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

February 2022 Newsletter

February 2022 Superintendent's Message Hello SRCS Community!  Did you know that February is National Heart Month? The “Via Heart Project” is sponsoring free heart health screenings for Sonoma County residents, ages 12-25. The screenings are in Petaluma on Sunday, February 27, and advance registration is required. Click on the following link to learn more:   Screenings - Via Heart Project     During this month of February, SRCS is recognizing African American History Month, Career Technical Education Month, and Week of the School Counselor.  We are honored to celebrate the contributions of those in our schools, our community, and our world.   As we continue through the school year, I am reminded often of the joy of being in school when I see students and staff engaging with each other.  A favorite poem of mine is from the incomparable poet, Maya Angelou:  “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”  I encourage us all to remember that as we continue to experience extraordinary circumstances, our most important resource is each other.   With gratitude 💛 Anna Trunnell Superintendent  NO SCHOOL ON THESE DATES:  Monday, February 14 - Lincoln's Birthday Monday, February 21 - President's Day Latest COVID-19 updates  Pool Testing  It’s been challenging for many families and staff to find COVID testing appointments or at-home testing kits. That is one reason our schools will be providing this weekly state-provided testing service in school. For more information, here's the Pool testing message sent to families on January 17 Students will not be tested without parent/guardian consent. To fill out the form to opt-in or opt-out of pool testing for your student, click here: Parent Consent Form A paper copy of the form was sent home last week to parents/guardians who did not respond to the opt-in or opt-out request. Student Vaccinations Weekend vaccine clinic at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds February 12-13 and 19-20 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In the Garrett Building on the Fairgrounds campus Vaccines available for children ages 5+ and adults, including boosters No appointment necessary, but you can make one by signing up: myturn.ca.gov Open to everyone. No proof of citizenship required.  Sonoma County - COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids: Frequently Asked Questions Flyer  Click here for more Sonoma County Vaccine Clinic Information: in English | in Spanish Student/staff Asymptomatic Testing at LELA Voluntary COVID testing of students and staff without symptoms is located at Lewis Early Learning Academy, 2230 Lomitas Avenue, Monday- Thursday, 2:30-5:00 pm, Registration required. More information:   English Flyer | Spanish Flyer Student Symptomatic Testing at LELA Santa Rosa City Schools and the Sonoma County Dept. of Public Health have free testing for students who have symptoms (feel sick at school) at Lewis Early Learning Academy, 2230 Lomitas Avenue, Mondays and Fridays, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Drive-through testing. Please wear a mask and stay in your car More information: Flyer in English and Spanish We will continue to keep our families and staff informed about COVID updates through ParentSquare messages. You can find COVID related information on our website at srcschools.org/COVID-19 CTE programs shine in February   At the February 9th meeting, the school board will consider a resolution declaring February CTE month. What is CTE? It's a program that enables high school students to explore a career field of interest, experience hands-on learning opportunities, develop essential skills, and meet our district graduation requirements. Santa Rosa City Schools is proud to offer high-quality Career Technical Education (CTE) programs for our high school students. CTE courses are offered at all five comprehensive school sites representing multiple industry sectors. We continue to offer a wide variety of courses, preparing students for the critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication skills required for the complex and ever-changing world. Check out these great opportunities available for students this month and early