Join LACOE Superintendent Debra Duardo on a visit to Orchard Elementary and Newhall Elementary in Newhall SD, where students welcomed the switch from hybrid to full-day in-person instruction with excitement and eagerness to learn and connect with other students.

Watch the video (2 min.)

A year after Baldwin Park USD began providing nutritious food to students and community members in need during the pandemic, the district has reached a milestone: Its staff has now served more than 5.5 million meals.

Supt. Froilan Mendoza said he was very proud of their exceptional Nutrition Services team that has worked tirelessly since they adapted to meet the needs of thousands of students and families when COVID-19 forced campuses to close.

Watch the video in English and Spanish (1 min.)

Our youth need to feel valued, safe, empowered and supported--regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. Schools must serve as safe and affirming spaces for all students and to foster a respectful and inclusive community culture, as stated in the LA County Board of Education resolution declaring June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month. The Board also honored the legacy of civil rights leader Harvey Milk, who fought for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.

LACOE has developed resources to support the implementation of the Fair, Accurate, Inclusive and Respectful (FAIR) Education Act SB 48 signed into law by Gov. Jerry Brown in 2011. The FAIR Act requires California schools to recognize the role and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals in history.

Read the Board resolution declaring LGBTQ+ Pride Month and Harvey Milk Day

Two students from Gladstone HS in Azusa USD have been named winners in the annual U.S. Congressional Art Competition. Abigail S. placed second with her graphite/charcoal entry titled "Old Age," which will be displayed in Congresswoman Grace Napolitano's office in Washington DC for a year. Priscilla T. placed third for her photo entry titled "Summer Nights." The nationwide high school visual art competition aims to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and in each congressional district.

Alhambra USD last week celebrated its Academic Decathlon teams' historic achievements. It was the first time that three teams from the same district advanced to the California Academic Decathlon: Mark Keppel HS, Alhambra HS and San Gabriel HS.

The LA County Board of Education has also honored the Mark Keppel HS team, this year's LA County Academic Decathlon champion, for placing 3rd in the state competition (Division 1), as well as Alhambra HS team's Todd Lai and Palos Verdes Peninsula HS team's Brandon Zhang for perfect scores on individual tests.

Watch LA County Academic Decathlon awards event highlights (3 min.)

Join LACOE Deputy Supt. Arturo Valdez, Surrey SD Supt. Jordan Tinney (Surrey BC, Canada) and Hemet USD Supt. Christi Barrett in a roundtable on the impact of COVID-19 on learning and how school communities are rising to the challenge and planning for the new school year.

Immunization rates in California have dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising concerns for the health and safety of children and families. A California campaign was recently launched to help prevent more disease outbreaks on top of the pandemic, reminding parents: #DontWaitVaccinate. Health care professionals, school administrators and health advocates are encouraged to work together to urge families to keep routine checkups and immunization visits.