Woodland Unified School District - Superintendent's Weekly Update Sept. 14, 2022

Superintendent's Weekly Update Sept. 14, 2022

Dear WJUSD Families, Staff, and Community,

We made it through the heat wave!

It was a challenging week for all of us. Just like many Californians across the state, we had to deal with scorching temperatures, a few small power outages, and over-stressed air conditioning systems. But at the end of the day, we pulled together, stayed safe, and kept things running smoothly as best we could.

I’m proud of all our hard work for being flexible; adjusting recess and P.E. indoors; modifying sports practices; transporting students safely; keeping students fed and cool; maintaining focus on teaching and learning; and for amazing teamwork.

You are the reason why WJUSD is a great District to be proud of. Thank you.

This week’s update includes:

Changes to COVID Notifications
Social-Emotional Learning: National Suicide Prevention Month
State College Savings Accounts for Low-Income Students
Superintendent’s Meet and Greet
WJUSD in the News
Board of Trustees Update

Respectfully,

Elodia Ortega-Lampkin

Superintendent

Changes to COVID Notifications

With COVID cases decreasing, Yolo County Health Department recommends school districts return to “group notifications” for informing families about positive COVID cases at schools.

Throughout the pandemic it has been our practice to follow the recommendations of state and local health officials.

Therefore, effective Monday, Sept. 19, we will return to notification guidelines under the Group Tracing Decision Tree for positive COVID-19 cases at our schools.

What does this mean for students, families, staff, and community members?

Elementary Schools

When it is confirmed that a student or staff member on our elementary campuses has tested positive for COVID-19, notifications will be sent to all families and staff that share classrooms with that student or staff member.

These classroom notifications will communicate that all students in the classroom with the individual who tested positive are considered exposed and that students may remain in school as long as they are not experiencing symptoms of illness, regardless of their vaccination status.

Secondary Schools

When it is confirmed that a student or staff member on our middle or high school campuses has tested positive for COVID-19, notifications will be sent to all families and staff at that school. Since students and staff in secondary schools share many spaces on campus throughout the school day, these notifications will be sent school-wide.

These school-wide notifications will communicate that all students on campus with the individual who tested positive are considered exposed and that students may remain in school as long as they are not experiencing symptoms of illness, regardless of their vaccination status.

What else can we do to stay healthy?

We will continue to provide health information on our website. Note that infections diagnosed in students and school staff are not necessarily the result of exposure at school. When safety protocols are followed at school, COVID-19 transmission remains much more likely to occur outside of school.

Health officials recommend:

Be up to date on your vaccinations
Wash your hands
Use a high-quality face mask
Get tested for COVID
Stay home when ill

We continue to work closely with the Yolo County Department of Public Health to receive updates and guidance for COVID-19 in our community.

Thank you for your support and understanding as we realign our COVID protocols for the continued safety of students and staff.

Social Emotional Learning: National Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month.

Recognizing when people are struggling with emotional pain and helping them talk about it can help prevent a mental health crisis, including suicide.

Know the signs, how to start a conversation, and where to get professional help.

#1 Know the Signs

Warning signs of suicidal thoughts indicate that someone might be in acute danger and urgently need help, and they can vary by age, gender, sexuality, and cultural identity.

Talking about wanting to die or to end one’s life
Looking for a way to end one’s life
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
Talking about feeling trapped or being in unbearable pain; wanting it to end or not wanting to wake up
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
Acting anxious, agitated, or reckless
Sleeping too little or too much
Withdrawing or feeling isolated
Talking about being a burden to others
Displaying extreme mood swings

#2 Find the words

If you are worried about someone's mental health, it is important to have the courage to start the conversation, share what you are noticing, listen empathetically, and offer help.

Ask about how they are doing, if they are having thoughts of suicide or ending their life or pain
Express your concern about what you are observing in their behavior
Listen attentively and non-judgmentally
Reflect what they share and let them know they have been heard
Tell them they are not alone. Let them know there are people and treatments available that can help
If you are or they are concerned, guide them to additional professional help

#3 Reach out for help

Keep a list of crisis and local resources to refer to if needed.

For crisis support:

Call 9-8-8 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Available 24 hours every day
Call 9-1-1 and request a crisis-trained responder
Go to your local emergency room

For ongoing therapeutic support:

Care Solace is a coordination service to help find local mental health programs and counseling services, regardless of circumstance
Available 24 hours every day
Students, staff, and families can access Care Solace services for free
Call (888) 515-0595
Online: www.caresolace.com/wjusd

For additional resources contact your school. Our schools can conduct threat assessments and provide referrals for support services.