March. You'll find links to register and more information on our website:  srcschools.org/CTEmonth Virtual Career Exploration Series North Bay Construction Corps Program Youth Promotor Internship Women’s Public Safety Day Calendar for the 2022-23 school year The Board of Education and the Santa Rosa Teachers Association have approved the Instructional Calendar for next school year . The calendar includes two Emergency Closure Days: April 14, 2023 and May 19, 2023. These days will be "no school" days, unless they are needed to make up for school closures during the year. Some calendar highlights:                                     School begins on Thursday, August 11, 2022                                     Winter Recess is December 19, 2022 - January 3, 2023 (Middle and High School students have no school on December 16, and school resumes for everyone on Wednesday, January 4) Spring Break is March 20-24, 2023 The Class of 2023 is scheduled to graduate on Friday, June 2, 2023 Click here to view the 2022-2023 Instructional 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 January 26, Helen Lehman Elementary and Santa Rosa French-American Charter School presented awards. 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 February 9 : James Monroe Elementary Brook Hill Elementary Montgomery High  Site reports and awards presentations on February 23 : Hidden Valley Elementary Ridgway High Maria Carrillo High  The zoom link to attend the Board of Education will be posted on  srcschools.org/videoboardmeetings . Most meetings begin at 6:00pm. Recent census brings adjustment to Trustee Area boundaries After each federal census, our Board of Education must approve adjustments of the trustee area boundaries, if necessary, to make sure the population in each trustee area is as nearly as equal as practicable, amongst other considerations. All school districts undergoing this process must conclude the process before March 1, 2022. Map adjustments were discussed in a public hearing at the January 26th school board meeting. They will be discussed at the February 9th meeting, and the Board will consider an action item regarding the map scenarios at the February 23rd meeting. Click here to learn more and view the possible map scenarios . College financial aid applications due March 2 High School Seniors:  Need help completing your FAFSA or CA Dream Act  application by the priority March 2, 2021 deadline? Our College and Career Counselors are teaming up with SRJC and 10,000 Degrees to provide FREE Financial Aid Application support.  College and Career Center Counselors are offering office hours with contact information posted on their school websites. You can also email them at these addresses: Elsie Allen: Yosan Zweldi, yzweldi@srcs.k12. ca.us Maria Carrillo: Kim Handel, khandel@srcs.k12. ca.us Montgomery: Paige Wilson, pgwilson@srcs.k12.ca.us Piner: Nicole Cancilla-Kopf, ncancillakopf@srcs.k12. ca.us Ridgway: Heidi Pedrazzetti,   hpedrazzetti@srcs.k12. ca.us Santa Rosa High: Tracy Batchelder, tbatchelder@srcs.k12. ca.us Margaret Mann, Financial Aid Office, Santa Rosa Junior College is also available for zoom appointments through this link: SRJC Appointments . FREE Cash for College Workshops:  Santa Rosa Junior College and 10K Degrees are hosting online workshops to support students with completing their Financial Aid applications (FAFSA and Dream Act) before the March 2nd priority deadline. Date : Thursday, February 10, 2022 Time: Drop-in anytime between 10:45 - 3 pm Zoom link:   https://zoom.us/j/91576215418 Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2022 Time: 6 - 7:30 pm Zoom link:   https://zoom.us/j/95034373991   Learn more by visiting this SRCS web page: College Financial Aid     Register for next year’s (2022-23) Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten Does your child turn 5 years old before February 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) - for students who turn 5 years old between September 2, 2022 and February 2, 2023. All of our TK classrooms will be staffed at a 12:1 ratio. Kindergarten - for students who turn 5 years old before September 2, 2022. 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 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, Feb 09 2022

