OCDE Education in the News

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

OCDE NEWSROOM

Academic event season is here, and we’ve got a roundup of key dates

It’s shaping up to be a year like no other — again. But even if this school year isn’t exactly business as usual, there are still opportunities for students to test their knowledge and sharpen their skills in history, science, math, reading, writing and an array of other subjects while building lifelong friendships. Academic event season is upon us, and here’s a rundown of some of the standards-based contests and events that OCDE will have a hand in from now through June.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/academic-event-season-is-here-and-weve-got-a-roundup-of-key-dates/

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

High schools sports cancellations due to COVID-19 surge create ‘nightmare’ scenario for many teams

Cypress athletic director Jeff Russell thought about what has been happening to Orange County high school sports due to the surge of coronavirus cases and described it as “the worst rescheduling nightmare ever.” The highly contagious omicron variant of COVID-19 has sent infections soaring throughout the state since early December, and the ripple effect has impacted high school sports by forcing games to be canceled and teams to follow health and safety protocols.

https://www.ocregister.com/2022/01/10/high-schools-sports-cancellations-due-to-covid-19-surge-create-nightmare-scenario-for-many-teams/

LOS ANGELES TIMES

L.A. Unified students return in a pivotal test of district resolve to keep schools open

Hundreds of thousands of Los Angeles Unified students are returning to campus from winter break Tuesday amid a record-breaking surge in coronavirus cases that is testing the carefully laid plans of educators.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-01-11/lausd-goes-back-to-school-amid-omicron

DAILY NEWS LOS ANGELES

LAUSD suspends athletic competition for a week due to COVID-19 surge

The Los Angeles Unified School District sent an email to high school administrators and parents late Sunday informing them all athletic competition this week (Jan. 10-14) will be postponed and rescheduled.

https://www.dailynews.com/2022/01/10/lausd-suspends-athletic-competition-for-a-week-due-to-covid-19-surge/

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

California schools would see more than $20,000 per student in state funding under governor’s budget

California’s public schools would see more than $20,000 per student in state funding under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $102 billion education budget proposal, with significant funding to help districts weather the ongoing pandemic.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/California-schools-would-see-21-000-per-student-16764411.php

SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

No plans to pause Bay Area high school winter sports during COVID surge, commissioners say

Commissioners representing the two major sections in the Bay Area say there have been no talks about an overarching pause or shutdown of winter high school sports in response to the latest wave of the coronavirus.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/01/10/no-plans-to-pause-bay-area-high-school-winter-sports-during-covid-surge-commissioners-say/

PRESS-ENTERPRISE

Inland Empire schools grapple with teachers, students sick with coronavirus

Inland Empire children are returning to school after the holiday break to find more teachers out sick than usual due to the rapidly spreading omicron coronavirus variant. In some cases, classes are being canceled.

https://www.pe.com/2022/01/10/inland-empire-schools-grapple-with-teachers-students-sick-with-coronavirus/

PRESS-TELEGRAM LONG BEACH

Long Beach USD COVID-19 testing opens for students, employees only

To facilitate in-person learning, LBUSD on Monday launched a new weekday testing site at Cabrillo High School meant only for students, staff and faculty, a statement said. Parents or guardians of students will not be allowed to be tested at this site.

https://www.presstelegram.com/2022/01/10/lbusd-covid-19-testing-opens-for-students-employees-only-long-beach-expands-city-testing/

EDSOURCE

Funding for schools, community colleges to break $100 billion in Gov. Newsom’s proposed budget

Funding for schools and community colleges will rise to more than $100 billion for the first time under Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget for next year, as state revenues continue to surge amid a pandemic that is filling hospitals and continuing to throw businesses and Californians off-kilter.

https://edsource.org/2022/funding-for-schools-community-colleges-to-break-100-billion-in-gov-newsoms-proposed-budget/665602

Palo Alto sends SOS to parents: Volunteer to keep schools open

Most school districts are discouraging parents from coming to school during the omicron surge to prevent schools from closing. Palo Alto Unified Superintendent Don Austin on Sunday sent out an all-points bulletin, pleading with them to volunteer in schools to keep them open. “We need your help to volunteer as never before,” he said in a video that was emailed to parents with a form they could fill out that would be sent to their children’s principals. “If you are able, please answer.”

https://edsource.org/updates/palo-alto-sends-sos-to-parents-volunteer-to-keep-schools-open

MODESTO BEE

Turlock school board to meet virtually after trustees can’t resolve fight over masks

In a special session Monday morning that turned chaotic, Turlock Unified School District trustees voted unanimously to allow virtual school board meetings.

https://www.modbee.com/news/local/turlock/article257185527.html#storylink=mainstage_lead

DAILY BREEZE

Students stream back onto LAUSD campuses; officials stand by COVID safeguards

The relentless surge in coronavirus cases has led to high levels of anxiety for many students, parents and educators, but LAUSD officials have pledged to continue doing their best to keep campuses safe and open as students head back to school today for the start of second semester.

https://www.dailybreeze.com/2022/01/11/students-stream-back-onto-lausd-campuses-officials-stand-by-covid-safeguards/

SAN GABRIEL VALLEY TRIBUNE

El Rancho, Montebello districts delay re-start of school amid COVID-19 worries

El Rancho and Montebello unified school district students, who were supposed to return to school from the holiday break are getting more time off as a result of the omicron variant of COVID that is infecting thousands.

https://www.sgvtribune.com/2022/01/10/el-rancho-montebello-districts-delay-re-start-of-school-amid-covid-19-worries/

VENTURA COUNTY STAR

Rise in COVID-19 cases prompts Thousand Oaks school to switch to remote learning

La Reina High School and Middle switches to remote learning to keep students and faculty safe amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/county/2022/01/11/la-reina-high-middle-school-thousand-oaks-californa-remote/9163470002/

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