Spotlight Schools Newsletter: September 2025
Attendance Challenge // Pending & Passed Bills // 🗞️ Student Storytellers // 🍔 Read 📚, Get Free In-N-Out
THE LATEST ON TK-12 EDUCATION IN ORANGE COUNTY
In this month’s Spotlight Schools newsletter:
- 🍎 What happens when students don't show up to school? See how districts spent September raising awareness about the importance of attendance.
- 👨👨🏽👨🏾👨🏻👨🏿 An event just for Dads. We preview the O.C. Department of Education's first-ever Father Fest.
- 🗞️ Plus, student storytellers! Six high school newsrooms in Orange County that are worth your time.
- 🍔 And don't miss out on the reading program that could earn your student free burgers from In-N-Out!
👍 Want Spotlight Schools on the daily? Follow us on on Instagram, X, and Facebook for information about school board meetings, scholarship opportunities, principals eating "dog food," and more. And be sure to check out our coverage on SpotlightSchools.com.
Did a really smart friend forward you this? That's so nice! Subscribe for your own FREE newsletter here.
Yours in knowledge,
Jeannette Andruss, Co-founder of Spotlight Schools
What Happens When Students Don't Show Up?
In September, two campuses in the Brea-Olinda Unified School District were locked in a friendly, but important, competition.
“The Arovista (Elementary) ALLSTARS are calling out the Laurel (Elementary) Leopards for an epic Attendance Challenge!,” proclaimed an August 29 Instagram post featuring Arovista Principal Eric Barrientos. Laurel students, led by Principal Erika Lopez, responded “It’s on!!!” in a stylishly edited video set to the T.I. song “Bring Em Out.”
What was the mission for students in this four-week challenge? Show up to school every day and on time to achieve an attendance rate of 98% for the month. The prize? The losing principal would be forced to wear the other school’s gear and colors.
This is one example of how a local school marked Attendance Awareness Month, a nationwide campaign to educate families about the importance of students being at school.
Attendance is crucial for students and public schools for numerous reasons.
- First, missing school could put students at risk of falling behind in their learning.
- Second, absences can impact a student's ability to form friendships and develop a sense of belonging.
- Last, but not least, since California funds public schools based on Average Daily Attendance or ADA, absences mean less money for schools.
As part of its “Attending School is Cool” campaign for Attendance Awareness Month, the Los Alamitos Unified School District sent a letter to families explaining how absenteeism is impacting the district's finances.
When one student misses one day of school, it amounts to a loss of around $66, according to the district. And that can add up. In the 2024-25 school year, Los Alamitos Unified’s ADA was 95.77% netting $99.1 million in state funding. "Just a 1% increase in our attendance would garner a million dollars more in funding to provide support for students … increased staffing and programs and services,” Supt. Andrew Pulver, Ed.D., said at the Los Alamitos USD Board of Education meeting on Sept. 9.
Some districts are utilizing a relatively new option from the California Department of Education for students to make up missed instructional time and for schools to recover funding tied to ADA. Starting in the 2025-26 fiscal year, school districts, county offices of education and classroom-based charter schools can offer an Attendance Recovery program. The program can be held before or after school, on weekends, or even during breaks. Richman Elementary School in the Fullerton School District recently hosted its first Saturday School Opportunity Attendance Recovery (SSOAR) that saw several students attend.
Read the whole story on SpotlightSchools.com.
Leadership Changes in Fullerton School District
The Fullerton School District is searching for a new board trustee and a new superintendent.
On September 10, FSD Board Trustee Aaruni Thakur announced plans to step down from his position representing Trustee Area 1 after nearly seven years.
Thakur, an attorney, attended FSD schools, met his wife at Sunny Hills High School, and his children were students at FSD campuses. "I am, and always will be, a proud Fullertonian. While I will no longer be serving as a trustee, I am grateful that my family and I will continue to be active members of our Fullerton community," Thakur wrote in a letter to the community. The board publicly celebrated Thakur at its September 16 meeting.
The board is now seeking to fill the seat to represent Trustee Area 1. Candidates must live in the Trustee 1 area which includes the FSD campuses of Valencia Park, Orangethorpe, and Pacific Drive Elementary Schools. Applications will be accepted until October 17, at 5 p.m. Applicants are scheduled to be interviewed Wednesday, October 29, at 5 p.m. in the Board Room. The temporary appointment would last until the Nov. 2026 election, when the position would be on the ballot. Find more information here.
Thakur's departure comes at the same time that FSD Superintendent Bob Pletka, Ed.D., announced his retirement. Dr. Pletka will retire February 1, 2026 after 13 years with the district. “This district is so much more than a system of schools—it’s a true community, woven together by people who care deeply about children and one another,” Dr. Pletka said in a press release.
The district has not publicly begun the process of selecting Dr. Pletka's successor. Visit www.fullertonsd.org/ for updates.
Press Releases
Anaheim Union High School District Trustee Stepping Down
After 29 years of service to the Anaheim Union High School District representing Area 3, AUHSD Board of Education Trustee Katherine H. Smith has resigned. The school board has called a Special Meeting for Oct. 2 at 3:30pm to decide whether to hold a special election or appoint someone to fill out the remainder of Smith's term through 2028. Smith was reelected to the school board less than one year ago with 52.92% of the vote over former AUHSD teacher Jose Paolo Magcalas. ✏️ Reporting contributed by Germaine Neumann-Chau
Related: Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified Hires New Superintendent // The OCDE Newsroom
New CA Laws: Bills Passed and Pending
California lawmakers have passed dozens of laws that must be acted on by Governor Gavin Newsom by October 12. Several could impact TK-12 campuses in Orange County. On September 20, Newsom signed two bills into law that will add restrictions to federal immigration enforcement operations at schools. In brief:
- Assembly Bill (AB) 49 prohibits schools from allowing immigration enforcement officers in a nonpublic part of campus without a specific judicial warrant or court order.
