Superintendent Search Update: The WCCUSD Board of Ed...

The Board completed interviews with three finalists and selected one candidate. We have now entered into contract negotiations with that finalist. We are also working with Leadership Associates to conduct any additional reference checks that may be necessary before offering a contract. By law, the superintendent's contract must be approved at a regularly scheduled Board meeting. The Superintendent Search Timeline identifies May 28 or June 11 as the target dates for the Board’s approval of the contract. The Board expects to meet that deadline and, therefore, announce a new superintendent. Weighing heavily in the Board's decision-making process was the extensive input received from our multiple educational partners through in-person and Zoom meetings, as well as the online survey. The feedback helped shape the position description used to recruit candidates and develop interview questions. There's work left to be done, but we are on the way!  The Superintendent Search Timeline is attached.  -- Leslie Reckler (she/her) Board President Trustee Area #5  West Contra Costa Unified School District

Wednesday, May 21 2025

Richmond High Band wins #1, West County is a 2025 CA...

    West County Mandarin School is a 2025 California Distinguished School West County Mandarin has been recognized as a  2025 California Distinguished School   by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.  This award recognizes schools that close the achievement gap and demonstrate exceptional student performance. West County Mandarin and all other schools will be recognized on May 30 in an Anaheim celebration. Way to represent WCCUSD! Kennedy Celebrates the Ending & Beginning of History  On March 15, Kennedy High School alumni and community members celebrated the iconic 100-200 wing that will be demolished later this summer. Alumni reconnected with old classmates as they bid farewell to the memories of those wings. Among the generations of Kennedy High School alumni, they were honored to hear a speech from County Supervisor John Gioia and joined by special guests: Board President Leslie Reckler Board Clerk Guadalupe Enllana, Board Trustee Jamela Smith-Folds Former Board Trustee and Kennedy alum Otheree Christian former El Cerrito Council Member and Mayor and Kennedy alum Paul Fadelli, Interim Superintendent and Kennedy alum Dr. Kim Moses. Thank you to everyone who joined us to honor the past as we celebrate the future! *Photo courtesy of Don Gosney.   Richmond First place in SF Chinese New Year parade The Richmond High Marching Band performed among thousands and won 1st place at the SF Chinese New Year parade! Congratulations to band teacher, Mr. Wilke, and the band for this achievement. Go Oilers! *Photos courtesy of @rhsoilders on Instagram   Flashback Friday: Black History Month Festivities King Elementary King Elementary celebrated a Black History Family Night on February 27th. Supported by an EdFund grant and the King AAPAC, students, families, and staff connected with and celebrated the rich history of the Black diaspora which featured powerful ballads, spoken word, and affirmations, and began with the National Black Anthem. Nyabingha McDowell, Richmond poet and the older sister to a King student, performed a impactful spoken word piece. SOL Development used powerful songs and affirmation booklets to spread encouragement and light. The program continued with the King Dance Team, an author talk from Bianca Monterrosa (RJ Coordinator at King) and another from D'Artagnan Connor (garden instructor at King), and finally, a praise dance from Jamiah Sanders.The importance of self-love and affirmations was emphasized throughout each activity and moment. Downer Elementary The after-school program hosted the Y Scholars Black History Month event at Downer Elementary on February 26. Over 35 families attended this event where they celebrated the contributions of the Black diaspora through music and art. Thank you to Ms. Lola & Bay Area creative staff, Mr.AJ & Mr.Shaka for supporting us in creating a safe and fun space for our children to learn new dances and teaching them about the culture throughout this month.   DeJean College & Career The DeJean College & Career class recently had an exciting field trip to the Finishing Trades Institute, offering students a firsthand look at careers in the trades. Opportunities like these open doors and inspire futures! A huge thank you to former California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, the Whole Child Institute, and the Finishing Trades Institute for making this impactful, hands-on learning experience possible. Opportunities like these open doors and inspire futures!   STEM Night at Stege Elementary! On April 1, the FabLab and Stege Elementary staff hosted a Family STEM Night, providing a meal and several hands-on activities for students. Activities for students included making a kaleidoscope, cup & string telephones, a marble run, optical and digital microscopes, Oobleck, slime, building and painting cardboard animals, a 3D printer demo, and even more!  This event was also one of the first to include the new FabLab interns from Kennedy High School!    U.S. Air Force Band & Singing Sergeants to Perform at El Cerrito High School The United States Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants will be hosting a FREE concert at El Cerrito High School on Saturday, April 5th at 3:00 pm. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to hear great patriotic music, the music of Wicked, and, as always, a salute to celebrate our veterans! Link to tickets:  https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/usafband/el-cerrito-ca   Exciting Science Contest Opportunity WCCUSD Students, ages 13-19, are invited to participate in the Microgravity Contests! Below are the descriptions of both contests. You can review below and  register here: Experiment Contest:  Students create a proposal for an experiment to be performed in microgravity. The winner will get to consult with and receive mentorship from microgravity scientists to bring their proposals to life. In Fall 2025, the winner will have their experiment tested in microgravity by a mission specialist. Mission Patch Contest : Students create a drawing/logo that embodies the theme of the microgravity contest "One step at a time". The winner will have their submission become the official artwork for the contest and the printed logo will also be flown in microgravity. The deadline for both contests is May 15, 2025.  Sign up today!   East Bay Center for Performing Arts survey The East Bay Center for the Performing Arts are looking to create an arts corridor in Richmond and they would love your feedback on what you would like to see.  Click Here to take the short online survey and send them your art!   FREE EVENT hosted by YouthWORKS! Richmond  YouthWORKS  is excited to host its Annual Youth Resource & Career Fair! This free event provides an incredible platform for students and young adults to connect with employers and training providers as they embark on their professional journeys. Date: Tuesday, April 08, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Location: Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804 Scan the QR code to register or visit: https://tinyurl.com/YWCareerFair2025   After School Applications for the '25-26 School Year Opens April 14 The after-school applications for the 2025-26 school year will be released on the PowerSchool Parent Portal the week of April 14, 2025. First-priority enrollment will go to students in the following categories: McKinney Vento/Families in Transition, Foster Youth Students who qualify for free or Reduced Meals, and English Language Learners.   WWUSD Students Invited to Summer Study Trip to China WCCUSD students have the opportunity to travel to China this summer through the Global Ambassador Program, in collaboration with the West County Mandarin IB Program. The program offers three student travel groups, with trips scheduled for July 5-25, July 7-27, and July 9-29. Participants will: Earn college credit through Contra Costa Community College Explore major cities, food, culture, and language Build connections with peers and international communities Students and families interested in participating can contact TripChina2025@gmail.com for more details.    

