OCDE Education in the News

Friday, January 15, 2021

OCDE NEWSROOM

COVID-19 update: Governor launches new Safe Schools for All online ‘hub’

Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced the launch of the Safe Schools for All hub – a website designed to serve as a one-stop shop for state guidance and resources on safely resuming in-person instruction for all schools in California. According to the governor’s press office, the new site — schools.covid19.ca.gov — is meant to help support Newsom’s Safe Schools For All Plan from December and will be updated frequently.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/coronavirus-update/

California Department of Public Health issues new COVID-19 guidance for schools

State health officials on Thursday announced updated guidance for K-12 schools, outlining requirements for campuses that have already reopened along with criteria for those planning to resume in-person instruction. The 50-page document issued by the California Department of Public Health consolidates previous state guidance and directives related to schools. It also supersedes the last set of guidelines released in August. Changes include new criteria for reopening school campuses under California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy framework, which introduced a four-tiered system for tracking COVID-19 restrictions by county. There are also revised steps to take when a student or staff member is found to have COVID-19 symptoms and when a cluster or outbreak is under investigation.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/california-department-of-public-health-issues-new-covid-19-guidance-for-schools/

LOS ANGELES TIMES

Will California students have to take standardized tests at home? Educators are wary

California’s top education officials are struggling with how — or even if — millions of students should take annual standardized tests at home amid ongoing school closures and the hardships of surging COVID-19 rates.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-14/will-california-students-take-standardized-tests-at-home

State tightens rules for reopening schools as high COVID-19 rates hold districts back

Governor Gavin Newsom has made changes to his plan to reopen schools, including a small decrease in the case rate that would allow elementary students to campus for in-person classes.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-15/covid-cases-stop-southern-california-from-reopening-schools

DAILY NEWS LOS ANGELES

LA County schools chief recovering from COVID-19

Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Debra Duardo, who has been quarantining since last week after contracting the coronavirus, gave a positive update about her recovery on Thursday, Jan. 14.

https://www.dailynews.com/2021/01/14/la-county-schools-chief-recovering-from-covid-19/

LAUSD says it has no intention of suing over school reopening proposal

The Los Angeles Unified School District has no intention of suing the state over Gov. Gavin Newsom’s school reopening proposal, the district said Thursday, Jan. 14.

https://www.dailynews.com/2021/01/14/lausd-says-it-has-no-intention-of-suing-over-newsoms-school-reopening-proposal/

SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

Coronavirus: California details plan to track school cases, reopening

California officials Thursday ordered schools statewide to begin reporting new coronavirus cases within 24 hours and their reopening status every two weeks as part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s broader effort to spur a return of kids to the classroom.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/01/14/coronavirus-california-details-plan-to-track-school-cases-reopening/

High school sports pause: Frustrated parents organize “Let Them Play” rallies

Coaches, parents and student-athletes are itching to get back into competition and start the high school sports season in California. The latest initiative is a grassroots movement started on Facebook called “Let Them Play CA.”

https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/01/14/high-school-sports-pause-frustrated-parents-organize-let-them-play-rallies-across-california/

EDSOURCE

Newsom opens one-stop Covid information ‘hub’ on reopening schools

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday the creation of one online spot where school districts can find technical information and resources, and parents can find answers and lodge concerns on reopening schools during the pandemic. It includes a website that will launch later this month that will list Covid outbreaks by school and district and permit parents to file complaints online and through a hotline telephone if their schools are not following safety protocols.

https://edsource.org/2021/newsom-opens-one-stop-covid-information-hub-on-reopening-schools/647075

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