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Update on Short-Term Independent Study
Dear PCS Families, Recent changes in state guidance and audit findings have led our District to pause short-term Independent Study contracts for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year. As of February 12, 2025, we will no longer process new requests for short-term Independent Study. Students with active contracts who are currently on Independent Study may still complete and submit their work within five days of returning to receive credit. We understand the importance of keeping students engaged in learning when they are absent. Students will have the opportunity to make up missed assignments and tests. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we evaluate the future of Independent Study at Petaluma City Schools. Please contact your school principal if you have any questions.Β With appreciation, Louann Carlomagno, Ed.D. Acting Superintendent, Petaluma City Schools
Thursday, Feb 13 2025
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ππ PCS Newsletter - February 11, 2025 ππ
β β PCS Newsletter February 11, 2025 β β β β β β β β A Message from Acting Superintendent, Dr. Louann Carlomagno β β β β As we settle into the month of February, there is a lot to celebrate across our District and we should all be incredibly grateful for the teaching and learning taking place in our schools. I have been making my way to all the campuses and have enjoyed every minute! Our students are fantastic and have welcomed me at every grade level - you should all be proud parents and guardians. From students, to teachers, to families, every person plays a vital role in making our school communities thrive. When we all work together, great things happen! As we continue through the winter months, please remember that attendance is a key part of what makes your child successful. When students show up, theyβre not just gaining knowledgeβtheyβre also building skills like consistency, collaboration, and responsibility. Research shows that regular attendance is directly tied to better academic outcomes, stronger relationships with peers and teachers, and overall success in school. So, every day really does count, and we thank you for making it a priority to get your students to school ready to learn and grow! As you heard from our PCS nurses last week in their message to the PCS community, we are certainly experiencing an increase in illness within our community so be sure you review the most recent guidance from our health professionals. February also brings Black History Month, a time for us to celebrate and honor the achievements of Black Americans throughout history. Our schools will be filled with opportunities to learn about influential figures and moments that have shaped our country and the world. Itβs an exciting time to reflect on the power of history and how it can inspire us to continue building a more inclusive, compassionate future. Our community is also offering fantastic opportunities and events focused on Black History Month. Click HERE for more details. During these winter months, our District reviews our annual budget and like many school districts across the county and the state, we must make decisions to keep our budget balanced. Our Board members are committed to making the very best decisions for students and we are all thankful for their dedication to this work - it is not easy but absolutely necessary. I thank you for your partnership and the opportunity we are given to educate your children. It is a privilege we do not take lightly. With appreciation, Louann β β β β Mid-Winter Break is Here! β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β PCS in the News β β β β β β β β β Petalumaβs LumaCon attracts large crowds of comic art enthusiasts Trojan baseball team to compete in Oracle Park showcase New acting Superintendent tours Petaluma City Schools, meeting students and faculty Petaluma schools receive PEF grant funding to enhance student learning Casa Grande baseball team holds yearly Little League clinic Petaluma Sports Roundup Petaluma City Schools board readies for major budget cuts The Bantam Broadcast (PJHS) Kenilworth TV (KJHS) The Trojan Broadcast Channel (PHS) β β β β β Student & Family Engagement β β β β β β β β β Moana at McDowell! β Approximately 55 students in 1st - 7th grades at McDowell School hosted a number of Moana performances this past weekend, wowing crowds with their singing, acting and creativity. A production of this magnitude takes a vibrant community to pull off costumes, sets, backstage organization, lighting, sound, and more. Congrats to our McDowell Monarchs for such successful and entertaining performances and thank you to everyone in the community who made it happen! β β β β β β 100th Day of School Celebrations β Zero the Hero usually visits our elementary schools on the 100th day of learning to celebrate the "power of zero", but this year, students at all seven elementary schools were in for a real treat when Zero's eldest son, Uno stopped by! Who knew Uno was such a talented musician? He led our youngest scholars in a sing-a-long and brought a lot of joy to students and staff alike. β β β β β β β β β β β Congrats, Petaluma Adult School Grads! β On January 27th, 30 students graduated from our Petaluma Adult School, earning either their diploma or their high school equivalency. The ceremony was dignified, well attended, and conducted in both English and Spanish. Honorary speaker, Noemi Diaz Zamora, spoke about her persistence in the face of many life challenges, and the pride she felt achieving her high school equivalency after 20 years. Noemi articulated the core values of hard work, perseverance, and the power of community. Two graduates, Robert Gauthier and Guadalupe Porras, were awarded scholarships to the CalRegional Phlebotomy Technician program. Congrats, graduates! β β β β β Marine Science Program Visits Monterey β Recently, around 30 Petaluma High School students spent time in the Monterey Peninsula experiencing one of the most biologically diverse and beautiful marine regions in the world. Students kayaked with otters, watched whales on the bay, and took a personalized tour of the Monterey Bay Aquarium followed by some deep exploration. Led by Mr. Phil Tacata, this trip was made possible by the generosity of so many in our community who support our PCS scholars. β β β β β Last Call: TK-6 Priority Registration 3 Days Left! Our TK & Kindergarten Classes Are Filling Up! β β β β β β β β β β β β β β If you have a new incoming TK (transitional kindergarten) - 6th grade student who is