National Voter Registration Day follows the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg who fought to protect citizens' voting rights. "Registering to vote is the first step to making sure your voice is heard at the local, statewide and national levels," says Superintendent Debra Duardo in her video message. "Please join us in spreading the word that we all must exercise our right to vote to ensure a just and equitable society."

Watch Supt. Duardo's video message (1 min.)

Jose Gonzalez, a middle school technology teacher in Compton USD, has started virtual cooking classes with parents to help them cope with the stress of parenting during this pandemic. Gonzalez wanted to "create an outlet" for the parents who were going through a tough time. During Hispanic Heritage Month, the show features a diversity of traditional Hispanic cuisine reflecting the rich culture of Hispanic Americans.

Watch the story on NowThis News (5 min.)

Read story about Jose Gonzalez's innovative ways to engage students

There's only 1 week left to complete the 2020 Census. As of today, 36 percent of households in LA County have yet to to fill out the Census that will help ensure funding for vital services, such as health care, education and child care in the next 10 years.

Leading the Census Weekend of Action for Children and Families Sept. 26-27, LACOE is working with the LA City Mayor’s Office to encourage families to get out the count in three areas with low responses: Pacoima, Panorama City and South LA. We encourage all school districts and charters to create their own "final push" weekend of action either online or in-person. For support or more information email our Census Outreach Specialist Esmeralda Flores.

Access LACOE's Census Outreach Digital Toolkit

More resources for families and schools: lacoe.edu/Census

Complete the census NOW or call 844-330-2020

Last week ushered in Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15). The Latinx communities have enriched American culture and society, and they bring so much to LA County. They are also among the most likely to be left out of the Census count. We can change that today. Do your part and fill out your 2020 Census form now and help spread the word. LACOE's Census Outreach Digital Toolkit includes resources for reaching out to Latinx communities. Below are some activities that can help make a difference during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Educators are encouraged to use this Census Bureau middle school math activity that compares the frequencies of Hispanic population percentages in each state

Torrance USD Interim Superintendent Dr. Tim Stowe and Fernie the Falcon (aka Fern Elementary counselor Eric Daugherty) engage in hands-on activities in the science lab. The supplies and equipment in all 17 elementary science labs were funded by donations made through the Torrance Education Foundation (TEF). This school year TEF continues to focus on STEM and supporting the health and safety of students when they return to the classrooms. This social media post was created to help connect with Torrance USD families and the larger community and seek their support for the annual fundraising drive.

Watch the video (14 sec.)

We are so excited to honor our educators in our annual LA County Teachers of the Year event, in partnership with our Greater LA Education Foundation, on Oct. 1 at 4 pm. Don't miss our virtual event on our Facebook and Instagram pages where we will reveal our Top 10 Teachers of the Year and honor all our districts' top educators. We are very grateful to the California Credit Union, our longtime sponsor, and Arizona State University, our platinum sponsor, for helping shine the spotlight on teaching excellence during this difficult time.

Six Walnut Valley USD schools have earned the 2020 California PBIS Community Cares Award for outstanding support to students, families and communities during the pandemic. Maple Hill Elementary produced outreach videos featuring the Making Lemonade Out of Lemons school closure theme. Evergreen Elementary fifth graders wrote letters to assisted living facility residents. Vejar Elementary hosted online weekly family activities. C.J. Morris Elementary staff provided supplies to support distance learning. Quail Summit Elementary shared daily wellness activities to help students handle stress and Castle Rock Elementary helped promote a sense of community among families.