WUSD Community Chronicle 5/08/26

WUSD Community Chronicle Lead with Heart: Inspire with Purpose 5/08/26 Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!! We appreciate our teachers at WUSD and their dedication! Thank you to everyone who participated in the WAVE Heroes Dinner on Thursday, May 7th! Thank you to all the participants and vendors who attended and helped make the Empowering YOUth Family Festival possible! Rossall's Round Up- News from the WUSD Superintendent I was thrilled by the overwhelming turnout for the WAVE 80th Anniversary of Westside Union School District event last night, which included over 500 attendees. I am immensely proud of and grateful for the hard work demonstrated by the WAVE Board, our schools, and departments in making the event a success. While the final tally is pending, we are delighted that the dinner appears poised to exceed its fundraising goals. The evening’s program featured truly outstanding student speakers, ranging from 4th graders to program alumni. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who played a part in making the anniversary celebration special for all. Thanks to WAVE for continuing to support projects, extended learning opportunities, and competition events, to name but a few for our students.  Special thanks to Suzanne and Bret Banks for being the directors of our event, their organization and attention to detail was outstanding.  Other members of the planning committee, Stephanie Bauman, Jenna May, WAVE President Robert Hughes, and Trudy Valenzuela served in leadership roles as well and they, too, are thanked for all they and their committees accomplished for this event.   Don’t forget registration is open for the 2026-2027 school year.  School placements for our TK program are based on a first come/first served basis.  Some of our schools are reaching their seating capacity, so please get your registration in soon.  Registration is online and does not require an appointment.  Thanks to those who’ve already completed the registration process. Happy Mother’s Day to all our moms.  I hope you have time to spend with your family and celebrate a special day. The Westside Union School Board will meet again on Tuesday, May 11th at Hillview Middle School.  The public meeting will begin at 6 p.m., and this week, we are celebrating our administrative employees. Thanks to all of you who made this last week special for our staff.  Celebrating Teacher and Nurse appreciation week, provided an opportunity to thank our dedicated staff for a job well done. Our teachers work diligently to ensure that our students are on track to complete their curriculum standards for the year, and are experiencing school success and we thank them for all they do.  The nursing staff help when our students aren’t feeling well, have had an accident while playing, and attend to the medical needs of our students daily.  We are proud to celebrate the work of our teachers and our nurses for all they do to keep students learning.  We thank them for their service.  Happy Teacher and Nurse Appreciation Week.   It looks like the weekend will provide some beautiful spring weather, so time for some outdoor activities and celebrating.  Enjoy your weekend. You Will Be Missed! Teacher Retirements! Congratulations to our teachers who are retiring or who have retired in the 25-26 school year! Your knowledge, skill, and compassion will be missed! The following teachers were celebrated on Tuesday: Kristine Buck, Cyndee Dodge, Gregg Elder, Rozanne Galaviz, Deidre Murphy, Eden Ready, Crystal Rough, Rustin Albrecht, Lori Gudim, Rebecca Kniesley-Borton WAVE Hero Dinner Success Thank you to everyone who helped make the WAVE Hero Dinner possible! Thank you to everyone who attended, the speakers, presenters, attendees, heroes, and sponsors! We appreciate you! Go Westside! VEX Goes to World and Wins the Sportsmanship Award! Joe Walker Middle School's VEX Robotics Team went to the VEX V5 World Championships in St. Louis, Missouri. We were part of the the .001% of junior high schools that get to compete on an international stage. Team 4073B brought home the Sportsmanship Award out of 84 teams in their group. They competed against students from Korea, China, New Zealand, and Thailand. "It was very exciting to share thoughts and understandings with people across the world! Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson and WAVE for giving us this opportunity," said K.C. Canter, 8th-grade student from the Joe Walker VEX Team. Thank you Empowering YOUth Participants and Vendors! Thank you to the amazing turnout on Saturday, May 2nd! We appreciate the over 1,000 attendees and many vendors! We appreciate the community coming together and enjoying a free day of health, wellness, games, and community services! Academic Corner: CAASPP Is Here -- You've Got This, Westside! CAASPP testing is officially underway across our district. Some of our schools are right in the middle of it, and others are gearing up to begin in the coming days. Wherever your child's school is in the schedule, the message is the same: your student is ready. They've been building toward this all year. Every classroom lesson, every practice problem, every "aha" moment -- it all adds up. CAASPP is just the place where they get to show what they know. What to expect during testing week(s) Testing doesn't take over the whole school day. Students will complete sections of the English Language Arts and Math assessments over several days, with plenty of breaks built in. Your child's school will share their specific schedule if they haven't already. The home game plan The basics still matter most right now: Sleep wins. A rested brain recalls more, focuses longer, and handles tricky questions with patience. Fuel up. Protein and complex carbs in the morning (eggs, oatmeal, yogurt) beat sugary cereal every time. Stay positive. If your child mentions a hard question, that's a good sign. It means they pushed through. Celebrate the effort. Keep it normal. No late-night study sessions needed. The best prep already happened in the classroom. Conversation starters for this week "What kind of questions did you see today -- writing, reading, or math?" "Was there a question that made you think really hard? What did you do?" "What's one thing you felt confident about on the test today?" "How did it feel when you finished your section?" A note for families whose schools haven't started yet Your child's turn is coming soon. Use this week to set the tone: keep bedtimes consistent, talk about testing as a chance to show growth (not a pass/fail moment), and remind them that their teachers have been preparing them for this all year long. We're proud of every single student across Westside. Let's keep the energy going! Attendance Recovery! ALL students can sign up for the Short Term Independent Study Program (STIS) WUSD is offering 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. 