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  • WUSD Community Chronicle 3/06/26

    WUSD Community Chronicle Lead with Heart: Inspire with Purpose 3/06/26 Marvelous March is Here! Students, community members, and staff across the district celebrated Read Across America this week! Thank you for all of your support! Rossall's Round Up- News from the WUSD Superintendent We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Reminder, we have the Nutty Cutter 5K tomorrow, Saturday, March 7th at Marie Kerr Park. We hope to see you there! See registration information below. The next meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held in the multipurpose room at Hillview Middle School on March 17th. Opening is at 5:00 p.m. with a closed session, followed by the regular session at 6:00 p.m. All meetings are open to the public, and information about the meeting’s agenda may be found on the district’s website www.westside.k12.ca.us.   Just a reminder, enrollment for the 26-27 school year will open on March 1st. Information about the process is also found on the district’s website under enrollment; most forms necessary may be found online–this includes new enrollments and transfers. Transfers will be needed if you wish for your child to attend Gregg Anderson Academy, The IDEA Academy at Cottonwood School, or 6th grade at Joe Walker or Hillview Middle Schools. As mentioned last week, all transfers to all schools will be done on a lottery basis for grades K-8 this year, as seats are limited. Enrollment is for students who will be 4 on or before September 1, 2026. Reminder: TK seats are assigned on a first come first served basis upon completion of enrollment.  If you have any questions about the enrollment process, please check the district website or call the district office during school hours. Enrolling your children early creates a better first day for them. Thanks for your help.  Please enjoy the weekend.   WAVE's Nutty Cutter 5k- Saturday March 7th! Combine the excitement of a 5K race with the playful twists of Chutes and Ladders, and you get the Nutty Cutters 5K. A fun, family event for all ages.  📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026 ⏰ 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM 📍 2723 W Rancho Vista Blvd, Palmdale, CA 93551 The Nutty Cutters 5K brings us all together for laughter, fun, and community spirit. Whether you’re running, walking, cheering, or volunteering, this is a great way to support WAVE and the students of Westside.  We encourage you to share this event with friends and family. The more, the nuttier! Use the QR code on the flier or the button below! Register Here for the 5k today! 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! 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: Daylight Saving Time is This Sunday Daylight saving time is this Sunday, March 8th. Clocks move forward by one hour this Sunday! WAVE Heroes Dinner- Sign up today to be a sponsor!! 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 The West Antelope Valley Education Foundation is proud to host its 4th Westside Heroes Dinner, honoring individuals and organizations whose commitment and service have made a meaningful difference in the Westside Union School District and the Antelope Valley. To be an event sponsor or partner, select one of the following choices: 1. Eventbrite: Submit Sponsorship Info/Pay via credit card at:  WestsideHeroes2026.eventbrite.com  (if you register through Eventbrite you do not need to fill out this Google Form) OR 2. Google Form: Complete Sponsorship Info/Submit this Google Form, and pay via Square or check... mail or bring your check to:   WAVE 41914 50th Street West Quartz Hill, CA 93536  Attention: Jenna May Additional Information for Sponsors: All proceeds benefit the students of the Westside Union School District. * All Sponsorships that include tickets, please let us know if you will or will not be using your tickets... email us by 4/7/26 at: wavefoundation1992@gmail.com ** All Sponsors will be recognized at the event and listed on WAVE's website. For questions, email: wavefoundation1992@gmail.com https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOvUOpZkdMcXM9QCdPDZL4YvGdVEKs7dcJVux-PiAPhiTIFQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=100811124423443347146 Academic Corner: Solving the Mysteries of Science 🚀 Ready, Set, Grow: Testing Begins Next Week! Our Spring MAP NWEA window opens this Monday, March 2nd, and runs through March 13th. We’ve spent the year building new skills, and now it’s time for our K-8 students to show off that progress!   While MAP isn't a "graded" test, it is a powerful tool. Think of it as a GPS for the fourth quarter: the results help teachers navigate exactly what your child needs to master before the end of the year and ensures they are feeling confident heading into CAASPP state testing.   🛡️ The "Big Three" for Test Success To help your student reach their "Learning Sweet Spot," we focus on the foundation. When the body is ready, the brain can follow:   Prioritize the Pillow: Sleep is where the brain "files" away what it learned during the day. Aim for a consistent bedtime this weekend so they wake up refreshed.   Power Breakfast: Complex carbs and protein (like oatmeal, eggs, or yogurt) provide steady energy. Avoid high-sugar cereals that lead to a "mid-test crash."   The "Check-In" Chat: Remind them that the test is adaptive. If the questions get really hard, it means they are doing a great job! Encourage them to take a deep breath and give their best guess on things they haven't learned yet.   🏠 At-Home Strategy: The "Growth Mindset" Prep You can help set the tone at home by shifting the focus from performance to persistence.   Instead of: "I want you to get a high score."   Try: "I want to see how much more you know now than you did in the fall! I'm excited to see your growth."   The "Power of 50":Reiterate that they aren't expected to get every answer right. If they hit a wall, tell them to "Think about, make your best educated guess, then move forward with confidence."   We are so proud of the hard work our students put in every day. Let’s finish the term strong! Congressman Fong Military Service Academy Mobile Office Congressman Fong’s U.S. Service Academy Coordinator and his U.S. Service Academy Committee Chair will hold mobile office hours at the Mojave Air and Space Port. This is a great opportunity for students (7-11th grade), parents and High School Counselors to stop by and ask any questions they may have about the process for applying to one of the U.S. Service Academies. Congressman Fong holds two U.S. Service Academy Forums in the Fall, but this visit is designed to provide additional assistance with academy-related questions in your area without the need to travel.   What: Congressman Fong Academy Mobile Office When: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm Where: Mojave Air and Space Port Conference Room 1434 Flight Line, Suite 58, Mojave, California 93501   Westside Pathfinders ELO-P Spring Session Info! Check out this flier for more information about the Spring Break Spring Session ELO-P program from March 23rd-April 1st! 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 NWEA Assessment Window March 2nd-13th for all grades! WUSD Board Meeting on Tuesday, March 17th, 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  Minimum Day March 20th Spring Break March 23rd-April 5th! Please join us for the DELAC Meeting on April 10th at the IDEA Academy @Cottonwoood Save the Date- Empowering Youth Festival Saturday, May 2nd! 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, Mar 07 2026