ready to join one of our learning communities in the 2025-26 school year, it's time to submit your application. The TK-6 priority registration window opened on January 9, 2025 and will close this Friday, February 14, 2025. Visit www.petalumacityschools.org/enroll to apply today! TK IS FILLING UP We already have enough TK students to fill up more than 14 TK classrooms. WOW! In the 2025-26 school year, any student who will turn 4 on or before September 1, 2025 is eligible to attend TK. Additionally, the adult to student ratio for TK next year is 1:10, meaning each TK class will have up to 20 students with a full-time teacher and instructional assistant leading the learning. At PCS we want to make sure we staff and plan accordingly for our expanding TK families, so please be sure to enroll today! KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION In the 2025-26 school year, any student who will turn 5 on or before September 1, 2025 is eligible to attend kindergarten. If your child is already enrolled at one of our PCS elementary schools for TK and you plan to stay at the same school for kindergarten, you do NOT need to re-enroll. CHANGING SCHOOLS IN 2025-26? If you are planning to change schools from one PCS school to another PCS school, please complete an application via SchoolMint. Questions? Need help? Contact Amy Fadeji afadeji@petk12.org or (707) 778-4951 β β β β PCS Food & Nutrition "Food is not rational. Food is culture, habit, craving, and identity." - Jonathan Safran Foer β β β β Share Your Favorite Recipe β Our team holds the belief that food and oneβs relationship to food is deeply personal. We recognize that our school food and the way we prepare it, could carry significant meaning for our students. So, our PCS Food Services team is committed to striving toward cultivating an ever more diverse and inclusive school food environment that better reflects the rich cultural backgrounds, values and dietary preferences of our students and families. By incorporating a variety of flavors, ingredients, and dishes, we not only celebrate different traditions but also foster learning in our cafeterias by introducing our students to new and exciting meals that expand their palates. We have already begun our menu planning for next school year and we are looking to expand our school meal program by featuring recipes inspired by our PCS community. We would love your help! Do you have a favorite family recipe that represents your heritage or a dish your child enjoys at home? We invite parents, students, and staff to submit recipes that are meaningful to them. Our team will review submissions and explore ways to adapt them for our school meals, ensuring they meet nutrition guidelines while keeping their authentic flavors intact. If youβd like to share a recipe, please send it to pcsfood@petk12.org. Feel free to include a short story about why the dish is special to you! We are excited to bring more variety to our school meals and appreciate your help in making our cafeteria a place where all students feel seen and valued. Thank you for being part of this delicious journey! β β β β Important Tax Information β Did you know you may be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)? This credit can help reduce the taxes you owe or increase your refund. California also offers a state EITC for additional savings. We have included information about these important federal and California EITC programs as well as additional resources that may be helpful for filing your tax return on our PCS Food Services web page. Please be sure to check out the information about Earned Income Tax Credit here. β β β β PHS Baseball is Heading to Oracle Park Come cheer on the Trojans! β β β β β The Petaluma High School Varsity Baseball team has been invited to play at Oracle Park on April 12th at 3:00 PM. This is an incredible opportunity for our student-athletes, and we want to fill the stands with Petaluma pride! To make it even more exciting, the San Francisco Giants are offering a special ticket deal: purchase a ticket to one of three select Giants games, and youβll receive a FREE ticket to watch PHS take the field at Oracle Park! To learn more visit: https://phsathleticboosters.org/oracle Letβs show up big for our Petaluma community and PHS Baseball! β β β β β β β β β Come Work at PCS! Where education is not just what we do. Itβs who we are. β β β β View Job Openings β β β β Check out this week's highlighted job opportunities below: β Bilingual Instructional Assistant II - Casa Grande High School Bus Driver Trainee - Transportation Instructional Assistant, Preschool - Special Education - South County Consortium Principal (1.0 FTE) - Public Waldorf Charter School at Valley Vista, TK- 8 (2025-2026 School Year) If you have any questions regarding any of our open positions, please contact our Human Resources Department at (707) 778-4795 or email hrinfo@petk12.org. β β β β FREE Cardiac Screening Available β β β β β β β β We are excited to announce our FREE Sonoma County Wide ECG/EKG cardiac screening offered to youth and young adults, ages 12-25 years of age, on Sunday, February 23rd in Santa Rosa at Elsie Allen High School. Here are a few reasons why getting screened is so important: Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) claims the lives of thousands seemingly healthy kids every year SCA is the leading cause of death for student-athletes and on school campuses Standard physicals or a sports physical is less than 1% effective at detecting any heart conditions that can lead to SCA. Adding an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) , a fast, non-invasive, and painless test, improves those odds to 85-90% but are not included in standard physicals for youth. 1 in 300 youth is at risk of having an undiagnosed cardiac anomaly How to Save a Life Video The screenings are conducted by medical professionals and read by physicians. Pre-registration is required and closes 2/20/2025 Click here if you wish to participate and be screened. Click here if you wish to volunteer and assist with the event. Questions? Contact healthquest@healthypetaluma.org for more information. β β β β β β β β β β β β Nothin' But Net Basketball Camps β β β β β β β β β β β β Follow Us! β β β β β β β β β We enjoy sharing magical moments with our community to give our followers a glimpse of what we're all about. At PCS, education is not just what we do, it's who we are. We're here! Be here with us! You can find us on Instagram or Facebook. β β β
Tuesday, Feb 11 2025
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π¦ Germs Are Spreading! What to Look For & When to Sta...