State College Savings Accounts for Low-Income Students

The state has launched a program to provide eligible low-income public school students with a college savings account funded with a minimum of $500. It’s called the California Kids Investment and Development Savings Program (CalKIDS) and the goal is to help families take the first step toward saving for college or career training. To learn about the registration process click here: https://calkids.org/

Superintendent Meet and Greet, Sept. 27

You are invited to attend a Superintendent Meet-and-Greet event this year. This is an opportunity to connect with Superintendent Elodia Ortega-Lampkin, get updates about our school District, and share your hopes and dreams for your students.

All times are 6 - 7 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, Sept. 27, at Lee Middle School
Tuesday, Oct. 4, at Freeman Elementary School
Tuesday, Oct. 11, at Douglass Middle School
Tuesday, Oct. 18, at Tafoya Elementary School

WJUSD in the News

Woodland Clinic donates $136K to Yolo Farm to Fork

“This donation will go a long way towards helping our students learn about creating sustainable gardens and eating healthy meals. Through the Growing Lunch program, our students are growing and harvesting fresh produce and eating healthy fruits and vegetables straight from their own gardens at school. This is an added benefit for our students and our district.”

- Superintendent Elodia Ortega-Lampkin

Woodland High School educator named Yolo County Teacher of the Year

“The work of a teacher is not the work of one person, but the work of many. The people in my life– family, friends, colleagues, and students past and present–have all helped me grow and continue to grow as a teacher. Although those people may not physically be in my classroom, they have contributed to my life and what they do and have done becomes a part of who I am and my teaching.”

- Ms. Erica Chung

“Ms. Chung is an amazing teacher who demonstrates excellent performance and goes above and beyond for our students. She is definitely a great asset to our school and we’re all proud to congratulate her on her stellar achievement.”

- WHS Principal Peter Lambert

“We would like to congratulate Ms. Chung on being named the Yolo County Teacher of the Year. We have so many talented and dedicated teachers at WJUSD and Ms. Chung exemplifies the highest qualities of the teaching profession. We proudly thank Ms. Chung for her dedication to serving Woodland students and families.”

- Superintendent Elodia Ortega-Lampkin

Board of Trustees Update

At the Sept. 8 Board of Trustees meeting, the Board:

Approved the appointment/employment of Norma Palomar to the Director of Fiscal Services position for WJUSD.

Approved Resolution 2-23: Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month - September 2022. September is National Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month, which is a campaign to raise awareness and provide schools and communities with an opportunity to educate students, parents, and others about their role in suicide prevention.

Approved Resolution 3-23: Latino Heritage Month - September 15 - October 15, 2022. During National Latino Heritage Month, we recognize the contributions made and the important presence of Latino Americans to the United States and celebrate their heritage and culture.

Approved WJUSD’s nominations for the Yolo County School Boards Association (YCSBA) 2022 Excellence in Education Awards.

This year’s nominees include:

- Individual Excellence Award: Rogelio Villagrana, WJUSD Trustee

- Program Excellence Award: Woodland Adult Education, Karin Liu, Principal

- Salute to Educator Certificate: Elementary Grades K-6 Teacher, Patricia Welty, Fourth Grade Teacher

- Salute to Educator Certificate: Secondary Grades 7-12 Teacher, Whitney Leonardo, Agriculture Teacher

- Salute to Educator Certificate: Alternative Education Teacher, Cecelia Drissia, Adult Education Teacher

- Salute to Educator Certificate: Student Services Credentialed Educator, Ashley Crawford, SDC-ASD Teacher

Reviewed a staff update on negotiations between WJUSD and the Woodland Parent Nursery School (WPNS) in developing a one-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Staff and the District’s legal counsel updated the Board that WJUSD and WPNS have not been able to come to an agreement that satisfies both WJUSD liability responsibilities and WPNS program concerns. The District is open to continuing the negotiations.

Reviewed the Woodland Adult Education (WAE) Annual Report. Each year, WAE administration provides an update to the Board which highlights the growth and development of the program; provides an update on funding sources; and showcases student successes.

Approved the 2022-2025 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Woodland and WJUSD for implementing school resource officers (SROs) on District school campuses.