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Download the free app for OCDE’s One Billion Acts of Kindness campaign

Ian Hanigan
October 18, 2017
Orange County Together

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There has been some confusion, understandably, ove There has been some confusion, understandably, over the role of the OC Board of Education and our agency, the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE). OCDE and County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares has worked with local school district leaders to develop “Orange County Together: A guide to safely reopening schools in the COVID-19 era.” This resource, available on our website, is in alignment with the California Department of Public Health, which stresses the importance of social distancing and face coverings when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. The five-member OC Board of Education, which has separate responsibilities, is hosting today’s meeting to discuss a white paper with alternative recommendations. The board majority’s recommendations are not binding. Locally elected school boards and superintendents will approve and implement plans specific to their districts based on the needs of their schools and communities. Our department — OCDE — is working to support districts in that effort, and we remain 100 percent committed to following and sharing the guidance of the California Department of Public Health and the Orange County Health Care Agency.
Looking to catch up on this week’s local educati Looking to catch up on this week’s local education news? Look no further as the OCDE Newsroom has you covered. Check out our Weekly roundup at newsroom.ocde.us
This week, the OCDE received its first shipment of This week, the OCDE received its first shipment of personal protective equipment from @Cal_oes to be distributed to school districts across Orange County. CalOES, in partnership with the @CAdepted, will be providing school districts with an array of PPE including disposable and reusable masks, hand sanitizer, thermometers and face shields. The PPE will be allotted on a per-pupil, per-district basis as calculated using 2019-20 data on the number of students and on-campus staff including teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and auxiliary staff. Read more in the OCDE Newsroom (link in bio).
The California Department of Public Health has con The California Department of Public Health has confirmed that youth sports, including conditioning activities associated with high school athletic programs, are not yet permitted under the agency’s current guidance. Read more in our latest OCDE Newsroom post - link in bio.
Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom and the Legislatu Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom and the Legislature passed the 2020-21 state budget. Check out our latest OCDE Newsroom (link in bio) post for 5 important things you need to know about the $202.1 billion spending plan and the impacts to K-12 education.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." #fourthofjuly #oc #staysafe
Catch up on local education news every Friday with Catch up on local education news every Friday with the OCDE Newsroom's weekly roundup. https://newsroom.ocde.us
Introducing Ralph Figueroa.⁣ ⁣ Ralph is the Ma Introducing Ralph Figueroa.⁣ ⁣ Ralph is the Maintenance and Operations Manager in the Administrative Services Division with OCDE.⁣ ⁣ Ralph oversees the maintenance and operations of all OCDE facilities throughout Orange County, including the construction of new sites. While the educational community is immersed in the current health crisis, Ralph has demonstrated strong leadership and a valuable skillset. His desire to work for an organization that is well respected and is the hub that supports and serves all districts in the county is what motivates him. His goal is to provide safe, clean and welcoming environments for students so they can devote their energy to learning, creating and growing.⁣ ⁣ One of the things that stands out to Ralph about working for OCDE are his colleagues who are very supportive of the department’s mission. He says, “The support is like no other I have ever experienced, truly a blessing and glad to be part of OCDE!”⁣ ⁣ Ralph Figueroa, making a difference!⁣ ⁣ #OCDEmakingaDifference⁣
Our weekly roundup of education news is posted eve Our weekly roundup of education news is posted every Friday on the OCDE Newsroom. Find us at newsroom.ocde.us. #OC #publicschool #news #education #K12news
Missed today's webinar on the Orange County Togeth Missed today's webinar on the Orange County Together #schoolreopening guidance? Join us for a second session at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 24. Register here: http://link.ocde.us/octogether-webinar
