WUSD Community Chronicle 10/09/26

WUSD Community Chronicle Lead with Heart: Inspire with Purpose 10/09/26 Student Free Week-Next Week October 12th-16th Welcome to October! Reminder: It will be a student-free week, October 12th-16th. Schedule your Parent/Teacher Conference with your child's teacher on October 12th or October 13th. Have a fantastic weekend! Rossall's Round Up- News from the WUSD Superintendent Congratulations, Esperanza School! This week we were honored to attend the California Association of School Counselors Conference presentation ceremony, where Esperanza School’s counseling program was recognized as the state organization’s Elementary Counseling Program of the year. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our counseling staff at the school, the support of the administrative and teaching staff, and the students who participate in our programs. This is a great distinction for both the school and the district. Congratulations to our site counselors, Mrs. Marlene Huerta and Ms. Vanessa Graham, for all their diligent effort to provide an exceptional program for our students. Congratulations to The IDEA Academy at Cottonwood School! At the same conference, the counseling program at The IDEA Academy at Cottonwood School received its RAMP certification. This designation is the result primarily of 18 months of effort by the site counselor who works directly with a mentor to ensure that the counseling program meets a series of criteria. Special thanks to our counselor Brittany (name–Jessica) for completing the training and the application to ensure that our counseling program meets specific standards of excellence. Fall Break Our schools will be closed in the coming week, October 12-16, for fall break. During this time, students will be out of school, but many of our staff members are still working. Parent conferences will be held October 12th-13th. If you wish to have a conference and have not scheduled one, please reach out to the staff at your children’s school to schedule one. On the 13th-14th, our staff will be training in a variety of topics, and on the 16th, our certificated staff will be off duty. Most schools and district offices will still be open. I hope that you and your families will enjoy the week away from school and will return on the 19th ready to begin the 2nd quarter of the school year. Board Meetings The Board will meet in a study session at the District Office–Human Resources Conference Room on Tuesday, October 13th, beginning at 5:00 p.m. This session is to provide board candidates for election with information about the district and the governance process. This is the 4th scheduled session, with one more to be held on October 27th. The second October regular Board meeting will be held on October 20th with a public session beginning at 6 p.m. and will be held at Hillview Middle School in the multipurpose room. As always, all meetings of the Board of Trustees are open to the public. Mrs. Rossall's Continued Message Antelope Valley School Trustees Association We were pleased to host a visit from a delegation of trustees from Antelope Valley as well as the President and other members of the California School Boards Association, to our schools. They toured Joe Walker Middle School and Hillview Middle School, visiting our CTE (College, Career, Technical Education) classes. At Joe Walker Middle School, they toured the Paxton Patterson Lab where students have a chance to learn about many future careers through exploration units, the VEX Robotics Program, and the Culinary Arts Program. We were pleased to share with our visitors that our students in the Culinary Arts Program will soon be able to obtain their “food handlers” certification as we work in partnership with Antelope Valley College to enable them to do so. At Hillview Middle School, they visited the newly completed eSports Lab, the woodshop program, the Paxton-Patterson Lab, and the Dance room to see the programs being offered there. We are extremely grateful to the Board of Trustees who have worked to create these new opportunities for our middle school learners. The Great Shake Out Today we also completed our earthquake drills in conjunction with the “Great Shake Out” event that will happen statewide while we are on fall break. These drills allow us to ensure that students know what to do in the event of an earthquake. Thank you to the parents at Anaverde Hills School who helped us work on our check-out procedures by picking up their students early, as might happen in the event of a real earthquake. I hope you and your families enjoy the upcoming break, and we look forward to the return of your children on October 19th. Academic Corner: Bring the MAP report to your conference Last Friday, your child's fall MAP family reports came home with their Q1 progress report. Parent-teacher conferences at our elementary and middle schools are coming up on Monday, October 12th, and Tuesday, October 13th, so this is a good weekend to pull those reports back out and look them over together. That way you arrive with a clear picture of where your child started the year. What the report shows Your child took MAP Growth in August in math (grades K-8) and reading (grades 1-8), and the report shows two numbers for each subject. The RIT score shows your child's current level of learning. RIT scores use the same scale from kindergarten through high school, which means that we can follow your child's growth across the school year and from one year to the next. The percentile rank compares your child's score with students in the same grade across the country who tested at the same time of year. A percentile rank of 60 means that your child scored as well as or better than 60% of those students. MAP results do not count toward your child's grades. They help teachers see what your child is ready to learn next, and they help all of us track growth over the year. NWEA has a 4-minute video that walks families through the report: Understanding your child's MAP Growth report A second report for K-2 families If your child is in kindergarten, 1st, or 2nd grade, you also received a MAP Reading Fluency report. Your child took this assessment in August by reading aloud, and it measures early reading skills, including how accurately and smoothly they read. The report shows how your child's skills compare with what we expect at this point in the year, and it is a good one to bring to your conference alongside the MAP Growth report. Families of 1st and 2nd graders will receive a separate report for the Amira screening once results are ready. Questions to bring to your conference What does my child's MAP score tell you about what they are ready to learn next? How does that compare with what you are seeing in class? Where is my child strongest right now, and where could they use more support? What is one thing we can do at home to support what you are teaching this quarter? What is the best way to stay in touch with you between now and the next conference? A starting point for the year A fall score is a starting point. Your child will test again from Monday, November 30th, through Friday, December 11th, and the winter results will be the first chance to see how much they have grown since August. Thank you for making time for these conversations, which help our teachers and families work together on behalf of our students all year long. Event Recap: Esperanza School's Onsite "All It Takes" Field Trip Was a Success! At the event, 5th-grade Esperanza students and parents teamed up for a fun, play-based approach to leadership and social-emotional learning. Through hands-on activities and real, meaningful conversations, families practiced flexing the very same social-emotional skills our students build in the classroom all year long. Parents walked away with practical tools to strengthen home communication, foster their child’s independence and