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  • PCS Newsletter September 21, 2023

    PCS Newsletter Dear PCS Community, Towards the beginning of this year, I shared a bit about our five (5)  District goals  and I’d like to highlight Goal 3: All student scholars and families will be engaged in their learning community. One strategy we are implementing to reach this goal is to create Districtwide experiences that allow students to explore their interests. This week, six of our PCS schools (Grant, McNear, McKinley, Valley Vista, Petaluma Junior, and Petaluma High) accepted the invitation to experience an  out-of-this-world presentation by Colonel Nicole Mann , who was born in Petaluma and became the  first female commander of a NASA Commercial Crew Program launch , the first Native American woman to go to space, and one of  USA Today’s women of the year . Colonel Mann shared with our students that in high school she didn’t have everything figured out and that  it’s perfectly normal to change courses along your career path because “the sky is never the limit.”     Bringing Colonel Mann back to her hometown of Petaluma was a community wide effort and I’d like to thank  NASA  for their partnership to inspire the next generation of Petalumans. In addition, Petaluma High Social Science teacher, Mr. Brian Granados, the vice president of a local, non-profit History Connections, played a huge role turning this dream into a reality.  From Petaluma High metals teacher, Mr. Keith Benson, who gives students the  opportunity to make real-world parts for NASA , as part of the  NASA HUNCH Program , to the Petaluma Police Department and Petaluma Fire Department for escorting Ms. Mann from the front of Petaluma High to our red, white, and blue patriotic tunnel made up of McNear students, to the PHS band led by music teacher, Mr. Cliff Eveland, who played a welcome tribute to Ms. Mann, the day was just extraordinary. Our students witnessed Mayor Kevin McDonnell and Vice Mayor Janice Cader Thompson proclaim September 19, 2023 as Nicole Mann Day on behalf of the City. Our own  Trojan Broadcast  team led by broadcast journalism teacher, Mr.Jamil Dawsari, live streamed the event and captured the entire day on video.  I look forward to continuing to collaborate with our community partners to ensure our student scholars and families are engaged in their learning community and always striving for excellence.  In partnership,   Matthew Harris Superintendent, Petaluma City Schools PCS IN THE NEWS ‘It’s an incredible thing’: Astronaut Nicole Mann inspires Petaluma students NASA astronaut honored by her hometown Petaluma The Casa Revista  (student newspaper) The Trojan Broadcast Channel  (student news) Weekly highlights from Petaluma sports scene The Petaluma River is in good health, experts say, and cleanups help keep it that way BIG TIME CONGRATS! Jake Dunn, Outstanding Leader in Agricultural Education Each year the  Sonoma County Harvest Fair  selects outstanding members of the Sonoma County agricultural community to be honored for their contributions to the preservation and enhancement of farming in Sonoma County. This year, Petaluma High teacher  Mr. Dunn , is being recognized for working around the clock to ensure agricultural education in Sonoma County is the best in the world. Currently, Mr. Dunn teaches Intro and Advanced Ag Mechanics, Intro and Advanced Welding, Ag Systems Management, and Small Engines. Way to go, Mr. Dunn! STUDENT & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT School Athletics and Transportation This school year, our District is partnering with our comprehensive Junior High and High Schools and their Booster Clubs to improve the experience for our PCS athletes and their families. A $50,000 contribution will be made to each of our comprehensive high schools to support with umpire and referee fees as well as the transportation of athletes. Our comprehensive junior high schools will each receive a $10,000 contribution to be used for the same purposes. In addition, we are working on improving our ability to transport students to and from school by adding 9-passenger electric vans to our fleet of buses, as well as hiring additional drivers. This will greatly improve our ability to transport students to and from school, to field trips, and for after-school sports and school-related events.  Walking School Bus Comes to McKinley! Last week, McKinley School and the  Petaluma People Services Center  (PPSC) launched our first “PCS Walking School Bus.” In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint and provide a safe and fun start to the day, students meet up each Wednesday at 8:00 AM at our local  PEP Housing  community to walk to school with a team of “community elders” and neighborhood families.   If you are interested in starting a Walking School Bus in your neighborhood, please reach out to Elece Hempel, Executive Director at PPSC at  elece@petalumapeople.org . What I Wish My Parents Knew Film Parents, you are invited to a film screening on Monday, October 2nd at 5:30 PM at Petaluma High School, called 'What I Wish My Parents Knew,' by Mental Wellness Media. This powerful documentary normalizes the critical conversation about youth mental health and offers support to you as you traverse the challenges of parenting in these times of struggle on our kid's mental wellbeing as well as our own. There will be time for Q&A/discussion following the film. Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) Advisory Committee On September 20th, we held our first LCAP Advisory Committee Meeting. This meeting was in-person at McDowell and had approximately 30 participants. The strong representation of our parent community and staff adds to our confidence that our LCAP process and plan will truly reflect our core values and priorities to meet our goals of ensuring greater student achievement for all. The committee would like to share the following takeaways: The committee reviewed several data points and acknowledged the discrepancies between our English Learners and Students with Disabilities compared to our school wide population. The committee learned about the LCAP process and reviewed the current goals. The committee acknowledged the concern that approximately half of our PCS students do not have a trusted adult on campus. The committee acknowledged that PCS is moving in the right direction with bringing more real world connectedness to student learning but more work needs to be done. The committee also acknowledged the meeting was well organized and recognized there is still a lot of work to do to improve our student outcomes. Our next LCAP meeting will be held on October 25th at McDowell Elementary from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM. At this meeting we will review data around graduation rate, suspension, expulsion, absenteeism, local pulse survey as well as updates around our district budget.    While our 6th-grade and 8th-grade students are just settling into the school year, our junior highs and high schools are preparing to start enrollment season! Be on the lookout for events and opportunities to learn more about the incredible secondary experiences we offer our PCS students. If you have a current 6th or 8th grader, we encourage you to take campus tours and attend info/preview nights to learn more. Dates will be announced soon! Enrollment activities will take place all throughout October, November, and December and will even include student field trips during the school day. It's an exciting time to be a 6th and 8th grader in PCS! Elementary enrollment season begins in December/January and extends into the spring. For enrollment questions, email our communications coordinator, Amy Fadeji at afadeji@petk12.org  COMING UP! Casa Grande Symphonic Band to Perform at Sonoma State Pint-sized Learning Series @ Crooked Goat Brewing HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH From September 15 - October 15, we will be celebrating  National Hispanic Heritage Month  as part of ongoing efforts to acknowledge, recognize, and honor the diverse histories and backgrounds of our students, staff, and families. Join the  Sonoma County Library  in celebrating California's Latin American roots and discover, “Why September 15th?” BREAKFAST & LUNCH MENUS Visit our  PCS Food Services Department website  to see what we’re serving for breakfast and lunch! Did you know the National School Lunch Program is about WAY more than just food? By completing your household application, our schools qualify for funding that help with before and after school programs, classroom supplies and other student opportunities. Households that qualify are also eligible for additional benefits such as discounts on internet and cell phone bills, childcare discounts, health care benefits and more! Complete your household application today via Linq Connect (formerly Titan)  www.linqconnect.com

