Literacy Corner

A West Contra Costa Unified School District e-update for staff

May 9, 2003 * PLEASE POST * No. 0203-15

Teaching Excellence Banquet to honor six outstanding teachers

The Ed. Fund will host its annual Teaching Excellence Awards Banquet next Friday, May 16, 2003 to honor the following teachers:

• Sharon Calonico, Hercules Middle/High School; Hanna Ranch and Ohlone elementary schools
• Susan Collins, Pinole Middle School
• Tina Giang, Shannon Elementary School
• Jeannette Grogan, Cesar Chavez Elementary School
• Dawn Hester, Richmond High School
• Eric Reed, DeAnza High School

In addition, Fred Fogg will be recognized for the Distinguished Citizen Award. The 15th annual Teaching Excellence Awards Banquet will be held at the Richmond Convention Center. Tickets are $50 per adult, and $20 per currently enrolled WCCUSD students. All proceeds from the Banquet support The Ed. Fund grants to teachers in the Fall 2003.

RASA announces district honorees for administrative recognition

The Richmond Association of School Administrators (RASA) announced the following individuals who were nominated as district candidates for the Association of California School Administrator awards:

• Middle School Principal - Vera Rowsey
• Elementary Principal - Janice Thompson
• Classified Manager - Heidy Camorongan
• Continuation School - Doris Avalos
• Friend of Education - Rona Renner
• Central Office - Jennifer Jennings

Janice Thompson from Verde Elementary School and Rona Renner from Kaiser Permanente received the Region Six nomination for their respective categories. They will now go on to the state level for recognition of their outstanding service.

Upcoming School board meetings

• Monday, May 12, 2003: Study Session, DeJean Middle School, 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 21, 2003: Regular meeting, DeJean Middle School, 6:30 p.m.

All regular school board meetings will be broadcast live through June 2003 on most local cable systems in West County.

In the Learning Village

• The Middle/High School West Contra Costa Art Show continues its display of outstanding student art through May 31 at the Richmond Art Center, 25^th Street and Barrett Avenue in Richmond. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 12 noon to 4:30 p.m. The Receptions and Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday, May 16, 2003 from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Science Fair: The WCCUSD Science Fair Awards Presentation will take place on Thursday, May 22, 2003 at Tara Hills Elementary School. The event begins at 6:45 p.m.

• New postings on the district web page:

• The WCCUSD Leave No Child Behind Local Education Agency Draft Plan, 2003-08 www.wccusd.k12.ca.us/literacy/lea_502/
• Early Retirement Incentive Information www.wccusd.k12.ca.us/Fiscal/early_retire_letter.htm

Do you have an item for our next Friday FYI that's related to one of our strategic priorities? E-mail it to: pehara@ wccusd.k12.ca.us. Of course, if you're on the district's GroupWise network, you can just send it to us that way.

Our strategic priorities are: 1) Student Achievement (attendance), 2) Safety (behavior), 3) Personnel Training and Professional Development, 4) Facilities, 5) Family and Community Partnerships, 6) Equity, and 7) Communication.