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  • March 2023 Newsletter

    March 2023 Superintendent's Message Dear SRCS Community, The month of March this school year has our school district facing some very real challenges. From critical facilities needs to student behavior supports, we are working diligently to ensure that our schools are safe for everyone. Our partnerships with families and community organizations are needed more than ever to strengthen student support systems. We continue to face hiring shortages like many organizations in our community, state, and nation. The staff in our school district are doing everything they can to support our students and families.  Please help me in supporting our staff by sending a positive note or sharing a positive word with a staff person when you see them. Our students continue to be the center of our work, and WHY we are here. Not a day goes by without my reflection on this fact, and a determination to keep pushing our system to do more and do better. The great Maya Angelou once said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” This is a testament to what education is: learning every day. Please know we will not stop learning how to better improve our school district. Our students deserve our best. Anna Trunnell Superintendent NO SCHOOL ON THESE DATES:    March 20-24 - Spring Break April 14 - Emergency Closure Day May 19 - Emergency Closure Day (see article below) Upcoming "no school" days in April and May Our instructional calendar has designated two days in 2023, April 14 and May 19, as "Emergency Closure Days" for this school year. So far, we have not needed to use those days for emergency school closures. Unless there is an emergency between now and those dates, they will be "no school" days for our students, teachers, and staff.  COVID-19 Rapid Tests Distribution to students and staff for Spring Break  SRCS is distributing COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests for staff and students to take home and use during the upcoming Spring break. Distribution will be arranged through each school site. Each recipient will be provided 1 box of Intelliswab branded rapid tests containing 2 tests per box. We recommend recipients consider using 1 test at the start of the Spring break to gauge potential COVID-19 status prior to planned travel or gathering with others during the break. We ask that the 2nd antigen test be taken at the end of the break as an added assurance of safety prior to returning to campus. Please be sure to report any COVID positive results to the school. If you are in need of additional rapid tests please contact the SRCS COVID Support line at 707-890-3800 x80516 or by emailing c19support@srcs.k12.ca.us High School Dual Immersion Program We are excited to announce the NEW Dual Language Immersion Program at Elsie Allen High School . High school students who are interested in a language-rich, academic experience should apply. Immersion education is an asset-based language educational model designed to provide students with fluency and literacy in two languages. At Elsie Allen High School, the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program offers students the opportunity to deepen their academic language skills in Spanish and participate in a rigorous course offering that prepares them for college, career, and beyond. Students in the DLI program receive the same curriculum as all students throughout SRCS addressing the California State Standards in English and Spanish. Both English and Spanish are used throughout the day and students interact in both languages honing their communication skills in two languages. For more information please complete the interest form at this link . Calendar for the 2023-24 school year   The 2023-2024 instructional calendar has been board approved and ratified by SRTA.  The calendar is pending approval from the board of education and SRTA ratification. The calendar includes two  Emergency Closure Days: April 12, 2024, and May 17, 2024 . These days will be "no school" days unless they are needed to make up for school closures during the year. The calendar also includes two  Professional Development Days: November 1, 2023, and January 26, 2024 . These days will be "no school" days for students. Some calendar highlights: School begins on Wednesday, August 16, 2023                                     Winter Recess is December 25, 2023 - January 5, 2024 (Middle and High School students have no school on December 22, and school resumes for everyone on Monday, January 8) Spring Break is March 18-22, 2024 The Class of 2024 is scheduled to graduate on Friday, June 7, 2024 Click here to access the calendar Congratulations, student and staff award winners!   Each of our schools is showcased at a Board of Education meeting once a year. Those schools select an outstanding student, classified employee, and certificated (teacher/counselor) employee to honor at the meeting. On February 8 and 22, the following schools presented their awards: Luther Burbank Elementary and Learning House Albert F. Biella Elementary and Lewis Early Learning Academy Visit our  Board of Education Awards web page  to learn more about the staff and students who were honored.   When is your school showcased at our Board of Education meetings? Each of our schools is showcased at a  Board of Education meeting  once a year. Those schools present awards and principals also prepare reports about their school to present at the meeting. Site reports and awards presentations on  March 8 : Ridgway High School Steele Lane Elementary Site reports and awards presentations on  March 28 : Cesar Chavez Language Academy Elsie Allen High School The zoom link to attend the Board of Education will be posted on  srcschools.org/videoboardmeetings . Most meetings begin at 6:00pm. FREE Family Day at Green Music Center Our friends at the Green Music Center are hosting a FREE Family Day featuring Somos Amigos: Songs on Common Ground with Sonia De Los Santos and The Okee Dokee Brothers. Friendship is at the heart of this joyful collaboration between Mexican songstress, Sonia De Los Santos, and the Americana folk duo, The Okee Dokee Brothers. This bilingual program includes both old and new songs that span the musical traditions of North America and illustrate the collective power of singing together and learning from each other. Family Day will have a festival feel with refreshments, face painters, and a variety of arts activities led by Sonoma State education students and local teaching artists for children of all ages. Event details: Date: Saturday, March 18 Time: 2:00pm Location: SSU’s Green Music Center, 1801 E. Cotati Ave, Rohnert Park   15th Sonoma County Transition Fair  One of our partners, the Sonoma County Transition Consortium is hosting its 15th annual Transition Fair supporting students with disabilities and their families in the transition to adult life. At the resource fair, families will have the opportunity to learn more information about the following: Employment services Independent and supported living services Community day programs Wraparound and support services CalABLE accounts Training and education Post-secondary education Event details: Date: Wednesday, March 15 Time:  3:00-6:00pm Location: Becoming Independent, 1455 Corporate Center Parkway, Santa Rosa Registration:   CLICK HERE Register for next year’s (2023-24) Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten Does your child turn 5 years old before September 2, 2023? Do you have a friend or neighbor with an almost-5 year old?  It's time to enroll in Transitional Kindergarten or Kindergarten for the fall.  Transitional Kindergarten (TK) - a two-year kindergarten option, for children who turn 5 between September 2, 2023 and April 2, 2024. All of our TK classrooms will be staffed at a 12:1 ratio. Kindergarten - for students who turn 5 years old before September 2, 2023. To learn more or to begin the registration process, visit our website:   srcschools.org/kindergarten .   If you have questions, call your school. You'll find a list of schools and contact information at  srcschools.org/ourschools Helpful website links Technology help School contact information   Meal Information Mental Health Resources ParentSquare Information Santa Rosa City Schools  |  707-890-3800  |  srcschools.org Follow us on social media! @SRCSchools #SRCSHeartsAndMinds #madeinsantarosa