    Thursday, Sep 21 2023

  • Outdoor Air Quality Concerns in Sonoma County

    Dear PCS Community,  I hope that you are all having a wonderful week! With yesterday’s return of smoke and ash from  fires burning in Northern California and Southern Oregon , the County of Sonoma has issued a  health advisory due to poor air quality . In addition, the Petaluma Fire Department is encouraging all residents to use the  Watch Duty App  if there are questions about where various fires are located. The  Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s Air Quality Advisory  is forecast to last through the end of the day today, and clear up in our area by Thursday. As was previously shared, Petaluma City Schools uses the  Sonoma County Schools Air Quality Guidance  ( Español ) to support our decision making in how we keep students and staff safe in the case of unhealthy outdoor air quality.  During unhealthy outdoor air quality days, we will use the Sonoma County Schools Air Quality Guidance chart below, as a guide, when determining next steps. Currently, this morning at 7:00 AM on  fire.airnow.gov , Petaluma has a localized air quality reading of 138 AQI (which varies depending on exactly where you are on the map), placing us in the Orange Tier (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).  Per our guidance, we will  Avoid vigorous outdoor activities and consider holding recess indoors, For  longer activities  such as athletic practice, take more breaks and do less intense activities. Consider moving indoors or rescheduling, Watch for symptoms and take action as needed, Students with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep their quick-relief medicine handy. If our localized reading moves to 151 AQI or above, placing us into the Red Tier (Unhealthy), we would begin to: Move all activities indoors or reschedule them, Watch for symptoms and take action as needed. Students with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep their quick-relief medication on hand. We will continue to monitor our air quality throughout the day and make adjustments accordingly. Please be on the lookout for communications from your school administrator, athletic director, and/or coaches regarding special events and after school sports practices and games. In partnership, Matthew Harris Superintendent, Petaluma City Schools

    Wednesday, Sep 20 2023

  • Happy Monday, PCS! A few things...