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, May 12th, starting at 5:00 pm with the public session at 6:00 p.m. Location: multipurpose room at Hillview Middle School- 40525 Peonza Ln, Palmdale, CA 93551  DELAC Meeting May 15th, 10:0 am-12:00 pm at the Gregg Anderson Community Room No school on May 25th Minimum days June 4th and 5th Last day of school, June 5th 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, May 09 2026

WUSD Community Chronicle 5/01/26

WUSD Community Chronicle Lead with Heart: Inspire with Purpose 5/01/26 See you at the Empowering YOUth Family Festival Tomorrow Have a great weekend! See everyone tomorrow at the Free Empowering YOUth Festival on May 2nd, from 9:00 am-1:00 pm at Joe Walker Middle School! Save the Date- See you at the Superintendent Advisory Meeting on Tuesday, May 5th- this is the last Superintendent Advisory Meeting of the year! Also, we will be celebrating our certificated retirees ot the board meeting on Tuesday. We are looking for feedback from our community! We can't wait to celebrate WUSD Heroes for the WAVE Hero Dinner on Thursday, May 7th! Rossall's Round Up- News from the WUSD Superintendent At our upcoming meeting of the Board of Trustees on May 5, we will be recognizing the teachers who will be retiring at the end of this school year.  These teachers have collectively given hundreds of years of service to our students and community, and we will miss their contributions.  On the other hand, we also celebrate them as they retire and wish them the best in their next phase of life.  We are so thankful that they decided to spend their work life with our Westside students.   Kristine Buck–4th Grade, The IDEA Academy at Cottonwood School Cyndee Dodge–5th Grade, The IDEA Academy at Cottonwood School Gregg Elder–Physical Education, Del Sur School, retired in December 2025 Rozanne Galaviz–2nd Grade, Esperanza School Deidre Murphy–Speech, Del Sur School, retired in December of 2025 Eden Ready–English/Language Arts, Joe Walker Middle School Crystal Rough–APE, Valley View School Rustin Albrecht–Social Studies, Del Sur School Lori Gudi-3rd Grade, Gregg Anderson Academy Congratulations to our Joe Walker Jets VEX Team that competed in the World Championship held in St. Louis, Missouri.  They returned from the event this week with a Sportsmanship award as well as memories to last about their trip and new friendships that were made with fellow competitors.  We’re proud of their accomplishments! On May 7th, WAVE will be hosting a celebration of community heroes as well at the 80th year of Westside Union School District.  I am often asked about why “union” is part of the name of the district, but in our state, it signifies that the district was once made up of other smaller districts, and through an election process, those smaller districts determined to work together to form a larger single district.  At this upcoming event, each of our schools will have a display of unique activities happening at the school.  At this point, it appears that the event has sold out, so thanks to the community for the support, and special thanks to Bret and Suzanne Banks for their leadership as co-chairs of this event.  They have given tirelessly of their time and talents to make the event a success.   Registration/Enrollment for the next school year is continuing. In most cases, enrollment can be completed entirely online.  If you have a child or know a neighbor who may have a child ready for school next year, please get the enrollment packet completed.  If you have any questions, please check the district website or give a call to (661) 722-0716 and be directed to the enrollment staff. Don’t forget, tomorrow we will be hosting our annual Empower YOUth Festival for families.  It will open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 1:00 p.m.  There is no cost to attend, but lots to see and learn about.  I hope to see you at Joe Walker Middle School tomorrow.   Please enjoy some special family time this weekend, and thanks for being a part of Westside Union School District. Thank you for attending the Virtual Parent Night Safeguarding Our Kids in the Digital Age! Hey Digital Changemakers, If you weren’t able to make it to the parent training session on 4/30/26, you’re in luck! We’ve put together several resources to help you along in your digital safety journey. You can watch the full parent presentation at the link below. https://us06web.zoom.us/rec/share/aKesRBMsIXOijbsEKitgtyVDumUMTZoxp8ZLg-F6XA4ISzg7etcPWO4bX3I3k1no.yjyQFhk9-Jo5YUJ3 Passcode: Q$q0W4Cb Additionally, HERE is a FREE downloadable resource pack I’ve created specially for parents and families. It includes our parent guidelines, step-by-step guide on taking down toxic social media pages, key information about top social media apps, and more. By taking steps to equip yourself with the tools to safeguard your family against online threats, #YouCANHELP improve the digital health of your home and set your kids up for success in the digital world! Should you have any questions about our resources, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at admin@icanhelp.net. #YouRock, Kim Karr Executive Director, Digital4Good Email: j.kott@westside.k12.ca.us regarding feedback about the parent virtual night on 4/30/26 Happy Principal Day and Vice Principal Week We thank our principals and vice principals for all of their hard work with students, on campuses, and in the community! Save the Date May 2nd! Free Empowering YOUth Family Festival Free Community Engagement Event Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026 TIME: 