ALVORD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Results from an influential study on youth risk behavior by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were released this past week. The study found three in five teenage girls felt persistent sadness, double the rate of boys. Furthermore, one in three girls seriously considered attempting suicide. The study is conducted every two years. The results influence policy decisions at the federal, state, and local levels.

A combination of complex factors can place young people at high risk for suicide, depression, substance use disorder, poor academic performance, and other severe consequences. The increase in sadness and hopelessness was reported across all racial groups and it has steadily increased in the last decade.

Experts studying adolescent mental health agree that many young people are in crisis. As I have routinely reported in my weekly messages, we have observed an increase in mental health challenges and risky behaviors. In response, we have annually bolstered our student support services team since 2020 and continue to prioritize mental health.

The emotional well-being of our students extends beyond the classroom and into the entire school. Our site counseling and student support teams are committed to promote and explicitly teach healthy social and emotional development, identify and monitor students at risk for or are experiencing mental health problems, and intervene early and appropriately when there are warning signs.

Together, we can support our students at home and in school and prevent a tragedy. Learn the signs. Pain isn’t always obvious, but most suicidal people show some signs that they are thinking about suicide. The signs may appear in conversations, through their actions, or in social media posts:

• Talking about death or suicide
• Seeking methods for self harm, such as searching online or obtaining a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

If you are unable to access resources on your own, please contact our Pupil Services Division or contact your school's principal or counselor.

PLAN AHEAD FOR THE ANNUAL SPRING FESTIVAL MARCH 18

If you attended this event last year you know how much fun it is for kids and adults alike! The event is on the campus of La Sierra High School from 11 am to 2 pm. It's for the entire community.

SCHOOL SAFETY WEEKLY UPDATE

Infrastructure upgrades related to safety on all twenty-three of our campuses is a Measure J priority. Infrastructure safety upgrades focus on safeguarding against human threats, our top priority. To that end, we have already completed risk assessments for external threats, communications systems, mechanical and electronic systems, communications systems, and safety and security technology. The results of our assessments will inform our building and campus design and modification Measure J projects.

Campus safety extends beyond human threats and includes environmental threats. Our Measure J priority related to environmental threats focuses on our outdoor spaces, including playgrounds and play spaces, fields, and shade structures. We aspire to create sustainable, healthy, resilient, and equitable outdoor learning environments. Stay tuned to this space for regular updates related to Measure J safety projects.

IN CLOSING

On behalf of the Board of Education, I hope the Presidents' Week break from school was fun and productive. The actual Presidents' Day federal holiday is on tomorrow February 20. Schools and all district offices will be closed in observance of it. School resumes on Tuesday, February 21.

As always, thank you for choosing Alvord schools. We strive to be our very best, so that our students can be their very best.

In partnership,

Allan Mucerino

MR. ROBERT D. SCHWANDT
President
Trustee Area 4

McAuliffe K-5

Orrenmaa K-5

Stokoe K-5

Arizona 6-8

Alvord High 11-12

Hillcrest 9-12

MRS. CAROLYN M. WILSON

Vice President

Lake Hills K-5

Promenade K-5

Villegas 6-8

District Office

MS. GEORGINA RAMIREZ

Clerk
Trustee Area 1

RMK K-5

Twinhill K-5

Valley View K-5

Loma Vista 6-8

MS. LIZETH VEGA
Member
Trustee Area 2

Arlanza K-5

La Granada K-5

Terrace K-5

Norte Vista 9-12

Alternative Ed Center

Keller Administration Site

Child Nutrition Services

MRS. JULIE A. MORENO

Trustee Area 3

Myra Linn K-5

Wells 6-8

La Sierra 9-12

SCHOOLS CLOSED
President's Week: 2/13/23 - 2/20/23
Spring Break: 3/27/23 - 3/31/23

GRADUATIONS

Alvord High & Alternative Ed. - May 22, 2023

Hillcrest High School - May 23, 2023

Norte Vista High School - May 24, 2023
La Sierra High School - May 25, 2023

INTRA-DISTRICT TRANSFER WINDOW IS OPEN AND ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
Intra-District Transfers only apply to students who live within the Alvord Unified School District attendance boundaries. If you live outside of the Alvord Unified School District, you will need to apply for an Inter-District Transfer from your resident district and then apply here.

The Intra-District Transfer Window for Grades 6 - 12 is open from 1/16/2023 to 2/17/2023.

The Intra-District Transfer Window for Grades TK - 5 is open from 2/13/2023 to 3/24/2023.

Intra-District Transfers are granted using a random selection process and only if space is available at the school requested.

WE ARE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS TO SERVE ON MEASURE J CITIZEN'S BOND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE (CBOC)

Measure J is our $248M school facilities improvement bond that voters passed in November, 2022. The committee meets quarterly to ensure bond projects are in alignment with project plans. Annually, the CBOC provides a written report summarizing the committee’s proceedings and activities.

If you are interested in learning more about the CBOC or obtaining an application, please email CBOC@alvordschools.org with your inquiries.

Students Reporting a Positive Case: 38 (Last week 26)

Student Cases Requiring Contact Tracing: 34 (Last week 22)
Staff Reporting a Positive Case: 5 (Last week 5)

Riverside County Data COVID-19 Community Level: Low (last week Low)

Weekly Metrics Used to Determine the COVID-19 Community Level

Case Rate per 100,000 population: 50.60 (Last Week 50.47)

New COVID-19 admissions per 100,000 population: 5.1 (Last Week 4.9)

% Staffed inpatient beds in use by patients with confirmed COVID-19: 3.5% (Last Week 3.7%)

Recommended actions based on current level

Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Get tested if you have symptoms. Wear a mask if you have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19. Wear a mask on public transportation. You may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others. If you are at high risk for severe illness, consider wearing a mask indoors in public and taking additional precautions.

Email: AUSD@alvordschools.org
Website: https://www.alvordschools.org
Location: 9 Kpc Parkway, Corona, CA 92879, USA
Phone: (951) 509-5000
Facebook: facebook.com/alvordunified
Twitter: @AlvordUnified
Instagram: alvordunified