Before we share the upcoming events and other happenings in our District, I want to talk to you about safety in our schools. Last week, there were two incidents at our high schools involving weapons on campus. These incidents deeply troubled me. Keeping our students and staff safe, both physically and mentally, is our top priority. Here is my statement addressing the recent incidents in our district and the actions that we are taking to ensure our students and staff are safe.
Strategic Plan
Give your input into the future of WCCUSD! The district is beginning the strategic planning process, and we are inviting the community to join the Guiding Coalition that will participate in the design work that will take the West Contra Costa Unified School District into the future. As a part of the Guiding Coalition, you will think and create a vision and plan for our district in the coming years. This work will take place over three meetings throughout the spring. For more information, please visit www.wccusd.net/strategicplan.
Incentives for Masking Prohibited
The West Contra Costa Unified School District strongly recommends all students and staff to wear a mask while at school or work. Wearing a mask is part of the district’s COVID-19 mitigation strategy, and masks should be made available in every WCCUSD classroom. However, providing incentives to students to wear a mask is prohibited. Providing candy and doughnuts to students to encourage them to wear masks goes against the district’s student wellness policy, which discourages the use of candy and similar rewards for student conduct. Moreover, providing a reward or incentive to students who wear masks could be seen as bullying and/or discriminatory behavior either by the students who “feel compelled” to wear a mask as a result, or by the students who continue to decline to wear a mask.
You Make a Difference Awards RECAP
The District’s Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for Special Education held its annual You Make a difference awards ceremony on Friday, March 4 via Zoom to honor individuals who made an extraordinary impact in the lives of special education students in WCCUSD. Click here or the link below to watch the ceremony and view the 2022 honorees.
Congratulations to all of the YMAD honorees and thank you for going above and beyond to support students in WCCUSD.
African American Women in History Contest
Rich City Kids is excited to announce our newest contest - African American Women in History Narrative Writing Contest - for WCCUSD students only.
During the month of March, WCCUSD students will have the opportunity to create a narrative speech, poem or song highlighting an African American Woman in history who has made a positive impact in our world. The contest will run until March 25th and winners will be announced on March 29th. For more details visit our website and reference the contest flyer.
Students who submit their narratives on time have the chance to win 1 out 6 prizes being offered. This is a great opportunity for students to practice their narrative writing, improve their creative skills and win an Amazon gift card!
Teachers: $250 Gratitude Grant Application Due Today
The Chamberlin Education Foundation’s annual Gratitude Grants program offers full-time West Contra Costa public school teachers $250 grants to help them add classroom supplies that create a vibrant and inclusive learning environment for students.
At Dover, many of the students and families only speak Spanish. Joana Cenidoza, (left) RSP teacher at Dover, does not speak Spanish. She wanted to learn Spanish to better communicate with her students and their families. She approached Tania Garcia Pena, (center) third grade DLI teacher at Dover, and asked if she could help her learn Spanish.
Ms. Garcia Pena was delighted to help. So a Spanish language class for staff was born at Dover. The class is on Friday afternoons. RSP teacher, Ms. Kristin Callosa (right) has joined. Every Friday there seems to be more staff participating. Even, the principal Melynda Piezas, joins in.
Dover is dedicated to their students and community. We are so proud of the effort and love they put into Dover’s whole community.
Upcoming Vaccination Clinics in WCCUSD
Richmond High School will be partnering with Clinica La Raza to host a vaccination clinic at Richmond High on March 24th from 12:00-5:00 pm. This event will be open to the community. They will be offering the Pfizer vaccine for everyone ages 5 and over.
School in Session April 1 and May 27
This is a reminder that school is in session on both April 1, 2022 and May 27, 2022.
On the district calendar, these dates are listed as “reserve days” and that there will be no school. These “reserve days” are commonly known as “smoke days,” flexible time granted by the state that was built into our schedule. The safety, health and well being of our students and staff is our top priority. When the omicron surge hit our school communities hard in January, and so many of our students and staff were out sick, we opted to use those flexible “reserve days” at that time, on January 7 and January 10.
Thank you for helping spread the word that school WILL be in session on April 1, 2022 and May 27, 2022.
Become a Substitute in WCCUSD Today!
Parents and family members, retirees, members of our community, if you are interested and eligible to substitute in our district, please start the process and sign up today.
Find information for both certificated and classified substitutes is on our website at www.wccusd.net.
Deadlines Extended: The FAFSA, California Dream Act and Richmond Promise Scholarship
The Cal Grant deadline for FAFSA and California Dream Act Applications is March 31st, and the Richmond Promise Scholarship Application closes on April 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 April 14!
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.
Benefit from the Affordable Connectivity Program
The Affordable Connectivity Program, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that passed in November, has enrolled 10 million households to help provide broadband to low-income families. Visit this article for more information.