BUSD Community Connections |
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Our monthly newsletter is a great way to learn about the latest news at Berryessa Union School District. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates and visit our website for calendar and meeting information.
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Message from the Superintendent |
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Dear BUSD community,
The Berryessa Union Board of Trustees and I are very grateful for the progress we have achieved so far this year. We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving celebration with your families and loved ones. We look forward to continued collaboration so that our district can provide the best learning opportunities for our students.
At BUSD, we appreciate every moment of encouragement and inspiration that supports our students, staff and families to do their best. As a team, we are working together to establish a solid foundation for a thriving future. Even with the challenges of the pandemic, our district community has demonstrated that commitment to our students’ education matters. We are determined to keep our schools open and safe.
Thank you for your partnership. Please be safe, and enjoy the Thanksgiving break with gratitude and joy.
With BUSD pride,
Dr. Fuentes
Superintendent
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Watch a special message from Dr. Fuentes: |
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Thank You for Supporting Measure A! |
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Thank you to our community for supporting our Parcel Tax Measure!
The Berryessa Union School District Quality Education Measure A renewed its existing $79 annual parcel tax, providing $1,800,000 annually for 8 years, with citizen oversight, senior exemptions, no funds for administrator salaries, and all funds staying local.
Since 2008, BUSD elementary and middle schools have relied on locally controlled parcel tax funding to help maintain quality education for local students, challenging them to excel academically and preparing them for high school and 21st-century careers.
Dr. Fuentes shares, “The Berryessa Union School District Board of Trustees, district staff, and I are incredibly grateful to the Berryessa community for their continued support of our parcel tax Measure A. These funds will continue to provide continuity of services for our students, such as math and science teachers, library media services, and counseling support. We feel fortunate to serve a district where the community has consistently been our partner, as we work to provide our students with a quality education.”
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Addressing District Office Facility Needs |
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The District has been concerned about our aging District Office facility for several years. To address this issue, BUSD has undergone a thorough process of analysis and thoughtful discussion to create a comprehensive solution to our District Office facility challenges that also creates new revenue streams to sustain and improve our offerings to BUSD students, parents, and staff.
We are pleased to share that the BUSD Board of Trustees took action during a Special Board Meeting held on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 to approve the purchase of an existing office building - 981 Ridder Park. This option presents tremendous cost-savings benefits and at the same time the opportunity of new revenue streams for BUSD. This building will cost millions of dollars less than undertaking long term repairs to our District Office. The funds for the purchase will come from an agreement previously reached from a developer; no bond, parcel tax, or general fund dollars are being utilized for this purchase.
Here is the most recent presentation by Kevin Franklin, our District’s Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, to the BUSD Board of Trustees which provides an overview of the analysis and options that were considered.
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Now that the District is in contract for the purchase of this property, here are the next steps in the process:
- 60 day feasibility period including all inspections and appraisals
- Close of escrow 30 days after the end of the feasibility period
- After close of escrow, architect will begin design of the building layout (2 month process)
- Approve building layout plan with all stakeholders and begin building upgrades
- 6-8 month process to complete all upgrades and begin phased-in move of District Office staff
Thank you for your support of this important initiative. We are proud of the collective work of our Board and leadership team to create a comprehensive solution that benefits our students, families, teachers, staff and community for generations to come.
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COVID-19 Vaccinations for Children Ages 5-11 |
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COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 have been approved by the FDA and CDC. This means that our BUSD students will be age-eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (starting at 5 years of age). The vaccination of our students will support our efforts to keep our schools safe, open, and prevent the potential spread of COVID-19.
The state of California will require all students participating in in-person learning to be vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, in addition to the requirements for students to be fully vaccinated before attending public and private elementary and secondary schools, child care centers, family day care homes, nursery schools, day nurseries, and developmental centers (pre-kindergarten facilities).
Through our Santa Clara County and Safeway partnership, COVID-19 vaccination clinics for eligible students ages 5-11 will be happening on the following dates:
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Piedmont Middle School
2:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Saturday, November 20, 2021
Morrill Middle School (BYC)
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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Keeping Our Schools Safe: Reporting COVID-19 Symptoms |
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It is critical that BUSD families contact your school site immediately if you or your child present COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or come in contact with someone positive for COVID-19. Once you know of a positive case in your family, or symptoms are clear, you must email your school site and principal directly, regardless of the time of day.
We ask parents to report positive COVID-19 cases to BUSD immediately, because it helps our district set up COVID-19 testing and contract tracing for students as soon as possible. COVID-19 cases affect the safety of everyone at BUSD, which is why it is critical to stay connected to our district at all times.
To minimize the risk of the spread of COVID-19, we offer weekly COVID-19 testing for our students and staff. Registering your student quickens the testing process should any student near them test positive for COVID-19.
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Holiday Travel Tips and Guidelines |
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The holiday season has always been a wonderful time of year to reconnect with friends and family members and celebrate the new year, but now it’s even more important that these holiday celebrations are safe for everyone. Mask wearing continues to be critical, especially when unvaccinated people are present, including children. Be mindful of the events that your family attends, and avoid large gatherings if possible.
If you must travel over the holiday season, remember to stay aware of COVID-19 symptoms, COVID-19 infection rates, and the risk of coming into contact with people who are positive for COVID-19. We can prevent transmission by being on alert, always.
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November is National Family Literacy Month |
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As we leave school for the Thanksgiving and Winter Holidays, there are still opportunities for families to support our students’ developing literacy skills. We encourage you to take time to read as a family as much as possible, especially during the holiday breaks. |
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Key Dates this Holiday Season |
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Thanksgiving Break will be from Monday, November 22nd, through Friday, November 26th. School will resume on Monday, November 29th.
Winter Break will be from Monday, December 20th, through Friday, December 31st. School will resume on Monday, January 3rd, 2022.
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For Translation Assistance |
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For translation assistance, please call one of our District hotlines below:
Chinese, 408-923-1901
Spanish, 408-923-1902
Vietnamese, 408-923-1903
請利用校區熱線電話
408-923-1901
會有人與您聯繫,為您翻譯資料上的重要內容
Si desea más información en español, por favor llame a la línea de asistencia en español al 1-408-923-1902 y alguien le llamará para darle un resumen de este documento.
Xin gọi số hotline của khu học tại 1-408-923-1903 và sẽ có người giúp quí vị để hiểu những điều cốt yếu của văn kiện.
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Berryessa Union School District
(408) 923-1800
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