Byron USD Monthly Newsletter
September 2021
Superintendent's Message
Wow, Fall Break is right around the corner, and I am happy to report that we are off to a great start this year! I am excited for the opportunity to continue working with our amazing students and staff. Byron Union School District continues to thrive! I am so proud of our school community and staff for always providing a learning platform where all students have the ability to achieve their highest potential in an environment that is engaging, inspiring, and challenging.
Our district and community culture continue to excel in many positive elements, most notably a student-centered focus on academics and social/emotional supports. Our staff are committed to high standards and doing what’s best for students and one another. As we continue to move through this school year, I would like to encourage everyone to keep fostering a culture that includes positive elements. This will help us maintain an environment that helps our students and staff improve, evolve, and grow.
Wishing everyone a great and restful Fall Break.
Warmly,
Reyes Gauna, Ed.D., Superintendent
“Don’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”
~ Michael Phelps
ESSER III - Stakeholder Input
We need your help!
The ARP Act requires local educational agencies (LEAs) that receive ESSER III funds to complete an Expenditure Plan for how ESSER III funds will be used to address students’ academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs, as well as the opportunity gaps that existed before, and were exacerbated by, the COVID-19 pandemic. Part of this process is to gather input from all stakeholder groups. Below is the PowerPoint presentation link to the survey in both English and Spanish.
The deadline for input is Thursday September 30, 2021.
IMPORTANT DATES
- September 29 - October 1, 2021 - Conferences/Minimum Days
- October 4 - October 15, 2021 - Fall Break (NO SCHOOL)
- October 18, 2021 - Climate Committee Meeting
- October 20, 2021 - Safety Committee Meeting
- October 21, 2021 - Regular Board Meeting
- October 27, 2021 - Finance Committee Meeting
- November 1, 2021 - NO SCHOOL
To access the Student Calendar for the 2021-2022 school year CLICK HERE.
2021 Teacher of the Year
Hispanic Heritage Month
We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success.
This year's theme is Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope to celebrate the community's resilience, strength, and hope
RESOURCES
https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/
US Dept of Education - Hispanic Heritage Month YouTube Video
SCHOOL NEWS
Timber Point Elementary
The wolf pack is amazing here at Timber Point! HOWL (How Our Wolves Learn) intervention for learning loss has started and is going well. HOWL is built around data to help determine students’ needs with learning loss. We have data charts located in our PLC room so teachers can visually see the progress their students are making in their journey to excellence! Our Plenty 20 reading program is gaining steam and has over 65 students participating at this time. The smiles and joy the students show when they receive the lanyard and/or pin is priceless. Breakfast with the Principal will take place on 9/29 at 8am in the gym to honor our students of the month. A big thank you to Dr. Gray at Discovery Bay Veterinary Hospital for sponsoring this monthly event! Our book fair is September 29, 30 and October 1st in the library. Students and staff are looking forward to fall break from October 4th through 15th. When we return from fall break the fun will continue! October 20th the Wolf Pack will be participating in the Street Smarts Walk and Roll to school event. Families are encouraged to leave the car at home and walk or roll (bike, scooters, etc). to school. We will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week 10/25-10/29 with a spirit week. Each day will have a different theme. We are the PACK (Positive, Accountable, Caring Kids)!
-Principal Susan Evans
Discovery Bay Elementary
Our new Phonemic Awareness intervention, Heggerty, is in full swing. It is being used in small group intervention and whole class in K-1.
One of our big areas of focus this year is writing and our first graders have so much to say! Their writing has come so far in such a short time!
Civic mindedness is alive and well at DBE. I received a class petition this week addressing a vital request to make a campus change. The adjustment from regular chicken nuggets to Dino chicken nuggets would make a significant impact for our students!
-Principal Erika Parlog
Excelsior Middle School
A community can support, it can help heal and it can comfort. With the tragic loss of another Delta Vista Middle School student, our middle school community would like to support the students, staff and families of Delta Vista in a show of solidarity by wearing a green band with the word strength. When we wear it and see it on the wrists of our peers, we will be reminded to send strength, light and comfort out to our Delta Vista family.
All 8 East County Middle School leadership programs are doing this same activity this Friday. This is in response to the tragic loss of a Delta Vista student last a few weeks ago. Every middle schooler in all East County is encouraged to share their support for DV on social media using the hashtag #DVStrength
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:
- 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 .
Nurse's Corner - Meagan Maurer, LVN
Here are some COVID-19 Updates Per CCHS that were addressed during the weekly meeting.
- School Dances: Masks are needed even outdoors unless the children always remain 6 ft apart.
- No unmasked activities indoors unless weekly testing is done on the students. (This is regarding extra-curricular activities)
- Home tests can be valid if administered on ZOOM.
Currently when someone is sick in the household, we are having the student quarantine the 10 days with the family member, however that has changed. Based on the form attached, the timeline for the student begins once that family member's ends. Which is anywhere from 18-21 days total.
If you need to contact me directly, please email me at mmaurer@byron.k12.ca.us or my 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
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
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