    Wednesday, Mar 01 2023

  • December 2022 Newsletter

    December 2022 Superintendent's Message Hello SRCS Community! As we enter Winter Break, we hope everyone is able to spend time with family and friends. With the cold and flu season upon us, it seems appropriate to mention that we wish good health to all.    When our students are on a break from school, our local businesses often become areas where they like to hang out. In recent weeks, we have unfortunately had a number of our students experience harmful and at times violent behavior after school hours. We rely on the partnership with our families and local organizations to support the safety of our students whenever they are in our community spaces. I am asking for your help by discussing with your student(s) the positive and respectful behaviors that are expected in these spaces to ensure we are good neighbors in our community, just as is expected in our schools.   If you aren’t sure how to start this conversation with your child, we have staff that can offer support and guidance. You can reach out to the SRCS Integrated Wellness Center Message Line at 707-890-3827 during the Winter Break.   We look forward to serving our students and families in 2023! Anna Trunnell Superintendent #SRCSHeartsAndMinds Our school district recently began using the hashtag #SRCSHeartsAndMinds on social media. Use the hashtag and show us what brings you joy and inspiration at your school! We notice, appreciate, and share the little and big things that are good in our schools. The first photograph (top left) features Piner High School ASB students handing out toys to a James Monroe Elementary student, this is in participation of Piner High’s 24th annual Monroe Toy Drive.  The second photograph (top right, moving clockwise) features Maria Carillo High School students participating in community service by hosting a food drive. This year MCHS broke a student record for food donations. The third photograph (continuing clockwise) features Brook Hill Elementary students performing a special song during Brook Hill’s Peace Pole ceremony. The fourth and fifth photographs feature students from Learning House and Luther Burbank Elementary School. The students participated in the Winterblast parade an annual celebratory event that takes place in the South of A Arts District. The sixth photograph (bottom left) features an SRCS 18-22 transition program student doing some winter yard work in the district garden. The seventh photograph (middle left) features a Lewis Early Learning Academy student wearing a dinosaur hat in honor of the school’s new mascot. The Lewis students voted on a mascot and school colors this year. They are now the purple and silver dinosaurs. The eighth photograph (center) features a Proctor Terrace kindergarten student adding coins to the collection can for a local animal shelter. The kindergartners at Proctor have been completing chores at home to earn coins to add to the can. IMPORTANT DATES: December 13 - 15 | Minimum days for high schools only December 16 | No school for middle/high schools December 19 - January 3 | Winter Break for all schools Classes resume on Wednesday, January 4 Latest Health and COVID-19 Updates  COVID-19 Rapid Tests Distribution to students and staff for Winter Break SRCS is distributing COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests for staff and students to take home and use during the upcoming Winter break. Distribution will be arranged through each school site. Each recipient will be provided either 1 box of Intelliswab branded rapid tests containing 2 tests per box, or 2 boxes of FlowFlex branded kits that contain 1 test per box. We recommend recipients consider using 1 test at the start of the Winter break to gauge potential COVID-19 status prior to planned travel or gathering with others during the holiday. We ask that the 2nd antigen test be taken at the end of the break as an added assurance of safety prior to returning to campus. Please be sure to report any COVID positive results to the school. Professional COVID and Flu Testing Lab revised hours for Winter Break Professional COVID Testing Services in our CLIA Certified testing lab (located in Room 22 of the Lewis Early Learning Academy campus) will be operating with revised hours for the winter break. Monday, Dec. 19 - 10:00 am - 4:45 pm Tuesday, De. 20 - 10:00 am - 4:45 pm Wednesday, Dec. 21 - 10:00 am - 4:45 pm Thursday, Dec. 22 - 10:00 am - 4:45 pm Wednesday, Dec. 28 - 10:00 am - 4:45 pm Thursday, Dec.29 - 10:00 am - 4:45 pm Our testing lab now offers free testing for influenza (flu) as well as COVID testing. Flu testing is for 2nd stage confirmatory purposes, but due to limited material resources is only available for symptomatic participants who have tested negative for COVID.  This service is freely available to Staff and Students of Santa Rosa City Schools and requires participant registration in the Primary.Health online portal at:  https://my.primary.health/l/srcityschools 2022-2023 Instructional Calendar Survey We are seeking feedback from our stakeholders about our Instructional Calendar for the next school year, 2023/2024. This feedback will be used for information purposes when negotiating the Instructional Calendar with our labor groups. Feedback responses are not considered decision-making.  Please respond to this survey no later than  January 6, 2023 .  Click here  to access the survey. Thank You, Trustee McCormick   This month marks the end of Jill McCormick’s term on our school board and her final SRCS board of education meeting. Trustee McCormick has had an impactful tenure on our board and we are very grateful for her contributions and commitment to the SRCS community. Trustee McCormick had the following to share about her tenure: It has been an honor and privilege to serve as a trustee and the Vice President on the SRCS board these past 4 years. Serving during one of the most challenging times in public education, I am full of gratitude for the public servants who dedicate their lives day in and day out to educating the children of our community. I have been a student, teacher, and parent in this district for years, but serving as a board member has significantly widened my perspective on what an important role SRCS plays in serving not only our students but also our entire community, and how large, intricate, and complicated the system of public education is. Thank you to all who work for SRCS, but especially to Superintendent Trunnell, former Superintendent Dr. Kitamura, and my fellow board members who I have had the good fortune to serve with during my time here.  The overall health, wellness, and success of our community are deeply rooted in public education, and I will look for opportunities to continue to serve SRCS for years to come. Welcome to SRCS Lisa Cavin Prior to working in California public schools, Lisa worked for three national banks over her thirteen-year career, where she held every position from teller to business relationship manager. In 2007, Lisa began her career in education at Lassen Union High School District as a career center technician in the counseling office. She soon moved to the district office as the executive assistant to both the CBO and Superintendent and later took on the additional responsibilities and title of HR Manager.  In 2015, Lisa was accepted into the FCMAT CBO Mentor Program and started her position as Chief Business Official for the Plumas Unified School District, where she was later promoted to Associate Superintendent. In 2018, Lisa became the Deputy Superintendent of Business Services for Plumas County Office of Education and Unified School District.  Lisa is honored and excited to join the team at Santa Rosa City Schools in her new role as Associate Superintendent of Business Services and we are thrilled to have her! Sonoma County Teacher of the Month, Jordan Lewis Congratulations to Ridgway High’s Jordan Lewis on being selected as the Sonoma County Teacher of the Month! The award gives community members the opportunity to recognize teachers from throughout Sonoma County who go above and beyond for their students. The Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) partners with Community First Credit Union, Hot 101.7, and Froggy 92.9 to deliver this program. More than 30 people wrote testimonials in support of Mr. Lewis during the most recent nomination period for the Teacher of the Month award. Their comments described Mr. Lewis as a kind and enthusiastic teacher who takes the time to foster deep relationships with his students. Mr. Lewis was awarded a plaque and a $500 classroom supply gift card during the celebratory classroom visit, which was attended by Ridgway Principal Sydney Smith, Santa Rosa City Schools Superintendent Anna Trunnell, SCOE staff, and representatives from Hot 101.7 and Froggy 92.9., among others. Mental Health and Wellness Resources for Families Dear Parents & Students, As we transition into the holiday season, our wish for the SRCS community is a safe and restful time with family and friends. Knowing the holidays can also be a time of stress for many, here are some support resources available during times of need. Sincerely, SRCS Mental Health & Wellness Team Parent Resources SRCS Integrated Wellness Center Message Line | 707-890-3827 (Messages returned within 24 hours during holiday break) Child Parent Institute | 707-585-6108   SOS Community Counseling | 707-284-3444 Sonoma County Grief Counseling | 707-535-5780 YWCA Domestic Violence Hotline | 707-546-1234 CRISIS Support  ** Always Call 911 if in need of immediate assistance** Psych Emergency Services (24/7) | 707-576-8181 North Bay Suicide Prevention Hotline | 1-855-587-6373 CA Parent & Youth Helpline | 1-855-427-2736 | caparentyouthhelpline.org Teen Resources Crisis or Self Harm Support | TEXT “HOME” to 741741 Sonoma County Alanon Alateen | 707-575-6750 Trevor Lifeline | 1-866-488-7386 SAY Teen Shelter Crisis Hotline | 1-888-729-0012 Food Resources for Families Even when schools are closed during Winter Break, there is food available for students and their families through our partner, Redwood Empire Food Bank. Contact their Food Connections Resource Center at 707-523-7903 (bilingual) or getfood.refb.org to find food distribution near you. TK/Kindergarten registration begins January 10, 2023 Online registration for next year's (2023-24) TK and Kindergarten class begins on Tuesday, January 10. To learn more about the registration process, visit our website:  srcschools.org/kindergarten . Helpful website links Technology help School contact information   Meal Information Mental Health Resources ParentSquare Information Santa Rosa City Schools  |  707-890-3800  |  srcschools.org Follow us on social media! @SRCSchools #SRCSHeartsAndMinds #madeinsantarosa