January 2022 Newsletter

January 2022 Superintendent's Message Superintendent Anna Trunnell shares a January 2022 message to families and staff. NO SCHOOL ON THESE DATES:  Monday, January 17 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Thursday, January 27 - Staff Professional Development Day Latest COVID-19 updates  Here’s a brief summary of some of the latest COVID-related information: New Health Order restricts some school-related activities With a surge in COVID cases, Sonoma County’s Health Officer has issued a new Health Order, effective January 12 through February 11, restricting gatherings. The new order does not apply to normal classroom or recess activities. The restrictions will extend to many school-related activities, such as athletic competitions, music and theater performances, dances, fundraising events and in-person assemblies. We will be sharing more information with families as soon as possible. Health Order C19-35 is on the County’s website in English | in Spanish At-home COVID tests for students COVID-19 Rapid Antigen test kits (boxes with 2 tests inside) were handed out at schools on Friday, January 7.  Most students used the first test on Friday, so they will use the second COVID at-home test on Wednesday, January 12. Please remember to test before coming to school in the morning. Families can find more information about when to use these school screening tests, and what to do if the test results are positive, in their ParentSquare messages. Student Vaccinations The Pfizer vaccine (two doses) is currently approved for ages 5+. The CDC and FDA also recently approved Pfizer vaccine boosters for anyone over age 12, to be given 5 months after the second dose of the vaccine.  Sonoma County health officials say families are encouraged to first seek vaccinations from their pediatrician, healthcare provider or local pharmacy. Parent permission will be required for any child to get a vaccine.  Sonoma County - COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids: Frequently Asked Questions Flyer  Health officials say that families that don’t have access to a pediatrician can attend the walk-in clinic at the Roseland Vaccination clinic, Tuesday - Saturday,  10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Their address is 779 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa. Student/staff Asymptomatic Testing at LELA Voluntary COVID testing of students and staff without symptoms is located at Lewis Early Learning Academy, 2230 Lomitas Avenue, Monday- Thursday, 2:30-5:00 pm, Registration required. More information:   English Flyer | Spanish Flyer Student Symptomatic Testing at LELA Santa Rosa City Schools and the Sonoma County Dept. of Public Health have free testing for students who have symptoms (feel sick at school) at Lewis Early Learning Academy, 2230 Lomitas Avenue, Mondays and Fridays, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Drive-through testing. Please wear a mask and stay in your car More information: Flyer in English and Spanish We will continue to keep our families and staff informed about COVID updates through ParentSquare messages. Meanwhile, you can find COVID related information for topics such as symptoms, quarantine, testing and vaccine locations, and the COVID Dashboard, on our website at srcschools.org/COVID-19 Family survey    Our students, staff and families are taking the YouthTruth survey through January 28. Your voice matters. Click here to TAKE THE SURVEY . School board update Thank you Laurie Fong, congratulations to new officers At our Board of Education meeting last month, the directors selected officers to lead the board in 2022: President - Ed Sheffield Vice President - Jill McCormick Clerk - Stephanie Manieri Ever Flores was selected as the delegate to the California School Boards Association (CSBA). Directors also thanked Laurie Fong for her two years as president, which were mostly encompassed by the unprecedented challenges of the COVID pandemic. For more information about the school board, including biographies of our directors, visit our Board of Education web page. 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 select an outstanding student, classified employee and certificated (teacher/counselor) employee to honor at the meeting. Principals also prepare reports about their school to present at the meeting. Site reports and awards presentations on January 26 : Helen Lehman Elementary Santa Rosa French-American Charter School Site reports and awards presentations on February 9 : James Monroe Elementary Brook Hill Elementary Montgomery High  The zoom link to attend the Board of Education will be posted on  srcschools.org/videoboardmeetings . Most meetings begin at 6:00pm. Reminder: Imitation weapons and other similar toys are not allowed in SRCS schools Parents, We need your help! Please do not allow your students to bring any imitation or “toy” weapons to school.  Weapons of any kind, even “fake” or “toy” weapons, can be seen as a threat in a school setting and are not allowed.  Students may be suspended for five days, and in some cases considered for expulsion, for violating California Education Code laws that prohibit the possession of dangerous objects on campus. Talk to your students about this to reinforce the rules and keep everyone at school safe.  School safety requires everyone to do their part. Thank you. Kindergarten registration/Charter school applications KINDERGARTEN: Online registration for next year's (2022-23) kindergarten class begins January 11. We have the traditional, one-year kindergarten and also a two-year Kinder Academy or "Transitional Kindergarten." To learn more or to begin the registration process, visit our website:   srcschools.org/kindergarten .   CHARTER SCHOOLS: Although students register or “enroll” in a traditional school, they must “apply” for a lottery if they are interested in a charter school. Charter school lottery applications for all grades will be accepted January 11 - February 8, 2022 for the 2022-23 school year.  To find links to charter school lottery applications, visit our website: srcschools.org/charterschools 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 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, Jan 12 2022