9am-1pm JOE WALKER Middle School 5632 W. Ave. L8 | Quartz Hill The Empowering YOUth Family Festival is an annual community event in which vendors in the valley are brought together to provide resources to families in an enjoyable and engaging manner. Families can participate in a fun day of FREE activities and demonstrations: Sign Up Today: Free Bike Repair by Lancaster Sunrise Rotary and Team Lakays Cycling:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A084DA5A92EA3F58-62793166-bike#/ Blood Drive:  https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=empowering Miles Mania Race:  https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/QuartzHill/HDRMilesMania Free Eye Exam and Screening:  https://vtllaoc.intakeq.com/booking?serviceId=c590fa8c-dfad-4a42-90c7-fb0e8ff6952c Red Cross Blood Drive- at the Empowering YOUth Family Festival May 2nd! Sign up today for the American Red Cross Blood Drive, which will be at the Empowering YOUth Family Festival on Saturday, May 2nd! Sign Up Today-Blood Drive Don't Miss It! WAVE Heroes Dinner- Sign up today to be a sponsor/attend by April 17th!!! Honoring Leaders. Celebrating Legacy. Inspiring Futures. Date and Time: Thursday, May 7th, 2026 5:00 PM Address: Antelope Valley Fair and Event Center 2551 West Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536 Excitement is building as our Westside Heroes Dinner approaches, and we would love for you to be part of this very special evening!   This year is especially meaningful as we honor our newest class of Westside Heroes, who all give so much to our schools and community, while also celebrating 80 years of excellence in the Westside Union School District. Guests will also enjoy some incredible student showcases that highlight the innovation and talent happening across our campuses.   For those of you who are already a sponsor, and/or attending… thank you so much! We are incredibly grateful for your interest, support, and involvement with WAVE, Westside Union School District, and especially excited for you to hear about our Westside Heroes.   If you have not had a chance to get your sponsorship, we’ve extended our sponsorship deadline to April 17, 2026, due to the continued interest – but time is limited! Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this inspiring event. You can still become a sponsor and/or purchase dinner tickets here:  https://WestsideHeroes2026.eventbrite.com   Join us for an unforgettable evening of recognition, celebration, and community spirit—all in support of programs that make a real difference for the students of Westside Union School District.  Counselor Corner: Hello, my name is Berena Diaz, and I am currently the counselor at Joe Walker Middle School. I am honored to have earned the recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) distinction for Anaverde Hill School. This recognition reflects a strong commitment to the dedication, collaboration, and evidence-based practices that support all students’ academic, social-emotional, and career development. Earning RAMP demonstrates the effect of a strong, student-centered, comprehensive school counseling program. My educational journey began at Antelope Valley College, where I got my associate's degree in Sociology. I transferred to California State University, Bakersfield, where I earned my bachelor's degree in Sociology-Human Services. I continued my education at the University of La Verne, where I earned my Master of Science in Educational Counseling and Pupil Personnel Services Credential, with a Concentration in School and Family-Based Counseling. Prior to my role as a school counselor, I had a strong background in management and leadership. Additionally, through my volunteer work at my daughter’s school, I served as a Parenting Partner Facilitator and had the opportunity to learn from exceptional leaders and further cultivate my passion for supporting students and families. As a counselor at Joe Walker Middle School, my goal is to continue building strong, trusting relationships with students by fostering a safe space where students feel empowered to express themselves. I am equally committed to strengthening partnerships with parents and families, recognizing that collaboration between home and school is essential to student success and overall development. Outside of my professional role, I enjoy traveling around the world and creating meaningful memories with my wonderful husband and my three beautiful daughters. Academic Corner: CAASPP Is Here -- You've Got This, Westside! CAASPP testing is officially underway across our district. Some of our schools are right in the middle of it, and others are gearing up to begin in the coming days. Wherever your child's school is in the schedule, the message is the same: your student is ready. They've been building toward this all year. Every classroom lesson, every practice problem, every "aha" moment -- it all adds up. CAASPP is just the place where they get to show what they know. What to expect during testing week(s) Testing doesn't take over the whole school day. Students will complete sections of the English Language Arts and Math assessments over several days, with plenty of breaks built in. Your child's school will share their specific schedule if they haven't already. The home game plan The basics still matter most right now: Sleep wins. A rested brain recalls more, focuses longer, and handles tricky questions with patience. Fuel up. Protein and complex carbs in the morning (eggs, oatmeal, yogurt) beat sugary cereal every time. Stay positive. If your child mentions a hard question, that's a good sign. It means they pushed through. Celebrate the effort. Keep it normal. No late-night study sessions needed. The best prep already happened in the classroom. Conversation starters for this week "What kind of questions did you see today -- writing, reading, or math?" "Was there a question that made you think really hard? What did you do?" "What's one thing you felt confident about on the test today?" "How did it feel when you finished your section?" A note for families whose schools haven't started yet Your child's turn is coming soon. Use this week to set the tone: keep bedtimes consistent, talk about testing as a chance to show growth (not a pass/fail moment), and remind them that their teachers have been preparing them for this all year long. We're proud of every single student across Westside. Let's keep the energy going! Attendance Recovery! ALL students can sign up for the Short Term Independent Study Program (STIS) WUSD is offering 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. 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, May 5th, starting at 5:00 pm with the public session at 6:00 p.m. Location: multipurpose room at Hillview Middle School- 40525 Peonza Ln, Palmdale, CA 93551  Save the Date- Empowering Youth Festival and Blood Drive- Saturday, May 2nd! Superintendent Advisory Meeting May 5th, 11:30 am-1:00 pm at the IDEA Academy @ Cottonwood Save the Date- Heroes Dinner Thursday, May 7th! 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, May 02 2026

