OCDE Education in the News

Monday, April 5, 2021

OCDE NEWSROOM

COVID-19 update: CDC issues new travel guidance for fully vaccinated people

Fully vaccinated people looking to hit the road — or sky — for spring break can travel safely within the United States, according to new guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC on Friday issued new guidance for domestic travel, saying people who are fully immunized against COVID-19 can travel and do not need to get tested or quarantine. But federal health officials have advised that travelers must continue to adhere to current health precautions like mask wearing, maintaining social distancing and avoiding large crowds.

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

LOS ANGELES TIMES

DAILY PILOT

Newport-Mesa Unified says in-person graduations and promotions being planned for June

Supt. Russell Lee-Sung said Friday the county’s transition to the orange reopening tier allowed the district to plan for in-person events.

https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2021-04-02/newport-mesa-unified-says-in-person-graduations-and-promotions-being-planned-for-june

SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE

Many parents want full-time in-person learning

The vast majority of San Diego County school districts are now open or will reopen this month. But much to some parents’ frustration “open” has often meant only a partial reopening, what districts call hybrid learning.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/education/story/2021-04-04/beyond-just-reopening-schools-many-parents-want-full-time-in-person-learning

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

Bay Area students struggle amid spiking mental health crisis

In the wake of stay-at-home orders that pitched students into academic and social isolation a year ago, countless students have endured mental health struggles. Families have watched as their previously motivated and chatty children became despondent, angry, afraid. “Every place you look — the signs of social phobia and isolation, all the way up to suicide attempts — screams crisis.”

https://www.sfchronicle.com/local/article/Anxiety-depression-isolation-Bay-Area-students-16075136.php

S.F. school board may reverse its vote to rename 44 schools

Just over two months after voting to rename 44 schools, the San Francisco school board is poised to reverse that decision Tuesday to avoid costly litigation over the issue.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/local/article/S-F-school-board-may-reverse-its-vote-to-rename-16074964.php

EDSOURCE

California school districts get OK to choose local assessments or statewide tests this spring

California on Friday received an official thumbs up from the U.S. Department of Education to allow for more flexibility this spring when it comes to standardized testing as school districts continue to navigate reopening plans and a pandemic.

https://edsource.org/2021/california-school-districts-get-ok-to-choose-local-assessments-over-statewide-tests-this-spring/652435

Teachers vote to ratify West Contra Costa Unified's return to school plan

Underscoring the patchwork of reopening plans emerging even among adjoining districts, West Contra Costa Unified students will be able to return to the classroom April 19 under a plan approved on Friday following weeks of intense labor negotiations with its five employee unions.

https://edsource.org/2021/while-staying-mostly-in-distance-learning-mode-west-contra-costa-unified-to-offer-limited-in-person-options/652290

KPCC

A Look Behind The Scenes At Preparations To Reopen LAUSD Campuses

Across L.A. County, more public schools are inviting students back to classrooms: this week, districts from Duarte to Whittier to San Dimas will resume some in-person teaching. The biggest district reopening in our area begins next week. That's when Los Angeles Unified reopens a handful of elementary campuses. After that first batch reopens, most LAUSD elementaries will welcome students back the week of April 19. Middle and high schools will follow the week of April 26.

https://laist.com/latest/post/20210405/lausd_school_campus_reopening_behind_the_scenes

OTHER NEWS OUTLETS

In California, a million English learners are at risk of intractable education loss

More than 1.1 million students in California, nearly 20%, are considered English learners. One year after the pandemic began, this massive population of students is at great risk of intractable educational loss, experts said.

https://news.yahoo.com/california-million-english-learners-risk-120020101.html

School buses, drivers set to resume transporting Southern California students

Before school buses can began rolling through Southern California cities and towns again, they must first make a stop for a safety inspection. Due to COVID-19 safety guidelines returning students will notice a few changes onboard.

https://abc7.com/school-buses-drivers-reopening-lausd/10476260/

California teachers’ latest demand: Free child care

California teachers are ready to go back to the classroom. But the state’s largest union has a new ask: free child care for their own kids. Unions across the state say this was a problem before the pandemic.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/04/california-teachers-childcare-coronavirus-478972

LAUSD Teachers Petition District to Work From Home Due to Child Care Needs

Teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District are urging the district in a petition to allow them to continue to work from home. LAUSD will welcome students back to the classroom starting the week of April 12, and while students have the option to stay home, teachers and staff are required to return.

https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/orange-county/education/2021/04/02/lausd-teachers-petition-district-to-work-from-home-due-to-child-care-needs

Social Workers Prepare Students to Return to School

The past year has been challenging for everyone, but for elementary school students, it’s been particularly difficult. They’ve been stuck at home instead of playing outside, connecting with friends, and establish formative relationships with peers and teachers. For many, it’s even impacted their well-being. Los Angeles Unified School District social worker Angela Pailevanian has been working virtually with students to help them open up about their frustrations. Pailevanian primarily councils elementary-aged children and their parents.

https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/orange-county/education/2021/04/02/social-workers-prepare-students-to-return-to-school-

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