ALVORD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

March is Music in Our Schools Month. But it doesn't stop when March ends. On April 8th, we are launching our first “Alvord Creates” Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Saturday Series, “Better when we're dancing!" Stay tuned for registration details on this enrichment opportunity coming soon. Stay current with all of our visual and performing arts programs by following our new VAPA instagram account here.

Plan ahead to attend these March musical performances:

• District Honor Band Concert on March 8th at 6:30 PM in the Performing Arts Center at Norte Vista High School
• Instrument Petting Zoo on March 13th at 6 PM in the gym at Norte Vista High School
• District Honor Choir on March 14th at 7 PM in the Performing Arts Center at Norte Vista High School.
  

When Proposition 28, known as Arts and Music Education in Public Schools, was passed into law this past November, 2022, the groundbreaking arts education initiative created a guaranteed annual funding stream for arts education in California public schools starting this coming school year. It's a game-changer because students who engage in the study of the arts demonstrate improved verbal, reading, and math skills, and also show a greater capacity for higher-ordered thinking skills such as analyzing and problem-solving.

Alvord has traditionally valued arts education and have maintained strong programs throughout the highs and lows of State funding and good and bad economies. But now that Proposition 28 guarantees annual funding of between $100 and $200 per student, depending on the State's budget each year, we have begun the process of building a comprehensive arts education program at all grade levels.

We believe creative and artistic expression shouldn't be a luxury afforded to some students. Instead, we believe it should be a staple of a proper and good education for all students. To that end, we are in the process of developing a District-Wide Strategic Arts Plan and building on our existing programs. Our elementary music program, for example, has already grown from one full-time music teacher in 2018, to seven full-time music teachers this year. We currently reach every 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade student in the district. These young artists are exploring music with ukuleles, keyboards, xylophones, recorders, bells, drums, and boom-whackers! Proposition 28 will provide us with the opportunity to expand the TK-5 program and our middle and high school programs too. The arts are more than just instrumental music. Our plan will include building and supporting award-winning programs in choir, dance, media arts, theater, and visual arts. We aspire to earn the prestigious California Exemplary Arts Education Award.

B.E.S.T. AWARDS CELEBRATE OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST

The annual B.E.S.T. Awards celebrate bilingual education in California public schools. At this year's awards event, La Sierra High School senior Ivette Rodriguez will be honored for her award-winning writing skills. Congratulations to this gifted bilingual student. Way to go Ivette!

Also honored at this year's B.E.S.T. Awards are the following Alvord educators and family members. Congratulations to them all.

Luis Medina: Principal, Alvord Continuation High School

Natasha Kohls: Teacher, Alvord Continuation High School

Jessica Cordova: Bilingual Instructional Assistant, Norte Vista

Juan Casas: English Learner Facilitator- Wells Middle school

Andrea Aguayo: Parent, Wells Middle School

MARCH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

Look for our schools to celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields. Learn more about Women's History Month here.

MARCH IS NATIONAL DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH

For the past twenty-eight years, the United States has recognized and celebrated March as National Disability Awareness Month. It's an opportunity for all of us to raise awareness in support of our fellow Americans.

ANNUAL SPRING FESTIVAL IS JUST TWO WEEKS AWAY

If you attended this event last year you know how much fun it is for kids and adults alike! The event is on the campus of La Sierra High School on Saturday, March 18, from 11 am to 2 pm. It's for the entire community.

SCHOOL SAFETY WEEKLY UPDATE

As I have regularly reported in my weekly safety update, our Measure J priority is squarely focused on safety-related facility upgrades to safeguard against human threats. But environmental threats to our students and staff are a priority too. Our Measure J priorities related to environmental threats focus on indoor spaces related to pollutants and the quality of the air, as well as outdoor spaces, including playgrounds and play spaces, fields, and shade structures. We aspire to create sustainable, healthy, resilient, and equitable indoor and outdoor learning environments. Stay tuned to this space for regular updates related to Measure J safety projects.

IN CLOSING

On behalf of the Board of Education, thank you for choosing Alvord schools. We strive to be our very best, so that our students can be their very best.

In partnership,

Allan Mucerino

MR. ROBERT D. SCHWANDT
President
Trustee Area 4

McAuliffe K-5

Orrenmaa K-5

Stokoe K-5

Arizona 6-8

Alvord High 11-12

Hillcrest 9-12

MRS. CAROLYN M. WILSON

Vice President

Lake Hills K-5

Promenade K-5

Villegas 6-8

District Office

MS. GEORGINA RAMIREZ

Clerk
Trustee Area 1

RMK K-5

Twinhill K-5

Valley View K-5

Loma Vista 6-8

MS. LIZETH VEGA
Member
Trustee Area 2

Arlanza K-5

La Granada K-5

Terrace K-5

Norte Vista 9-12

Alternative Ed Center

Keller Administration Site

Child Nutrition Services

MRS. JULIE A. MORENO

Trustee Area 3

Myra Linn K-5

Wells 6-8

La Sierra 9-12

SCHOOLS CLOSED
President's Week: 2/13/23 - 2/20/23
Spring Break: 3/27/23 - 3/31/23

GRADUATIONS

Alvord High & Alternative Ed. - May 22, 2023

Hillcrest High School - May 23, 2023

Norte Vista High School - May 24, 2023
La Sierra High School - May 25, 2023

INTRA-DISTRICT TRANSFER WINDOW IS OPEN AND ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Intra-District Transfers only apply to students who live within the Alvord Unified School District attendance boundaries. If you live outside of the Alvord Unified School District, you will need to apply for an Inter-District Transfer from your resident district and then apply here.

The Intra-District Transfer Window for Grades 6 - 12 is open from 1/16/2023 to 2/17/2023.

The Intra-District Transfer Window for Grades TK - 5 is open from 2/13/2023 to 3/24/2023.

Intra-District Transfers are granted using a random selection process and only if space is available at the school requested.

WE ARE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO SERVE ON MEASURE J CITIZEN'S BOND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (CBOC)

Measure J is our $248M school facilities improvement bond that voters passed in November, 2022. The committee meets quarterly to ensure bond projects are in alignment with project plans. Annually, the CBOC provides a written report summarizing the committee’s proceedings and activities.

If you are interested in learning more about the CBOC or obtaining an application, please email CBOC@alvordschools.org with your inquiries.

Students Reporting a Positive Case: 35 (Last week 33)

Student Cases Requiring Contact Tracing: 27 (Last week 16)
Staff Reporting a Positive Case: 6 (Last week 4)

Riverside County Data COVID-19 Community Level: Low (last week Low)

Weekly Metrics Used to Determine the COVID-19 Community Level

Case Rate per 100,000 population: 48.65 (Last Week 49.50)

New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population: 6.0 (Last Week 6.9)

% Staffed inpatient beds in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19: 3.2% (Last Week 3.6%)

Recommended actions based on current level

Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19. Wear a mask on public transportation. You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others. If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions.

Email: AUSD@alvordschools.org
Website: https://www.alvordschools.org
Location: 9 Kpc Parkway, Corona, CA 92879, USA
Phone: (951) 509-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/alvordunified
Twitter: @AlvordUnified
Instagram: alvordunified