LA County Superintendent of Schools Debra Duardo has launched an advisory council to bring the views of students into conversations and decision-making about public education. “Education leaders must be informed by the experiences and voices of our young people,” Duardo says in a statement. “Their perspective is vital to addressing issues and solving problems facing our schools and communities.” We're recruiting students to serve on this council. Applications are due Aug. 28 by 5 pm.

When the new school year starts later this month, ABC Unified will advance its new Virtual Academy, which will be more vigorous than the “Online Learning at Home” program it adopted when schools closed in March. The district will also focus on supporting the students' social-emotional well-being, says Supt. Mary Sieu in her video update. “We will make sure (our students) feel safe, are healthy...and that they have the support they need to have a great school year.”

Watch 'A Conversation with Dr. Mary Sieu' (12 min.)

In partnership with L.A. Compact, California Community Foundation, Cash for College and the USC Rossier Center for Enrollment Research, Policy & Practice, LACOE has launched the Summer of Success College Advising Hotline for the Class of 2020. College advisers are ready to answer questions about college and career opportunities.

Technology can help provide a better learning experience by engaging your child and promoting interactivity. Smartphones and tablets offer various learning apps that can meet your child's instructional needs.

See more tips in our Summer Learning Toolkit

LACOE Deputy Superintendent Arturo Valdez and Cynthia Perez of Families in Schools will join a live streaming event to help Spanish-speaking families prepare their students for the new school year amid COVID-19. The event, conducted in Spanish, will be hosted by Noticiero Telemundo 52 News Anchor Dunia Elvir on Friday, Aug. 7 at 2 pm.

Watch on Telemundo52.com or @Telemundo52 social media: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

LACOE leadership coaches share insights and practices in two #LeadingUp for Extraordinary Times webinar sessions. "Through these trying times, each of you is contributing to the lives of others by being a leader, by being part of that solution even when that solution has been unclear from one week to the next," says Kate Franceschini, LACOE Educational Leadership Programs director as she opens session 2. "And as great leaders do, you keep forging forward."

Watch #Leading Up for Extraordinary Times Session 1 (1 hr.)

Watch #Leading Up for Extraordinary Times Session 2 (1 hr.)

LAUSD and media partner Entercom have launched "Radio.com's Feed Our Families" to bring meals to students and families in need. Entercom LA stations, including 94.7 The Wave (KTWV-FM) and KNX 1070 News Radio (KNX-AM), are participating in the month-long text-to-donate fundraiser from August 3 to 28.

LAUSD has achieved another milestone in its food relief program – 50 million meals, says Supt. Austin Beutner. “The need continues and so will our efforts until students can return to schools," he says. "That will take money and while we’ve raised more than $20 million from businesses and individuals, there’s still a gap. I’m grateful for all who are part of this effort as we are truly in this together.”

As of July 28, 41 percent of households in Los Angeles County have yet to respond to the 2020 Census. This could mean a 41 percent budget cut to LA County for the next 10 years, that will adversely impact health and education programs for the youth. Educators as trusted messengers can help spread the word and make a difference.

More resources for families and schools, including the Count Me In Curriculum, are available at lacoe.edu/Census

LACOE Immigrant Relations Coordinator Carolina Sheinfeld joins Equality California's Power Hour to discuss the critical importance of participating in the 2020 Census and what's at stake for our LGBTQ+, immigrants and other vulnerable groups in our schools and communities. The census will impact funding for vital programs, including special education, nutrition and child care "that's so critical for working families" during this difficult time, says Sheinfeld.

Watch Equality California's Power Hour (1 hr.)