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Community Message November 5: Recognitions and COVID-19 Vaccination Support
November 5, 2021
Good Evening WCCUSD Community,
As another successful week of school has ended, I want to share a few announcements with you.
WCCUSD Virtual Academy Students Launch Distracted Driver Social Media Campaign
Car crashes are the #1 cause of death for young people in America, and 75% of them do not involve drugs or alcohol; the majority of fatal teen crashes involve reckless and distracted driving. This year, Vista K12 Virtual Academy students committed to fighting this preventable health epidemic by creating and launching a strategic Distracted Driving Social Media Campaign that uses a positive community norming (PCN) framework.
The students created a myriad of original content to share with their peers, parents, and broader community—including local first responders and health care professionals. They launched the campaign on Instagram @TrafficSafety4Teens during the week of October 28, 2021 to bring awareness to this important issue during the Halloween weekend, when many children would be out trick-or-treating. Visit their instagram page to view the campaign and help the Vista Virtual Academy students spread awareness in the WCCUSD community.
Pinole Valley High School Educator Named Teacher of the Year Finalist
American Sign Language Teacher Michele Lamons-Raiford of Pinole Valley High is one of ten National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) 2021 Teacher of the Year finalists. NSHSS notified Lamons on November 1 of the award recognition.
Educators were selected based on demonstrated passion and dedication to education, students and the community. Each runner up will receive a $1,000 award and a personalized plaque.
Lamons-Raiford has received several teaching excellence awards. In 2019, Lamons-Raiford was recognized as one of five recipients of the 2019 Carlston Family Foundation Outstanding Teacher of America Award. In 2018, Lamons-Raiford was named as one of 10 2018 Claes Nobel Educator of the Year by the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS). Lamons-Raiford is also the 2010-11 Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year.
Congratulations Ms. Lamons-Raiford, and we wish you safe travels as you head to NSHSS Scholars Day in Atlanta on November 19 to receive your award.
LifeLong Medical Care to Host Vaccine Clinic, November 6
Students, staff and community volunteers have until January 3 to become fully vaccinated.
Our neighbors at the William Jenkins Health Care, will host another vaccine clinic this Saturday, November 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the entire community. With the recent CDC recommendation for children, LifeLong medical center is prepared to offer Pfizer for kids ages 5-11, in addition to everyone ages 12 and older.
Due to the expected increased demand for vaccinations, LifeLong highly recommends that you schedule an appointment ahead of time at https://lifelongmedical.org/covid-19/#vaccine.
All eligible persons (now 5+) from the WCCUSD community are eligible to make an appointment.
Thanks to LifeLong Medical Care for partnering with us to ensure that vaccine clinics are available in the WCCUSD.
COVID is still an ongoing global outbreak, and we must do our part to slow the spread of the virus. As we enter the cold and flu season, we urge everyone to stay safe and continue to practice the district and CDPH guidelines.
Contra Costa Health Services, WCCUSD to Host Vaccine Clinics at Four Elementary Schools next week
Health experts say vaccination is the most effective protection against COVID-19.
That is why WCCUSD, in partnership with Contra Costa Health Services, is hosting free COVID-19 vaccine clinics at four of our elementary schools next week: Tara Hills, Nystrom and Highland (Nov. 9-10) and Dover and Ford (Nov. 12-13). These will be open to students, school families and staff. No appointment is needed. Check with the schools for clinic hours and other details.
Students getting vaccinated will need to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or adult caretaker.
If the timing of these school clinics is not convenient, you have many other options to get a free vaccine for your child and family through your regular healthcare provider, local pharmacies (such as Walgreens and CVS) and several County-run clinics. To find a vaccination site near you, visit vaccines.gov or MyTurn.ca.gov.
OAASA, LifeLong Medical Center to Host COVID-19 Workshop for African American Families
The Office of African American Student Achievement has partnered with LifeLong Medical Center to host a COVID-19 town hall at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 8, 2021 to bring awareness and answer questions about the virus and vaccine. If you have any questions or concerns, medical specialists at LifeLong will share information to help families make informed decisions about COVID-19.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://wccusd.zoom.us/j/91413656110?pwd=dWxQUE5rT2h5a1FvSVRHcHREMmRXUT09
Meeting ID: 914 1365 6110
Passcode: 859922
This event will be led by black health professionals Dr. Desmond Carson, MD, Dr. Michael Lenoir, MD, and Chante Jones.
Before attending the workshop please complete this Survey.
The WCCUSD Redistricting Commission to Host Meetings in Each Trustee Area
The Redistricting Commission will hold five in-person meetings, one meeting in each of the five trustee areas. In-person capacity is limited to 30 people. Please use this sign-up form to attend the meeting in person.
Nov. 9, 2021:
Pinole Valley High School Library & Zoom (Area 1)
2900 Pinole Valley Rd.
Pinole, 94564-1499
Nov. 16, 2021:
El Cerrito High School Library & Zoom (Area 5)
540 Ashbury Ave.
El Cerrito, 94530-3299
Nov. 23, 2021:
Richmond High School (Classroom #654) & Zoom (Area 3)
1250 - 23rd St.
Richmond, 94804-1091
Nov. 30, 2021:
Location TBD & Zoom (Area 3)
Dec. 7, 2021:
Kennedy High School Library & Zoom (Area 2)
4300 Cutting Blvd.
Richmond, 94804-3399
All meetings will begin at 6:30 PM
Redistricting Commission meetings will also continue to be broadcast via Zoom using the following link:
By computer, please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://wccusd.zoom.us/j/92663418445
Or by Telephone:
US: (669) 900 6833
Webinar ID: 92663418445#
Redistricting Commission meeting agendas are available for review online at: http://www.wccusd.net/redistrictingcommission
WCCUSD’s Independent Redistricting Commission Seeks Applicants for Trustee Area 2 Commissioner Seat
The West Contra Costa Unified School District Redistricting Commission is an independent body tasked with analyzing the 2020 Census Data and reviewing and revising the Trustee Area boundaries for the 2022-2030 elections for the Board of Education. The commission consists of seven members representing each of the five trustee areas and two members who are residents of Contra Costa County but live outside of the district boundaries. The Commission will perform all or nearly all of its work between now and March 1, 2022.
The Commission seat for Trustee Area 2, which encompasses Kennedy High School and other portions of Richmond, is currently vacant, and the District is soliciting applications for that position. All interested individuals should apply. The application is available here. English | Spanish. Service on the Commission does not require any prior experience with redistricting or any particular subject matter expertise.
In Community,
Kenneth Chris Hurst, Ed.D
Superintendent