Schools Chief Welcomes Students

Welcome/Welcome back!

School began Wednesday, August 24, 2011.  We are very excited for your return and to hear about your wonderful summer vacation.  The time has flown as we have been working to prepare for the 2011-12 year. We are extremely excited about this upcoming year as we move deeper into the implementation of 21st Century learning.

Three District Goals:

Goal 1:  Implementation of Balanced Literacy

Goal 2:  Enhancement and alignment of mathematics instruction

Goal 3:  Continued development of 21st Century learning in the classroom

Over the next month you will learn about the strategies and activities that ensure achievement of the goals set forth by the Board of Trustees at the June 29, 2011 Board meeting.  The teachers have been hard at work in modifying their classroom environments to embrace Balanced Literacy.  This past summer, over 90% of our teaching staff who teach English Language Arts attended a Reading Workshop Institute by Teachers College.  It was an amazing professional development opportunity that takes us to a place where we can finally implement Balanced Literacy, a goal set forth years prior when the district began the work with Writers Workshop.  The final area will be that of Word and Language Study which will occur in October.   Additionally, we are excited about the amazing work by our mathematics teachers, facilitated by Carline Sinkler, Mathematics Facilitator/Coach in the development of the PSD Curriculum Plan: Mathematics.  The alignment comes at a time when we embrace the Common Core Standards and infuse our Strategic Plan:  Learning that is Rigorous, Differentiated, and Holistic.

As for continuing 21st Century learning in the classroom, along with the implementation of Balanced Literacy and continuing the enhancement and alignment of mathematics instruction, Pacifica Education Foundation in collaboration with PSD has provided fiscal support to provide a two-year plan that will touch every classroom.  Posters have been developed that delineates the 21st Century learning experiences.

Fiscal Uncertainty

In June, 2011 the State passed a budget.  This is a great step in the right direction, but unfortunately comes with a big caveat including mid-year cuts should the anticipated State revenues come up short.  Currently, the revenues are below anticipated levels.  We will continue to monitor the State fiscal issues closely.  From a District perspective, we feel hopeful that due to the support of our labor partners (LSEA and CSEA) we will be able to weather the storm for 2011-12 and maintain our current program and school year as planned. However, at the end of this academic year, there is a loss of approximately $700,000 ($570k from Federal Stimulus and $130k from a lease agreement).  Therefore, we must again think strategically.

Measure L Parcel Tax; November 8, 2011 Election:  As you may recall, the Board of Trustees began the discussion in January 2011 regarding our current parcel tax and chose to poll our community as a feasibility study in relation to a parcel tax renewal.  The results demonstrated an overwhelming support of 76% for a parcel tax renewal.  After a Work Study in early August, the Board of Trustees held a public hearing on August 9, 2011 and took action in support of Resolution #2011-08-09-A calling for an election for approval of an education parcel tax for the November 8, 2011 election.  Monies raised under this Measure of $118/parcel for 5 years generating $1.2 million shall be authorized to be used only for the following purposes in accordance with priorities established by the Board and to the extent of available funds:

• Protect academic programs in math, science, reading and writing
• Attract and retain quality teachers and staff
• Support school library programs
• Maintain programs to support struggling students who are below academic standards
• Support student learning in computers and technology

No parcel tax funds will be spent on administrative salaries.  One may go to the district web-site for more information regarding Measure L.

Here’s to a wonderful 2011-12!!!!