WUSD Community Chronicle 4/24/26

WUSD Community Chronicle Lead with Heart: Inspire with Purpose 4/24/26 Thank you WUSD Volunteers and WUSD Administrative Professionals! WUSD appreciates all of the amazing volunteers who give their time and energy to the students, staff, and sites of WUSD! We celebrated WUSD volunteers at the board meeting this week! Thank you to our Administrative Professionals! We thank our office staff for all they do each day! It was Administrative Professionals Day this week! Please join us on April 30th, online at 5:00 pm, for a parenting workshop about online safety and tips! Have a great weekend! See everyone next week at the Free Empowering YOUth Festival on May 2nd, from 9:00 am-1:00 pm at Joe Walker Middle School! Rossall's Round Up- News from the WUSD Superintendent We have many activities happening in our schools over the next few weeks.  I encourage you to check out the calendars and announcements from your respective school sites so that you can plan to attend. This past week, the Board of Trustees honored the many volunteers for our schools and programs.  We are so appreciative of the many events and classroom activities our volunteers support.  You make a difference for our students with the time and energy you invest in them.  Thank you for all you give to our schools.   Congratulations to the Joe Walker Middle School Jets Vex team that is currently in St. Louis, Mo, at the World Competition.  We wish our team the best of luck in their events.  Thanks to the parents and staff who volunteered to help with the team!  GO JETS VEX! Enrollment/Registration is still underway.  If you know anyone new in your neighborhood, please let them know that they can register online for the next school year.  Information is available on the district website www.westside.k12.ca.us.   Thanks to our sponsors and those who bought tickets to our WAVE Heroes Event scheduled for May 7th at the Fairgrounds.  We are looking forward to the displays from each school site of the unique projects that students are participating in.   As we approach the end of our school year, just a reminder that we are more than halfway through the 4th quarter grading period.  Please help them finish this year strong.   This past week, we celebrated Administrative Professionals Week.  We are so thankful for the contributions made by each of them.  They are often the first ones you meet when you drop by one of our offices or call on the phone, enroll your child in school, or provide information about upcoming events.  Thanks again for all the efforts made by our administrative professionals! I hope that you have an enjoyable weekend.  Thanks for your continued support for our students and our schools.   Virtual Parent Night 4/30/26: Safeguarding Our Kids in the Digital Age Please join us for the Digital4Good x #ICANHELP Program! How to help keep your kids safe in this digital age!! The same presenter, Kim Karr, presented at the WUSD sites! Please join us at 5:00 pm on Google Meets When: April 30th Time: 5:00-6:00 pm Google Link: https://meet.google.com/cat-fxsf-iay Save the Date May 2nd! Free Empowering YOUth Family Festival Free Community Engagement Event Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026 TIME: 9am-1pm JOE WALKER Middle School 5632 W. Ave. L8 | Quartz Hill The Empowering YOUth Family Festival is an annual community event in which vendors in the valley are brought together to provide resources to families in an enjoyable and engaging manner. Families can participate in a fun day of FREE activities and demonstrations: Red Cross Blood Drive- at the Empowering YOUth Family Festival May 2nd! Sign up today for the American Red Cross Blood Drive, which will be at the Empowering YOUth Family Festival on Saturday, May 2nd! Sign Up Today-Blood Drive Don't Miss It! WAVE Heroes Dinner- Sign up today to be a sponsor/attend by April 17th!!! Honoring Leaders. Celebrating Legacy. Inspiring Futures. Date and Time: Thursday, May 7th, 2026 5:00 PM Address: Antelope Valley Fair and Event Center 2551 West Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536 Excitement is building as our Westside Heroes Dinner approaches, and we would love for you to be part of this very special evening!   This year is especially meaningful as we honor our newest class of Westside Heroes, who all give so much to our schools and community, while also celebrating 80 years of excellence in the Westside Union School District. Guests will also enjoy some incredible student showcases that highlight the innovation and talent happening across our campuses.   For those of you who are already a sponsor, and/or attending… thank you so much! We are incredibly grateful for your interest, support, and involvement with WAVE, Westside Union School District, and especially excited for you to hear about our Westside Heroes.   If you have not had a chance to get your sponsorship, we’ve extended our sponsorship deadline to April 17, 2026, due to the continued interest – but time is limited! Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this inspiring event. You can still become a sponsor and/or purchase dinner tickets here:  https://WestsideHeroes2026.eventbrite.com   Join us for an unforgettable evening of recognition, celebration, and community spirit—all in support of programs that make a real difference for the students of Westside Union School District.  