Message from the Superintendent
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Can you believe it is already October?! We are well into Fall and the school year now! We have a lot to celebrate and have some proud highlights in this month’s The Pride newsletter. National Hispanic Heritage Month goes through October and our schools each have activities for our scholars to learn about and celebrate Hispanic and Latinx culture.
September was School Attendance Awareness Month. School attendance is one of the most important factors that contribute to a scholar’s success. We want every scholar to attend every day so our talented teachers and staff can help them reach their goals and dreams. In order to support attendance, we are committed to bringing the best services we can outside of the classroom to support scholars being able to attend and learn inside the classroom. Our
Student Attendance and Review Board
has been recognized by the State as a Model SARB. We have therapists at every school site to support the
mental health
of our scholars, along with Restorative Justice Facilitators in our Secondary schools to help scholars learn how to deal with conflicts. Our partnership with the County allows us to bring in health services, including dental. We also have a partnership with the
Breathmobile,
a mobile asthma clinic for our elementary schools that can provide diagnosis and treatment plans. Our credit recovery, tutoring and expanded learning times provide scholars with extra time to learn from their teachers.
There are more supports than I can list here. In short, we want to see every scholar at school, every day! If there is something getting in the way of your scholar from attending school, please reach out to your school’s principal or parent and family liaison so we can work together to support their attendance.
Janet
Janet Schulze, Ed.D.
Superintendent, Pittsburg Unified School District
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Perfect Attendance Awards
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On Monday, September 30, 2019 and Wednesday, October 2, 2019,
Pittsburg Unified School District's
Student Services Department hosted the "
Perfect Attendance
" and "
Great Attendance
" Awards Ceremonies.
256 students throughout the District received Perfect Attendance
awards and
948 students received Great Attendance awards
.
- Notable Mentions: Jacob Hernandez - 10 years of Perfect Attendance, Alexa Gonzales – 9 Years of Perfect Attendance, MagdaElena Gonzales- 9 Years of Perfect Attendance.
- Heights Elementary School had the most students with great attendance, more than any other school in the District! 130 students from Heights were honored.
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Ms. Maureen Mattson Named Contra Costa County Teacher of the Year
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Congratulations to Ms. Maureen Mattson, PUSD's Teacher of the Year. She has been selected as one of Contra Costa County's Teachers of the Year!
She was honored at the Contra Costa County Office of Education's annual Teacher of the Year Gala Dinner. To read more about this honor, check out the article on
East County Today
.
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Dr. Danny Lockwood Promoted to Principal of Pittsburg Adult Education Center (PAEC)
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We’re happy to announce the appointment of Dr. Danny Lockwood as the new principal of the Pittsburg Adult Education Center (PAEC). Dr. Lockwood began his career with Pittsburg Unified School District in 1999 when he was hired as an English Teacher at Pittsburg High School. He became a site administrator in 2005 when he accepted a position as Middle School Vice Principal in the Antioch Unified School District. Dr. Lockwood returned to Pittsburg Unified School District in 2012 when he was hired as the Vice Principal at Black Diamond High School. He moved to PAEC as the Vice Principal during the 2014-2015 school year. Dr. Lockwood earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from Morehouse College. He earned his Master’s Degree in Education and Single Subject Teaching Credential from John F. Kennedy University. He earned his Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administrative Services Credential from California State University, East Bay. Congratulations to Dr. Lockwood!
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Million Father March at Martin Luther King Jr. Junior High School
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On Friday September 27, 2019, Martin Luther King Jr. JHS hosted the school's 3rd annual Million Father March. Dads, grandfathers, uncles, step-fathers, male mentors, and father-figures were invited for a March and breakfast. The goal of the event is to get more father-figures involved at Martin Luther King Jr. JHS and show how male role models have a positive influence on a child's education.
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Monday, October 7:
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Tuesday, October 8:
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
- DAC Meeting - District Office, 2000 Railroad Avenue, Pittsburg
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Photo: Latino Heritage Celebration at Los Medanos Elementary School, September 26, 2019
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Photo: School Board recognized the
Rancho Medanos Wind Ensemble, September 25, 2019
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Photo: Hispanic Heritage Celebration at Willow Cove Elementary School, September 27, 2019
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Photo: Scholars practicing the Peace Path at Highlands Elementary School. This was part of a Soul Shoppe lesson
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Photo: Human Resources Department hosted
Benefits Fair
for PUSD employees on September 17, 2019
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Above Video: Pittsburg High's Marching Show Band came in 1st place in Santa Clara's Parade of Champions on September 28, 2019
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Photo: Million Father March at Marina Vista Elementary School, September 24, 2019
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Wednesday, October 9 & 23:
6:00 pm
- School Board Recognition at District Office, 2000 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg
6:30 pm
Thursday, October 10:
7:00 pm
- Jazz Band Concert at Pittsburg High's Creative Arts Building, 250 School Street
Sunday, October 13:
12:30 pm
- PHS Marching Show Band Performs in San Francisco's Italian Heritage Parade at Jefferson and Powell streets, Fisherman's Wharf. Check out Parade Route.