    HOW HAS YOUR PCS BACK TO SCHOOL EXPERIENCE BEEN? Please take 5 minutes (or less!) to share your experience this year, particularly as you consider the start to the school year at PCS. You will see this same local survey in both winter and spring so we can track our progress on goals throughout the year, improving as we go. All surveys are anonymous. The deadline to complete the survey is Friday, September 15th. Please provide your feedback by clicking on one of the following family survey links:  Local Family Survey (Fall 2023) in  English Local Family Survey (Fall 2023) in  Spanish THIS WEDNESDAY: PCS JOB FAIR! COME CHECK IT OUT!

    Monday, Sep 11 2023

  • 🦋McDowell News Week of September 11 - 15

    MCDOWELL NEWS Principal's Message Hello McDowell Families, Tomorrow marks the 22nd year anniversary of the September 11 attacks.  This week, as I was visiting classrooms, Mrs. Lauritzen's 5th grade students asked me where I was when 9/11 happened.  It was a powerful moment to share with these students who were not even born when this attack on their nation happened.  We also had a few visitors from Spain who came into their classroom and they also shared where they were and how they felt when they heard the news.  I was greatly impacted to hear from young adults from the other end of the world sharing their experiences of fear and sadness to see the United States under attack.   I'm glad to see our students not only learning history, but learning the stories of those who lived through the experiences.  I invite you to share with your child your story of where you were when the attack happened.  Most importantly, let's celebrate the fact that we grew up as a nation that day and we learned that we are stronger together and that we can face anything when we come together. Thank you and have a Marvelous Monarch Week! In Partnership, Ruth Miller, Principal    🦋Upcoming Events/Notices🦋 Jog-a-Thon Fundraising Has Begun The school Jog-a-Thon is our largest fundraiser of the year.  The funds that are earned contribute to an enriched educational experience for your child.  Last year, the PTA was able to use the funds to purchase the following:  Spirit Wear Walk-a-Thon shirts for all the students and staff Materials for the school Books for the school Teacher allowance money ($350 for each teacher including support staff) Yearbooks for all the 6th graders Give-backs such as free coffee and pastries for Fiesta Navidena and St. Patrick’s Day Root Beer Floats Recess Equipment Special Field Trips Garden Program Support 6th Grade Camp equipment such as sleeping bags and pads Raffle Prizes Monthly Coloring Contest prizes- vouchers for free ice cream at Baskin Robbins Projector for school Jumbotron screen for school Support Art Program Teacher Appreciation Week Teacher and staff lunch and breakfast (2 times a school year) Pizza donations for classroom parties Drinks and snacks for “West Side Relays”  Kindergarten cap and gowns 6th grade and Kindergarten promotion decorations  Deposit for 4th grade Gold Country Trip 📖Petaluma Library News Release Library Card Sign-Up Month The Sonoma County Library is kicking off Library Card Sign-Up Month with an invitation for local residents to get a library card—and possibly win a prize. The library offers career resources, tech help, literacy classes to crafting workshops, with online tools and in person support and inspiration. It also offers free digital resources, all accessible with a library card, including streaming digital classes, tutoring help, resumé help, job skill improvement, business development and more. Library Card Sign-Up Month is a great reminder to visit local branches to talk to a librarian and get your questions answered, use free WiFi, browse the collections, enjoy storytime with your children or socialize at one of the many events for all ages. During the month of September, new cardholders will automatically be entered into a drawing to win a Sonoma County Parks Pass or Oliver’s Market gift card when they sign up for their Sonoma County Library card.  