    Friday, Dec 16 2022

  • November 2022 Newsletter

    November 2022 Superintendent's Message Happy November! This month is a time of remembrance for Santa Rosa City Schools, including celebrations of Día de los Muertos and honoring military veterans. In addition, we will also be honoring Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on November 14. We are demonstrating an #SRCSHeartsandMinds attitude through the many ways that our students and staff are learning and growing together.     “When you learn, teach.  When you get, give.” - Maya Angelou Anna Trunnell Superintendent Reminder: No School   Fridayday, November 11 - Veterans Day November 21 - 25 - Thanksgiving Week Open Enrollment: Deadline to apply is November 15!  Most students attend their neighborhood school and build friendships and community there. Some students have reasons to request another school. "Open Enrollment," from Oct. 1 - Nov. 15, 2022, is the time to make that request for the next school year (2023-24).  Applications must be completed online by  November 15 . Families who need assistance can come to the S.A.F.E. office at 211 Ridgway Avenue. School capacities may restrict availability. See the  SRCS district website  for more information on Open Enrollment, also known as an intra-district transfer.  New Information Handbook  The Information Handbook has been completed for the 2022-2023 school year. We encourage families to read through this handbook to stay informed about our school district. You can access the handbook on our website  in English  |  in Spanish .  Food Resources for Families  Even when schools are closed during Thanksgiving break and other holidays, there is food available for students and their families. Our partner, Redwood Empire Food Bank, has hundreds of free food distribution sites, including some at our schools. Contact their Food Connections Resource Center at 707-523-7903 (bilingual) or getfood.refb.org to find food distribution near you. COVID-19 Test Distribution for Thanksgiving Break SRCS will be distributing COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests for staff and students to take home and use during the upcoming Thanksgiving break. Distribution will be arranged through each school site. Each recipient will be provided 2 boxes of FlowFlex branded kits that contain 1 test per box.  We recommend recipients consider using 1 test at the start of the Thanksgiving break to gauge potential COVID-19 status prior to planned travel or gathering with others during the holiday. We ask that the 2nd antigen test be taken at the end of the break as an added assurance of safety prior to returning to campus. Please be sure to report any COVID positive results to the school. Please Complete Parent Portal Updates  Our student information system, Aeries, has a parent portal. Parents and guardians can view their student’s grades, attendance, and complete annual updates using the portal. At this time of year, parents are asked to use the portal to provide  annual  updates.  These updates include: Address confirmation Student medical information updates 2022-23 Information Handbook acknowledgments  Income survey  completion  The confidential income survey (no verification required) replaces Free/Reduced meal applications which qualify our school for additional State and Federal money. Please access the   Aeries Parent Portal   as soon as possible to complete the Data Confirmation questions for your student:   https://www.srcschools.org/aeries . If you need assistance accessing the Aeries parent portal, please try the following help documents: Create my Aeries parent portal account Completing Data Confirmations on a Computer Completing Data Confirmations on a Cell Phone Daylight Savings Time Ends Transitioning off daylight saving time has been shown to result in a significant increase in the number of automobile accidents due to sleep changes, disrupted circadian rhythms, and lighting changes. We would like to remind families to exercise extra vigilance during school drop-off/pick-up during the two-week period following this time change. Helpful website links Technology help School contact information   Meal Information Mental Health Resources ParentSquare Information Santa Rosa City Schools  |  707-890-3800  |  srcschools.org Follow us on social media! @SRCSchools #SRCSHeartsAndMinds #madeinsantarosa

    Wednesday, Nov 09 2022

  • October 2022 Newsletter

    October 2022 Superintendent's Message Hello SRCS Community! October brings signs of the change in seasons, cooler weather, and getting settled into school routines. There are many fun activities going on at our schools this month, and we hope you will be able to participate and enjoy them. I want to celebrate the partnerships we have at our school sites with our parent groups and committees where parents are involved. School Site Councils, English Learner Advisory Committees (ELAC), and parent organizations, such as PTOs and PFOs, are very important partners in supporting the needs of students and schools. I will soon be starting a Superintendent’s Advisory Network with parent representatives from our partner groups at school sites. My goal is to ensure that the voice of our families is heard and that we work collectively to guide district initiatives and goals. I am working with school site administrators on who these parent group leaders are and will be sending out more information to these individuals soon. During this month of October, I encourage families to talk with their students about how school is going, and what they feel they need. Together, we can coordinate the best resources and support to ensure students have what they need when they need it. Anna Trunnell Superintendent Student Wellness Survey    Santa Rosa City Schools is conducting its second annual student wellness survey through the Panorama platform this October.  Our goal is to better support student well-being and social-emotional learning. The data from the survey will inform our practices to support students and respond to schoolwide trends so students can reach their full potential.  Click here  to learn more. If you would like to opt-out you may do so by completing  this form . SonomaFi - WiFi Hotspots   SRCS families that are in need of a WiFi Hotspot can check one out from their local  library branch ! SonomaFi is a free WiFi hotspot Sonoma County Library lends to patrons 13 and over, all you need is your library card. Click here  to learn more about the program. Financial Aid Application Requirement and Opt-Out Form   Accessing financial aid is key to supporting students with continuing their education to achieve their career aspirations. Under a new state law called  AB 469 , high school seniors will be required to complete and submit either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) or an opt-out form. This requirement begins with the 2022-2023 school year for the 2023-2024 FAFSA/CADAA application window, which is from October 1, 2022, through March 2, 2023.  Students and families will receive assistance completing the FAFSA or CADAA from their high school. More information about the FREE workshops and resources available to complete financial aid applications will be shared throughout the school year.   Parents/Guardians who elect not to have their student complete the FAFSA or CADAA should complete an opt-out form by March 2, 2023. The  opt-out form  will be available at each high school in the College and Career Center. Open Enrollment (Intra-district transfer) for 2023-24 Most students attend their neighborhood school and build friendships and community there. Some students have reasons to request another school. "Open Enrollment," from Oct. 1 - Nov. 15, 2022, is the time to make that request for the next school year (2023-24).  Applications must be completed online during that window. Families who need assistance can come to the S.A.F.E. office at 211 Ridgway Avenue. School capacities may restrict availability. See the  SRCS district website  for more information on Open Enrollment, also known as an intra-district transfer. Halloween Considerations This year Halloween lands on Monday and there are a few things we would like our families to consider while they celebrate. Please ensure that your child maintains their regular bedtime so they can thrive in the classroom the following day. Please be mindful of the Halloween candy you allow your child to bring to school. Our custodial teams work hard to maintain clean school sites and Halloween candy wrappers tend to become a big source of litter. We thank you for your consideration and support. Happy Halloween! Food Resources for Families Even when schools are closed during Thanksgiving break and other holidays, there is food available for students and their families.  Our partner, Redwood Empire Food Bank, has hundreds of free food distribution sites, including some at our schools. Contact their Food Connections Resource Center at (707) 523-7903 (bilingual) or  getfood.refb.org  to find food distribution near you. Helpful website links Technology help School contact information   Meal Information Mental Health Resources ParentSquare Information Santa Rosa City Schools  |  707-890-3800  |  srcschools.org Follow us on social media! @SRCSchools #SRCSHeartsAndMinds #madeinsantarosa

