Byron USD Monthly Newsletter
October 2021
Superintendent's Message
Dear BUSD Families,
I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Fall Break. I am sure that you and your family are getting excited about the end of October, Halloween weekend, and the trajectory towards the Thanksgiving holiday. We are thankful for and celebrate as our students and staff continue to make strides during these unprecedented times. Throughout the pandemic, everyone has carried the critical responsibility of being vigilant about health and safety measures and shared the duty to keep students and staff safe—all of this on top of our commitment to educate, challenge and inspire all students.
As COVID-19 continues to be a part of our daily lives, please know that as a district, BUSD will continue to ensure that our health and safety practices are fully aligned with the recommendations of our local and state health officials. We will continue to review the details of all regulations as they are confirmed and communicate with the community on a regular basis.
Our Trustees and I thank you for your focus and continued support of our learning community.
With BUSD pride,
Reyes Gauna, Ed.D., Superintendent
“It is not what is poured into the student, but what is planted that counts.”
~ E.P. Bertin
IMPORTANT DATES
- October 27, 2021- Finance Committee Meeting
- November 1, 2021 - NO SCHOOL
- November 4, 2021 - Regular Board Meeting
- November 11-12, 2021- NO SCHOOL (Veterans Day Holiday)
- November 17, 2021- Safety Committee Meeting
- November 18, 2021- Regular Board Meeting
- November 22-26- Thanksgiving Break
To access the Student Calendar for the 2021-2022 school year CLICK HERE.
Principals Month - October 2021
The past year and a half has ushered in some dark days, yet principals across the country have persisted as beacons of light in their communities. Not only have they gone above and beyond to ensure their students’ academic success, they’ve also worked tirelessly to protect the health and safety of every person in their learning communities — often with little or rapidly changing guidance. With every new challenge, they’ve risen to the occasion and led their learning community forward with the bold leadership it deserves because they are the experts in what their students and schools need.
Celebrated every October, National Principals Month is an opportunity for district leaders, elected officials, parents, students, teachers, staff, school leaders, and communities to celebrate and honor our incredible principals for their visionary leadership and tireless pursuit of success for each student.
During National Principals Month, we would like to show our appreciation for Principal Evans, Principal Parlog, and Principal Vergara. Thank you for being such a strong leaders during these unprecedented times. #ThankAPrincipal
RESOURCES
SCHOOL NEWS
Timber Point Elementary
It was another great month for the Wolf Pack. The week before fall break we had our Book Fair. Our amazing librarian, Ms. Brooke did a wonderful job and the book fair was a great success! We are focusing on community building and several of our classes BOO’d each other with some amazing chalk artwork. On Wednesday 10/20 the Wolf Pack participated in the Street Smarts Walk and Roll to school event. Families were encouraged to leave the car at home and walk or roll to school. Breakfast Book Club also met to discuss last month’s book and received a new book to read and discuss at next month’s meeting. Thursday 10/21 we participated in the statewide The Great California ShakeOut event promoting earthquake awareness. This week the fun continues with our Red Ribbon Spirit Week and Halloween Parade! We hope you can join us for the Halloween parade beginning at 8:45am on Friday October 29. We are the PACK!
-Principal Susan Evans
Discovery Bay Elementary
Discovery Bay Elementary is ready for a Spook-tacular October! Our PTA sponsored Read-a-Thon kicked off on October 18th, giving us the chance to both raise money and encourage students to read more. Classrooms are also completing reading in class which adds additional minutes to students’ outside reading. We are also so excited to be resuming our Halloween Parade during school on Friday, October 29th. Our students will have the opportunity to dress up in costume and parade around the Discovery Bay Shopping Center. Our students and staff appreciate the businesses in our shopping center that continue to support our annual tradition! Finally, our Dolphin Drive-Thru Trunk-or-Treat is happening from 5-7pm on Friday, October 29th. This is an opportunity for students and their families to drive through our parking lot and check out some fun decorations, while receiving candy treats along the way. After exiting our parking lot, families are encouraged to check out Mountain Mikes and Callahan's for a special Dine-Out night, where a portion of the proceeds will be donated back to our school. Be sure to mention DBE when you go!