Dear PCS Families, Students learn best when they feel well. To help prevent the spread of illness in our schools,Β please keep your child home i f they experience any of the following symptoms: A fever ofΒ 100.4Β°F or higher Vomiting or diarrhea AΒ persistent cough with phlegm AΒ sore throat with fever and swollen glands Severe or persistent nasal congestion For more information about when your child should stay home from school, please consult ourΒ PCS General Illness Policy Β ( English / Spanish ). Your child may return to school when they: AreΒ fever-free for 24 hours Β without Β medication Have hadΒ no vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours Thank you for helping keep our school communities healthy! Your PCS Nurses
Tuesday, Feb 04 2025
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π― Weβre SO Close! Help Us Hit 2,000 Responses! π
Happy Friday, PCS Families! Time is running out! OurΒ Family Survey closes TONIGHT at midnight Β and we need your input. While over 1,000 families have already shared their experiences and thoughts with us, we're aiming forΒ 2,000 responses Β to ensure more voices are heard.Β The annualΒ YouthTruth survey Β helps us listen, learn, and improve. Your feedback truly makes a difference! πΉΒ Complete the survey in one sitting πΉΒ One response per household Β (unless you have multiple students in the Districtβthen you may respond once per child) Take a few moments today to make an impact!Β ytsurvey.org/petalumafamily25 Thank you for being a vital part of our school community! Petaluma City Schools
Friday, Jan 31 2025
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PCS Response to Immigration Enforcement Concerns
Dear PCS Families, Schools are meant to be safe spaces where children can learn and grow without fear. Β All children in the United States, regardless of immigration or citizenship status, have a right to a free and appropriate public education. The mere threat of immigration enforcement in and around schools creates fear and anxiety, undermining the very foundations of our educational system. To date, we haveΒ never Β had an officer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement attempt to access students or staff at any of our Petaluma City Schoolsβ campuses.Β We are committed to continue working with our PCS Board Members, staff, and state officials to do what we can to protect undocumented and mixed-status families.Β Β Β As a school district, we want to assure you that our schools will not voluntarily grant access to immigration enforcement officers without a judicial warrant or court order. We also maintain strict protection of student privacy. Our schools will not share personal information about students or their family members for immigration enforcement purposes without a court order or judicial subpoena. We are prohibited from requesting social security numbers or inquiring about the citizenship or immigration status of students or their parents/guardians. Β Clear protocols have been established for all of our campuses in the event of immigration enforcement activities coming to our school sites, and we will continue to review these with our school staff on a regular basis.Β Β We recognize the challenges these circumstances may bring, but we are steadfast in our mission to prioritize the well-being and education of our students. We are here for you. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you need support or have any questions. Β With deep appreciation for your partnership, Louann Carlomagno, Ed.D. Acting Superintendent, Petaluma City Schools
Saturday, Jan 25 2025
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π PCS Newsletter - January 17, 2025 π
β β PCS Newsletter January 17, 2025 β β β β β β β β Dear PCS Community, β β β β Happy New Year and welcome to the start of the 2025 spring semester! I hope you all had a relaxing and joy-filled holiday season. This past Monday was my first βofficialβ day with Petaluma City Schools and I couldnβt be more thrilled to be joining such an incredible District and community. In my short time here at Petaluma City Schools, Iβve heard multiple times that βEducation isnβt just what we do, itβs who we areβ and I could not agree more with this statement. Petaluma City Schools is a special place. After spending over thirty-four years in education, I can say that each of those years has been an absolute gift to me. This past July, I retired as Superintendent of the Hillsborough City School District, having served there for seven years. Prior to that I spent my educational career in the Sonoma Valley Unified School District where I had the great privilege of serving as a high school teacher (science), a middle school teacher (integrated math and science), an elementary principal, the director of curriculum & instruction, and superintendent. I have been incredibly fortunate in all my years in education to work with truly remarkable students, educators, families, and community members. β β β β β β β β β As I dive into PCS and immerse myself in the wonderful learning and growing that is taking place on all our campuses, I would welcome you to do the same. Whether itβs by joining your schoolβs PTA, attending a spring performance, athletic event, or concert, choosing to serve on one of our District committees, or any number of the opportunities we have available to our families, I welcome you to become deeply involved in your school community. We are all on this incredible educational journey together and I thank you in advance for your partnership. I look forward to seeing you out and about on our school campuses! With great happiness, Louann Carlomagno, Ed.D. Acting Superintendent, Petaluma City Schools β β β β β β β β β NO SCHOOL MONDAY! β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β PCS in the News β β β β β β β β β Local campuses are βsafe havensβ from deportation Petaluma High pitcher signs letter of intent for Cal Poly Petaluma City Schools gets feedback on budget priorities Petaluma Sports Roundup The Bantam Broadcast (PJHS) Kenilworth TV (KJHS) The Trojan Broadcast Channel (PHS) β β β β β English Learners' Corner