opening ceremony of the 2026 National History Day National Contest at the University of Maryland.

Orange County students earn national honors at National History Day finals

Vicky Nguyen June 25, 2026
Orange County students earned a national championship, finalist honors, special awards and a museum showcase selection at the 2026 National History Day National Contest, helping California continue its strong performance at the annual competition.
Debora Wondercheck, founder and CEO of the Arts & Learning Conservatory, joins County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stefan Bean and educator Lainie Rowell for an episode of OCDE’s FutureCurrent podcast.

FutureCurrent: Arts & Learning Conservancy founder Debora Wondercheck discusses the power of arts education

Vicky Nguyen June 23, 2026
On the latest episode of FutureCurrent, Arts & Learning Conservatory founder and CEO Debora Wondercheck discusses how a family story rooted in exclusion helped shape her life's work expanding access to arts education for students across Orange County.
Dr. Grant Litfin has been appointed as the next superintendent of the Cypress School District and is scheduled to begin serving in the role July 1.

Cypress School District appoints Dr. Grant Litfin as next superintendent

Vicky Nguyen June 22, 2026
The Cypress School District Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Grant Litfin, currently Tustin Unified School District’s assistant superintendent of administrative services, as its next superintendent. He will assume the role July 1 following the retirement of Superintendent Anne Silavs.
Fresh produce is available at the Dolphin Food Market at Pacific Drive Elementary School in Fullerton. The food pantry serves families throughout the year, including during the summer months.

Weekly roundup: Fullerton’s Dolphin Food Market extends support through summer break, and more

Vicky Nguyen June 18, 2026
The Dolphin Food Market at Pacific Drive Elementary School will remain open throughout the summer, providing food and resources to families while school is out of session. According to the Fullerton School District, the community food pantry serves approximately 125...
Tustin Memorial Academy students Vivienne, Cora, Miles, Maddie and Delnia win first place and the community-focused award from the Municipal Water District of OC for their dynamic prototype called "The Cat Robot."

PHOTOS: Orange County student makers celebrated for creating problem-solving innovations

Madeline Gray June 16, 2026
More than 460 Orange County student innovators submitted 206 prototypes designed to address real-world challenges as part of the annual ocMaker Challenge. Thirty-seven teams from 20 schools earned first- through third-place awards and 16 special awards presented before an audience of more than 300 attendees.
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