decision-making, and support leadership development at every stage. Future Doctors in the Making: Hillview’s Hippocrates Circle The Kaiser Permanente Hippocrates Circle Program is a specialized educational initiative offered at Hillview Middle School The program is specifically designed for middle school students. It provides mentorship from medical professionals to inspire youth to pursue careers as physicians and healthcare workers. Congratulations Esperanza Elementary and IDEA Acedemy @ Cottonwood Counseling Programs! We’re thrilled to celebrate two major achievements from this week’s California Association of School Counselors Conference: Elementary Program of the Year: Esperanza School took home state honors! Huge congratulations to site counselors Mrs. Marlene Huerta and Ms. Vanessa Graham for their dedication to our students, along with our amazing school and district team. RAMP Certification: The IDEA Academy at Cottonwood School earned its prestigious RAMP designation after 18 months of intensive work. A special thank-you to counselor Brittany Magana for raising the bar for counseling excellence! Growing Together: Heartfelt Thanks to Our Parent Literacy Participants Inspiring Community & Learning at WUSD! Our Parent Literacy Classes are off to an amazing start! Families gathered this week with incredible energy and enthusiasm as we officially introduced Summit K12, our powerful new learning tool. Thank you to every family taking part in these courses. We love learning alongside you! Parent Literacy Group- Next Class October 21st All families are welcome to join! Share with your families please: Where: Esperanza Community Room Dates: Wednesdays and Thursdays Time: 10:00 am-12:00 pm Class Dates: for the first semester: October 2026 1st• 7th–8th • 21st–22nd • 28th–29th November 2026 4th–5th • 12th • 18th–19th December 2026 2nd–3rd • 9th–10th • 16th–17th Accessing Student Curriculum Video: Check out this video on accessing student curriculum at home! Accessing Student Curriculum at Home Using Google Chrome and Clever - Screencastify WUSD is Hiring Classified and Certficated Positions Join the WUSD team! Check out the many opportunities in WUSD! https://www.edjoin.org/westsidek12 Community Events and Involvement Student Free Week, October 12th-16th Save the date: Parent-Teacher Conferences, October 12th and 13th WUSD Board Meeting on Tuesday, October 20th, at 6:00 p.m. Contact information If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links: (661) 722-0716 ext 71007 j.kott@westside.k12.ca.us https://www.westside.k12.ca.us/ https://www.facebook.com/westsideschools https://www.instagram.com/westsideunionschools/

Saturday, Oct 10 2026

WUSD Community Chronicle 10/02/26

WUSD Community Chronicle Lead with Heart: Inspire with Purpose 10/02/26 Welcome October! Welcome to October! Reminder: It will be a student-free week, October 12th-16th. Schedule your Parent/Teacher Conference with your child's teacher on October 12th or October 13th. Have a fantastic weekend! Rossall's Round Up- News from the WUSD Superintendent Wow! October has arrived and so far the weather has been great. As the days continue to get shorter, however, we all need to be more careful as we drive into the bright morning sun, especially in areas where students are walking to school, waiting for buses or parents to pick them up. Thank you for helping to keep our students safe. Some terrific events happened this past week which I want to share with you: Our first “field trip” for parents as part of our Leadership Development through Physical Education (LDTPE) took place at Esperanza School this past week with a terrific turnout of parents. These events will be happening at other schools as well, so please consider signing up when the opportunity comes to your children’s schools. This event is to provide an opportunity to learn about our program, experience some of the learning opportunities available to their children, and have time to interact with both other parents and our staff members. Check out some of the interviews that have been posted about this program. Our CTE (Career Technical Education) programs were visited by members of the Antelope Valley School Boards Association, including a visit from the President of the California School Boards Association (CSBA) this past week. They toured programs at both Hillview and Joe Walker Middle Schools, featuring classes in esports, dance, industrial technology, family and consumer science, and the Paxton-Patterson Lab. The President of CSBA remarked that she was very impressed to see the many pathways being developed in our CTE Programs. We were pleased that these adults were able to visit our programs along with others throughout the Antelope Valley. The MiniMed program is back in action at Quartz Hill School, and this past week, the students participated in their “white coat” ceremony held at the Palmdale Regional Medical Center. 48 4th and 5th grade students will be participating in the year-long program this year, learning about careers in medicine as well as learning what it might take to actually become a doctor, nurse, or various other roles in the profession. We are thankful for Nana Deeb, CEO of the hospital, the residents, and the doctors who help sponsor our program. Special thanks to Anna Acosta who coordinates the program with our staff. Each of our students received their white coat from the resident doctor who they will work with this year as well as hearty praise from their families, staff members and friends in the audience. Check out the pictures of that event as well. We appreciate the support of our trustees in allowing us to develop this partnership to serve our students. The Board of Trustees will meet on Tuesday, October 6th at Hillview Middle School with the public session beginning at 6 p.m. Rancho Vista School staff will be making a presentation at this meeting. All meetings are open to the public. Mrs. Rossall's Continued Message Don’t forget that October 12th & 13th are the dates of our annual Parent-Teacher Conferences. If you are interested in attending a conference, please reach out to your children’s teachers. Students will have fall break from October 12th-16th. Most schools will be open during the break time. Our first quarter of the school year ends on October 9th. Progress reports as well as Fall NWEA results will be distributed. With the “Great ShakeOut “ scheduled during our fall break, we will be conducting drills at each school this week. More information will be sent out during the week from your children’s school principals. As always, thank you for your support for your students. Many of you have joined PTA/PTSA, are classroom volunteers, members of school site councils, and we thank you for your support of our sites. Parents and Guardians, we appreciate all you do to help your children thrive in school, and we also thank our staff members for their dedication to our students’ learning every day. Enjoy the upcoming week. Happy National Custodian Day! October 2nd is National Custodian Day! Thank you to all the WUSD custodians for helping keep our campuses clean, safe, and ready for learning! Quartz Hill Elementary Students Honored at Mini Med White Coat Ceremony Congratulations to the 4th- and 5th-grade students at Quartz Hill Elementary! Receiving their white coats, whether entering year one or stepping up to year two, is such a wonderful milestone for these aspiring young healthcare leaders. Community partnerships like the one between Quartz Hill Elementary and Palmdale Regional Medical Center play a key role in providing hands-on learning, early mentorship, and career pathways in medicine for local students. Congratulations to the Hillview Model United Nations Team! Congratulations to Hillview’s Model United Nations team who competed at Rancho Santa Margarita High School’s Model United Nations conference (South Orange County Model