ELPAC Testing Coming Soon! β β β β Every English Learner student in grades TK β 12 at Petaluma City Schools will be taking the Summative English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) test during the Spring. The window for ELPAC testing is February 3 β May 30, 2025. You are an important part of your childβs education. To make sure your child feels comfortable taking the ELPAC test, you can: Explain to your child that the test is a tool to help them learn and to not be anxious or scared. Remind your child that you and their teacher want them to try their very best. Explore a practice test with your child so they are familiar with the platform and setup. elpac.org/resources/online-practice-and-training-test/ Talk with your childβs teacher about their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills to help support their learning. You will receive your childβs test results at or before the beginning of the next school year. The results will identify how your child is doing and where they may need more help, so you can better support their learning at home and teachers can better support their learning in the classroom. β β β β FREE Cardiac Screening Available β β β β β β β β We are excited to announce our FREE Sonoma County Wide ECG/EKG cardiac screening offered to youth and young adults, ages 12-25 years of age, on Sunday, February 23rd in Santa Rosa at Elsie Allen High School. Here are a few reasons why getting screened is so important: Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) claims the lives of thousands seemingly healthy kids every year SCA is the leading cause of death for student-athletes and on school campuses Standard physicals or a sports physical is less than 1% effective at detecting any heart conditions that can lead to SCA. Adding an electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) , a fast, non-invasive, and painless test, improves those odds to 85-90% but are not included in standard physicals for youth. 1 in 300 youth is at risk of having an undiagnosed cardiac anomaly How to Save a Life Video The screenings are conducted by medical professionals and read by physicians. Pre-registration is required and closes 2/20/2025 Click here if you wish to participate and be screened. Click here if you wish to volunteer and assist with the event. Questions? Contact healthquest@healthypetaluma.org for more information. β β β β β β β β TK - 6 Priority Registration Now Open! β β β β β β β β β β β β β β The TK-6 priority registration window opened on January 9, 2025 and will close on February 14, 2025. Visit www.petalumacityschools.org/enroll to apply today! If you have a new incoming TK (transitional kindergarten) - 6th grade student who is ready to join one of our learning communities in the 2025-26 school year, it's time to start the enrollment process. TK Information In the 2025-26 school year, any student who will turn 4 on or before September 1, 2025 is eligible to attend TK. Additionally, the adult to student ratio for TK next year is 1:10, meaning each TK class will have up to 20 students with a full-time teacher and instructional assistant leading the learning. At PCS we want to make sure we staff and plan accordingly for our expanding TK families, so please be sure to enroll soon! Kindergarten Information In the 2025-26 school year, any student who will turn 5 on or before September 1, 2025 is eligible to attend kindergarten. If your child is already enrolled at one of our PCS elementary schools for TK and you plan to stay at the same school for kindergarten, you do NOT need to re-enroll. Changing Schools in 2025-26? If you are planning to change schools from one PCS school to another PCS school, please complete an application via SchoolMint. Thank you in advance for spreading the word to your neighbors, friends, and family members that enrollment is now open! β β β β β β β β β β β β β β Emergency School Closure Make-up Days February 19 - 21 β β β β Each year our school district plans for emergency make-up days which are built into our school calendar and serve as a crucial tool for ensuring that our students receive the full amount of instructional time required by state and local regulations. While we strive to avoid disruptions to our school schedules, there are occasions when unforeseen eventsβsuch as severe weather, natural disasters, or public health emergenciesβcan lead to school closures. Whether it's a flood, a power outage, or other emergency situations, make-up days provide us with the flexibility to adjust the academic calendar, ensuring that students continue to receive the full educational experience they deserve. As a reminder, our most up to date school calendars, including the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years are always available on our PCS website. Please note our after school partners Boys and Girls Club and Champions will offer fun mid-winter break camps for our elementary-aged PCS students over the break from 2/19-2/21. You do not have to be enrolled in a current before-or-after school program to attend the mid-winter break camps and there are scholarship opportunities available. Stay tuned for Information on registration. β β β β PCS Food & Nutrition β β β β β β β β β βFor last year's words belong to last year's language And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning." from 'Little Gidding' by T. S. Eliot We have big plans for our PCS food program in 2025. Please join the next School Nutrition Advisory Committee (SNAC) meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 to continue to shape our school food environment! The meeting will take place in the library at Petaluma High School (201 Fair Street, Petaluma, CA 94952) from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM. Please RSVP here. Your input is so important! This meeting will mainly focus on updating our Local School Wellness Policy. We really need your perspective as we develop the policies that will inform how our district approaches nutrition (e.g. meals, snacks), nutrition promotion (e.g. nutrition education and programs), and our school food environment (e.g. fundraisers, after