    Monday, Oct 17 2022

  • September 2022 Newsletter

    September 2022 Superintendent's Message Hello SRCS Community! September is here and the school year is underway. There is a positive feeling to the start of this school year, and school campuses are busy with teaching and learning. We continue to follow health and safety practices for COVID-19, and remain focused on positive mental health wellness supports.   As we get settled into the school year, our community is connected to the cadence of our school days. Our local businesses often become areas where our students congregate before being picked up or walking home after school. Please discuss with students the positive and respectful behaviors that are expected in these spaces so that we are good neighbors in our community, just as expected in our schools.   Anna Trunnell Superintendent COVID-19 Information and Testing Our COVID-19 Safety Handbook has been updated for the 2022-23 school year in English / Spanish . We appreciate our community’s commitment to help slow the spread. Here are the most notable items for 2022-23:   Masks are “strongly recommended” in all indoor SRCS settings. COVID-19 vaccinations are NOT a requirement of enrollment. If a student has any symptoms of illness they should stay home and a healthcare provider should be consulted about testing. If a student becomes ill or develops symptoms of COVID-19 while on campus, they will be required to wait in an isolation area until they can be transported home or to a healthcare facility, depending on the severity of symptoms. SRCS Quick Reference Quarantine Guidance Chart in English / Spanish SRCS Symptoms Decision Tree in English / Spanish SRCS Close Contacts Decision Tree in English / Spanish SRCS Isolation Decision Tree in English / Spanish   SRCS is offering free COVID-19 Antigen Testing to students and staff four days a week at our Lewis Center. Students and staff are encouraged to test if they have any COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19.   SRCS Testing Site Resource Flyer in English / Spanish Feedback on the Condition of SRCS Schools In the next couple of weeks, a feedback survey will be shared with staff and families to gain input from our school district community about the condition of our schools. We value the feedback of our community and will use this information in our ongoing facilities planning and prioritization.   Mental health resources and suicide prevention September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. In the era of COVID-19, as we all try to protect our mental health and cope with uncertainty, it’s more important than ever that we be there for each other and take steps to prevent suicide. You don’t have to be a mental health professional to make a difference. There are simple things we can all do to safeguard our mental health, and you don’t have to do it alone. Learn more in this Talk Saves Lives brochure in English / in Spanish . Together, we #KeepGoing. Santa Rosa City Schools is partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention throughout Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness of this important topic. For more information go to afsp.org. 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 888-628-9454 Text TALK to 741741 Staff Resources- SRCS Staff can request support through our STAFF SUPPORT SIGN UP or request psychotherapy through SOS Community Counseling by calling 707-284-3444. Attendance: communication with your school is key this year Our school board has recognized September as Attendance Awareness Month. During this pandemic, we understand that students might have more absences than usual because of illness or quarantine. The most important thing is that parents keep in touch with their school, and tell them why their student is not at school. But parents should know that half of students who miss 2-4 days in September go on to miss nearly a month of school.   Attendance has a proven link to student success. When students miss school, even for an excused absence, they miss a lot of learning. Research shows that missing 10 percent of the school year, or about 18 days in most school districts, negatively affects a student’s academic performance. That’s just two days a month! Poor attendance can also directly influence whether children read proficiently by the end of third grade.   Please reach out if your student is having trouble getting to school. We have Family Engagement Facilitators and other resources to help! For more information, visit our website’s Attendance page . Aeries parent portal to view attendance and grades A student information system (SIS) is a school district's main tool to manage student records. We used to use Illuminate Education, but that company no longer supports the SIS that we need. Parents can learn more about creating a parent portal account on this web page: in English / in Spanish .  Excessive Heat Wave in California As you know, California experienced a record heat wave last week and we would like to use this opportunity to remind educators, students, and families to stay safe—and to ensure that those most vulnerable to the heat take extra precautions when our state is experiencing unusually high temperatures. Below you will find resources to help you during a heat wave: The California Department of Education (CDE) Excessive Heat web page The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Tips for Preventing Heat-Related Illness web page The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services 2022 Cooling Centers web page The California Interscholastic Federation Heat Illness web page   Get Connected! California/Affordable Connectivity Program  The California Department of Education (CDE) is partnering to launch this awareness campaign to promote the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides a monthly discount of up to $30 off home internet to qualifying families of prekindergarten to adult students. All households with a child who was approved to receive free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP) within the last 12 months, including children who attend schools participating in the Community Eligibility Provision, are eligible for ACP benefits.   Visit the Internet For All Sign Up for ACP Today web page or call 866-745-2805 to learn more.  Helpful website links Technology help School contact information   Meal Information Mental Health Resources ParentSquare Information Santa Rosa City Schools  |  707-890-3800  |  srcschools.org Follow us on social media! @SRCSchools #SRCSHeartsAndMinds #madeinsantarosa