For more information on getting a library card, click here: https://www.sonomalibrary.org/join/getacard   Volunteer Opportunity - Art Docent Program 🎨 Are you interested in art? Do you like children? Combine the two in a unique volunteer opportunity! The Art Docent Program is looking for volunteer docents to teach art in elementary grade classrooms. Absolutely no art experience is  necessary- all you need is a love of art and the desire to bring art into children’s lives. Volunteer time is flexible and training time is minimal.  We will be having a few MANDATORY Informational meetings for all interested people: When : Wednesday, 9/13 @ 9 a.m OR 9/14 @ 9 a.m.. Where : McDowell Elementary (room A2) 421 South McDowell Blvd.  Please enter through the Main Office and turn right towards the Clusters.  Please contact Alyse Breece, Art Docent Coordinator at abreece@petk12.org or phone 707-778-4958. 💦Petaluma River Cleanup Saturday, September 23rd Friends of the Petaluma River is hosting the annual Fall Petaluma River Trash Cleanup on California Coastal Cleanup Day, Saturday Sept. 23rd, in downtown Petaluma. We are trying to build a gathering of about 200 volunteers along the River and feeder creeks to remove approximately 5000 pounds of trash and debris from the Watershed. This effort helps to ensure that habitat is free of harmful elements and inhabitants of the Watershed can enjoy cleaner water and vegetation with barriers removed.   We are hoping to have a large number of student and family participation in our cleanup event. Our post-cleanup celebration will include live music, a BBQ, a raffle and interactive activities for participants in order to show our appreciation for their volunteer efforts. Friends of the Petaluma River is also happy to offer time certification to students needing to meet graduation or other requirements for volunteer hours.   Friends of the Petaluma River is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization. Our mission is to promote stewardship of the Petaluma River by working throughout its watershed supporting educational and recreational activities, creating and providing celebrations of the cultural and natural history of the River, promoting a community voice for the River and enhancing public access.   Please plan to join McDowell school and Friends of the Petaluma River for this community give back event.   After School Art Class💫 Some heading here Art class began on Monday, Aug. 28 for grades 4th-6th.  Class starts at 3:30 - 4:30.  There is still space, so register now by clicking here to secure your child's spot in the class. 🥫Food & Funds Drive Redwood Empire Food Bank  For the month of September, we will be collecting food or funds for the Redwood Empire Food Bank.  It is a great opportunity to be the change that we want to see by giving back to our community.  Every little bit counts.  If each child brought in one item of food, we could easily fill up two bins.  If you would like to donate directly, please click here. The bins are located in the main office and beside the Boys and Girls Club room (A1).   Please note, this is purely optional, if you currently find yourself in need of food, please reach out to the Family Resource Center.  McDowell School hosts the Redwood Food Bank at our sight for anyone in our community every Friday morning.   🗓️Week at a Glance  Mon. Sept. 11 Regular Schedule Wacky Hair Day! TK/K Dismissal 1:50 1st - 3rd Dismissal 2:40 4th - 6th Dismissal 3:00 Tue. Sept. 12 Regular Schedule TK/K Dismissal 1:50 1st - 3rd Dismissal 2:40 4th - 6th Dismissal 3:00 Wed. Sept. 13   Wednesday Schedule  Zun Zun Assembly 10:45 TK/K Dismissal 12:10 1st - 3rd Dismissal 1:05 4th - 6th Dismissal 1:05 Thurs. Sept. 14 Regular Schedule School Site Council 8:30 TK/K Dismissal 1:50 1st - 3rd Dismissal 2:40 4th - 6th Dismissal 3:00 Fri. Sept. 15 Regular Schedule TK/K Dismissal 1:50 1st - 3rd Dismissal 2:40 4th - 6th Dismissal 3:00 🦋Useful Links & Information     McDowell Community Calendar                     PCS Academic School Calendar             Bell Schedule:  English Spanish School Wide  School Wide Expectations Cold and Flu Season Notice 2022-2023 COVID-19 Message Attendance Line: (707) 778-4746