school activities). It will be a full meeting but a critically formative one for our school food program. As always, everyone is always welcome at SNAC. Please come and lend your voice to this yearβs priorities. β β β β β Come Work at PCS! Where education is not just what we do. Itβs who we are. β β β β View Job Openings β β β β Check out this week's highlighted job opportunities below: β Instructional Assistant,Special Ed (RSP) - Petaluma High School Instructional Assistant, SOCC (LSC) - Petaluma High School Instructional Assistant,Special Ed (RSP) - Casa Grande High School (Multiple Positions) Librarian (1.0 FTE) - Petaluma Junior High School If you have any questions regarding any of our open positions, please contact our Human Resources Department at (707) 778-4795 or email hrinfo@petk12.org. β β β β Be A Guest Speaker, Give a Workplace Tour, or Offer Internships! β β β β Can you provide opportunities for students? Visit bit.ly/PCS-WBL to get in touch! β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β Follow Us! β β β β β β β β β We enjoy sharing magical moments with our community to give our followers a glimpse of what we're all about. At PCS, education is not just what we do, it's who we are. We're here! Be here with us! You can find us on Instagram or Facebook. β β β
Saturday, Jan 18 2025
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π₯³ TK - 6 Grade Priority Registration NOW OPEN!!! βοΈ
β β TK - 6th Grade Priority Registration NOW OPEN! 7 Great Schools, One Amazing Education β β β β β β β β Dear Elementary Families, β β β β If you have a new incoming TK (transitional kindergarten) - 6th grade student who is ready to join one of our learning communities in the 2025-26 school year, it's time to start the enrollment process. The TK-6 priority registration window opened on January 9, 2025 and will close on February 14, 2025. Visit www.petalumacityschools.org/enroll to apply today! TK Information In the 2025-26 school year, any student who will turn 4 on or before September 1, 2025 is eligible to attend TK. Additionally, the adult to student ratio for TK next year is 1:10, meaning each TK class will have up to 20 students with a full-time teacher and instructional assistant leading the learning. At PCS we want to make sure we staff and plan accordingly for our expanding TK families, so please be sure to enroll soon! Kindergarten Information In the 2025-26 school year, any student who will turn 5 on or before September 1, 2025 is eligible to attend kindergarten. If your child is already enrolled at one of our PCS elementary schools for TK and you plan to stay at the same school for kindergarten, you do NOT need to re-enroll. Changing Schools in 2025-26? If you are planning to change schools from one PCS school to another PCS school, please complete an application via SchoolMint. Thank you in advance for spreading the word to your neighbors, friends, and family members that enrollment is now open! With excitement, Amy Fadeji, Communications Coordinator afadeji@petk12.org β β β β β β β β Our Elementary Schools β β β β We know enrollment can be confusing in Petaluma! There are so many districts and schools to choose from. Our seven PCS elementary schools for the 2025-26 school year are: Grant Elementary Mary Collins at Cherry Valley McDowell Elementary (Dual Language Immersion and Traditional Track available) McKinley Elementary McNear Elementary Penngrove Elementary ***NEW*** Public Waldorf Charter School at Valley Vista β β β β Upcoming Campus Tours β β β β β β β β β β β β Transfer Information β β β β Wondering if you need a transfer? β Visit the transfers page of our Petaluma City Schools website to learn more. Email transfers@petk12.org for specific questions. β β β β β β β β Questions? β If you have questions about enrollment, you can reach out to any of our elementary schools or contact Amy Fadeji at afadeji@petk12.org. β β
Thursday, Jan 16 2025
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π¦ Monthly Monarch: January News & Updates! βοΈπ
β β Monthly Monarch McDowell Community Newsletter January 8, 2025 β β β β β β β β β β β β π Welcome Back to School, McDowell Families! π β Happy New Year! We hope your holidays were filled with joy, relaxation, and special moments with loved ones. As we step into January, weβre excited to welcome everyone back to campus for a new semester of learning, growth, and community. π’ We Need Your Input! Dear McDowell Families, Your voice matters! Help us improve communication and better support our school community by completing a quick survey. π Share your preferences, feedback, and ideas to ensure weβre meeting your needs. π Click here to take the survey: Link Thank you for helping us make McDowell the best it can be! π π‘ A Message of Support and Commitment We know immigration enforcement concerns have created fear for some families in our community. Please know that McDowell and Petaluma City Schools are unwavering in our commitment to ensuring all students feel safe, valued, and supported. Every student, regardless of immigration status, has the right to a free public education. We are dedicated to creating a welcoming, respectful environment for all. Immigration status will never be questioned or used against any student or family. Our schools remain sanctuaries where every childβs safety and well-being come first. π² Read more about our communityβs commitment here. Together, weβre building a stronger, kinder, and more connected community where every child has the opportunity to thrive. π Exciting January Events! This month is packed with fun and opportunities for families to come together. Be sure to stay updated with all the events and announcements below so you donβt miss out! Hereβs to a fantastic start to 2025! Letβs make this year one of kindness, achievement, and connection. π In partnership, Ruth Miller, Principal McDowell Elementary School & Dual Language Immersion Academy β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β January Breakfast Menu β β β β January Lunch Menu β β β β β β β β β β β β π A Huge Thank You to Our Amazing PTA! π β Dear McDowell Families, We are so fortunate