December 2021 Newsletter

December 2021 Superintendent's Message We have a lot to be grateful for!   We have been able to maintain having schools open in-person, full time, five days a week for a full semester!   Our students and staff are shining in new ways, including taking time to recognize the small and big accomplishments since returning to school.  Our staff have gone above and beyond this year due to health/safety protocols and staff shortages.  And finally, our students have demonstrated excellent character and citizenship in helping us to keep our schools safe.  We have asked our students to “say something” if they “see something” that seems unsafe, and they have been doing that.  Kudos to our students for their courage to speak up! As we approach Winter Break, we hope everyone is able to take time to have some fun, rest, and get energized for the 2022 year! Anna Trunnell Superintendent #SRCSGratitudeAttitude Our school district recently began using the hashtag #SRCSGratitudeAttitude on social media. Use the hashtag and show us what you are grateful for at your school!  We notice, appreciate and share the little and big things that are good in our schools.   We are all grateful for our principals!  Steele Lane Elementary student Jackson became the perfect "twin" for Principal Amber Williams on the school's Twin Day during spirit week. Our students and families pitch in to help others in need. Food drives and pantries could be seen at many of our schools. Pictured above, students at Ridgway High assist with packing food bags each week when the Redwood Empire Food Bank delivers bulk groceries; Hidden Valley Elementary students help deliver a family’s donation of frozen turkeys to the school’s food pantry; and Santa Rosa High’s food donation bin is overflowing at the front of the school before Thanksgiving. IMPORTANT DATES: December 14 - 16 - Minimum days for high schools only December 17 - No school for middle/high schools December 20 - 31 - Winter Break for all schools Classes resume on Monday, January 3 Latest COVID-19 updates  Here’s a brief summary of some of the latest COVID-related information: Student Symptomatic Testing at LELA Santa Rosa City Schools and the Sonoma County Dept. of Public Health now have free testing of students who have symptoms (feel sick at school) on Monday and Friday mornings at Lewis Early Learning Academy (LELA).  Drive-through testing for people with symptoms Please wear a mask and stay in your car Lewis Early Learning Academy, 2230 Lomitas Avenue Mondays and Fridays, 9:00-11:00 a.m. For more information: Flyer in English and Spanish Student Vaccinations The COVID-19 vaccine is approved for ages 5-11. Sonoma County health officials say families are encouraged to first seek vaccinations from their pediatrician, healthcare provider or local pharmacy. Parent permission will be required for any child to get a vaccine.  Sonoma County - COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids: Frequently Asked Questions Flyer  Health officials say that families that don’t have access to a pediatrician can attend the walk-in clinic at the Roseland Vaccination clinic, Tuesday - Saturday,  10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Their address is 779 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa. Student/staff Asymptomatic Testing at LELA Voluntary COVID testing of students and staff without symptoms is located at Lewis Early Learning Academy, Monday- Thursday, 2:30-5:00pm, Registration required. Without symptoms, many people with COVID-19 infections aren’t even aware they are carriers of the virus.  As a result, they may not be taking the necessary precautions to isolate themselves and protect others. This testing for people without symptoms will be available on Mondays during the Winter Break, December 20 and 27, 2:30-5:00pm.   More information:   English Flyer | Spanish Flyer We will continue to keep our families and staff informed about COVID updates through ParentSquare messages. Meanwhile, you can find COVID related information for topics such as symptoms, quarantine, testing and vaccine locations, and the COVID Dashboard, on our website at srcschools.org/COVID-19 Become a Classified (non-teaching) Substitute   Are you looking for a job that is flexible, family-friendly, and interesting? Consider becoming a classified substitute at Santa Rosa City Schools. These substitutes do the non-teaching jobs in our school district. Classified Substitute Trish Caris shared what she likes about working at Santa Rosa City Schools in the video above. She has worked in clerical positions in all levels of our schools and the district office. Our Board of Education recently approved a $1,500 Longevity Bonus after 40 days of work. That means there is no better time to become a classified sub in our district. To apply, fill out an application on EdJoin . If you have questions, contact Tammy Affonso at taffonso@srcs.k12.ca.us Two teachers honored by Sonoma County Office of Education Two of our district's teachers will be honored at our December 8th Board of Education meeting for their exemplary work serving students and families through the pandemic challenges of last school year. The awards are presented by the Sonoma County Office of Education. Heather Garcia-Rossi, an English Language Arts teacher with the Santa Rosa City Schools district, was named the finalist in the Sonoma County Teacher of the Year contest. Lisa Piehl, who teaches Career Technical Education at Santa Rosa High School, received the new School Community Leadership award. Heather Garcia-Rossi has taught English Language Arts in the Santa Rosa City Schools district for 25 years and now serves as a teacher on special assignment, where she supports a number of school district initiatives centered on equity and student success. She was recognized for teaching English virtually to more than 400 Santa Rosa City Schools students in grades 9-12 during the spring of 2021, eliciting parent praise for her ability to listen, give clear directions, and be fair and kind. Lisa Piehl, chair of the Agriculture Department and CTE teacher at Santa Rosa High School received a special School Community Leadership recognition for providing leadership and social emotional connection to her school community during the pandemic. She stood out for the events she created with students to meet their needs while teaching remotely. Piehl strategically shifted long standing annual events into socially distant versions that kept school spirit and tradition alive in a safe manner.  Learn more about the Sonoma County Teacher of the Year program at scoe.org/toy . 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   855 4A PARENT     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. Kindergarten registration begins January 11, 2022 Do you have a child who has just turned five years old, or turns five next year? Perhaps a neighbor or friend does and you can share this information! Online registration for next year's (2022-23) kindergarten class begins on Tuesday, January 11. We have the traditional one-year kindergarten, and also a two-year kindergarten academy. For more information, contact your school . 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, Dec 08 2021

