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Debra Duardo, M.S.W., Ed.D.
Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools
As a firm believer in the power of partnerships, I am excited to share that LA County Parks & Recreation and the LA County Library have stepped up to support schools during these challenging times.
Many districts are looking at school reopening models that include both in-person and distance learning on alternating days. But for so many of our families, this type of schedule is impractical due to work commitments.
Parks & Rec facilities and county libraries offer an option for students to go to for distance learning, in addition to facilities operated by nonprofit groups such as the YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs.
LACOE will be surveying district interest in these options, and we look forward to keeping you updated on these important resources for our students and families.
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Be aware that while mosquitoes can spread West Nile Virus, they do not spread COVID-19.
Updated information on the LA County Department of Public Health website:
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Accountability, Support & Monitoring
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LCAP update:
The Education Finance budget trailer bill
(SB 98)
contained significant changes to the Local Control and Accountability Plan requirements in 2020-21. As a result of SB 98, LEAs will not be required to complete an LCAP this year (overriding the Dec. 15, 2020 LCAP requirement in Executive Order N-56-20); however, school districts, county offices of education and charter schools will be required to submit the following:
- The 2019-20 Budget Overview for Parents (by Dec. 15, 2020)
- A Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan (by Sept. 30, 2020)
LACOE’s LCAP unit will be providing regular updates and technical support to all LEAs. Resources and contact information are available
here
.
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The state has shared, and the LA County Department of Public Health has concurred, that Adult Education programs that support essential infrastructure are able to reopen now. Programs will still be required to follow Public Health mandates that include physical distancing and use of PPE. A list of essential infrastructure services can be found
here
.
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Several county office administrators met with CIF officials from both the state and local (Southern Section) level to hear updates and ask questions. The various CIF sections across the state are working together, while monitoring local public health orders, to develop guidelines for returning to sports for the 2020-21 school year.
In preparation for the July 20 release of the CIF guidelines, district offices will receive a survey from the CIF section director early next week. Please be on the lookout for the survey; your input is valued.
Current CIF recommendations on conditioning activities for fall sports may be found in the Commissioner's update
here
.
Please note that the guidelines are provided as a recommendation only and are subject to any state and local health department requirements.
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AB 77 states that students need daily live interaction with certificated employees and peers for purposes of instruction, progress monitoring and maintaining school connectedness. This interaction may take the form of internet or telephone communication, or by other means permissible under Public Health orders. If daily live interaction is not feasible as part of regular instruction, the district shall develop, with parent and stakeholder input, an alternative plan for frequent live interaction that provides a comparable level of service and school connectedness.
This plan will become part of the Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan due Sept. 30, 2020.
In a hybrid or distance learning model of instruction students should be engaging in equivalent curriculum with some sort of check-in or daily activity with all students, such as a discussion board or small group peer activity where a teacher/certificated employee provides feedback.
More detailed information regarding the daily check-ins should be forthcoming and LACOE will share new information as soon as it is available.
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John Burton Advocates for Youth, along with First Star, National Center for Youth Law and United Friends of the Children, will host the webinar “Combating Summer Melt Amid a Pandemic” on Thursday, July 16, 9:30 to 10:45 am, on how adult supporters can assist transitioning foster youth in achieving their educational goals.
The webinar will include a special focus on the changing educational landscape due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as concrete strategies for managing mental health needs, securing housing access and navigating the nuts and bolts of matriculation. To register for the webinar, click
here
.
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AB 1384 (O’Donnell) will create important protections from liability for school districts, charter schools and offices of education.
Summary
: This bill would require the governing board or designee to establish policies and procedures in line with applicable federal, state and local legal and regulatory COVID-19-related requirements, and that take into consideration COVID-19-related guidelines from federal, state and local government entities and public health agencies. If a school or district meets these requirements, it will be exempt from monetary liability and damages for injury relating to COVID-19 infection, any condition in existence because of the COVID-19 pandemic or any act or omission by the local educational agency, its officers or its employees in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill does not affect liability for the agency’s employees.
Status
: Amended June 29, 2020. Pending a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
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Nutrition and Meal Services
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The USDA issued multiple waiver extensions and a new waiver to allow flexibilities that LEAs need to provide nutritious meals for student throughout the upcoming school year. The following waivers will remain in effect through June 30, 2021:
- Non-congregate feeding
- Meal service time flexibility
- Parents/guardians meal pick-up
- Meal pattern flexibility
- Offer Versus Serve flexibility for high schools (new)
For more information, please click
here
.
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Philanthropy & External Partnerships
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Webinar: How Philanthropy Can Support Innovation, Equity and the Future of Education in the COVID Era —
July 2, 2020 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Join the Greater LA Education Foundation, LACOE's philanthropic arm, and Grantmakers for Education for a discussion on how philanthropy can support innovations such as blended learning models, alternative methods of assessment and tele-health supports. The discussion will also touch on equity concerns related to assessing learning loss, accelerating learning and access to high-quality online learning.