to have such an incredible PTA here at McDowell! Your dedication, creativity, and endless hard work have made a tremendous difference in our school community this year. From raising vital funds for our students to organizing fun and enriching activities, youβve truly gone above and beyond to support our kids and staff. We couldnβt do it without you! π‘ The Power of the PTA Our PTA is more than just a group of volunteersβitβs the heart of our school community. Your efforts help provide resources and experiences that inspire our students and bring us all closer together. Beyond that, PTAs create opportunities for connection, lasting friendships, and a shared sense of purpose that strengthens our school and community. π To All Our Current Members: Thank you for giving your time, energy, and love to our school. Whether youβve planned events, donated time or resources, or simply shown up to lend a hand, youβve helped make McDowell a better place for everyone. π’ Weβre Always Looking for New Members! If youβve ever thought about getting involved, weβd love for you to join us! No matter how much or how little time you can give, your contributions matter. π Next PTA Meeting: ποΈ January 14 β° 9:00 AM π McDowell Elementary Letβs keep the momentum going and make this year even more extraordinary for our students and families. Together, we can accomplish amazing things! With gratitude and appreciation, Ruth Miller Principal, McDowell Elementary School β β β β β β β β β β β β β π Discover January Adventures at the Sonoma County Library! βοΈβ¨ β January Events Join us for events throughout the month of January, from chair yoga to tiny art workshops. All events are free and you don't need a library card to attend; registration is required for select events. See some of our January events below! Kids Dream Together: MLK Tiny Art Workshop Create a mini art piece while learning about Martin Luther King Jr.βs vision for equality, justice, and community. For grades 4-6. Please register to receive a reminder email. At six libraries: Rohnert Park Cotati, Cloverdale, Healdsburg Fitch Mountain Elementary School Estrella Library, Sonoma Valley, Rincon Valley, and Sebastopol. Seeds and Reads: All About Owls Learn about barn, screech, great horned, and burrowing owls, then dissect a real owl pellet to discover what owls eat! For grades K-6. Please register to receive a reminder email. At five locations: Roseland, Cloverdale, Northwest Santa Rosa, and Sonoma Valley libraries, and the Healdsburg Community Center. Teens January Journals Explore your goals for 2025 while enjoying snacks and cocoa! Journals, prompts, and snacks provided. Grades 7-12. At five locations: Rohnert Park Cotati, Sonoma Valley, and Roseland libraries, and the Healdsburg Boys & Girls Club and Petaluma Community Center. Tiny Art for Teens: MLK Edition Create art inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. on mini canvases. Art will be displayed for MLK Day (January 20) and during Black History Month. Prompts, art materials, and snacks provided. Grades 7-12. At seven locations: Central Santa Rosa, Rincon Valley, Northwest Santa Rosa, Cloverdale, Sonoma Valley, and Sebastopol libraries, and the Petaluma Community Center. β β β β β β β β β β β β β β PETALUMA COMMUNITY UPDATE - SPECIAL EDITION β Happy New Year, Petaluma! As we bid 2024 goodbye and head into 2025, weβre excited to connect with you and share the many wonderful things happening in our city. One new initiative from this year was the launch of our One Petaluma Podcast β and we invite you to listen in to hear from city staff on projects big and small! Itβs a great way to stay informed, engaged, and up-to-date on all the exciting happenings here at the City - and to understand how they impact our community. Check out past episodes, subscribe, and get ready for an exciting lineup of topics this year. Click the links below to listen. Episode 1 - Empathy and Information: Meet the City Communications team working behind the scenes to bring you information about your local government. Episode 2 - Safe Streets: Learn about our Safe Streets program and how the Public Works team is working to improve not just the condition of our roads, but expand mobility options across the City. Episode 3 - Fire Season: Our team shares important info on our fire risk here in Petaluma and how they work with other jurisdictions and community groups to create a system of mutual aid to strengthen our protections in the event of fires and other disasters. Episode 4 - At Your Civil Service: Originally posted the week of the 2024 Presidential Election, this episode provides a deep dive on how local government serves the community, no matter what happens in any given November. More to come! In 2025, weβll be kicking things off with an episode dedicated to the Petaluma Fairgrounds β a space close to the heart of our community. Weβll also be exploring topics like community policing, Petalumaβs General Plan, and the Blueprint for Climate Action in the months ahead! You can listen on our website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Click the link below to view all the places you can listen to the podcast now: https://cityofpetaluma.org/subscribe/. And donβt forget to subscribe for future episodes! β β β β β β β β β β β β β β πβ¨ Helpful Resources & Links ππ» β π Stay Connected with McDowell! π Here are some helpful resources and links to keep you in the loop: π PTA Facebook: Stay updated on PTA events and news. π School Events Calendar: Never miss an important date! ποΈ District Year at a Glance Calendar: Mark your calendar with holidays, breaks, and important school days. π₯ͺ School Breakfast & Lunch Menu: Check out our tasty meal options. π Home-School Compact: Learn how we work together for student success! π Volunteer Sign-Up: Get involved and make a difference! βοΈ Attendance Line: Call (707) 778-4746 to report absences. π€ Illness Guidelines: Find out when your child should stay home. π» Stay informed, stay involved! π β β β
Wednesday, Jan 08 2025
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Community Message re: Resolution Declaring PCS as a ...