    Friday, Sep 16 2022

  • August 2022 Newsletter

    August 2022 Superintendent's Message Welcome back! All of us at Santa Rosa City Schools are excited to welcome students back to school. From the District Office to the classroom, students are the heart of why we are here. We will continue to follow state and local health guidance, while also working to ensure a positive learning environment for all students. We look forward to supporting students this year with you as our partner. Please stay in touch with your school. If you need assistance, reach out to your school's office staff, teacher, counselor or principal. My executive leadership team and I have recorded a special video to welcome back staff and students. If you haven't seen it, you'll find it on our YouTube channel: English video | Spanish video Anna Trunnell Superintendent COVID-19 Isolation & Quarantine Like other school districts, we manage our response to COVID-19 cases or exposure using guidance from state and county health departments. The current isolation and quarantine guidelines for students, employees and volunteers who Test Positive for COVID-19 are as follows: Stay home for at least 5 days. Isolation can end after day 5 if symptoms are not present or are resolving and the individual tests negative on day 5 or later. (Antigen test preferred) If unable to test or choosing not to test, and symptoms are not present or are resolving, isolation can end after day 10. If fever is present, isolation should be continued until fever is resolved for at least 24 hours without the help of a fever-reducing medication. If symptoms, other than fever, are not resolving, continue to isolate until symptoms are resolving or until after day 10. Per Cal/OSHA , employees and volunteers returning early from quarantine (after day 5 but before day 10) are required to wear a well-fitting face covering when around others through Day 10, especially in indoor settings. Free school meals for all students  Thanks to Assembly Bill 130, the state has established the California Universal Meals Program which will provide free breakfast and lunch for all students in the 2022-23 school year! But your school still needs your help by filling out one of these things at the beginning of the school year: an income survey in the Aeries Parent Portal (just two questions) or a meal application at family.titank12.com The information is confidential. Families that would qualify for free/reduced meals will also qualify for important benefits and resources, such as Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) grocery money. These completed forms can also: Secure additional funding to your school to support academic achievement Allow students to qualify for fee waivers for the SAT/ACT Allow for reduced cost for students to take Advanced Placement Exams Help sites qualify for grants that support extracurricular activities You can watch a video about filling out the meal application at srcschools.org/meals . Please call our Child Nutrition Services office with any questions: 707-890-3807   New Student Board Member This year's new student representative on the school board is Julie Bui. Each year, a student is chosen from one of our high schools to sit on the board. The position rotates among the schools. Born and raised in Santa Rosa, Bui has attended Albert F. Biella Elementary, Piner-Olivet Charter School, and is currently a senior at Piner High School.  Save the date: Parents Back to School We are pleased to announce that this year Back-to-School Night will return to an in person format. Our schools look forward to hosting parents at their school sites. Please add the dates to your calendar: Elementary - Thursday, Sept. 1 Middle School - Thursday, Sept. 8 High School - Thursday, Sept. 15  Emergency Drought Orders  Effective June 10, 2022, the State’s Water Board has issued statewide emergency drought regulations. The regulation states that all non-functional turf (ornamental lawns) must not be irrigated unless we use recycled water. The state has defined non-functional turf as “turf that is solely ornamental and not regularly used for human recreational purposes.” This regulation will remain in effect for up to one year unless rescinded earlier. The SRCS Maintenance and Operations department will comply with this emergency order and will no longer water all district ornamental lawns. They will continue to mow and do their best with the lawns. However, they will noticeably turn brown while the order is in effect. Air Quality Advisory Recent wildfires have brought some questions about air quality and how that relates to steps we take at schools to minimize the risk from COVID-19. Our schools follow Air Quality Advisory information that has been recently updated with the latest COVID-19 information. We will use the Air Quality Index measured at airnow.gov . We have designated staff checking the site throughout the day on days where air quality is a concern.   Air Quality Index (AQI) of 0-100 is good and moderate ( Green and Yellow ) All activities can continue. Encouraged ventilation - open doors and windows in classrooms and offices Air purifiers with HEPA filters and HVAC used AQI of 101-150 is unhealthy for sensitive groups (Orange) It’s OK to be active outside, especially for short activities such as recess and physical education. For longer activities such as athletic practice, take more breaks and do less intense activities. Watch for symptoms and take action as needed. Students with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep their quick-relief medicine handy. Close windows and doors Air purifiers with HEPA filters and HVAC used AQI of 151-200 is unhealthy (Red) For all outdoor activities, take more breaks and do less intense activities. Consider moving longer or more intense activities indoors or rescheduling them to another day or time. Watch for symptoms and take action as needed. Students with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep their quick-relief medicine handy. Close windows and doors Air purifiers with HEPA filters and HVAC used AQI of 201 or higher is very unhealthy or hazardous  (Purple) Cancel all activities or reschedule them to another day. An important reminder to slow down for students Santa Rosa Police Department recently shared a timely reminder to slow down and drive carefully in school zones. Please also stop for school buses that have extended their stop sign and turned on their flashing lights. You can read the tips for back to school driving in this SRPD Press Release .  Helpful website links Technology help School contact information   Meal Information Mental Health Resources ParentSquare Information Santa Rosa City Schools  |  707-890-3800  |  srcschools.org Follow us on social media! @SRCSchools #SRCSHeartsAndMinds #madeinsantarosa

    Thursday, Aug 18 2022

  • June 2022 Newsletter

    June 2022 Superintendent's Message   Superintendent Anna Trunnell shares a June 2022 message to families and staff. Summer meals for kids Did you know that 1 in 6 children in Sonoma County worry about where their next meal will come from? From June 6 through August 12, 2022, the Redwood Empire Food Bank will offer free and healthy breakfast and lunch to children 18 and under through their Summer Lunch program.  In addition to the Summer Lunch meals, sites will be offering weekly groceries for the entire family. To find your nearest location, visit getfood.refb.org , or call 2-1-1. For immediate assistance or more information about the Summer Lunch Program you can call the Redwood Empire Food Bank directly at 707-523-7903. Summer Reading Challenge Our partner, Sonoma County Library, this summer is inviting students to read, learn, and win prizes! FREE educational events are being offered both in-person or virtually. Everyone is welcome! Students can also record the minutes they read and win prizes. More information is on their website: sonomalibrary.org/summerreading2022 Congratulations, student and staff award winners! Each of our schools is showcased at a Board of Education meeting once a year. Those schools present awards and principals also prepare reports about their school to present at the meeting. At the May 25th Board of Education meeting, Proctor Terrace Elementary, Albert F. Biella Elementary, Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts presented their awards.  Visit our Board of Education Awards web page to learn more about all of the staff and students who were honored this school year. Help us to support our future generations! Education is a team effort, and volunteers are a very critical part of the school team. Your involvement on our campus shows our students that you care and that you want to help them succeed and be the best they can be. The volunteer program at Santa Rosa City Schools is designed to encourage volunteer participation, while ensuring that steps are taken to protect the safety and interests of our students. Therefore, all prospective Volunteers must undergo a background clearance.  To learn more about becoming a volunteer, CLICK HERE Be A Mentor, Inc., Santa Rosa City Schools’ partner, will assist you with the clearance process and are available for help if you need it. We encourage you to sign up over the summer if you want to volunteer in the new school year. All volunteers (including those who were previously processed prior to our new system), will need to be signed up through Be a Mentor. Also, since Mandated Reporter Training resets on July 1 st each year, we recommend you do this training after July 1 so you do not have to do it twice. We are extremely appreciative of our community resources and thank you for providing your precious time, individual talents, and expertise as a school volunteer. We truly look forward to working with you! First day of school 2022-23 The 2022-23 school year will begin on Thursday, August 11, 2022 . School offices will be open for some parts of the summer, so please try to contact your school if you have any questions or need assistance. School contact information is here: srcschools.org/ourschools . If you can't reach your school, our SAFE office provides bilingual assistance at 707-890-3808. PARENTS: please make sure that your school has the most up-to-date phone numbers and email addresses for you. Our district and schools use ParentSquare to text, email and call parents. ParentSquare messages can be received in 40+ languages. For more information on ParentSquare, visit our website: srcschools.org/parentsquare Helpful website links Technology help School contact information   Meal Information Mental Health Resources Return to School Information/FAQs ParentSquare Information Santa Rosa City Schools  |  707-890-3800  |  srcschools.org Follow us on social media! @SRCSchools #SRCSGratitudeAttitude #SRCStogether

