
ESD Superintendent Update
Some thoughts for the starting school year

January 2024
Happy New Year Etiwanda Families,
As we move into the second half of our school year, I'm excited to share some districtwide updates with all of our families. On the upcoming non-student day, Friday, January 26, our dedicated teachers and administrators will engage in a range of activities focused on assessing our students' progress and evaluating their mid-year growth goals. By understanding where students stand midway through the year, we can align our resources and interventions to support each student's progress. It's also an opportunity for our staff to collaborate, share best practices, and develop comprehensive plans that address both immediate and long-term educational goals. These days are essential to our district's ongoing commitment to not only maintain but also accelerate student outcomes, ensuring we provide an education that continually adapts and responds to the needs of our students.
The new year brings some important events!
Friday, January 26
Non-Student Day - no student attendance.
Thursday, February 15
End of Trimester II and report cards will be available to families via the Aeries portal by February 26.
Friday, February 16 - Monday, February 19
School holidays - Lincoln Day and Presidents' Day create a four day weekend.
Saturday March 9
Save the Date for the annual Etiwanda Battle of the Books event! We will need volunteers for this growing Etiwanda tradition.
Together, let’s make the most of the opportunities ahead.
Charlayne Sprague
Superintendent
January is School Board Member Recognition Month
Please join us in celebrating and recognizing our Etiwanda School District Board of Trustees. We are truly fortunate to have the leadership of these outstanding individuals who work together as a team to set the vision for the District in maintaining our motto of “Excellence in Education.” This Board is united in its purpose to provide an instructional program that promotes success for all students.
April McAllaster, President, appointed to the Board in March 2023, is a dedicated Etiwanda resident with over twenty years of community engagement. She currently serves as President of the Rancho Cucamonga Council of PTAs and 2nd Vice President of Fifth District PTA, supporting PTA units throughout San Bernardino County. Additionally, Mrs. McAllaster has served as a representative on Etiwanda’s LCAP Advisory Committee, School Site Council, and Measure I Citizen Oversight Committee. Locally, she has contributed as a city representative on the Landscape Maintenance and Parks Oversight Committee, and as an advisory board member for the University of La Verne College of Business and Public Management. With her three children educated in Etiwanda schools, she is committed to ensuring that every child in the district has access to exceptional educational opportunities.
Matthew Gordon, Clerk of the Board, elected to the Etiwanda Board of Trustees in 2022, is an alumnus of the Etiwanda School District, having attended kindergarten through 8th grade. His firsthand experience in the district underscores his appreciation for well-prepared teachers dedicated to serving diverse student needs. As a seasoned law enforcement officer, he contributes valuable insights and robust local law enforcement partnerships to the district. His prior Fontana City Planning Commission role further exemplifies his commitment to community service. Mr. Gordon, a parent of three children who attend Etiwanda schools, is committed to improving school safety, enhancing family engagement, and establishing a solid foundation for educational excellence.
Robert Garcia, President Pro Tempore, first elected in 2016, brings over two decades of experience in education to his role. As a former science teacher and current administrator in the Ontario-Montclair School District, Mr. Garcia's expertise is grounded in practical, hands-on educational experience. His passion for education extends beyond the classroom, focusing on its pivotal role in community building. Influenced by his parents’ strong work ethic and commitment to education, along with his experiences as a parent of three children educated in the district, Mr. Garcia has become a driving force for positive change in the Etiwanda School District, consistently demonstrating his dedication to both academic excellence and community engagement.
Dr. Fermín Jaramillo, County Representative, elected to the Etiwanda Board of Trustees in 2022, brings a background in education spanning over 25 years. His professional experience includes roles as a teaching assistant, teacher, school principal, adjunct professor, and coordinator with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, focusing on teaching and learning, and expertise in California school finance. As a parent of three district alumni, his advocacy for student success and family involvement is deeply personal. Serving on the Board of Trustees, Dr. Jaramillo dedicates his extensive experience and passion to promoting educational excellence and nurturing a vibrant, supportive learning community.
Dayna Karsch, Member, serving her seventh year on the Etiwanda Board of Trustees since her initial appointment in 2017 and election in 2018, is a committed advocate for parental involvement in education. Her community roles, including PTA Vice President and School Site Council Member, highlight her dedication to the community where her children are educated. With a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, she brings a unique perspective, emphasizing the importance of mathematics, science, STEAM, and the arts in education. Mrs. Karsch's energetic and passionate approach to public education and family engagement is matched by her leadership in driving innovative initiatives and policies that focus on academic excellence and the success of every student.
