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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Follow us on social media for more frequent updates:
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LA County rolls out vaccination for educators
Strategy ensures equitable distribution
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As vaccination for the education workforce begins this month, LACOE and LA County Public Health have announced a strategy for ensuring equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine to school employees. This is a critical step in supporting the safe return to in-person instruction in communities hit hardest by the pandemic.
“My priority is to ensure that resources are directed through an equity lens to support student and staff safety on campus so that we can focus on recovering from the academic and social-emotional challenges created by COVID-19,” LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo says in a news release. “Working with our Public Health partners, I believe we have come up with a vaccine distribution plan that supports all our districts as they work with their labor partners to safely reopen campuses.”
The plan calls for the allocation of available vaccine doses to public school districts weekly using a formula that considers poverty level, COVID case rate in the community and whether on-campus instruction or services are being provided.
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Groundbreaking guide for educators launched
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As Black History Month concluded last week, LACOE launched a pioneering new work to guide educators in meeting the unique circumstances of Black students that school systems have failed to address. Supporting the African American Learner: A Guide for Transforming Beliefs, Systems, and Practices for Black Students is the result of a collaborative initiated by LACOE with the Riverside County Office of Education, UCLA’s Center for the Transformation of Schools and the Center for Powerful Public Schools.
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Podcast features pioneering project leaders
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This special episode of Leading Literacy features LACOE's Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Kathryn Edwards and Reading/Language Arts expert Leslie Zoroya. Edwards and Zoroya led a year-long project in collaboration with UCLA and the Center for Powerful Public Schools and Riverside County Office of Education on Supporting the African American Learner: A Guide for Transforming Beliefs, Systems, and Practices for Black Students. Their passion will inspire and motivate as they discuss how this groundbreaking document can be put into practice to ensure better outcomes for Black students.
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Where are you in the vaccine line?
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In LA County, Phase 1B/Tier 1 of the vaccination rollout begins today. This phase covers those working in education and childcare, emergency services, and food and agriculture. The state has announced that it will be changing its vaccine rollout strategy after completion of this phase and will transition to age-based eligibility. This will allow California to scale up and down quickly, while ensuring vaccine goes to disproportionately impacted communities. Estimated time frames may change based on vaccine supply and state prioritization requirements.
Know where you are in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. You may check the phases and estimated time frames by visiting VaccinateLACounty.com
My Turn website allows Californians to quickly check their eligibility according to their occupation, age and county. You can also sign up to be notified by email and text alert to book an appointment once eligible for a vaccine.
Access more vaccination resources and help spread the word:
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A peek into how districts are reopening schools
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Pomona USD is among the LA County districts that are set to reopen classrooms. In keeping with Public Health guidelines, PUSD has ensured school campuses are sanitized and safety protocols are in place.
With some families deciding to keep their children at home, PUSD also offers distance learning and a hybrid model that includes both distance and classroom learning. For those choosing to return to in-person instruction, the district is following a phased-in plan with the youngest learners returning first.
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Students asked: What does being healthy mean to you?
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Inglewood USD, in collaboration with the LA Rams, recently launched a wellness art contest asking students to illustrate their response to the question, "What does being healthy mean to you?" The winning entry by 11th grader Angela Lemus (shown above) will be highlighted on the IUSD website. Angela will also help create art that will be featured on the district's food trucks.
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Arts Education Month
Arts learning supports mental wellness
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March is Arts Education Month, a time to highlight arts learning--an essential part of a comprehensive education that prepares students for college, career and life. As many students report worsening mental health during this pandemic, arts education has been proven to decrease stress and anxiety, help process grief and trauma, encourage self awareness and improve relationship skills.
Create CA has produced a toolkit for promoting Arts Education Month that includes social media posts and a video about the arts and social-emotional learning. Create CA participants include LACOE, Arts For LA and the LA County Department of Arts and Culture.
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Tips for engaging students
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Antelope Valley Union HSD teacher Timothy Green, one of the LA County Teachers of the Year, shares that incorporating current events into lesson plans has helped engage his students in learning. "These days (students) feel isolated, but as they take a look at what's happening globally and nationally, they gain a perspective on the fact that we're all in this together."
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Read Across America Day
Celebrating a nation of diverse readers
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March 2 is National Read Across America Day, a day established by the National Education Association (NEA) in 1998 to help get kids excited about reading. On this day, students, teachers, parents and community members around the nation come together to read books and celebrate the joy of reading.
"Read Across America uplifts inclusive stories so that kids across the country can see themselves reflected in a book," says student Marley Dias, founder of #1000BlackGirlBooks, in a video promoting the event.
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Glendale USD hosts Pandemic Health & Safety Forum
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Glendale USD last week hosted a health and safety forum featuring presentations on health, safety and wellness for chi ldren and families, safety protocols for schools and the importance of vaccination. Presenters included LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo--a former social worker and mental health professional--and public health experts Dr. Robert Gilchick, Dr. Araz Marachelian, Mary Virgallito and David Lontok. Glendale USD Board President Dr. Armina Gharpetian and Supt. Vivian Ekchian delivered opening remarks. The forum was hosted by Jennifer Cano, executive director, Glendale Educational Foundation.
