Education Roundup for Week Ending May 13, 2011
SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Education (CDE) today issued this week's Education Roundup featuring education-related announcements of public interest.
CollegeWeekLive hosts CALIFORNIA DAY
The online showcase of colleges and universities, called "CollegeWeekLive," is hosting CALIFORNIA DAY on May 13 from 1:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time. Students, parents, and guidance counselors may log in to the event to connect with admissions representatives and current college students from the convenience of a personal computer. Prospective students may explore unique characteristics of the participating colleges, including admissions, academics, athletics, financial aid, and campus housing. Attendees can also participate in live video Webcam sessions with current college students from different colleges to get a more informal take on campus life. Registration is free and available at CollegeWeekLive (Outside Source).
Pertussis Vaccination Requirement
A new state law requires students entering or advancing to grades seven through twelve in the 2011–12 school year to be immunized with a pertussis vaccine booster called Tdap. The new requirement goes into effect July 1, 2011, for one year and affects all students—current, new, and transfers—in public and private schools.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious disease that can be debilitating at any age and lethal to infants. The pertussis epidemic has caused disease in more than 9,000 people in 2010 and persists today. Pertussis infections occur year-round, but typically peak over the summer and fall, causing widespread illness and absenteeism in students and school staff. Vaccination offers prompt protection against pertussis. For more information, please visit Shots For School (Outside Source).
# # # #
Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100