November 2021 Newsletter

November 2021 Superintendent's Message Happy November!  This month is a time of remembrance and gratitude for Santa Rosa City Schools, including celebrations of Día de los Muertos, honoring military veterans, and giving gratitude for many things going well in our schools.  We are demonstrating a #SRCSGratitudeAttitude!  We are grateful for all of our students and their families, our staff, and community.  Now more than ever, let’s take a moment to pass along positivity to another person, a family member, a co-worker, a neighbor - even if it is a smile!     The legendary Maya Angelou wrote this poem:   “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Anna Trunnell Superintendent #SRCSGratitudeAttitude Our school district recently began using the hashtag #SRCSGratitudeAttitude on social media. We notice, appreciate and share the little and big things that are good in our schools. Some highlights from this month: We are grateful for the cultural traditions in our community (pictured above). Several of our schools participated in events for Día de los Muertos, a holiday that honors loved ones who have passed away. We are also grateful for teamwork and friendship. Many of our students participated in or volunteered at the Special Olympics soccer games (pictured above) at Montgomery High on November 5. Reminder: No School   Thursday, November 11 - Veterans Day November 22 - 26 - Thanksgiving Week 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. Latest COVID-19 updates  Here’s a brief summary of some of the latest COVID-related information: Student Vaccinations: The COVID-19 vaccine is approved for ages 5-11. Sonoma County health officials say families are encouraged to first seek vaccinations from their pediatrician, healthcare provider or local pharmacy. Parent permission will be required for any child to get a vaccine.  Sonoma County - COVID-19 Vaccines for Kids: Frequently Asked Questions Flyer  Health officials say that families that don’t have access to a pediatrician can attend the walk-in clinic at the Roseland Vaccination clinic. They will start having pediatric doses on November 15, and their hours are Tuesday - Saturday,  10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Their address is 779 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa. Vaccination clinics will be set up by Sonoma County at designated schools to serve people who do not have convenient or affordable access to healthcare providers. They will be after school or on the weekend. In our district, the clinics will be located at Abraham Lincoln, James Monroe, and Steele Lane Elementary Schools. Priority will be given to students in those schools first. Webinars for parents - Sonoma County Public Health and the Sonoma County Office of Education will be presenting English and Spanish webinars to answer the community’s questions about COVID-19 vaccines for children. Register using the links below. The webinars will also be broadcast live on the County of Sonoma Facebook page   English Q&A Session – Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 5:00 p.m. Registration Link:  https://tinyurl.com/SoCoVaccineQuestions Spanish Q&A Session – Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 5:00 p.m. Registration Link:  https://tinyurl.com/PreguntasSobreVacunas Charla "chat" for parents (in Spanish with English translation)  with the CURA project outreach team and a local health professional. Spanish Charla – Thursday, Nov. 11 at 6:00 p.m. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88921579589 Click here for Sonoma County Vaccine Clinic Information: in English | in Spanish Student Symptomatic Testing at LELA - Coming Soon!  Santa Rosa City Schools and the Sonoma County Dept. of Public Health will be starting free testing of students who have symptoms (feel sick at school) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at Lewis Early Learning Academy (LELA) beginning Nov. 15 . For more information: Flyer in English and Spanish We will continue to keep our families and staff informed about COVID updates through ParentSquare messages. Meanwhile, you can find COVID related information for topics such as symptoms, quarantine, testing and vaccine locations, and the COVID Dashboard, on our website at srcschools.org/COVID-19 Additional pay, bonus approved for Substitute (Guest) Teachers   Our Board of Education recently increased long term substitute "guest" teacher pay rates to $150/Half Day and $300/Whole Day, with a $1,500 Longevity Bonus after 40 days. That means there is no better time to become a guest teacher in our schools. Thank you to everyone who came to our recent Guest Teacher Hiring Fair. We are still taking applications!  If you have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college, and you satisfy the state's basic skills requirement, you may be eligible to become a guest teacher. Guest Teacher Amy Martin shared what she likes about working at Santa Rosa City Schools in the video above. For more information, go to srcschools.org/substitute or contact Tammy Affonso at taffonso@srcs.k12.ca.us 8th Graders: Apply now for ArtQuest at Santa Rosa High School ArtQuest is a public school magnet program for the Visual and Performing Arts at Santa Rosa High School. Their mission is to provide an above and beyond experience for students who wish to concentrate on the Arts during their high school years and for whom creativity and artistic expression is of paramount importance.   Interdisciplinary, college-preparatory program Eight Specialty Disciplines Dance, Digital Arts, Instrumental Music, Photography, Theatre Arts, Video Arts, Visual Fine Arts (Spring Showcase examples pictured above), and Vocal Music Project-based learning from industry professionals Two hour specialty classes each day for most specialties Annual theme that links learning to the world around us ArtQuest students go on to pursue successful creative problem solving careers in the Arts and an array of other disciplines The Admissions Process for the 2022-23 school year is now open!  The application deadline is December 9, 2021.   Visit www.artquestonline.org for more information and to begin the application process today!  High school students: extension for Pass/No Pass ends Dec. 1   High School students have until December 1 , 2021 to request that a grade from last year's transcript (2020-21 school year) be changed to Pass/No Pass. State lawmakers allowed the Pass/No Pass changes because of the pandemic's effect on students. An official form to request a grade change is available here:   Pass/No Pass Grade Change Request Form   (due December 1, 2021) More information is available on our website: srcschools.org/AB104 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

