Nov. 19th
Debra Duardo, M.S.W., Ed.D.
Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools

School district leadership has been put to the test this year. One education leader stands out as truly rising to the COVID challenge, and it was my privilege to surprise her earlier this week with the 2020 LA County Superintendent of the Year award.

Congratulations to Lancaster SD Superintendent Dr. Michele Bowers, a tireless and passionate advocate for educational equity. (Read more here.)

It is uplifting to honor the great work of our colleagues. But that joy is coupled with concern about the current surge in COVID cases.

Let's please all do our part to inform our school communities about safe ways to celebrate the upcoming holidays.

Below is a link to guidelines from County Public Health to help people plan for the holiday season in ways that reduce the spread of COVID. I urge you to share these guidelines with your families and staff.

Have a safe and restful Thanksgiving. I am grateful for all that you do for our students and families.
Public Health Update
  • The annual immunization reports for TK/K and 7th grade are due to the California Department of Public Health on Jan. 29, 2021. The due dates were rescheduled from Nov. 1. Reports are to be submitted through the Shots for School website.

Accountability, Support & Monitoring
Budget Overview for Parents:

A reminder to all LEAs that the Budget Overview for Parents, along with the First Interim Report, must be approved by the local board and submitted to LACOE by Dec. 15, 2020.

Please submit the First Interim Report to LACOE Business Advisory Services using the same process as in past years and submit the Budget Overview for Parents to LACOE via the eLCAP system.

A presentation on the Budget Overview was held by LACOE on Nov. 12. View the presentation.
Budget & Finance
On the surface, the recently released “Fiscal Outlook on the 2021-22 Budget for California” by the Legislative Analyst’s Office is welcome news. However, as mentioned in the State Budget section below, LACOE continues to advise districts to consider multiple revenue, expense and cash deferral scenarios while preparing their First Interim projections. It also will be critical to provide the assumptions used with the First Interim submission, due on or before Dec. 15, 2020.
Curriculum & Instruction
California School Leadership Academy — free coaching & Professional Learning Network launch: 

The California School Leadership Academy grant is designed to help practicing administrators and teachers strengthen their instructional leadership skills and focus their actions on a problem of practice critical to increasing the achievement of all students.
 
The CSLA program is free to all participants. Applications are due by Dec. 4. View program flyer and application.

Interested participants can learn more at an informational meeting to be held Dec. 1 from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. Register here.

Email questions to Dr. Greg Puccia or Tina Cunningham.
Foster Youth
LACOE’s Foster Youth Services program will host webinars for caregivers and parents of students in foster care. Please share this information. 
 
Wed., Dec. 9 (1-3pm): Caregiver Training II — Zoom for Caregivers — English

Training is designed for caregivers, foster parents, foster family agencies, group homes and residential programs. Attendees will be provided with a basic overview of Zoom to help caregivers better support youth in accessing and engaging in online learning. The training will allow caregivers to improve access to online engagement activities such as parent-teacher meetings and back-to-school nights.


Thurs., Dec. 10 (1-3pm): Caregiver Training II – Zoom for Caregivers — Spanish 

Content of the Dec. 9 training will be offered in Spanish. 

 
Thurs., Dec. 10 (10am-12pm): Caregiver Training III — Supporting Mental Health Needs of Students — English and Spanish

Training is designed for caregivers, foster parents, foster family agencies, group homes and residential programs. Attendees will receive an overview of the mental health challenges that students may be facing during the pandemic and distance learning. Supportive actions and coping techniques will be shared.

 
Tues., Dec. 15 (9-11:30am): Caregiver Training IV — Understanding and Addressing Student Behavior (Part I) — English and Spanish

Designed for caregivers and foster parents, this training will focus on identifying and understanding challenging behaviors, positive behavioral interventions, effective evidence-based practices for preventing and replacing behavioral outbursts and calming/de-escalation techniques. 


Thurs., Dec. 17 (9-11:30am): Caregiver Training V — Understanding and Addressing Student Behavior (Part II) — English and Spanish 

Human Resources
LACOE is offering free Title IX team training for district and school site personnel. The final free Title IX training is set for Nov. 30 at 1 pm. 

To attend the training, send an email to: HRSLABORRELATIONSSTAFF@LACOE.EDU
Nutrition and Meal Service

  • The CALPADS Update Flash #191 includes information about the National School Lunch Program application requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic. More information here.
State Budget
The Legislative Analyst’s Office has released its 2021-22 Budget: California’s Fiscal Outlook report, which states there has been considerable improvement relative to the June budget with an estimated $26 billion surplus in 2021-22.

The LAO states that the one-time surplus results from revisions in prior- and current-year budget estimates. The report also finds that California faces an operating deficit beginning in 2021-22 because General Fund revenues from the state’s three largest sources are projected to grow at an average annual rate of less than 1 percent.

General Fund expenditures under current law and policy grow at an average 4.4 percent per year. “The net result is that the state faces an operating deficit, which is relatively small in 2021-22, but grows to around $17 billion by 2024-25.” The LAO recommends that the legislature use half of the estimated $26 billion surplus to “develop a robust COVID-19 response.”
Resources for Districts & Schools
Everyone On: low-cost internet access click here

Tools for Teachers (Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium) click here

Keep Learning California (Attendance Works, Families in Schools, PIQE) click here

Distance Learning Open Educational Resources (LACOE) 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