    Friday, Jun 03 2022

  • May 2022 Newsletter

    May 2022 Superintendent's Message   May is the last full month of school and is traditionally the time that we express our appreciation for the “village” of people who make our schools the best places to nurture and educate our community’s children. Several groups of people are honored this month at Board of Education meetings and in special recognitions at their schools. The honorees include our Teachers, Substitute (Guest) Teachers, Classified School Employees, Child Nutrition Services Professionals, School Nurses, Administrative Professionals, and Administrators. Please take the time this month to thank the people who make a difference for your student or family! As I mentioned at the beginning of this year, when we started a #SRCSGratitudeAttitude campaign, seeing what is good and expressing gratitude for others has a ripple effect, and will continue to build a stronger and more resilient school community.  We look forward to celebrating our students’ accomplishments as we end the school year, including the Class of 2022! Anna Trunnell Superintendent  IMPORTANT DATES:  May 19 - Elementary Open House May 30 - No School - Memorial Day June 2 - Last day of school for Elementary Schools June 3 - Last day of school for Middle/High Schools June 3 - Graduation Day Elementary Open House - Thursday, May 19 We are excited to be back “in person” for Open House this year! Open House is a great chance to visit your elementary school student’s classroom and see what they have accomplished this year. Our elementary schools will hold Open House on Thursday, May 19 . Times vary, so check with your school. Each site has developed protocols they will be implementing for COVID-related precautionary measures. Please look for more information from your child’s school. Latest COVID-19 updates  Indoor mask wearing in schools is strongly recommended, following guidance from the California Department of Public Health and Sonoma County Public Health.  Our schools and offices will continue to provide KN95 and surgical masks to students and teachers who would like to wear them.   We will continue to use mitigation strategies such as filters/ventilation/air purifiers, widely available hand sanitizer, symptom monitoring, and COVID testing. You can find COVID information on our website at srcschools.org/COVID-19 Register now for Summer Programs!   Santa Rosa City Schools is planning several free in-person enrichment programs for this summer, and a few of them have some spots left. Register soon!   Project Make - For students currently in grades 4-7:     Register here June 13 - July 1. Students in this program will become a "maker" of practical, imaginative, and creative hands-on projects. Courses include A Touch of Japan, Engineering Design, and Let's Create (Art).   srcschools.org/projectmake Mike Hauser Academy  - For students currently in 8th grade:     Register here June 14 - July 1. Three-week summer STEM program. Learn how companies use Science and Math every day. This program offers a lot of FUN hands-on engaging activities. srcschools.org/mikehauser Women in Construction Camp - For girls currently in grades 11 and 12:     Register here Three one-week-long sessions in June. Students will learn about pathways in construction, construction apprenticeships, safety, teamwork, basic rights and responsibilities of construction workers, and steps for project completion. Upon completion of the camp, each student will earn First Aid Certification, a letter of recommendation from one of the course instructors, and a set of starter construction tools. srcschools.org/wiccamp For more information on all of our summer programs: srcschools.org/summer Congratulations, student and staff award winners! Each of our schools is showcased at a Board of Education meeting once a year. Those schools present awards and principals also prepare reports about their school to present at the meeting. At the April 13th Board of Education meeting, the following schools presented their awards: Luther Burbank Elementary, Learning House, Rincon Valley Middle .    On April 27th,  Hilliard Comstock Middle, Piner High, Santa Rosa High  presented awards. On May 11, Abraham Lincoln Elementary, Steele Lane Elementary, Lewis Early Learning Academy (LELA), Herbert Slater Middle School  presented awards. Visit our Board of Education Awards web page to learn more about the staff and students who were honored. Upcoming reports/awards: May 25 -  Proctor Terrace Elementary, Albert F. Biella Elementary, Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts Classified Employee Award Recipients Congratulations, Tammy Affonso and Briana Seely-Clark, who were recognized as outstanding classified school employees by the Sonoma County Office of Education ! Classified employees are the non-teaching employees who play key roles in creating school environments that promote student achievement, safety, and health. Ms. Affonso is SRCS Substitute Technician in the Human Resources Department. Ms. Seely-Clark is a Paraprofessional at Santa Rosa Middle School. The two are among five finalists from Sonoma County who will be considered for the state Classified School Employee of the Year awards. Thank you both for your dedication to our students and schools! Thank you, Georgia Beard Santa Rosa City Schools extends our gratitude to Georgia Beard, the Montgomery High senior who served as the student member of the Board of Education this school year. Georgia attended school board meetings, contributing the student's perspective to many discussions.   Decisions involving COVID safety were the most memorable. Georgia said she understood how board members can’t please everyone. Student board members cast a preferential vote on each agenda action item. “I did what I thought was best for the greatest number of people.” Georgia said it felt great to be back to school in-person this school year, after more than a year of distance learning. Her favorite experiences involved watching high school sports, especially basketball. Georgia herself played on the Montgomery girls basketball team for some of her high school years and was a top tennis player.  Her advice to other students is to get active in as much school spirit as you can, including games and spirit weeks. “Trying to be a part of the school community is what made high school so great.” One of the most memorable pieces of advice that Georgia received was from her favorite teachers in middle school: “Thinking about studying is almost more difficult than just doing it.” She said the practice of spending less time thinking about it, and more time just getting the work done, has served her well throughout high school.   Georgia plans to attend Santa Barbara City College next year, and is considering a major in business or communications. Congratulations on your graduation, Georgia! NAMM Music honor Santa Rosa City Schools has been named among the Best Communities for Music Education by NAMM Foundation for three years in a row! Now in its 23nd year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. Santa Rosa City Schools is one of only 24 school districts in California to receive this honor in 2022, recognizing outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Wednesday Night Market Our district is planning to return to the Wednesday Night Market this summer, and we'd love to say hello! We'll have information about job openings, school registration, district services and more. If you're downtown on the following evenings, please stop by: June 1 July 20 August 3 Helpful website links Technology help School contact information   Meal Information Mental Health Resources Return to School Information/FAQs ParentSquare Information Santa Rosa City Schools  |  707-890-3800  |  srcschools.org Follow us on social media! @SRCSchools #SRCSGratitudeAttitude #SRCStogether

