In this difficult time, LACOE remains committed to improving the lives of students and our educational community through service, leadership and advocacy. Here, we share best practices, tips and success stories from the county’s 80 districts as we innovate and adapt together to ensure continuity of learning and safety of students, staff and families. |
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New hope for immigrant children |
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President Joe Biden last week signed three executive orders on immigration, including a review of the Trump administration's public charge rule. LACOE Supt. Debra Duardo described the executive action as "a first step in clearing the cloud of fear and anxiety" for many LA County students and families devastated by the pandemic.
Anti-immigrant actions in recent years have put students "at risk of becoming hungrier, less healthy and homeless," Duardo said in a statement. "My hope is that families will no longer have to fear accessing services that are vital to supporting their child’s success in school." LACOE's Immigrant Relations Program has compiled resources for immigrant students and families, including updates on the public charge rule.
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What does a large-scale vaccination look like?
Take a peek at this LACOE facility in Downey
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What does a large-scale vaccination in LA County look like? LACOE Facilities Director Jema Estrella shares a view of vaccine distribution at the LACOE Education Center West facility in Downey. The center was selected by LA County officials as one of five large vaccination sites across the region.
"We are so grateful to serve LA County residents and be part of the solution to this pandemic," Estrella says in this video.
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In LA County, the following groups can make an appointment for vaccination: healthcare workers, long-term care facility residents and residents age 65 and over. Know where you are in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. You may check the phases and estimated time frames by visiting VaccinateLACounty.com
The newly launched My Turn website will allow Californians to quickly check their eligibility according to their occupation, age and county. You can also sign up to be notified by email and text alert to book an appointment once eligible for a vaccine.
Access more vaccination resources and help spread the word:
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Tips for avoiding burnout during distance learning |
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Baldwin Park USD has shared tips to avoid burnout during distance learning. A district alumna also recently offered Sierra Vista HS students tips for staying mentally fit during this difficult time, including s elf-awareness, positive messaging, regular exercise and setting a schedule. Sierra Vista HS graduate Silvia Cervantes-Juarez, now a psychologist at Gladstone HS in Azusa, presented the tips during a virtual Flex Friday intervention class presentation, in coordination with the school's National Alliance of Mental Health Club.
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School Counseling Week
Peer counselors offer support during COVID-19
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In observance of School Counseling Week (Feb. 1-5), Walnut Valley USD highlighted the work of Walnut HS Peer Counseling helping fellow students adapt to life during COVID-19. Peer Counseling is a diverse group of students who come together to help schoolmates grappling with the impact of the pandemic.
"I hope I am seen as a resource that my peers can trust, confide in and go to when they are feeling alone and need someone to listen," says Peer Counseling member Audrey Day. Peer Counseling is just one of the social-emotional supports offered on campus, along with school counselors, lifeline cards, safe classrooms and online resources.
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Celebrating #LoveTeaching Week |
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#Love Teaching Week is a grassroots campaign to celebrate teaching, leading and learning in a way that unites and invigorates educators and those they inspire around the world. Every year, Valentine's Day marks the beginning of a week-long conversation that illuminates why teachers enter and remain in the field of education.
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Equity-focused professional development |
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The Los Angeles County Office of Education in collaboration with
the Content, Literacy, Inquiry, and Citizenship (CLIC) Project
is proud to present
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For teachers and students, grades 6-12
Part 2: Feb. 18, 1 pm - 2 pm
Discuss with speakers the impact of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. Become inspired to take informed civic action to impact public policy on addressing racial inequities.
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The Danger of the Single Story:
Exploring Implicit Bias in the Classroom
Presented by the Los Angeles County CLIC Team:
Barbara Doten, Sandra Line, Michael Sabin
Saturdays on Feb. 20, 27 and March 13, 20
10 am - 12 pm
This workshop will consist of four 2-hour training opportunities for teachers to explore how to address issues of implicit bias in the History-Social Studies classroom. Educators will identify specific opportunities in their curriculum to create a more anti-racist, inclusive narrative that will connect with more students and the communities they serve.
