January Educational Services News
January 2023
What is Digital Equity and what are we doing about it?
According to the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, Digitial Equity is the "condition in which all individuals and communities have the information capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy and economy". While we can't solve the need for inclusion for the entire community, we can focus on our students' needs for digitall equity and inclusion in our educational programs.
In Selma USD, our goal is for ALL students to have internet access at home in order to complete homework, projects and reading time in the evenings and on weekends. A Selma USD Survey shows that 85-95% of our families already have internet access at home. Many families have taken advantage of low-cost internet programs and/or use their cell phones for hotspots. We also know that internet access has become another necessary and expensive utility for our students & families.
While most of our families already have internet access, some of our students may need support and resources to access wifi to do their homework. The IT Department recently updated their wifi hotspot policies and procedures focused on the potential needs of our most at-risk students. Note that we will not be “blanketing” or targeting any group of students for wifi hotspots, as many students in various demographics already have access. Instead, we will work on a “case-by-case” basis to provide wifi hotspots based on individual needs.
Our Libraries currently have the ability to issue a student a hotspot based on these three criteria:
1. Short-term ISP
2. Enrollment in long-term ISP
3. Quarantine
If a student has an individual hardship identified by a teacher, counselor, social worker or administrator, that staff member can also put in a request for a hotspot by going to the Librarian or Library Tech/Clerk. Based on the student’s individual circumstance.the Librarian, Library Clerk or Tech will communicate with the District to seek a hotspot. The Library staff member will contact Foster and Homeless Youth Administrator, currently Alicia Gonzalez (also Migrant Program Manager) at the District office, who will evaluate the student's situation and approve the distribution of a wifi hotspot for that student to use during the school year.
There are many other ways that we, as school district staff, can ensure ”Digital Equity” for our students. Here are some examples that school sites can implement:
· Ensure that students have more access to libraries to complete online work. Selma USD Library staff was recently extended to 8 hours, so that libraries can be open before/after school and at lunch.
· Site Homework Policies should allow for extra time for students to complete online work (suggested 3+ days).
· Share Low-Cost Internet programs with our families. The District will be sharing this information with our Migrant families, as well as our DELAC committee. If you or your site staff want more information, please contact Alicia Gonzalez who is our Migrant Program Manager or Mark Bautista, our IT Director.
🧤 ⛸ 🧣
English Learner Reclassification
Congratulations to 41 of our students who were eligible for reclassification as fluent English speakers this fall. Recommendations to change reclassification criteria, based on feedback from staff and our DELAC will go to the board this winter. We are moving to Lexiles as the common measure for our ELs. This will allow for more chances for students to reclassify during the school year, based on a number of assessments of their Lexile reading levels.
According to Ed Code, districts must use the following four criteria to locally establish reclassification policies and procedures:
- Assessment of English language proficiency = English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC).
- Teacher evaluation = grades and GPA
- Parent opinion and consultation
- Comparison of student performance in basic skills = CAASPP and/or locally defined assessment tool(s)
Partnership with Central Valley Food Bank
On February 3rd, we will partner with the Central California Food Bank to provide our first food distribution to families in need at the Adult School campus at Washington. The food bank is a great resource for our families and has been very supportive of this program.
Selma USD is developing a Resource Pantry to include the collection and distribution of clothing, personal items and specialty items like diapers in the future. Our homeless and foster youth are entitled to special funding including Title 1 and the American Rescue Plan which will provide some of these items.
Thanks to our Students in Transition Team, including Pupil Services, Migrant and Adult School staff, as well as the Adult Special Education Transition class, SHS AVID classes and Key Club students for collaborating to make this happen.
Independent Study Program
Our Independent Study Program is part of a continuum of options providing our students with multiple opportunities for success in high school. Many of our students thrive in this environment and do well on independent studies. Our program is designed to offer students a chance to develop a plan to meet graduation goals and future transition to college or career.
Making good progress is critical to stay enrolled in Independent Studies. Students must attend classes regularly and successfully complete credits toward graduation in order to continue in the program.
Beginning in January 2023, the Selma USD ISP will require that students request to remain in the program at the end of each semester in order to stay enrolled for the following semester. Students who are progressing will be allowed to stay. Students who do not attend class, are not making grades or completing coursework will be transferred to SHS or Heartland.
NEW Community Day School Program
Development of a new Selma Community Day School Program was approved by the School Board at our December meeting. The program will serve students from Selma USD who are expelled or referred by the SARB board.
As part of the long-term planning process, we are opening a self-contained class at Heartland to help us get started. The program will start out with 8-10 students and will be staffed by a full-time teacher, behavior technician, and classroom aide. Campus supports will include Mental Health Clinicians and Social Workers and a full-time CSO. Plans include separating the Heartland campus with a fence, new classroom space and separate eating area and bathroom.
Building the program slowly will help us be able to develop a high-quality program, and put into place the strategies that will be most effective in the long-run. To be sure the staff is supported, an expert in alternative education will provide consultant support to grow the program to its fullest potential. The program will fill a need to keep our students local while they work on the goal of re-entering our comprehensive or alternative education programs.
VAPA Strategic Arts Plan
This spring, we are excited to embark on completing a Strategic Arts Plan for Selma USD. Our VAPA teachers, including Music, Dance, Theater, CTE and Visual Arts teachers will be spending 5 days with Aaron Bryan, Director of Arts Education from the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools office, preparing to put together a plan for using our new arts and music funding. The group will make recommendations for filling current gaps in District arts programs, needed courses, including building student pathways for our current programs, as well as addressing other needs for TK-12th grade student arts and music instruction in the district. The team will also consider what resources and facilities will be needed to continue to grow our VAPA programs, including short and long-term goals for continuing to improve on the wonderful arts and music opportunities our students already have.
Record-breaking Enrollment
Enrichment Activities
Winter Camp TK-12th grade
SELMA USD EDUCATIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Interim Chief Academic Officer
559-898-6500 x46518