Representatives from the Orange County Department Representatives from the Orange County Department of Education and school districts across the county have developed a comprehensive guide with recommendations for reopening more than 600 local schools.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ While locally elected school boards and superintendents will approve and implement plans specific to their districts, “Orange County Together: A guide to safely reopening schools in the COVID-19 era” is a web-based resource with detailed considerations for resuming in-person instruction complemented by online learning. It’s based on guidance from the state Department of Public Health and has been approved by Orange County’s health officer.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Included are recommendations for promoting behaviors proven to reduce transmission of the illness caused by the novel coronavirus, including best practices for healthy hygiene and face coverings, which are advised when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ There are also strategies for maintaining healthy environments with enhanced cleaning and limited sharing of supplies and equipment, as well as recommended practices for promoting healthy operations with smaller cohorts, modified layouts and staggered scheduling as feasible.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The guide, which aligns with materials produced by the California Department of Education and the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, concludes with procedures to follow if a student or staff member gets sick.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ To access the resource, visit the OCDE Newsroom at newsroom.ocde.us.⁣ ⁣ #OC #publicschools #reopeningschools #OCtogether #covid19
After campuses closed to students in mid-March, sc After campuses closed to students in mid-March, school districts across Orange County set up grab-and-go stations to make sure children didn’t go without healthy meals.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ And many will continue doing so over the summer, thanks in part to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s decision to give child nutrition programs some added flexibility.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ The OCDE Newsroom has a rundown of the dates, times and locations for breakfast and lunch pickups in your area. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Visit newsroom.ocde.us to learn more.⁣ ⁣ ⁣ (Above, staff members in the Fullerton School District acknowledge serving 475,000 meals to students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Breakfast and lunch will continue to be available for pickup in Fullerton this summer.)⁣ ⁣⁣ #OC #summermeals #publicschools #schoollunch #freeandreduced
In a special two-part episode of The Deeper Learni In a special two-part episode of The Deeper Learning Podcast, Orange County Superintendent of Schools Al Mijares asks a pair of prominent school funding experts to share their insights on how the COVID-19 downturn will affect K-12 budgets — and whether there are any bright spots in the financial forecast.⁣ ⁣ Part 1 features Mike Fine, CEO of the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, commonly known as FCMAT. Administered by the office of the Kern County Superintendent, FCMAT assists California school districts with fiscal advice, management assistance, training, audits and other business services.⁣ ⁣ In Part 2, we hear from Dr. Molly McGee Hewitt, CEO and executive director of the California Association of School Business Officials. CASBO, which has more than 24,000 members, is considered the premier resource for California’s school business leaders.⁣ ⁣ The Deeper Learning Podcast was launched in 2017 to explore stories about life, learning and education at a deeper level. To start listening or to check out past episodes, visit the OCDE Newsroom or go to deeperlearning.ocde.us. ⁣ You can also subscribe to The Deeper Learning Podcast on iTunes, where new episodes are posted.
"The challenges we face will test us," writes Oran "The challenges we face will test us," writes Orange County Superintendent Al Mijares.⁣ ⁣ "But we are here now. We are together now, a blend of generations that must pull in the same direction because our fortunes are inextricably bound."⁣ ⁣ Read the superintendent's full statement on the OCDE Newsroom at newsroom.ocde.us.
Whenever there’s a national trauma, whether it’s a hurricane or an act of terrorism, 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.⁣ ⁣ Visit the OCDE Newsroom at newsroom.ocde.us for ways to help kids cope during difficult moments.⁣ ⁣ #OC #publicschools #mentalhealth #OCDE
We've got stories about OC's innovative graduation We've got stories about OC's innovative graduation ceremonies, a virtual prom in Mission Viejo, school district reopening plans and much more in our weekly roundup of local education news. ⁣ ⁣ Visit the OCDE Newsroom anytime at newsroom.ocde.us for our latest updates.⁣ ⁣ #OC #publicschool #news #OCDE #newsroom #graduation #classof2020
When their school’s senior prom was canceled bec When their school’s senior prom was canceled because of a pandemic, a pair of brothers from Trabuco Hills High School in Mission Viejo had a workaround.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ They had already built their own school — virtually.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ A few months back, as districts were shifting to distance learning, senior Jesse Van Norman and his sophomore brother Ryley enlisted friends to recreate the entire Trabuco Hills campus using the popular game Minecraft, which allows users to build digital worlds.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ They didn’t know exactly where it would all lead, but now that it’s finished, they’ve invited the entire student body — “even the freshmen” — to attend a virtual prom on Saturday, May 30 using Minecraft Java Edition.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ So far, more than 600 have signed up, and those who don’t have that version of Minecraft are encouraged to participate by calling friends.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Jesse said he and his friends weren’t sure if they could handle that many people, but a company called BisectHosting offered up a dedicated server for the occasion.