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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Grant initiative for teachers launched |
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LACOE and its philanthropic arm, Greater Los Angeles, have launched the Teacher of the Year Equitable Innovation Grant initiative to invest $50,000 in teacher-led solutions to support the students that have been affected most by the pandemic. The program will support and spotlight the incredible efforts that teachers take on behalf of their students every day. The grant opportunity is open to all educators in LA County’s public schools. 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). The application deadline is Jan. 15, 2021.
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DUSD creates spaces where everyone feels they belong |
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Duarte USD embraces diversity and provides a place where everyone can feel they belong. The district produced an inspirational video, titled "We All Belong," featuring the voices and images of staff and students. The video was produced before schools closed due to COVID-19 and released last week. "While we are now delivering instruction remotely, this still captures who we are and what we are about," says district spokesperson Jenny Owen.
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Helping level the playing field for Inglewood students |
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Goff will continue to raise funds to help level the educational playing field for Inglewood youth. For the rest of the NFL season, he will donate $1,000 for every touchdown pass he throws and $5,000 for every win to support IUSD students. He also encourages fans to join him in supporting the students by clicking the link in his Instagram bio to make a 100 percent tax deductible donation that he will match.
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Award-winning school band uplifts community spirit |
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To help uplift community spirit during this difficult time, the Gahr HS Marching Gladiators in ABC Unified perform an amazing rendition of "Joyful, Joyful" as part of the nationwide initiative "Together As One." This initiative supports music education and aims to unite communities through music and the performing arts during this pandemic and beyond. The band, a six-time California State Band Champion gold medalist, is led by Gahr HS Instrumental Music Program Director Darren Loney.
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Supporting immigrant students |
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This Friday, Dec. 18, is International Migrants Day -- a time to highlight contributions made by migrants worldwide and promote respect for their human rights. LACOE is committed to protecting the constitutional right of all children to receive a free public education, regardless of their immigration status.
Through its Immigrant Relations Program, Multilingual Academic Support Unit and Migrant Education Program, LACOE works to ensure immigrant and refugee students are provided safe and welcoming learning environments, as well as resources to stay healthy and engaged in school. In a resolution passed last week, the LA County Board of Education encouraged education communities to commemorate the often difficult journeys of immigrants and support actions to protect their rights.
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Spanish Story Time enhances virtual learning |
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Before the COVID-19 pandemic, LACOE hosted an annual language enrichment series. When schools moved to distance learning, participants asked Silvina Rubinstein, LACOE educational consultant and leadership coach, to incorporate this tradition into their virtual classrooms. The storytelling project Cuentos con caramelo was born, providing young learners and their families quality literature in Spanish.
The stories are available for all teachers to post in their virtual classrooms and also for families to enjoy with their children. This collaboration between LACOE's Multilingual Academic Support Unit and ETN/LACOE Communications aims to bring equity to schools and promote literacy and love for reading.
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Working together to get schools reopened safely |
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The LA County Department of Public Health wants everyone to work together to keep our students safe when schools reopen. "Everyone's got to do their part," says Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer. "The actions you're taking today make a huge difference on how much community transmission there is."
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'Learning Together Safely' Tip |
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Top arts high school seeks talented teens
Admissions process to promote equitable access
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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.
LACHSA has recently topped the YoungArts competition with 27 awards, more than any other school. Ten finalists are in the running to be nominated US Presidential Scholars in the Arts.
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The State Seal of Civic Engagement aims to encourage students to become civically engaged in democratic governmental institutions at the local, state and national levels. AB 24 instructs the California Department of Education to develop a set of criteria to recognize students who have demonstrated excellence in civic education.
This no-cost webinar will present the adopted criteria for the Seal, information on student eligibility, how to apply for the Seal, and resources to support implementation in schools and districts.
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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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