-Principal Erika Parlog
Excelsior Middle School
As we are now in the second quarter, our students are beginning to settle in. Last month, we were able to begin student activities. Along with the softball season, we were able to put on the production of Beauty and the Beast. The performances were exceptional and our families and community were able to enjoy the production. This month, we’ve begun the holiday season. During the week of Parent-Teacher Conferences, Ms. Dani, our Librarian, hosted the fall Book Fair. We want to thank those that came out and supported the fair. It was a huge success. On Thursday, October 21st our students joined other BUSD students in Trick-or-Treating for canned food in Discovery Bay. This event was held so our students could help those that are in need. Continuing in the Halloween spirit, we will be having our “Haunting of Excelsior” event Wednesday, October 27th. From 12:30 pm. to 2:30 p.m. Our Leadership class is hosting the outdoor event with games, music, food, and prizes. Promises to be a good time for all attending. Looking forward to November, we are excited for our second round of MAP testing. We have been diligently working in the classroom to help our students grow and succeed. We are eager to see the growth made this winter. Finally, Cross-Country is in full swing and we anticipate a successful season for our Falcons.
-Principal Lem Vergara
Community Resources/Information
CHOOSE LOVE MOVEMENT
The Choose Love Formula™ is based on the profound result of practicing the character values inherent in “Nurturing Healing Love,” which are:
Courage + Gratitude + Forgiveness + Compassion in Action.
These four character values are easy to learn. When practiced, they strengthen the health and resilience of individuals, improve the community and culture of groups and promote a safer, more peaceful and loving world.
The benefits of teaching SEL in schools are significant; the addition of neuroscience, positive psychology and character education delivered by the no cost Choose Love For Schools™ program has a positive impact in overall school culture and the students’ and educators’ and school staffs’ lives outside of school, too.
COVID-19 Information:
!! PLEASE NOTE THAT COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT AND VERIFICATION FOR STUDENTS 5 AND ABOVE WILL NOT BE REQUIRED UNITL JULY 2022. FURTHERMORE, WE ARE AWAITING MORE INFORMATION REGARDING EXEMPTIONS AND WILL COMMUNICATE INFORMATION AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE TO US. !!
- COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2021-22 School Year
- Parent Information from the CCHS COVID-19 Communication Playbook for Schools
- Primary.Health COVID-19 Testing Registration Link
- CCHS Quarantine Counting Guide
- CCHS Modified Quarantine Timeline
- CCHS Youth Sports Guidance
To access Byron Union School Districts COVID-19 Page, please click here .
BUSD Employment Opportunities
Are you interested in working for The Byron Union School District?
If you’ve ever considered a job working with the school district, there is no better time than now!
The Byron Union School District has the following opportunities available for employment opportunities:
CERTIFICATED STAFF
Substitute Classroom Teacher
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1317227
Speech and Language Pathologist
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1394760
Intervention Teacher
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1419853
Part time Elementary Music Teacher
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1434124
CLASSIFIED STAFF
Chief Business Official
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1484037
Occupational Therapist
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1384548
Campus Supervisor/Crossing Guard @ Excelsior Middle School & Timber Point Elementary
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1438273
2021-2022 Instructional Aide
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1419895
2021-2022 EL Instructional Aide
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1476685
Substitute Special Education/Paraprofessional
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1455392
Substitute Custodian
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1455374
Substitute Food Service Assistant
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1455341
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Human Resources Department at (925) 809-7502 or (925) 809-7504
To see all job opening please visit EDJOIN.ORG !
Contact Information
Superintendent Reyes Gauna
Email: RGauna@byron.k12.ca.us
Website: https://www.byronunionschooldistrict.us/
Phone: 925-809-7501