United Nations Conference--SOCOMUN) on Saturday the 26th. 1600 students from all over southern California (and the Czech Republic) represented countries as delegates and competed against each other in Mock UN Committees. Hillview students wrote position papers before the conference and, while in committee, delivered speeches, wrote resolutions, and caucused with other delegates. Meet Mr. Boggs a Co-Principal in WUSD: My name is Casey Boggs, and I began my administrative career as Vice Principal at Anaverde Hills Elementary before moving to Hillview Middle School in the same role. I then had the privilege of serving as Principal of Joe Walker for two years. This year, I’m excited to serve as Co-Principal of three school communities: Anaverde Hills, Leona Valley, and The IDEA Academy at Cottonwood. This year, I want to strengthen relationships across all three campuses, support our staff, and help every student grow academically and socially. As a parent myself, I understand the trust families place in us when they send their children to school each day. That responsibility means a great deal to me. My goal is to help create the kind of school I would want for my own child—a place where students feel safe, supported, and connected, families feel welcome, and staff feel valued. On a personal level, my immediate goal is to keep up with my daughter, who is now walking and discovering all the places she shouldn’t be! Beyond that, I strive to lead by example and be a positive role model for those around me. Across all three schools, I’ve seen how powerful the partnership between home and school can be. When families and educators work together, they create a foundation of trust, encouragement, and support that helps children flourish. Each school I’m fortunate to serve demonstrates that commitment in its own way. I believe those strong relationships are at the heart of our students’ success, and I look forward to continuing to build on them. Meet Mrs. Dora Navarro-Dueñas Valley View Elementary Counselor: Dora Navarro-Dueñas earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies and Chicano/a Studies from California State University, Northridge, and her Master of Science from California Lutheran University. Mrs. Navarro-Dueñas has served her community as a school counselor for almost 20 years, working at the elementary, middle school, and high school levels. Before beginning her counseling career, she held several other roles in education. She worked as an elementary school teacher for five years and as a teacher's assistant for four years, and she also served as an office assistant in her hometown school district's migrant office. Mrs. Navarro-Dueñas is in her 17th year as a counselor in the Westside Union School District. She spent most of those years at Joe Walker Middle School-STEALTH Academy, where she is proud to have helped the counseling program earn RAMP recognition through the American School Counselor Association. She now has the privilege of supporting the students and families of Valley View Elementary School. In addition to being a staff member, she is a proud parent of a former and a current Westside student. She is grateful for the education and the many opportunities her sons have received as students of the district. Mrs. Navarro-Dueñas is passionate about supporting students and their families and strives to help children become the best version of themselves through opportunities for social-emotional growth. She hopes to continue building a comprehensive and engaging counseling program for all students at Valley View. Her goals this school year include connecting with students and their families through classroom lessons, small groups, minute meetings, lunchtime activities, schoolwide activities, and parent workshops. She is a firm believer that connecting with students and providing them with a sense of belonging, along with ongoing support and encouragement, can make a difference in a child's life. Outside of work, Dora enjoys dancing with her husband, traveling, and spending time with her family. She especially loves watching her three sons do what they love. Academic Corner: Reading habits that grow with your child Amira reading screening for our 1st and 2nd graders continues through Friday, October 9th. Thank you to our teachers and site teams, who have been fitting the screening into their classroom schedules, and to the families who talked with their children about it ahead of time. If your child has not been screened yet, there is nothing you need to do, because their teacher will make sure that they are screened before the window closes. As a reminder, you will receive a report explaining your child's results within 45 days of the screening. This week, we want to speak to families at every grade level about the reading that happens at home, which matters long after any screening is over. Small routines make the difference A reading habit is built the same way as any other habit, through small, predictable routines that happen at about the same time each day. For many families, that is the 15 minutes before bed or the ride home from school. The exact time matters less than the consistency, because a child who knows that reading is simply part of the day is far less likely to push back on it. For our youngest readers (TK-2) Keep reading aloud together, even after your child can read on their own, since hearing you read builds vocabulary and shows them what fluent reading sounds like. Let them pick the book, even if it is the same one for the fifth night in a row, because rereading a favorite story builds confidence. When you are out and about, point out words on cereal boxes and street signs and ask your child what they notice. For readers in grades 3-5 These are the years when many children shift from learning to read to reading to learn, and it is also when some begin to lose interest. You can keep that interest alive by letting your child choose what they read, and graphic novels and nonfiction about a topic they love both count. Ask questions that go past the plot, such as "Which character would you want as a friend?" or "What do you think happens next?" When you can, let them see you reading too. For our middle schoolers (6-8) Middle schoolers want more independence, and their reading lives are part of that. Give them room to choose, and show interest in what they pick without quizzing them on it. Audiobooks count, and so do articles about sports, music, or anything else that has their attention. One of the most valuable things you can do at this age is talk with your student about something you have both read, the way you would with another adult, because that kind of conversation tells them that their ideas are worth hearing. Make the library part of the routine A library card is free, and many libraries also offer e-books and audiobooks through free apps, which makes it easy to keep something to read on hand wherever your family is. Next week, we will look at the MAP Growth family reports coming home today with Q1 progress reports, and how you can use them at your upcoming parent-teacher conference. Until Parent Literacy Group All families are welcome to join! Share with your families please: Where: Esperanza Community Room Dates: Wednesdays and Thursdays Time: 10:00 am-12:00 pm Class Dates: for the first semester: October 2026 1st• 7th–8th • 21st–22nd • 28th–29th November 2026 4th–5th • 12th • 18th–19th December 2026 2nd–3rd • 9th–10th • 16th–17th Accessing Student Curriculum Video: Check out this video on accessing student curriculum at home! Accessing Student Curriculum at Home Using Google Chrome and Clever - Screencastify WUSD is Hiring Classified and Certficated Positions Join the WUSD team! Check out the many opportunities in WUSD! https://www.edjoin.org/westsidek12 Community Events and Involvement Progress Reports and NWEA Family Reports go home on October 2nd. WUSD Board Meeting on Tuesday, October 6th, at 6:00 p.m. Student Free Week, October 12th-16th Save the date: Parent-Teacher Conferences, October 12th and 13th Contact information If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links: (661) 722-0716 ext 71007 j.kott@westside.k12.ca.us https://www.westside.k12.ca.us/ https://www.facebook.com/westsideschools https://www.instagram.com/westsideunionschools/

