Bulletin Board is a weekly roundup of education news from the Coachella Valley and beyond. This week’s edition features the opening of a new three-story academic building on College of the Desert’s downtown Indio Campus, Riverside County’s Operation Recognition program, Governor Gavin Newsom’s call to limit students’ use of smartphones in schools, and CalKIDS’ announcement of $500 college accounts for incoming second graders.
The highlight of this week’s education news is the unveiling of the new three-story academic building on College of the Desert’s downtown Indio Campus. The ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on August 15, 2024, marking the completion of a $75.2 million expansion funded by voter-approved bonds. The new building features 67,000 square feet of classrooms, laboratories, student support services, faculty and staff offices, and a student café. Students can enjoy natural light, scenic views of downtown Indio, and modern educational facilities designed to meet the community’s needs.
In addition to the new academic building, Riverside County’s Operation Recognition program is seeking to award high school diplomas to veterans who missed their graduations due to military service. Veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Japanese American relocation camps during World War II are eligible to apply for a diploma. The program has awarded diplomas to 378 veterans since 2007, honoring their sacrifice and service to the country.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s call to limit students’ use of smartphones in schools has sparked a conversation at Desert Sands Unified School District. Newsom urged schools to restrict student cellphone use, citing the negative impact of excessive smartphone use on youth mental health. While some school districts, like Los Angeles Unified, have implemented bans on cell phone and social media use during the day, Desert Sands is focusing on enforcing existing policies and educating students and families about proper cell phone usage.
Lastly, CalKIDS has announced the creation of $500 college accounts for incoming second graders as part of its program to support low-income public school students in saving for college and career training. With over 3.6 million accounts already established, CalKIDS is helping students build a college-going mindset from a young age by kickstarting their savings for post-secondary education.
Overall, this week’s education news highlights the commitment to providing quality education, honoring veterans’ service, addressing student mental health, and supporting students in their academic and career goals. Stay tuned for more updates and noteworthy stories in the next edition of Bulletin Board.