    Monday, Sep 11 2023

  • PCS Newsletter September 7, 2023

    PCS Newsletter Dear PCS Families, I hope you all had a nice Labor Day weekend! My family and I drove out to Dillon Beach for the day and enjoyed the sand and salt water, reminding me how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful place on this Earth. On August 14th, we held a Back-to-School Professional Development Day for all District employees. Our focus this year was to reinforce the importance of making sure our students feel connected to at least one trusted adult at school. To be clear, this trusted adult could be a teacher, counselor, custodian, instructional assistant, administrator, senior secretary, mentor, coach, or any adult on campus. The most important thing is that our students have an adult on campus they can turn to when they are in need.  Research shows  that just one trusted adult can have a profound impact on a child’s life. Students who can identify a trusted adult have an increased sense of safety, predictability, and a dependable source of support. Having a trusted adult at school can support students in setting goals, making decisions, regulating emotions, building empathy, increasing their sense of self worth and belonging, and is even a key factor in building grit and resilience. Lastly, having a trusted adult at school can  improve attendance  and model how to build and maintain positive and trusting relationships throughout our students’ lives.  At the end of last school year, we asked our students: “When I’m feeling upset, stressed, or having problems, there is an adult from school who I can talk to about it.” 45% of our students reported that they could identify that trusted adult at school. As a District, our priority is to ensure that  all students  feel this way. To achieve this goal, we are starting by asking our students what they need, creating opportunities to build these relationships, tracking progress throughout the year, and giving extra attention and support to students who are not connected at school.  If you’re wondering how you can join forces with Petaluma City Schools in making sure our community youth have multiple trusted adults in their lives, consider joining our partner organization,  Mentor Me .  Mentor Me has been a great source of trusted adults for our students for many years. In our District alone, Mentor Me currently has over 70 students waiting to be paired with a mentor. If this opportunity resonates with you, please consider becoming a mentor and supporting our goal to ensure every student has a trusted adult on campus.    In partnership,   Matthew Harris Superintendent, Petaluma City Schools PPSC Mentor Me:  Mentors make a BIG impact on the lives of our young people. Help us match our 70 waitlisted students with  mentor s. It only takes   one caring adult   to make a difference in the life of a young person! Make sure every young person on our waitlist is matched by signing up or letting a friend, a neighbor, or a coworker know they'd be a   great mentor ! PCS IN THE NEWS Pickleball a smash hit with old and young alike in Petaluma Prep football: Casa Grande blasts off in home opener win against Berkeley Prep football: Petaluma dominates against Santa Rosa in longtime rivalry Congressman Jared Huffman visits Petaluma High School Trojan Broadcast Channel (student-led) FAMILIES: PARTNER WITH US & PLAN FOR THE FUTURE! Do you want to have a direct impact on your child's learning experience? We invite you to be a part of the Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Committee—a crucial platform where your voice matters. Why Join the LCAP Committee? Advocate for Your Child:  As a parent, you understand your child’s needs better than anyone else.  By joining the LCAP Committee, you can advocate for resources, programs, and policies that directly benefit your child and all students.   Make a Difference:  Your insights and perspective can shape educational priorities and funding decisions. By participating, you contribute to creating an equitable and enriching learning environment for all students. Community Representation:  Ensure that your community’s diverse perspectives are heard and considered. Your presence on the committee ensures that decisions reflect the needs and aspirations of all families. Transparency and Accountability:  Be part of the decision-making process and contribute to the transparency and accountability of educational decisions. Your involvement helps ensure that resources are used efficiently and responsibly. Don’t miss this opportunity to be  a part of the change you want to see in education. Sign up for the LCAP Committee and become a voice for your child, your community, and the future.  Together, we can create a stronger, more inclusive, and equitable educational system.  Interpretation, childcare, and dinner will be provided at each meeting.  Meetings will take place from 5:30-7:00 PM at McDowell Elementary on the following dates: September 20, 2023 October 25, 2023 December 13, 2023 November 29, 2023 January 17, 2024 Ready to take action? Email Assistant Superintendent Tony Hua ( thua@petk12.org ) in our Educational Services Department. SEE YOU AT THE PCS JOB FAIR NEXT WEEK! If you are interested in making a difference and a profound impact in our community’s future, Petaluma City Schools is the place to be. Join us at our PCS Job Fair on September 13th from 4:00 - 6:30 PM to learn about our current openings and interview to join our team. Our list of current openings can be found at  bit.ly/petk12jobs . FAMILY SURVEY: READY, SET, GO! If you were a PCS family last year, you’ll remember that one of our District goals is to ensure that all student scholars and families are engaged in their learning community. Family engagement is linked to academic outcomes and, at PCS, we want to learn from our families and their experiences in our schools. Please take 5 minutes (or less!) to share your experiences with us, particularly as you consider your family’s start to the school year. You will see this same local survey in both winter and spring so we can track our progress on goals throughout the year, improving as we go. In January 2024, we will be administering the full YouthTruth family survey which is more comprehensive and takes a little more time. Both surveys (PCS local and Youth Truth) are anonymous. Please provide your feedback by clicking on one of the following family survey links:  Local Family Survey (Fall 2023) in  English Local Family Survey (Fall 2023) in  Spanish STUDENT AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT Petaluma City Schools was awarded a planning grant through the California Community Schools Partnership Program (CCSPP) for the 2023 - 2024 school year. The CCSPP supports schools’ efforts to partner with community agencies and local governments to align community resources to improve student outcomes. These partnerships provide an integrated focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development, and community engagement. Community schools often include four evidence-informed programmatic features, which are aligned and integrated into high-quality, rigorous teaching and learning practices and environments: Integrated support services; Family and community engagement; Collaborative leadership and practices for educators and administrators; and Extended learning time and opportunities. As part of the planning grant funding, our District hired a Community Schools Coordinator, Molly Nagel, who will be conducting asset and needs assessments. Please be on the lookout for Community Forums at your school site. Community Forum dates will be announced in your school’s Parent Square notifications and will offer you an opportunity to ask questions and share concerns.  🎉 YOUTH RIDE FREE! YIPPEE! 🎉  Take advantage of our various public transportation options in Petaluma and Sonoma County. Youth ride free! BREAKFAST & LUNCH MENUS Visit our  PCS Food Services Department website  to see what we’re serving for breakfast and lunch!

