RVUSD Board Meeting Highlights

Dr. Tracy Smith, Superintendent & Mike Cook, Board President

The Board approved the 2021-2022 School Calendar. There are 180 school days and 186 work days. The 6 non-school days are split with three district workdays and three buyback days for professional development. Additionally, there are two emergency days built into the calendar in case we have days in which we need to shut down our schools. We would like to be able to make up these instructional days for students if needed.

Please click on the link to view our 2021-2022 School Calendar

It is pertinent to both explain and honor the tremendous efforts it took to design, prepare and implement the In Person/Hybrid teaching model. Everyone had a hand in the preparations, but the bulk of the site logistics fell onto the site principals to coordinate and execute. The purpose of this presentation was for site principals to explain the various steps it took to get to this point in time with our students and families. Thank you to all staff and families for coming together and making this happen for our students!

For more information please review the presentation

Extended Learning Grant -
Assembly Bill 86 introduced a new funding stream to school district using Proposition 98 resources titled Expanded Learning Opportunity Grant. This grant may be used for various strategies to accelerate learning and address student needs for all students. Priority services are to be given to students with low household income, second language acquisition, a disability, home insecurity, and/or foster youth. At least 85% of the funds must be used for activities provided in-person, and up to 15% of funds may be used for activities provided remotely. At least 10% of the grant proceeds must be used to employ paraprofessionals. Districts will be required to adopt a plan by June 1, 2021.

RVUSD has an Expanded Learning Committee is meeting to determine best options to fit the above needs. The administration team has discussed several options as well. The District will be meeting with the committee again soon to further discuss and plan options for our District to implement beginning with the 2021-22 school year.

One expanded learning strategy we have committed to as a District, so far, is to offer a Summer Learning Program. This program will be focused to meet the needs of our younger students who could benefit from expanded learning in early literacy. Our current Kindergarten through second grade students will be prioritized for this program. These students will be identified and invited to participate based on local early literacy assessments and teacher recommendation. The program will run from July 5th-29th.

We are also in the planning stages of operating a Summer Jumpstart Program for 6th grade students who will be attending the Rincon Valley Charter School. This program will be to help 6th grade students transition into 7th grade. This program will likely focus on executive functioning skills and foundation math skills to help students become ready for middle school.

The Sonoma County Office of Education was awarded grant funding through Project SERV (School Emergency Response to Violence) to assess the impact of the wildfires on our community and to support students and families who may benefit from additional services related to these disasters. The Grant is through the US Department of Education. RVUSD was included in the grant due to the heavy impact the Sonoma County Wildfires has had on our community. Ms. Myhers, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and Mr. Hockett, School Counselor, shared background information on the grant and the scope of it including screening practices, services available and professional development opportunities.

The District's Food Service department has decided to move from a Food Service Management company to a self operational program and will be making food on site. This new meal program will be introduced in the Fall of 2021!

After hearing from staff regarding the necessary steps to open to more In Person Learning this school year, the Board voted unanimously in support of May 3rd for the District to bring elementary students back to campus five days a week, four hours a day in the morning and for middle schoolers to come back four afternoons a week.

The District will continue to provide a Distance Learning program for families who wish to remain in remote learning.

Through this proclamation, the Board is setting both the purpose and the intent to support our District as it continues its anti-racist journey.

The term "education" was also taken out of the title in order to eliminate any confusion regarding the purpose of the resolution . The purpose of this resolution is to provide the Board of Trustees an opportunity to demonstrate its ideological commitment to confronting and disrupting practices and policies that perpetuate racism.

The adopted resolution can be found here.

It has been a long, tough year for our students, families and staff. We have experienced isolation, anxiety and uncertainty. It is time to begin to reconnect as a community! Please join us on April 27th at 6pm via Zoom for our community forum: How to Create a Community of Belonging. This evening will be hosted by Epoch Education as we learn to use compassionate dialogue to create inclusive communities. This is our first community conversation centered around ongoing support of student equity in the Rincon Valley Union School District.

Spanish Translation will be provided at the meeting.

Click on the link for more information, including the Zoom link.

Next Regular Board Meeting: Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 6:00PM Open Session