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The Election of Barack Obama Curriculum and Webinar
Feb. 24, 3:30 pm
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Nurturing Positive School Culture and Climate to Facilitate Anti-Bias and Social Justice Education
(4-Day Event) 2/15/2021 - 3/3/2021
Event Dates: 2/15/2021 I 2/17/2021 I 2/24/2021 I 3/3/2021
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
In this virtual institute, participants will focus on cultivating a school climate that supports the goals of anti-bias and social justice education. Live workshops will be led by Sarah Wicht from Teaching Tolerance. Guest speaker Dr. Terrence Roberts, one of the Little Rock Nine, will talk about how to grapple with difficult history and perspectives on achieving racial justice in schools today. Asynchronous content includes on-demand museum virtual tours, videos and readings.
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Building Capacity of School and District Leaders to Advance Equity Series
(6-Day Event) 2/23/2021 - 6/15/2021
Event Dates: 2/23/2021 I 3/9/2021 I 4/6/2021 I 5/4/2021 I 5/18/2021 I 6/15/2021
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
This professional learning series is designed to provide education leaders with knowledge, strategies and resources to lead for equity while maximizing opportunity for high-quality education and success for all students.
The Advancing Equity Leadership Series will include six synchronous modules facilitated by a Leadership Academy team member.
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Equity Leaders Collaborative
(3-Day Event) 3/2/2021 - 5/11/2021
Event Dates: 3/2/2021 I 4/13/2021 I 5/11/2021
2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
The Equity Leaders Collaborative, facilitated by the Leadership Academy, will provide a cohort-based community of practice and support opportunity for up to 20 education leaders responsible for leading equity work in their respective school districts. Three 90-minute meetings will be offered in March, April and May.
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LACOE's Engaging Girls in STEM event presents opportunities for girls to explore STEM careers. Participating students team up with our STEM Ambassadors -- accomplished women in STEM industries, including scientists, engineers, coders and architects -- who want to encourage and inspire the next generation of innovators. They also interact with event partners and exhibitors that support dreams of entering a STEM field. The event runs from mid-February through May 2021.
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Supt. Debra Duardo joins Westchester Family YMCA teens, CA State Board of Education Vice President Ilene Straus and CA Department of Education Student Board Member Zaid Fattah in this virtual panel discussion on the pandemic, resources for addressing its impact and the promise of public education.
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Nurturing creativity at LACHSA |
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Arlene, an accomplished multimedia artist, credits her education at the LA County High School for the Arts for her unbridled creativity and growth as an artist. "LACHSA didn't teach me what to think but taught me how to think," she says in this video.
A training ground for the region’s most promising young talent for more than 30 years, LACHSA is accepting applications for the 2021-22 school year with an emphasis on advancing equitable access for young artists across the county. The deadline to apply is Feb. 12.
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Self-paced education series
Addressing learning loss
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You are invited to join leading California educators to learn strategies, tools and tips to accelerate learning, equity and well-being for students.
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Supt. Debra Duardo discusses plans for this year's graduating seniors in this interview on ABC7.
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In this interview on NBC4, Dr. Kathryn Edwards, LACOE's Director of Equity, Inclusion and Diversity, shares that making lessons relevant to current events is key to engaging young people when teaching about Black History Month.
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LACOE celebrates Black History Month
Scholarships awarded to promote student success
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Last Friday, LACOE's African American Heritage Committee presented a virtual Student Scholarship Program celebrating Black History Month. “Now more than ever, it’s important to celebrate this month and what it stands for,” said LACOE Deputy Superintendent Arturo Valdez in his opening remarks.
The event featured video clips of a PBS story on the 1921 Tulsa race massacre. “Change is coming,” said student speaker Alani Hodge, who shared insights about the tragic event and its lessons for this generation. The event also featured performances by LACHSA students, as well as singer L. Young. “We are one…We are all in this together,” said Ethel Johnson who created the staff event 31 years ago. The committee, co-chaired by Martin Evans and Cheri Epps, awarded scholarship grants to 10 LACOE students.
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Resources for Families & Schools |
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Don’t forget, LACOE is regularly updating several pages of resources:
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