WPUSD eNews
PARENT EDITION | August, 2022
WPUSD eNews: November 2022
Happy November!
I am sorry to disappoint, but there is no intro video this month. I was in San Diego presenting at a conference so wasn't in the office to record one. That said, there are still some great nuggets in this month's newsletter that you should check out: supporting your student with math, plant-based options coming soon in food services, safety protocol reminders, and information on Measure G.
As we enter the conference and holiday season, I thought it would be good to highlight changes in schedules, etc. related to upcoming dates. Please make note of the information below as it relates to your child/school.
Veteran's Day (Friday, November 11)
- No School; School Sites and District Office Closed
TK-8 Conference Week (November 14-18)
- Elementary and middle schools will have early release (~12:30 - see site schedules for specifics) all week to hold parent conferences in the afternoon.
Thanksgiving Break (November 21-25)
- No School; School Sites Closed
- Nov 21 & 22 - District Office Open (10:00-2:00)
- Nov 23-25 - District Office Closed
High School Finals Week (Dec 19-22)
- High schools will have early release (~1:00 - see site schedules for specifics) for finals
- Elementary and middle schools will have a later early release (~1:40 - see site schedules for specifics)
Winter Break (Dec 23-Jan 6)
- Dec 23-Jan 6 - No School; School Sites Closed
- Dec 23-Jan 2 - District Office Closed to the Public
- Jan 3-6 - District Office Open (10:00-2:00)
- Jan 9 - School Resumes
I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving with family, friends and/or football.
Kerry Callahan, Superintendent
Email: kcallahan@wpusd.org
Website: wpusd.org
Phone: 916-645-6350
Board Meeting Schedule Through 2022
November 15th
December 6th
December 20th (Annual Reorganization Meeting - Seating of New Board Members)
INFORMATION SECTION
In This Section
âHome Math Connection NEW!
đĽFood Service Updates NEW!
đBus Routes & Transportation NEW!
đ¤COVID NEW!
â ď¸School Safety Reminders
đŤMeasure G Information NEW!
đParentSquare Resources for Families
đ¨âđŤWe're Hiring NEW!
Home Math Connection
Supporting Your Student in Math
We received feedback from families wanting to have tips and strategies for supporting their children at home with their mathematics learning. Each month, we will be sharing some ideas for families of both younger and older children to help build student mathematical understanding at home that matches the work done at school.
Many adults with school aged children in their families have noticed a shift in how mathematics looks from when they were in school. Though different, this shift is exciting, because it balances out finding correct answers with using reasoning to explain why those answers are correct. Students are building a strong foundational understanding of numbers and how they operate.
For all students, having time after school to talk about math with the adults in their family is really beneficial. A great way to do this with pre-school and elementary aged children is to use the resource Math Before Bed. Math Before Bed is a collection of prompts that can inspire mathematical discussions that you and your children can have before bed, at dinner, or anytime.
Sometimes, the students are doing math homework unknown to the adults at home. It's been a while since we adults were in school! When students ask if their work is correct, it can be difficult to know what to do or where to go to find help. Do we call a tutor? Do we Google search? There is an app called PhotoMath that will scan a typed or handwritten mathematics question and show the correct answers along with the steps to get to those answers. It is a free, quick, and easy way to check for the correctness of your child's math homework.
Thank you for all you do to build strong community problem solvers at home. Check back next month for more tips on how to build mathematical connections at home.
Food & Nutrition Services
Plant-Based Options on the Horizon
In October, we started taste testing new plant-based menu options for students. We tested a vegan chicken caesar salad on the menu at Twelve Bridges High School. We also had Chef Chew from Better Chew, taste test a vegan mac & cheese with students at Glen Edwards Middle and First Street School. Both items were a huge hit, and we are excited to have more plant-based items on our menus after the winter break!
Grants!
On September 29th, we were awarded $74,800 from the 2022 CDE Breakfast Grants. These monies will be used to partially fund much needed equipment at Lincoln High, Phoenix High, Sheridan Elementary, Glen Edwards Middle, and First Street Elementary!
On October 3rd, we were also awarded $3,000 from the Plant-Based School Meals Microgrant. We are excited to use these funds to procure and develop plant-based menu options for our students.
Meal Application Reminder
We encourage families to apply for the meal program or complete the District Household Income Form. In doing so, schools can receive additional funding for students.
The meal application system will generate a letter, letting you know if you qualify for Free, Reduced or Paid meals. While this may seem confusing, please know that even if you are 'denied' meals, that will NOT impact your students ability to receive FREE meals at school. California has adopted universal free meals. So this means any student, regardless of their eligibility status, will have access to free meals this school year! Completing the application is a formality which allows schools to generate supplemental income based on a family's economic status.
