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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LA County prepares for school reopening |
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As LA County reached the threshold to reopen elementary school campuses last week, LACOE and the LA County Department of Public Health hosted a virtual town hall for educators on Feb. 18 to discuss reopening protocols and vaccinations. About 5,000 educators joined the event featuring a panel of experts led by Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer and LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo. The event was moderated by LACOE Deputy Supt. Arturo Valdez.
In a statement, Duardo says it is critical to address safety measures, including prioritizing educators for vaccinations. LACOE will identify interventions to address learning loss and work with districts to develop protocols to safely celebrate the class of 2021, including options for commencement ceremonies this spring.
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Mark Keppel HS wins 1st place in Academic Decathlon
11 schools advance to state competition
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In LA County, the next phase of the vaccination rollout is estimated to begin March 1. This phase covers those working in education and childcare, emergency services, food and agriculture, and first responders and law enforcement. The state has announced that it will be changing its vaccine rollout strategy after completion of this phase and will transition to age-based eligibility. This will allow California to scale up and down quickly, while ensuring vaccine goes to disproportionately impacted communities. Estimated time frames may change based on vaccine supply and state prioritization requirements.
Currently, the following groups can make an appointment for vaccination: healthcare workers, long-term care facility residents and residents age 65 and over. Know where you are in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. You may check the phases and estimated time frames by visiting VaccinateLACounty.com
My Turn website will allow Californians to quickly check their eligibility according to their occupation, age and county. You can also sign up to be notified by email and text alert to book an appointment once eligible for a vaccine.
Access more vaccination resources and help spread the word:
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Students lead equity, anti-racism initiative |
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The Azusa USD Diversify Our Narrative (DON) Student Team is leading an initiative to advocate for racial equity and promote dialog on race and identity among students. They recently facilitated a presentation to promote the inclusion of racially diverse, anti-racist textbooks. It was attended by 28 English Language Arts teachers from Azusa HS, Gladstone HS and Sierra HS. "Change happens when we are willing to do courageous things," said one of the participating teachers.
The student team -- led by Elena Jaramillo, Emily Ruiz and Yara Chavez -- has been invited to meet with district leadership to discuss collaborative action steps, including a library audit to ensure a wide variety of titles authored by people of color. The team was also welcomed to Azusa USD's newly formed Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
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Students thank frontliners in 'kindness videos' |
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Quail Summit Elementary in Walnut Valley USD created inspiring "kindness videos," featuring heartfelt messages from students, to recognize first responders and frontline workers and their heroism during this pandemic. "We truly appreciate you more than words can express," says the school in a letter to frontliners. "This is from our heart to yours!"
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Golden Apple Award
Honoring excellence in early education
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Two outstanding early educators are the recipients of LACOE’s seventh annual Golden Apple Award for teaching excellence: Adriana Provens of Pomona USD and Nancy Chavez of Children’s Institute, Inc.
Vicki Vazquez, coordinator of Early Head Start programs at Pomona USD, described Provens as “an extremely dedicated professional who strives for excellence in all aspects of our program.” Daniela Troya, director of center-based services at Children’s Institute, noted that Chavez and her co-teacher “created virtual lesson plans and weekly interactive videos that support the education and development of the children” in the early days of the pandemic.
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Tips for engaging students |
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Keppel Union SD teacher Anna Paliza, one of the LA County Teachers of the Year, shares tips for keeping students engaged in learning, such as incorporating curriculum-based games into online classroom activities.
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From Probation Camp to Career |
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The future looks bright for a young man named Isiah, recently released from Camp Rockey, a juvenile probation facility in San Dimas. With the support of LACOE school counselor Jose Gonzalez and the Transition Partnership Program, Isiah left Rockey prepared for the workplace and is pursuing a career in silk screening.
"Our LACOE Transition Partnership Program is about developing leaders through a focus on training for workplace readiness,” Gonzalez said. Students who complete TPP leave with an individualized master job application full of information and resources they have developed with their transition counselor.
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Glendale USD to host Pandemic Health & Safety Forum |
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Featuring:
COVID-19 and Child Health and Wellness
Araz Marachelian, MD, MS - Children's Hospital LA
Mental Health in Children and Teens
Debra Duardo, Ed.D. - Superintendent, LA County Office of Education
Health and Safety Protocols for Schools
Robert Gilchick, MD, MPH - Child & Adolescent Health Section Chief, Division of Maternal, Child, & Adolescent Health, LA County Department of Public Health
The Importance of Vaccination
Mary Virgallito, RN, MSN, PNP, FAPIC - Associate Administrator of Quality and Patient Safety, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
Healthcare Services for Youth and Families
David Lontok, CEO - Comprehensive Community Health Centers
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Equity-focused professional development |
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Presented by LACOE, in collaboration with
the Content, Literacy, Inquiry and Citizenship Project
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For teachers and students, grades 6-12
Participants discuss with speakers the impact of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. Become inspired to take informed civic action to impact public policy on addressing racial inequities.
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The Danger of the Single Story:
Exploring Implicit Bias in the Classroom
Presented by the Los Angeles County CLIC Team:
Barbara Doten, Sandra Line, Michael Sabin
Saturdays on Feb. 27, March 13 & 20
10 am - 12 pm
This workshop will consist of four 2-hour training opportunities for teachers (the first session was held on Feb. 18) to explore how to address issues of implicit bias in the History-Social Studies classroom. Educators will identify specific opportunities in their curriculum to create a more anti-racist, inclusive narrative that will connect with more students and the communities they serve.
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The Election of Barack Obama Curriculum and Webinar
Feb. 24, 3:30 pm
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Building Capacity of School and District Leaders to Advance Equity Series
(6-Day Event) 3/9/2021 - 6/15/2021
Event Dates: 3/9/2021 I 4/6/2021 I 4/20/2021I 5/4/2021 I 5/18/2021 I 6/15/2021
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
This professional learning series is designed to provide education leaders with knowledge, strategies and resources to lead for equity while maximizing opportunity for high-quality education and success for all students.
The Advancing Equity Leadership Series will include six synchronous modules facilitated by a Leadership Academy team member.
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Equity Leaders Collaborative
(3-Day Event) 3/2/2021 - 5/11/2021
Event Dates: 3/2/2021 I 4/13/2021 I 5/11/2021
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
The Equity Leaders Collaborative, facilitated by the Leadership Academy, will provide a cohort-based community of practice and support opportunity for up to 20 education leaders responsible for leading equity work in their respective school districts. Three 90-minute meetings will be offered in March, April and May.
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LA County's student poets take the stage on Feb. 25 |
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The LA County Poetry Out Loud, an annual recitation of classical poetry by high school students, will be held virtually this Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6 pm. The top winner advances to the California state contest to vie for a spot in the National Poetry Out Loud finals in May.
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LACOE's Engaging Girls in STEM event presents opportunities for girls to explore STEM careers. Participating students team up with our STEM Ambassadors -- accomplished women in STEM industries, including scientists, engineers, coders and architects -- who want to encourage and inspire the next generation of innovators. They also interact with event partners and exhibitors that support dreams of entering a STEM field. The event runs from mid-February through May 2021.
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COVID-19 case rates have dropped and K-6 schools now have the chance to reopen. LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo was interviewed by LA Times about her thoughts on the encouraging news.
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KTLA 5 covers the Los Angeles County Academic Decathlon virtual awards program, featuring this year's 1st place winner -- the Mark Keppel HS team from Alhambra USD.
“In the midst of this coronavirus pandemic, it’s more challenging than normal to maintain morale, the cohesive team to compete. But nonetheless, we did it. We’re number one,” says student Paul Zhang.
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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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