Superintendents' Community Message: Safety and Suppo...

Dear WCCUSD Community, I want to take a moment to address the tragic school shooting that took place yesterday at Apalachee High School in Georgia, where four individuals lost their lives. This heartbreaking incident has affected families and communities across the nation, including our own, and we understand the profound impact it may have on our students, staff, and families. Our hearts go out to the families and community affected by this devastating event. We grieve alongside those affected and understand that tragedies like this raise concerns about safety in schools. I want to reassure you that the safety of our students and staff is our highest priority, and we are committed to ensuring that everyone is secure and supported while in our care.  We have established a comprehensive safety plan that includes ongoing training for all staff members and safety specialists.  This training covers emergency preparedness, including active shooter drills, and we work closely with local law enforcement to continually assess and improve our safety protocols. Additionally, our Safety Climate Team has compiled support resources for both families and staff, which can be found below and  on our District website . These resources offer guidance on how to discuss safety with your children, recognize signs of emotional distress, and seek additional support if needed. As we reflect on this tragedy, please know that we are committed to maintaining a secure environment in our schools, and we are here to support you. If you have any concerns or questions, feel free to reach out to your school’s administration. Thank you for your continued partnership in ensuring the safety and well-being of our students. Sincerely, Kenneth C. Hurst, Sr., Ed.D Superintendent Resources for Parents & Families: Teaching in the Wake of Violence ,  Facing History and Ourselves  – A coordinated schoolwide approach to responding to upsetting and violent events. ( https://bit.ly/3NjJ5EM ) Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers ,  National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)  – Key points to communicate and ways to support young people emotionally, differentiated by age group. ( https://bit.ly/3ljpHf7 ) Discussing Tragic Events in the News ,  Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility  – Basic questions and discussion formats for teachers to use as they make space for students to discuss their reactions and take positive action. ( https://bit.ly/38xZl67 ) Talking with Children About Gun Violence ,  Anti-Defamation League  – Resources, questions, and tips for talking with children 12 and up. ( https://bit.ly/4cTMiHl )   You can also find additional resources here:  https://casel.org/blog/our-schools-should-be-places-of-joy-and-safety/

Friday, Sep 06 2024

Superintendent's Community Message: Back to School N...

    Hello, WCCUSD Community, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for another fantastic week of school. Your hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm continue to make our district a wonderful place to learn and grow. Yesterday, we hosted our Back to School Night for elementary schools across the district, and I am thrilled to share that it was a great success. We’ve already received positive feedback from parents who appreciated the opportunity to meet with their children’s teachers, learn about involvement opportunities, and engage directly with our school communities. Some schools even provided childcare, allowing families to have valuable one-on-one time with their child’s teacher. Thank you to everyone who made this event so meaningful. In addition to the excitement of Back to School Night, I’m proud to share that this week, our Board of Education unanimously passed our Local Control Accountability Plan, and approved the 2024-25 budget in a 4-1 vote. The journey to revise the previously rejected LCAP plan placed us in unprecedented territory, not only for our county but also for the entire state. Making history is never easy, but through our collaborative efforts, we were able to present a transparent and coherent LCAP plan that truly reflects the needs of our community and supports the success of our students. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the Superintendent Lynn Mackey and the Contra Costa County Office of Education for their guidance and partnership throughout this process. I also want to recognize the hard work and dedication of my executive leadership team, who worked tirelessly to ensure that our revised LCAP met the highest standards of accountability and transparency. Together, we have demonstrated that when we unite as a district, we can overcome any challenge and achieve great things for our students. As we head into the long weekend, I want to wish all of our students, families, and staff a safe and restful Labor Day. Take this time to recharge, enjoy your time with loved ones, and come back ready for another wonderful week of learning. Thank you, and have a great weekend. WCCUSD Board Approves 2024 Local Control Accountability Plan and 2024-2025 WCCUSD Annual Budget We are pleased to announce that the WCCUSD Board of Education approved the 2024-2025 Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and the 2024-2025 WCCUSD Annual Budget. On Tuesday, August 27, in a special board meeting, the Business Services team, led by Dr. Kim Moses, presented the 2024-2025 WCCUSD Annual Budget in a public hearing, open to all community members to hear the budget plan and share feedback. Prior to the budget hearing, the Ed Services department, led by Mrs. Acosta Verprauskus, presented the LCAP with revisions to the initial LCAP proposal presented on June 26. Both plans were approved at the Wednesday, August 28 board meeting and go into effect immediately.  You can view  the  2024-2025 Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) here . View the   2024-2025 WCCUSD Annual Budget here .  We are proud of and thankful for the joint effort and collaboration between the WCCUSD Board, District leadership, the Contra Costa County Office of Education, and the community for a plan and budget that will support the district’s comprehensive plan of goals, actions, services, and expenditures that support positive student outcomes. Elementary Families Kick-off Back to School Night, August 29 Elementary school families kicked off Back-to-School Night in WCCUSD, meeting teachers and administration and visiting their children’s classrooms to see the instructional learning and activities planned for the 2024-25 school year.  Dover Elementary recently hosted a successful Back to School Night featuring introductions of new staff and school procedures. Highlighting its status as a community school, the event aimed to increase parent participation in the African American Parent Advisory Committee(AAPAC), the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC), and the School Site Council(SSC). Additionally, their Dover team generously distributed free backpacks filled with school supplies to Dover families. Back to School Night at Ellerhorst Elementary School:  Back to School Night at Collins Elementary School:

Saturday, Aug 31 2024

Superintendent's Community Message: Welcome Back to ...