Dear PCS Community, I hope this message finds you well and you are as excited as we are to have your students back in the classroom on Wednesday, embarking on a new semester of learning and growth. Over the past few months we have heard from many members of our community including teachers, staff, parents, students, and local organizations regarding the anxiety and fear many are having with regards to immigration enforcement.Β Recently, the Board of Education passed ResolutionΒ 2425-19 Β ( English Β /Β Spanish )Β which reaffirms our unwavering commitment to every student in Petaluma City Schools. This resolution makes it clear:Β all students, regardless of their immigration status, have the right to a free and public educationΒ that allows them to learn and grow at their highest potential. This resolution reflects our shared belief and moral obligation that our schools should be places where all students feel welcomed, safe, supported, and free from fear or discrimination. What This Means for Our Students: A Right to Learn : Every child, regardless of where they come from or their immigration status, has the right to attend public school and receive an education. This fundamental right is guaranteed under U.S. law and is at the very core of who we are as a District. We will always stand by our students and protect their right to learn. Safety and Respect : We are committed to creating a learning environment where every student feels valued and respected. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on immigration status or any other aspect of a studentβs identity. Every child deserves to feel safe when they walk through our doors. Privacy and Protection : We will never ask about or collect information regarding a studentβs immigration status. Our priority is your childβs education, not their background. We believe that no child should feel singled out or unsafe because of who they are. A Sanctuary for All Families : Immigration enforcement activities, including the presence of ICE or other law enforcement agencies, have no place in our schools. We will continue to protect the learning environment for all students and their families. Our schools are a place where your childβs safety and well-being come first. I know these conversations may bring up feelings of uncertainty or concern for some of our families, and I want to acknowledge that. Please know our District is here for you. We are here to support every child, every family, and every member of this community. If you have any questions, or if you need guidance or reassurance, our counselors, teachers, and school staff are here to listen and help. Together, we are committed to ensuring that Petaluma City Schools remains a place where every studentβregardless of their immigration statusβhas the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. We are stronger as a community because we support each other, and every child deserves the chance to reach their fullest potential. Thank you for being a part of this incredible community. We are honored to serve your family, and we will continue to walk alongside you in ensuring that all of our students feel loved, supported, and empowered. Yours in education, Tony Hua, Deputy Superintendent Petaluma City Schools
Monday, Jan 06 2025
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βοΈ PCS Newsletter - December 20, 2024 βοΈ LAST ONE of...