Saturday, Oct 03 2026

WUSD Community Chronicle 9/25/26

WUSD Community Chronicle Lead with Heart: Inspire with Purpose 9/25/26 Thank you to our DELAC Attendees! Thank you to everyone who attended the first District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) Meeting of the School Year! Have a wonderful weekend! Rossall's Round Up- News from the WUSD Superintendent Congratulations to Venessa Smith, Anaverde Hills Kindergarten Teacher, who was honored by the Los Angeles County Office of Education this past Friday on her selection as the Westside Union School District Teacher of the Year. The event was a gathering of all teachers of the year from throughout Los Angeles County, and it was a wonderful opportunity to thank all of them for their dedication to our students and their success as learners. I was so proud to be present to recognize Mrs. Smith at this exciting event. We are almost at the end of our first quarter of the school year. Please remember our fall break will begin on Monday, October 12th and will conclude on October 16th. Parent conferences will be available at your children’s schools on Monday and Tuesday, October 12th and 13th. Appointments will be available at several of our school sites, so please check the specific information at your children’s school. Progress reports for the first quarter will be issued as well. Boys and Girls Club will not be open during this school break. Speaking of our Expanded Opportunities Programs, did you know that over 3000 of our students participated in one or more of our programs last school year? We are pleased to provide this service to our families, and appreciate the work of our Coordinator, Ana Penaloza, who works with our various providers to make this another learning experience for our students. Thanks to Ana and all of our staff, as well as the Antelope Valley Boys & Girls Club, who have offered programs. Currently, students in Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades are taking a reading screening assessment. This was a new requirement established for all districts in California, and its purpose is to identify students who may need additional support to become more proficient readers. If your children have taken this assessment, you will receive the results as they become available. If you have any questions, please check with the principal or staff at your children’s school. During the upcoming fall break, our Maintenance and Operations staff will be very busy completing as many projects as possible. The HVAC installation will be taking place over weekends in October and during this break at Del Sur School. Carpet repair and replacement are scheduled for several classrooms throughout the district as well as several other projects that can be accomplished during this short break. We appreciate the terrific work being done by our staff. Message Continued from Mrs. Rossall In addition to parent conferences, our instructional staff members, both certificated and classified, will be attending professional development activities. These sessions help our staff continue to work on effective ways to implement our adopted curriculum as well as standards of expected behavior for our students. All of the effort made by our staff to improve their skills helps our students continue to make academic progress throughout the school year. We thank them for their dedication to always bringing their best every day for our learners. The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be on Tuesday, October 7th. Meetings are held at Hillview Middle School in the multipurpose room. Regular session begins at 6 p.m. All regular meetings are open to the public. I hope that you had a restful weekend and are ready to join us in launching into our fall quarter. Please enjoy some special time with your children during our fall break. 25-26 WUSD Teacher of the Year Mrs. Smith Celebrated at LACOE Today! The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) honored Mrs. Venessa Smith, a kindergarten teacher at Anaverde Hills School, at the annual Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year celebration. She was named the 2025-2026 School Year WUSD Teacher of the Year and a district-level nominee. A colleague praised her, stating, "This recognition speaks volumes about her dedication, her passion for teaching, and the incredible impact she makes on students every day." Go Westside! Parent Literacy Group All families are welcome to join! Share with your families please: Where: Esperanza Community Room Dates: Wednesdays and Thursdays Time: 10:00 am-12:00 pm Class Dates: for first semester: September 2026 30th October 2026 1st• 7th–8th • 21st–22nd • 28th–29th November 2026 4th–5th • 12th • 18th–19th December 2026 2nd–3rd • 9th–10th • 16th–17th IDEA Academy @ Cottonwood goes to STARBASE STARBASE is located at Edwards Air Force Base and is a five-day STEM instructional program. It's designed to provide students with engaging, hands-on learning experiences. The activities perfectly align with 5th grade Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards. Our students at the IDEA Academy at Cottonwood had an incredible time exploring science, technology, engineering, and math. We are so grateful for the opportunity to participate in the STARBASE Edwards program. Meet Mr. Dluzak Vice Principal at Joe Walker Middle School Joshua Dluzak is the Vice Principal at Joe Walker Middle School. Before joining the Jets this year, he served for two years as Vice Principal at Valley View Elementary School. His experience also includes more than seven years as a special education teacher, as well as roles supporting students and schools outside the classroom. This year, Joshua’s goal is to help students SOAR both academically and personally. He wants students to feel connected to Joe Walker, take pride in their learning, and know that the adults on campus believe in their ability to succeed. Outside of school, Joshua hopes to continue growing as an educator and leader while making time for his wife and children. In his first weeks at Joe Walker, Joshua has learned how much the school’s staff care about their students and how many opportunities students have to connect through sports, clubs, and other activities. He has also learned what it means to be a Jet: to be supportive, organized, accountable, and respectful. He looks forward to getting to know more students and families throughout the year. Jets fly together! Meet Mrs. Huerta a Rancho Vista Elementary Counselor: Marlene Huerta earned her bachelor’s degree in Child, Adolescent, and Family Studies from California State University, Bakersfield, and her master’s degree in Educational Counseling from the University of La Verne. She is currently in her sixth year as a school counselor. Before entering school counseling, Marlene worked with families through a nonprofit parent counseling and education program, where she supported parents in understanding child development and strengthening parenting skills. Prior to that, she spent several years working as a preschool teacher, an experience that helped build the foundation for her passion for supporting children and families. Marlene also has personal ties to Westside Union School District. In addition to serving as a staff member, she is a proud parent of Westside Union students and attended Hillview Middle School herself. Being able to serve the same community that has been part of her own educational and family journey makes her work especially meaningful. As a school counselor, Marlene is proud to have helped her school counseling program earn RAMP recognition through the American School Counselor Association. Most recently, the program was also recognized as California’s Exemplary School Counseling Program of the Year. She hopes to continue building a thriving and engaging school counseling program alongside her co-counselor and administration. This year, she looks forward to connecting with students through classroom lessons, schoolwide assemblies, lunch activities, and other opportunities that support students’ social-emotional growth, sense of belonging, and overall success. Outside of her traditional counseling responsibilities, Marlene enjoys tuning into her creativity. She loves creating stories and visuals that make counseling concepts engaging and easier for students to understand. She also enjoys editing videos that can be shared schoolwide through the school’s Kindness Club to help celebrate students and promote a positive school community. 