Tuesday, Nov 09 2021

October 2021 Newsletter

October 2021 Superintendent's Message Our staff, students and families have been dealing with a lot these past couple of years. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our lives. Sometimes, it can feel like a heavy lift. But even in the midst of all of the requirements, challenges, and extra protocols, there is still much to be grateful for in our schools. As your new superintendent, I have spent the first months of this school year visiting some of the 1,000+ classrooms in our district. When I visited Elsie Allen High, I noticed a planter box near the office that had been "adopted" by some staff and students and made beautiful. It even contained some thoughtfully painted rocks. It is an example of the kind of care and inspiration I have seen throughout the district. We have a lot of good things happening in our schools. This month we will begin encouraging a #SRCSGratitudeAttitude among our students and schools. This doesn't mean that everything at school is perfect. But seeing what is good and expressing gratitude for others has a ripple effect, and will build a stronger and more resilient school community. Anna Trunnell Superintendent Latest COVID-19 updates  Here’s a brief summary of some of the latest COVID-related information: Student Vaccinations: On October 1 Governor Newsom announced a new proposed mandate for students attending in-person school to be vaccinated against COVID-19 starting the term following full FDA approval of the vaccine for their grade span (Grades 7-12 and Grades K-6). This means the COVID-19 vaccine will be among the vaccines, such as vaccines for measles and chickenpox, that are required for in-person school attendance in California schools. Depending on vaccine approval, this would take effect for grades 7-12 first, either January 2022 or June 2022. We will continue to provide updates on this state mandate. Student and Staff Asymptomatic Testing:  Voluntary COVID testing of students and staff without symptoms has been expanded to four days a week at Lewis Early Learning Academy. Without symptoms, many people with COVID-19 infections aren’t even aware they are carriers of the virus.  As a result, they may not be taking the necessary precautions to isolate themselves and protect others. This expanded testing is for students and staff, Monday - Thursday, 2:30-5:00 pm. Registration is required. More information: flyer in English | in Spanish We will continue to keep our families and staff informed about COVID updates through ParentSquare messages. Meanwhile, you can find COVID related information for topics such as symptoms,  quarantine, testing and vaccine locations, and the COVID Dashboard, on our website at srcschools.org/COVID-19 . We're hiring! Additional pay, bonus for Substitute (Guest) Teachers  You can make a difference at our schools! We're hiring substitute teachers, whom we call "guest teachers" because they are welcome guests in our schools. If you have a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college, and you satisfy the state's basic skills requirement, you may be eligible to become a guest teacher. Pending school board approval later this month, long term guest teacher pay rates are expected to increase to $150/Half Day, $300/Whole Day, with a $1,500 Longevity Bonus after 40 days. For more information, contact Tammy Affonso at taffonso@srcs.k12.ca.us We'll also be holding a Job Fair for Guest Teacher Positions : Thursday, October 28, 2021 4:00 - 7:00 pm 211 Ridgway Avenue, Santa Rosa If you have been looking for a way to give back to your community, enjoy school-day hours of work, or make a difference for kids -- this is a great opportunity!  Reminder: Provide Esser III Input by Oct. 20   (This message has been previously shared via ParentSquare) The federal government has passed several plans to provide emergency relief money to schools during the pandemic. The money for schools is called Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ESSER for short. The third round of ESSER funds, ESSER III, requires that California school districts complete several steps before receiving this pandemic aid, including getting input from stakeholders about proposed uses for the funds. Here is our Draft ESSER III Expenditure Plan Here is the school board meeting presentation about the plan: ESSER III Presentation Slides Santa Rosa City Schools will be providing two ways for the public to provide input on our draft plan: Send your written thoughts in this  ESSER III Expenditure Plan Feedback Form , by Wednesday, October 20, and/or, Attend one of the ESSER III Forums, Zoom meetings that will be held in English and Spanish: English Forum -  Tuesday Oct. 19, 5:30 - 6:30pm - Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/94311413010 Spanish Forum - Tuesday Oct. 19, 6:35 - 7:35pm - Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/97255378727 University Center @ Elsie Allen Information Night  8th GRADE FAMILIES: Imagine attending Sonoma State University during high school, with free tuition, free transportation, and priority registration. It’s all part of the University Center @ Elsie Allen High School program. Highlights include: Guaranteed admission to Sonoma State University Annual savings of $10,000 in college tuition and fees Golden Bell Award winning program Transportation to and from SSU provided Priority registration at SSU Access to the library facilities, financial aid services and counseling at SSU There will be a Zoom meeting Information night:  Wednesday, Oct. 27 at 6:00pm.  Zoom link: https://zoom.us/s/94595628636 It's time to confirm your student data in Aeries Our student information system (SIS), Aeries, has a parent portal, so that parents and guardians can view their student’s grades and attendance. At this time of year, parents are also asked to use the Aeries parent portal to confirm their address and their student’s medical information, and acknowledge information shared in the 2021-22 Information Handbook . Starting this week, parents will be asked to answer some “Data Confirmation” questions before entering the portal. This information is needed for each student. Only one parent needs to complete the questions. This year there is a two-question income survey. The information is confidential, and may be used to generate additional funding for your school. If you need assistance with accessing the Aeries parent portal, please contact your school . Open Enrollment (Intra-district transfer) for 2022-23 Most students attend their neighborhood school, and build friendships and community there. Some students have reasons to request another school. "Open Enrollment," from Oct. 20 - Nov. 15, 2021, is the time to make that request for next school year (2022-23). 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. 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 #SRCStogether #madeinsantarosa

