{"id":426849,"date":"2026-08-07T22:54:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:54:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/426849\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:54:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:54:10","slug":"weekly-roundup-35-5-million-investment-to-bring-community-school-resources-to-more-oc-students-and-more-ocde-newsroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/426849\/","title":{"rendered":"Weekly roundup: $35.5 million investment to bring community school resources to more OC students, and more \u2013 OCDE Newsroom"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\"AnaheimAnaheim Union High School District Superintendent Jaron Fried leads community members in the community schools celebration at Anaheim High School Aug. 4. (Courtesy of AUHSD) <\/p>\n

A new $35.5 million investment in community schools will help expand a growing network of campuses across Orange County where students and families can access academic, mental health and community resources alongside their education.<\/p>\n

The funding, included in the new state budget, gives Orange County education leaders an opportunity to build on the community schools work already underway in districts like the Anaheim Union High School District and extend the model to more students throughout the region. Approximately $215 million in community schools funding has already been awarded to 147 schools across 14 school districts and OCDE\u2019s alternative education programs, reaching an estimated 85,000 students throughout the county.<\/p>\n

The Orange County Register reported<\/a> that district leadership, community members and students gathered Aug. 4 at Anaheim High School\u2019s Cook Auditorium to celebrate the statewide investment. <\/p>\n

\"AnaheimAnaheim High School junior Coraline Salazar is joined at the community schools press conference by Superintendent Jaron Fried and AUHSD Board Trustees. (Courtesy of AUHSD) <\/p>\n

Community schools are designed to bring schools and community partners together to address the needs of students and families by connecting academic success to students\u2019 overall wellbeing. Depending on local needs, that can mean connecting families with mental health services, family resource centers, after-school programs, tutoring, health resources and other supports.<\/p>\n

Anaheim High School junior Coraline Salazar said her school\u2019s community resource center has become a place where students and families feel welcomed, supported and connected.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a commitment to making sure students, families, educators and community partners have a voice in shaping our school,\u201d Salazar told the Register. \u201cIt showed me what happens when a school invests not only in academics, but in people and relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n

The new funding could help bring similar opportunities to students across Orange County. As Orange County continues expanding its community schools network, the investment could help more districts build on the lessons learned by districts like Anaheim Union. <\/p>\n

\u201cFor our families, it ensures our schools remain vibrant hubs within our community,\u201d Anaheim Union Superintendent Jaron Fried said, \u201cplaces where parents, families and caregivers are true partners in education and can access vital services directly in their neighborhood.\u201d<\/p>\n

Here are the other stories we\u2019ve been following this week: <\/p>\n

CBS News LA recently featured Betsy Ross Elementary School in the Anaheim Elementary School District as principal Deidra Stewart and staff welcomed students back<\/a> for the first day of school to prepare them for a successful year. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Schools across Orange County are getting ready to bring students back into the classroom<\/a> for the 2026-27 school year with some local schools already back in session and others preparing to begin in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

The OC Pathways Student Leadership Summit gave Orange County students opportunities to develop leadership skills and explore career education<\/a> as they prepare to begin their student ambassador roles this upcoming school year. The program brings students together through networking, work-based learning and projects designed to address community needs. <\/p>\n

\"Orange<\/p>\n

In the latest FutureCurrent episode, Orange County Probation Chief Jessica Johnson discusses the department\u2019s work to support young people through rehabilitation<\/a> and help them build pathways toward positive futures. The conversation explores the importance of mentorship, accountability and opportunities for youth involved in the justice system.<\/p>\n

A decades-old reading program at Moffett Elementary School in the Huntington Beach City School District is helping students build stronger reading habits<\/a> by combining reading incentives and community support to encourage students to keep turning the page. <\/p>\n

A new private middle school in South Orange County is offering families an alternative approach<\/a> designed in part for young athletes and families seeking more time to develop competitive sports skills before moving on to high school.<\/p>\n

This is the part where we encourage you to keep up with local education news stories by bookmarking\u00a0the OCDE Newsroom<\/a>,\u00a0subscribing for emailed updates<\/a>\u00a0and following us on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>,\u00a0X (formerly Twitter)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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