Soledad USD Newsletter
January 21, 2022
SCHOOL BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH
We want to take some time to thank our Board Members for their commitment, support and dedication.
Javier Galvan, Board President
Ivan Ibarra Mora, Board Vice-President
Rob Ocampo, Board Clerk
Alfredo Flores, Trustee
Monica Pantoja, Trustee
Salvation Army Food & Toy Distribution
On December 22, the Salvation Army held a holiday food and toy give away at Soledad High School. Along with the Salvation Army, participants from the Soledad Unified School District including Trustees and members of the boys basketball team along with the Soledad Police Department and officials from the City of Soledad handed out turkeys, milk, eggs and other holiday food along with toys for children.
COVID Home Test Kit Distribution
During the week of January 3-7, our district held a COVID Home Test Kit distribution at Soledad High School. District team members assisted in distributing over 1,900 kits to parents, so that students could be tested for COVID prior to returning to school from winter break.
A BIG Thanks to the COVID Home Test Distribution Team!
How to Order Free At-Home COVID Tests from the Federal Government
The Federal Government launched a website where individuals can order rapid COVID tests for their household, Please see the details below on how to order your free at-home COVID tests from the federal government:
Americans are now able to request free at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government as the country faces widespread shortages. Those shortages will also impact how many free tests you can request, with the White House limiting orders to just four free tests per home.
The website, COVIDTests.gov, is now online and is processing requests for tests. These tests are completely free to order, with tests expected to ship within 7 to 12 days.
Available tests are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR tests. All of the tests being shipped are FDA-authorized, but you will not be able to select which brand you receive. The tests give results within 30 minutes and can be used whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms or are vaccinated.
Monterey County Vaccine and Testing Links
You will find links to vaccines and testing sites below. Unfortunately, COVID is also impacting the testing site staff. Some needed to close last week. Daily changes to the schedule will be posted at MontereyCountyVaccines.com.
Please let me know if you have any questions and as always, please share broadly.
VACCINE LINKS
English:
- Carmel | PG
- Castroville
- Gonzales | Soledad
- Greenfield | King City
- Marina
- Monterey
- Sand City | Seaside | Del Rey Oaks
- Salinas 93901
- Salinas 93905
- Salinas 93906
- Salinas 93907
- Carmel | PG
- Castroville
- Gonzales | Soledad
- Greenfield | King City
- Marina
- Monterey
- Sand City | Seaside | Del Rey Oaks
- Salinas 93901
- Salinas 93905
- Salinas 93906
- Salinas 93907
TESTING LINKS
English:- Peninsula: Carmel | Monterey | PG
- Peninsula: Del Rey Oaks | Marina
- Peninsula: Seaside
- Salinas: 93901 | 93905
- Salinas: 93906
- North County: Castroville | Pajaro
- South County: Gonzales | Soledad
- South County: Greenfield | King City
Spanish:
Professional Development Day - January 10, 2022
The district held professional development sessions on January 10. Lunches prepared by the Soledad Lions Club were distributed to team members at Soledad High School. Thanks to the Soledad Lions Club!
Rotary Students of the Month
The December Students of the Month were recognized at the January 13 Rotary Club Meeting. Congratulations to:
Ansel Cossyleon - Soledad High School
Giovanni Bravo - Main Street Middle School
Breanna Trenado - Pinnacles High School
COVID Vaccination Clinic
Our district, in partnership with the Soledad Medical Clinic held a COVID vaccination clinic on January 19 at the Soledad Community Center. Over 100 students and employees participated in getting vaccinated and boosted. Thanks to our MOTF team and Nurse Dave Autore for providing support for the event.
STEAM Professional Learning Opportunities and Collaborative Networks
The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI)
The Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) is a scholarship/career development opportunity for high school seniors in districts. This is a $40,000 program for students who plan to study STEM degrees at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Applications are accepted until February 15th. Contact Kelly Montes de Oca (communications@fossi.org) with any questions.