Tuesday, Oct 19 2021

September 2021 Newsletter

September 2021 Superintendent's Message School is well underway now, and it is clear that students, parents, and staff are working hard to ensure that school is a positive and safe place to learn.  We see students engaging with each other, happy to be on campus for the first time, or returning to a familiar place.  Staff are going above and beyond to provide support as we continue to navigate COVID and the effects on our school systems. Many of those effects are out of our control. What we can control is how we support each other. Overall, I encourage families and staff to focus on the many ways that our school communities are thriving and to keep students at the center of our work.   Anna Trunnell Superintendent Latest COVID-19 updates  On September 22, our Board of Education considered guidance and updates to our COVID-19 Handbook for Students and Families. That Handbook will be edited and made available on our website soon. Thank you to families and staff who provided their input for that meeting by filling out the handbook survey form.  Here’s a brief summary of some of the latest COVID-related information, based on the board meeting, and the latest guidance from state and county health departments: Student Vaccinations: No requirement to be vaccinated to attend in-person school, but students are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated when they are eligible. Student Testing:  Our school board is still considering whether or not some nasal swab testing of students without symptoms would be done in our schools in order to catch COVID cases early. Parent permission would be needed. Based on the low rate of spread in our county, this has not been recommended at this time. We will continue to offer voluntary testing of students without symptoms at Lewis Early Learning Academy on Tuesdays and Thursdays (flyer  in English |  in Spanish ) Staff Vaccinations: Staff in school districts are now required by the state and county to be fully vaccinated, or to test for COVID-19 weekly. The requirement includes vendors who work in our schools and offices. Staff Testing: The district will provide the weekly testing required for unvaccinated workers (see above). Volunteers: Because the COVID rates have been low in our schools, we are allowing volunteers once again on school sites. Our Board of Education has required that all volunteers be fully vaccinated. There is no option for weekly testing instead of full vaccination. We will continue to keep our families and staff informed about COVID updates through ParentSquare messages. Meanwhile, you can find COVID related information for topics such as symptoms,  quarantine, testing and vaccine locations, and the COVID Dashboard, on our website at  srcschools.org/COVID-19 . Welcome new vice principals and assistant principals We're excited to welcome new administrators to our district, including some new vice principals and assistant principals at our schools. Read more about them on our website: New SRCS administrators     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 (en español): 888-628-9454 Text TALK to 741741   Our district’s Integrated Wellness Center also provides free non-crisis counseling for students and their families: use this FORM or call 707-284-8225 for information or an appointment. 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. This year, we have moved student records into Aeries SIS.  Like Illuminate, Aeries has a parent portal, so that parents and guardians can view grades and attendance. Parents can learn more about creating a parent portal account on this web page: in English | in Spanish .  Congratulations, Deputy Superintendent Rick Edson Deputy Superintendent Rick Edson, who is also our school district's chief business official, was recently named by the North Bay Business Journal as one the top CFOs of 2021. Each year, the publication recognizes outstanding chief financial officers at companies and organizations in the region. You can read more here: Santa Rosa City Schools chief business officer wins a North Bay CFO Award   Cash for College Nights  Each of our comprehensive high schools is hosting a FREE Cash for College Night to support students with accessing financial aid, which is key to college enrollment. Students and families can receive assistance completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) . More information about exact locations will be shared with students soon, but please use this information to save the date: Santa Rosa City Schools (all high schools welcomed!):  October 5 at 6PM via Zoom (use this:  ZOOM LINK ) Piner High School: October 12 at 6PM, location on campus TBD Elsie Allen High School: October 20 at 6PM, location on campus TBD Santa Rosa High School: October 26 at 6PM, location on campus TBD Montgomery High School: November 2 at 6PM, location on campus TBD Maria Carrillo High School: November 16 at 6PM, location on campus TBD For more on Cash for College 2021, including what parents and students should bring to the events, visit this web page: Cash for College 2021 Join the SRCS Team  We’re hiring! We have part-time, full time and substitute positions available including: Campus Supervisor, Family Engagement Facilitator, Food Service Worker, Instructional Assistant, Senior Secretary. We offer competitive salaries, benefits and have family friendly hours. We have implemented district wide health and safety protocols. To learn more, call Mary Alyce Stephens at 707-890-3800 x80607 or look for jobs on our website:  srcschools.org/jobs 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 #SRCStogether #madeinsantarosa