Bus Routes & Transportation
Bus Pass Application Reminder
We want to remind families all students riding the bus are required to have a 2022/2023 school year bus pass. The 2022/2023 Bus Pass application is available by clicking here.
Bus Driver Shortage
Come join our great team of drivers! WPUSD has not been exempt from the nationwide school bus driver shortage. This has forced our district to consolidate bus routes until we are able to fill open positions. If you like driving, having holiday and summer breaks off, COME JOIN OUR TEAM. We offer competitive wages, benefit package and retirement package. Click here to apply.
Where's My School Bus?
If you're wondering where and when the bus will be arriving to take your child to school or bring them home please click HERE to check out the most up-to-date bus route times for your student.
COVID
COVID Protocols & Cases
As a reminder, we created a FAQ document (HERE) to help answer questions you may have about this updated guidance and our district response to COVID for the school year.
Numbers have been relatively low the past few weeks but, we need to continue to be alert and aware of students' health. Please continue to be vigilant and communicate with your school sites should your student become symptomatic and/or test positive for COVID.
School Safety Reminders
Stop-it Implemented District Wide
According to the Department of Homeland Security, data shows 67% of school shooters mention their plan to a friend or classmate and 42% tell more than one person or post on social media. While some of our schools are currently using an anonymous tip reporting system, the District feels the implementation of Stop-it district-wide is prudent in putting student and staff safety at the top of our priority list. As parents/guardians of students in the district, help your student(s) understand that reporting something when they see or hear something is completely anonymous and will help keep our schools safe learning environments. It could even save lives. Each site, in concert with the District Office, our mental health specialists, and the Lincoln Police Department, will work collaboratively to ensure issues are handled with care and students are receiving the services they need.
Standard Response Protocol (SRP) - What is it?
Measure G: November 2022
Measure G Information Nights
The District held three information nights on September 28th, October 5th and October 27th to present and discuss the Measure G General Obligation Bond Measure that will be on the November 8th ballot. If approved, Measure G would fund the following high priority improvement needs of the District as recommended by the Facilities Needs Committee and outlined in the Facilities Master Plan:
- RENOVATE & MODERNIZE Carlin C. Coppin Elementary, Creekside Oaks Elementary, Lincoln High School, Phoenix High School, and complete Twelve Bridges High School to prevent overcrowding, and to make sure that our school facilities and school grounds are safe, secure, and modern.
- FIX deteriorating roofs, plumbing, sewer, and electrical systems, where needed.
- REMOVE hazardous materials like asbestos and lead pipes as needed.
- UPGRADE older schools to improve fire safety, school security, building safety, and access for students with disabilities.
- IMPROVE heating, ventilation, insulation, doors, and windows to increase energy efficiency and save money.
- UPGRADE classrooms, labs, and educational technology to support high quality instruction in math, science, engineering, technology, and the arts.
- MODERNIZE outdated wiring for computer technology and internet access.
- IMPROVE physical education areas, play equipment, kitchens, and multi-use facilities for student health, safety, and access for individuals with disabilities.
- REPLACE aging portable classrooms that are expensive to repair and maintain with modern, permanent classrooms.
The presentations went into detail regarding the current needs of the district, the recommendation of a general obligation bond measure from the District's Facilities Needs Committee during the Facilities Master Plan update in May of 2022, and wrapped up with a Q&A from the community, which included some keynote remarks from members of the Measure A and Measure N Bond Oversight Committee and Facilities Needs Committee. For additional information on Measure G, Facilities Master Plan and the Facilities Needs Committee, please follow the links below.
Measure G Project Photos
Below are the proposed projects, should Measure G pass in November. Click to enlarge each photo.
Questions regarding Measure G may be directed to Mike Adell, Director of Facilities.
Mike Adell
Director of Facilities
Email: madell@wpusd.org
Phone: 916-645-6350
Roles/Responsibilities: Development, Facilities Master Plan, and Measure G Bond Questions
Hannah Ritchie
Asst. Director of Facilities
Email: hritchie@wpusd.org
Roles/Responsibilities: New classrooms, projects, and construction on School Campuses, Facilities Master Plan, and Measure G Bond Questions
Julie Brown, Facilities Clerk
Email: jubrown@wpusd.org
Roles/Responsibilities: Site Capacity, Developer Fees, and support on all of the above!
