Hello WCCUSD Community,

Presidents’ Week is here! Before we head into the break, we have a few announcements to share with you, including scholarship opportunities for students, upcoming events, the WCCUSD Annual Job Fair, COVID testing and vaccine clinic updates. Please share this message with the WCCUSD community to help us keep everyone informed and prepared for our return to school on Monday, February 28. Click here or the image below to view a special Presidents’ Week message from me.

Testing after Presidents’ Week

The Presidents’ Week holiday is February 21 - February 25 and the District will host seven testing centers on Saturday, February 26 and Sunday, February 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m for all students and staff to get tested before the return to school on Monday. 

Here are the testing sites:

• Alvarado School 5625 Sutter St. Richmond, 94804
• District Office 1108 Bissell Ave. Richmond, 94801
• El Cerrito High School 540 Ashbury Ave. El Cerrito, 94530
• Helms Middle School 2500 Road 20 San Pablo, 94806
• Ohlone Elementary School 201 Turquoise Dr. Hercules, 94547 (Testing site is located in the parking lot on Pheasant Drive)
• Pinole Valley High School 2900 Pinole Valley Rd. Pinole, 94564
• Richmond High School 1250 - 23rd St. Richmond, 94804

The sites are open to WCCUSD staff, students, parents, siblings, staff spouses and children ages 2 and older. If you have not registered, click here to register and schedule an antigen test. Everyone who tests must be registered in the LSA system.

Congratulations to the 2022 WCCUSD STEM Fair Winners! 

The District’s STEM/College & Career Department hosted its annual STEM Fair on Thursday, February 17 via Zoom for students in grades 6-12 to share their research in the following categories: Physical Science, Biological Science, Behavioral Science, Engineering/Tech/ Innovation. Over 30 representatives from several organizations and universities across the Bay Area took time out of their day to judge 49 student entries from 9 schools in the District.  A slide deck from the evening with shots of the winning projects is HERE.

First, second, and third place winners will receive medals delivered to their site/classroom, and all students will receive a certificate of participation. First place winners will also receive a check delivered to their home.

First and second place winners are eligible to move on to our regional Golden Gate STEM Fair the week of March 7, with the possibility to move on to the California Science & Engineering Fair in April. Both events are virtual. More information to come.

Thank you to the many teachers and site leaders who supported the fair along the way.

Students, Register to take the SAT by March 1 

Testing dates for WCCUSD students are now open on the College Board website. Students can register to take the SAT on March 12, May 7 or June 4. Visit the College Board or use the code in the flyer to register. 

Interested in Becoming a SAT Proctor? 

You Make a Difference Awards, March 4 

The District’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for Special Education will host its annual You Make a difference awards ceremony at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 4 via Zoom to honor individuals who have made an extraordinary impact in the lives of special education students in WCCUSD.

You Make A Difference recognizes parents, students, community members, educators and school staff members from regular or special education who are involved with children with special needs who demonstrate outstanding contributions above and beyond in the role as a parent, a job description or general expectations.

The event is 100% virtual. Use the Zoom information below to attend the celebration.

Link to join Webinar https://wccusd.zoom.us/j/95435316942
Webinar ID: 954 3531 6942

Nominate Someone for the Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame Awards 

The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Contra Costa County Youth Hall of Fame Awards. These awards are presented annually to outstanding young Contra Costa County residents between the ages of 12 and 18. Nominees should demonstrate exemplary behavior in one of five categories.

Nominations must be received or postmarked by March 4, 2022. Click here to learn more and submit a nomination.

Deadlines Approaching: The FAFSA, California Dream Act and Richmond Promise Scholarship

The Cal Grant deadline for FAFSA and California Dream Act Applications is March 2nd, and the Richmond Promise Scholarship Application  closes on Monday, March 14th. High School Seniors and GED students who live in Richmond and attend public, private, or charter schools under the age of 24 in West Contra Costa County are highly encouraged to apply by March 14!

View the Richmond Promise announcement and apply today.

The Ed Fund's Scholarship Application is now OPEN! 

Seniors attending a public WCCUSD high school are invited to apply for a scholarship here by March 14th, 2022.
 

1. African American Scholarship: open to all self-identifying Black/African-American seniors within WCCUSD
2. Contra Costa Chorale Vocal Music Studies Scholarship: open to all seniors within WCCUSD who are interested in the music field
3. Schroeder Family Foundation Scholarship: open to all ECHS self-identifying students of color only
4. Freggarrio Family Scholarship: open to all Richmond High School seniors only

Questions? Contact Sarah Camacho at sarah@edfundwest.org.

West Contra Costa Retired Educators Scholarship Application Deadline, March 18

The West Contra Costa Retired Educators Scholarship application is now open to high school seniors in WCCUSD. Every graduating senior in the top 50% of their class is eligible to apply for a $2,000.00 scholarship. The 2022 scholarship application is available now at www.wccrescholarship.org. Click the Scholarship Application link on the left side of the home page to start the application process.

PVHS Honors Educator in Performing Arts Theater Dedication, March 5

Pinole Valley High School and The Pinole Community Players invite PVHS alumni to attend the dedication ceremony for the new performing arts theater at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday March 5 to honor PVHS teacher David Clark.

Clark has led the PVHS performing arts program for over 40 years and will be honored for his outstanding contributions to the program. Tickets are on sale now. Click here for more information.

North Richmond Youth Survey & Listening Session

In collaboration with the RYSE center, Healthy Richmond is currently looking for youth who currently live or have lived in North Richmond to participate the following:

• 30-45 Minute Youth Listening Session (Upon completion students will receive a $15 Target E-Gift Card!). LINK TO INTEREST FORM - https://tinyurl.com/NRYLSInterestform

• North Richmond Youth Survey. LINK TO SURVEY - https://tinyurl.com/2021NRYLS

Both of these activities will gather community voice to inform future development plans like resources, services, and programs that impact the lives of youth in North Richmond.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns related to the survey, please reach out to Healthy Richmond’s Project Manager for Resident Leadership: dmiguel@richmondcf.org.

Contra Costa Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Scholarship Application Now Available

The Contra Costa Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has released its 2022 scholarship application for high school seniors who live or attend school in Contra Costa County. 

The application is currently available on the sorority’s website and must be submitted no later than April 16, 2022 by email or USPS mail. High school seniors who apply must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, have performed community service, be a United States citizen, complete the CCAC scholarship application. They must also provide an official transcript from their high school with two letters of recommendation. Selected seniors can receive up to $2,000 for college tuition or expenses when proof of college enrollment is provided. 

Applicants can use Google Docs to complete and save the application then can email the entire application and additional documents to CCACEdDevelopment@gmail.com no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 16, 2022.

LifeLong Medical Clinic Hosts Community Vaccine Clinic, February 26 

Our neighbors at LifeLong Medical Clinic have partnered with WCCUSD to host a community vaccine clinic from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 26 at the LifeLong Brookside location, 2023 Vale Road, San Pablo, CA. 

The clinic is open to community members ages five and older and walk-ups are available. Visit www.lifelong.info/vaccine or call (510) 549-5454 for more information.

Upcoming Vaccination Clinics in WCCUSD

Tuesday March 1,2022 at 8am-3:30pm
Kennedy High School, 4300 Cutting Blvd. Richmond, CA 94804 
1st/2nd and boosters

Thursday March 3,2022 at 8am-3:30pm 
El Cerrito High School, 540 Ashbury Ave El Cerrito, 94530 
1st/2nd and boosters