In this difficult time, LACOE remains committed to improving the lives of students and our educational community through service, leadership and advocacy. Here, we share best practices, tips and success stories from the county’s 80 districts as we innovate and adapt together to ensure continuity of learning and safety of students, staff and families. |
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Educators need to get priority for COVID-19 vaccines |
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LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo has urged California Gov. Gavin Newsom to prioritize the vaccination of K-12 and early education teachers, administrators and staff to get the state’s public schools and early learning and care centers fully reopened.
In a letter to Newsom, Duardo said schools need to bring students back into the classroom to prevent further academic and social-emotional harm. "While there is hope on the horizon, we still face the challenges that distance learning and isolation have brought to Los Angeles County’s nearly two million students, with our children from low-income families suffering the most," she said.
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Courts schools keep parents in the picture |
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Life is like a football game, former pro football player Keith Davis told parents of students in LACOE’s school at Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar on Dec. 16. "No matter what happens in the first half, you can still have a great second half,” he said. “Always keep the vision and dream alive for your child’s future.”
The motivating talk on Zoom was one of many events and activities to engage parents of students in LACOE’s Juvenile Court Schools, which provide an award-winning instructional program to youth detained in LA County’s juvenile halls and camps.
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Nine LA County districts win Golden Bell awards |
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'Let There Be Peace on Earth'
Teachers, school staff perform song in sign language
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Collegewood Elementary in Walnut Valley USD has a decades-long tradition of hosting a Sing-A-Round with holiday songs performed by every grade level. The event concludes with hundreds of students and staff joining hands to sing “Let There Be Peace On Earth.” On Dec. 16, 25 teachers and school staff members performed the song in sign language to continue this beloved ritual during distance learning and to reach a hearing-impaired parent. “This beautiful tradition captures the heart of our community,” says Principal Dr. Mary Wendland.
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Virtual Calming Room supports students' mental health |
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Antelope Valley Union HSD has launched a virtual Calming Room to help students manage their emotions during COVID-19 and beyond. Created by school counselors Yuridia Bojorquez, Zahraa Charara and Craig Cincis, the site includes resources to support mental health, such as mindfulness activities, guided meditations, live zoo cameras and more.
"It never ceases to amaze me the creativity, commitment and sincere regard our staff demonstrates for the well-being of their students and one another," says Supt. David Vierra. "I couldn¹t be any more proud!"
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Character costumes make book pick-up fun for students |
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School staff and parent volunteers at Monte Vista School in Mountain View SD dressed up as storybook characters to welcome students during their Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) drive-through book pick-up. Students were excited to see their favorite characters, including The Hungry Caterpillar, The Penguin with a Pinecone, Go Dog Go, Cheshire Cat and The Mad Hatter. The RIF program in all 12 MVSD schools aims to inspire a love for reading among students, providing quality content to make an impact and give children the fundamentals for success.
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Hart HS science teacher on SOFIA flight that confirms
water on sunlit surface of the moon
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NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has confirmed water on the sunlit surface of the Moon. This discovery indicates that water may be distributed across the lunar surface and not limited to cold, shadowed places. William S. Hart Union HSD's Hart HS science teacher Kathryn Smith was on the SOFIA flight that verified the initial discovery.
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New resource hub for educators launched |
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Rhiannon Chavez, one of the 2020-21 LA County Teachers of the Year from LAUSD, shares tips on engaging students. LACOE's Teaching and Learning Resource Hub features Chavez and other top teachers offering practical tips that they have incorporated into their own classrooms.
The newly launched resource hub also provides information on how LA County public school teachers can apply for an Equitable Innovation Grant to fund projects that will help students most affected by the pandemic. Individual applicants can apply for up to $1,500. Teams of up to three are eligible to apply for a maximum of $4,500 ($1,500 each).
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Resources for DACA recipients |
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A federal district judge recently handed immigrants a big win--in the same month that celebrates International Migrants Day. The Trump administration has been ordered to fully reinstate the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which allows thousands of undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children to live and work in the country. LACOE's Immigrant Relations Program shares some resources for DACA recipients.
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Inspiring students to learn and love poetry |
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The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation work with thousands of schools and organizations nationwide to present Poetry Out Loud, bringing students a unique way to learn and love poetry. This year, the LA County Poetry Out Loud competition -- an annual recitation of classical poetry by high school students -- will be held virtually. The winner advances to the California state contest in March to compete for a spot on the national level in May.
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'Learning Together Safely' Tip |
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Free COVID-19 home test kit |
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Los Angeles County, in partnership with Fulgent Genetics, is offering free COVID-19 home tests to everyone in the county until Jan. 15, 2021. This is the same test offered at the county’s drive-up or walk-up community testing sites. The partnership, called the LA County Holiday Home Test Collection, will allow you to sign up to have a COVID-19 test shipped to your home.
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The LACOE-run Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA), a training ground for the region’s most promising young talent for more than 30 years, is currently accepting applications for the 2021-22 school year with an emphasis on advancing equitable access for young artists across the county.
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Resources for Families & Schools |
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Don’t forget, LACOE is regularly updating several pages of resources:
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