2026-2027 Participation Survey- Sign up to attend Parent Project Sessions! We are inviting TK-5th grade WUSD families to build a community of support in this 10-session collaborative class that provides high-leverage strategies to work through challenging behaviors. Meet other parents and guardians and get valuable information. All families will get a workbook to keep! You will get tools for success and skills to help your child be successful in upper elementary, middle school, and beyond! Snacks will be provided at each class! **These courses will begin in the Fall. Day and Time will be determined based on a poll of the parents. The courses will be held at a school site; location to be announced soon. Loving Solutions is a parent-training curriculum designed to help parents manage and guide strong-willed or challenging children. The course focuses on practical, concrete strategies to restore structure and peace in the home, including: Positive Reinforcement, Active Listening and Communication, Internet and Media Safety, and Building Resilience & Character. Eloisa Gonzalez, M.A., Community Service Attendance and Welfare Representative, will be running these courses. *Target population: Parents of children ages 4-10 years old *Parents must attend all 10 sessions to receive a Certificate of Completion *No children or students, please, at the sessions- this is for adults only Sign Up Today! Academic Corner: A reading check-in for our youngest readers Starting Monday, September 28th, our schools will screen all 1st and 2nd graders for reading progress. The window runs through Friday, October 9th, and we want you to know what it is before it begins. What is Amira? We use Amira Learning, one of the screeners approved by the State Board of Education for this purpose. Your child reads aloud, and Amira listens, measuring key reading skills including fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. For your child, it feels like reading a story to a friendly computer, and for their teacher, it provides a detailed picture of where your child's reading is strong and where they might need more support. Why we screen California now requires every school district to screen students in kindergarten through second grade each year for risk of reading difficulties. We share the reason behind that law. Reading is the foundation that everything else is built on, and the earlier we identify a student who needs support, the more we can do to help. Screening every student means that no one slips through. Strong readers get confirmation and new challenges, and developing readers get support that begins right away. The screener flags potential risk, and it is not a diagnosis. Results cannot be used for grade promotion, retention, or special education eligibility. They are meant to inform instruction and to help you and your child's teacher talk about their reading in a more specific way. What about kindergarten? Kindergarten families, your turn comes in January. State law requires that kindergartners have completed at least 91 school days before they are screened, which gives our youngest students a full semester to grow into their earliest reading skills. All kindergartners will take the Amira screener January 19th through January 29th, and we will share a reminder as that window gets closer. What you will receive After the screening, you will receive a full report explaining your child's results, along with information about what the results mean and what happens next. State law requires that we share results with families within 45 days of the screening. If you prefer to opt out You may opt your child out of the screening. State law requires that the request be made in writing, so please contact your child's site principal directly to make that request. Learn more The California Department of Education has posted a detailed FAQ about the screening requirement, including what the results can and cannot be used for: Screening for Risk of Reading Difficulties FAQs Nothing to prep There is no studying for a reading screener. A good night's sleep, breakfast, and 20 minutes of reading together tonight are all the preparation your child needs, and that last one supports your reader all year long. If you have any questions, your child's teacher is the best first call. Accessing Student Curriculum Video: Check out this video on accessing student curriculum at home! Accessing Student Curriculum at Home Using Google Chrome and Clever - Screencastify WUSD is Hiring Classified and Certficated Positions Join the WUSD team! Check out the many opportunities in WUSD! https://www.edjoin.org/westsidek12 Community Events and Involvement WUSD Board Meeting on Tuesday, October 6th, at 6:00 p.m. Student Free Week, October 12th-16th Save the date: Parent-Teacher Conferences, October 12th and 13th Contact information If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links: (661) 722-0716 ext 71007 j.kott@westside.k12.ca.us https://www.westside.k12.ca.us/ https://www.facebook.com/westsideschools https://www.instagram.com/westsideunionschools/

Saturday, Sep 26 2026

WUSD Community Chronicle 9/18/26

WUSD Community Chronicle Lead with Heart: Inspire with Purpose 9/18/26 Let's Go WUSD! Have a fantastic weekend! Save the date for next week. WUSD is having its first District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC) Meeting of the School Year! Rossall's Round Up- News from the WUSD Superintendent Superintendent’s Advisory Meeting Thanks to the many parents who attended the first quarterly meeting of the Superintendent’s Advisory Meeting. It was a terrific turnout, and I hope the attendees have a chance to share the information with their School Site Councils and PTA/PTSA members. Thank you for the questions that were asked and the insight provided by our parents in attendance. We look forward to your participation at the next meeting being held in Quarter 2. Board Candidate Orientation Meeting Each election year, a series of workshops is scheduled for those seeking election to the Governing Board. These workshops are to help ensure that the candidates running for office receive information about the district so they are ready to begin their service immediately after being elected and sworn into office. Three seats are open for election; four residents have filed nomination papers–in alphabetical order, they are Shameka Andre, John Curiel (incumbent), Jennifer Navarro (incumbent), Andrew Rowe (incumbent) . The orientation meetings are held in the Human Relations Conference Building, and meetings are open to the public. Board Meeting The next regular meeting of the Board will be held on October 6th. Parent Conferences Just another reminder that October 12-13 are days for Parent Conferences at our school sites. This is a time for you to check in with your children’s teacher(s) and get an update on their