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Debra Duardo, M.S.W., Ed.D.
Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools
Hope has arrived as the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine inoculates thousands of Los Angeles County residents every day.
To help you navigate the vaccine process, I want to be sure you have information about the new "My Turn" website from the California Dept. of Public Health. With the new site, people can check their vaccine eligibility in accordance with their occupation, age and county. They can also receive notifications once they are eligible.
To date, Los Angeles and San Diego are the only counties piloting the site and able to access the scheduling section.
Please share this new resource widely with your school communities. Visit myturn.ca.gov.
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Travel: LA County Public Health is asking all residents to follow the California Dept. of Public Health’s Jan. 6 travel guidance. Avoid non-essential travel within California of more than 120 miles from home. All persons arriving in or returning to California from other states or countries should self-quarantine for 10 days after arrival. Please check the forthcoming LA County Public Health order to be released Friday, Jan. 29, for updated guidance.
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The Brown Act was recently amended by AB 992, which pertains to the use of social media by school board members. It clarifies what is exempt from the Brown Act's definition of serial meetings and creates two new prohibitions.
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On Jan. 15, then President-elect Biden released the first phase (“rescue” phase) (fact sheet; summary) of his $1.9 trillion COVID-19 plan. The first phase would provide $170 billion — supplemented by additional state and local relief resources — for K-12 schools and institutions of higher education. This includes $130 billion toward school reopening efforts, $35 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and $5 billion for governors to use to support education programs and learning needs of students significantly impacted by the pandemic. President Biden intends to release the “recovery” phase of his plan in February, which may include broader economic stimulus measures such as a comprehensive infrastructure package and additional tax relief.
Congressional Democrats are increasing efforts to secure another round of COVID-19 relief aid by March. In the Senate, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has indicated that he could bring a budget resolution to the floor as soon as next week, while House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) adjusted the lower chamber's floor schedule to accommodate a potential vote on the measure. Congressional Democrats are operating on a March 14 deadline, which is when the expanded unemployment insurance benefits are set to expire.
On Jan. 28, House Democrats proposed three bills (totaling $466 billion) to address reopening schools. The “Reopen and Rebuild America’s Schools Act,” the “Save Education Jobs Act” and the “Learning Recovery Act of 2021” would invest close to half a trillion dollars in K-12 schools for infrastructure upgrades and to mitigate job losses and student learning loss caused by the pandemic.
The President has expressed a preference for reaching a deal that has buy-in from both sides of the aisle; however, Democrats could opt to forego these negotiations in favor of the budget reconciliation process. This would allow Democratic pandemic relief priorities to pass the Senate with a simple majority rather than having to meet the usual 60-vote threshold.
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Early Childhood Education community call on Jan. 29:
The LA County Early Childhood Education COVID-19 Response Team will hold a community call for ECE providers on Friday, Jan. 29, from 9-10 am. Topics include health and safety guidance, policy update and employment and business services. There will be an opportunity for questions and answers.
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Youth Empowerment of the Civil Rights Movement: Yesterday and Today (free webinar):
In collaboration with the Content, Literacy, Inquiry, and Citizen Project, LACOE will hold a free two-part webinar facilitated by civil rights activists Lisa McNair and Kenneth Mason. It is designed to engage teachers and students in dialogue and approaches to working toward policy change than can have a long-term impact on systemic racism.
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Part One: Feb. 4, 3:30-4:45 pm — for teachers, grades 6-12
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Part Two: Feb. 18, 1-2 pm — for teachers and students, grades 6-12
Contact: Michelle Herczog, LACOE History-Social Science coordinator, [email protected].
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LACOE’s Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program continues to work with partners to ensure each high school student in foster care completes financial aid applications and receives support services to create a smooth transition to higher education. Click the links below to learn more about college virtual tours, assistance with financial aid and tutoring support.
California deadlines for student financial aid:
March 2, 2021 (date postmarked): For many state financial aid programs
March 2, 2021: Cal Grant required submission of school-certified GPA
Sept. 2, 2021 (date postmarked): Additional community college Cal Grants
Upcoming events for high school seniors in foster care:
Please click on the links to find out the dates and times of these events. These folders will be updated weekly with current information.
Free tutoring for students in foster care:
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This year, LACOE will undertake a redesign of the LACOE.edu website to improve user experience. As part of this effort, we would like to know how you use the website. Please complete a brief survey to help us make our website more relevant and useful to you and other stakeholders.
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Safe Schools for All Plan |
The issues for consideration in the report include:
- Governor’s proposal likely leaves insufficient time for schools to meet funding requirements
- Other components of the governor’s school reopening plan are also on an ambitious time line
- Proposal unlikely to lead to earlier in-person instruction
The LAO recommends that reopening schools should begin with all high-needs students, provide some flexibility on meeting asymptomatic testing requirements and focus on statewide testing capacity and infrastructure.
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Resources for Districts & Schools |
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Child Abuse Reporting Electronic System (DCFS) click here
Hot Topics in Technology & Pedagogy (Distance Learning Consortium) click here
The Field Guide: Accelerating Learning, Equity & Well-Being (CCEE) click here
Leading Forward in 2021: Self-Paced Education Series (CCEE) click here
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