    Thursday, May 12 2022

  • April 2022 Newsletter

    April 2022 Superintendent's Message   Dear SRCS Community, Happy April!  This is a busy time of year, with sports, theater, and various school events. In addition, state assessments are underway at our schools for students in grades 3- 8, 11, and 12.  It is easy to become immersed in the excitement that spring brings to our schools. Let’s help our students finish the year strong by continuing to have good attendance and staying focused on their learning. Last week, ceremonies took place to recognize the installation of Peace Poles at two of our schools.  The first to be recognized was at Santa Rosa High School, with a beautiful serenade by the choir.  It was a moving tribute to a physical representation of peace and hope in our community.  In addition, it seemed fitting that the next school to celebrate the installation of a Peace Pole was at the Lewis Early Learning Academy (LELA), our newest school at the oldest building in our district. The thought that our youngest scholars, our preschoolers, have a symbol of Peace at their school is truly inspirational and a sign of our commitment to their future. Peace Poles will be installed at more of our schools over the course of the next two months, with the support of Veterans for Peace, Rotary Club of Santa Rosa East/West, and Peace Poles for Schools. The month of May will include multiple opportunities for in-person events, including Open Houses and graduations.  Our district community is doing everything possible to ensure that schools continue to be a safe and healthy place to learn and interact.  We can all continue to do our part to ensure that our students end this school year positively and productively! Anna Trunnell Superintendent  NO SCHOOL ON THESE DATES:  April 15 - No school day May 6 - Emergency Closure Day (see article below)   Upcoming "no school" days in April and May Our instructional calendar has designated two days in 2022, April 8 and May 6, as "Emergency Closure Days" for this school year. So far, we have not needed to use those days for emergency school closures. Unless there is an emergency between now and May 6, they will be "no school" days for our students, teachers and staff. There is also a non-work day for teachers and school year employees on April 15, 2022, which means there will be no school on that day. Let's finish strong! SRCS wants to see your student at school every day! Even though warm weather has us thinking about summer, let's finish the year strong with all students at school every day! Latest COVID-19 updates  Indoor mask guidance updated  Indoor mask wearing in schools is strongly recommended, following guidance from the California Department of Public Health and Sonoma County Public Health.  Our schools and offices will continue to provide KN95 and surgical masks to students and teachers who would like to wear them.  Families can request masks for their student from their teacher or the staff in the front office. We will continue to use mitigation strategies such as filters/ventilation/air purifiers, widely available hand sanitizer, symptom monitoring, and COVID testing, including pool testing in schools, and testing for people with and without symptoms at LELA. Vaccine clinics Sonoma County Vaccine Clinic - Open to the Public - Ages 5+ Saturday, April 23, 12:00 - 4:00pm, Elsie Allen High School, 599 Bellevue Ave. Click here for more Sonoma County Vaccine Clinic Information: in English | in Spanish You can find COVID information on our website at srcschools.org/COVID-19 Surveys:  LCAP, A-G, TK, and CTE Our school district has some important surveys this month, and we need your input! Please click on the links to take the surveys. LCAP Survey (For students, parents, staff, community) School districts are required to develop a Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) that aligns with their annual budget in collaboration with all stakeholders.  The LCAP is aligned with the District's budget and will guide the District's spending related to the state and local board priorities. As we review the LCAP, your input assists us in providing our students with an excellent education. Take the survey:     LCAP Survey (English) / (Español) A-G Survey (For students, parents, staff, community) A-G Completion Improvement Grant funds are targeted to serve students in grades nine through twelve. This survey asks for ideas related to directly supporting student access to A-G courses to prepare them for college/career. Take the survey:   A-G Survey in English/Español TK Survey (For parents of incoming TK students) This is a survey for parents of students entering Transitional Kindergarten in August 2022. Take the survey:   TK Survey in English/Español CTE Survey (For parents of high school students) One of our partners, the Sonoma County Career Technical Education (CTE) Foundation , is seeking input from Sonoma County parents of high-school-age students and the broader community to understand perspectives and feelings about the opportunities our youth have to explore local careers and build skills to be college- and career-ready. Their parent survey will be open until this Friday, April 15th and includes a weekly drawing for $50 gift cards to local restaurants. Take the survey:   https://ctesonomacounty.org/   Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete these surveys! Summer Program information coming soon! Santa Rosa City Schools is planning several in-person enrichment programs for this summer (pictures from Summer 2021 above), including Project Make (grades 4-7), Excel for Youth (grades 3-7), Acellus Math Enrichment (grades 7-9), and more. Summer learning opportunities will also include an in-person K-6 Academy (June) and high school credit recovery (June and July). Staff is currently being hired and program details finalized. Our capacity for students is dependent on how many teachers are available to work in and support the summer programs. More detailed information from SRCS and your school about all of our programs, how to sign up for these summer opportunities, and other logistical information will be coming in the next couple of weeks as hiring and planning is finalized.  SRCS looks forward to providing students an enriching variety of academic, interactive, and social emotional opportunities for growth over the summer of 2022.  Please continue to check the SRCS website for more information: srcschools.org/summer Food resources for families Just a reminder that there is food available for students and their families through our partner, Redwood Empire Food Bank. Contact their Food Connections Resource Center at 707-523-7903 (bilingual) or getfood.refb.org to find food distribution near you. Congratulations, student and staff award winners! Each of our schools is showcased at a Board of Education meeting once a year. Those schools present awards and principals also prepare reports about their school to present at the meeting. At the March 9th Board of Education meeting, the following schools presented their awards: Cesar Chavez Language Academy, Santa Rosa Middle,  Elsie Allen High.    Visit our Board of Education Awards web page to learn more about the staff and students who were honored. Upcoming site reports/awards: April 13 -  Luther Burbank Elementary, Learning House, Rincon Valley Middle, Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter School (site report only) April 27 -  Hilliard Comstock Middle, Piner High, Santa Rosa High Board Meetings moving to hybrid  The April 13, 2022 Board of Education meeting will be a hybrid meeting, conducted both in-person (in the Santa Rosa High School Auditorium- Map ) and online. This is the first in-person meeting since the beginning of the pandemic. Our former meeting location, City Hall, is closed for remodeling in April. For more information, please see our website: srcschools.org/videoboardmeetings Celebrating School Library Month Our Board of Education has recognized April as School Library Month. School libraries provide materials for teachers and students that encourage growth and knowledge, and contribute to an interest in life-long learning and enhance students’ quality of life. Libraries and library workers play an invaluable role in supporting their communities both in person and virtually by offering services that extend far beyond the four walls of a building. SRCS recognizes the District Library Media Specialist, the district Library Technicians, and the district Instructional Materials Technicians for their efforts and contributions to quality education! Bond Program updates Our district recently mailed out Bond Program Community Reports: a report about Measures I & L for residents who live in both the SRCS elementary and high school districts, and a report about Measure I for residents who live in the high school district only. These reports can also be seen on our website at srcschools.org/bondcommunication Helpful website links Technology help School contact information   Meal Information Mental Health Resources Return to School Information/FAQs ParentSquare Information Santa Rosa City Schools  |  707-890-3800  |  srcschools.org Follow us on social media! @SRCSchools #SRCSGratitudeAttitude #SRCStogether