progress during the first quarter of the year. Teacher of the Year In conjunction with the Los Angeles County Office of Education Teacher of the Year Luncheon and ceremony, the Board of Trustees at its recent meeting declared September 25th Venessa Smith Day. Mrs. Smith is a kindergarten teacher at Anaverde Hills School and was selected as this year’s Teacher of the Year. Congratulations to Venessa, and we look forward to celebrating her on the 25th. WAVE As mentioned last week, we are still looking for community members to get involved in our nonprofit organization, West Antelope Valley Education Foundation, more commonly known as WAVE. If you are interested, please let the principal at your child’s school know, and someone from WAVE will get in touch with you. Mrs. Rossall's Continued Message Attendance Thanks to our students, parents, and staff for the great work in keeping up our school attendance this year. The Board set a goal of a 96% attendance rate this year. Regular attendance is essential to student achievement, and we thank you for helping get your children to school every day. Road Work Thanks to everyone for their patience with the road work taking place on Avenue M and Quartz Hill Road. While we’ll appreciate the improvement to our roads, it has created some traffic issues for Quartz Hill and Joe Walker Middle Schools. The anticipated date for completion is currently September 25th. I know we are beginning to feel that fall is just around the corner. This week has seen much cooler temperatures, which many are pleased to experience. Enjoy the weekend and the anticipated nice weather. Your support of our schools, as always, is appreciated. Meet M. Assel Vice Principal at Hillview Middle School Born in Russia and raised in Arizona, Anastasia Assel brings more than 10 years of experience in education to Westside Union School District Her experience spans K–12 education, as well as teaching in a correctional facility, with a background in English Language Arts, Russian, mathematics, and AVID. In administration, Ms. Assel has served students across K–12 settings as a vice principal, dean of students, and learning director. She holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and bachelor’s degrees in Creative Writing and Russian. Ms. Assel is passionate about serving the Westside community with compassion and fairness, building meaningful relationships with students and staff, and being a visible and supportive presence on campus. Outside of school, Ms. Assel enjoys running, strength training, writing, and reading. She also loves volunteering at animal shelters on the weekends. Meet Mrs. Lagos a Sundown Elementray Counselor: Mrs. Christy Lagos holds a master’s degree in Educational Counseling and a PPS (Pupil Personnel Services) credential. Her journey in education began as a parent volunteer at her children’s elementary school. She later began substitute teaching, which inspired her to pursue a career in school counseling. She has been a school counselor for Westside Union School District for eight years. She began with Del Sur Elementary, where she served as the school counselor for six years and as the PTA Outreach Chair for three years. This is now her third year at Sundown Elementary, where she is excited to continue supporting students and families. Her goal is to support students with adjustment and social skills with peers in public education. She hopes to create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable, connected, and successful at school. Outside of school, she enjoys riding her bike, playing tennis, and watching reality television. 2026-2027 Participation Survey- Sign up to attend Parent Project Sessions! We are inviting TK-5th grade WUSD families to build a community of support in this 10-session collaborative class that provides high-leverage strategies to work through challenging behaviors. Meet other parents and guardians and get valuable information. All families will get a workbook to keep! You will get tools for success and skills to help your child be successful in upper elementary, middle school, and beyond! Snacks will be provided at each class! **These courses will begin in the Fall. Day and Time will be determined based on a poll of the parents. The courses will be held at a school site; location to be announced soon. Loving Solutions is a parent-training curriculum designed to help parents manage and guide strong-willed or challenging children. The course focuses on practical, concrete strategies to restore structure and peace in the home, including: Positive Reinforcement, Active Listening and Communication, Internet and Media Safety, and Building Resilience & Character. Eloisa Gonzalez, M.A., Community Service Attendance and Welfare Representative, will be running these courses. *Target population: Parents of children ages 4-10 years old *Parents must attend all 10 sessions to receive a Certificate of Completion *No children or students, please, at the sessions- this is for adults only Sign Up Today! Future Ready- WUSD CTE Updates Welcome to our new CTE spotlight Welcome to Future Ready, a new section of the Chronicle dedicated to Career Technical Education (CTE) at Westside Union School District. Periodically, this space will show you the work happening across our schools to prepare your children for the careers ahead of them. This first edition is the overview. Welcome to our new CTE spotlight Welcome to Future Ready, a new section of the Chronicle dedicated to Career Technical Education (CTE) at Westside Union School District. Periodically, this space will show you the work happening across our schools to prepare your children for the careers ahead of them. This first edition is the overview. Career Technical Education | Westside Union School District What is CTE? Career Technical Education combines rigorous academics with hands-on, real-world experience in high-demand industries. Many families first meet CTE in high school, where it takes the form of specialized academies and career pathways, but at Westside it starts on day one of TK. How it's built: three stages In TK-5, the goal is early career awareness: exposure to the world of work that ignites curiosity long before high school. In middle school, awareness becomes interest discovery through hands-on experiences. By the transition to high school, students have pathway readiness: they walk into rigorous coursework knowing where they're headed. An estimated 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 have not been invented yet, so we build the curiosity and confidence that carry students into any career. What that looks like in our classrooms It starts young: Career Days, career connections woven into everyday lessons, and Xello, a career exploration platform rolling out across our K-8 campuses this year. In middle school, our Future Forward Labs let students rotate through career experiences: flight and drone, digital manufacturing, criminalistics, health science, and more. Woodshop and makerspace labs put tools in their hands. Culinary Science turns cooking and sewing into careers, bridging the gap between usable skills and entrepreneurship. Healthcare gets special attention, because the Antelope Valley needs its future doctors and nurses. Our 4th and 5th graders at Quartz Hill Elementary attend Mini Med with Palmdale Regional Medical Center, where physician residents teach anatomy, run experiments, and hand students their own white coats. Hippocrates Circle, a physician mentorship program with Kaiser Permanente, comes to Hillview Middle School this year. Computer science builds the same way: logical thinking in math grows into coding, and coding grows into robotics teams at many of our campuses. Those skills point straight at Edwards Air Force Base, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Mojave Air and Space Port. Edwards Air Force Base alone generates $2.7 billion in economic impact for the Antelope Valley, with 10,000 personnel on base and more than 11,000 additional jobs across the region. Continued Future Ready Information New this year: CTE academies Hillview Middle School launches three academies this year: Film & Digital Media, Health & Public Service, and Digital Technology. Joe Walker Middle School adds a Digital Media Academy. Each one connects directly to the career pathways students can continue at Antelope Valley Union High School District (AVUHSD) in high school and, after graduation, at Antelope Valley College. Where the path leads The pipeline runs from a TK student's first career discovery all the way to a career here in the Antelope Valley. Our students are future engineers, future nurses, future filmmakers, and future builders. In the coming editions, Future Ready will take you inside this work one program at a time as we continue to “point the way” and “provide the path.” To learn more now, visit the CTE page on our district website: westside.k12.ca.us/departments/educational-services/cte Academic Corner: Math is all around you Last week we showed you how math instruction works inside our classrooms. This week we are looking at the other half: how to keep that thinking going at home, no worksheets required. The everyday math in your house The strongest math support at home does not look like school. It looks like daily life with the math made visible: In the kitchen. Doubling a recipe is fractions, splitting a pizza fairly is division, and setting a timer to ask "how much longer?" is elapsed time. At the store. Hand your child the list and a budget. Estimating the total, comparing unit prices, and calculating the change are math problems with an answer that matters at the register. On the road. "We are going 60 miles per hour and Grandma's house is 30 miles away. When do we get there?" Distance, rate, and time can all be explored from the back seat. Planning anything. A birthday party, a garden bed, or a savings goal for a new game all involve budgets, measurements, and timelines, which is the math of getting things done. Ask questions instead of giving answers However the math shows up, the best move is the same one that our teachers use: ask questions instead of giving answers. "How would you solve this?" "Can you think of another way?" "Tell me more!" Questions like these keep your child doing the thinking, and explaining their reasoning is where the learning sticks. Mistakes are part of it If your child gets an answer wrong, that is part of the process. In our classrooms, mistakes are how students learn, and the same holds true at the kitchen table. Instead of correcting right away, try asking, "How do you know?" Sometimes they will catch it themselves, and that moment is worth more than the right answer. Thank you, survey takers Our student math survey closed today. Thank you to our students in grades 3-8 for sharing how math class feels, and thank you for the conversations at home that supported them. We will share what we learn in a future edition. Accessing Student Curriculum Video: Check out this video on accessing student curriculum at home! Accessing Student Curriculum at Home Using Google Chrome and Clever - Screencastify WUSD is Hiring Classified and Certficated Positions Join the WUSD team! Check out the many opportunities in WUSD! https://www.edjoin.org/westsidek12 Community Events and Involvement WUSD Board Meeting on Tuesday, October 6th, at 6:00 p.m. DELAC September 25th Student Free Week October 12th-16th Save the date: Parent-Teacher Conferences, October 12th and 13th Contact information If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links: (661) 722-0716 ext 71007 j.kott@westside.k12.ca.us https://www.westside.k12.ca.us/ https://www.facebook.com/westsideschools https://www.instagram.com/westsideunionschools/

Saturday, Sep 19 2026

WUSD Community Chronicle 9/11/26

WUSD Community Chronicle Lead with Heart: Inspire with Purpose 9/11/26 Thanks for a great week WUSD! We will see you at the Superintendent Advisory Meeting next week, Tuesday, September 15th, at the IDEA Academy @ Cottonwood. Please let your site leaders know if you are attending! Lunch provided. Rossall's Round Up- News from the WUSD Superintendent September 11th Today is a day of remembrance for our country, as we have an opportunity to honor the victims, heroic first responders, and the service members who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country on September 11th. Superintendent’s Advisory Meeting On Tuesday, September 15th, the 1st quarter Superintendent’s Advisory Meeting will be held at The IDEA Academy at Cottonwood School beginning at 11:30 a.m. The meeting is open to all community members in addition to representatives of each school’s School Site Council and PTA/PTSA. Information will be presented about current curriculum, attendance, after-school programming, and parent resources. Generally, the meetings conclude by 1:00 p.m. District Board Meeting The regular meeting of the Westside Union School District Governing Board will be held on September 15th in the multipurpose room at Hillview Middle School. The public session for the meeting begins at 6 p.m. This meeting will feature a staff presentation about Gregg Anderson Academy, including students’ academic growth, attendance, discipline, and many other items. It will also include an item to deem September 25th as a day to honor our 2026 District Teacher of the Year, Venessa Smith from Anaverde Hills School. Congratulations to Venessa for her work with kindergarten students as well as service to her school community. West Antelope Valley Education Foundation (WAVE) Thank you for the support that our educational foundation continues to receive from our staff and community. WAVE is a separate charitable organization from the school district with its own board of directors, operating rules, and finances. WAVE is continuing to seek community members who are willing to serve on the board, help with fundraising projects and other tasks as needed. If you have an interest in participating in this organization, please let the principal at your school know so that your name can be passed along to the WAVE board. All of us working together create more opportunities for our learners. Thanks to the current WAVE Board for all the work that took place last school year, including the Heroes Dinner celebrating 80 years of Westside, which netted about $108,000! Attendance Thanks to all of our students who’ve maintained over 95% attendance in the first 6 weeks of school. Focusing on attendance is one of the most important steps toward school success. Thanks to all of you for helping your children be in school every day. Parent Conferences/Fall Break Just a reminder that parent conferences for your students will take place on October 12th and 13th. That is also the week of fall break. I hope you have a restful and enjoyable weekend, and as always, we look forward to seeing your children in our classes on Monday! WAVE Duck Race! You can adopt a duck through September 10th! WAVE is excited to take part in the 21st Annual Antelope Valley Rubber Duck Race! Help Team WAVE by adopting your ducks online. Thank you to everyone who purchased a duck. We met 95% of our goal! The event will take place on Friday, September 11th at 6:00 pm at DryTown Water Park in Palmdale. Adopting is quick and easy: https://www.duckrace.com/antelopevalley/teams/5025 Thank you for supporting WAVE and helping us make a difference for our students! Meet Mrs. Roque Vice Principal at Sundown Elementary Hello Westside Family, my name is Sheena Roque, the new Vice Principal of Sundown Elementary School. Education has always been my passion, and my journey has provided me with many wonderful opportunities to learn, grow, and support students. I attended California State