  • WAVE Heroes Dinner May 7th- Partnership/Sponsorship ...

    WAVE Heroes Dinner May 7th- Partnership/Sponsorship We hope to see you at the WAVE Heroes Dinner on May 7th! Honoring Leaders. Celebrating Legacy. Inspiring Futures. Thursday, May 7th, 2026 5:00 PM Antelope Valley Fair and Event Center 2551 West Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536 The West Antelope Valley Education Foundation is proud to host its 4th Westside Heroes Dinner, honoring individuals and organizations whose commitment and service have made a meaningful difference in the Westside Union School District and the Antelope Valley. To be an event sponsor or partner, select one of the following choices: 1. Eventbrite: Submit Sponsorship Info/Pay via credit card at:  WestsideHeroes2026.eventbrite.com  (if you register through Eventbrite you do not need to fill out this Google Form) OR 2. Google Form: Complete Sponsorship Info/Submit this Google Form, and pay via Square (see the button below for details) or via check- you can mail or bring your check to:     WAVE   41914 50th Street West   Quartz Hill, CA 93536    Attention: Jenna May (Use the Eventbrite link to purchase tickets to the dinner!) Sign up to be a sponsor!

    Thursday, Feb 26 2026

  • Superintendent Advisory Meeting 3.03.26 at The IDEA ...

    Superintendent Advisory Meeting WUSD Families- See you 3.03.26 at The IDEA Academy @Cottonwood at 11:30 a.m. WUSD Families: You're invited to participate in the Superintendent's Advisory Committee! The Superintendent's Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 3rd, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at The IDEA Academy @ Cottonwood is located at 2740 West Avenue P-8, Palmdale. Join us for lunch provided by the Westside Child Nutrition Department. Please let your principal know if you are attending! Provide feedback on student programs and services. Collaborate with members of the community, school site, and district. Agenda items include CA Dashboard items, Reading Interventions, ELOP, attendance, and student and parent opportunities. We always appreciate your feedback and look forward to working with you. Thank you to the parent/guardian site representatives who have signed up to represent your school site this year!!