WUSD Teacher Job Fair 4/25/26! WUSD is hiring teachers! Interviews will take place Saturday, April 25th, from 8:00-11:00 am! Submit applications on www.edjoin.org/westsidek12 Interviews take place at: Westside Union School District 41914 50th St W Quartz Hill, CA 93536 Please direct questions to: a.minghelli@westside.k12.ca.us Counselor Corner: Ms. McMillan has supported students and families in the Westside Union School District for nearly three decades. She began her career as a teacher in 1999 after earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Fresno State and her teaching credentials through the University of Phoenix. Over a fifteen-year period, Ms. McMillan taught 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade social studies at Hillview Middle School. During that time, she served on numerous committees and helped organize extracurricular activities. Through her teaching experience, she developed a strong focus on students’ social-emotional growth, which led her to pursue a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Concordia University. In 2015, Ms. McMillan became the K–6 counselor at Quartz Hill Elementary School. During this time, she helped implement programs such as the parenting support group Loving Solutions and mentoring programs in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club. In 2020, she returned to Hillview Middle School, where she currently serves as the 8th-grade counselor. Her overarching goals for students include becoming responsible citizens, understanding high school pathways, and achieving their fullest potential. Along with her co-counselor, Miss Lee, she also hopes to expand the WEB (“Where Everybody Belongs”) program. In her free time, Ms. McMillan enjoys spending time with her husband, Georges, and her extended family, many of whom are Westside employees or alumni. (Her daughter, Jennifer, is a Westside alumna, and her mother, Jeanette, served as a speech pathologist in the district.) Ms. McMillan also enjoys hiking, reading, and traveling, and especially loves spending time with her grandson, Julian. World championship-bound Joe Walker’s robotics team goes to St. Louis! The Joe Walker Middle School Robotics Team will compete in its 11th World Championship, starting Saturday in St. Louis at the VEX World Championships. Check out the AV Press article! https://www.avpress.com/news/world-championship-bound/article_1d030900-562a-4c7e-b264-fddc68c3fba3.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share Academic Corner: The Final Quarter Still Counts 📅 Missing school in April and May can set students back more than you might think. It happens every spring. People start thinking the school year is basically over. Appointments get scheduled. Trips get planned. But here's the truth: the last few weeks of school matter just as much as the first. What Is Chronic Absenteeism? 📊 When a student misses 10% or more of the school year, that's called chronic absenteeism. That's just 18 days. Missing two days a week in April and May alone can push a student over that line, even if they had perfect attendance all year. Students who miss too many days in the final quarter tend to score lower on end-of-year assessments and lose more ground over the summer. Why the Last Weeks Are So Important 🎯 Teachers spend fourth quarter wrapping up key skills and getting students ready for next year. When students miss those days, they don't just miss this year's content. They show up in the fall already behind. This is especially true in reading and math, where each skill builds on the last. What You Can Do Right Now 💪 Schedule doctor and dentist appointments after school when you can Remind your student that finishing strong matters Contact your school's attendance office if something is making it hard to get to school. We want to help! The school year is not over. Every day still counts. Let's finish strong together. 🏁 Attendance Recovery! ALL students can sign up for the Short Term Independent Study Program (STIS) WUSD is offering 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. 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, May 5th, starting at 5:00 pm with the public session at 6:00 p.m. Location: multipurpose room at Hillview Middle School- 40525 Peonza Ln, Palmdale, CA 93551  Save the Date- Empowering Youth Festival and Blood Drive- Saturday, May 2nd! Superintendent Advisory Meeting May 5th, 11:30 am-1:00 pm at the IDEA Academy @ Cottonwood Save the Date- Heroes Dinner Thursday, May 7th! 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, Apr 25 2026

WUSD Community Chronicle 4/17/26

WUSD Community Chronicle Lead with Heart: Inspire with Purpose 4/17/26 Thank you for being awesome! WUSD appreciates our students, staff, and community! Thank you for being the number one supporters of the academic and social-emotional success of the WUSD students! Remember, the WUSD Board Meeting this Tuesday at 6:00 pm at Hillview Middle School will be celebrating the fabulous WUSD volunteers! Rossall's Round Up- News from the WUSD Superintendent Thank you to those who submitted their student enrollment transfer requests by the April 15th deadline.  Over the next few months, your applications will be processed and entered into the lottery for your requested school site.  You will receive notification of the status of your application by July 1, 2026.  If you filed an application for the TK programs, those are processed on a first-come, first-served basis once all of your enrollment documents have been completed and submitted.   Please mark your calendar for the upcoming YOUth Festival, which will take place on May 2nd at Joe Walker Middle School.  Please be sure to check the district’s website www.westside.k12.ca.us for additional information.   The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, April 21st, at the Hillview Middle School Multipurpose Room.  Open session begins at 6:00 p.m., and we will be honoring our volunteers of the year from each school site and from various district committees.  We are so pleased with the many volunteers who help our students and staff daily, and thank you for the countless hours you spend serving our students.  You continue to provide such valuable support to our students and parent insight on our committees.  