SOLEDAD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 15, 2021
Message from Randy Bangs, Interim Superintendent
I want to take this opportunity to Welcome everyone back, and thank you for an excellent week to start off the second half of the year. I also want to express appreciation for a great day of professional development on January 11. We had over 600 certificated and classified employees participating in professional development on topics including student engagement, assessment, self-care, COVID updates, special education, customer service, food safety, medical training, transportation safety, zones of ruston, well-being in the workplace, student mental health and counseling services. Special thanks to all of our presenters as well as staff who put the PD day together.
The district continues to monitor developments on COVID. As shared, on Monday, the Governor released his Safe Schools for All proposed plan. It includes four elements:
Funding to support safe school reopening
Safety and mitigation measures for classrooms
Hands-on oversight & assistance for schools
Transparency & accountability for families & school staff
Schools would submit plans to qualify for funding. The proposal has to be considered by the state legislature before it takes effect.
We are exploring a plan to make cadence COVID testing available to district employees. More information will be shared when it becomes available. In terms of vaccines, the Monterey County Health Department is overseeing vaccination of persons in Tier 1a - first responders, medical and hospital personnel as well as senior citizens. Education employees are in Tier 1b. There is no timeline for when Tier 1b vaccines will be available.
On Monday, January 18, we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was a transformative figure whose work, speeches and writings continue to inspire and have meaning for us to this day.
Thanks to everyone for your service to our district.
2020–25 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025 were released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS). These guidelines are released every five years and provide science-based recommendations for achieving healthy dietary patterns. The guidelines are designed for use by healthcare professionals and policy makers and serve as the foundation for the key messages of federally funded nutrition programs.
The key recommendations contained in the edition released today are similar to those of the past. Additionally, and for the first time, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans include recommended healthy dietary patterns for infants and toddlers. The MyPlate approach to public education has also been preserved, with the overarching message of this release to “Make Every Bite Count” by:
- Following a healthy dietary pattern at every life stage.
- Customizing and enjoying nutrient-dense food and beverage choices to reflect personal preferences, cultural traditions, and budgetary considerations.
- Focusing on meeting food group needs with nutrient-dense foods and beverages from five food groups – vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy and fortified soy alternatives, and proteins – and staying within calorie limits.
- Limiting foods and beverages higher in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium, and limiting alcoholic beverages.
Finally, although the committee recommended further reduction of added sugar and alcohol, this edition did not include changes to the recommended amounts, citing lack of evidence to support specific changes.
For more on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, visit https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/ where you can access the full report, an executive summary, online materials, and consumer resources.
Monterey County Office of Education Distance Learning Resources
Second Virtual Professional Development Welcome Back Address January 11, 2021
Welcome Back
Welcome Interims
Garry Bousum, Interim Chief Business Officer
Welcome to the Soledad Team!
Welcome New Board Members
Mr. Roberto Ocampo
City of Soledad Art Contest
City's Centennial Celebration
The City of Soledad is reaching its 100th year as a city on March 9, 2021. They are are working on creating a set of events to commemorate our beautiful city. As a start for these set of events, the City of Soledad would like the help of students to kick-off their Centennial Celebration by having a virtual art showcase starting on January 19, 2021. Students of all ages are welcomed to participate!
To participate in this art showcase, students are able to submit an 8.5 x 11 drawing of their choice answering the question, “What does Soledad mean to you?” which can be focused on their favorite spot in town or their favorite memory in Soledad. There are two ways students are able to submit their art work. The first way they are able to submit is via email at centennialcelebration@cityofsoledad.com or have it dropped off at City Hall, details on all of this are included in the flyer below.
The submitted artwork will be showcased via The City of Soledad Facebook Page every second Tuesday of each month, starting on February 9th. They will be displaying the student’s artwork, their first name, grade and school name only. All participants will be then have a Centennial Keepsake be delivered to them as a form of appreciation for their submission!
It is important that all participants include the following information:
- First Name (last name not necessary)
- Grade
- School
- Student Address (to have a Centennial Keepsake delivered)