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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A lifeline for justice-involved youth |
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LACOE's Juvenile Court Schools are dedicated to helping justice-involved youth refocus on their education as a key to turning their lives around. At Campus Kilpatrick and other sites in LA County, that commitment remains steadfast despite the challenges of COVID-19.
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Bellflower HS reopening
Safety guidelines video features student leaders
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Bellflower USD's Bellflower HS reopening safety guidelines video features Associated Student Body (ASB) President Giovanni Gonzalez and Vice President Nicole Flores. In the video, the student leaders present safety measures, including self-screening before coming to school, wearing a mask, staying six feet apart and sanitizing desks and shields. "It's on all of us to keep a safe environment" on campus, says Gonzalez.
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Supporting students during the Chauvin trial |
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This is the third week of the State of Minnesota’s trial against Derek Chauvin, the former police officer charged with murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. Many students and families representing the rich diversity of our communities experience fear, frustration and trauma as the trial continues to unfold. These emotions can impact students’ learning, behavior and relationships.
LACOE has compiled resources to support students' social-emotional well-being and help education communities navigate the complex issues of racial inequity and the criminal justice system.
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LACOE joins LA vs Hate campaign |
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From bullying to racism – we know that hate shows itself in many ways. Just recently, we saw hate turn deadly when a gunman killed eight people in Atlanta, six of them women of Asian descent.
Together with the LA County Board of Education, LACOE has strongly denounced this hate-based violence and urged education communities to combat racism, xenophobia and intolerance against AAPI communities, as stated in this Board resolution.
LACOE has also joined the LA vs. Hate Campaign, a partnership led by the LA County Human Relations Commission that represents a diverse coalition of voices committed to ending hate, LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo announces in a video message.
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COVID-19 silver lining: 'Post-traumatic growth' |
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The COVID-19 crisis has brought to light the critical need to focus on mental wellness during this pandemic and beyond. This is one of COVID-19’s silver linings, says LA County Department of Mental Health Director Dr. Jonathan Sherin in this video clip from the recent school reopening Town Hall. With traumatic injury comes the opportunity for “post-traumatic growth."
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The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) has created the LA County Wellbeing Line & Chat, a resource specifically for frontline workers, county employees, teachers and school staff, and care professionals to ensure they have the support they need during these challenging times.
This resource provides emotional support related to COVID-19 stressors, assistance navigating mental health services and referrals to grief and bereavement resources. Free support is available 7 days a week from 11 am to 7 pm.
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Beyond the Schoolhouse: Digging Deeper webinar |
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UCLA's new report “Beyond the Schoolhouse: Digging Deeper” can be used to inform the strategic use of resources to address inequalities and guide decision-making to better serve Black students in LA County. The report examines the relationship between educational outcomes and social, health and environmental factors that impact Black students in 14 districts that serve 800 Black students or more in the county.
A briefing webinar will be held April 14 at 12 pm. Speakers include: from the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools—Joseph Bishop, Tyrone Howard, Angela James, Stanley Johnson; Debra Duardo, LACOE superintendent; Kathryn Edwards, LACOE director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion; Deborah Allen, LA Department of Public Health; Darin Brawley, superintendent, Compton USD; Leslie Lockhart, superintendent, Culver City USD; and Kahlila Williams, student and youth organizer.
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Just the Facts: COVID-19 vaccine Q&A |
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LA County Department of Public Health's Dr. Eloisa Gonzalez explains why you do need the vaccine even if you have had COVID-19.
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LACOE expert shares funding and design tips
for summer learning
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As the System of Support for Expanded Learning County lead, Dr. Perrenoud provides insight on how Local Education Agencies can leverage AB86 to improve and augment expanded learning. She also shares examples of innovative programs that have been successful in engaging students and parents.
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LA County parks offer after-school recreation program |
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As schools reopen, Every Body Plays will provide free drop-in after-school recreation programming. Parks will provide access to caring recreation staff and help heal by connecting youth with their peers in a safe environment. Every Body Explores promotes outdoor experiences and educational workshops.
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Arts, Culture and Creativity Month |
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Public investment in arts organizations helps our communities heal. A recent study shows the arts result in 66% improvement in individuals experiencing depression, 50% improvement in anxiety symptoms and 83% decrease in stress.
April is Arts, Culture and Creativity Month (ACCM), a time to show your support for the arts. Join Californians for the Arts during advocacy week, April 19-23, and attend the ACCM Virtual Convening on April 27.
Create CA and Californians for the Arts have produced toolkits to help spread the word. Create CA participants include LACOE, Arts For LA and LA County Department of Arts and Culture.
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K12 Climate Action
School gardens offer hands-on learning
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K12 Climate Action presents in this short video how school gardens can offer hands-on learning opportunities for students.
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Rising to the Challenge: Districts Innovating to Address Equity Across Los Angeles County |
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Given the extended physical closures of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a heightened need for school districts to implement practices that mitigate potential learning loss and address the social-emotional needs of students.
Rising to the Challenge: Districts Innovating to Address Equity Across Los Angeles County is a new report from the Greater LA Education Foundation that lifts up promising practices being implemented across the county to spark ideas for district leaders and educators as they seek to support the educational experiences and social-emotional needs of students through distance learning and the transition to reopen.
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LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo will be a featured speaker at the 2021 Trauma-Informed Care Conference Series scheduled for April 13-14, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Participants will gain knowledge from leaders in trauma research, attend virtual workshops and join discussions.
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LACOE has launched its Learning Recovery & Acceleration Series to help educators identify, share and implement best practices to mitigate losses and accelerate student learning and well-being.
The series is organized by six high-priority focus areas: student engagement, social emotional learning, academics, special populations, family/community engagement and operations/logistics.
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Ensuring Every Student Receives the Support and Opportunities to Achieve Their Fullest Potential |
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In the annual edition of School News, LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo and LA County's 80 district superintendents share how they are leading efforts to provide the best possible education for the County's 2 million students as they chart a vision for how education can emerge stronger from the COVID-19 crisis.
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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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