News Briefs | FYI
April 21, 2025
CA schools recognized for serving military families.
More than 80 California schools have received recognition for their commitment to serving students from military families.
On March 13, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that 83 schools have been designated as a Purple Star School in 2025, bringing the total number of California schools recognized with this honor to 179 since the program’s inception in 2023.
The California Purple Star School Designation Program seeks to reduce the burden on military-connected students and their families by articulating the most critical transition supports available. The Purple Star Program is a way to publicly recognize and designate schools that meet certain requirements, and signals which schools are the most committed and best equipped to meet the unique needs of these students and their families.
The Purple Star Program was designed to help mitigate the challenges of high mobility by setting standards for and publicly designating military-friendly schools.
“Congratulations to the educators, staff, administrators, parents, and students at these schools,” said Thurmond, in a news release. “These schools are crucial to supporting our military-connected students, ensuring that they maintain their academic, college, and career aspirations while their parents serve our country.”
For the full list of 2025 Purple Star Schools, visit www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr25/yr25rel16.asp.
Legislature passes laws related to fentanyl and schools
In 2024, the California Legislature passed several student health and instruction bills related to fentanyl education and student possession and use of emergency opioid overdose medication and test strips, according to a recent client news brief from the law firm Lozano Smith.
Assembly Bill 2998 prevents school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools from prohibiting students 12 years of age or older from carrying or administering federally approved nonprescription opioid overdose medication to provide emergency treatment to persons reasonably believed to be suffering from opioid overdoses. AB 2998 applies when students are on school sites or participating in school activities.
Senate Bill 997 similarly prevents school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools from prohibiting students in middle schools, junior high schools, high schools, or adult schools, while on school sites or participating in school activities, from carrying fentanyl test strips or federally approved opioid antagonists for the emergency treatment of persons reasonably believed to be suffering from opioid overdoses.
Finally, AB 2429 requires school districts and charter schools whose students must complete a course in health education for graduation to include instruction in the dangers of fentanyl use during health education courses by the 2026-27 school year.
Read this full news brief at https://www.lozanosmith.com/news-clientnewsbriefdetail.php?news_id=3381.
Rodriguez High School’s Veterinary Science team won a first-place overall finish at the Golden State Field Day at Santa Rosa Junior College.
Vet Science team wins big
Rodriguez High School’s Veterinary Science team is racking up wins at regional competitions this spring, including a first-place overall finish at the Golden State Field Day at Santa Rosa Junior College.
The Veterinary Science team is in its third year at Rodriguez High school (in the Fairfield-Suisun USD) and is part of the high school’s Future Farmers of America program. The team competes at Field Day events throughout the region, which give students the opportunity to test their knowledge and skills against other teams from across the state.
During each contest, students sit for a 50-question exam and take an ID quiz where they must identify over 120 different animals, veterinary equipment and parasites. Students must also perform physical tasks in front of a judge to demonstrate veterinary skills such as removing sutures.
“Being on the team has been a highlight of my high school life,” said Jazelle Camacho, a junior. “Vet science has taught me incredible things that I can use long term.”
The team will head to the FFA State Judging Finals at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in May.
FYI
Aspiring leaders can apply for credential scholarships
ACSA supports the next generation of school leaders by providing scholarships to the Leadership Institute, ACSA’s Preliminary Administrative Services Program offered in conjunction with Sacramento County Office of Education. Aspiring leaders who have applied for the Leadership Institute before June 1 are also eligible to apply for a scholarship to be applied toward their credentialing fees. A limited number of scholarships will be awarded in amounts ranging from $500 to $1,000. The submission deadline is June 1 at 11:59 p.m. Scholarship recipients will be notified via email by July 1. For more information and to apply, visit acsa.org/credentialing#tab2.
Nominate an Exemplary Woman in Education
Nominations are now being accepted for ACSA’s Exemplary Woman in Education Award, which will be presented at the 2025 Women in School Leadership Forum, Sept. 17-19 in Santa Rosa. ACSA is seeking nominations for outstanding women in educational leadership who serve as a role model for other women. Nominees should demonstrate a passion for the profession, a commitment to grow and develop others, a demonstrated desire to give back, advocacy for the value of school administrators and effective crisis leadership during unprecedented times. Nominee must be an ACSA member. Visit acsa.org/womensaward to submit your nomination by April 30.
New CDE guidance available on continuity plans
In response to SB 153, the CDE has posted new guidance for LEAs to consider as they develop an instructional continuity plans (ICPs) at www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/or/icpguidance.asp.