    Wednesday, Apr 13 2022

  • March 2022 Newsletter

    March 2022 Superintendent's Message Dear SRCS Community,   It is hard to believe that we are already in March! As we move through the remainder of this school year, we continue to experience extraordinary circumstances. While we navigate recent changes in COVID-19 safety guidance, know that there is a strong desire and commitment to keep schools open and to keep students learning. As COVID-19 case rates decrease, we see the ability for people to reconnect increase.  However, it is important to remember that we have community members who are still vulnerable to this virus. We can all do our part to continue to keep our community safe.   Looking ahead, this spring will bring some activities that give some sense of the normal we once knew.  High School Juniors and Seniors are busy making decisions about their future career and college choices, proms are scheduled, and we are beginning preparations for the Graduating Class of 2022!  Spring sports will be in full swing, and our staff is working on plans for the 2022/2023 school year.   Before this school year ends, let’s take another deep breath or two, and another moment to recognize what we have persevered through together. We are still navigating a new way of normal.  Our community needs all of us, and our students deserve our very best collaboration to support their success!   Anna Trunnell Superintendent  NO SCHOOL ON THESE DATES:  March 18 - No school day  March 21-25 - Spring Break April 8 - Emergency Closure Day (see article below) April 15 - No school day May 6 - Emergency Closure Day   Upcoming "no school" days in April and May Our instructional calendar has designated two days in 2022, April 8 and May 6, as "Emergency Closure Days" for this school year. So far, we have not needed to use those days for emergency school closures. Unless there is an emergency between now and those dates, they will be "no school" days for our students, teachers and staff. There is also a non-work day for teachers and school year employees on April 15, 2022, which means there will be no school on that day. Latest COVID-19 updates  At-home COVID tests to use during Spring Break Per the California Department of Public Health and the Sonoma County Office of Education, we are distributing at-home COVID-19 test kits to all of our district’s students this week unless their parents had previously opted to not receive a kit in ParentSquare. The tests should be used by all students, with or without symptoms More information about when to use the tests, and instructions on how to use them are available on our website: srcschools.org/covidtesting Indoor mask guidance updated  When everyone returns to school after Spring Break, on Monday, March 28, indoor mask wearing will be "strongly recommended."  This follows guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Sonoma County Public Health, which have both stated that in K-12 schools, masks will be strongly recommended instead of required.  Our schools and offices will continue to provide KN95 and surgical masks to students and teachers who would like to wear them.  Families can request masks for their student from their teacher or the staff in the front office. We will continue to use mitigation strategies such as filters/ventilation/air purifiers, widely available hand sanitizer, symptom monitoring, and COVID testing, including pool testing in schools, and testing for people with and without symptoms at LELA. Vaccine clinics Sonoma County Vaccine Clinics - Open to the Public - Ages 5+ Saturday, April 2, 12:00 - 4:00pm - Santa Rosa High School, 1235 Mendocino Ave. Saturday, April 23, 12:00 - 4:00pm, Elsie Allen High School, 599 Bellevue Ave. Click here for more Sonoma County Vaccine Clinic Information: in English | in Spanish You can find COVID information on our website at srcschools.org/COVID-19 We're hiring! Become a paraprofessional in our schools   Would you like a family-friendly job with great hours? Become a Paraprofessional (Instructional Assistant, Special Education Assistant) at Santa Rosa City Schools. Thank you to Karen Wagner, who has been a paraprofessional for many years. Watch this video to learn what she does and what she loves about her job.   Join our team! For more information about paraprofessional and other positions: srcschools.org/jobs CAASPP: what parents should know about spring standardized tests  Each year we are required by the state to test students using the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) statewide assessments in English Language Arts, Math, and Science. These statewide tests are also called the “Smarter Balanced” standardized tests. When combined with other measures such as grades, classwork, and teacher observations, these tests give families and teachers a more complete picture of their child’s learning. Santa Rosa City Schools’ testing window is April 4, 2022 through the last day of instruction. Each site sets its own specific schedule within that time frame. The following are the required statewide assessments: ELA and Math: All students in grades 3 through 8 and grade 11.  Science: Grades 5, 8, and grade 11. Grade 12 is included this year since they didn’t test last year. California Alternate Assessments (CAA) are for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities and whose individualized education program (IEP) team has designated the use of an alternate assessment on statewide summative assessments. These assessments are delivered one-on-one by a trained CAA test examiner familiar to the student. All CAASPP assessments are not timed; however, each assessment takes approximately two hours to complete. You are an important part of your child’s education. To make sure your child feels comfortable taking tests, you can: Explain to your child that these tests are tools to help them learn, and they should not be anxious or scared. Explore the practice tests with your child at caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html so they can become familiar with the platform and setup of the tests. Remind your child that you and their teacher want them to try their best and are there to help, every step of the way. You will receive your child’s results near the beginning of the next school year, available in the Aeries portal. Congratulations, student and staff award winners! Each of our schools is showcased at a Board of Education meeting once a year. Those schools select an outstanding student, classified employee and certificated (teacher/counselor) employee to honor at the meeting. On February 9th and 23rd, the following schools presented their awards: James Monroe Elementary, Brook Hill Elementary, Montgomery High  Hidden Valley Elementary, Ridgway High, Maria Carrillo High Visit our Board of Education Awards web page to learn more about the staff and students who were honored.   When is your school showcased at our Board of Education meetings? Each of our schools is showcased at a Board of Education meeting once a year. Those schools present awards and principals also prepare reports about their school to present at the meeting. Site reports and awards presentations from our March  9  meeting   (watch these presentations on our YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/a01V4j8e5vQ ) Cesar Chavez Language Academy, Santa Rosa Middle, Elsie Allen High  Site reports and awards presentations on April 13 : Luther Burbank Elementary, Learning House, Rincon Valley Middle, Santa Rosa Accelerated Charter School Site reports and awards presentations on April 27 : Hilliard Comstock Middle, Piner High, Santa Rosa High The zoom link to attend the Board of Education will be posted on  srcschools.org/videoboardmeetings . Most meetings begin at 6:00pm. Child-related tax credits for families The IRS has asked school districts to remind families that there are 2021 child-related tax credits that can help families: "Often, individuals and families  can get these expanded tax benefits , even if they have little or no income from a job, business or other source. This means that many people who don’t normally need to file a return should consider doing so this year." More  information is available in this IRS flyer in English | in Spanish  There are local organizations that help low-income families with free tax preparation.  Dial 2-1-1 to see if you qualify for an appointment for free tax filing assistance For more information about tax assistance from CAP Sonoma & United Way: https://www.capsonoma.org/vita/ CTE parent survey - chance to win $50 gift card One of our partners, the Sonoma County Career Technical Education (CTE) Foundation , is seeking input from Sonoma County parents of high-school-age students and the broader community to understand perspectives and feelings about the opportunities our youth have to explore local careers and build skills to be college- and career-ready. Their parent survey will be open until April 15th and includes a weekly drawing for $50 gift cards to local restaurants. Click here to take the survey:   https://ctesonomacounty.org/   Helpful website links Technology help School contact information   Meal Information Mental Health Resources Return to School Information/FAQs ParentSquare Information Santa Rosa City Schools  |  707-890-3800  |  srcschools.org Follow us on social media! @SRCSchools #SRCSGratitudeAttitude #SRCStogether

    Wednesday, Mar 16 2022