May 13th
Debra Duardo, M.S.W., Ed.D.
Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools

California is at a pivotal moment to transform a public education system that historically has failed far too many of our low-income students and young people of color. I applaud Gov. Newsom for recognizing the urgency of education reform as we recover from the pandemic with a proposal for unprecedented investments in public schools.

My priority will be to advocate for our most vulnerable students. We must ensure that funds are effectively allocated to address the needs of the whole child and support students' social-emotional, cognitive and physical wellbeing.

I have never been more hopeful that public education in post-pandemic California can be the great equalizer that we have long envisioned. Current and future generations are counting on us to make that happen.
Public Health Update
Vaccine town hall for parents — May 18, 6pm:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has affirmed the recommendation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to expand the emergency use authorization for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents 12 to 15 years of age. LA County vaccination providers may now begin providing the vaccine for this age group at sites that offer the Pfizer vaccine.

On Tuesday, May 18 at 6 pm the LA County Department of Public Health will hold a vaccine town hall for parents to provide the latest update on COVID-19 vaccines, including information for children. It can be watched on: YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Questions may be submitted here.

Please share information about the town hall with your school communities.


Updated protocols:
COVID-19 Testing Funding
As announced earlier this week, LA County is the recipient of a $300 million federal funding award from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support school-based COVID-19 screening efforts. These funds are designed to support the establishment and expansion of COVID-19 testing programs, extending through the end of the school year and into summer activities and the subsequent 2021-22 school year.

All districts are eligible to access this funding, whether or not a testing program is already in place. For districts that do not have an active testing program, this funding can support summer planning and development of a program for the 2021-2022 school year.

Questions regarding activities supported through this funding may be directed to info@lacoe.edu.
Foster Youth
May is National Foster Care Month and LACOE’s Foster Youth Services team celebrated by hosting a caregiver appreciation event where participants shared their stories and learned from others in a safe space. View the event presentation.

The team continues to promote and share on social media the success stories of former foster youth and celebrities who once were in the foster care system. They have developed a toolkit to help districts and schools participate in the month-long observance to celebrate, inspire and advocate for the thousands of students in foster care.


Upcoming events:

May 20, 4-6pm: Hangout for Foster Youth (for students in foster care only) 

Funding Resources
The statewide association of county superintendents (CCSESA) has convened a workgroup to develop tools and resources to assist LEAs in the planning and effective use of one-time funding. These tools support an effective use of funds for initiatives and efforts that meet the short- and long-term needs of students, build LEA capacity and strengthen systems for equity.


Questions about the resources may be directed to Derick Lennox at dlennox@ccsesa.org
Nutrition & Meal Service
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service has issued seven waiver extensions to allow needed flexibilities for the 2021 summer meal service operations. Child Nutrition Program operators are required to complete the 2021 Summer Operations Waiver Application to use any of the needed flexibilities during the summer months. The application must be submitted before July 1.
Social-Emotional Learning Vision Summit
LACOE, through a grant from FEMA/CalHOPE, is covering the cost of registration for the first 150 participants for the SEL Vision Summit (Aperture Education) on May 20 from 7am to 2pm. This will be done on a first-come, first-served basis. 
 
Join industry trailblazers, key partners, district leaders and educators to gain insights and learn practices that can immediately be put to use. All of this great information will be compiled to help "Level Up Your SEL" with the new 2021 SEL Toolkit, free with registration.  
  
With learning tracks for everyone, the conference will dive deep to give participants what they need to impact students and support social-emotional growth. The event will explore ways in which districts and organizations can level up their program, staff, students and the field. Each segment will feature three to four sessions, all of which will be available on demand after the conference. 
 
Registration is required here; participants will be notified via email of the status. Summit organizers will send the event recording to all registrants including those unable to attend.
State Budget
Gov. Newsom announced on May 10 his $100 billion California Comeback Plan — the biggest economic recovery package in California’s history. It includes unprecedented investments to address the state's most persistent challenges, starting with nearly $12 billion in direct cash payments to Californians hit hardest by the pandemic. At his press conference, Gov. Newsom stated that California’s operating budget surplus has increased to more than $75 billion due to a surging economy and capital-gains taxes. In addition, the state expects to get $26 billion from the federal stimulus package.

The Legislative Analyst’s Office on May 4 released A Framework for Allocating Federal Recovery Funds. The report lays out guiding principles for the Legislature as it formulates a plan for using fiscal recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan. Among the recommendations is that the Legislature take the time to define its goals and develop a plan for allocating federal funds. This principle underpins the guidance because, in addition to it being of a once-in-a-generation magnitude, the American Rescue Plan does not require the state to spend the federal resources immediately.

In addition, the LAO suggests the Legislature use a portion of the federal fiscal relief funds to phase out assistance to individuals and businesses that still might have a diminished ability to find work or operate due to continued public health concerns and the pace of the economic recovery. Similarly, the LAO suggests using some of the federal fiscal relief funds to help local government agencies adjust for long-term changes due to the pandemic.
Targeted Violence Prevention Training
The Joint Regional Intelligence Center will hold an all-day targeted violence prevention training in Santa Clarita on June 30. The training will focus on critical elements relevant to violence and threat risk assessment, including data from the LA County Dept. of Mental Health's School Threat Assessment and Response Team (START). Attendees will learn about emerging trends in targeted violence and use lessons learned from past incidents on how to manage students who are at risk of committing these acts.
Teacher of the Year Program Update
The CDE is currently working on updating the 2021-22 California Teacher of the Year application and timeline. As soon the application is available, LACOE will notify all LA County school districts of the updated schedule. We look forward to honoring our exemplary teachers and celebrating with you.
Wildfire Prevention & Preparedness Training
LACOE has partnered with the American Red Cross to offer wildfire preparedness and prevention training to school district employees countywide. The one-hour virtual presentation shows participants how to get a kit, make a plan and stay informed. Topics covered include evacuating your home, keeping your property safe and the clean-up process after being impacted by a wildfire.

Any district employee with access to Zoom can participate in the trainings to be presented by the Red Cross.

To register, open this flyer and click on the preferred date and time. Questions may be direct to emergencypreparedness@lacoe.edu.
Resources for Districts & Schools
Q&A on Civil Rights and School Reopening in the COVID-19 Environment (USDOE) click here

Returning to School During and After Crisis (Center on PBIS) click here

Creative Solutions for Summer Staffing (CCEE) click here

Green Schoolyards America 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