OCDE Education in the News

Thursday, February 18, 2021

OCDE NEWSROOM

Irvine’s University High School wins the Orange County Academic Decathlon

Orange County has a new Academic Decathlon champion — and the makings of a crosstown rivalry. Irvine’s University High School earned top honors and an automatic bid to the California Academic Decathlon after finishing first in the 10-event competition, which took “The Cold War” as its theme. Woodbridge High School, also in the Irvine Unified School District, took second place after winning the previous four years.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/irvines-university-high-school-wins-the-orange-county-academic-decathlon/

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Prep sports decision from Gov. Newsom’s office expected ‘in next 48 hours,’ advocates say

San Mateo Serra High football coach Patrick Walsh said he anticipates an announcement from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office about high school sports as early as today, Feb. 18. In a Facebook Live update Wednesday night, Walsh said he did not know what the decision would be but expects a positive outcome.

https://www.ocregister.com/2021/02/18/high-school-sports-decision-from-gov-newsoms-office-expected-in-next-48-hours-advocates-say/

For a family devastated by COVID-19, Mariachi serenade provides a moment of hope

The band plays Anaheim couple's favorite song from a hospital parking lot. Joe Trejo, in a medically induced coma as he struggles with COVID-19, heard the song, she said. Patty is sure of it. Patty, 54, works as a teacher’s aide in the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. Joe, 53, works as a locksmith for the Anaheim Union High School District.

https://www.ocregister.com/2021/02/16/for-a-family-devastated-by-covid-19-mariachi-serenade-provides-a-moment-of-hope/

LOS ANGELES TIMES

L.A. Unified gets 100 doses but needs thousands to reopen schools

One hundred employees of the Los Angeles Unified School District received a coronavirus vaccine Wednesday as officials demanded more so that schools could reopen.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-02-17/los-angeles-long-beach-schools-teacher-vaccine-reopenings

DAILY NEWS LOS ANGELES

LAUSD officials call for vaccines to be prioritized for school employees

Prioritizing school employees for vaccines was the theme of the day on Wednesday, Feb. 17, as Los Angeles Unified School District officials and representatives from some of their labor employee groups gathered at the Roybal Learning Center near downtown LA to mark the opening of the district’s first vaccination center.

https://www.dailynews.com/2021/02/17/lausd-officials-call-for-vaccines-to-be-prioritized-for-school-employees/

LAUSD to open 10K-shots-per-day COVID-19 vaccine site at SoFi Stadium

L.A. Unified announced a collaboration Wednesday with the Los Angeles Rams, Hollywood Park and the city of Inglewood to operate a large-scale vaccination site on the grounds of SoFi Stadium that could serve teachers and school staff in L.A. County. In an announcement Wednesday morning, the district said it plans to work closely with the county on this program and seek approval to begin operating “as soon as possible.” 

https://www.dailynews.com/2021/02/17/lausd-to-open-10k-shots-per-day-covid-19-vaccine-site-at-sofi-stadium/

SACRAMENTO BEE

California schools stalemate drags on as Gavin Newsom, teachers keep talking

Over a week after lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom said they were approaching a deal on school reopening, negotiations over how to return California’s students to classrooms have yet to yield any results.

https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article249317000.html

SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE

San Diego area elementary schools could soon apply to reopen

San Diego County’s elementary schools could start getting the go-ahead to reopen soon, now that the county has fallen below a key COVID case rate threshold. But it may take more time for schools to begin opening in droves.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/education/story/2021-02-18/san-diego-area-elementary-schools-can-soon-apply-to-reopen

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

Vote on S.F. schools reopening agreement delayed, angering parents: ‘Students are suffering’

A week ago, district and labor leaders enthusiastically announced the tentative agreement, which addresses frequency of testing and vaccines for staff, among other requirements.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/education/article/Vote-on-S-F-schools-reopening-agreement-delayed-15955486.php

INLAND VALLEY DAILY BULLETIN

Some Inland students still struggling with distance learning, after nearly a year

More D's, F's and poor grades are being seen this school year, and administrators are working to help.

https://www.dailybulletin.com/2021/02/17/some-inland-students-still-struggling-with-distance-learning-after-nearly-a-year/

EDSOURCE

How will expanded transitional kindergarten roll out?

Gov. Newsom’s proposed budget calls for a $500 million investment, a down payment toward the ultimate goal of offering transitional kindergarten to all 4-year-olds in the state. Newsom hopes to kick-start more programs for transitional kindergarten, or TK, as it is often called, by offering $250 million in grants to school districts as an incentive to develop and expand these programs.

https://edsource.org/2021/how-will-expanded-transitional-kindergarten-roll-out/648791

Newsom’s proposed budget could stave off cuts for some school districts

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed cost-of-living adjustment for school districts — part of his $89.2 billion 2021-2022 education budget pending before the Legislature — could turn the tide for some cash-strapped districts that were bracing for budget cuts.

https://edsource.org/2021/newsoms-proposed-budget-could-stave-off-cuts-for-some-school-districts/649125

DAILY BREEZE

Torrance, Redondo Beach school districts offer roadmap to return to elementary campuses

Both districts plan to bring back students in grades 3 to 5 within weeks, but have not yet determined when sixth graders will return because of challenges with how that level breaks up classes.

https://www.dailybreeze.com/2021/02/17/torrance-redondo-beach-school-districts-offer-roadmap-to-return-to-elementary-campuses/

KPCC

Who Are 'Climate Coaches' LAUSD Plans To Hire In Place Of Cops?

The L.A. Unified School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to cut one-third of the school police force and use the money saved to hire school counselors, psychiatric social workers, restorative justice advisors and "climate coaches" trained in de-escalation techniques. Police will no longer patrol campuses, and will only be called to respond in-person during emergencies.

https://laist.com/2021/02/18/who-are-climate-coaches-lausd-plans-to-hire-in-place-of-cops.php

NPR

With Deadline Looming To Approve California’s Ethnic Studies Curriculum, Educators Distance Themselves From State’s Revisions

California public schools may soon have a model for teaching ethnic studies, but not before more controversy over its proposed curriculum. Now, after hundreds of revisions, the original writers of the curriculum are demanding their names be removed from the document that the state is hoping to approve next month. The group of 20 ethnic studies educators across California who wrote the curriculum sent a letter to the state Board of Education saying the state’s revisions have made changes to their lesson plans and are no longer reflective of the original mission of ethnic studies.

https://www.capradio.org/162665

Number Of 'Significantly Disengaged' Kids At Sacramento Public Schools Has Skyrocketed During The Pandemic

Before the pandemic closed schools, only a few dozen kids at Sacramento City Unified schools missed three days a week of school or more. Now, that number is almost a thousand.

https://www.capradio.org/articles/2021/02/15/number-of-significantly-disengaged-kids-at-sacramento-public-schools-has-skyrocketed-during-the-pandemic/

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