We always look forward to this opportunity to honor you for your service.   Don’t forget the WAVE Heroes dinner, which will be held at the AV Fairgrounds on Thursday, May 7th.  We will feature many of the special programs being held at each school.  Information about this event may also be found on the district’s website.   If you, a family friend, or neighbor is looking for an opportunity to work in our schools, we will be holding a teacher recruitment event on Saturday, April 25th, beginning at 8:00 a.m.  Appointments can be made by calling the Human Resources Office.  We continue to recruit applicants for other positions, and those are listed on the website.  I hope you have a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.  As always, thanks for your continued support.   Virtual Parent Night 4/30/26: Safeguarding Our Kids in the Digital Age Please join us for the Digital4Good x #ICANHELP Program! How to help keep your kids safe in this digital age!! The same presenter, Kim Karr, presented at the WUSD sites! Please join us at 5:00 pm on Google Meets When: April 30th Time: 5:00-6:00 pm Google Link: https://meet.google.com/cat-fxsf-iay Don't Miss It! WAVE Heroes Dinner- Sign up today to be a sponsor/attend by April 17th!!! Honoring Leaders. Celebrating Legacy. Inspiring Futures. Date and Time: Thursday, May 7th, 2026 5:00 PM Address: Antelope Valley Fair and Event Center 2551 West Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536 Excitement is building as our Westside Heroes Dinner approaches, and we would love for you to be part of this very special evening!   This year is especially meaningful as we honor our newest class of Westside Heroes, who all give so much to our schools and community, while also celebrating 80 years of excellence in the Westside Union School District. Guests will also enjoy some incredible student showcases that highlight the innovation and talent happening across our campuses.   For those of you who are already a sponsor, and/or attending… thank you so much! We are incredibly grateful for your interest, support, and involvement with WAVE, Westside Union School District, and especially excited for you to hear about our Westside Heroes.   If you have not had a chance to get your sponsorship, we’ve extended our sponsorship deadline to April 17, 2026, due to the continued interest – but time is limited! Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this inspiring event. You can still become a sponsor and/or purchase dinner tickets here:  https://WestsideHeroes2026.eventbrite.com   Join us for an unforgettable evening of recognition, celebration, and community spirit—all in support of programs that make a real difference for the students of Westside Union School District.  Save the Date May 2nd! Free Empowering YOUth Family Festival Free Community Engagement Event Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026 TIME: 9am-1pm JOE WALKER Middle School 5632 W. Ave. L8 | Quartz Hill The Empowering YOUth Family Festival is an annual community event in which vendors in the valley are brought together to provide resources to families in an enjoyable and engaging manner. Families can participate in a fun day of FREE activities and demonstrations: Red Cross Blood Drive- at the Empowering YOUth Family Festival May 2nd! Sign up today for the American Red Cross Blood Drive, which will be at the Empowering YOUth Family Festival on Saturday, May 2nd! Sign Up Today-Blood Drive WUSD Teacher Job Fair 4/25/26! WUSD is hiring teachers! Interviews will take place Saturday, April 25th, from 8:00-11:00 am! Submit applications on www.edjoin.org/westsidek12 Interviews take place at: Westside Union School District 41914 50th St W Quartz Hill, CA 93536 Please direct questions to: a.minghelli@westside.k12.ca.us WUSD Rocks! Keep it Up!! WUSD has increased our overall attendance rate by 1.3% compared to this same time last year! Counselor Corner: My career in education began as an AVID tutor, where I worked for 2 years supporting students' academic growth. I then served as an English Learner paraprofessional for another two years while simultaneously taking on additional roles, including substitute teaching and serving as a HOPE coordinator. In these roles, I provided resources to high school students, facilitated small groups, and delivered educational lessons. I also served as an ELPAC coordinator. Each of these experiences has been incredibly rewarding and has shaped my passion for supporting students. I am grateful to now be living my dream as a school counselor with Westside. It has been a true honor to work alongside such dedicated staff to support students each day. I currently serve as the 6th and 8th-grade counselor at Joe Walker Middle School and also support Gregg Anderson once a week. My goal is to help students build a strong foundation for high school and beyond by fostering responsibility, resilience, and confidence. I strive to empower students to make positive decisions, set meaningful goals, and recognize their strengths. Ultimately, I hope students leave middle school not only academically prepared, but also equipped with the social and emotional skills needed to thrive and become respectful, responsible members of their communities. In my personal time, I enjoy journaling and reading, with a particular interest in psychology and self-development. I have a strong appreciation for storytelling and overall well-being. I also enjoy suspenseful movies and shows. On weekends, I value spending quality time with my family, prioritizing fitness, and attending church. Thank you- Counselor Vanessa Academic Corner: Solving the Mysteries of Science Academic Corner: CAASPP Testing Is Coming Up -- Here's How to Help Your Child Shine!   It's that time of year again! Our students will soon be participating in the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, or CAASPP, and we want families to feel informed, excited, and ready to cheer their kids on!   CAASPP measures how students are growing in English Language Arts and Mathematics, and the results help us better understand how to support each and every learner. This is not a test students need to study for in the traditional sense -- it's a chance for them to show off everything they've already been working so hard on all year!   