    Wednesday, Feb 25 2026

  • WUSD Community Chronicle 2/20/26

    WUSD Community Chronicle Lead with Heart: Inspire with Purpose 2/20/26 Kindness Week Continues! WUSD school sites have been celebrating kindness activities this past month! Students have created art projects, writing activities, and more! We thank our counselors, Campus Climate Assistants, playground aides, and everyone who made these activities possible! Rossall's Round Up- News from the WUSD Superintendent Enrollment for 2026-2027 School Year: Kindergarten-8th grade It is hard to believe that it is already time to begin student enrollment for next school year. If your children are already attending our schools, you do not need to re-enroll them. However, if you have additional children who will be attending one of our schools next year or you want to transfer to another of our schools, you will need to complete enrollment or transfer paperwork. The window for submitting the paperwork will open on March 1, 2026 and close at 11:59 p.m. on April 15, 2026. All information about the process is available on our website at www.westside.k12.ca.us. Please note, seats for transfers to any of our schools are limited, all seats will be given through a lottery, so all requests received between the open window of March 1 and April 15 will be in the same lottery. Results of the lotteries will not be available until July, and you will be notified by email.   Transitional Kindergarten If your children will turn 4 by September 1, 2026, they are eligible to attend our transitional kindergarten program. Seats in our schools for this program are on a first-come, first-served basis, as the seats we have are limited to a maximum of 24 per class. Enrollment for this program will begin on March 1, 2026 and will continue throughout the 2026-2027 school year. All information about the process to register is available on our website at www.westside.k12.ca.us.   Middle School If you have children who will be attending middle school next year, please check the school websites for upcoming special events for incoming students. These events are to help families learn about the many available options, extracurricular activities, and expectations for students. In addition, if you are interested in having your 6th-grade children attend our 6th-grade honors programs at Joe Walker Middle School or Hillview Middle School, please continue reading the information below.   Joe Walker Middle School will be hosting its Community Showcase on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 PM on campus. Families are invited to explore our academic programs, STEALTH Academy pathways, student clubs, and extracurricular opportunities while meeting staff and community partners. There will be a 6th Grade Information Meeting at 5:00 PM in the cafeteria, along with department showcases, STEM labs, performing arts performances, and student leadership presentations throughout the evening. Applications and information regarding fall registration for the 2026–27 school year will be available at the information tables in the quad. We look forward to welcoming current and future Joe Walker families to campus! Mrs. Rossall's Message Continued Hillview will be hosting its Open House in its gymnasium on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to showcase its programs to all current and future students. AVUHSD will be in attendance, highlighting their CTE Academies. There will be an information meeting for families who are interested in applying for the honors program beginning at 5:00 p.m. in the cafeteria. Applications for Hillview’s honors program open on March 2nd to April 17th. Applications are being sent to all elementary schools and will be available in Hillview’s front office and on their website.  Thank you for your help in dropping off and picking up your children during the inclement weather of the past week. Your cooperation helped greatly to ensure everyone left school safely.   The next meeting of the Westside Union School Board will be held at Hillview Middle School in the multipurpose room on March 3rd. Meetings begin at 5 p.m. with a call to order and a closed session. Open session reconvenes at 6 p.m. All meetings are broadcast, and information about the agenda and access to the broadcast are available on the website.   Just a reminder that there are only 4 weeks left in the 3rd quarter. Please help your children complete the quarter successfully. Students will also be completing the NWEA testing before the end of the quarter. The required state assessment will be held during the 4th quarter. Are you looking to return to work, or have an interest in working in a school setting? Please check out the jobs available in the district on our website. We are currently recruiting for teachers, instructional assistants, and many other positions. You are invited to apply for openings that are of interest to you and meet your qualifications.   Mark your calendars for our WAVE (West Antelope Valley Education Foundation) Heroes Dinner, which will be held at the AV Fairgrounds on May 7th. This dinner not only honors those who support education or provide community service, it also serves as a major fundraiser for the Foundation, which supplies many extras to our students. The heroes who will be honored are Marvin Crist, Lancaster West Rotary, Ben Gocke and Palmdale Regional Medical Center, Dale Lister, and Cameo Bruckner. Past heroes include Supervisor Kathryn Barger, R. Steven Derryberry, Angie Hughes, Mark and Beverly Horwedel, Stan Ulvin, Gerald Cosey, Bev and Mark Mewborne, Liz and Matt Anderson, and many more. Please see the attached flyer for more information. As always, thanks for your continued support of our schools and your children. Working together helps us to create the best learning environment for all. Enjoy your weekend.  