Thank you for completing the 2021-22 school year interest survey. As you can see below, our survey has indicated a relatively small number of families are interested in remote learning in 2021-22:

High School - 205
Middle School - 286

Elementary School - 462

As I have reported in my weekly message, we are planning for full in-person instruction when the 2021-22 school year begins on August 6. Principals will reach out this summer during the planning phase to families that expressed an interest in remote learning to discuss distance learning options.

National Principals' Day fell on a Saturday this year. So we are celebrating it tomorrow, Monday, May 3. Please take the time to send your gratitude to your school's principal. On behalf of the Board of Education, we are very proud of the outstanding work our site leaders have done, not only during the pandemic, but year in and year out.

Over 250 students at Norte Vista HS are involved in Service Learning Projects for the community. Many have even earned the Seal of Civic Engagement. We will honor those students at an upcoming Board meeting. These students have been nationally recognized for their work. Many of the students are heavily involved in highly successful programs at NVHS, such as Global Leadership and AVID. See the News section below for a few examples of some of the projects. Many NVHS staff members are to be commended for supporting our students pursuing service learning. And a special thanks goes out to Ms. Bush and Mr. Reyes for their tireless effort. Congratulations to our outstanding students for this incredible work.

The California Department of Education annually recognizes schools for distinction based on their exceptional record preparing their students for college and career. This past week, State Superintendent of Schools, Tony Thurmond, announced that Hillcrest High School earned this extraordinary and prestigious award. Hillcrest joined JFK Middle College High School on the campus of Norco College, Palm Desert High, Temescal Canyon High, and Paloma Valley High as the only high schools in Riverside County that met the lofty requirements.

The Distinguished School Award is based on performance and progress on state indicators specified on the California School Dashboard, the state’s accountability and continuous improvement system. Indicators include test scores, suspension rates, and conditions and climate. Congratulations to the students, staff, and the entire Hillcrest High School community for this outstanding accomplishment.

On the COVID front this week, our two weeks of trending in the wrong direction reversed this week as Riverside County improved the case rate, from 4.5 to 3.9, and the positivity rate, from 2.3% to 2.1%. That's good news as we plan a limited number of year-end events, primarily for seniors, including a formal and traditional graduation event.

Out of an abundance of caution, elementary school and middle school promotions and other traditional year-end events will be similar to last year's events, in the interests of everyone's safety. Our schools will each mark their students promotional milestones in their own unique way in the safest celebration possible. Look for details from your principals.

By holding "safe" events instead of the traditional manner in which we annually conduct these events, we are simply being cautious. Maybe even overly cautious. However, in no way are we implying these milestones are not significant in the development of our students or meaningful for their families. We fully expect to conduct business as usual regarding school activities and events next school year.

On behalf of the Board of Education, we greatly value your support and your educational partnership and look forward to brighter days ahead.

Stay positive. Stay safe. Be well.

Sincerely,

Allan Mucerino