"Get to Know the CDE" Virtual Open House to Feature Work to Confront 21st Century Education Challenges—Global Pandemic, the Opportunity Gap, Wildfire Recovery

SACRAMENTO—The California Department of Education (CDE) has scheduled its first-ever virtual open house next week to showcase the agency’s work to support schools during a global pandemic as well as to close the opportunity gap, provide response and recovery activities for wildfires, and prepare all students for a bright future as they move toward college and career. The “Get to Know the CDE” open house is scheduled for Tuesday, October 26, beginning at 10 a.m.; Wednesday, October 27, beginning at noon; and Thursday, October 28, beginning at 11:30 a.m. The event is open to the public, but registration is required.

“This last year-and-a-half have been—for many of us—some of the most difficult and emotionally trying times in our professional careers. Because of this pandemic, we are working overtime to support schools and also making efforts to not become too isolated from each other and our school communities,” said State Superintendent Tony Thurmond. “This event, which coincides with CDE’s 100^th anniversary, is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the CDE and the spectrum of support the professionals in this agency provide each day.”

The State Superintendent and senior staff at the CDE will open the event and, throughout the days, CDE staff will present on a host of educational topics, including CDE efforts to implement universal transitional kindergarten and universal meals as well as whole child programs and community schools to support the social and emotional needs of students. Other sessions include the Emergency Services Team presenting on wildfire response and recovery, California Schools for the Blind and Deaf in Fremont and Riverside speaking to their unique programs and outreach efforts, and the Government Affairs Division and Office of Equal Opportunity presenting on the State Superintendent’s Gender Equity in Sports Initiative. A complete list of CDE virtual open house presentations can be found on the CDE Open House web page. The virtual open house will provide viewers with the opportunity to learn key people to contact at the agency when they need help on education matters as we continue to work through the pandemic.

Everyone is encouraged share this event with their colleagues and tune in as time permits to see CDE divisions showcase the important work happening today to support students, families, and educators and to carry out Superintendent Thurmond’s initiatives. You can register for the CDE virtual open house via Zoom at CDE Open House Registration .

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Tony Thurmond — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100