    Thursday, Sep 07 2023

  • Outdoor Air Quality Concerns in Sonoma County

    Dear PCS Community,  What a fabulous start to the school year! I want to take a moment to thank all of our teachers and staff for their hard work, in particular everything that has been done to give students opportunities to build community, strengthen connections, and enjoy a positive return to school. I am incredibly proud to be part of such a dedicated and professional group of educators, who are consistently focused on our students.  With the earlier-than-anticipated arrival of smoke and ash to Sonoma County from the  Smith River Complex Fire  in Del Norte County and the  Happy Camp Complex Fire  in Siskiyou County, I know that many of you are concerned about the health and safety of our students and staff. I share that concern. In a  post earlier today , the Petaluma Fire Department is encouraging all residents to use the  Watch Duty App  to know where various fires are located. Based on recent  news reports , it appears that we are going to be faced with unhealthy air for the next several days and I want to give an explanation of how we will proactively address any air quality concerns. As a District, Petaluma City Schools uses the  Sonoma County Schools Air Quality Guidance  ( Español ) to support our decision making in how we keep students and staff safe in the case of unhealthy outdoor air quality.  Our goal is to keep school open as much as possible through unhealthy outdoor air quality days for the following reasons:  Unless families leave the area, we are all experiencing the same local air quality whether it is at home or at school.  Our school Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are robust and effective. The filters in our HVAC systems were upgraded after the fires of 2017 and we regularly monitor, maintain, and replace our systems with high-quality, MERV-13 filters throughout the District. During unhealthy outdoor air quality days, we will use the Sonoma County Schools Air Quality Guidance chart below as a guide when determining next steps. For example, if we were to have a localized air quality reading of unhealthy for sensitive groups on  fire.airnow.gov  (orange tier and above) or if students were to start exhibiting symptoms of distress, PCS would begin to move activities indoors and close all school windows and doors.  We have been monitoring our air quality throughout the morning and, as of Wednesday, August 30th at 11:40 AM, our air quality entered the unhealthy red tier (155 AQI), meaning that we will now move all school activities indoors. Please be on the lookout for communications from your school administrator, athletic director, and/or coaches regarding after school sports practices and games. We will continue to monitor air quality and make adjustments accordingly.  I look forward to seeing you around our campus and community events in the coming days and weeks. In partnership, Matthew Harris Superintendent, Petaluma City Schools

