Magnolia High School students enrolled in the cybersecurity pathway will further enhance their technological operations skills with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, thanks to the new Jan & Ross Billings Innovation Center of Excellence.
The two-story center spanning over 22,000 square feet — unveiled to the Anaheim Union High School District community on Sept. 5 — houses a project-based learning center that includes four interactive cybersecurity classrooms along with an instructional server room and two workrooms.
The Orange County Register reported that district officials and community leaders attended a grand opening of the center, catching a first look at the collaborative classroom spaces. With new cutting-edge technology like network server racks and tablet-style devices, the district aims to strengthen students’ abilities in cyber vulnerability competitions, malware detection, coding and more.
“The classrooms are all designed so that teachers can collaborate and students can work together on projects,” said Construction Services Administrator Leah Jason in a video produced by the district.
The innovation center also includes four general education classrooms and will serve as the new location for the administrative services, registration and records, and health staff.
“To be associated with this innovation center, which is absolutely breathtaking, is something Ross and I would never have dreamed of,” longtime Anaheim educator Jan Billings told the Register. “This beautiful building symbolizes hope for the future, creativity and a belief in the students who will make a better world.”
Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:
- More than 40 student teams utilized their engineering and racing skills to shift their remote-controlled clean energy cars into high gear at the 2024 Hydrogen Grand Prix World Final in Anaheim.
- In the wake of the Airport Fire that sparked in Trabuco Canyon Monday, two Saddleback Valley Unified School District elementary campuses have remained closed through Friday based on road closures and evacuation warnings.
- Schools elsewhere in Southern California were closed through the week in response to poor air quality and the continued threat posed by the Bridge and Line fires.
- From Sept. 16 to Sept. 27, California students age 16 and 17 can pre-register to vote as part of the statewide High School Voter Education Weeks program.
- As part of an ongoing effort to enhance and refine its services, OCDE is calling on local educators, students and parents to provide their feedback in its annual Educational Partner Survey.
- To help Orange County social science teachers bring the past to life, OCDE is hosting a National History Day-OC kickoff on Sept. 19 to provide training and guidance for both new and returning contest coaches.
- Community members recently visited the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District’s Universal Sports Institute for an open house and information session on the new diploma-bound program for elite student-athletes.
- Following a comprehensive selection process and unanimous board vote, Gregory Rolen has been appointed as the Orange County Department of Education’s new general counsel. He’ll lead OCDE’s Legal Services unit starting Oct. 1.
- California students attending community college can receive assistance covering higher education costs by participating in community service work via the College Corps initiative.
- Cal State Los Angeles and UC Irvine have plans to develop student programs that enhance academic and character development, after receiving funding from a national education grant.
- If passed, a senate bill would require all districts to implement new plans that alter on-campus activities — including physical education — during extreme weather conditions.
- During a city council meeting Tuesday, the City of Orange voted to revitalize its crossing guard program at local elementary and secondary schools after parents voiced their concerns, as reported by the Orange County Register.
- Starting this Sunday, Newport Harbor High School senior Harper Price will compete internationally as a member of the U.S. women’s water polo Youth National team coached by Edison High School alum Alys Moore.
- Orange County’s Second Harvest Food Bank recently marked 10 years of delivering food to families at local schools through its mobile school pantry program, hosting a distribution event at Huntington Beach’s Oak View Elementary in celebration.
This is the part where we encourage you to keep up with local education news stories by bookmarking the OCDE Newsroom, subscribing for emailed updates and following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.