September 2017 Newsletter
Superintendent Kitamura at SRHS College & Career Center with students and educators
A message from the Superintendent
Did you know that one of the best ways to help your child succeed is to get them to school - on time - every day? More than ever before, students need to be in school, to collaborate and create together. Attendance is so important that I've created a video message, with a little help from some student "extras," seen above. You can watch the video here:
We are here to assist families and solve attendance issues. Contact our Student and Family Engagement office at 707-528-5137. Our bilingual staff is ready to help.

Thank you for a great start to the year!

Diann Kitamura
Superintendent
Have you entered the Parent Portal?
"Parent Portal" might sound like it's out of a science fiction movie, but it's really the place for parents to login and view their child's attendance, grades, and more in our new student information system, called Illuminate Education. Parents need an access code to set up their account. Access codes have been emailed to all parents who have given the district an email address. The rest will receive codes via U.S. Mail. If you haven't received your access code, or you have had trouble using the Parent Portal, contact your child's school . This month, interim grades will be entered into the system for the first time. Thank you for your patience as everyone gets used to the new system!
Share your thoughts about election change
School Board at board meeting
Under a proposed change to our election system, voters electing Santa Rosa City Schools Governing Board members will be given a choice of candidates who live in their own area of the city. This system means Santa Rosa will be divided into “trustee areas,” and the school board will be represented by individuals from each of those areas. Now through October 2017, the community is invited to attend public hearings and meetings about this new system. We are also inviting you to give us your comments through this quick form:
Open Enrollment: Oct. 1 - Nov. 17
Front of Elsie Allen HS
Most students attend their neighborhood school, and build friendships and community there. Some students have reasons to request another school. "Open Enrollment," from Oct. 1 - Nov. 17, is the time to make that request for the 2018-19 school year. Applications must be completed online during that window. Families who need assistance can come to the S.A.F.E. office at 211 Ridgway Avenue. School capacities may restrict availability. See the  SRCS website for the online application (available Oct. 1st) and more information.
Understanding CAASPP scores
CAASPP sample student score report
Did you recently receive test scores in the mail that had CAASPP in the upper left corner? If your child was in 3rd - 8th grade or 11th grade last year, you probably did. Students in those grades take the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) Smarter Balanced Assessments. The California Department of Education has these resource guides for parents and guardians, to help understand the student score reports.
Meal applications due
Meal applications (also known as free/reduced price lunch forms) are due October 4th. Even if your student doesn't eat the free lunch, having your eligibility for a free/reduced price lunch determined may provide additional resources to your school, like computers and tutors. The information on the form is confidential, and we do not share it. Call 707-528-5359 with any questions or to get an application. There is more information on the  Child Nutrition Services website.
Bus passes still available
School bus
Applications for bus passes are still available for elementary students who live more than 1 mile from school, and middle and high school students who live more than 3 miles from school. Visit the West County Transportation Agency website for more information.
For more news, follow us on social media:
@SRCSchools #SRCStogether
Santa Rosa City Schools
211 Ridgway Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95401
707-528-5388
communication@srcs.k12.ca.us