Academic Corner: Solving the Mysteries of Science Academic Corner: Spring Growth Check-In! Mark your calendars! Our Spring MAP NWEA Testing window is just around the corner, running from March 2nd to March 13th. Students in grades K-8 will be showing off what they’ve learned in Reading and Math.   What is MAP NWEA? Think of MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) like a digital growth chart. It is a norm-referenced test, which means it compares your child’s progress to millions of other students across the country in the same grade. Instead of a simple "pass/fail," it gives us a score that tracks how much they have grown since the fall.   The "50% Rule" (No Stress Needed!) Here is a fun fact to share with your student: The test is designed to be challenging! Because it is computer-adaptive, the questions get tougher as a student answers correctly. Most students will only know about half of the answers.   This is intentional! It’s the test’s way of finding their "Zone of Proximal Development" (education speak for the exact point where they are ready for a new challenge). If they see a question they haven't learned yet, it simply means they are doing great and the test is exploring how far their knowledge reaches!   Why This Matters Now Our teachers use these results as a roadmap for the Fourth Quarter. It helps them: Identify exactly which skills to focus on before the end of the year. Tailor small-group instruction to meet your child’s specific needs. Ensure students are confident and ready to demonstrate their hard work on the CAASPP state testing later this spring.   💬 How to Talk to Your Child About Testing You can help lower "test jitters" by starting the conversation early. Try these talking points:   Explain the "Challenge": "This test is like a video game that gets harder as you get better. If you see a question you don't know, don't worry! It just means you’re leveling up." Focus on Growth, Not Grades: "This isn't for a report card grade. It’s just to show your teacher how much bigger your brain has grown since the winter so they know what to teach you next." The Power of 'Yet': If they feel frustrated by a hard question, remind them: "You might not know this yet, and that's exactly what the test is checking for!"   Congressman Fong Military Service Academy Mobile Office Congressman Fong’s U.S. Service Academy Coordinator and his U.S. Service Academy Committee Chair will hold mobile office hours at the Mojave Air and Space Port. This is a great opportunity for students (7-11th grade), parents and High School Counselors to stop by and ask any questions they may have about the process for applying to one of the U.S. Service Academies. Congressman Fong holds two U.S. Service Academy Forums in the Fall, but this visit is designed to provide additional assistance with academy-related questions in your area without the need to travel.   What: Congressman Fong Academy Mobile Office When: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm Where: Mojave Air and Space Port Conference Room 1434 Flight Line, Suite 58, Mojave, California 93501   The Highland High School Public Service Academy Program Visited Hillview Middle School! The Public Service Academy from Highland High School taught the students at Hillview CPR classes this week. The Hillview Middle School students earned certificates of completion for attending the class! Westside Pathfinders ELO-P Spring Session Info! Check out this flier for more information about the Spring Break Spring Session ELO-P program from March 23rd-April 1st! This is the last week to take the- California Healthy Kid Survey (CHKS) WUSD families, we need your feedback! Each year, we ask families to complete the California Healthy Kids Parent Survey to help us improve school culture and climate. Your input is essential in shaping programs that support our students, and we are striving for 100% participation. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by visiting Your School’s Parent CHKS Survey Link The survey is anonymous, available online, and can be completed on any device. Your responses will directly impact future decisions for our schools. Thank you for your time and partnership in supporting our students! Find Your School's Survey Link WAVE's Nutty Cutter 5k- Saturday March 7th! Combine the excitement of a 5K race with the playful twists of Chutes and Ladders, and you get the Nutty Cutters 5K. A fun, family event for all ages.  📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026 ⏰ 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM 📍 2723 W Rancho Vista Blvd, Palmdale, CA 93551 The Nutty Cutters 5K brings us all together for laughter, fun, and community spirit. Whether you’re running, walking, cheering, or volunteering, this is a great way to support WAVE and the students of Westside.  We encourage you to share this event with friends and family. The more, the nuttier! Use the QR code on the flier or the button below! Register Here for the 5k today! WAVE Heroes Dinner- Save the Date! An evening of celebration on May 7th, 2026. More information coming soon! 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 Community Events and Involvement California Healthy Kid Survey for students, staff, and families-(CHKS) Administration February 2nd- February 27th There is a site-specific link for WUSD Parents to take the Parent CHKS Survey, which is open from February 2nd to 27th: https://www.westside.k12.ca.us/parents WUSD Board Meeting on Tuesday, March 3rd, 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  Please join us! Lunch provided! Superintendent Advisory Tuesday, March 3rd Spring Break March 23rd-April 5th! Save the Date- Empowering Youth Festival Saturday, May 2nd! 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, Feb 21 2026