School Communications
ParentSquare Resources for Parents
ParentSquare is the primary method of communication (aside from your standard email and phone call) district and site staff will use to communicate with you! To access your account, log in through your internet browser or download the ParentSquare app. It offers different notification settings, so you are in control of when and how you receive information. Learn how to get started here!
Seeing too many emails? Switch to digest mode by accessing your account and notification settings.
WE ARE HIRING!
Get Involved with your Child's Education - APPLY NOW!
WPUSD is hiring! Check out our current job openings at https://www.edjoin.org/wpusd. We are especially in need of substitutes for both teaching and classified positions!
Other open positions:
- Technology Technician I
- School Clerk II - LHS
- Instructional Aide - Varying sites
- Custodian/Groundsman - GEMS
- Many more!
ACTION SECTION: PARENT 'TO-DO'S'
In This Section
đĄFill Out The Annual Household Income Form NEW!
đAccessing Your Child's SBAC Test Scores
đ¨Update Your Emergency Contact Information
Annual Household Income Form
WPUSD ALTERNATE INCOME FORM - Deadline for submission is Friday, November 18th
As many of you have seen since August, we have been asking for families to submit a household income form to us. As of today, only 1,094 families have done so. To those who have...thank you so much!
If you have not yet submitted the household income form, this is a gentle reminder. (If you can't remember if you submitted it or not, submit it again!) This form can easily be completed online and will provide your school with extra funding. Your school also has paper copies available, if that method works better for you.
As some of you may know, a portion of every school's funding is determined by the needs of its students. Extra funding is distributed by the state to districts and schools based on how many of our households fall into an income category that qualifies us for extra funding.
WHY FILL OUT THE FORM?
Your school might receive:
- additional support staff for schools, like Instructional Aides, Intervention Support Providers, and after school tutors
- more resources for classrooms and teachers
- additional health and wellness services
Your student(s) also gains some additional benefits:
- fee waivers for college applications
- fee waivers for college admissions exams (i.e. SAT/ACT/AP)
- a $500 CalKIDS college savings account (www.calkids.org)
Itâs a quick process and only needs to be completed once for each household. By taking the time to fill out this form, you are taking part in a process that might provide thousands of dollars in funds to the school your student attends.
Click Here to fill out Household Income Form - English
Click Here to fill out Household Income Form - Spanish
You can also request a paper copy of the form from your school office or the District Office, 600 Sixth Street, Suite 400, Lincoln, CA 95648. If you need assistance in completing this form please contact your child's school office or the District Office (916) 645-6350 and we can help!
Accessing Your Childâs CAASPP (SBAC) Test Scores
If your student was in grades 3-8 or grade 11 last year, they took a state test in the spring called the CAASPP. The test measures your studentâs academic performance in English Language Arts and Math. All CAASPP test results are now available for parents and guardians to view, and that is done via our PowerSchool Parent Portal.
Here is a quick overview on how to retrieve your studentâs SBAC results via the PowerSchool Parent Portal. âNote: the Score Reports are not yet available using the PowerSchool mobile app, so please use a web browser to access this content.
- Log on to the PowerSchool Parent Portalâ
- Once logged in, scroll down and click the Score Reports link near the bottom of the left-hand menu. (Note: if you have multiple students enrolled, make sure you have the proper student selected up top prior to clicking the Score Reports link.)
- Click the âAssessmentâ drop-down to choose the desired test, select the desired year from the âYearâ drop-down, then click âGet Reportâ
- If the assessment results are available, details will appear on the screen below. Click âViewâ to see the report. It will open on your computer as a PDF.
For more detailed instructions, see attachment below.
Review/Update Your Emergency Contact Information
Online access is now LIVE!
If you haven't done so already, you will need to review your childâs emergency contact and health information for any updates. When reviewing and updating your childâs information, you will also be electronically signing your childâs 2022-2023 Technology Use and Waiver Agreements, Student Health Insurance option, and Photo Release Opt-Out Forms.
Please contact your child's SCHOOL office if you have any questions. If you've already completed this process, no action is needed. If you have not completed this process, it may impact your child's ability to attend school events and use district technology.
**If don't have a Parent Portal account you should have received an email or letter with information and instructions to set up your account. If did not receive an email or letter or you forgot your studentâs Access ID/Password, please contact your childâs SCHOOL and they can help.**
If you need technical assistance, please email HelpDesk@wpusd.org.
Western Placer Unified School District
Website: www.wpusd.org
Location: 600 6th Street, Suite 400, Lincoln, CA, USA
Phone: 916-645-6350
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WPUSD/
Twitter: @WPUSD
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