    Wednesday, Aug 30 2023

  • 🦋McDowell News Week of August 28 - September 1

    Principal’s Message Hello McDowell Families, I hope that you all had a restful weekend.  Last week, we completed our first full week of school.  Each day, students have been  making new friends, rekindling old friendships, getting to know their new teachers and procedures, and learning new things every day!  Thank you so much for the support of your child by getting them to school on time each day and fully rested.   I would also like to thank all of those who are following our new traffic procedures dropping off your students at the McGregor Gate.  Please remember to drive slowly, cross only at crosswalks and follow the directions of the staff members.  The safety of our students is our number one concern, please do not make u-turns across the double yellow lines.  As everyone follows the expectations, drop off and pick up should become smoother.   We are starting our fundraising for this year's Jog-a-thon.  This year's goal is $20,000.  Our dynamic PTA has been working hard to make this year amazing for each and every child.  The donations received will help pay for: Teacher/staff allowance Classroom Supplies Yearbooks Special Field Trips Art Program Classroom Parties Garden Support Teacher Appreciation Week Please feel free to post this link or share it with friends and families.  Reach out to McDowell PTA if you would like to participate in this or any of our upcoming events. Thank you and have a  Marvelous Monarch Week ! In Partnership, Ruth Miller, Principal  Upcoming Events/Notices For the Love of Comics  After School Art Class  Art class begins on Monday, Aug. 28 for grades 4th-6th.  Class starts at 3:30 - 4:30 and, depending on registration, there may by and additional class from 5:00 - 6:00 pm.  Please register  here to secure your child's spot in the class. Back to School Food & Funds Drive For the month of September, we will be collecting food or funds for the Redwood Empire Food Bank.  It is a great opportunity to be the change that we want to see by giving back to our community.  Every little bit counts.  If each child brought in one item of food, we could easily fill up two bins.  If you would like to donate directly, please click here . The bins are located in the main office and beside the Boys and Girls Club room (A1).   Please note, this is purely optional, if you currently find yourself in need of food, please reach out to the Family Resource Center.  McDowell School hosts the Redwood Food Bank at our sight for anyone in our community every Friday morning.   Join the McDowell PTA Facebook Page! Stay up to date with upcoming events and get into communication with other McDowell families.  Join the McDowell PTA Facebook Page today! Week at a Glance MON. Aug. 28 Regular Schedule TK/K Dismissal 1:50 1st - 3rd Dismissal 2:40 4th - 6th Dismissal 3:00 TUE. Aug. 29 Regular Schedule TK/K Dismissal 1:50 1st - 3rd Dismissal 2:40 4th - 6th Dismissal 3:00 WED. Aug. 30 Wednesday Schedule  TK/K Dismissal 12:10 1st - 3rd Dismissal 1:05 4th - 6th Dismissal 1:05 THU. Aug. 31 PTA Presents: Principal's Coffee Chat 8:00 am Multi. Regular Schedule TK/K Dismissal 1:50 1st - 3rd Dismissal 2:40 4th - 6th Dismissal 3:00 General PTA Meeting 5:30 Library FRI.  Sept. 1 PTA Coloring Contest Due Regular Schedule TK/K Dismissal 1:50 1st - 3rd Dismissal 2:40 4th - 6th Dismissal 3:00 Useful Links and Information           McDowell Community Calendar                     PCS Academic School Calendar             Bell Schedule:  English Spanish School Wide  School Wide Expectations Cold and Flu Season Notice Attendance Line: (707) 778-4746 PCS COVID-19 Information Line: 707-778-4626 (Se habla Español) Aug. 31 -  PTA Presents  Principal's Coffee Chat   8:00 am Multi. Aug. 31 - General PTA Meeting Library 5:30 pm Sept. 1 - PTA's Coloring Contest Grandparent's Day Sept. 4 - No School Labor Day Holiday Sept. 14 - School Site Council 8:30 - 10:30 am Sept. 23  -  Community Help Petaluma River Clean-up Announcements August Cafeteria Menus Breakfast Lunch Petaluma Community Update English Spanish Mobile Clinic RSVP Form New Patient Registration (English) Medical and Behavioral Health Consent Form (English) Dental Consent Form (English)

    Monday, Aug 28 2023

  • Happy First Week Back, PCS! (bonus for you, MCCV & P...