Here are a few great ways to help your student feel confident and prepared: Keep routines strong. Good sleep and a solid breakfast on testing days make a real difference! Talk it up positively. Your attitude shapes theirs -- let them know you're proud of their effort, no matter what. Ease the nerves. Remind them it's okay to take their time and do their best.   You can use the following conversation starters at home when speaking to your child about the test: "What's something you learned this year that you're really proud of?" "If a test question felt tricky, what would you do to stay calm?" "What does doing your best look like to you?"   We believe in every one of our students, and we know you do, too. Thank you for being incredible partners in their education! Attendance Recovery! ALL students can sign up for the Short Term Independent Study Program (STIS) WUSD is offering 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. 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, April 21st, starting at 5:00 pm with the public session at 6:00 p.m. Location: multipurpose room at Hillview Middle School- 40525 Peonza Ln, Palmdale, CA 93551  Save the Date- Empowering Youth Festival and Blood Drive- Saturday, May 2nd! Superintendent Advisory Meeting May 5th, 11:30 am-1:00 pm at the IDEA Academy @ Cottonwood Save the Date- Heroes Dinner Thursday, May 7th! 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, Apr 18 2026

WUSD Community Chronicle 4/10/26

WUSD Community Chronicle Lead with Heart: Inspire with Purpose 4/10/26 Congrats to the Teachers of the Year at WUSD! We celebrated the Teachers of the Year at each school site and the Teacher of the Year for all of WUSD. Please read the message from our Superintendent, Regina Rossall, below for more information! Rossall's Round Up- News from the WUSD Superintendent Teachers of the Year At our most recent meeting of the Governing Board, our Teachers of the Year were named: Anaverde Hills School & WUSD Teacher of the Year-Venessa Smith IDEA Academy @ Cottonwood- Amanda Munney Del Sur School-Rose Lopez Esperanza Elementary-Julia Herrera Gregg Anderson Academy-Kristin Studt Hillview Middle School-Erika Henry Joe Walker Middle School-Noelle Jones Leona Valley School-Danielle Reiner-Campbell Quartz Hill Elementary-RaKyah Harris Rancho Vista Elementary-Alexis Rumble Sundown Elementary-Jessica Mundine Valley View Elementary-Erin Krytzer Vanessa Smith, a kindergarten teacher at Anaverde Hill School, was named as the 2026 teacher of the year for the district. She will be entering the Los Angeles County Office of Education Teacher of the Year competition next. Congratulations to all of our teachers of the year. We are thankful for all of our teachers who serve the educational needs of our students each and every day.   At our next Governing Board meeting on April 21st, we will be honoring our volunteers of the year and thanking them for the wonderful service they provide to enhance our schools and provide special programs for our students. That meeting will start at 6 p.m., and will be held in the multipurpose room at Hillview Middle School.   Student Safety The safety of our students arriving and departing from school is a responsibility of all drivers. Please slow down, park only in designated parking areas, don’t wave your child across the street, have them use the assigned crosswalks, and observe all traffic signs. As some of you have already noticed, local law enforcement has been visible near some of our schools. Unfortunately, not all drivers observe traffic laws, and that creates safety concerns for our students. Please be aware that local law enforcement may issue traffic tickets that result in significant fines to the driver. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.  Intradistrict Transfers/Open Enrollment The deadline for the first round of open enrollment/transfers closes on April 15th at the close of business for the day. Please be sure to get your applications turned in if you want to be considered for attendance at another school in the district. This year, all transfers will be handled through a lottery process.   Almond Blossom Festival The Almond Blossom Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday. If you are out at Lane Park, please stop by and say hello to our staff in our Westside booth. Congratulations Special congratulations to our Joe Walker Jets VEX Team that will be participating in the World Championship Tournament held in St. Louis later this month. Continued Message from Mrs. Rossall EmpoweringYOUth Event Please join our annual EmpoweringYOUth Event held at Joe Walker Middle School on Saturday, May 3. Interesting booths, activities and special events are scheduled throughout the day. Check that event out on our website, too.  WAVE Heroes Dinner WAVE will be hosting our 80th Anniversary Dinner at the AV Fairgrounds on May 7th. Tickets are still available for the dinner and for business sponsorships if you are interested. Information is available on our website www.westside.k12.ca.us. Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools. We look forward to honoring the many volunteers who help in our schools at the April 21st Governing Board meeting. Please enjoy your weekend.  Don't Miss It! WAVE Heroes Dinner- Sign up today to be a sponsor/attend by April 17th!!! Honoring Leaders. Celebrating Legacy. Inspiring Futures. Date and Time: Thursday, May 7th, 2026 5:00 PM Address: Antelope Valley Fair and Event Center 2551 West Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536 Excitement is building as our Westside Heroes Dinner approaches, and we would love for you to be part of this very special evening!   This year is especially meaningful as we honor our newest class of Westside Heroes, who all give so much to our schools and community, while also celebrating 80 years of excellence in the Westside Union School District. Guests will also enjoy some incredible student showcases that highlight the innovation and talent happening across our campuses.   For those of you who are already a sponsor, and/or attending… thank you so much! We are incredibly grateful for your interest, support, and involvement with WAVE, Westside Union School District, and especially excited for you to hear about our Westside Heroes.   