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California leaders are advancing a bill to shield schools from immigration enforcement in response to President-elect Donald Trump's mass deportation threats. Introduced by Senate Majority Leader Lena Gonzalez and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, the legislation would ban ICE cooperation within a one-mile radius of schools, building on 2017’s Assembly Bill 699, which restricts enforcement on school grounds and sharing immigration-related information. The bill addresses cases where undocumented parents were arrested near schools, aiming to protect families and maintain attendance-based school funding. A 2018 Stanford study linked strict immigration enforcement with declining Hispanic student attendance and performance. Approximately 146,000 undocumented children are enrolled in California schools. “All California children deserve safe environments,” Gonzalez said, emphasizing the need for prioritizing student learning regardless of immigration status.

 

NBC Palm Springs

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The Sacramento Bee

For over a century, California's schools have embraced outdoor-focused designs to leverage the state’s moderate climate, with open-air campuses promoting fresh air and student well-being. However, climate change is testing this tradition with extreme weather, from record-breaking storms to rising temperatures. Schools like Menlo-Atherton (M-A) face challenges such as waterlogged pathways, unusable outdoor spaces, and outdated ventilation systems. Students value the outdoor environment for its stress-relieving qualities, yet unpredictable weather disrupts activities and raises health concerns. Heatwaves have turned sunny spaces into hazards, with incidents like fainting underscoring the need for infrastructure updates. Updating outdoor school architecture poses financial and logistical hurdles, but California must balance preserving its legacy with creating functional, climate-resilient learning spaces. Schools like M-A remain caught between tradition and the demands of an evolving climate.

 

The 74 (Online)

For over a century, California's schools have embraced outdoor-focused designs to leverage the state’s moderate climate, with open-air campuses promoting fresh air and student well-being. However, climate change is testing this tradition with extreme weather, from record-breaking storms to rising temperatures. Schools like Menlo-Atherton (M-A) face challenges such as waterlogged pathways, unusable outdoor spaces, and outdated ventilation systems. Students value the outdoor environment for its stress-relieving qualities, yet unpredictable weather disrupts activities and raises health concerns. Heatwaves have turned sunny spaces into hazards, with incidents like fainting underscoring the need for infrastructure updates. Updating outdoor school architecture poses financial and logistical hurdles, but California must balance preserving its legacy with creating functional, climate-resilient learning spaces. Schools like M-A remain caught between tradition and the demands of an evolving climate.

 

M-A Chronicle

A National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) survey shows that 50% of public school leaders felt understaffed in October 2024, up from 45% the previous year. Despite no reported change in total teaching positions between the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, 34% of schools cited difficulties filling special education vacancies, and 3% of all instructional positions remained vacant. While fewer schools reported operational impacts like increased class sizes, staffing shortages persist alongside concerns over student performance. School leaders estimate 40% of students were behind in at least one subject at the start of the year, reflecting pandemic-related learning loss. Efforts to address this include tutoring, with 78% of schools offering services, though the availability of high-dosage tutoring decreased slightly from the prior year.

 

K-12 Dive

CNN reports that a recent diversity and inclusion conference hosted by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) has drawn criticism from several Jewish organizations for remarks deemed antisemitic and anti-Israel. The conference, known as the People of Color Conference, was held in Denver and aimed to promote equity in education. Leaders from the Anti-Defamation League and other organizations condemned the rhetoric, stating it created a "hostile" environment for Jewish attendees. One Jewish student reported feeling "so targeted, so unsafe" that he concealed his Star of David. In response, NAIS president Debra Wilson expressed regret over the "divisive and hurtful rhetoric" and announced plans to vet future speakers more rigorously. She emphasized that "any student [feeling] the need to conceal their identity at our conference is antithetical to our mission and our values." The incident highlights a troubling rise in antisemitic incidents on school campuses amid ongoing tensions related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

 

CNN Edition

All 50 states and the District of Columbia now permit high schools to award a Seal of Biliteracy, recognizing graduates who master English and another language. The latest Seal of Biliteracy national report indicates a rise in graduates earning this distinction, from 147,937 in 2021-22 to 158,384 in 2022-23. Samuel Aguirre, a co-author of the report, noted: “The rise reflects rising interest in the distinction as a way to recognize both English learners and native English speakers.” States have implemented various strategies to broaden access, including assessments for less common languages. In New Mexico, students can demonstrate proficiency through a portfolio process, enhancing inclusivity. While federal support remains uncertain, educators are optimistic about the seal's future, emphasizing its importance for all students.

