My name is Dwight Rogers and I am very excited to introduce myself as the new Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. I am honored that I was chosen to work with such an amazing educational community. I have heard about the passion amongst the students, teachers and parent community and excited about what's to come.

On the first Friday of each month, this department will put out a newsletter highlighting events, policies and current information as it pertains to the Conejo Family. We will showcase the wonderful world of students and families in their element, share stories and hopefully bring a smile to your day.

There will be a theme each month focusing on areas of DEI. This month we will feature the word Unity. For the purposes of this newsletter, Unity is to strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and humanity. Next month's word will be Respect.

The District has a wide variety of ways in which you can join. As the district moves to become more inclusive, your voice and actions are needed. Below are the names of the current committees and people to contact if you would like to join. Just click the link to learn more about each group.

The African-American District Advisory Council (AADAC) Dr. Dwight Rogers (drogers@conejousd.org)

Special Education District Advisory Council (SEDAC) Dawn Thomas (dthomas@conejousd.org)/Erika Johnson (ejohnson@conejousd.org)

Districts English Learners Advisory Committee (DELAC) Dr. Ricardo Araiza (RAraiza@conejousd.org )

LGBTQ+ Advisory Council Shauna Ashmore (sashmore@conejousd.org)

GATE District Advisory Council (GATE-DAC) - Shauna Ashmore (sashmore@conejousd.org)

Attention ALL students! The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department needs your help! We would like to make a video (Tic Tok or YouTube ) each month promoting the most important people in the district ( all of you!!).

Each month the DEI Department will promote a theme that focuses around inclusivity and diversity. Your ideas and energy are needed to make this a success. Please email me at drogers@conejousd.org if you would like to submit your video. Every month a winner will be selected for prizes and your video will be highlighted in the DEI's newsletter!

The theme of the month for September is Unity.

Come on Conejo, show the world your talent!!!!

I will see you at the Student DAC meeting on the 29th.

High-speed internet has become a necessity of modern life, which is why the Ventura County Office of Education is supporting a statewide effort to make it available to everyone.

The California Broadband Council is spreading the word that low-income families can receive a $30 monthly discount on home internet service and a $100 discount on a computer or tablet. There are about 80,000 households in Ventura County who are eligible for these discounts that haven’t yet applied.

More information about the program is available at www.internetforallnow.org.

Starting September 1, the Ventura County Transportation Commission will launch a program that lets students ride the bus at no charge. In addition to taking the bus to and from school, students will be able to get free bus rides anywhere else they need to go for any reason.

Bus drivers will allow anyone who looks 18 or younger to board for free, but older students should be prepared to show a school ID. All public bus systems throughout the county will be participating and you can learn more at this link.

School meals for the 2022-2023 school year will be available to all students at no charge. Although all students will receive free meals through the duration of this school year, we request for all families to complete this Online Free / Reduced Meal Eligibility for School Year 2022-2023 form, it affects a variety of areas unrelated to school meals, including school funding, college application fees, SAT fees, bus passes and more. Even if your child does not plan to eat school lunches, it is important to fill out this form to help ensure our schools and families receive the available resources.