OCDE Education in the News

Monday, August 26, 2024

OCDE NEWSROOM

Weekly roundup: Santa Ana community partners unveil first playful learning installation, OC superintendent of schools’ leadership vision, and more

In a collaboration aimed at enhancing community learning, UCI School of Education, the City of Santa Ana, Northgate Market and the Santa Ana Early Learning Initiative recently unveiled a giant abacus at the Main Street and McFadden Avenue bus stop.

https://bit.ly/4gezmPt

ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

2 Laguna Beach High students told they would have to attend special education program elsewhere

For Sailor Jones and Jason Salgado, their first day as freshmen Laguna Beach High Breakers turned out amazing. Amazing, because a few days ago, both teens who are on the autism spectrum said they had been made to feel like they “weren’t good enough” to attend Laguna Beach High.

https://www.ocregister.com/2024/08/23/2-students-start-laguna-beach-high-after-told-would-have-to-attend-special-education-program-elsewhere/

Rancho Santiago Community College District: ‘We have a space for you here’

The Rancho Santiago Community College District continues to implement initiatives designed to make college education and job training available to a broader segment of the community.

https://www.ocregister.com/2024/08/26/rancho-santiago-community-college-chancellor-we-have-a-space-for-you-here/

USA TODAY

Cellphones in school – a distraction, safety tool or classroom aid?

Kids may no longer be allowed to whip out cellphones to type essays, operate calculators, make videos or text their parents from school starting this school year in some parts of the U.S.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2024/08/24/cellphones-in-school-ban-teens/74886093007/

WASHINGTON POST

Arlington school district will pilot cellphone storage for students

Arlington Public Schools is launching a pilot program to use locking magnetic pouches to store cellphones for the day in four middle and high schools, the latest Northern Virginia district to announce an effort to limit screen time.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2024/08/24/arlington-schools-cellphone-storage-pilot/

EDSOURCE

Q&A: How one Cal State professor plans to teach politics during ‘the most important election since 1860’

Over the past two decades, he’s guided easily 400 budding politicos through an election-year course that teaches them not only how to unearth the money and power structures behind state ballot measures but also asks them to register voters, educate fellow citizens on the election and, quite frequently, work with a student from the opposite end of the political spectrum.

https://edsource.org/2024/qa-how-one-cal-state-professor-plans-to-teach-politics-during-the-most-important-election-since-1860/718023

KPCC

When should police be involved at school? A California bill would let teachers make the call

If AB 2441 were to pass, there would still be times when staff are required to call the police. Under federal law, local education agencies must call law enforcement if a student has a firearm or is caught selling controlled substances.

https://laist.com/news/education/when-should-police-be-involved-at-school-a-california-bill-would-let-teachers-make-the-call

OTHER NEWS OUTLETS

OC high school hosts 'Draft Day' to pair students with companies for work-study program

SANTA ANA, Calif. (KABC) -- It was Draft Day at Angels Stadium on Friday, but not for baseball players with big MLB dreams. Instead, more than 140 students from Cristo Rey Orange County High School were "drafted" for an innovative work-study program.

https://abc7.com/post/cristo-rey-orange-county-high-school-hosts-draft-day-pair-students-corporations-work-study-program/15223513/

Fullerton Observer Fullerton School District’s Speech and Debate Team Named National Champs for Fifth Year in a Row

For the fifth consecutive year, Fullerton School District’s Parks Junior High has earned top honors at the National Speech and Debate Association’s (NSDA) championship tournament as an Overall School of Excellence in Speech and Debate. One hundred seventy schools spanning 36 states and five countries had students competing in NSDA’s 2024 national competition, and Parks Junior High is one of only three schools to be awarded this prestigious recognition.

https://fullertonobserver.com/2024/08/24/fullerton-school-districts-speech-and-debate-team-named-national-champs-for-fifth-year-in-a-row/

Schools are competing with cell phones. Here’s how they think they could win

Educators say their tried and true lesson plans are no longer enough to keep students engaged at a time of struggling mental health, shortened attention spans, reduced attendance and worsening academic performance. At the crux of these challenges? Addiction to cell phones. Now, adults are trying new strategies to reverse the malaise.

https://apnews.com/article/school-cell-phone-ban-extracurricular-afterschool-4d89f5b7fd7c8f1d5903f8c04f26da54

Poll: Americans want next president to focus on workforce prep, hiring teachers

Heading into a divisive national election, a new poll shows that when it comes to education, at least, Americans overwhelmingly agree that the next president should focus on two things: preparing students for careers and attracting top teachers who will stay in the profession.

https://www.laschoolreport.com/poll-americans-want-next-president-to-focus-on-workforce-prep-hiring-teachers/

Health experts warn against COVID complacency in schools amid surge

Health experts are urging school staff and families to take active steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 amid rising infections as school districts stick to their previous plans to combat the virus similarly to how they would the flu or strep throat.

https://thehill.com/homenews/education/4844879-schools-covid-mitigation-surge/

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