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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Denim Day supports survivors of sexual violence |
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The LA County Board of Education has approved a resolution declaring April as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” and April 28 as Denim Day. Both events aim to draw attention to the fact that sexual violence remains a serious issue in our society.
The Denim Day campaign was launched shortly after an Italian Supreme Court decision overturned a rape conviction in 1998 because the teenage victim wore tight jeans. Wearing jeans became an international symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault.
In this video clip, LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo and Denim Day founder Patti Giggans call on the public to wear jeans on April 28 as a statement against sexual violence and to show support for survivors.
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Derek Chauvin verdict: A pivotal moment in US history |
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LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo last week released a statement on the verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin, saying the youth have witnessed a pivotal moment in U.S. history. LACOE has compiled resources for teaching about the Derek Chauvin trial.
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Helping students cope with current events |
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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.
The LA County Department of Mental Health (DMH) 24/7 Help Line at (800) 854-7771 is available to provide mental health support, resources and referrals. Below are more resources to support students.
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Justice-involved youth shares words to inspire others |
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Rowan, a student in LACOE’s school serving youth at Central Juvenile Hall, has found the power of the written word with the help of the Spirit Awakening Foundation, a longtime partner in serving at-promise youth.
"Sometimes we all get mad, and sad, and sometimes depressed, because of loved ones passing away, moms, and dads, sisters, and grandmas… but it’s all about perseverance … you got to push yourself, throw it, and not let it bring you down," he wrote.
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Nine LA County middle schools re-designated as 2021 'California Schools to Watch' |
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Nine schools in LA County are among the 31 high-performing California middle schools that have been recognized by the California Schools to Watch program.
"Congratulations to these schools for building systems that support all students in believing in themselves, discovering their individual interests, and working toward their academic, life, and career goals," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond said. "These schools are outstanding examples of how educational innovation and a dedicated school community can keep students engaged and learning through a critical stage in their K–12 journey."
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Provider Appreciation Day
Celebrating the work of early learning and care providers
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Child Care Provider Appreciation Day is coming up next week. Early learning and care providers have always been essential to the community. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, their dedication to serve children has ensured parents can return to work and provide for their families.
All week May 3-7, Quality Start Los Angeles, LA County’s Quality Rating and Improvement System, will be leading a “communications rumble” in recognizing all teachers and education staff who provide educational services and care to children. Join in with the hashtags #earlyeducators #childcareheroes #ecematters #QSLA and thank the providers in your community!
The LA County Board of Education has passed a resolution recognizing May 7 as Provider Appreciation Day and urging communities to thank and celebrate early learning and child care providers, and spread the important message that early learning and child care are essential.
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Bonita USD students return to campus for hybrid instruction |
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Bonita USD reopened its 13 campuses in April, welcoming students and teachers back into the classroom through a hybrid instructional model that supports in-person and remote learning for students in grades TK-12. The district welcomed students in grades TK-5 back to campus on April 5 while middle and high school students returned to campus April 12.
Currently, students are being taught through a hybrid model, designed to meet state and county health and safety protocols. Students also have the option to remain in distance learning for the remainder of the year. Teachers, staff and community members welcomed back students with lawn signs at every site, thanks to the efforts of local partners including the San Dimas Rotary Club, the La Verne Rotary, the San Dimas Masonic Lodge and the La Verne/San Dimas Educational Foundation.
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ABC Unified school featured on Inside California Education
Promoting students' mental health
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Ross Middle School in ABC Unified was featured in an episode of Inside California Education that focused on students' mental health. Produced pre-COVID, the episode aired on April 7. Principal Priscilla Rodriguez and mental health professional Elizabeth Cruz talked about the importance of supporting students' mental well-being, which is critical to students' academic and social-emotional learning. ABC Unified has taken a bold step to meet the growing need of its students’ overall health by placing mental health professionals at every school site.
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Students reflect on their year away from campus |
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Two members of Supt. Debra Duardo's Student Advisory Council are featured in an LA Times photo essay reflecting on the experiences of high school seniors during the pandemic. Kaitlyn Nguyen from Pomona USD (shown in top photo) and Maxime Garcia from ABC Unified (in bottom photo), along with other local youth, shared their stories with the Times. (Photos by Christina House/LA Times)
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ICAN Student Poster Contest
Student artists to be honored on April 29
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Each year, the Inter-agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (ICAN) invites 4th, 5th and 6th graders throughout LA County to express their concerns and insights around child abuse through art. Focusing on the health and well-being of children, this public awareness campaign provides a forum for discussions within classrooms, while highlighting the importance of child abuse prevention. Since the poster contest began, more than 20,000 students have participated.
The participating students are recognized each year by the LA County Board of Supervisors, department heads and child advocates. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 awards ceremony will be held virtually on April 29th, at 4 pm.
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Self-care tips to support mental well-being |
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LA County Department of Mental Health (DMH) Director Dr. Jonathan Sherin provides self-care tips and offers DMH resources such as the mental health app Headspace and their new virtual treatment tool iPrevail.
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You’re invited to participate in a 3-phase, interactive learning experience for K-12 educators in LA County that will provide you with skills to grow and support large-scale change initiatives focused on access and equity for all students.
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K12 Climate Action
Advancing a more sustainable future
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K12 Climate Action presents in this short video how educators are uniquely positioned to prepare a new generation of students to address climate change. Educators can support teaching and learning on sustainability, the environment, green jobs and climate change to help ensure students are equipped to advance a more sustainable future.
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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.
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On May 4-8, 2021, LACOE will be hosting the Prenatal to Five Early Learning Virtual Conference, a free virtual interactive conference for parents, expectant moms, early childhood educators, special education staff, administrators and service area staff.
Hear from experts who specialize in brain development, early education topics that enhance children's experiences, social-emotional growth, services for children with special needs and much more. Opportunities are available for professional development and continuing education units (CEUs).
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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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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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In an interview with KTLA5, magician and science educator Jason Latimer announced a partnership with Sony Pictures Television, the Los Angeles County Office of Education and LAUSD in providing science education resources to schools in LA County.
Latimer hosts the YouTube channel Impossible Science that fuses illusions with science. In his first series of original videos, Impossible Science: At Home, Latimer aims to inspire curiosity through experiments and lessons, some featuring special celebrity guests through Zoom. Latimer will be partnering with LACOE's STEM unit in providing training for teachers, said LACOE STEM Coordinator Anthony Quan
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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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