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A Moment with Doc Ervin
Superintendent Doc Ervin shares what he is looking for when he visits schools.
Future in Focus
Quick tips, brief updates, and reminders about what’s coming up to help families, employees, and our community make the most of our schools.
In-Person Board of Education Meetings Return
The San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) Board of Education’s next meeting on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, will be held in person and is open to the public.
It will be the first Board meeting in more than 15 months where Board members will be present in the same room and the public can attend in person. The last time the Board of Education held an in-person meeting was March 17, 2020.
Everyone who attends the Board meeting must wear face coverings. All attendees will be required to submit to a contactless temperature screening upon entering the building.
To request to make a comment via Zoom, complete the online form.
The Board of Education meets Tuesday, July 6, 2021, 5:30 p.m., at the Board of Education building, 777 North F Street, San Bernardino. The meeting will be held in the Dr. Margaret Hill Community Room, named for current trustee and former SBCUSD principal Dr. Margaret Hill.
Summer Graduation
The Superintendent’s Summer Graduation, for seniors in the Class of 2021 who needed a little more time to fulfill graduation requirements, will be held on July 22. Stay tuned for more details and photos from this special ceremony.
Download Free Parent Square App Today!
Get a jump on the new school year by downloading the free ParentSquare app to your phone or mobile device. SBCUSD will begin using ParentSquare next month.
ParentSquare is a communication platform that connects schools with families to improve student outcomes and school success. ParentSquare supports multiple languages and allows schools to reach parents by app, email, text, voice-operated devices and web portal. Our teachers will use ParentSquare to send alerts, report cards, attendance notices, permission slips and more.
Downloading the mobile app is the easiest way to stay connected to everything happening at your child's school and in SBCUSD this coming school year. We'll be sharing more exciting information about ParentSquare in this newsletter every Friday.
Have an Incoming Kinder Student?
If you have a child who turns five by September 1, enroll them in kindergarten today! Your child can start kindergarten on August 2, the first day of the 2021-2022 school year, as long as their fifth birthday is by September 1. Eligible students who start kindergarten in August will make up the Class of 2034!
And, to enroll in our great Transitional Kindergarten program, your child must turn five between September 2 and December 2. For more information, please call Enrollment and Placement Services at (909) 889-7576.
Highlights of the Week
Highlights of key news from the week that will help you stay in the know.
AVHS JROTC to Compete in Prestigious National Contest
Congratulations to Arroyo Valley High School's JROTC and their leader Major Rick Williams! Arroyo Valley's JROTC Leadership Team beat more than 1,000 schools from around the country to advance to this month’s 2021 JROTC Leadership & Academic Bowl Championship in Washington, DC. AVHS is one of just 40 schools from around the U.S. to win entry into this prestigious competition, a feat students accomplished by dominating in two qualifying rounds held virtually earlier this year.
A Successful Summer Session Now in the Books
Thousands of District students in all grade levels wrapped up three weeks of voluntary summer school on June 25. The summer session that began on June 7 focused on enriching, hands-on activities in key areas like English language arts, math, and science. Schools like Hunt Elementary also offered fun activities, including Cheer Club. For high school students, the summer session was online, giving them an opportunity to catch up on credits so they can be on track to graduate. Incoming ninth-grade students attended in person to help them make a smooth transition from middle school to high school.
District Employees Returned in Person to Schools and Administrative Offices
On July 1, more than a year after the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly closed schools and offices, District employees returned to work in person. While District employees continued carrying out their job duties remotely since March 2020 and some employees had already started working in person a few days a week, Thursday was their official full return to schools and offices. SBCUSD is glad to have its workforce back, especially because District personnel are working in person to prepare for the 2021-2022 school year, with all campuses welcoming students back for full in-person instruction beginning
Monday, August 2.
Veteran Educator Harold J. Vollkommer Feted in Virtual Farewell
The District held a heartfelt farewell celebration on Thursday, June 24 honoring the long and illustrious educational career of Deputy Superintendent Dr. Harold J. Vollkommer.
He retired at the end of June following a career that spanned more than 30 years, with time spent as a substitute teacher, teacher, vice principal, principal, and head of Human Resources. Most recently, Dr. Vollkommer worked as deputy superintendent and ended his career with SBCUSD as interim superintendent, leading California’s seventh-largest school district during the pandemic.
His virtual celebration included a moving musical tribute by the District’s Teen Music Workshop, video well wishes from District students, and messages from District employees. If you missed the celebration, you can watch it here.
Summer Break Meal Distribution Going Strong
The dedicated employees of Nutrition Services continue providing children with seven days worth of breakfast and lunch on Wednesdays, 8 to 11 a.m., at 12 schools: Arroyo Valley High, Cajon High, Pacific High, San Bernardino High, San Gorgonio High, Indian Springs High, Paakuma’ K–8 School, Del Vallejo Middle School, Golden Valley Middle School, King Middle School, Muscoy Elementary, and Lincoln Elementary.
Nutrition Services continues distributing bulk food items, such as milk, juice, beans, and rice, at all 12 distribution sites. Afternoon meal distribution has been suspended due to the summer heat. There will be a special menu on July 14 that includes hot dogs and a whole watermelon.
The last day of summer break meal distribution is Wednesday, July 28.
In the Spotlight
Countdown to New School Year Begins NowAll SBCUSD schools will welcome students back for in-person instruction starting Monday, August 2, that’s exactly one month from today!
Whether students spent the summer relaxing, working, or attended the District’s summer session, the transition to the regular routine of a new school year can be challenging, especially after spending more than a year in distance learning.
With some adjustments to students’ personal habits, a little mental preparation, and simple organization, children of all ages can boost their confidence so they can start the new school year on a high note.
You can help children prepare for the start of in-person instruction by getting them back on an early sleep schedule well before school starts. Remember, most children need 9 1/2 to 11 hours of sleep a night, depending on their age and individual physiology.
And, be on the lookout for emails, letters, and other communication that may be sent by your child’s school before the first day of school.
Did you know that you can stay up to date on the District’s plans to fully reopen for in-person learning by visiting the Roadmap to Reopening webpage? It has information and tips on preparing students to return to in-person instruction, COVID-19 safety measures at schools, FAQs, and much more.