August 13th
Debra Duardo, M.S.W., Ed.D.
Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools
Welcome Back to School Los Angeles County!
Supt. Debra Duardo offers an upbeat message to welcome all LA County students back to a new school year, encouraging connection and innovation during a time of distance learning.

The brief (1-min.) message can be shared with school communities countywide, tailored with information relevant to district and school stakeholders.
Public Health Update
School waivers:

The LA County Dept. of Public Health is not currently accepting school waiver applications following guidance from the state. The California Dept. of Public Health recommends that counties with case rates at or above 200 cases per 100,000 residents do not extend waivers for the reopening of classroom instruction for students in grades TK- 6. LA County’s case rate currently is 355 per 100,000.

However, County Public Health has issued guidance on the school waiver process to be prepared for the time when waiver applications can be accepted. Download the LA County School Waiver Process Guidance document.
Accountability, Support & Monitoring
LACOE’s LCAP unit held a Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan Zoom meeting on August 10. Staff carefully reviewed the CDE plan template and instructions, while also sharing helpful tools and planning resources, including a Process Checklist and Checklist of Legal Requirements. Find the meeting materials, presentation slides and recording online.

For questions, contact your district LCAP coordinator or email LACOE at lcap@lacoe.edu.
Child Care

  • Districts have inquired whether full-day child care for school-aged children of essential workers can be provided on campus. Schools can provide license-exempt care for children of staff and teachers on site. County Public Health is waiting for guidance from the state whether this can be provided for non-school staff, including essential workers. In addition, County Public Health has issued the Protocol for Programs Providing Day Care for School-Aged Children.

  • Early care and education programs that are licensed and following public health protocols can operate on school facilities, whether they have remained open since the onset of the pandemic or had closed and are now reopening. This applies to programs operated by the district as well as those operated by outside providers.

  • Districts have inquired whether special education preschool students are able to be in programs on campus right now under early care and education guidelines or whether they are subject to school-age rules. Unless the programs are licensed, those students should not be allowed on campus until written approval is received from the California Dept. of Public Health.
Curriculum & Instruction
Addressing bias in schools is the focus of a free September workshop series hosted by LACOE's Equity, Access and Curriculum Support unit. Details follow.

A Culturally Proficient Approach to Implicit Bias  
September 15, 17, 22 and 24; 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm via Zoom 

This four-session workshop will help participants to recognize when biases interfere with the work of diversity, inclusion and equity in the educational setting. Participants will examine individual and institutional biases and explore how these biases — both implicit and explicit — may impact student outcomes and relationships with colleagues.
Technology & Cybersecurity
LACOE has sent a proposal to the CDE and Digital Divide Task Force on how to identify families and students who do not have adequate internet access and partner with service providers to secure connectivity for these homes. LACOE also is moving forward to put the plan in place in LA County. 

The plan is modeled on a successful program in the Chicago Public School System where the district is partnering with local providers to deliver connectivity to 60,000 student homes identified as lacking service.

Using this model, LACOE proposes that the CDE use student information in the CALPADS system and work with the California Public Utilities Commission and internet/telecommunications providers to identify addresses lacking connectivity. Providers can then respond to requests for proposals to offer service at these locations at a bulk price that can be billed to the district. Funding may come from philanthropy or federal/state funds. Eligible families need only agree to receive the service without being billed or having to sign contracts. 

For more information or to express interest in the plan, email LACOE Chief Technology Officer Greg Lindner at lindner_gregory@lacoe.edu.
Resources for Districts & Schools
A Planning Framework for the 2020-21 School Year - 2nd Edition (LACOE) click here

Strategic Communications Templates for the 2020-21 School Year (LACOE) click here

Fires & Power Outages - Resources for Educators & Families (LACOE) click here

Free Homeschool Activities Grades 7-12 (True Connection) click here
African American teen girl wearing headphones learning language online_ using laptop_ looking at screen_ doing school tasks at home_ writing notes_ listening to lecture or music_ distance education