If you have not had a chance to get your sponsorship, we’ve extended our sponsorship deadline to April 17, 2026, due to the continued interest – but time is limited! Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this inspiring event. You can still become a sponsor and/or purchase dinner tickets here:  https://WestsideHeroes2026.eventbrite.com   Join us for an unforgettable evening of recognition, celebration, and community spirit—all in support of programs that make a real difference for the students of Westside Union School District.  Save the Date May 2nd! Free Empowering YOUth Family Festival Free Community Engagement Event Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026 TIME: 9am-1pm JOE WALKER Middle School 5632 W. Ave. L8 | Quartz Hill The Empowering YOUth Family Festival is an annual community event in which vendors in the valley are brought together to provide resources to families in an enjoyable and engaging manner. Families can participate in a fun day of FREE activities and demonstrations: Red Cross Blood Drive- at the Empowering YOUth Family Festival May 2nd! Sign up today for the American Red Cross Blood Drive, which will be at the Empowering YOUth Family Festival on Saturday, May 2nd! Sign Up Today-Blood Drive Early Enrollment is Open March 1- April 15 https://www.westside.k12.ca.us/enrollment/enroll-your-student Please visit our WUSD website and follow the steps! Early enrollment is available for Transitional Kindergarten- 8th grade! Please see the information in Mrs. Rossall's updates above! Counselor Corner: My name is Haylee Johnson, and I am honored to serve as the school counselor at Rancho Vista Elementary. My educational journey began at California State University, Northridge, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. Committed to supporting students' emotional and academic growth, I continued my studies to obtain a Master of Science in Educational Counseling and Pupil Personnel Services, with a specialized concentration in School and Family-Based Counseling. I began my professional career while still in graduate school, serving as a school counseling paid intern for the Westside Union School District. Following that experience, I spent two dedicated years at Joe Walker Middle School before transferring to Rancho Vista Elementary. I can proudly say that during my time at Joe Walker, I was one of the counselors who helped earn the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP), which is the highest distinction a school counseling program can earn. This is currently my fourth year as a professional school counselor and my second year at Rancho. Returning to the very elementary school I once attended is incredibly meaningful, and I am thrilled to be back on campus as a member of the staff. For the 2025-26 school year, my primary goals at Rancho Vista have been to foster a supportive environment through targeted interventions. I aim to help students master self-management and social skills, specifically focusing on emotional regulation and understanding personal boundaries. I hope to see a measurable decrease in peer-conflict-related discipline referrals by empowering students. In my personal life, I strive to maintain a healthy work-life balance and continue growing as a practitioner within the ASCA National Model. When I am not at work, I enjoy hiking, spending time with my family, playing with my adorable labradoodle, Winnie, and going to concerts. These activities help me recharge so I can bring my best self to the students of Rancho Vista every day. Academic Corner: Solving the Mysteries of Science 🚀 Finishing Strong with Academic Stamina! Welcome back, Westside Union Elementary School District families! As we dive into the fourth quarter, we are focusing on Academic Stamina, which is the ability to stay focused and persevere through challenges. It is natural for energy to dip as the weather warms up, but this is the perfect time to build those mental muscles! Why Stamina Matters for Every Learner In the world of education, we talk about Persistence of Effort, which simply means sticking with a task even when it feels a bit "tough." This skill is a huge part of our mission at WUSD, where we are pointing the way, providing the path for students to become independent problem solvers. Whether your child is learning to read or tackling complex algebra, building stamina ensures they have the grit to cross the finish line with confidence! Set a "Focus Timer" for Home Tasks: Start with a short burst of ten minutes for homework or reading and celebrate when the timer goes off! You can slowly increase the time each week to help your child level up their concentration skills. Create a Visual Progress Map: Use a chart or a simple checklist to track completed assignments and goals. Seeing a visual representation of their hard work helps students stay motivated and provides the path toward their end-of-year milestones. Schedule "Brain Breaks" Between Tasks: Movement is fuel for the brain! Encourage five minutes of jumping jacks or a quick walk outside between study sessions to recharge their mental energy and maintain a high-energy growth opportunity. Dinner Table Talk What was a moment today where you felt like giving up but kept going anyway? If your brain was an athlete, what "exercises" did it do in class today? How can we work together to make sure our home routine feels like a winning team? What is one big goal you want to reach before the school year ends? Attendance Recovery! ALL students can sign up for the Short Term Independent Study Program (STIS) WUSD is offering 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. STIS Program Link- Consent Form WUSD is Hiring! 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, April 21st, starting at 5:00 pm with the public session at 6:00 p.m. Location: multipurpose room at Hillview Middle School- 40525 Peonza Ln, Palmdale, CA 93551  Save the Date- Empowering Youth Festival and Blood Drive- Saturday, May 2nd! Superintendent Advisory Meeting May 5th, 11:30 am-1:00 pm at Gregg Anderson Academy Community Room Save the Date- Heroes Dinner Thursday, May 7th! 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, Apr 11 2026