 

Education Week News

Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes has stated that the motive behind the recent shooting at Abundant Life Christian School appears to be “a combination of factors.” While the investigation is ongoing, authorities are working to authenticate a document circulating on social media, referred to as a manifesto. Barnes clarified that a call regarding the incident was mistakenly attributed to a second-grade teacher. The shooting, which resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries, has drawn national attention, with President Biden calling it “shocking and unconscionable.” He emphasized the urgent need to protect children from gun violence, referencing past tragedies.

 

CNN Edition

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The Hill

NPR / National Public Radio

Michele Hillen-Noufer, executive director of NorCal Arts, is using theater to teach empathy, conflict resolution, and social-emotional learning to over 10,400 students across Sacramento schools. With a $600,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security, her program aims to address rising student misbehavior and emotional alienation, which experts link to broader societal polarization and violence. Through drama exercises, students develop emotional literacy and collaboration skills, learning to manage disagreements and connect with peers. Hillen-Noufer believes these skills are essential to fostering a sense of belonging and community, potentially reducing paths to radicalization and violence. “Theater is a profound tool for violence prevention because it fosters empathy and healing,” said Allison Gamlen of the San Mateo County Office of Education. By providing a safe space to explore emotions and build connections, the program not only enriches students' lives but also strengthens community resilience and trust.

 

EdSource

Santa Clara USD has introduced the Compassion Action Responsiveness Empathy Support (CARES) program to address bullying and mental health issues following the suicide of 14-year-old Jose Zamora, who was reportedly bullied. The program includes partnerships with local agencies and aims to create a safe environment for students. Initiatives include adding a mental health clinician at Santa Clara High School and expanding resources like the 24/7 mental health referral platform, To Be Honest.

 

Silicon Valley Voice

The Sonoma Valley Education Foundation is currently running a holiday fundraising campaign, aiming to double donations up to $30,000 by December 31. The foundation plays a crucial role in supporting student well-being and academic success, as highlighted by Sarah Carroll, executive director, who stated: “Our year-end fundraising... will support students' well-being and academic support and enrichment.”

 

Press Democrat

Mike Fisher, a culinary teacher at Hollister High School, has been appointed as San Benito High School District’s manager of nutrition services, starting in January. Fisher, a 2003 alumnus, has transformed the culinary program into a food service operation over the past six years. He aims to usher in a “new era of student nutrition” focused on “scratch cooking,” which emphasizes preparing meals from raw ingredients.

 

Hollister Free Lance

U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi and his wife, Laura, are facing a lawsuit following a party at their Pasadena home where underage drinking allegedly led to a violent incident. The plaintiff, Alex Wilson, claims he was assaulted by another guest, resulting in a traumatic brain injury and permanent facial scarring. Wilson's attorney argues that the Scarsis were negligent in supervising the event, allowing minors from various schools, including Loyola High School and St. Francis High School, to consume alcohol. Wilson is seeking unspecified damages for both physical injuries and emotional trauma.

 

Los Angeles Times

Olivet University, a Christian college in Anza, California, has been ordered to cease operations due to multiple violations of state educational guidelines. Administrative Law Judge Debra Nye-Perkins stated: “The only degree of discipline that would ensure public protection is the revocation of respondent's approval to operate.” The university must stop enrolling new students and propose a plan to allow current students to complete their courses elsewhere. Olivet has been under federal investigation for alleged labor trafficking and money laundering, and has faced numerous violations, including insufficient course offerings and faculty qualifications.

 

Los Angeles Times

Press Enterprise