Pathways to Possibilities and Student Success      
   November 14, 2018

A Message from the Superintendent
Dear Parents and Community Members,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support of our students, our programs, our staff, and our district.

We had a very important renewal measure on the November ballot, and so many of you volunteered and showed your support of our district. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am pleased to share that the renewal of our parcel tax, Measure AA, appears to be winning based on the current results. Overall Measure AA is at 75.38% "yes" in all three counties (El Dorado, Placer, and Nevada). This is wonderful news!

I would like to recognize our two amazing co-chairs of the volunteer campaign committee, Christa Barker-Meyers and Stephanie Bragg. It was a united and coordinated campaign and we are so appreciative of the support we receive from the Tahoe Truckee community.

We will continue to monitor the results as the counties complete the counting of ballots and certify the election. According to the campaign consultants and based on the numbers of ballots remaining, all indications are that the measure will prevail! We will keep you updated on the results as we get additional information and post it on our website and on Facebook.

Thank you again for supporting our students so we can provide them with a well-rounded, high-quality education.

Sincerely,
Robert J. Leri, Ed.D.
Superintendent Chief Learning Officer
Why they love working with kids!      
Teachers have one of the most important jobs in the world. Their work and impact extend far beyond the boundaries of the classroom. They educate and shape our youth. They teach them life skills. Their job takes passion, heart, and commitment. In each Education Connection, teachers across the district will share why they love teaching. We'll also hear from a classified employee. These are our front-line employees who make a huge difference in a positive school and district environment. From transporting and feeding students to teaching them vital skills and ensuring that schools are operating smoothly, classified employees are integral to the success of TTUSD.

Danielle Karwowski, Sixth-Grade Teacher,North Tahoe School
One of my favorite things about teaching is empowering students with the knowledge and the joy and excitement that learning brings. I love to see the "light bulb moments" in my students as they grow. Sixth-graders are so fun, curious, motivated to learn, opinionated, and awesome and I hope to inspire each of them to be lifelong learners.

Katie Ravey, Special Education Instructional Assistant, Truckee Elementary
What I love most about my job is when I see one of our students using the life skills and tools our team taught them. It's so rewarding when I hear our students say they love school or had a good day, knowing some of them dreaded school. The best part of all is watching the huge progress a student makes when they are in the right placement. The positive change that happens in a year still amazes me and fills me with such pride.
Gaylan Larson named 2018 Trustee of the Year
Last week, Gaylan Larson, Clerk of the TTUSD Board of Education, was named a 2018 Placer County Trustee of the Year by the Placer County School Boards Association.

Mr. Larson has served on the TTUSD Board of Education since 2010 and is a leader known and appreciated for putting kids first in every decision he makes. He is a dedicated and engaged board member who advocates for students, the school district, and public schools.

Thank you Gaylan Larson for your service to our scholars and our entire district. 

Check out this video surprising and congratulating Gaylan! 
   Preparing our students for college and careers            
TTUSD has over 300 11th-grade students who are currently contemplating their college and career plans. We want to expose them to a wide variety of career opportunities in our regions to help inform their decisions. On November 19 we are hosting a Junior Career Fair where students will learn what entry-level professional positions, job shadows, and internships may be available in our community and the training and education required to work in those fields.

Students participate in seven 20-minutes sessions, three are speed networking, and the other four are a sequence we are calling "Adulting" that will help them fine-tune college and career possibilities and goals, how to make good first impressions and finding their "sweet spot" between their skills, their enjoyments, and that which they can get paid to do. As part of the event, each high school junior will:

· Practice dressing for success and making a good first impression
· Practice interacting professionally with business leaders in our community
· Expand their professional network

The Junior Career Fair is an event we host annually in partnership with our community - without our amazing partners, this event would not be possible! We'd like to extend a special thanks to the Rotary Club of Truckee for their support and sponsorship of this event.
   Student safety is a top priority throughout TTUSD 
Our Transportation Department plays a significant role in ensuring student safety, and we are incredibly proud of our highly skilled and well-trained school bus drivers who transport 2,900 students to and from school each day.

At TTUSD, we select qualified staff and then support them with a rigorous training program that exceeds both state and federal requirements. For example:
  • TTUSD trainees receive over 40 hours of classroom training -this is double the state requirement.
  • TTUSD trainees receive 40-50 hours of behind the wheel training -this is double the state requirement.
  • Before becoming a TTUSD school bus driver, drivers must pass a pre-trip and drive test with the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
What you should know about our ongoing training program for all of our drivers:
  • All school bus drivers are trained to drive in hazardous conditions including inclement weather.
  • We have monthly safety meetings that are supported by frequent observations (ride-a-longs) and evaluations.
  • Second Step and BEST (Building Effective Schools Together) school bus lessons to support the social and emotional needs of our scholars.
  • Anti-bullying program
  • Side door evacuation drills
  • Safe Schools Online Training
  • Drivers receive a minimum of 10 hours each year of school bus driver training.
TTUSD employs additional safety measures, including:
  • All buses are equipped with Zonar GPS Tracking system which gives us the ability to monitor our school buses in real time to ensure that drivers are staying on route and not exceeding posted speed limits. We are alerted electronically when a bus travels over the posted speed.
  • We have a school bus pass system that allows us to track students in real time.
  • We have onboard cameras which are regularly monitored by our Transportation Director.
  • Our transportation department has a thorough vehicle inspection and preventative maintenance program.
  • TTUSD school bus drivers carry a valid First Aid Certificate.
  • All TTUSD school bus drivers must re-test with the CHP every five years.
SAFETY AWARDS
Our district has a strong partnership with our local CHP office that supports student success through safe and efficient transportation. As part of our collaboration, the CHP recognizes safe driving records of the district's bus drivers, each year, in five-year increments. This year, Laura Brochu and Ignacio Garcia were recognized for their outstanding safety records.
    Join us for Career Kaleidoscope - December 7
Career Kaleidoscope - Presentations in a Pecha Kucha format
 
TTUSD is partnering with Sierra College for a unique, TED talk-type of event showcasing the wide variety of career opportunities there are in our community. It's called "Career Kaleidoscope" and you're invited to attend on Friday, December 7 at 6:30 p.m.
 
Career seekers and those who want to celebrate the diversity of how people make both a life and a living in Tahoe Truckee will enjoy this artistic event. The Career Kaleidoscope will be held at Granlibakken in Tahoe City and it's free and open to the public so bring your friends!

What is a PechaKucha
?
PechaKucha is a presentation style in which 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each. The format keeps presentations concise, fast-paced, and engaging!
 
More about the Career Kaleidoscope PechaKucha:
Eight Sierra College student interns are working with industry mentors in prominent career clusters in the Tahoe Truckee region. They will combine original photography with storytelling to profile those opportunities in a PechaKucha format.
 
Come to explore, network, and reflect. Our students would love to have your support! For more information, call (530) 550-2225.
  SWEP Film Fest - December 6 - 9, 2018
SWEP's Fourth Annual Tahoe Film Fest
December 6-9, 2018
Join Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships (SWEP) for four days of environmental and independent films that will entertain and inspire you.  Screenings will be at Incline Village Cinema, Northstar Village Cinema, Crystal Bay Club Casino, Truckee Community Arts Center, and Truckee High School.
 
Special events will be held in the evenings at various venues in North Lake Tahoe and Truckee. Special guests will include filmmakers, directors, producers, and actors. For more information, please visit www.tahoefilmfest.org.

All ticket proceeds benefit Sierra Watershed Education Partnerships.