OCDE Education in the News

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

OCDE NEWSROOM

Fryberger Elementary in Westminster earns top environmental honor

After installing energy-efficient HVAC systems, school-wide LED lighting and a solar array that produces 90 percent of its energy needs, Fryberger Elementary School in Westminster created a STEM program to teach students how these upgrades can help combat climate change. Fryberger was announced last week as one of five schools in California to receive U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) recognition after being designated a “Green Achievers” by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond.

https://newsroom.ocde.us/fryberger-elementary-in-westminster-earns-top-environmental-honor/

LOS ANGELES TIMES

Less than half of expected L.A pupils returned in first week; then numbers improved

Fewer than half of elementary school students who were expected to return for in-person classes showed up during the first week that campuses reopened in L.A. Unified, but numbers improved significantly the second week.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-04-26/disappointing-la-school-reopening-attendance-improves

DAILY NEWS LOS ANGELES

Superintendent: LAUSD students should be able to return in fall

Students in Los Angeles Unified should be able to return to all-day, in-person instruction in the fall, assuming schedules are adjusted, more people in the community get vaccinated and the level of coronavirus infections continue to drop.

https://www.dailynews.com/2021/04/26/lausd-students-should-be-able-to-return-to-all-day-in-person-instruction-in-fall-superintendent-says/

USA TODAY

Can schools discipline for off-campus student speech? Court to take up First Amendment case.

It may not be the loftiest dispute the Supreme Court has ever heard, but the suit from a high school cheerleader who lashed out after being cut from the team may be one of the most relatable for anyone who's ever had a bad day. And the case of Brandi Levy, who at 14 years old let off some steam in a profanity-laden social media post in 2017 aimed at her school, her team and "everything," may wind up as one of the court's most important decisions on student speech in a generation.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/04/27/supreme-court-hear-arguments-off-campus-student-speech-case/7380871002/

SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

Newark teachers ‘reluctantly’ approve reopening agreement with school district

About a week after Newark school officials voted to mandate teachers begin returning to classrooms for in-person instruction by April 29, the teachers union has reluctantly approved a reopening agreement with the school district, officials said.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/04/26/covid-newark-teachers-reluctantly-approve-reopening-agreement-with-school-district/

Fremont’s decision to reopen schools this fall doesn’t placate parents who say do it now

While a group of parents are threatening to sue the Fremont Unified School District for sticking with distance learning through the end of this academic year, the school board approved a full return to in-person instruction — in the fall.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/04/26/covid-fremonts-decision-to-reopen-schools-this-fall-doesnt-placate-parents-who-say-do-it-now/

EDSOURCE

What President Biden's recovery plan for families means for California's children

In the wake of the pandemic, which has cast the essential nature of child care into high relief, President Joe Biden has revealed the outlines of a strategy to rebuild the country’s early education and care infrastructure. Key aspects of the estimated $1 trillion American Family Plan, which Biden plans to roll out in a speech to Congress on Wednesday, remain in flux.

https://edsource.org/2021/what-bidens-recovery-plan-for-families-means-for-californias-children/653725

KPCC

USDA Moves To Feed Millions Of Children Over The Summer

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new effort Monday to feed millions of children this summer, when free school meals traditionally reach just a small minority of the kids who rely on them the rest of the year. The move expands what's known as the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer, or P-EBT, program into the summer months, and USDA estimates it will reach more than 30 million children.

https://scpr.org/news/2021/04/26/97579/usda-moves-to-feed-millions-of-children-over-the-s/

LAUSD Middle And High School Campuses Are Now Reopening. Here’s What To Expect

Starting this week, principal Heather Karuza’s students at Fleming Middle School in Lomita face a choice. “Do I stay on Zoom at home, where I can go to the fridge and not wear shoes?” Karuza says with a laugh. “Or do I get ready, and get dressed, and come to school, and sit in my class and Zoom?”

https://laist.com/news/education/lausd-school-reopening-middle-high-schools-preview-april27

LAGUNA BEACH INDEPENDENT

Laguna Beach USD launches plan to shore-up student achievement after COVID-19

The Laguna Beach Unified School District has developed a plan to accelerate learning after some parents aired concerns about a slump in student achievement amidst online and hybrid learning. Chad Mabery, assistant superintendent of instructional services, recently briefed the school board on an 18-month plan “based on a lot of the things we’ve seen this last year in the pandemic.”

https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/laguna-beach-usd-launches-plan-to-shore-up-student-achievement-after-covid-19/

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