Speakers:
- John Garcia, Ed.L.D, President, Greater LA Education Foundation - Moderator
- Celine Coggins, Ph.D., Executive Director, Grantmakers for Education - Moderator
- James Honan, Ed.D., Faculty, Harvard Graduate School of Education
- Robyn Anders, Ed.D., Coordinator, Instructional Technology, Burbank USD
- Debbie McHorney, Teacher on Special Assignment, Instructional Technology, Burbank USD
- Justin Barra, MPP, Director, Education Policy, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
- Miho Kubagawa, Ed.L.D., Partner, NewSchools Venture Fund
- Tyler Thigpen, Ed.L.D, Co-founder & Head of Institute for Self Directed Learning & The Forest School
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School Closure Certification
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Due to the provisions in the Governor’s March 13 Executive Order N-26-20 and SB 117, LEAs will need to submit a COVID-19 School Closure Certification rather than a Request for Allowance of Attendance Due to Emergency Conditions (Form J-13A) for school closures due to COVID-19.
The
COVID-19 School Closure Certification
is now available on the California Department of Education website. LEAs will submit their certification form to the CDE via a web-based application. On June 25, unique access codes were emailed to superintendents and charter school directors using the email address listed in the California School Directory. LEAs will need to use the assigned access code to logon to the certification form.
There is not a deadline to submit the certification form. However, all LEAs should complete the COVID-19 School Closure Certification as soon as possible.
For more information, visit the
Frequently Asked Questions: COVID-19
web page.
This web page has been updated to include information related to the COVID-19 School Closure Certification and instructional days and minutes.
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Senator Mitchell’s letter to the Journal on Distance Learning:
On June 26, Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-Los Angeles) submitted a letter to the Senate Journal to clarify the intent of the Education Omnibus Budget Trailer bill (SB 98) — specifically, Section 34 of the bill, which addresses the ability of LEAs to offer distance learning in the 2020-21 school year. The full letter can be read in its entirety by
clicking here
.
Instructional days requirement waiver:
For LEAs that initiated a school closure between March 13 and June 30, 2020 to address COVID-19, the closure shall qualify as a condition that prevents the maintenance of the LEA’s schools during a fiscal year for at least 175 days pursuant to Education Code section 41422. Additionally, for such LEAs the requirement in Education Code section 41422 to submit affidavits of the LEA's governing board members and of the county superintendent of schools are suspended on the condition that the LEA superintendent certifies in writing to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction that the closure occurred to address COVID-19.
2020 legislative calendar dates:
- June 19-July 13: Assembly Summer Recess (previously July 3-Aug. 2)
- July 2-13: Senate Summer Recess (previously July 3-Aug. 2)
- July 3: Independence Day observed
- Aug. 31: Last day for each house to pass bills; final recess begins upon adjournment
- Sep. 7: Labor Day
- Sep. 30: Last day for Governor to sign or veto bills passed by the legislature before Sept. 1 and in the Governor's possession on or after Sept. 1
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LACOE will hold its first School Counseling Symposium on Nov. 4-5, 2020. The event is titled “Counselors Connecting and Responding for Education Support” under the theme "Rebuilding Counseling Communities."
The symposium will take place virtually via Zoom and will include these strands: counselor’s role post COVID-19, social justice, virtual college and career counseling, racial inequities, collaboration with school stakeholders and grief supports.
LACOE invites counselor presenters from all grade levels to offer an interactive and collaborative experience for participants to learn and connect with peers across LA County.
Presentations should be 50 minutes in length and allow for 10 minutes of Q&A. To submit a presentation proposal, please fill out the form
here
.
The deadline to submit a presentation proposal is Tuesday, Sept. 15. Participants will be notified by the first week of October if selected to present. If a presentation is selected, the presenter will be entitled to free admission to the symposium. Email questions to
[email protected]
.
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The LA County Department of Parks and Recreation is pleased to safely reopen 111 summer camp options at 50 parks countywide for ages six years and up. Now more than ever, a safe environment that promotes mental well-being and self-care, with dynamic programming, is paramount to children and youth. Thanks to the generous support of the LA County Board of Supervisors, Parks & Rec is able to provide mini-camp and full-day camp sessions.
The program is focused on instilling positive youth development by using fun themes for participants to explore, learn new skills and make friends. All camps adhere to COVID-19 summer camp health guidelines that include physical distancing, cleaning and use of PPE equipment for staff and participants. Campers will be assigned to stable groupings during each session. Program participants will experience activities that promote mental well-being and self-care in a safe environment.
Online registration for LA County Summer Camps opened on Monday, June 23.
There are three, two-week sessions that will operate from Monday through Friday:
- Session 1: July 6-17
- Session 2: July 20-31
- Session 3: August 3-14
The LA County Board of Supervisors' support to the community includes a scholarship discount, available from 50 to 100 percent at select sites. Scholarship availability is limited and on a first-come-first-served basis via the online registration site.
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Resources for Districts & Schools
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Scheduling Concepts for Hybrid Learning
(LACOE)
click here
Distance & Hybrid Learning Playbooks to Support California LEAs
(CCEE)
click here
Child Protection Hotline Digital Toolkit
(DCFS)
click here
LA County Reproductive Health Equity Project for Foster Youth - webinars
click here
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