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National Nutrition Month
Schools step up to keep students nourished
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March is National Nutrition Month, a time to commend schools across the state for stepping up during the past year to ensure our students have had uninterrupted access to nutritious meals. Since day one of this pandemic, school food service professionals, school leaders and staff have been on the frontline providing services that support not only the whole child but the entire family.
This year’s theme is Personalize Your Plate, honoring diversity, individuality and promoting the idea that nutrition and health are not a one-size-fits-all matter. Communities are encouraged to celebrate the importance of nutrition, informed food choices, healthy eating habits and being active.
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Equity-focused professional development
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Presented by LACOE, in collaboration with
the Content, Literacy, Inquiry and Citizenship Project
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For teachers and students, grades 6-12
Participants discuss with speakers the impact of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. Become inspired to take informed civic action to impact public policy on addressing racial inequities.
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The Danger of the Single Story:
Exploring Implicit Bias in the Classroom
Presented by the Los Angeles County CLIC Team:
Barbara Doten, Sandra Line, Michael Sabin
Saturdays, March 13 & 20
10 am - 12 pm
This workshop will consist of four 2-hour training opportunities for teachers (the first two sessions were held last month) to explore how to address issues of implicit bias in the History-Social Studies classroom. Educators will identify specific opportunities in their curriculum to create a more anti-racist, inclusive narrative that will connect with more students and the communities they serve.
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The Election of Barack Obama Curriculum and Webinar
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Building Capacity of School and District Leaders to Advance Equity Series
(6-Day Event) 3/9/2021 - 6/15/2021
Event Dates: 3/9/2021 I 4/6/2021 I 4/20/2021I 5/4/2021 I 5/18/2021 I 6/15/2021
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
This professional learning series is designed to provide education leaders with knowledge, strategies and resources to lead for equity while maximizing opportunity for high-quality education and success for all students.
The Advancing Equity Leadership Series will include six synchronous modules facilitated by a Leadership Academy team member.
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Equity Leaders Collaborative
(3-Day Event) 3/2/2021 - 5/11/2021
Event Dates: 3/2/2021 I 4/13/2021 I 5/11/2021
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
The Equity Leaders Collaborative, facilitated by the Leadership Academy, will provide a cohort-based community of practice and support opportunity for up to 20 education leaders responsible for leading equity work in their respective school districts. Three 90-minute meetings will be offered in March, April and May.
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LA County student poets perform art of recitation
LAUSD's Jonah Henry advances to state contest
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Eight student poets from across LA County last week delivered compelling performances of the art of recitation, drawing virtual audiences into the language of the poems. LACOE hosted Poetry Out Loud, an annual recitation of classical poetry by high school students, on Feb. 25. The top winner, 10th grader Jonah Henry, advances to the California state contest to vie for a spot in the National Poetry Out Loud finals in May.
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LACOE's Engaging Girls in STEM event presents opportunities for girls to explore STEM careers. Participating students team up with our STEM Ambassadors -- accomplished women in STEM industries, including scientists, engineers, coders and architects -- who want to encourage and inspire the next generation of innovators. They also interact with event partners and exhibitors that support dreams of entering a STEM field. The event runs through May 2021.
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County offers outdoor classes in parks starting March 8
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As schools prepare to reopen, the LA County Parks and Recreation offers spring classes for all ages --both virtual and outdoor classes in local parks--starting on March 8. The new Spring 2021 catalog includes links to all classes by category and age. The online registration system allows families to manage schedules through a single household account using their smartphone or computer.
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LA Sentinel features a story about LACOE's groundbreaking guide for educators, Supporting the African American Learner: A Guide for Transforming Beliefs, Systems, and Practices for Black Students. “California educators have no time to waste in closing longstanding opportunity and achievement gaps,” said LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo. “Our guide points the way with effective strategies and best practices to benefit our African American students, the teachers who serve them and the communities in which they live.”
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NBC4 reports about the Educational Passport System (EPS), developed by LACOE in collaboration with the LA County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The EPS mobile app provides real-time information to help social workers address the educational needs of youth in foster care.
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Civil rights leader provides insights for promoting
social justice and racial equity
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Dr. Terrence Roberts – civil rights icon, psychologist, university professor and one of the Little Rock Nine – last week spoke to LACOE staff and shared his experiences in the 1957 desegregation of Central High School. In his presentation during an all-staff meeting, Dr. Roberts leveraged these experiences to provide insights for promoting social justice and racial equity
This conversation, offered in partnership with the Museum of Tolerance, provided an opportunity to explore concepts presented during LACOE's Implicit Bias training. LACOE's Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Dr. Kathryn Edwards hosted the virtual event.
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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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