OCDE Education in the News

Friday, May 29, 2020

OCDE NEWSROOM

After making a Minecraft version of their school, Trabuco Hills High students are throwing a virtual prom

When their school’s senior prom was canceled because of a pandemic, a pair of brothers from Trabuco Hills High School in Mission Viejo had a workaround. They had already built their own school — virtually. A few months back, senior Jesse Van Norman and his sophomore brother Ryley enlisted friends to recreate the entire Trabuco Hills campus using the popular game Minecraft, which allows users to build digital worlds.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/after-making-a-minecraft-version-of-their-school-trabuco-hills-high-students-are-throwing-a-virtual-prom/

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Photos: Orange County valedictorians, top scholars for Class of 2020

We asked high schools across Orange County to invite their valedictorians and top scholars to submit their photo and a little bit about themselves to celebrate their achievements as this senior year comes to a close. The following are the high school students who submitted their information, including their high school activities, after graduation plans, and their career goals.

https://www.ocregister.com/2020/05/28/photos-orange-county-valedictorians-top-scholars-for-class-of-2020/

SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

California school districts could forgo attendance, standardized tests during coronavirus pandemic

In a conversation with Bay Area school leaders, the state’s top educator said Thursday that plans are underway to extend school districts’ current flexibility to stop taking attendance or to drop standardized tests during the coronavirus pandemic.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/05/28/california-school-districts-could-forego-attendance-standardized-tests-during-coronavirus-pandemic/

INLAND VALLEY DAILY BULLETIN

Inland Empire schools plan for 2020-21 school year as they await state coronavirus guidelines

Hemet, Pomona, Rialto, Redlands school districts are considering traditional, online or hybrid education models for the 2020-21 school year. No one, including the California Department of Education, knows exactly what the 2020-21 public school year will look like, in light of the coronavirus pandemic. But Inland Empire school districts are working out their plans.

https://www.dailybulletin.com/2020/05/27/inland-empire-schools-plan-for-new-year-as-they-await-state-coronavirus-guidelines/

EDSOURCE

Schools should encourage but not require students to wear face covering, draft guidance says

Students should be encouraged but not required to use face coverings when California schools reopen for classroom instruction, according to a draft of “interim guidance” from the state obtained by EdSource. However, all staff should use face coverings, according to the document, which sources familiar with it say was drawn up by the California Dept. of Public Health in collaboration with the governor’s office.

https://edsource.org/2020/draft-guidance-says-schools-should-encourage-but-not-require-california-students-to-wear-masks-on-re-opening/632574

California college students fear pandemic will derail graduation, new poll shows

Most of California’s college students are concerned the coronavirus pandemic will prevent them from graduating. An Education Trust poll, released Thursday, found 77% of college students nationally and 75% of California students had concerns about staying on track to graduate because of the coronavirus. And nationally, 84% of black and 81% of Latino students said they were worried.

https://edsource.org/2020/new-poll-reveals-california-college-students-fear-pandemic-will-derail-graduation/632556

Cash-strapped Bay Area school district braces for cuts in state funding

West Contra Costa district may have to cut $41 million from its 2021-2022 budget.

https://edsource.org/2020/cash-strapped-bay-area-school-district-braces-for-cuts-in-state-funding/632577

Oakland Unified helps seniors overcome graduation challenges

District reaches out through wellness checks, changes grading and graduation policies, provides technology.

https://edsource.org/2020/oakland-unified-helps-seniors-overcome-graduation-challenges/632439

BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN

Local districts consider various back-to-school scenarios for fall

As local districts eye August as the start of the next academic year, one thing is certain: Schools will likely look much different for Kern County students.

https://www.bakersfield.com/news/local-districts-consider-various-back-to-school-scenarios-for-fall/article_83258d14-a132-11ea-acd6-63ed88cc8aab.html

VENTURA COUNTY STAR

Return of high school sports will need flexibility and ingenuity

The operative word is “flexibility." Closely in tow are unity, vision and, of course, hope. When America reopens, high school sports won't be far behind. A return to normalcy in the United States — by the fall perhaps? — would include Friday night football on Ventura County's high school campuses. It would feature a fall prep season where cross country performers run, volleyball players launch spikes, golfers sink putts and water polo players tally goals.

https://www.vcstar.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/05/28/5193813002/

KPBS

As Day Cares Reopen, Parents Face Difficult Decisions

Alicia Tembi, a teacher and assistant principal in Encinitas, has spent the last two-plus months trying to teach classes and run staff meetings from home with her two-year-old daughter Nina under foot. A few weeks ago Nina's preschool reopened for essential workers, which includes Tembi. But it wasn’t until this week that she felt comfortable sending her back.

https://www.kpbs.org/news/2020/may/29/daycares-reopen-parents-face-difficult-decisions/

OTHER NEWS OUTLETS

Draft guidelines for reopening schools includes long to-do list

The state’s draft guidelines for reopening schools detail a costly and logistically challenging checklist that educators say will be nearly impossible to complete, given projected budget cuts.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/exclusive-california-s-draft-guidelines-for-reopening-schools-includes-costly-and-long-to-do-list/ar-BB14J42x?ocid=a

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