April 22nd
Debra Duardo, M.S.W., Ed.D.
Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools

With this week's verdict in the Derek Chauvin murder trial, our young people witnessed a pivotal moment in American history and in the long struggle for social justice and accountability for police brutality against people of color.

I hope our students heard the message that "Black lives do matter" and that equity is attainable.

Yet the same day as communities celebrated the verdict, an African American girl was killed by police in Ohio.

It's a lot for our students to process and understand. As educators, we play a vital role in creating safe spaces for tough conversations.

Below are resources for "Helping Students Cope with Current Events" to support you in this work.

Thank you for all that you are doing to promote our students' well-being in these unsettling times.
Public Health Update
LA County Public Health is seeking assistance in getting the message out as soon as possible to 16- and 17-year-old students and their parents that vaccination appointments are now available. Public Health has provided templates for emails that can be sent directly to students and parents. Thank you for your help in sharing this very important message.

Access email templates in English (Word file will automatically download) 
Access email templates in Spanish (Word file will automatically download)

LA County Public Health guidelines:



  • Graduation — the guidance Reopening_LiveOutdoorEvents.pdf is to be used in conjunction with the California Dept. of Public Health Commencement Guidance. The Live Outdoor Events guidance requires a Proposed Event Form be submitted to LA County Public Health 14 days before the proposed event.

  • Board Meetings — Appendix D: Office Based Worksites is the best document to use for board meetings. LA County Public Health does not require a plan be submitted for a board meeting. All that is required for the workplace is to post Appendix D at the facility entrance (see page 5).


  • Performing Arts Guidance — to be posted 4/23/21

CCSESA Weekly Update (4/16/21) — Summary of CDPH Guidance
Budget & Finance
The US Department of Education on April 21 released its state application for the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. The funds are provided to state education agencies and school districts to help safely reopen and sustain the safe operation of schools and address the impact of the pandemic on students. The total allocation for California is just over $15 billion.

To support states in completing their applications and in meeting requirements, the USDOE also has issued an accompanying notice of interim final requirements, which can be found here along with additional information and resources.
Curriculum & Instruction
Learning acceleration series: 

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced schools across California to confront unprecedented challenges. Teachers, principals and system-level staff have done heroic work to ensure students’ basic needs were met, that home learning resources were activated and that online instruction was reaching as many families as possible. Now, the return to campus is front and center for most districts.

Join LACOE and TNTP for a five-part professional learning series designed to build the capacity of LEA teams (3-4 staff) in understanding how to accelerate learning and develop a learning acceleration plan. The series will look at how to prioritize the most critical prerequisite skills and knowledge, meet students’ needs via precise diagnosis and just-in-time scaffolds and design a roll-out plan specific to the LEA.

Target Audience: LEA teams of three to four people: Curriculum and Instruction leaders, site administrators and instructional coaches or lead teachers.

Cost: $100 per team of up to four participants; workshop registration will be refunded upon full team participation in all five sessions and completion of the LEA Roll-out Plan.

Foster Youth
As students return to in-person learning, educators and caregivers are seeing many emotions among children and youth. On April 29, LACOE's Foster Youth Services team will host a Caregiver Session: Supporting Mental Health Needs of Students (Part II), which will address transitions (anxiety, attachment and depression). Join the training and discussion to find ways to better assist students in foster care.
Health & Wellness Webinars
Kaiser Permanente Thriving Schools “Reset for Readiness” Webinar Series (full series information): 

District Policies and Programs to Support Student, Staff and Teacher Health — April 28, 12pm

Despite the challenging year, educators continue to find creative solutions to support the health and well-being of students and staff. Join Rob Bisceglie (CEO, Action for Health Kids) and Elizabeth Cook (senior director, Alliance for a Healthier Generation) in conversation highlighting innovative policies and practices from districts across the nation. Participants will have an opportunity to gain ideas, ask questions and share their own innovations with other district leaders.

This session is targeted toward educators in leadership positions as well as board members. 

 
Staff Wellness Webinar hosted by Kaiser Permanente, CASCD and Healthier Generation:
 
Filling Your Cup: Self-Care Strategies for School Staff through RISE — April 29, 3:30 pm
 
School staff well-being is essential to a healthy and resilient school community. During these stressful times, it is more important than ever for schools and districts to focus on implementing school-wide social, emotional and behavioral supports, especially for staff. This interactive webinar for all school staff will be packed with tools and resources.


*CASCD is providing a free 1-year membership to anyone who registers and participates 
Helping Students Cope with Current Events
On the same day that Derek Chauvin was found guilty of the murder of George Floyd, 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant was fatally shot by an Ohio police officer. On March 29, not long before that, 13-year-old Adam Toledo was also fatally shot by a Chicago police officer. Students are undoubtedly processing a lot of feelings as they react to the highly publicized deaths of their peers.

Students will have different feelings and need a safe space where they can speak to someone. For parents and educators, it is important to set time aside to check in. Some check-in questions parents and teachers can ask to start these open conversations are:

  • How was your day?  
  • What were three good things about your day?  
  • What were some fears?  
  • What was something that made you feel worried?  

Additional resources that can be used are:  
Nutrition & Meal Service
The US Dept. of Agriculture announced earlier this week a set of nationwide waivers for the 2021-22 school year that will allow school meal programs and child-care institutions to serve nutritious meals to children at no cost through June 30, 2022. Get more information.
Student Support Services
Join LACOE's Social-Emotional Learning Community of Practice!

LACOE seeks to convene multi-disciplinary teams of educators at all levels of SEL integration, from exploration phase to expert. Come prepared to share your expertise and join a network of support for adult SEL. Consider bringing a school or district leadership team. Monthly attendance is not required, but participants will get the most out of the experience by attending all sessions and expanding networks.
Resources for Districts & Schools
CA Safe Schools for All Virtual Training Academy click here

Wellbeing for LA Learning Center (DMH/UCLA) click here

Child Abuse Prevention Month Social Media Toolkit (DCFS) click here

Guidance for Early Care & Education Providers (LACDPH) 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