                        Superintendent Kenneth C. Hurst, Sr. Ed.D, Board President Jamela Smith-Folds, and Clerk Gonzalez-Hoy welcome students, families, and staff to the 2024-25 school year. The first day of school is Monday, August 19, and we look forward to seeing our scholars bright and early! Have a great school year. WCCUSD Welcomes, Announces New Elementary School Administrators As the first day of school begins tomorrow, August 19, we want to welcome our newly appointed administrators to the 2024-25 school year and welcome our current administrators back to school.   Click here to see all appointed elementary school administrators.   WCCUSD Welcomes, Announces Newly Appointed Secondary Administrators We are thrilled to welcome all students and staff to the new school year! We warmly welcome our current secondary and newly appointed administrators to the 2024-25 academic year.   Click here to see more. WCCUSD Welcomes Newly Appointed Executive Directors   Let's congratulate WCCUSD's executive directors and welcome them to the 2024-25 academic school year. Click here to view the team on the District's Facebook page.  WCCUSD School Board Adopts Antiracism Policy, the First in Contra Costa County On August 7, the WCCUSD Board of Education approved an anti-racism policy as a commitment to the work of anti-racism through a conscious and active effort to identify, challenge, and correct racial inequities in the systems and institutions within our schools and community. WCCUSD is the first school district in Contra Costa County and the second in the state to implement a policy that commits to supporting anti-racist policies, programs, and practices for the District's  students' education and well-being, while building strong and inclusive school communities. Visit  www.wccusd.net/antiracism  to learn more about the anti-racism policy and the work we have begun in our Journey to being an Anti-Racist District.  #antiracism   #antiracist   #welcomebackWCCUSD   #FollowOurJourney Free Breakfast and Lunch Continues for the 2024-25 School Year  This is a welcome back message from your WCCUSD Food Services Department. For the 24/25 school year, breakfast and lunch will continue being served free to all students the entire school year at all school sites. Please check with your school for serving times. The meal menus will be posted on our New Mealviewer website located at www.mealviewer.com . Our menus are carefully planned with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grain items which will be fresh, local, and certified organic whenever possible. Menus meet all USDA requirements. Any questions please call (510) 307-4580. Thank you for your support. Have a wonderful and safe school year.

Monday, Aug 19 2024

RSVP to the Upcoming Community Meeting for Stege Fam...

Staff and parents/guardians of current Stege students  are invited  to join us for part 2 of the Stege Community Meeting on Wednesday, August 14, at 6 p.m. m. for the school’s modernization update, process, and timeline to get students and staff back on campus. There is limited space available. RSVP and send questions to  www.wccusd.net/stege/RSVP814 . Your input is valuable. Please submit your questions for the Q&A session using the RSVP above or the QR Codes in the flyer.

Saturday, Aug 10 2024

Friendly Reminder: Join the Community Meeting on Mon...

Staff and Parents/Guardians of current Stege students are invited to join us for a community meeting at 6 pm on Monday, August 5, to discuss the contingency plan for the upcoming 2024-25 school year. Topics will include transportation, staffing, facilities, safety, communication, and more. This is the first of two community meetings the District will host at the Booker T. Anderston Community Center for Stege families, staff, and community members. Limited space is available;  RSVP to reserve a seat and submit initial questions for the Q&A session.

Sunday, Aug 04 2024

Safety Update Regarding Nationwide Email Threat Rece...

Dear WCCUSD Community, I am writing to provide an update on the incident that took place earlier this morning. As many of you are aware, our district and several neighboring school districts received spam emails threatening  that explosives may be inside our schools . I want to confirm that this was a nationwide hoax that is similar to the incident that occurred in February.  We immediately contacted law enforcement agencies and worked closely with them to ensure the safety of our students and staff. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the local law enforcement agencies for their swift response and collaboration. I also want to thank our school site leaders and custodial staff for contacting local law enforcement and conducting site checks before staff and students entered the school building. The Contra Costa County Office of Education confirmed through the Sheriff’s Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that the email threat received this morning is not credible.  I want to assure you that the safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we will continue to take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety.  Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Sincerely, Sonja Neely-Johnson Chief Academic Officer Superintendent’s Designee

Wednesday, Apr 17 2024