- Senate Bill (SB) 98 requires schools to send community notifications when immigration enforcement is on campus.
Other bills related to education and schools awaiting the governor's decision include:
- AB 715 is an effort to reduce discrimination and antisemitism in schools by creating an Office of Civil Rights and an Antisemitism Prevention Coordinator. Companion legislation SB 48 would create several more coordinators to combat other forms of discrimination.
- AB 495 would expand who can be authorized to complete a school's caregiver affidavit allowing them to make decisions about enrollment and other items.
- AB 1264 would restrict schools from offering ultra-processed foods to students, except as part of a campus fundraiser, starting in 2035.
👀 You can find out how O.C. lawmakers voted on the bills and track a bill's status using the CalMatters Digital Democracy tool.
David N. Young
Father Fest Coming to Orange County
The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) is launching a new event focused on fathers and male mentors. The first Father Fest is coming to Anaheim on Oct. 4.
Organizers describe the free event as a celebration aimed at supporting and empowering fathers and mentors, while connecting them with tools, resources, strategies and community partners.
“OCDE is launching Father Fest now because there is a growing recognition that fathers and male mentors often feel unheard or overlooked in schools and community spaces,” Janis Price, OCDE’s coordinator of Family and Community Engagement, wrote in an email to Spotlight Schools.
Read more at SpotlightSchools.com.
High School Newsrooms Worth Checking Out
Spotlight Schools is always working to stay on top of what is happening in schools in Orange County. One of the best sources of information are the stories written by student journalists covering their own campuses. Take a look at some of the student-powered newsrooms in O.C. we think are worth checking out.
- The Accolade, Sunny Hills High School - Fullerton Joint Union High School District
- Recent Highlights: Cautionary tale about an email scam impersonating district staff to target students seeking jobs. The Accolade also offers stories in Korean.
- Baron News, Fountain Valley High School - Huntington Beach Union High School District
- Recent Highlights: A story about the availability of a telehealth service for students. Plus, an examination of a need for public "third spaces" in the community.
- Brea Olinda Wildcat, Brea Olinda High School - Brea-Olinda Unified School District
- Recent Highlights: Great overview of how the Nov. 4 Special Election ballot measure Proposition 50 would create new congressional districts in Brea if passed. And check out the story exploring if listening to music actually helps or hinders a student’s ability to study.
- The Gamut, Oxford Academy - Anaheim Union High School District
- Recent Highlights: Check out a "bucket list" for the Class of 2026 and the "Ask the Gamut" podcast where "a rotating cast of Gamut staffers will answer your burning questions." The Gamut also has a print edition.
- Griffin Gazette, Los Alamitos High School - Los Alamitos Unified School District
- Recent Highlights: Students share mixed reviews on changes to this year’s homecoming dance; Plus, a deep dive into fashion trends on campus. And consider supporting a fundraiser to help send some LAHS student journalists to the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention in Nashville!
- Portola Pilot, Portola High School - Irvine Unified School District
- Recent Highlights: A look at a new attendance policy aimed at minimizing tardies. And one student asks if the culture around student-run clubs can sometimes value prestige over passion.
👀 Did we miss your school's newsroom? Respond to this email to tell us about the student journalism happening at your campus!
Other Stories We're Reading
Note: some links may have a paywall or require a subscription to read.
- Orange County school districts navigate Supreme Court ruling on religious opt-outs // The O.C. Register
- O.C. parents seek answers after they say bullying at Cypress school lead to their daughter’s death // Fox 11
- Orange Unified teacher under investigation for allegedly removing a student memorial honoring conservative activist Charlie Kirk // L.A. Times
- Laguna Beach High School student suspended after getting into an argument over a MAGA hat he wore to school // Fox11
- Second Harvest marks 10 years of school food pantries // The O.C. Register
- Student board members gather for inaugural summit // The OCDE Newsroom
- What counts as cheating with A.I.? Teachers are grappling with how to draw the line // L.A. Times
- Dads in kilts keep watch over Orange County Catholic School // The O.C. Register
🚀 O.C. Reading Programs 🍔
Two reading programs happening in Orange County might motivate a reluctant reader to crack open a book or two.
🍔 A mouthwatering reward is up for grabs for participants in the Orange County Public Libraries Cover to Cover Club. Kicking off this Saturday, children ages 4 to 12 can read to earn an Achievement Award which can be redeemed for a free hamburger or cheeseburger at any In-N-Out location. Children must read five books or for a total of 300 minutes, which is tracked in a log that needs to be signed by a parent or guardian. Get started by visiting an OCPL branch near you. The program runs through November 15. More information here.
🚀 The fourth S.T.E.A.M. Race to Space Reading Challenge launches on Oct. 3, but registration is already open to families and teachers. The Orange County Department of Education is one of the main sponsors of the program. Here's how it works – students from transitional kindergarten through 12th grade can read books (or have books read to them) related to science, technology, engineering, arts, or math. Students then earn badges and can unlock potential prizes like model rocket kits or a chance to have a virtual meet-and-greet with NASA engineers. There are lists of recommended books for all grade levels. Participants must sign up for an app to track reading progress. The challenge ends on Oct. 24. Find out more at readsteam.org.
One more thing...
We're still covering Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations at schools in Orange County. Please reach out if you want Spotlight Schools to report on an event in your district! Email hello@spotlightschools.com.
Thanks for reading!
Since you made it this far, why not forward this to a friend and encourage them to sign up for the Spotlight Schools newsletter?
And... Please send us your thoughts, story ideas, and tips by responding to this email.