Byron USD Monthly Newsletter
August 2021
Superintendent's Message
Dear BUSD families,
First and foremost, I want to thank each and every one of you for the vital part you had in returning our students to campus for the 2021-2022 school year! From the classroom teachers and other educators working to make teaching and learning possible, our support staff at each site and the district office that keeps enrollment running, facilities ready, technology operating, and food service in place, this has been a shared effort by all involved, including our administrators, students, and parents/guardians.
Of course, our first week of district-wide in-person instruction since March of 2020 was not without challenges, but I was continually impressed with the willingness of staff to respond and adjust. Thank you to our parents/guardians for their patience and flexibility during the unique start of this school year. We will continue to monitor developments for each school site and consider how we can best adjust to maximize learning and safety. Whether related to COVID-19 mitigation measures, transportation, or other developments, I look forward to the ongoing partnership with BUSD staff, community, and Trustees as we work toward continuous improvement.
Please know that the safety of our students and staff remains a priority. Accordingly, my office will continue to assess conditions on an ongoing basis. While remaining focused on student access to safe and complete in-person instruction, additional updates and guidance will be forthcoming as it becomes available.
Again, great appreciation to all our staff throughout BUSD for making this return to school possible. Families, thank you for being a partner with us in your student's education.
Sincerely,
Reyes Gauna, Ed.D., Superintendent
“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” ~ Henry Ford
IMPORTANT DATES
- September 6, 2021 - Labor Day Holiday (NO SCHOOL)
- September 9, 2021 - Regular Board Meeting
- September 13, 2021 - Climate Committee Meeting
- September 16, 2021 - Safety Committee Meeting
- September 20, 2021 - Regular Board Meeting
- September 22, 2021 - Finance Committee Meeting
- September 29 - October 1, 2021 - Conferences/Minimum Days
To access the Student Calendar for the 2021-2022 school year CLICK HERE.
August - National Back to School Month
National Back to School Month has been observed since the 1960s. The school year has traditionally begun in the fall and ended in late spring allowing the children of farmers in our agricultural society to help with planting and harvesting.
Back to School Month in August gears up parents, teachers, schools, and students for a season of education. With shorter days, it’s time to dust off the backpacks, fill them up, and plan for a new school year. Preparing children for the new year includes everything from supplies, clothes, checkups, planning schedules, and making new friends. Teachers develop their lesson plans and ready their classrooms for the new, smiling faces.
Curriculum and Instruction
We are excited to announce that we will begin our Parent Academies the week of September 7th. Throughout the year, our district will be hosting various Parent Academy nights to engage families in supporting their students learning.
Topics will include, but are not limited to:
- How to use district digital tools such as Schoology, Aeries, ThinkCentral, MyPath, etc.
- Ways to support your child’s mental well-being
- Help understanding math concepts
- Resources to support literacy skills in early learners through middle school
Our first series of Parent Academy nights will be held virtually over Zoom. This session will cover how to use Schoology and other district digital tools. There will be 3 sessions, one for elementary school families, one for Excelsior families, and one for our Spanish speaking families. Please be on the lookout for dates and times of these events!
Thank you and we look forward to working with you all!
- Nicole Sample, Curriculum and Assessment Coordinator
SCHOOL NEWS
Timber Point Elementary
The wolf pack is doing great at Timber Point! The students are doing amazing with following the school rules and procedures. We had our make-up picture day on Wednesday and our HOWL (How Our Wolves Learn) intervention for learning loss began this week. We are so excited for HOWL and can’t wait to see our students bridge the learning loss gap from last school year as we journey to excellence! Our Plenty 20 reading program is back and students that read 4 or more additional hours outside of required reading earn a lanyard and collect pins based on number of hours read. It’s wonderful to see the wolf pack enjoying reading! Breakfast Book Club will be starting soon and this is a parent funded club to help foster a love for reading. Students that signed up will be given a grade level book to read and discuss at meetings along with a light breakfast. We are very fortunate to have an amazing community here in Discovery Bay. Dr. Gray from Discovery Bay Veterinary Clinic will be sponsoring our monthly Breakfast with the Principal for our students of the month! Thank you Dr. Gray for your support and generosity. Our PTA funded wildlife assembly will take place on September 1st and will be virtual again this year. Our wolves love seeing and learning about other animals. We are the PACK (Positive, Accountable, Caring Kids)!
- Principal Susan Evans
Discovery Bay Elementary
Our school year is off to a great start! In addition to the Pledge of Allegiance, we have added our new Discovery Bay Elementary pledge. Our students have learned it quickly and are reciting it from memory.
-Principal Erika Parlog
Excelsior Middle School
Beauty and the Beast Production
- Tuesday, Sept. 14 @ 7pm ($10 and $12)
- Wed. Sept. 15 @ 7pm ($10 and $12)
- Thurs. Sept. 16 @ 4pm (matinee pricing, all tickets $9.00) and 7pm ($10 and $12)
- Fri. Sept. 17 @ 7pm ($10 and $12)
- Sat. Sept. 18 @ 11am and 2pm ($10 and $12)
Seating has been reduced to 50% capacity and seats are socially distanced by group.
Community Resources/Information
COVID-19 Information:
- Parent Information from the CCHS COVID-19 Communication Playbook for Schools
- Primary.Health COVID-19 Testing Registration Link
To access Byron Union School Districts COVID-19 Page, please click here .
Nurse's Corner - Meagan Maurer, LVN
If you need to contact her directly, please email her at mmaurer@byron.k12.ca.us or her office number which is 925-809-7511.
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
2021-2022 Byron Institute for Independent Study Teacher
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1438758
CLASSIFIED STAFF
Occupational Therapist
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1384548
Campus Supervisor/Crossing Guard @ Excelsior Middle School
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1438273
2021-2022 Instructional Aide
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1419895
Short Term SAI Aide @ Discovery Bay Elementary
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1455353
Short Term SPED Instructional Aide @ Timber Point Elementary
https://www.edjoin.org/Home/DistrictJobPosting/1455363
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
Contact Information
Superintendent Reyes Gauna
Email: RGauna@byron.k12.ca.us
Website: https://www.byronunionschooldistrict.us/
Phone: 925-809-7501