Friday, Apr 04 2025

Reminder - We Want Your Input About New District Pol...

Gov. Newsom recently signed the Phone-Free School Act (AB-3216) into law, and WCCUSD is shaping a new policy to limit or prohibit smartphone use on school campuses. We want to hear from students, parents, staff, and community members to ensure this policy is fair, equitable, and supports student success. Take our short survey and share your thoughts! 📲 Survey Link:  tinyurl.com/2025wccusd Your input will help us create a policy that supports student safety, well-being, and academic focus. Make your voice heard today! 

Thursday, Mar 27 2025

📢 Reminder! 📢 Attend the Virtual DLCAP Town Hall Mee...

We Need Your Voice! Virtually join us for the final DLCAP Town Hall to help shape our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and develop stronger strategies to support students, remove barriers, and build brighter futures. Your input is essential! Date :  Monday, March 25, 2025 Time:  6:00- 8:00 PM Virtual Meeting (Zoom) : Meeting ID: 925 4761 5644 RSVP: bit.ly/DLCAPTOWNHALL Parents, students, staff, and community members—your voice matters!

Tuesday, Mar 25 2025

📢 We Need Your Voice! 📢 Attend the DLCAP Town Hall M...

We Need Your Voice! Join us for a DLCAP Town Hall to help shape our Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) and develop stronger strategies to support students, remove barriers, and build brighter futures. Your input is essential! Meeting 1: Saturday, March 15, 2025 Breakfast: 9:15 AM – 9:45 AM Town Hall: 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM Richmond High School Meeting 2: Monday, March 25, 2025 Virtual Meeting (Zoom) | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Meeting ID: 925 4761 5644 RSVP today! bit.ly/DLCAPTOWNHALL Parents, students, staff, and community members—your voice matters! Let’s work together for Achievement for All! #WCCUSD #LCAP #StudentSuccess #CommunityEngagement

Thursday, Mar 13 2025

Superintendent Search Update

Superintendent Search Update Welcome to this week's Superintendent Search Update. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  Not displaying correctly? View in browser   February 10- 21 and 24 - 28 (as needed), 2025 Representatives from Leadership Associates, the search firm hired by the Board, completed their input meetings and town halls with staff, students, parents and the community. ONLINE SURVEY DATES EXTENDED! February 10 - March 10 Take the online survey! What do you think? Share your feedback on the characteristics and qualities that you want to see in the next permanent superintendent, as well as the strengths and challenges of our school district and community. Your input will help to shape the position description, leadership profile and interview questions. Survey results will be shared with the Board of Education. The survey is available in English ,  Espanol/Spanish and   عربي Arabic . The survey can also be found on the Superintendent Search webpage:  https://www.wccusd.net/site/default.aspx?PageID=15312 Take the Online Survey Ver la encuesta en español شارك في الاستطلاع باللغة العربية Potential candidates are being identified. A position description is being developed and will be approved at the March 12, 2025 WCCUSD Board Meeting.* Recruitment materials are being developed and posted. March 24, 2025 5:00 p.m. is the deadline for applications.* Updated Search Timeline Released! Minor adjustments were made to the timeline. February 10-21, 2025 is now the main community engagement period, with February 24-28, 2025 to be used as needed. Please see the updated calendar below. * Subject to Change. The dynamic nature of a candidate search may necessitate some changes to the timeline presented. In the News EdSource " West Contra Costa Seeks New Superintendent with Roots in the Community . EdSource " West Contra Costa Ramps Up Search for New Superintendent " Resources Visit the Superintendent Search Website: www.wccusd.net/superintendentsearch www.wccusd.net/superintendentsearch Communications Department www.wccusd.net/superintendentsearch Subscribe Click subscribe to receive regular superintendent search updates.  

Monday, Mar 03 2025