Monday, Sep 27 2021

August 2021 Newsletter

August 2021 Superintendent's Message Welcome back! Our schools are open full-time and in-person. Even with mask-wearing, the joy of being together is visible on our campuses. We will continue to follow state and local health guidance, while also working to ensure a positive learning environment for all students.  I look forward to supporting our students this year with you. Please stay in touch with your school. If you need assistance, reach out to your school's office staff, teacher, counselor or principal. My welcome video was shared with families last week. If you haven't seen it, you'll find it on our YouTube channel:  English video  |  Spanish video Anna Trunnell Superintendent Welcome new administrators and principals We're excited to welcome new administrators to our district, including some new principals at our schools. Read more about these leaders on our website: New SRCS administrators     COVID-19 case management flowchart   Like other school districts, we manage our response to COVID-19 cases or exposure using guidance from state and county health departments. The steps are noted in a flowchart. We would like our families and staff to be aware of this information, and to know that we follow this guidance to minimize any exposure of COVID at schools.  Link to the chart: COVID Management at School chart 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. Free school meals for all students  Thanks to funding from the USDA, breakfast and lunch are free for all students in the 2021-22 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, Georgia Beard, was sworn in at the August 11th Board of Education Zoom meeting (pictured, upper left). Each year, a student is chosen from one of our high schools to sit on the board. The position rotates among the schools. Beard is a senior at Montgomery High. Read more about her on our website: Welcome, Georgia Beard   Save the date: Parents Back to School Zoom Like last year, our upcoming Back-to-School Nights with parents/guardians will be virtual (Zoom) meetings. This isn't ideal, but it will help us keep our school campuses clean and safe for our students and staff. You'll receive more information from your school with the exact time for these evening events and the Zoom links. Please add the dates to your calendar: Elementary - Thursday, Sept. 2 High School - Thursday, Sept. 9 Middle School - Thursday, Sept. 23  Summer expanded learning opportunities After more than a year of distance and/or hybrid learning, our district received grant funding and partnerships that allowed us to expand summer learning opportunities for our students. Our summer programs nearly doubled, from 9 programs in 2019 to 16 programs in 2021. The programs began just after school ended in June and continued until just before school started again. We're grateful to the administrators, teachers and staff who gave their time this summer. This year, we added outdoor environmental education through partnerships with LandPaths and Alliance Redwoods that served students ages 6-18. Through Landpaths, young students went on nature walks and hikes, and learned to observe plant and animal life. At Alliance Redwoods, high school students participated in team building and challenge courses. We also had ten schools choose to create a summer "Jump Start" for the fall, inviting students back for a week or two of math and language arts, along with social-emotional supports and learning. One example, Luther Burbank Elementary's Space-themed Jump Start was featured in this news article . To see more pictures and a list of programs, visit our web page . LELA preschool ribbon cutting  This summer, our district celebrated the remodeling of classrooms and construction of a new playground to create a new preschool site called the Lewis Early Learning Academy (LELA). The school will serve approximately 80 children, ages 0-5, with a variety of learning needs, in partnership with Head Start (through CAP Sonoma) and under the direction of new Principal Janel Plack. For more information on LELA, and contact information for Head Start and North Bay Children's Center preschools that partner with our district, visit this web page: LELA Ribbon Cutting 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 . Free Sonoma County Library resources for families Our partners at the Sonoma County Library have asked us to share this information with families: Our community is still in the midst of a challenging time, and Sonoma County Library is here to help with your back-to-school needs. Are you a parent of a school-age child or children? A student yourself? We've put together a list of useful resources for the school year and beyond!   Students of any age can connect with free tutors and more at Tutor.com . BookFlix pairs classic children’s picture books with a related nonfiction eBook. Puzzles, games, and age-appropriate web links allow kids to further explore. Find educational eBooks and eAudiobooks, and stream movies, music, newspapers, and magazines, with eResources like hoopla, the Libby app, OverDrive, and Kanopy. Enjoy children’s and teen collections! National Geographic Kids houses books, videos, magazines, and pictures produced by National Geographic for children. Curious for more? We've barely touched the tip of the iceberg! See the full list  of back-to-school eResources. 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 #SRCStogether #madeinsantarosa

Saturday, Aug 21 2021