Orange County Department of Education

08/28/2026

More than 250 Orange County schools have earned statewide recognition for their work to create positive, supportive learning environments.

California PBIS recognized 253 local schools representing 21 school districts and education agencies for the 2025-26 school year, including 129 that earned the highest platinum designation.

This week’s OCDE Newsroom roundup has more on the recognition, along with other education news from across Orange County.

A Westminster School District teacher welcomes students for the 2026-27 school year. All eligible district schools earned gold or platinum California PBIS recognition for their work to create posit…

08/27/2026

Orange County campuses are sharing plenty of school spirit as the 2026-27 academic year kicks off with colorful campus celebrations, reunions with friends and welcoming messages from school staff.

Take a look at some of the moments schools and districts have shared so far. 🎒📚

Back-to-school excitement is on full display across Orange County, as schools share spirited first-day celebrations and campus traditions through social media posts.

08/26/2026

“You can make a difference in this world. Don’t let anybody tell you it can’t be done.”

Hip-hop DJ Grand Wizzard Theodore, credited with inventing the record scratch, recently shared that message with students from OCDE’s ACCESS Area 4 sites at the Youth Guidance Center and Orange County Juvenile Hall.

In a conversation with OCDE Coordinator Dr. Nathan Goodly, Theodore reflected on his journey from accidentally discovering the record scratch at age 12 in the Bronx to helping shape hip-hop history. He encouraged students to work hard, learn all they can and recognize that where they come from does not determine where they can go.

OCDE Alternative Education Coordinator Dr. Nathan Goodly (left) with hip-hop icon Grand Wizzard Theodore (right) in the Zoom webinar with students from ACCESS Area 4 sites located within the Youth …

08/26/2026

Six Orange County high school football teams traveled to Hawaii to open their seasons. All six came home with a win.

Edison, Newport Harbor, Capistrano Valley, San Juan Hills, Villa Park and San Clemente combined for a perfect 6-0 record against their Hawaiian opponents.

Newport Harbor huddles up after beating Nanakuli 41-0 in their opening game in Oahu. (Photo courtesy of JP West Media)The Newport Harbor football team poses for a photo during their trip to Pearl H…

08/26/2026

Have an unwanted e-bike or e-motorcycle?

The Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer's Office will host an E-Bike and E-Moto Buy Back Program from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 13 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

Orange County residents can anonymously turn in eligible vehicles for gift cards ranging from $200 to $1,000, available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The event will also feature e-bike safety information from local law enforcement, health care and community partners.

Read more: https://newsroom.ocde.us/oc-district-attorney-to-host-e-bike-e-motorcycle-buyback-event-at-angel-stadium/

Image descriptions:
1: English-language flyer from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office promoting the E-Bike and E-Moto Buy Back Program. The flyer features an electric motorcycle and lists the Sept. 13 event at Angel Stadium. It says unwanted e-bikes, e-motos, pocket bikes and e-scooters can be exchanged for gift cards ranging from $200 to $1,000, depending on classification. The first 75 participants who turn in an eligible e-bike or e-moto will also receive two tickets to a Los Angeles Angels game.

2: Spanish-language version of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office E-Bike and E-Moto Buy Back Program flyer with the same event and trade-in information.

3: Vietnamese-language version of the Orange County District Attorney’s Office E-Bike and E-Moto Buy Back Program flyer with the same event and trade-in information.

08/21/2026

Breakfast is now part of the school day at Pacific Drive Elementary.

This week's Orange County education roundup features the Fullerton School District's Breakfast in the Classroom program, which is helping more than 600 students across three elementary school campuses start their school day with a free, nutritious meal.

The roundup also highlights students heading back to school, e-bike safety efforts, County Superintendent Dr. Stefan Bean's call to come together for the year ahead and more from across Orange County.

For students at Pacific Drive Elementary School in Fullerton, the school day now begins with a side of breakfast. The Fullerton School District gives more than 600 students the opportunity to enjoy…

08/21/2026

Another year of learning and leadership is underway for OCDE’s Preliminary Administrative Services Credential candidates.

Welcome back to the PASC candidates continuing their journey toward educational leadership.

Interested in earning a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential? Learn more about the program, requirements and application process by visiting https://ocde.us/EducationalServices/sll/Leadership/Pages/PASC.aspx.

08/19/2026

School safety professionals gathered at OCDE on Aug. 11 for a full day of training focused on creating safer school environments.

Throughout the day, participants learned about California Safe School Plan requirements, effective school safety leadership and other topics aimed at strengthening preparedness and response across school communities.

➡️ Scroll through for scenes from the training.

08/19/2026

The 2026-27 National History Day-Orange County season is about to begin.

OCDE will host a free virtual kickoff Sept. 10 for new and returning coaches, teachers and administrators to learn about this year's theme, "Innovation in History: Impact, Influence, Change," along with contest updates, category rules and resources to support students throughout the competition season.

A separate virtual NHD-OC How To event for students, families and coaches will follow Sept. 24.

OCDE will launch the 2026-27 National History Day-Orange County season with a free virtual kickoff Sept. 10, giving new and returning coaches an introduction to the competition, this year’s &…

08/14/2026

This week's Orange County education roundup leads with Sailee Charlu, a 17-year-old Orange County School of the Arts student and recent OCDE summer intern whose passion for multilingual education has grown into an effort to expand bilingual learning opportunities across California.

In an Aug. 13 Orange County Register feature, reporting intern Lillian Ashworth profiled Charlu’s efforts to advance bilingual education in California, including her work on proposed legislat…