#StrongerTogether
PCOE & PUSD - Summer Newsletter, Staff edition
Summer 2020, Weekly Communication
State Budget update
California schools must provide daily live interaction, access to technology this fall
#BLACKLIVESMATTER
While we have been focused on ending this school year and preparing for 20-21, we would be remiss to not discuss the unrest that is going on across our nation with the #BlackLivesMatter movement. I think about the conversations we would be having in our classrooms if we were in our physical schools and the important role we play as educators in providing space for students to have conversations and learn about the experiences of others. While we aren't able to do this, there are a number of resources that have been put out for all of us to listen, learn and grow. If you'd like to contribute resources, articles or thoughts to this, please add to this shared Google Doc. Additionally, here is a place to start from EducationWeek:
Board Updates
Board Meeting 6.24.20
Plumas County Office of Ed (PCOE) topics included
- Local Control Accountability Plan COVID-19 report
- 20-21 Proposed Budget (see slides below)
- Personnel Transactions
Plumas Unified School District (PUSD)
- Core Novel List for 3rd-12th grades- recommended updates to include more diversity
- Designation of CIF representatives to League
- Local Control Accountability Plan COVID-19 report
- 20-21 Proposed Budget (see slides below)
- Measure B Project Updates
- 20-21 School year planning template
- Personnel Transactions
All supporting documentation and attachments are available on our webpage.
School Board meetings are now available online via Zoom. Future meeting dates are July 15th and August 12th.
PCOE/PUSD June Family Survey
Department Updates
Food Service
The Food Service Department continues to serve each community in Plumas County, with site pick up and meal delivery routes available through August 21st. We are able to provide this service through the Seamless Summer Option under the National School Lunch Program and USDA, averaging over 5000 meals per week countywide.
We plan to provide breakfast and lunches over the summer as the need continues. We are diligently working in the kitchens preparing meals daily but also getting ready for whatever the new School Year may present to us. We appreciate your patience as we work through this pandemic together. It is our pleasure being able to serve our students and kids in our communities.
Human Resources
Check out our vacant positions!
11-pay employees: Having trouble saving for summer? Set up a second direct deposit to your savings account. A 9% per month savings deposit will give you the equivalent of a full paycheck for your gap month over the summer!
New Chester Elementary School Principal, Diana Fischer (Colly), has joined the PUSD family. She is coming to Chester from Chico and is looking forward to being a part of Plums Unified School District.
Maintenance
The Maintenance department is working hard during the summer months to get space ready for the new school year including:
- Preparing for Head Start's new home at Quincy Elementary-Pioneer Campus
- The greenhouse at Quincy Jr Sr High is complete
- Portola Jr Sr High's greenhouse is under construction
- Over at C. Roy Carmichael Elementary, water heaters are being installed in classrooms
Measure B
Thanks to Measure B funds, a host of projects are underway.
- New flooring has been approved by the board for Chester Elementary, C. Roy Carmichael Elementary, and Greenville Jr Sr High.
- C. Roy Carmichael Elementary will receive delivery on their colorful new playground equipment.
- Chester Jr Sr High and Portola Jr Sr High will get air conditioning and paving upgrades in the coming months.
- New signage for all sites is being developed, and upgrades for electrical main panels are awaiting DSA approval.
Student Services Department
Happy Summer everyone! Please accept my thanks for all you do for students with disabilities, English Language Learners, Foster Youth, and students experiencing homelessness. I hope that you are enjoying some well deserved rest and relaxation! In early August, in an effort to better understand the needs and expectations of our families of students with disabilities, I will be conducting a short parent survey. That said, the relationships that case managers and teachers have with families will be of paramount importance in determining effective plans for students when they return.
Please keep me posted of any areas of success or concern that come your way as you come back in August, and do your best to maintain communication in the early days of your return to school. The pace of IEPs will be a bit frenetic in the Fall, so get those batteries recharged and be prepared for an exciting, amazing year--together, there is nothing we can’t accomplish for our students!
Kevin
Transportation
The Transportation Department is working on considerations for social distancing on a school bus. With limited space, we must determine who would benefit from transportation the most. We are asking families to complete a survey in this week's newsletter to help us plan.
Curriculum and Instruction
Facebook- Several Canvas groups are on Facebook. Several that I follow are:
- Teachers Using Canvas (3.1k members)
- Canvas for Elementary (6.1k members) So many great examples from teachers using Canvas!
- @CanvasLMS (39.7k followers)- links to some great live sessions
YouTube
- Canvas for Littles - Making Canvas Cute (video posted June 23, 2020) Creating a Button Based Homepage
- CanvasLMS (13.4k subscribers)
Have you completed your census yet?
A census under-count may deprive communities from much needed resources. In fact, it has been estimated that for every person not counted, counties such as Plumas may lose up to $2,000 in Federal funding per year, for the next ten years.
The 2020 Census is currently underway. As of today, 33.1% of Plumas County residents have responded. Unfortunately, this figure is 30% points lower than the state average of 63%. Residents in urban areas have responded well, let's make sure we are represented as well.
Be counted!
Local information
Certificated and Classified Surveys
Official Information from County and State Departments
Plumas Unified School District
Website: www.pcoe.k12.ca.us
Location: 50 Church Street, Quincy, CA, USA
Phone: (530)283-6500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlumasUnified
Twitter: @PlumasUSD