Monday Message
Information for ABCUSD teachers and staff
December 19, 2022
Superintendent's Message
Dear Colleagues,
Happy holidays, colleagues! If you’re like me, you probably feel like the school year just started, yet here we are at the winter break. This school year is moving very quickly. In fact, we are at about the halfway point.
As I think about this school year and my visits to our schools, I’m reminded about why it is we do what we do - educate children. Our “industry” is unlike any other. We don't manufacture goods like cars. We don’t sell goods or services like Amazon. We don’t offer consumer services like a law firm. What we do is much more important than any of those industries. In fact, those industries wouldn’t exist without what we do. We teach and support children.
So, as you leave for winter break to spend time with family and loved ones, please take time to reflect on the importance our collective work has on our nation. I know you are probably tired and weary, which is to be expected when you work as hard as we do; but, like most things worth doing, our work is both challenging and rewarding. May you get rest over the break and come back recharged to do all we can for our students.
Thank you, and I wish you all a happy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Toan Nguyen
Interim Superintendent
Board of Education Selects New Officers
The ABCUSD Board of Education selected new officers and swore in recently elected members at the December 13, 2022, regular meeting. Board members Ernie Nishii, Dr. Olga Rios, and Soo Yoo were welcomed back and sworn in after having been recently reelected. The Board then selected Brad Beach to serve as President, Sophia Tse as Vice President, and Ernie Nishii as Clerk for the coming year.
Free COVID-19 Tests
Gahr STEAM Day
CHiPs for Kids Donates Toys
Bragg Students Raise Funds for Students in Africa
Gonsalves Elementary on KABC7
Were those Gonsalves Grizzlies you saw on KABC7 TV’s Spark of Love toy drive at the Los Cerritos Center mall? The school’s student council organized a holiday toy drive to brighten the season. They collected more than 260 toys and delivered them at the Spark of Love collection event. Principal Mr. Benko and students were interviewed and appeared on the morning news. Great job, Grizzlies!
Connect with EASE
County Chief Academic Officer Visits ABC Migrant Ed
Congrats to the Artesia Band
December 12, 2022 Board Meeting Recap
The ABCUSD Board of Education took the following actions at the December 12, 2022, regular meeting:
Approved community member and student appointments to Board Advisory Committees
Ratified the District’s grant application submitted for the School COVID Prevention Partnership program for the 2022-2023 school year
Nominated Board Member [NAME] to serve on the California School Boards Association Delegate Assembly
Adopted the calendar of Board meetings for the 2023 calendar year
Adopted Resolution 22-42 acknowledging January 23-27, 2023, as the Great Kindness Challenge Week
Approved Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5141.21 - Administering Medication and Monitoring Health Conditions to allow for the anti-overdose medication Narcan to be used at schools
Conducted a Public Hearing and approved Resolution 22-43 authorizing the granting of a partial fee acquisition and temporary construction easement to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority for the expansion of the 91 Freeway
Approved a contract for a compensation study with Ewing Human Resources Services for the 2022-2023 school year
Approved a request to contract with Advantage Communications, Inc. to provide speech and debate enrichment classes to students in the ABC EXCELS expanded learning and after-school programs for the 2022-2023 school year
Approved a request to contract with Scratch DJ Academy LLC to provide visual and performing arts activities for students in the ABC EXCELS programs at Aloha, Cerritos, and Melbourne Elementary Schools for the 2022-2023 school year
Approved a request to contract with Bollywood dance choreographer and dancer Nakul Dev Mahajan to provide Bollywood dance enrichment classes for students in the ABC EXCELS programs at Bragg, Burbank, Carver, Elliott, Furgeson, Gonsalves, Hawaiian, Juarez, Kennedy, Leal, Niemes, Nixon, Palms, Stowers, Willow, and Wittmann Elementary Schools for the 2022-2023 school year
Approved the First Interim Report for the 2022-2023 fiscal year with a positive certification and budget adjustments as reflected in the report
Approved RFP ABC-1599 to Leadership Associates for superintendent search services
Approved Bid Award ABC-1602 Interim Classroom Portables to William Scotsman as the lowest responsible bidder
Calendar
December:
23 - January 6, 2023 - Winter Break
January:
16 - MLK Day (No School)
17 - Board Meeting
19 - First Semester/Second Quarter Ends (Secondary Schools)
20 - Student Free Day (Secondary Schools)