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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Partnership launched to harness innovative solutions |
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LACOE and its philanthropic arm, the Greater LA Education Foundation (Greater LA), have joined together with the USC Center EDGE in the Education (Re)Open, an opportunity for education communities to share their collective wisdom as schools reopen.
This partnership, launched on March 23, will award $1,000 prizes to the most innovative, achievable and adaptable ideas to strengthen school communities as they return to in-person learning. Greater LA President Dr. John Garcia says the status quo before the pandemic was failing many of our most vulnerable youth. New approaches are now possible and new resources to support recovery efforts are available.
“Students, educators and parents from across Los Angeles County have demonstrated unprecedented ingenuity, dedication and commitment over the past year," says LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo. “This challenge is an incredible opportunity to promote what has worked for students and share those insights with a broad audience.”
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LA County schools ready for red tier |
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As LA County advanced to a less restrictive category in the state’s four-tier reopening system, more schools are set to resume in-person learning. “Being in the red tier is an opportunity for us to safely get our kids back in the classroom,” says Supervisor Kathryn Barger in this school reopening video.
During a school visit, LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo shares that schools are prepared with safety measures and equipment and have been working closely with the LA County Department of Public Health to ensure a safe return to campuses.
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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 presents facts about the COVID-19 vaccines, including how they were developed in record time while going through the same approval process as for all other vaccines.
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El Rancho USD marks anniversary of school closures |
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El Rancho USD recently marked the one-year anniversary of school closures with an inspiring video reflecting the education community's heartfelt sentiments, optimism and resilience. District staff, students and families--including Supt. Frances Esparza--perform a lipsync rendition of "Seasons of Love" and "Let the Sunshine In." The lyrics of "Seasons of Love "(525,600 minutes) from the Broadway musical Rent ask how one should quantify the value of a year in their life and conclude in the chorus that the best way is to "measure in love."
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Pomona USD ensures safe reopening of campuses |
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Pomona USD has partnered with stakeholders to ensure a safe reopening of campuses. In these videos, district leaders present protocols to maintain the highest level of safety for students and staff. PUSD Deputy Superintendent Darren Knowles says the district is committed to the expectation that "we can all do our part for a safe reopening."
"Together, we can continue to foster social, emotional, physical and cognitive development for all our students," says Child Development Programs Director Eileen Carillo-Lau.
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Initiative unlocks power of youth for climate action |
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K12 Climate Action has launched a commission dedicated to developing an action plan and building a coalition to support the education sector in moving toward climate action, solutions and environmental justice. LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo serves on this commission.
K12 Climate Action's listening session series helps schools reduce their environmental footprints, adapt to climate impacts and advance equity while educating the next generation of climate leaders.
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Cesar Chavez Day
Honoring a civil rights icon
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This Wednesday, March 31, the nation pays tribute to Cesar Chavez, a visionary leader who moved farmworkers to stand together for their rights. He was a great humanitarian who inspired millions of Americans from all walks of life to fight for social justice and civil rights.
In continued efforts to honor the life and legacy of Chavez and to promote social justice and equity that he championed, LACOE remains dedicated to providing resources and support for Spanish-speaking communities through its Multilingual Academic Support unit and Migrant Education program. LACOE also supports safe schools and provides resources for undocumented students and their families through Immigrant Relations.
The LA County Board of Education has passed a resolution declaring March 31 as Cesar Chavez Day and encouraging communities to hold activities in honor of the civil rights leader.
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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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Strategically Planning for In-Person Physical Education for K-12 Schools
4/5/2021
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Presentation will include:
- Resources that support instructional planning while maintaining COVID-19 guidelines for in-person instruction
- Templates to guide conversations with school/district stakeholders
- COVID-19 and reopening In-person Instruction framework
Facilitators: Tonya Moore and Kathy Arroyo
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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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A partnership between the Los Angeles and San Diego County Offices of Education, School Counselor Chats bring together school counselors from both counties to strengthen best practices, connect with colleagues, and share ideas and resources. The first School Counselor Chat is scheduled for March 31, from 1:30 to 2:30 pm.
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The Flores Exhibits: Voices From the Americas |
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Telemundo 52 features a story about The Flores Exhibits: Voices from the Americas, presented on March 20 by the LA County High School for the Arts Theatre Department, in collaboration with Waterwell, NYC. The virtual event presented testimonies of children and adults who were held in Texas immigration detention centers in June 2019. It explored the efforts that artists are making to humanize the conversation, how local organizations are impacting immigration policies and how they serve as a catalyst for change.
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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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