ESD Superintendent Update

Some thoughts for the starting school year

January 2023

Hello Families,

As we enter the second half of the school year, I look forward to providing our families with some updates. On Friday, January 27, non-student day, our teachers and administrators will participate in a range of activities to examine our students’ progress and mid-year growth goals and develop plans to address learning needs and sustain momentum. These days are essential to our district's commitment to providing our students with an education that continues to accelerate learning.

As most of you may have heard, our district lost an important leadership team member with the unexpected passing of Board Member David W. Long in early January. Mr. Long’s passing leaves a vacancy on the Etiwanda School District Board of Trustees. On January 17, the Board of Trustees took action to fill the vacancy through a provisional appointment process. Community members living in Trustee Area 2 and interested in serving on the Board, may submit an application to fill the vacancy. More information on the process is available in this newsletter.

The new year brings some important events!

January 27, a non-student day, is an opportunity for our educators to examine student performance data and develop the next steps for improving student outcomes.
February 16, marks the end of Trimester II and report cards will be available to families via Aeries portal by February 27.
February 17 and February 20, school holidays, create a four-day weekend.
March 11, is our annual Battle of the Books Tournament. This year’s event is bigger than ever before with more students qualifying than any previous year. Volunteers make this event happen, and so please consider joining us!

Together, let’s make the most of the opportunities ahead.

Charlayne Sprague

Superintendent

January is Board Member Appreciation Month

Please join us in celebrating and recognizing our Etiwanda School District Board of Trustees. We are truly fortunate to have the leadership of these outstanding individuals who work together as a team to set the vision for the District in maintaining our motto of “Excellence in Education.” This Board is united in its purpose to provide an instructional program that promotes success for all students of the District.

Robert Garcia – Mr. Garcia is beginning his seventh year as a member of the Etiwanda Board of Trustees, first elected in 2016. Mr. Garcia brings 20 years of educational experience as a science teacher in middle and high school and, currently, an administrator at an elementary school. His experience working with children brings a commitment to providing students with a strong, safe, and supportive learning environment. All three of Mr. Garcia’s children have attended or currently attend schools in the Etiwanda School District. He is committed to providing a solid educational foundation that supports student development and learning. Mr. Garcia currently serves as Clerk of the Board.

Matthew Gordon – Mr. Gordon is beginning his first year on the Etiwanda Board of Trustees, first elected in 2022. Mr. Gordon attended schools within the Etiwanda School District from kindergarten through 8th grade. His positive experience in the Etiwanda School District highlighted the importance of quality teachers who are well-prepared to serve all students. Mr. Gordon is an experienced law enforcement officer and brings a strong partnership with local law enforcement agencies to our District. He also served as a member of the Planning Commission for the City of Fontana. His focus on student success, family engagement, and school safety set the foundation for excellence in education.

Dr. Fermín Jaramillo – Dr. Jaramillo is beginning his first year on the Etiwanda Board of Trustees, first elected in 2022. Dr. Jaramillo brings over 25 years of educational experience as a teaching assistant, teacher, school principal, adjunct professor, and currently coordinator with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. He earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership with an emphasis on teaching and learning and has a certificate in California school finance. All three of his children attended schools in the Etiwanda School District, and he is dedicated to student learning and wellness and family engagement. Dr. Jaramillo is currently serving as the County Representative.

Dayna Karsch – Mrs. Karsch is beginning her sixth year on the Etiwanda Board of Trustees, first appointed to the Board in 2017 and then elected in 2018. Mrs. Karsch advocates for parent involvement, having served as both a PTA Vice President and School Site Council Member, where her two children attended school in Etiwanda. Mrs. Karsch earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and her years of experience as an engineer bring a commitment to student success in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. She is a strong advocate for public education, family engagement, and the achievement of all students. Mrs. Karsch is currently serving as President of the Board of Trustees.

David W. Long - Mr. Long unexpectedly passed away on January 8, 2023. This year would have been his 40th year of service to the Etiwanda School District. He was first elected in 1983 and then re-elected for the 11th time in 2020. Mr. Long was Etiwanda through and through, and it only took a few minutes of talking with him to understand his deep commitment to our students and our District. Mr. Long’s five children were all educated in the Etiwanda School District. His background and extensive experience in construction were an asset to our District through our years of growth and development. Mr. Long’s vacancy on the Etiwanda School District Board of Trustees will be filled by the provisional appointment process.

