Weekly roundup: Inclusive Sports Day celebrates students in Huntington Beach, Fullerton students shine in K-pop competition, and more

More than 200 students from three Huntington Beach Union High School District campuses gathered at Edison High School on April 10 for a day of sports, camaraderie and inclusion, thanks to a continuing partnership with Westcliff University and the Inclusive Sports Foundation.

Known as the Inclusive Sports Foundation and Westcliff Sports Day, the event offered students with disabilities the chance to try a variety of sports led by collegiate athletes, including soccer, baseball, surfing, wrestling and other games.

Now in its third year, the event drew participants from Edison, Ocean View and Westminster high schools, highlighting the district’s commitment to equity and access.

“The Huntington Beach Union High School District is highly supportive of inclusive practices for students with disabilities,” said Joe Loomis, special programs administrator at Edison High School. “The district focuses on providing opportunities and support for all students, regardless of unique needs and individual circumstances.”

Along with a variety of interactive sports stations, the event featured music and dancing, energized by a DJ affiliated with the Los Angeles Rams. Westcliff athletes guided the activities and engaged with students throughout the day.

According to Loomis, the district’s broader inclusion efforts extend beyond special events. Huntington Beach Union offers a robust Unified Program with monthly sports and arts activities, Unified Leadership classes that promote daily interaction between students of all abilities, and co-taught classrooms led by both general and special education teachers.

Here are the other stories we’ve been following this week:

• Middle school students from the Fullerton School District participated in the inaugural “K-pop Battle of the Bands,” a competition aimed at enhancing vocal, dance and artistic skills while building community and exploring Korean culture and history.

• OC Pathways, led by the Orange County Department of Education, has been recognized in California’s new Master Plan for Career Education as a model for delivering high-quality career education and work-based learning opportunities to students.

• In a longstanding tradition dating back more than 20 years, OCDE staff delivered lawn signs before dawn to celebrate 44 Orange County campuses named 2025 California Distinguished Schools.

• The Orange County Youth Council, administered by OCDE, has launched a student-led podcast titled “Keep in Mind” to promote substance use prevention and student wellness, with weekly episodes airing through May 30.

• OCDE’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing team from Venado Middle School placed third in the national Battle of the Books tournament hosted by Gallaudet University, with student Kaia Roman named an all-star reader.

• About 1,600 Orange County students were celebrated at Angel Stadium on Wednesday for making positive strides in school during a special event hosted by the Orange County Gang Reduction and Intervention Partnership. County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean delivered remarks encouraging students to believe in themselves, education and their supporters.

• Teacher registration is now open for OCDE’s 2025 AP in the OC Summer Institute, a training endorsed by the College Board and designed to equip AP educators with strategies, content knowledge and instructional tools to enhance student outcomes.

• Inside the Outdoors, OCDE’s environmental education program, is marking its 50th anniversary and Earth Day with a month of hands-on outreach events and activities across Orange County to promote environmental literacy.

• Educators, civic leaders and community members gathered on April 22 at Templo Calvario Church in Santa Ana to honor the life and legacy of former Orange County Superintendent Dr. Al Mijares, who died in January at age 71.

• The Orange County Register has announced 112 semifinalists for its 2025 Artist of the Year program, recognizing exceptional high school talent across seven arts disciplines through interviews, live presentations and portfolio reviews.

• The Laguna Beach Unified School District was named a 2025 California Green Ribbon Schools “Green Achiever” — the state’s highest honor for environmental excellence — for its comprehensive efforts to promote sustainability, wellness and environmental literacy.

• Marina High School culinary arts students explored career pathways beyond the kitchen during a visit to BJ’s Restaurants Inc. headquarters in Huntington Beach as part of “Experience Hospitality Week.”

• California has launched its Cradle to Career Data System, a new public dashboard tracking college enrollment and earnings for about 3.5 million public high school graduates, offering a clearer view of student outcomes across the state.

• OCDE is inviting public feedback through May 2 on a newly developed ethnic studies course for its ACCESS program that can also be shared with other school districts.

• Amid declining enrollment and budget pressures, multiple Orange County school districts — including Saddleback Valley and Anaheim Union — are moving forward with school closures or studying potential consolidations, with decisions impacting students, staff and communities across the region.

• As the federal government threatens to cut funding over diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools, California officials say they already comply with federal civil rights laws and argue the Trump administration’s new mandate is illegal. Some Southern California districts are echoing the state’s position, the Orange County Register reports.

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