Please join me in saying, “thank you” to our School Board Members for their commendable dedication to the students, families, and staff of the Etiwanda School District.
2023 California School Dashboard
The 2023 California School Dashboard was recently released by the CA Department of Education. The Dashboard represents the state’s accountability system and is designed to help the community access important information about how kindergarten through grade twelve schools and districts are meeting the needs of students.
Performance results are presented for all districts, schools, and defined student groups. The 2023 Dashboard reflects a full return of the state’s accountability system with the reporting of Status (current year data for 2022-23), Change (progress from prior year results 2021-22), and a performance level on five state indicators for elementary districts. From highest to lowest, the five performance levels are colored: Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red.
In English Language Arts, the district earned a performance level of Green, with a Status of 39.1 points above standard and a Change of -2.7 points. The district also earned a Performance Level of Green for Mathematics, with Status level of 16.8 points above standard, an Change of +4.5 points.
The English Learner Progress Indicator (ELPI) shows the percentage of current English learner (EL) students making progress towards English language proficiency or maintaining the highest performance level on the statewide English language proficiency assessment. For ELPI, the district achieved a Proficiency Level of Yellow, with 58.8 % of English Learners making progress towards English language proficiency.
The Academic Engagement Indicator, Chronic Absenteeism, indicates the percentage of students in kindergarten through grade 8 who are absent 10 percent or more of the instructional days they were enrolled. Seventeen percent of students were chronically absent in 2022-23, a decline of about 5% from the previous year, earning the district a Yellow performance level.
Suspension rate, an indicator of Conditions and Climate, reports on the percentage of students who have been suspended for at least one day. The district earned a performance level of Green, as 1.2% of students were suspended at least one day, essentially maintaining last year’s rate with a change of only .2%
For more details about the district, schools, and student group performance for Etiwanda, please visit: https://www.caschooldashboard.org/.
Student Engagement Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Etiwanda School District places great emphasis on the Local Control & Accountability Plan (LCAP), and we value the insights of all our educational partners, including students. That's where the Etiwanda Student Engagement Advisory Committee (SEAC) comes in. This committee is made up of student representatives from all 17 schools who meet twice a year to share their perspectives.
In their January meeting, the SEAC members are set to review recent student survey results. They'll be focusing on topics like the dress code and ways to boost student engagement in the classroom. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to analyze trends in the survey data, identify what's improving, what needs more work, and brainstorm strategies for further progress.
Following the meeting, these students will take on the important task of interviewing school staff and their peers. This helps them gather a wider range of opinions and experiences, which they'll bring to the table at their next meeting in February. It's all part of ensuring that our decisions are well-informed and truly reflective of our student body's needs.
Battle of the Books - Saturday, March 9
Mark your calendars! Our 16th annual Battle of the Books (BOB) will be held on Saturday, March 9. This annual tradition in Etiwanda brings together hundreds of readers from every school to compete in a battle for literacy. Students in grades 3-8 look forward to this event each year and spend hours reading the BOB list books and practicing questions with their school librarian.
Save the date! This event requires over a hundred volunteers to make it happen. We are seeking families and friends to help us manage the biggest event yet. Even if you do not have a child participating, this would be a great opportunity to give back to the community and see the magic.
i-Ready Winter Diagnostic Results Available
The Winter i-Ready Diagnostic Assessment results are available to students and families. After every administration, i-Ready results are made available in a family's Digital Locker. An email message is sent to each family that includes a secure link to Digital Locker contents. Families may wish to print or download a copy of score results for their records. For questions or assistance with accessing the Digital Locker, please contact your school office or teacher.
E3 Foundation TopGolf Friendraiser Thursday, February 8
You're invited to join the Etiwanda Excellence in Education Foundation (E3) for an enjoyable evening at our "friendraiser" event at TopGolf, Ontario. Mark your calendars for Thursday, February 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and get ready for a night of fun with the Etiwanda community.
The evening offers two hours of golf play at TopGolf, a venue that caters to all skill levels, from first-timers to seasoned pros. To help sharpen your skills, a PGA Certified Golf Instructor will be on hand for tips and coaching. And of course, there's more than just golf – enjoy a delicious buffet dinner and a variety of non-alcoholic drinks, all part of your ticket.
TopGolf provides all the essentials for a great night out – clubs, balls, and plenty of fun. This event is a fantastic opportunity for a unique date night, a get-together with friends, or even as a special treat for yourself or someone else. Tickets are $90 each, and space is limited. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the E3foundation.org website.
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