  • WUSD Community Chronicle 2/13/26

    WUSD Community Chronicle Lead with Heart: Inspire with Purpose 2/13/26 Fabulous February! A friendly reminder that there will be no school this coming Monday, February 16th, in honor of Presidents' Day. We hope this extra day allows our students, families, and staff a chance to rest, recharge, and enjoy some quality time together. We look forward to seeing everyone back on campus on Tuesday! Rossall's Round Up- News from the WUSD Superintendent Please remember that we have no school on Monday, February 16th, in celebration of the Presidents’ Day holiday. I am hopeful that you and your children will have some special time to spend together, making new memories. School will resume on Tuesday, February 17th.    The next meeting of the Westside Union School District Governing Board will be held Tuesday evening, with opening at 5:00 p.m., a closed session beginning about 5:05 p.m., and the regular meeting convening at 6:00 p.m. Meetings are held in the Hillview Middle School Multipurpose Room. School Safety Plans will be presented for approval, and an update on the Local Control and Accountability Program (LCAP) will be given. All meetings are open to the public, and the agenda can be found on the district website.   Congratulations to the 6th and 7th-grade Boys Basketball Teams on winning the league championship this year. Thanks to our coaches and student athletes for a job well done.   Recently, our kindergarten students completed taking an assessment of their current reading achievement levels. Many of the teachers have already sent those results home. If you have any questions about how your students are doing in reading achievement, please reach out to their classroom teacher.  For those with students who will be attending high school in the Antelope Valley Union High School District next year, open enrollment begins today and closes in March. Please check the high school district’s website for further information. Open enrollment in our district will begin on March 1st. Applications should be completed and submitted online. All applications for a change in school placement submitted between March 1st and April 15th will be subject to a lottery if there are more requests than available seats. That process takes place in May, and if your child’s application is selected, you will receive information thereafter. Again, I hope you will enjoy the upcoming weekend, and we look forward to seeing your children back in class on Tuesday, February 17th.   WUSD Students Celebrate Kindness Week this week and next! WUSD counselors and Campus Climate Assistants are planning Kindness Week activities across the district this week and next! Students are making friendship bracelets, writing kind messages to each other, playing fun games together, and more! Academic Corner: Solving the Mysteries of Science Dreaming Big: Why Career Exploration Matters in Grades TK-8 · While we often think of "career prep" as something for high schoolers, the spark for a future career actually starts much earlier. In the elementary and middle school years, career exploration isn’t about picking a job for life; it’s about opening a world of possibilities. When we introduce our TK-8 students to Career Technical Education (CTE) and diverse industries, we help them connect the dots between a math lesson and building a bridge, or a science experiment and saving an ecosystem. This early exposure turns "Why do I have to learn this?" into "I can use this to change the world!" It is especially critical when you consider that, according to a report by Dell Technologies, an estimated 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven't even been invented yet. By starting now, we aren't just teaching kids about current jobs; we are building the confidence, curiosity, and adaptability they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. It helps students see that their current hobbies, whether it is coding, drawing, or organizing, are actually valuable professional skills in the making. You do not need to be a career counselor to help your child explore their future; some of the best discoveries happen during a car ride or over dinner. By asking simple, open-ended questions, you can help your child recognize their own strengths and interests. It is about moving away from "What do you want to be when you grow up?" and moving toward "How do you want to use your talents?" To get the conversation started and keep your child's natural curiosity thriving, try tossing out a few of these questions: If you could invent an app or a tool to make our mornings easier, what would it do? Out of all the things you did in class today, which one made the time fly by the fastest? When we are out in the community, which of the jobs you see looks like it would be the most fun to try for a day? What is a superpower you have, like being a good listener or a fast builder, that could help a team solve a big problem? Congressman Fong Military Service Academy Mobile Office Congressman Fong’s U.S. Service Academy Coordinator and his U.S. Service Academy Committee Chair will hold mobile office hours at the Mojave Air and Space Port. This is a great opportunity for students (7-11th grade), parents and High School Counselors to stop by and ask any questions they may have about the process for applying to one of the U.S. Service Academies. Congressman Fong holds two U.S. Service Academy Forums in the Fall, but this visit is designed to provide additional assistance with academy-related questions in your area without the need to travel.   