β β PCS Newsletter December 20, 2024 β β β β β β β β Dear PCS Community, β β β β As we approach the final days of the year and prepare for the winter holiday break, Iβd like to take a moment to express my gratitude for the strength and spirit of our community. During this busy time of yearβwhether balancing holiday preparations, work, or everyday routinesβitβs easy to lose sight of the importance of the relationships we share and the collective effort that makes our community so special. I am incredibly grateful for the dedication, collaboration, and resilience shown by every member of our PCS community. This semester has been one of growth, connection, and shared accomplishments, and I look forward to seeing this journey continue in the year ahead. Last Thursday evening, over 500 of us gathered together for PCS on the Ice to celebrate the season. For those who were able to join, we hope the event brought a bit of holiday magic, whether on the ice or from the sidelines. A special thank you to our partners at the City of Petaluma for providing early VIP access to this wonderful addition to our community. If you were unable to attend, Luma Ice is open to the public and will remain available through January 7th. My time as Acting Superintendent has flown by and I am grateful for all of the connections I made with many of you over the past several months. In January, Dr. Louann Carlomagno will join PCS as Acting Superintendent for the remainder of the school year. I know you will give her a warm PCS welcome. As we celebrate the end of the semester, we know many are wrapping up final projects and preparing for the break ahead. Whether celebrating with loved ones or taking time for rest and reflection, we wish everyone a peaceful and joyful holiday season. We look forward to the new opportunities and growth that the coming year will bring. Warmest wishes for a restful and joyful holiday season. We look forward to seeing you in 2025! In partnership, Esmeralda MondragΓ³n, Ed. D. Acting Superintendent, Petaluma City Schools β β β β β β β β Happy Winter Break! β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β New Public Waldorf Charter School Opening in 2025-26 β β β β This week, the PCS Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a new TK-8 dependent charter school which will operate at the current Valley Vista campus in the 2025-2026 school year. At Petaluma City Schools, we believe that all student scholars should have rich academic options that meet their unique needs. This new school will be a Public Waldorf Charter School. The approval of this charter reflects extensive planning, community input, and a shared commitment to providing students with a variety of unique educational experiences. If you are interested in exploring this new school as an option for your childβs education, we invite you to join us on a tour in the month of January. Contact Jaime Buschman (jbuschman@petk12.org), Principal at Valley Vista to learn more. Additionally, there is much planning that will happen in the months ahead and community input will continue to be critical to the success of our new school. We welcome your participation and feedback! β β β β TK - 6th Grade Priority Registration Opens Right After Break! β β β β January 9th - February 14th β If you have an incoming Transitional Kindergarten (TK) or Kindergarten student starting school in the 2025-26 school year, make sure you save the date for Priority Registration which opens on January 9th and closes on February 14th. Help us spread the word to your friends, neighbors, and family members that all students who turn 4 on or by September 1, 2025 are eligible to start TK in the 2025-26 school year! Students who turn 5 on or by September 1, 2025 are eligible to start Kindergarten in the 2025-26 school year. If you are a current PCS TK - 6th grade family and you plan to stay at your same school for the 2025-26 school year, you do NOT need to register your child. If you plan to move schools in the 2025-26 school year, you DO need to register. The registration platform we use is called SchoolMint and the link will be available on our PCS website and via ParentSquare once priority registration opens. For enrollment questions, contact Amy Fadeji (afadeji@petk12.org). β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β A Heartfelt Message from PCS Food and Nutrition β β β β β β β β βThere is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.β β Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol As 2024 comes to an end, the PCS Food Service team would like to express our deep gratitude for this community. All our favorite moments this year had one thing in common: your students. We recognize that every meal served each day is a chance to make a positive impact on our students' well-being, foster a healthy relationship to food and ensure students are ready to thrive in the classroom. Itβs a responsibility we take very seriously; a job we love; and we could not do it without your continued support. Thank you! We have been working hard to continually improve our food program and we hope that you and your students have experienced some positive changes this past year. We have much more planned for 2025. On behalf of the PCS Food Services team, we wish you and those close to you a fun, peaceful holiday season filled with joy, good humor and laughter. May the new year bring you and yours health, happiness, and wonder. Cheers! β β β β Resolution Recognizing Petaluma City Schools as a Safe Haven District β β β β At the December 17th Board of Education meeting, the PCS School Board passed a resolution recognizing Petaluma City Schools as a Safe Haven District. Additionally, we passed a Board Policy to direct staff as to how to respond to immigration inquiries. A more detailed safe haven message will go out in January. β β β β β β β β Come Work at PCS! Where education is not just what we do. Itβs who we are. β β β β Check out this week's highlighted job opportunities below: β Secretary, Office Manager (1.0 FTE) - Grant Elementary Instructional Assistant,Special Ed (RSP) - Casa Grande High School Purchasing Coordinator - Business (District Office) Counselor (0.5 FTE) - Adult Education If you have any questions regarding any of our open positions, please contact our Human Resources Department at (707) 778-4795 or email hrinfo@petk12.org. β β β β View Job Openings β β β β Seniors: Apply to SSU Over the Break! The Petaluma Promise Offers Guaranteed Admission to PCS Students. The Application Window is Still Open! β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β Community Happenings Sharing Community Reminders & Events β β β β Register for i9 Sports - Winter Season β β β β Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Flag Football & T-Ball! Ages 3-14 β Visit i9sports.com to register. β β β β β β β β TODAY: Lighted Bike Parade β β β β β β β β β β β β β β LumaCon 2025 β β β β β β β β β February 1, 2025 β Do you know about Lumacon? Lumacon is Petaluma's very own youth-oriented comic con. We have around 25 professional artists sitting side by side with 40 to 50 youth artists from 5th grade and up, sharing the amazing things they create. Along with the artists we have LARPing, a drawing room, a cosplay competition, Star Wars characters, and more. We also have a contest going on right now for those who like to write. Open until mid-January we have a Drabble contest. A Drabble is a 100-word story. There are two divisions and prizes for the top stories. And all the stories are published on Lumacon's website for everyone to read and enjoy. To learn more go to lumacon.net. β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β β Follow Us! β β β β We enjoy sharing magical moments with our community to give our followers a glimpse of what we're all about. At PCS, education is not just what we do, it's who we are. We're here! Be here with us! β β β β β β β β β β β β
Friday, Dec 20 2024