    Even though our Cherry Valley & Penngrove communities just completed week three of the school year, we wanted to be sure you saw the video links below as well as an update on the professional development that took place earlier in the week. Lucky you, it's a bonus welcome back!  Enjoy! Dear PCS Community,  What a fabulous first week of school! If you didn’t get a chance to see our  first day of school video  or our  new staff video , please take a moment to check out the amazing things happening right here in Petaluma City Schools.  It was truly a lonely summer without our students and the staff and I are so happy to have students back for another exciting year! These past few days were filled with opportunities to reconnect with each other, rekindle existing friendships, and build new friendships.  I want to take a moment to thank our incredible teachers and staff for their hard work. Each year, the miracle of the first day of school comes and goes, and it is our amazing teachers and staff who put in the extra time and effort to make sure our students and families experience a special start to the school year.  The week before school started, our teachers and staff were engaged in professional learning that was focused around equity and meeting each individual student where they are, getting to know each of our students as individuals, and helping them achieve their unlimited potential through high expectations and rigorous and culturally-relevant classroom instruction.  Several times throughout this year, we will be sending out a brief survey to our students to check the “pulse” of how we are doing as a District, with a laser focus on ensuring that  every student has a trusted adult on campus . The information we gather will allow us to give extra support where needed. As we have all just experienced together, the beginning of the year brings excitement and anticipation for the amazing things the year will hold for each of us as individuals and as a broader community. We hope you will join us in supporting the many back-to-school activities and events throughout the year that are intended to build and strengthen our community.  Just like we do with our students, I want to challenge you to put yourself out there, meet new friends, welcome new faces, and deepen your connections to our PCS community. Please keep an eye out for follow-up messages from your school site, where you will learn more about events on your campus, co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities, and school-specific updates.  Have a wonderful weekend PCS, and I look forward to an exciting second week of school.  In partnership, Matthew Harris Superintendent, Petaluma City Schools Sharing Magical Moments Across PCS via Social Media  There are so many incredible things happening within our PCS community. We enjoy sharing these magical moments to give you a glimpse of what we’re all about. Follow along! We’re here! Be here with us!

    Saturday, Aug 19 2023

  • See You Tomorrow! ☀️ Be Sure To Complete These 2 Thi...

    Complete Aeries Data Confirmation!  Each year we ask our families to complete Aeries Data Confirmation for a number of important reasons, including ensuring that we have accurate and current emergency contact information for every student. Aeries Parent Data Confirmation is required for each student in your family.  If you already have an Aeries Portal account and you forgot your password, click "forgot password" and you'll be given a new one! A more detailed email regarding Aeries Data Confirmation was sent out on July 26th. Click here to refresh your memory. For additional support, please email parentconnect@petk12.org. Help your child's school win the award for the highest rate of data confirmation complete! Ready? Set. Go!  National School Lunch Program: Help Your School!   The PCS Food Services Team would like to welcome you to the 2023-24 school year! Did you know the National School Lunch Program is about WAY more than just food? While all students continue to receive free meals this year, our PCS families are strongly encouraged to fill out the free and reduced meal application to help secure school and district funding. Households that qualify are also eligible for additional benefits such as discounts on internet and cell phone bills, childcare discounts, health care benefits and more! Complete your  household application  today via Linq Connect (formerly Titan).  This form is requested annually so if you completed an application last year, please complete it again. If you did not complete this form last year, please register today. We value your time and hope you'll find our FAQs helpful on the  PCS Food Services website .  Happy 19th Day of School to our Penngrove and Cherry Valley Families! We're so excited to have our traditional schools back in session tomorrow! We’re here, PCS. Be here with us.

    Wednesday, Aug 16 2023

  • Happy First Week Back, Cherry Valley and Penngrove!

    Dear Cherry Valley and Penngrove Families & Staff, Welcome to the 2023-24 school year! What an exhilarating week it has been at both campuses. We are so happy to have you back with us, as these last few days of back-to-school energy have filled us with a renewed sense of purpose. The beginning of the year brings so much excitement and anticipation for the amazing things this year will hold for each of us as individuals and as a broader community. Now more than ever, we are  committed to connection , ensuring  every student has a trusted adult on campus . We hope you will join us in supporting the many back-to-school activities and events throughout the year that are intended to build and strengthen our community.  I invite you to challenge yourselves in the coming weeks to meet new friends, welcome new faces, and deepen your connections to others. Please keep an eye out for follow-up messages from your school site, where you will learn more about events on your campus, co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities, and school-specific updates.  In partnership, Matthew Harris Superintendent, Petaluma City Schools  Sharing Magical Moments Across PCS via Social Media  There are so many incredible things happening within our PCS community. We enjoy sharing these magical moments to give you a glimpse of what we’re all about.  We’re here! Be here with us! Follow Petaluma City Schools on social media.

    Friday, Jul 21 2023