What: Congressman Fong Academy Mobile Office When: Wednesday, March 18, 2026 from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm Where: Mojave Air and Space Port Conference Room 1434 Flight Line, Suite 58, Mojave, California 93501   The Mini Medical Program at Quartz Hill Elementary Updates! The Mini Medical Program at Quartz Hill Elementary met for the first time in a classroom setting this week. Doctors, Residents, and Palmdale Regional Staff members partnered with WUSD students, staff, and the Boys and Girls Club Staff to provide engaging lessons and experiences for students at Quartz Hill Elementary in the Mini Medical Program! Families Please Take your School Site's California Healthy Kid Survey (CHKS) WUSD families, we need your feedback! Each year, we ask families to complete the California Healthy Kids Parent Survey to help us improve school culture and climate. Your input is essential in shaping programs that support our students, and we are striving for 100% participation. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey by visiting Your School’s Parent CHKS Survey Link The survey is anonymous, available online, and can be completed on any device. Your responses will directly impact future decisions for our schools. Thank you for your time and partnership in supporting our students! Find Your School's Survey Link Staff Interview I am a graduate of Lancaster High School and earned my teaching credential from California State University, Bakersfield, and my administrative credential from Grand Canyon University. I have worked in education continuously since graduating from high school, beginning in classified roles with Antelope Valley Union High School District, including substitute cafeteria helper, instructional aide, summer custodian, and computer lab technician. I later served as a Moderate/Severe Special Education teacher at Highland High School, Central Valley High School in Eastern Washington, and Valencia High School before moving into school administration. For the past year and a half, I have served as the Vice Principal at Valley View Elementary School. I also have personal ties to the Westside Union School District; my father attended Valley View as a kindergartner, and my mother worked as a cafeteria helper for the district for 12 years. At the site level, my goals are to help improve student attendance and academic achievement, strengthen school culture, and ensure all students feel included, supported, and successful. In the long term, I aspire to serve as a school principal and continue contributing to the growth of school communities.   Outside of work, I value time with my family and staying actively involved in my children’s lives. I coach youth sports and enjoy being engaged in activities that promote teamwork, discipline, and positive relationships. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, working out, watching television, and building Legos with my children. I also prioritize balance by enjoying quiet time at home with our pets, our cats and dog, which helps me recharge and stay grounded both personally and professionally. Thank you, Mr.Dluzak WAVE's Nutty Cutter 5k- Saturday March 7th! Combine the excitement of a 5K race with the playful twists of Chutes and Ladders, and you get the Nutty Cutters 5K. A fun, family event for all ages.  📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026 ⏰ 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM 📍 2723 W Rancho Vista Blvd, Palmdale, CA 93551 The Nutty Cutters 5K brings us all together for laughter, fun, and community spirit. Whether you’re running, walking, cheering, or volunteering, this is a great way to support WAVE and the students of Westside.  We encourage you to share this event with friends and family. The more, the nuttier! Use the QR code on the flier or the button below! Register Here for the 5k today! WAVE Heroes Dinner- Save the Date! An evening of celebration on May 7th, 2026. More information coming soon! 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 Teacher Job Fair! Teacher Job Fair for WUSD is near! Date: Thursday, February 19th, 2026 Time: 4:00-6:00 p.m. Find out more details today! Click the link below! http://www.edjoin.org/westsidek12 Community Events and Involvement California Healthy Kid Survey for students, staff, and families-(CHKS) Administration February 2nd- February 27th There is a site-specific link for WUSD Parents to take the Parent CHKS Survey, which is open from February 2nd to 27th: https://www.westside.k12.ca.us/parents WUSD Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 17th, 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  President’s Day, Monday, February 16t,h no school Please join us! Lunch provided! Superintendent Advisory Tuesday, March 3rd Save the Date- Empowering Youth Festival Saturday, May 2nd! 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, Feb 14 2026