Monday October 14:
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
- PHS Marching Show Band Participates in the United States Marine Corps High School Band Challenge at San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.
Monday, October 14:
- Staff Development Day - No School for students. EXCEPTION: Highlands Elementary. Normal school day at Highlands
Thursday, October 17:
6:00 pm
- PAAACT Meeting at Pittsburg High School
Tuesday, October 22:
6:00 pm
- A.L.I.C.E. Information Meeting for Parents and Community at Pittsburg High School's Little Theater
Thursday, October 24:
- Parent/Teacher Conferences at Pittsburg High
Thursday, October 24:
- Parent/Teacher Conferences at Junior High Schools
Monday, October 28 - Friday, November 1:
- Parent/Teacher Conferences at Foothill, Heights, Highlands, Marina Vista, Parkside, and Willow Cove
Friday, November 1:
1:00 pm
- Pittsburg High Car Parade Parade goes down Railroad Avenue to School Street. Parade ends at Pittsburg High
Saturday, November 2:
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
- Big Little Game: PHS VS Antioch & Senior Band Night at Pitt Stadium, Pittsburg High School
Reminder: Thanksgiving Break is November 25 - 29, 2019
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Mrs. Rose Henderson, Heights Elementary School
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Mrs. Rose Henderson is a Parent and Family Liaison at Heights Elementary School. She has worked with
Pittsburg Unified School District
for more than 22 years. She has lived in Pittsburg for 30 years and all of her 5 children have attended schools in Pittsburg. Rose says,
"I try to be of service in any way that I can. I am happy to be supportive to the families and scholars by tapping into different community resources and bringing them to Heights, to make sure our scholars have what they need to be successful."
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Mr. Phil Lucido, Hillview Junior High School
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Mr. Phil Lucido is a Vice-Principal at Hillview Junior High School and has been with
Pittsburg Unified School District
for more than 22 years. He is super passionate about our Summer Math Institute program (he runs it) and comes to work with a positive attitude every day so he can model positivity to his scholars at Hillview. Phil says,
"I take pride in being an educator and administrator for Pittsburg Unified. I believe making lasting relationships with students, parents, and colleagues makes a better community for learning."
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PUSD Hosts A.L.I.C.E. Informational Meetings for Parents and Community
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Thank you to parents and community members who attended PUSD's A.L.I.C.E. Meetings on September 19 & 21, 2019. During the meetings, we explained PUSD's relationship with the Pittsburg Police Department and gave an overview of the training our staff have received. We will be hosting a meeting for High School parents on October 22, 2019 at 6:00pm in Pittsburg High's Little Theater.
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Parkside Elementary Construction Update
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The construction of PUSD's new Parkside Elementary School is moving along smoothly. Currently, the focus is on framing, electricity, and getting ready for roofing. The new school is scheduled to open in December of 2020. Thank you to the Pittsburg Community for supporting school bonds. Your tax dollars are helping to build new schools and make improvements to facilities in Pittsburg.
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School Garden Volunteers Needed
Our Garden Program is seeking student and adult volunteers to help with weeding, carpentry, grant writing, irrigation,and more. If you are interested in volunteering or have a student that needs community service hours, this is a great opportunity. For more information, go to our
Child Nutrition website
and fill out an application. You can also email Michelle DeCoy, Garden Supervisor at
mdecoy@pittsburg.k12.ca.us.
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Photo: PHS custodians with Mr. Matt Belasco and Mr. Rodriguez of MOT Department. All of PUSD's custodians were honored for Custodian Appreciation Day on October 2, 2019
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Photos Above: Heights, Highlands, and Foothill school cafeteria employees helped promote Fruits & Veggies Month during the month of September
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National Custodial Workers Day:
October 2, 2019
Day to thank and recognize our custodial employees for the work they do to keep our schools and facilities clean and maintained.
School Administrators Week: October 13 - 18, 2019
This resolution is to recognize the work of school administrators at the District Office and school sites.
Mentor Awareness Day:
October 17, 2019
This resolution is to encourage the celebration of Mentor Awareness Day to honor the parents, families, teachers, administrators, coaches, and mentors who pour their time and love into lifting up our scholars in their time of need.
National School Bus Safety Week
:
October 21 - October 25, 2019
This week is in honor and recognition of the work our bus drivers do to safely transport our students to and from school.
Red Ribbon Week - Stay Drug Free
:
October 21 - October 25, 2019
Red Ribbon Week is a week to encourage staff and students to participate in drug prevention education activities, making a visible statement that we are committed to a drug-free community: "Your Future Is Key, So Stay Drug Free!"
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PUSD seeks employees who wish to invest their workday supporting and preparing children for their future. Our desire is to hire highly qualified staff members that reflect the diversity of our community. All open positions are posted on
Edjoin.org
.
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Our Parent Liaisons believe in fostering partnerships with parents and families by building capability, connections, cognition, and confidence so that students develop to their fullest potential and contribute positively to the world. V
arious parent engagement opportunities and workshops are available throughout the school year, with the goal of supporting the academic and overall success of each of our scholars. See upcoming workshops below.
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