Please join me in saying, “thank you” to our Board Members for their commendable dedication to the students, families, and staff of the Etiwanda School District.

Etiwanda School District Board of Trustees

Front Row (L-R): Fermin Jaramillo and David W. Long

Second Row (L-R): Matthew Gordon, Dayna Karsch, and Robert Garcia

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Battle of the Books - Saturday, March 11

Mark your calendars! Our 15th annual Battle of the Books (BOB) will be held on Saturday, March 11. This annual tradition in Etiwanda brings together hundreds of readers from every school to compete in a battle for literacy. Students in grades 3-8 look forward to this event each year and spend hours reading the BOB list books and practicing questions with their school librarian.

This event requires over a hundred volunteers to make it happen. We are seeking families and friends to help us manage the biggest event yet. Even if you do not have a child participating, this would be a great opportunity to give back to the community and see the magic. We would love to have you join us by volunteering through our BOB Volunteer sign-up sheet.

Student Engagement Advisory Committee

Etiwanda values the Local Control & Accountability Plan (LCAP) development process and the perspective of all of its educational partners, including students. The Etiwanda Student Engagement Advisory Committee (SEAC) is comprised of student representatives from all seventeen school sites that meet twice a year. At the latest meeting, SEAC reviewed student survey results and provided district leadership with additional and in-depth feedback on focus areas, such as campus cleanliness and students' respect for each other. Students also offered suggestions for more effectively reducing food waste in the cafeteria. Students of the SEAC took some homework away from the meeting– to interview and discuss with two school staff members ways in which the school can promote positive relationships amongst student peers and also share perspectives on the school dress code.

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District Spelling Bee Winners 2023

We had a tremendous turnout at the District Spelling Bee this month. Having successfully competed in spelling bees at their school, thirty-two students in grades 3-8 advanced to the District Spelling Bee. Mr. Jeff Sipos emceed the event and led participants through twenty-eight highly competitive rounds. Students were faced with challenging words, such as Vesuvian, staphylococci, insouciant, foudroyant, and stichomythia.

Congratulations to District Spelling Bee winners Jupharnoor Singh (Heritage Intermediate), Samuel Matthew (Caryn), Abheri Surredi (Golden). Etiwanda is proud of the talent and drive of spelling bee participants and wish them well in the next competition!

Dr. Fermin Jaramillo, Board Member and County Spelling Bee Coordinator; Abheri Surredi, Golden Elementary; Jupharnoor Singh, Heritage Intermediate; Samuel Matthew, Caryn Elementary; and Charlayne Sprague, Superintendent

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PTA Reflections Program

PTA recognizes the importance of and has a long-standing commitment to arts education. The Reflections program provides students opportunities to express themselves and be engaged and creative through the arts. Students may create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme through dance choreography, video production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts.

This 50 year-old program helps students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence, and find a love for learning.

Students participate at the school level and winners move on to District, state and national levels of competition. This year, Etiwanda School District is sending four students onto the State PTA Reflections Program in the Spring. Congratulations to the following students! Etiwanda is inspired by you!

Chloe Shi, representing John L. Golden Elementary

Johnny Mastas, representing West Heritage Elementary

Bodhi Benavides, representing Windrows Elementary

Coral Beck, representing Windrows Elementary

Provisional Appointment Process for Board Vacancy

The Etiwanda School District currently has a vacancy on the Board of Trustees with the passing of long-time Board Member David Long. The Board of Trustees has determined the vacancy will be filled through a provisional appointment. Community members living in Trustee Area 2 of the Etiwanda School District who are interested in serving on the Board of Trustees may submit an application to fill the Board seat vacancy. Applications are due Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Interviews of eligible candidates will occur during a special board meeting on February 13 and 15. If selected for appointment, a candidate would serve the remainder of the vacant seat term (two years) until the next governing board election in November 2024.

On Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at 6:30 PM, the District will hold an optional Candidate Information Night at the Etiwanda Education Center Boardroom. More information is available on the District website www.etiwanda.org under the “News” section on the front page.

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i-Ready Winter Diagnostic Results Available

The Winter i-Ready Diagnostic Assessment results are available to students and families. After every administration, i-Ready results are made available in a family's Digital Locker. An email message is sent to each family that includes a secure link to Digital Locker contents. Families may wish to print or download a copy of score results for their records. For questions or assistance with accessing the Digital Locker, please contact the school office or teacher.

Family Resources

Programs and services that support families with children in our community.

Click Here to Visit the Etiwanda School District Website

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