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ “We cannot believe how much support we have gotten for this project, and we are so grateful and could not have done it without everyone’s help,” he told the OCDE Newsroom. “In the end, we built every single room in our school, all to scale. We are super excited to bring everyone together in the game, and make senior year a memorable one.”⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ It sounds like there will be some fun easter eggs to find on the campus thanks to the Van Norman brothers and contributors Alex Nguyen, David Pitterle, Maxx Handal, Taichi Hayashi, Chris Balsells, Angel Dobles and Catherine Lee.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ No word yet on who’s springing for virtual limos.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Watch their super cool video preview on the OCDE Newsroom at newsroom.ocde.us⁣ ⁣ #minecraft #oc #publicschools #prom #distancelearning
This year’s Orange County Teacher of the Year an This year’s Orange County Teacher of the Year announcements looked a bit different.⁣ ⁣ Conspicuously missing was the big yellow bus, dubbed the “Prize Patrol,” which has traditionally carried the county superintendent, camera crews, reporters, sponsors and OCDE representatives from school to school to share the good news.⁣ ⁣ Instead, six exemplary educators found out they’ve been named the 2021 Orange County Teachers of the Year the same way many of us are now virtually connecting — through videoconferencing sessions.⁣ ⁣ The surprises were no less genuine and the smiles were no less broad as winners were greeted by an online gallery of faces that included County Superintendent Al Mijares, OCDE administrators, colleagues and representatives from SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, the program’s premier sponsor.⁣ ⁣ From a pool of 58 district-level teachers of the year, 15 were named semifinalists, and from that group five were selected to represent the county — along with one community college instructor. Each was notified on Wednesday after being asked to join separate videoconferencing sessions.⁣ ⁣ Without further ado, the 2021 Orange County Teachers of the Year are:⁣ ⁣ — Shelley Romanoff-Andros, Buena Park Junior High School, Buena Park School District⁣ — James (Mickey) Dickson, Northwood High School, Irvine Unified School District⁣ — Laura Gómez, Martin Elementary School, Santa Ana Unified School District⁣ — Allison Goodlander, Barbara Benson Elementary School, Tustin Unified School District⁣ — Emily Quinlan, Saddleback College, South Orange County Community College District⁣ — Shay Reardon, Ada Clegg Elementary School, Westminster School District⁣ ⁣ For more, visit the OCDE Newsroom.
Meet Orange County’s Classified Employees of the Meet Orange County’s Classified Employees of the Year for 2020!⁣ ⁣ OCDE has selected six county finalists from a pool of 64 district-level winners based on their work performance, leadership, commitment and involvement with their schools and communities.⁣ ⁣ In addition to being honored locally — including an appearance in a full-page ad in today’s Orange County Register — each is now eligible to compete for state honors.⁣ ⁣ The 2020 Orange County Classified Employees of the Year are: ⁣ ⁣ -- Phillip Burns, a sous chef in the Anaheim Union High School District⁣ -- Luis Cordon, a bus driver for the Garden Grove Unified School District⁣ -- Cathy Kitto, an office manager in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District⁣ -- Vanessa Larios, an Extended School Program coordinator in the Fountain Valley School District⁣ -- Danny Salas, a head custodian in the Los Alamitos Unified School District and⁣ -- Timmi Pearson, a paraeducator in the Cypress School District⁣ ⁣ The Classified School Employees of the Year program was established in 2008 by the California Department of Education to spotlight the contributions of classified workers, whose ranks include instructional assistants, custodians, office clerks, technicians, bus drivers and other non-certificated staff members.⁣ ⁣ In Orange County, home to approximately 475,000 public school students, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union partners with OCDE to annually recognize six exemplary employees who help make sure campuses are safe, supportive and engaging learning environments.⁣ ⁣ “Classified workers are indispensable at all levels of education, ensuring the health, safety and academic success of our students,” Orange County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares said. “They are often the first to greet students on campus, and many play a central role building relationships with families.” Visit the OCDE Newsroom for more.⁣ ⁣ #OC #publicschools #CEOY #classifiedschoolemployees #OCDE #schoolemployeesrock
This is not what most teachers had in mind when th This is not what most teachers had in mind when they earned their teaching credentials. Many surely imagined planning lessons, decorating classrooms and leading meaningful dialogs with their students. Some may have envisioned using the latest technologies to engage young learners and promote equity. But as we know, the world shifted on its axis this year. By March, school districts in Orange County and throughout the state were taking the unprecedented steps of suspending in-person classes and pivoting to distance learning models in real-time. How did our teachers respond? The same way they always do — by figuring out how to best serve and support students. Read more at newsroom.ocde.us.
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