University, Bakersfield, where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, a Master’s Degree in Education, and an Administrative Services Credential. My career in education began 15 years ago with the Westside Union School District, where I worked as an instructional aide and then as a substitute teacher. I later taught Kindergarten, First, Third, and Fifth grades in the Lancaster School District, as well as High School History. My husband, Oscar, and I have been married for 21 years, and we have two teenagers: Shane, who is 18, and Khloe, who is 16. Khloe attended Valley View Elementary School, so the Westside community holds a special place in our family’s heart. In my free time, I enjoy visiting Disneyland as often as possible, discovering new outdoor activities with my family, and reading. My goals at Sundown this year are to build positive relationships with students, staff, and families while helping create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school environment. I look forward to supporting student success, encouraging social-emotional growth, and collaborating with our school community to ensure that every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. Counseling Corner: Meet Mr. Vega-Palacios, the counselor from Sundown Elementary Meet Mr. Josue Vega-Palacios, the counselor from Sundown Elementary My educational background is in public health and school counseling. I earned my MAED from Concordia University, Irvine in 2023. Prior to school counseling, I worked in community health education at non-profits and even supported local contact tracing efforts during the 2019 health outbreaks. Now entering my fourth year as a school counselor, I feel truly blessed to work alongside such a dedicated team. WUSD’s counselors continually collaborate to deliver meaningful, practical lessons and supports for our students. As a co-counselor at Sundown Elementary, my focus remains on guiding our students, helping them build strong foundations, and preparing them to successfully transition into middle school. You are invited to Parent Literacy Classes! The first class is September 16th! Join our English Class to learn speaking, reading, and writing. We welcome everyone from beginners to advanced learners in a friendly setting. We teach using fun activities and real-life examples to improve communication skills. We’re excited to help you reach your language goals! Location: Esperanza Elementary 40521 35th St. W, Palmdale, CA 93551 Community Room / Salón Comunitario Wednesdays & Thursdays 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m 2026-2027 Participation Survey- Sign up to attend Parent Project Sessions! We are inviting TK-5th grade WUSD families to build a community of support in this 10-session collaborative class that provides high-leverage strategies to work through challenging behaviors. Meet other parents and guardians and get valuable information. All families will get a workbook to keep! You will get tools for success and skills to help your child be successful in upper elementary, middle school, and beyond! Snacks will be provided at each class! **These courses will begin in the Fall. Day and Time will be determined based on a poll of the parents. The courses will be held at a school site; location to be announced soon. Loving Solutions is a parent-training curriculum designed to help parents manage and guide strong-willed or challenging children. The course focuses on practical, concrete strategies to restore structure and peace in the home, including: Positive Reinforcement, Active Listening and Communication, Internet and Media Safety, and Building Resilience & Character. Eloisa Gonzalez, M.A., Community Service Attendance and Welfare Representative, will be running these courses. *Target population: Parents of children ages 4-10 years old *Parents must attend all 10 sessions to receive a Certificate of Completion *No children or students, please, at the sessions- this is for adults only Sign Up Today! Academic Corner: Why math class looks different than you remember If you have helped with math homework lately, you may have noticed that math class looks different than it used to. Across Westside Union School District, our K-8 classrooms use Illustrative Mathematics, a curriculum built on problem-based instruction, where students tackle a meaningful problem first and build their understanding from the inside out. How it works An Illustrative Mathematics lesson begins with a problem worth solving. Students try strategies, compare approaches with classmates, and explain their reasoning, while the teacher guides the discussion toward the key mathematical idea. Students still learn the standard procedures, and they also come to understand why those procedures work. Why we teach this way Deeper understanding. Students understand why the math works, which means that the learning holds up when the problems get harder. Critical thinking. Working through an unfamiliar problem builds reasoning skills that students will use far beyond math class. Engagement. Math connects to everyday life, which answers the eternal question: "When am I ever going to use this?" Collaboration. Students talk about math, listen to each other's ideas, and defend their thinking, just as mathematicians do. What this has to do with the survey This is exactly why we are asking students in grades 3-8 how math class feels. The survey is running now through September 18th. Problem-based instruction works best when students feel safe trying, struggling, and trying again, and their answers will tell us where that is happening. Help is on the way You do not have to figure this out alone. Throughout the year, classroom teachers will share unit videos with families that explain what each math unit covers and how you can support your student at home. Please watch for those from your child's teacher as new units begin. Try it at home The next time your child is stuck on a math problem, resist the urge to show them the steps. Ask instead, "What have you tried? What else could you try?" Sitting with a hard problem is exactly the skill we are building, and giving your child the chance to work through it is one of the best supports you can offer. Accessing Student Curriculum Video: Check out this video on accessing student curriculum at home! Accessing Student Curriculum at Home Using Google Chrome and Clever - Screencastify Attendance Recovery! ALL students can sign up for the Short Term Independent Study Program (STIS) WUSD is continuing to offer a new program for Independent Study. The link below is to a consent agreement for the WUSD Short-Term Independent Study (STIS) program, a voluntary option for students who need to be absent from school for a short period, such as for an illness or a family vacation. It allows students to complete assigned work and receive attendance credit for the absence. By signing up for STIS, students can stay on track and avoid having absences marked as unexcused, which can impact academic progress. The agreement states that students who complete their work on time will be given credit for attendance. **You can sign up using the QR code or the blue STIS Program Link Consent Form Link button, as well as on your annual updates through PowerSchool. STIS Program Link- Consent Form WUSD is Hiring Classified and Certficated Positions Join the WUSD team! Check out the many opportunities in WUSD! https://www.edjoin.org/westsidek12 Community Events and Involvement WUSD Board Meeting on Tuesday, September 15th, at 6:00 p.m. Superintendent Advisory: September 15th Parent Literacy Classes start September 16th DELAC September 25th Contact information If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out via the following links: (661) 722-0716 ext 71007 j.kott@westside.k12.ca.us https://www.westside.k12.ca.us/ https://www.facebook.com/westsideschools https://www.instagram.com/westsideunionschools/

Saturday, Sep 12 2026